Born in 1917 in Kamsack SK, Bob was one of 10 children of Theodore and Lulu Lavina Forshner. Bob’s brothers Mort and Ted also served in the forces in WW II. In his early years, Bob and his family moved from Kamsack to Edmonton AB, to Prince Albert SK, and finally to Mildred SK where his father filed on a homestead. In 1942 Bob joined the Canadian Army Signal Cops in Regina SK. His basic training, in England, was in telephones and communication lines. Over 140,000 miles of telecommunication lines were installed across Europe. While in England, Bob met his future wife, Mickey who was from Surrey. They were married on May 29, 1944, during Bob’s four day leave. In June Bob was transferred to France. When bombing started in England, Mickey moved to Canada, staying with Bob’s parents until he came home after the war, in 1945. He came by hospital ship with a cast on his arm because his work had severely worsened his arthritis. Mickey and Bob had three daughter born between 1946 and 1949: Patricia, Carol, and Sheila. In October 1959, Bob and his brother Mort and their father decided to explore the Peace River Country. After touring a large area, Bob and Mort filed on land in the High Prairie/Sunset House area: W1/2 24-71-20 W5th. Returning to Saskatchewan, they stopped in Slave Lake and found work for the winter months. Bob skidded logs fo with his tractor and was paid $1 per hour. Bob and Mort worked out in the winters, and returned to Saskatchewan in spring. In 1951, the brothers moved their families, and all their farm equipment, tractor, plow, furniture and two pre- fab houses to their land in Sunset House. When they arrived, they found that a fire had burnt the land to ashes. They continued working in Slave Lake in winter doing bush work, and breaking the land in spring and summer. One day in 1955 the bridge over the creek had washed out, so they were unable to access their home. Fortunately Bob and Mort had a sawmill on their side of the creek, and they put some planks across it! Since Bob had jobs over the winter, he was able to keep his farm running. The brothers bought their first self-propelled combine in 1957. After the girls were married and moved away, Bob and Mickey continued living in their original house in Sunset House. They had a trailer, and enjoyed Sunday picnics, fishing and going to dances. They were especially fond of their grandchildren.
Source: Valleyview – Where the Red Willow Grew p. 303 – Name in Roll of Honour
pp.513 – 514 Photo in uniform p. 513