Regimental Number: M55568
Alfred was the second oldest of Roy and Margaret Robideau’s five children; Peter (1920), Alfred (August 20, 1921), Amelia (1922), Leo (1924), Ernie (1925). He was raised on the family farm in Bezanson and attended the one-room Lindsay School where he completed Grade 8.
Alf enlisted in the Army on July 25, 1940 in Grande Prairie. The family story is that he was working in the field with a team of horses when a group of young men came along who were headed to Grande Prairie to enlist and he tied the team to some trees and went with them. He served as a Private with the 4th Division Petrol Coy, Royal Canadian Army Service Corps. Alf took advantage of several of the courses that were available for new recruits including a water course, Driver Class III, D;M.A.C. (chamber) and Class II Rifle at 30 yds. & 200 yds. Alf served in Canada, United Kingdom, Central Mediterranean Area and Continental Europe. He was discharged on demobilization on October 18, 1945 at the No. 13 District Depot in Calgary. Alf received the 1939-45 Star, France-Germany Star, Defense Medal, War Medal, Italy Star, and Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp.
Alf returned home to the family farm where he worked until he leased the E 1/2 of section 11-72-3-W6 in 1947. The land was known as the “school section” and he eventually purchased the ½ section. Alf married Anita Peterson who had two children, Carol and Carmen Stanley from her first marriage. Alf and Anita had nine children, Lavern (Butch), Linda, Yvonne, Eunice, Eric, Alice, Ira, Carmen and Darlene. The family was very busy with their farming operation and raising a large family. Alf supplemented the farm income by working for Norton Bros. Sawmill for many years. Once the sawmill ceased operating, he was hired by the County of Grande Prairie No. 1 as their service-man for the equipment used by the road-building crews. In later years, Alf became the caretaker for the School District working at the Composite High School in Grande Prairie.
Anita passed away in 1974 after which Alf subsequently married Yvette Benson who had eleven children from her first marriage; therefore, between the two of them, they had 22 children.
In 1952, Alf’s parents, Roy and Maggie built a house on the NE corner of Alf’s property (Range Road 31 & Highway 43) where they retired and lived for many years.
Alf resided on the farm until he passed away in 1992 and was buried at the Glen Leslie Cemetery.
Contributed by Wanda Zenner
Sources:
Smoky River to Grande Prairie
Interview with Les and Linda (Robideau) Nellis
Information from Darlene (Robideau) Erno
Land Titles Register