Regimental Number: M107532
Rank: Private
Louis was born on October 27, 1906, in Lwow, Western Ukraine. He completed five years of school in the Ukraine and completed Grade 4 as WWI interrupted the school system. He immigrated to Canada in 1930 to join his brother Mikolas who had filed a homestead application on SE 13-73-3-W6 in an area of Bezanson known as Fitzsimmons. He worked on his brother’s farm from 1929 to 1936 at which time he worked for a Sash and Door Factory for three years following which he became employed by Western Cabinet Manufactures in Edmonton from 1939 – 1943. Louis could speak and write in Polish and Russian; however, he could not write in English and spoke with a strong accent.
On April 8, 1943, Louis enlisted with the #13 District Depot, Edmonton Wing with the Royal Canadian Army. Basic training occurred in Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Chilliwack (BC). Louis embarked for the United Kingdom on August 26, 1943 and arrived on September 2nd. He successfully completed courses to become a Qualified Carpenter “C. Private Louis Soroka served in Canada and the United Kingdom and received the War Medal 1939-45, Defence Medal and the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal & Clasp. He was discharged on demobilization on March 13, 1946 at Calgary.
Louis returned to Edmonton and married Pearl. He passed away on February 27, 1984 and was buried at the St. Michaels Cemetery in Edmonton. Pearl passed away in 1986.
Contributed by Wanda Zenner
Sources:
Service File
Info and photo by Maxine Maxwell
South Peace Regional Archives
Obituary