Regimental Number: R203675
Rank: Corporal
Frank, born on November 5, 1918, at Hutton, Alberta, was the oldest child in Alfred and Tressie Vinet’s family of five children. He had a younger brother, George and three younger sisters, Margaret, Alberta and Jeanette. Alfred decided to move his family to the Peace District after hearing about the possibility of land ownership by means of homestead applications. The family arrived by rail in 1928 and rented land until 1929 when Alfred filed on SE 15-73-3-W6 in an area of Bezanson known as Fitzsimmons. Frank and his siblings received their education at the Fitzsimmons One-Room School. Frank worked for St. Josephs Academy from 1938-1939 following which he was a superintendent for two years. From 1941-1942, he was a clerk at Concorde Co-Op Store and a farm labourer in 1942.
On November 21, 1942, Frank enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force at Regina, Saskatchewan. Frank received training at various locations across Canada; Regina, Winnipeg, Vancouver, Tofino (BC), B Bella (BC), Abbotsford (BC) and Boundary (BC). Corporal Frank Arthur Vinet served in Canada and received the General Service Medal and the Voluntary Service Medal. He was discharged on September 14, 1945.
Frank was granted permission to marry Jeanne Joubert on July 28, 1945 at St. Pierre, Manitoba. Once discharged, Frank returned to their home in St. Pierre where he had found employment. They had one daughter, Pat and four sons; Gilbert, Raymond, Ronald and Paul. Frank passed away on November 6, 2007 and was buried at the St. Pierre Jolys Parish Cemetery. He was predeceased by Jeanne on December 26, 2003.
Contributed by Wanda Zenner
Sources:
Smoky River to Grande Prairie
Service file
Interview with Lorraine White (daughter of Frank’s sister, Margaret)