The hamlet of Esk locates at section 12-township 33-range 21-West of the 2nd meridian or Latitude – Longitude (DMS) 51° 49′ 0″ N, 104° 51′ 2″ W south of the Yellowhead or Saskatchewan Provincial Highway 16 at the intersection of secondary highway 667. Esk is west of Jansen in the Rural Municipality of Prairie Rose #309

Jansen is also situated south of the Yellowhead or Saskatchewan Provincial Highway 16 and north of the Canadian Pacific Railway at section 36-township 32- range 20-West of the 2nd meridian Latitude – Longitude (DMS) 51° 47′ 12″ N, 104° 42′ 59″ W .

In the two volume set, Prairie Rose Memories, the Prairie Rose Historical Society lists those veterans who served in the Great War, in World War II, those who were active in both the World Wars along with those who fell serving their country with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police the North West Mounted Police.

The following listing are the servicemen who gave the supreme sacrifice.

Fred Wilson, George Russell, Aubrey Wilson, Frank Wilson enlisted with the 78th Battalion in World War I and did not return. The local history committee was fortunate to have a photo in the book of the 78th battalion and the names of the six servicemen; accompanying Arthur Moore. In addition to the four who fell, Walter Moore and George Barclay are portrayed in the image.

George Aubrey Wilaon was farming north of Jansen on the north west quarter of section 12 township 33 range 20 until he enlisted in 1914. Aubrey, the son of Joseph Wilson and Caroline Redden was kileed at Vimy Ridge. He came from a family of nine children, his younger siblings were, Clark, Allison, Albert, Clara, Pearl, Annie, Frank Claude and Lorne. On April 9, 1917, while serving with the 78th Battalion, Manitoba Regiment Aubrey fell. He is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial.

Aubrey’s brother Allison had moved to Australia in 1910 before, he too, enlisted in WWI.

Sergeant Frank Claude Wilson was working on the family farm when he enlisted. Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and promoted to Sergeant, he was killed in action (KIA) at Caix, France on August 8, 1918. Frank also served with the 78th Battalion, Manitoba Regiment

George Edgar Russell was taken April 9, 1917, Private he served with the D Company 78th Battalion, Manitoba Regiment as well. George was the son of Andrew Wallace and Elizabeth Russell. George had come west to farm near Jansen, SK when he enlisted in Winnipeg, MB. Born May 8, 1891 in Ottawa, ON, and is buried in Cabaret – Rouge British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.

Irwin C. Klein, Willis Hardie and Robert Kochorek fell in the Second World War.

Irwin Klein born 1922 joined the air force training as an air gunner. Irwin was taken March 14, 1944. Georege Klein and Emilie Kuhler were his parents arriving to North Dakota from Russia and from there settling near Esk in 1905. Pilot Irvine George Klein served with the No. 431 Squadron is buried at Stonefall Cemetery, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England.

Willis Hardie gave the supreme sacrifice August 8, 1944 was the son of William and Lydia Hardie who were from Dafoe, Saskachewan. Willis served with the Queen’s Own Camerson Highlanders of Canada and is buried at the Bretteville-Su-Laize Canadian War Cemetery. Calvados, France.

Robert Kochorek was the son of August Kotschorek and Hilda Briske. They immigrated from Russia to Winnipeg. In 1907 the family was homesteading near Jansen on the north east section quarter of section 14 township 33 range 19 west of the second meridian. Robert enlisted at Fort Garry, Manitoba in 1940. While overseas Robert was wounded twice in Sicily and killed in action in 1944 while serving in Italy.

Prairie Rose Memories features many of the service personnel photos along with an image of coupons from a Ration Book.

Those listed from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are Robert A. Briske, Harlow Doidge, Myron Freisen, Terry Friesen, RAymond Kielan, Edwin Langner, Kenneth Turner, Bernice (Turner) Hopp andGodron Wiens.

The Jansen Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion was formed in July of 1946.

Bibliography
Prairie Rose Memories Volume I ISBN 1-55056-008-5. 1992. Prairie Rose Historical Society. Friesen Printers. Altona, Mb.

Prairie Rose Memories Volume II ISBN 1-55056-008-5 1992. Prairie Rose Historical Society. Friesen Printers. Altona, Mb.