The “Shellbrook Chronicle ” on August 26, 1919 ran an article regarding the memorial service held in HOLBEIN SCHOOL DISTRICT 641 one room schoolhouse regarding the servicemen who fell in World War I. Ptes. Leon Hoopfer, Andrew Hislop, Jack Pearce, Paul Skotte, Oscar Soberg were all remembered for their service overseas.

A tombstone was erected by Earl Spencer at the Churchyard at Church Brampton, United Kingdom. The inscription bears the words; “Pte. Leon Edwin Hoopfer, of Holbein, Saskatchewan, Canada, 46th Canadians, D Company, died 20th August 1918, aged 20 years – For Freedeom.” Hoopfer, passed at the Brampton V.A.D. hospital at the age of 20. The Rector of Brampton, R.Leach kept in touch with Leon’s mother, Mrs. R.J. Hoopfer, and let her know of the thoughtfulness of the residents in Brampton.

The Wild Rose and ARea History Book Committee included a veterans section in their book, Footprints of Our Pioneers, Briarlea, Crutwell, Holbein, Nixbet, Rozilee, and Wild Rose. Included are the names and photos of those who served from the Briarlea, Crutwell, Holbein, Nixbet, Rozilee, and Wild Rose areas.

Forest (Forrest) BATHROW, Leon HOOPFER, “Sandy Stuart” James Alexander STUART, Joe BROWN, Harold CHAPMAN, Andrew HISLOP, Augustine KEANE, John MCKAY, Murdock MCKAY, James MILNE, Harold PEARCE, Jack PEARCE, Paul SKOTTE, Oscar SOBERG, Rowest TWISS gave the supreme sacrifice in World War I. Glen Rose CAMPBELL, Keith HADLEY, Neville HADLEY, George HALLIDAY, F.D.J. (Jack) SMITH, Robert TAYLOR fell in World War II.

Forrest BATHROW was the son of Ezra Bathrow who had filed for homestead on the south east quarter of section 10 township 40 range 2 west of the third meridian.

Harold Wilfred Pearce who was born in Gloucestershire, England also fell in the Great War. A homesteader on South West quarter section 25, township 49 range 1 in 1914, Pearce enlisted becoming Sergeant of the 5th Overseas Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, CEF. He was killed in action July 18, 1917.

James Alexander (sandy) STUART was born in Drumlithie, Scotland, according to Marg Muirhead. Sandy, his sister Nellie and her husband Archie WASON, Sandy’s parents, and a brother Fred followed Sandy’s sister Georgina who had arrived in Canada eight years earlier, and married Walter BROWN. Sandy settled in the Rozilee area of Saskatchewan when he arrived. Sandy signed up to serve in World War I at Winnipeg, Manitoba to serve as a private with the 179th Cameron Highlanders. Sandy was transferred to the 43rd when he arrived in France. On April 17, 1917, the family was told that Sandy was missing in action. The military later informed the family that Sandy was killed on Vimy Ridge.

In the newspaper report that told of J.A. STUART missing in action, the newspaper also reported that “E.J. Nelson, Sturgeon Valley, 188th Battalion, Frank Dreaver, Mistawasis, 188th Batt., Corporal Wilson, late of R.N.W.M. Police, Shellbrook, Coldstream Guards” (page 722) were killed.

Wilbert KEATING settled in the Rozilee district on the north west quarter of section 31 township 49 range 2 west of the third meridian and the south east quarter of section 6 township 50 range 2 west of the third meridian. He fell in World War I, and the family donated his 38-55 Winchester Rifle to the Prince Albert Museum.

Joe BROWN was also born in Drumlithie, Scotland. Joe, and his brother Walter arrive in the area around Rozilee. Joe began homesteading on the north east quarter of section 6 township 50 range 2 west of the third meridian. Joe served as Lance Corporal when he wrote home from France.

Robert TWISS filed on the north east quarter of section 4 township 50 range 1 west of the third meridian near Briarlea. It was right around the time that he filed for his homestead that he enlisted in the service, and not much is known locally about him. His sister received title to his land when he fell at Vimy Ridge during the war. Robert Dudley TWISS enlisted in Prince Albert in 1915, and served as Lieutenant with the 43rd Battalion, Manitoba Regiment.

Of the nine children born to Cecil and Pearl HADLEY, four served in the armed forces, and two were lost. <A href="http://svwm.ca/casualty-display/?ID=A000008075È"Captain Neville Hughes HADLEY'éa" served with the South Saskatchewan Regiment and fell August 28, 1944. Flying Officer Keith Bayfield HADLEY served with the Royal Canadian Air Force RCAF until April 25 1944 when was taken.

SOURCE:
Footprints of Our Pioneers, Briarlea, Crutwell, Holbein, Nizbet, Rozilee, and Wild Rose. 1990. ISBN 0-858925-917-8 Wild Rose and Area History Book Committee. Shellbrook, SK. Friesen Printers.