Field of Crosses

2 days ago

𝐅𝐎𝐗𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃, 𝐌𝐢𝐤𝐞
Age: 19 – Pte 50th Bn
Date of Death: 23/10/1917

Mike Foxhead was born August 16, 1898, on the Blackfoot Indian Reserve, Gleichen, Alberta, son of the late Fox Head and Mary Many Shots and brother to Linden Foxhead. Mike worked as a cowboy on a beef cattle ranch.

He enlisted on October 9, 1916, at the age of 18, in Calgary, Alberta with the Canadian Infantry (Alberta Regiment), 191 Battalion, service number 895403. His unit sailed from Halifax and arrived in Liverpool, England on June 9, 1917, to complete their military training. Mike was Taken-On-Strength with the 21st Reserve Battalion.

In one of Mike’s letters, he wrote home “I’ll stick to it until the end to put up a name for the Reserve, so they can say that they have one of our boys over here. I could have got out of it when other boys got discharged only, I want to do my bit like all other Canadians. I knew that somebody had to go and fight for the Empire, and I made up my mind that I would go because it would be my duty sooner or later.”

Towards the end of September 1917, Mike was assigned to the 50th Battalion in France where reinforcements where needed. Mike was killed in action by a sniper during the Battle of Passchendaele on October 23, 1917, at the age of 19. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Private Mike Foxhead’s body was never recovered, he is commemorated on Menin Gate Memorial in Belgium.

Each November during the Eleven Days of Remembrance in Calgary, Alberta, the Field of Crosses commemorates Private Mike Foxhead.

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Field of Crosses

2 weeks ago

🇨🇦 On this Canada Day, we honour the freedoms we enjoy and remember those who gave their lives to protect them.

From all of us at the Field of Crosses, we wish you a meaningful and reflective Canada Day. 🍁 ... See MoreSee Less

Field of Crosses

2 weeks ago

June was Indigenous History Month in Canada, a time to recognize and celebrate the rich history, heritage, resilience, and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. At the Field of Crosses, we took time this month to honour the contributions and sacrifices of Indigenous veterans, who have a long and proud tradition of military service to Canada.

PROVOST Peter – 23 – L/Cpl 43rd Bn – 16/08/18

Peter (Pete) Provost was born on 17 November 1895 in Brocket, Alberta on the Peigan Reserve, now known as the Piikani Nation. Pete was the son of Peter Provost and his wife, Cecile Mahesto-ekinn-opiw, Pete was also the brother of Charles Provost.

Little is known about his early life other than his occupation was listed as a farmer. Pete enlisted in the army with the Lethbridge Highlanders at Lethbridge, Alberta on 14 March 1916 at the age of 21. His Unit was the 113th Overseas Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment), 43rd Battalion. Pete’s service number is 736635. He rose to the rank of Lance Corporal.

Between August 8-11, 1918, the Battle of Amiens was fought, it marked the beginning of what came to be known as the “Last One Hundred Days,” a string of Allied offensive successes on the Western Front that led to the collapse of the German army and the end of World War I.

Lance Corporal, Peter Provost was killed in action on 16 August 1918 at the age of 23. He is buried at the Roye New British Cemetery, Somme, France.

Each November during the Eleven Days of Remembrance in Calgary, Alberta, the Field of Crosses commemorates Lance Corporal Peter Provost ... See MoreSee Less

Field of Crosses

4 weeks ago

𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝐖
Age: 22 – F/S RCAF
Date of Death: 27/05/1945

John William Anderson was born in Calgary, Alberta on 2 March 1923, the son of John Carl and Marguerite M. Anderson, of Champion, Alberta. He had one brother and three sisters. John was active in sports, swimming and softball and worked as a farmer and a motor mechanic.

John’s initial military service began when he enlisted in the Canadian Armoured Corps on 7 December 1942, service number M105270. He achieved the rank of Trooper, Tank Driver Class III, training at Camp Borden, Ontario and later in Calgary, Alberta.

A year later, on 10 December 1943, John transferred /enlisted in Calgary with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), service number R278908, and trained as an Air Gunner. John was stationed at Salbani, Bengal in British India and flew with the 356 Royal Air Force (RAF) Squadron, a long-range bomber unit. Their mission was to attack Japanese bases in Burma, Sumatra and Malaya and to drop sea mines.

On 27 May 1945, John’s aircraft failed to return from an operational attack on Moulmein, Burma. The aircraft, a Consolidated Liberator Mk.VI, # KG831 was hit by anti-aircraft fire at 7,000 feet. The plane crashed in the sea, approximately 400 yards from shore and exploded on impact. All 9 aircrew were lost. John was 22 years old.

Flight Sergeant John W Anderson is inscribed on the Singapore Memorial in Singapore.

Each year during the Eleven Days of Remembrance, the Field of Crosses in Calgary, Alberta commemorates Flight Sergeant John William Anderson.

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