Friesen, Elmer

Elmer Friesen was born March 3, 1922 in Saskatchewan, and he grew up there in the town of Aberdeen, alongside his nine siblings. His father was a teacher, but he developed eye trouble, he had to retire, and the family moved to their grandfather’s homestead, where Albert’s father organized the farm.  Albert quit school at this time – at age 16 – so he could help his father.  The war began at this time, and Albert’s older brother joined up in those early days; Albert wanted to join the RCAF, but his father wouldn’t allow it, saying Albert would have to get his Grade 12 first, so Albert returned to school so he could graduate.  He did that when he was 20, and with that he joined the RCAF in 1942, where his first stop was basic training in Edmonton, followed by stops in Saskatoon and St. Thomas, Ontario.  The next destination was Halifax, and Elmer was excited to go overseas.  The RCAF had other ideas though, and he and several other men were held back for home front duty, and Elmer was posted to RCAF Scoudouc.  There he was part of an electronics shop, repairing electrical parts on various RCAF aircraft, including Hawker Hurricanes.  Elmer was there for about a year, and then one day a man from the YMCA showed up, interested in putting together a show and looking for performers.  Elmer – who had a good singing voice – was selected, and he began performing in shows in the Maritime provinces, with a view to boosting civilian morale.  That continued through to VE Day, after which time Elmer was sent to British Columbia for possible deployment in the war against Japan.  That didn’t happen though, but Elmer did meet a young lady named Dallas while in B.C.  Dallas was a war widow whose husband had been killed overseas; Elmer and Dallas began a relationship and they were married shortly after the war.  Albert returned to school after the war and made his way back to Aberdeen, working a series of jobs until he saw a government posting for an electronics course.  He followed that and found his place in postwar life, along with his wife and family, eventually finding a spot in Alberta.  Elmer Friesen was interviewed by Zach Dunn of Global Veterans’ Stories, and we thank Zach for sharing this video with us so that Crestwood students can hear another story from a Canadian veteran!