Alberta

Mrs. Anderson of Craigmyle, Alberta, was the 1959 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother. During the national Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa on November 11, 1959, she laid a wreath at the base of the National War Memorial on behalf of all mothers who have lost a child in military service to Canada.

On October 17, 1942, her son, Flight Sergeant James (Jimmie) Sangster Anderson, was fatally injured in a crash landing over Germany while serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force.

On January 20, 1943, a second son, Flying Officer William (Billy) Boyd Anderson, was on a secret mission, as a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force "Demon Squadron", when his plane sent out a SOS 40 miles off the coast of England. The plane was never found.

On March 31, 1944, her third son, Flight Sergeant Lloyd George Anderson, was killed during an air raid over Nuremberg, Germany while serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Mrs. Anderson was born in Denmark and immigrated to Canada in 1913, living with her aunt and cousin on a farm near Craigmyle. She married William Boyd Anderson, originally from Aberdeen, Scotland, and together they raised three sons—James, William and Lloyd. Twin sons, Billy and Jimmie enlisted for service on their twentieth birthday while attending the Calgary Stampede. Lloyd enlisted in 1942 at age 25.

Mrs. Anderson loved to knit and was a curling enthusiast, attending as many curling bonspiels as possible. She and her husband were avid scrabble players.

Her sons’ memory was honoured with the naming of Anderson Creek in Alberta for James, Boyd Creek for William Boyd and Lloyd Creek, Alberta for Lloyd. The Anderson of Craigmyle School was also named and opened locally in memory of the three boys but has since been demolished.

Mrs. Annie Rudd of Stettler, Alberta, was the 1974 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother. During the national Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa on November 11, 1974, she laid a wreath at the base of the National War Memorial on behalf of all mothers who have lost a child in military service to Canada.

On October 9, 1943 her son, Sergeant Francis Rudd, was killed in Hanover, Germany while serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force.

On September 19, 1944, a second son, Sapper Thomas William Rudd, was killed in France while serving with the Royal Canadian Engineers.

Mrs. Rudd married Thomas Rudd, Sr. He was an Imperial veteran, having served in the First World War with the British Forces. He was seriously wounded in 1917 and awarded a Military Medal. Their son, Albert John, served with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and was wounded in Italy in 1944. Their grandson, Jack, also served with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, years later.

Mrs. Elsie Wells from Edmonton, Alberta, was the 1995 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother. During the national Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa on November 11, 1995, she laid a wreath at the base of the National War Memorial on behalf of all mothers who have lost a child in military service to Canada.

On March 8, 1951, her only son, Private Fredrick Orman Wells, was killed while on duty with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry in South Korea.

Mrs. Wells, née Drager, was born in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, on August 17, 1906. She married Ormon Garfield Wells in April, 1927. Together, they raised four children-- Etta Elizabeth, Lois Anne, Delores Faye and Fredrick Orman. She was widowed in 1948.

Mrs. Wells died on June 28, 1996 at age 89.