Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Memorial – Inscription - Bayeux Memorial … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

Certificate – A certificate dated August 15th, 1945 which reads: Province of Saskatchewan, in memory of Otto Victor Feist who made the supreme sacrifice in World War II. Men die today for freedom as of old And dying weave their life threads sanctified Into the fabric of a People's Soul; A testament to all Eternity That Life is gained by death in Honour's cause. Wilkie and District join in deepest sympathy with those who mourn their loss. Signed by Fred G Robson and JB Edmundson. Fifteenth day of August, 1945 Citizens' Committee. This framed certificate had a slip from the Department of National Defence which was sent enclosing Otto Feist's medals.

Letter – A slip which was sent enclosing Tpr Otto Feist's medals sent to his family following World War II. The slip reads: "The Minister of National Defence, in forwarding the enclosed Medals issued in respect of the service of L84716, Tpr. O.V. FEIST during the War 1939-1945, begs to express on behalf of the Government of Canada sincere appreciation of services rendered."

Document – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Attestation Paper – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Witness Statement – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Correspondence – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Photo of Otto Victor Feist

Photo 2 of Otto Victor Feist – Otto Victor Feist 1943

Telegram – Official Telegram declaring Otto Victor Feist, who was previously reagarded as missing in action, is now confirmed killed in action.

Letter – 1964 letter to Mrs. Krill, the sister of Otto Victor Feist, replying to her requests about the Bayeux Memorial and where her brother's name was listed.

Photo 3 of Otto Victor Feist – Otto with his brother Louis Valentine Feist in World War Two. Louis survived his brother and resides in British Columbia today.

Certificate – Feist Lake

Inscription – O.V. Feist's name on the Bayeux Memorial in France.

Photo of Otto V. Feist – Otto V. Feist

Inscription – Otto Victor Feist's name on the Provincial Memorial outside the Saskatchewan Legislature in Regina.

Photo of Otto Victor Feist – Otto Victor Feist standing by a car. Date unknown but would likely be early in his conscription during training in Canada. The military unit on his shirt says King's Own Rifles - Canada.

Group Photo – Otto Victor Feist (front left) with a group of friends during training in Canada. A note on one of the two photos taken here says "that's where I went to school some time ago - Otto" suggesting that this was likely where he took training (in BC) prior to leaving Canada. These photos were likely included in a letter back to his family in Wilkie, Saskatchewan.

Group Photo – Otto Victor Feist (rear right) with a group of friends during training in Canada. A note on one of the two photos taken here says "that's where I went to school some time ago - Otto" suggesting that this was likely where he took training (in BC) prior to leaving Canada. These photos were likely included in a letter back to his family in Wilkie, Saskatchewan.

Reverse side of Group Photo – "that's where I went to school some time ago - Otto" suggesting that the photos with Otto and friends around trucks were likely taken during training (in BC) prior to leaving Canada. These photos were likely included in a letter back to his family in Wilkie, Saskatchewan.

Photo of Otto Victor Feist – A headshot of Otto Victor Feist. This photo was likely enclosed with a letter back to his family in Wilkie, Saskatchewan from Europe. The note on the back reads simply "with love. Vic. To all."

Reverse side of photo – The note on the obverse of a headshot of Otto Victor Feist. It reads: "with love. Vic. To all."

Communion certificate – Otto Feist's First Communion certificate from 1928. He was the son of two Catholic German-Russian immigrants in Saskatchewan who farmed near the town of Wilkie. This certificate was one of the few treasured items held by Otto's mother Ella Feist (nee Mardian) through the years until her death in 1979.

Memorial – This monument was erected in Wilkie, Saskatchewan in 1927 to remember those who died from the community in World War I. A second plate was added following World War II. Otto's name appears on this memorial in his hometown.