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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Mark Robert Isfeld

In memory of:

Master Corporal Mark Robert Isfeld

June 21, 1994
Kakma, Republic of Croatia

Military Service

Service Number:

A71248738

Age:

31

Force:

Army

Unit:

1st Combat Engineering Regiment

Division:

United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR)

Citation(s):

Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal, United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observer Mission (UNIKOM), United Nations Protection Force Yugoslavia (UNPROFOR), Dag Hammarskjöld Medal

Additional Information

Born:

August 14, 1962
Zweibrücken, Germany

Enlistment:

May 22, 1986
Edmonton, Alberta

Son of Carol Margaret (nee Donaldson) (2000 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother) and Brian Lynthor Isfeld of Courtenay, British Columbia. Husband of Kelly Rae (nee LeMaster) Isfeld and stepfather of Wade and Kari. Brother of Leigh and Glenn.

MCpl Isfeld, a field engineer, was serving on a peacekeeping mission with the 1 Combat Engineer Regiment near Kakma, Croatia, and was involved in mine clearance at the time of his death. He was on his third peacekeeping mission in a two and one-half year period.

The popular soldier was well known in Croatia for the interest he had in children of the area and the distribution of "Izzy" dolls, scrap wool dolls made by his mother, and sent to him to give to the children.

Carol Isfeld was the Royal Canadian Legion National Silver (Memorial) Cross Mother for 2001. The National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother is chosen annually by The Royal Canadian Legion to represent the mothers of Canada at the National Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa on 11 November.

As the National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother she laid a wreath at the base of the National War Memorial on behalf of all mothers who lost children in the military or merchant navy services of the nation.

Master Corporal Isfeld has also been honoured in Courtenay, British Columbia where a school has been renamed Mark R. Isfeld Secondary School.

Commemorated on Page 197 of the In the Service of Canada (1947 - 2014) Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information

Cemetery:

LITTLE MOUNTAIN ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION CEMETERY
British Columbia, Canada

Grave Reference:

PH AA82

Location:

Located in Chilliwack, British Columbia

Digital Collection

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  • Newspaper clipping– Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– Carol Isfeld was the National Silver Cross Mother in 2000. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – Carol Isfeld was the National Silver Cross Mother in 2000. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– Carol Isfeld was the National Silver Cross Mother in 2000. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – Carol Isfeld was the National Silver Cross Mother in 2000. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of Mark Robert Isfeld– Mark's most precious and proud moment. This photo was taken by his mother Carol with disk camera at his graduation from the School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack, BCCourse OL 3 8604, 05AUG86 - 12DEC86, 041 FD ENG

    Details

    Photo of Mark Robert Isfeld
    Photo of Mark Robert Isfeld – Mark's most precious and proud moment. This photo was taken by his mother Carol with disk camera at his graduation from the School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack, BCCourse OL 3 8604, 05AUG86 - 12DEC86, 041 FD ENG
  • Mark Isfeld in Kuwait– Mark Isfeld in Kuwait May 1991. OP RECORD His mother's favorite Picture.

    Details

    Mark Isfeld in Kuwait
    Mark Isfeld in Kuwait – Mark Isfeld in Kuwait May 1991. OP RECORD His mother's favorite Picture.
  • Mark Isfeld in Kuwait, photo 2– Mark Isfeld in Kuwait Apr to Oct 1991. OP RECORD A small kitten Mark and his comrades were nursing back to health after being stepped on by a big army boot.

    Details

    Mark Isfeld in Kuwait, photo 2
    Mark Isfeld in Kuwait, photo 2 – Mark Isfeld in Kuwait Apr to Oct 1991. OP RECORD A small kitten Mark and his comrades were nursing back to health after being stepped on by a big army boot.
  • Mark Isfeld in Kuwait, photo 3– Mark Isfeld in Kuwait Apr to Oct 1991. OP RECORD Shown here visiting with "Barney", the American troops' "Mascot". The American compound across the way from the 1CER quarters was the scene of a devastating explosion of ammunition during this tour. Mark's great sense of humour comes to the forefront.

    Details

    Mark Isfeld in Kuwait, photo 3
    Mark Isfeld in Kuwait, photo 3 – Mark Isfeld in Kuwait Apr to Oct 1991. OP RECORD Shown here visiting with "Barney", the American troops' "Mascot". The American compound across the way from the 1CER quarters was the scene of a devastating explosion of ammunition during this tour. Mark's great sense of humour comes to the forefront.
  • Mark Isfeld in Kuwait, photo 4– Mark Isfeld in Kuwait Apr to Oct 1991. OP RECORD "Medal Parade" receiving the UNIKOM UN Medal shortly before end of tour.

    Details

    Mark Isfeld in Kuwait, photo 4
    Mark Isfeld in Kuwait, photo 4 – Mark Isfeld in Kuwait Apr to Oct 1991. OP RECORD "Medal Parade" receiving the UNIKOM UN Medal shortly before end of tour.
  • Mark Isfeld in Kuwait, photo 5– Mark Isfeld in Kuwait Apr to Oct 1991. OP RECORD On arrival in Kuwait, there was a shortage of writing supplies (among other things) and Mark sent his mother Carol this Mothers Day card fabricated from the box of a TV dinner, part of the rations they were consuming.

    Details

    Mark Isfeld in Kuwait, photo 5
    Mark Isfeld in Kuwait, photo 5 – Mark Isfeld in Kuwait Apr to Oct 1991. OP RECORD On arrival in Kuwait, there was a shortage of writing supplies (among other things) and Mark sent his mother Carol this Mothers Day card fabricated from the box of a TV dinner, part of the rations they were consuming.
  • Mark Isfeld in Croatia– Mark Isfeld in Croatia, Oct 92 - Apr 93. OP HARMONY, First tour. Mark "Hitchhiking" in the Former Yugoslavia while on his first UN tour. Taken by one of his section from the APC with Mark's camera.

    Details

    Mark Isfeld in Croatia
    Mark Isfeld in Croatia – Mark Isfeld in Croatia, Oct 92 - Apr 93. OP HARMONY, First tour. Mark "Hitchhiking" in the Former Yugoslavia while on his first UN tour. Taken by one of his section from the APC with Mark's camera.
  • Mark Isfeld in Croatia, photo 2– Mark Isfeld in Croatia APR 94 - JUN 21 1994 OP HARMONY Second and final tour. Mark shown clearing mines somewhere in sector south, Croatia.

    Details

    Mark Isfeld in Croatia, photo 2
    Mark Isfeld in Croatia, photo 2 – Mark Isfeld in Croatia APR 94 - JUN 21 1994 OP HARMONY Second and final tour. Mark shown clearing mines somewhere in sector south, Croatia.
  • Mark Isfeld in Croatia, photo 3– Mark Isfeld in Croatia APR 94 - JUN 21 1994 OP HARMONY Second and final tour. Mark shown pointing out an anti personnel mine somewhere in sector south, Croatia.

    Details

    Mark Isfeld in Croatia, photo 3
    Mark Isfeld in Croatia, photo 3 – Mark Isfeld in Croatia APR 94 - JUN 21 1994 OP HARMONY Second and final tour. Mark shown pointing out an anti personnel mine somewhere in sector south, Croatia.
  • Mark Isfeld in Croatia, photo 4– On his first tour in Croatia, Mark Isfeld took this picture of a doll on a pile of rubble from a Croatian family's destroyed house. He gave the picture to his mother who started to crochet small dolls for Mark to give to the children. The dolls which the troops dubbed "Izzy Dolls" are still being made and distributed by Marks peers while on UN peacekeeping tours.Mark's mother continues to crochet them as do many other citizens and mothers across canada. More info re the dolls can be had by looking at the pattern for the doll at http://www.isfeldbc.com/dolll/dolll.html

    Details

    Mark Isfeld in Croatia, photo 4
    Mark Isfeld in Croatia, photo 4 – On his first tour in Croatia, Mark Isfeld took this picture of a doll on a pile of rubble from a Croatian family's destroyed house. He gave the picture to his mother who started to crochet small dolls for Mark to give to the children. The dolls which the troops dubbed "Izzy Dolls" are still being made and distributed by Marks peers while on UN peacekeeping tours.Mark's mother continues to crochet them as do many other citizens and mothers across canada. More info re the dolls can be had by looking at the pattern for the doll at http://www.isfeldbc.com/dolll/dolll.html
  • Mark Isfeld in Croatia, photo 5– On his first tour in Croatia, Mark Isfeld took this picture of a church that had been destroyed during the war in the former Yugoslavia. This collage shows one of the "Izzy Dolls" Mark gave to the children, and a picture of the Memorial Cross awarded to Mark's mother Carol. An early picture of Mark at his graduation from Cornwallis at "Boot Camp" finishes this graphic produced by Mark's father Brian.

    Details

    Mark Isfeld in Croatia, photo 5
    Mark Isfeld in Croatia, photo 5 – On his first tour in Croatia, Mark Isfeld took this picture of a church that had been destroyed during the war in the former Yugoslavia. This collage shows one of the "Izzy Dolls" Mark gave to the children, and a picture of the Memorial Cross awarded to Mark's mother Carol. An early picture of Mark at his graduation from Cornwallis at "Boot Camp" finishes this graphic produced by Mark's father Brian.
  • Photo of Carol Isfeld, Mark's mother– This picture of Carol Isfeld, Mark's mother taken in december 1994 in Chilliwack, at Little Mountain Royal Canadian Legion Cemetery before the permanent headstone was placed, speaks for itself. Mrs. Carol Isfeld was the National Silver (Memorial) Cross Mother for 2000. The National Silver Cross Mother is chosen annually by The Royal Canadian Legion to represent the mothers of Canada at the National Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa on 11 November. As the Silver Cross Mother she will lay a wreath at the base of the National War Memorial on behalf of all mothers who lost children in the military service of the nation. Photo by Brian Isfeld

    Details

    Photo of Carol Isfeld, Mark's mother
    Photo of Carol Isfeld, Mark's mother – This picture of Carol Isfeld, Mark's mother taken in december 1994 in Chilliwack, at Little Mountain Royal Canadian Legion Cemetery before the permanent headstone was placed, speaks for itself. Mrs. Carol Isfeld was the National Silver (Memorial) Cross Mother for 2000. The National Silver Cross Mother is chosen annually by The Royal Canadian Legion to represent the mothers of Canada at the National Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa on 11 November. As the Silver Cross Mother she will lay a wreath at the base of the National War Memorial on behalf of all mothers who lost children in the military service of the nation. Photo by Brian Isfeld
  • Grave marker of Mark Robert Isfeld– The permanent Grave marker selected by Mark's widow Kelly. Little Mountain Royal Canadian Legion Cemetery, Chilliwack BC. Photo by Brian Isfeld

    Details

    Grave marker of Mark Robert Isfeld
    Grave marker of Mark Robert Isfeld – The permanent Grave marker selected by Mark's widow Kelly. Little Mountain Royal Canadian Legion Cemetery, Chilliwack BC. Photo by Brian Isfeld
  • Bridge over the Summit creek– The CO of 44FES in Trail BC oversaw the building of a bridge over the summit creek near Creston, BC in September 1999 by members of 33FES Calgary, 1CER Edmonton, 6FES Vancouver, and 44FES Trail, along with several civilians from the area. (see http://www.crestonwildlife.ca/projects/bridge/tour1.html Mark's father Brian produced this graphic.

    Details

    Bridge over the Summit creek
    Bridge over the Summit creek – The CO of 44FES in Trail BC oversaw the building of a bridge over the summit creek near Creston, BC in September 1999 by members of 33FES Calgary, 1CER Edmonton, 6FES Vancouver, and 44FES Trail, along with several civilians from the area. (see http://www.crestonwildlife.ca/projects/bridge/tour1.html Mark's father Brian produced this graphic.
  • Bridge over Summit creek, photo 2– The CO of 44FES in Trail BC oversaw the building of a bridge over the summit creek near Creston, BC in September 1999 by members of 33FES Calgary, 1CER Edmonton, 6FES Vancouver, and 44FES Trail, along with several civilians from the area. (see http://www.crestonwildlife.ca/projects/bridge/tour1.html Mark's father Brian produced this graphic.

    Details

    Bridge over Summit creek, photo 2
    Bridge over Summit creek, photo 2 – The CO of 44FES in Trail BC oversaw the building of a bridge over the summit creek near Creston, BC in September 1999 by members of 33FES Calgary, 1CER Edmonton, 6FES Vancouver, and 44FES Trail, along with several civilians from the area. (see http://www.crestonwildlife.ca/projects/bridge/tour1.html Mark's father Brian produced this graphic.
  • Mark R Isfeld Secondary School– Entrance to the Mark R Isfeld Secondary School, named officially on 22 October 2001. Photo by Brian Isfeld

    Details

    Mark R Isfeld Secondary School
    Mark R Isfeld Secondary School – Entrance to the Mark R Isfeld Secondary School, named officially on 22 October 2001. Photo by Brian Isfeld
  • Memorial– In July 200I, a copy of "MINE CLEARANCE" 1998 by Col (Ret’d) Andre Gauthier was ordered by the Mark R. Isfeld Secondary School, 1551 Lerwick Road, Courtenay, BC which was named in honour of a sapper who was killed in Bosnia while clearing a minefield. "MINE CLEARANCE" 1998 by Col (Ret’d) Andre Gauthier 19 cm high epoxy sculpture, depicts a Canadian Combat Engineer on UN deployment in Croatia engaged in mine clearance operations. Having detected and carefully exposed an anti-tank mine, this Sapper is probing the ground to the sides and back of that mine (the area leading up to the mine has been systematically cleared by the Sapper in his advance through the mine field) to see if there are any anti-personnel mines -- often laid near anti-tank mines to deter or impede mine clearance personnel.

    Details

    Memorial
    Memorial – In July 200I, a copy of "MINE CLEARANCE" 1998 by Col (Ret’d) Andre Gauthier was ordered by the Mark R. Isfeld Secondary School, 1551 Lerwick Road, Courtenay, BC which was named in honour of a sapper who was killed in Bosnia while clearing a minefield. "MINE CLEARANCE" 1998 by Col (Ret’d) Andre Gauthier 19 cm high epoxy sculpture, depicts a Canadian Combat Engineer on UN deployment in Croatia engaged in mine clearance operations. Having detected and carefully exposed an anti-tank mine, this Sapper is probing the ground to the sides and back of that mine (the area leading up to the mine has been systematically cleared by the Sapper in his advance through the mine field) to see if there are any anti-personnel mines -- often laid near anti-tank mines to deter or impede mine clearance personnel.
  • Memorial– Mark Isfeld, Memorial sculpture, Dallaire Ave, Peacekeeper Park

    Details

    Memorial
    Memorial – Mark Isfeld, Memorial sculpture, Dallaire Ave, Peacekeeper Park

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