TO MY FATHER

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   IN MEMORY OF MY FATHER

born 100 years ago

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GORDON PHILIP MEYERS
1918-1951

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This year it has been 100 years since my father was born, so before it's too late, I thought I'd post a number of his pictures in honour of his short, but exemplary life. He passed away at the age of 33, just six years after returning from the war. I was only two years old at the time, so my memories of him are rather dim. All through my years, I'm proud to say I've heard only kind things spoken about him. I've repeatly been told he was a very honest and genuine person that everyone seemed to like. He was also a hard worker, completely dedicated to his family, church and whatever tasks he took on.

   
He was born into a German family in 1918 on a homestead near Millet, Alberta, Canada. His parents had immigrated from Europe in the late 1800s. Like me, he lost his father at an early age. With his mother, brother and sisters, they continued to live by mix farming on their quarter section of land.

Upon completing high school, he went on to enroll at the Alberta Normal School in Edmonton and graduated in 1940, whereinafter he taught at a one-room schoolhouse in the country.

Just after World War II broke out, he enlisted, or perhaps was conscipted into The Royal Canadian Airforce. After training in Calgary and Quebec, he was stationed in London for the balance of the war.

Upon returning home in 1945, he married his farm girl fiancé and settled on a quarter section of land that he was able to purchase through a veteran's assistance programme. He built a barn and began his dairy operations, farming for as long as he could until succumbing to cancer. The doctors said they couldn't do anything for him and so finally, in March of 1951, he died in his little farm house with only his wife, mother and me to see him off.

In his Normal School Yearbook beside his picture is a line from Lord Alfred Tennyson :

"So splendid in his thoughts and deeds"

Indeed!

Most of the following photos were taken of my father during the war years. These are in no particular order. I'll add more when I have the time. (Having some problems uploading to this system for some reason.)

 

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London during or just after the war

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       Tail gunner of Lancaster Bomber

undefined                              Possibly taken in Quebec while training

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     With his fiance downtown Calgary, just before going off to war

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Air Force 'bikers'

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Lancaster Bomber

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London. Plane shot down near the base

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A friend in Edmonton

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Military friends, possibly in London

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Relaxing by Bow Falls, Banff. Date unknown

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Off on their honeymoon, 1945

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                                          With me in 1950

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                                         Location unknown

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A close friend, perhaps wishing him goodbye for England