Field of Crosses

6 hours ago

𝐊𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐀
Age: 26– FLS RCN
Date of Death: 04/11/1946

James Aubrey Kelly was born on February 20, 1920, in Red Deer, Alberta, to William James Kelly and Lillian Overton Kelly, of Calgary, Alberta. He was the brother of his sister, Muriel.

After graduating from Western Canadian High School, James worked as a salesman, store clerk and telegraph messenger for the Canadian Pacific Railway.

Having two years of military experience in the Sea Cadets, James enlisted with the Royal Canadian Navy on September 2, 1940, in Calgary, Alberta. He served on various ships until he was drafted to the HMCS Athabaskan on February 4, 1942.

On April 29, 1944, the HMCS Athabaskan was torpedoed and sunk by enemy action in the English Channel. James survived the attack but was reported as missing on May 1st.

On May 9, 1944, it was learned that James and several others had been captured by the German Naval Forces and became prisoners of war in Germany. In a ‘capture card’ sent home to his parents, he reported, “I have been taken prisoner of war in Germany and am in good health.” They were being held at the Prison Camp Marlag und Milag Nord near the village of Westertimke, Germany. His POW number was 1291.

A year later April 29, 1945, James was freed from the POW camp. A Naval Message to his parents on May 8, states; “Your son was recovered from German hands, has arrived in the United Kingdom on May 4, 1945, but regret he has been admitted to the Canadian General Hospital, Bramshott, Surrey, England with a broken right leg”.

James was transported back to Montreal, Canada and granted a 60-day leave, returning to active service on July 28, 1945, with the HMCS Cresent.

Tragically, at the age of 26, while serving onboard the HMCS Cresent on November 4, 1946, James accidentally fell overboard whilst rigging an accommodation ladder and drowned at sea. His name is inscribed on the Halifax Memorial in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Each November during the Eleven Days of Remembrance the Field of Crosses in Calgary, Alberta commemorates Leading Seaman James A Kelly.

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Field of Crosses

1 week ago

𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐄𝐓 𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐉 𝐃𝐅𝐂
Age: 22 – F/L RCAF
Date of Death: 03/03/45

Richard Joseph Audet was born on March 13, 1922, in Lethbridge, Alberta. He was the son of Paul and Edewisca Audet, and husband of Iris Christina Audet (nee Gibbins) of Pinner, Middlesex, England.

Raised on the family ranch and received his education at the Milk River Valley School and at Coutts, Alberta. An accomplished athlete, he enjoyed a wide range of sports, including hockey, basketball, and baseball. In 1940-1941, he attended business college in Lethbridge, Alberta, before working as a stenographer and bookkeeper at the air force base at High River.

Enlisting in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) on August 7, 1941, Richard received his pilot wings in October 1942. He was subsequently posted to the United Kingdom for five months of advanced operational training. On September 20, 1944, he was transferred to an RCAF Spitfire unit, 411 Squadron.

On December 29, 1944, Richard achieved record-setting war history by piloting a Spitfire IXe, and shooting down five enemy aircraft, two Bf 109s and three Fw 190s in a five-to-seven-minute dogfight over the Rheine/Osnabruck of Germany. This action earned him a promotion to Flight Lieutenant, and the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).

Audet had flown more than 50 sorties. Tragically, on March 3, 1945, he was killed in action after his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire while strafing an armed German train near the Coesfeld area west of Munster, Germany.

Flight Lieutenant Audet has no known grave. His name is recorded on the Runnymede Memorial in Surrey, England. He was posthumously awarded a bar to his DFC.

Each November during the Eleven Days of Remembrance in Calgary, Alberta, the Field of Crosses commemorates Flight Lieutenant Richard Audet.

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Field of Crosses

2 weeks ago

Happy St. Patrick's Day from all of us at The Field of Crosses 🍀

𝘔𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘥 𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘶𝘱 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶.
𝘔𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬.
𝘔𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘯 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘮 𝘶𝘱𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦;
𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘰𝘧𝘵 𝘶𝘱𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘭𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘸𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯,
𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘭𝘮 𝘰𝘧 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥. ... See MoreSee Less

Field of Crosses

3 weeks ago

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our dear friend and honoured veteran, Corporal George Morasch.

George passed away at the age of 102, having lived a remarkable life of service, courage and dedication. At the time of his passing, he was Calgary’s most senior veteran.

Born in Calgary to Adam and Elizabeth Morasch, George was raised on a farm east of Didsbury. In 1942, following the outbreak of the Second World War, he enlisted in the Canadian Army and proudly served with The Calgary Highlanders. After training in England, he landed in Normandy with the regiment on July 6, 1944. He fought through Normandy, Belgium and Holland, and later served as part of the Army of Occupation in Germany. During the fighting around Hill 67 near Caen, his regiment faced heavy casualties as they secured the strategic position for the Allies. George was wounded during the battle but continued to carry the pride of his service with him for the rest of his life.

After returning home, George eventually began a career with Alberta Treasury Branch, where he met the love of his life, Fern Minderlen. They were married in 1969 and shared more than 50 years of love, kindness and devotion together until Fern’s passing in 2020.

In his later years, George dedicated much of his time to educating younger generations about the sacrifices made during the Second World War and the freedoms those sacrifices helped secure. He spoke at schools, public commemorations and events in Canada and overseas, ensuring the stories of his generation would never be forgotten.

Thank you for your service, Sir. The world is a better place because of you, and your legacy will never be forgotten.

You will be deeply missed. ... See MoreSee Less

Field of Crosses

3 weeks ago

On this International Women’s Day, we recognize the courage, service, and sacrifice of the Canadian women who have helped shape our nation’s military, from the past to the present.

From the nurses who first cared for the wounded in times of war, to the women who stepped forward to serve overseas and on the home front during the First and Second World Wars, their contributions helped break barriers and open the door for future generations.

Today, women proudly serve in every trade within the Canadian Armed Forces, continuing a legacy of dedication, strength, and service to our country.

Each November, during our 11 Days of Remembrance, the Field of Crosses also honours the Women of War during our Sunrise and Sunset ceremonies, recognizing the lasting impact of their service and sacrifice.

Today we honour those who served, those who serve today, and all the women who help make our country stronger. ... See MoreSee Less