Turtle Lady Genealogy: 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Week 23 Prompt

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

Week 23

Prompt – Namesake

Did you know that in Canada, lakes have been named after those men and women who served in WWII, Korea and Afghanistan wars and lost their lives? This was started in 1947. Canada has so many lakes of which most are not named. Close to 4000 lakes have been named after deceased veterans and that is in Saskatchewan alone.

Bill has a cousin once removed who died overseas in WWII.

Walter Robert Albert Jahnke was born in Hatton, Saskatchewan (about 45 Kilometers northwest of Maple Creek) on August 21, 1921 to Julius John Jahnke and Dorothy (nee Bachmann).

The family moved to Regina at some point before Walter enlisted. On his Attestation file we find out that he was enrolled in a Regina Public School from 1931 to 1937 and achieved Grade 8. In 1938 he went to Balfour Trade School and took a Junior Matric and Machinist course. He left in 1938. He

then worked 18 months as an apprentice in Bruner's Garage, Ford Service Station located at 10^th Ave and Halifax Street in Regina. This information was given by his employer of Brunner Garage to the enlistment officers as a character / employment reference. It was included in his military file. Another reference letter included in his file is from the Regina Police Department verifying that he had lived with his parents for the previous 4 years and he was not known to the police department.

Walter was single when he enlisted January 10, 1941 – 7 months short of his 21^st birthday. He enlisted at RCAF Recruiting Office in Regina, Saskatchewan. He became a “Airframe Mechanic, Metal, Standard” due to his past employment and trade school experience. Walter Jahnke passed his physical with no abnormalities, no defects, chest x-ray normal, hearing and sight were good, dental health was good with noted fillings, his appearance was very good. He is listed as 6 foot, 0 inches; weight was 182 pounds, fair of complexion, green eyes, brown hair and chest girth of 38 inches. This is more information than I generally know of any ancestor!

Walter Robert Albert Jahnke

Walter Robert Albert Jahnke

No. Can / R85212

Unit 419 Squadron R.C.A.F.

Enlisted as; AC2, Promoted to; AC1 January 1, 1942, Promoted again February 1, 1942 to L.A.C. Walter spent his first year in the RCAF in Eastern Canada training. He embarked from Halifax to England January, 1942. He died in a plane accident in England on September 15, 1942. His total service was 614 days from January 10, 1941 to September 15, 1942. His Overseas service was 252 days from January 7, 1942 to September 15, 1942.

This was placed in his military file.