Teskey, Harold Rex

Harold Rex Teskey was born on June 6, 1916 in Carmangay, Alberta to parents Ray and Hazel Teskey. He was raised and educated in the Carmangay area with brothers, Alan and Leonard. Rex enjoyed sports of all kinds, and was especially interested in motorcycles. At time of enlistment, he was working at the post office and also helping his father on the family farm. On April 24, 1940, Rex Teskey enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force at Calgary, Alberta. He was hoping for a position as a pilot or air gunner. After a few months as a Leading Aircraftsman, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and assigned the position of Air Gunner. By March 1941, Sergeant Teskey was stationed in the United Kingdom and wrote home to his parents that he had requested assignment to the Mediterranean Theatre. On August 29, 1941, Sergeant Teskey was one of six crewmembers aboard a Wellington Bomber, which also carried one passenger. The pilot was attempting to land the Wellington in Gibraltar when a failure occurred in the hydraulic system operating the flaps. A couple members of the flight crew received minor bumps and bruises, but sadly Sergeant Teskey was not so lucky. Official records list his cause of death as being due to multiple injuries. Sergeant Teskey was laid to rest at Gibraltar (North Front) Cemetery. He was awarded the Defence Medal, War Medal and Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp for his wartime service. His mother, Hazel received the Memorial Cross in honour of her son