Bolokoski, Stephen

Stephen Bolokoski was born on March 26, 1922 in Hardieville, Alberta to parents Peter and Helen Bolokoski. He was raised in the area and attended the Hardieville School with siblings, John and Vernice. Stephen could speak both English and Ukrainian fluently, and at time of enlistment, he was single and working in one of the many coalmines that dotted the coulees of the Lethbridge area. On August 18, 1942, Stephen Bolokoski enlisted in the Canadian Army at Calgary. Following a few months training at Currie Barracks in Calgary, Private Bolokoski was transferred to the Royal Canadian Artillery and stationed in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He spent more than a year with the artillery, splitting his time between Halifax and Vancouver. On May 7, 1944, Private Bolokoski arrived in the United Kingdom, and by June 11, 1944, he had been sent to France and was taken on strength by the Canadian Scottish Regiment, who was involved in action in Normandy. On July 8, 1944, Private Bolokoski was listed as killed in action. He was laid to rest at Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery. For his wartime service, Private Bolokoski was awarded the 1939-45 Star, France-Germany Star, War Medal and Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp. His mother, Helen received the Memorial Cross in honour of her son