Jarvis, William Freeman

William Jarvis Jr. was born on September 18, 1920 in Evarts, Alberta to parents William and Louise Jarvis. He had one brother Marvin Dalman, and three sisters, Ila Mae, Eva Marie and Verlyn Louise. The Jarvis family lived in the Red Deer area, and later moved to Southern Alberta making their home in the Cranford and Picture Butte districts. At time of enlistment, William was single and working for his father on the family farm. On April 24, 1942, William Jarvis enlisted for service with the Canadian Army at Camrose. He was sent to Kingston, Ontario, where he received training as a signalman with the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals. Just two months after enlistment, Signalman Jarvis arrived in the United Kingdom, where he continued to serve with the RCCS for the next two years. On July 7, 1944, Signalman Jarvis landed in France in the midst of the Normandy Campaign. By August 1944, the Canadians were involved in heavy fighting in the Caen area, and it was here on the 14th of August that Signalman Jarvis was struck down during enemy action. He was originally laid to rest in the town of Mondeville, but was later reinterred at Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery. For his wartime service, Signalman Jarvis was awarded the 1939-45 Star, France-Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp. His mother, Louise received the Memorial Cross in honour of her son