Private Earl Conrad Swalm remembered

Private Earl Conrad Swalm of Kindersley was among the many young Canadians who answered the call to serve during the Second World War.

Born Jan. 29, 1920, in Kindersley, Swalm completed his education at Merrington High School in 1937 before working on the family farm. He was summoned to military service under the 1940 National Resources Mobilization Act and enlisted at the 120 Canadian Army (Basic) Training Centre in Regina on July 31, 1941.

Following training in home defence along the Pacific coast, Swalm joined the Royal Canadian Artillery and later served as a gunner with the 58th Special Anti-Aircraft Battery. He landed in France on July 30, 1944, and was assigned to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders under the 9th Infantry Brigade of the 3rd Canadian Division.

Private Swalm was killed on Sept. 22, 1944, during the capture of Boulogne, France. He is buried at the Calais Canadian War Cemetery in Leubringhen, Pas de Calais, France, and is also commemorated at Merrington Cemetery in Kindersley.

The son of Samuel Sampson and Ethel Annie (née Bawden) Swalm of Kindersley, he was one of seven children — Hazel, Fay, Vera, Vivian, Lona and Reece. Swalm was 24.

In recognition of his service, Swalm received the 1939-45 Star, France-Germany Star, War Medal 1939-45, and the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp. Swalm Lake in Saskatchewan was named in his honour.