We regret to advise of the death of Lance Corporal Alfred T. Glassel (Ret’d), peacefully, on 22 December 2015 at the age of 93.
Alfred was born on the family farm near Unity, SK and spent the first 12 years of his life helping his family working that farm. He left home at 12 to make his own way in the world and worked for various neighbors until he volunteered for the Army in 1938 prior to WWII. He joined the 2nd Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers where he received his training as a Sapper and became an Engineer Mechanic.
Alfred landed at Normandy as part of 2nd Canadian Infantry Division. He fought through France, Holland and Germany and rose to the rank of Lance Corporal. Alfred was demobilized in Canada in November 1945.
Upon his discharge from the Army Al benefitted from his army Motor Mechanic training and worked at various jobs until he wound up running a garage in Ponoka AB. He later moved to Calgary AB where he sold Snap-On tools for a time before starting his own tool company. Retiring in 1980, Al moved to the North Shuswap, BC and spent the next 25 years active in the local Community. In 2005he retired again and moved into Kamloops, BC.
After the war Al was recognized twice by other countries for his wartime contributions. The Netherlands awarded him their Medal of Remembrance for the Liberation of Holland, and France made him a Knight of the French National Order of the Legion of Honour.{khMay2016}
