Sgt Mel Wells, CD (Ret’d)

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Mel Wells, CD (Ret’d) on 24 July 2022 at the Bradley Center in Chilliwack BC.

Born in Ceylo SK, Mel served his country in the Canadian Armed Forces as a Draftsman in the Royal Canadian Engineers for 25 years. He enlisted during the Second World War and started his sapper training at A6 Canadian Engineer Training Centre (CETC) when it was in Dundurn SK. Mel was one of those Sappers who made their way by train from Dundurn to Vedder Crossing BC in April 1942 when A6 CETC moved to Vedder Crossing. The march from the train station in Chilliwack to the new army camp in what was a former pig farm in the Vedder Crossing  area remained in his memory as part of his introduction to the Royal Canadian Engineers… living in tents and starting to build the camp as part of his training.

Mel’s career as a Draftsman included postings to Winnipeg MB and Regina SK before he returned to Chilliwack as an instructor in Trades Training Squadron until he retired in 1963. Mel stayed with the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering for his second career as an instructor for an additional 27 years.

Funeral Arrangements are private. Online condolences can be sent to the Chilliwack Progress.