We regret to advise of the death of Sapper Kevin J. Learning (Ret’d) of Edmonton AB on 12 March 2021. Kevin was Royal Canadian Engineer veteran of the Korean War.
As an unemployed youth, Kevin enlisted in the Canadian Army in 1951 in St Johns NL at the time when the Canadian Army was expanding during the Cold War and new Royal Canadian Engineer field squadrons were being formed. After a short stay in Halifax NS, he was sent to Camp Petawawa ON for his initial three months of basic training followed by unit training with the 59th Independent Field Squadron. It was during this training that the unit learned his unit was next for deployment to Korea. After more unit training in Camp Wainwright AB, the unit returned to Camp Petawawa from where it departed by train to Seattle in March 1953 and, from there, by ship to Japan and then on to Korea. Kevin served with 59th Independent Field Squadron (later re-designated as 4 Field Squadron ) in Korea from March 1953 to March 1954. Much of his activities involved laying mines and clearing Chinese landmines in support of the Princess Louise Canadian Light Infantry. Kevin retired from the Canadian Forces in 1955. He was an adventurer and traveller, Reverend, truck driver, boxer and entrepreneur.
A viewing will be at Connelly McKinley Funeral home ( 4820 Meridian Street Northwest, Edmonton) at 9:00 AM on 10 April. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, 10 April 27 March at 11:00 AM (Alberta time), at St Joseph's Basilica, 10044 - 113 Street NW, Edmonton, AB, T5K 1N8. Phone 780-488-7295, email: Basilica.Info@caedm.ca. A Royal Canadian Legion Last Post will follow at 12:30 PM at the funeral home.
