Private John Banman never fully reaped the benefits of his fidelity, hard work, or service, dying at 49.
During the blessing of graves, a yearly practice within Catholicism, I noticed that my ancestor, John Banman, did not have a little Canadian flag beside his modest headstone. I had observed elsewhere in the cemetery that such emblems occurred with regularity, marking who had served. There is no offense to be taken here; I simply owe someone a phone call to ask for a correction to the list. By all accounts, John wasn’t one to put up a big fuss, and neither will I.
John Banman was born in 1924 in Saskatchewan, not far from Swift Current. He grew up in one of the many ethnic enclaves that dotted the prairies thanks to Canada’s aggressive immigration and resettlement policies from 1870 onwards. John’s hamlet was Mennonite, and their livelihood was agriculture. Life was not easy during the 1930s, as drought killed crops and the Great Depression strangled the economy, but his family survived these brutal hardships.
But conscientious objection required the endorsement of one’s parents at that time. And after a falling out with his own father, who allegedly failed to be a teetotaller, John found himself called up by the Canadian war effort. He had just become engaged to Anna Friesen, my grandmother, whom he promised to marry when he returned at the end of the war. Like many other young men, he waved goodbye to his beloved and his home for the CPR, heading east.
Thus, Private Banman served the rest of the war in a POW camp for captured Germans and their allies. Upon his honorable discharge, he was faithful to his promise, marrying Anna as soon as he got home. It would have been a scene for the movies, but instead it was a chapter for the brooding novels that are written about Canada. John and Anna’s Anabaptist community stated if he took the veterans’ land grant from the government, his family would be shunned.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
A perfect opportunity to grow: St. John’s hosting Baseball Canada convention this weekendExplore stories from Atlantic Canada.
Read more »
S. John’s to offer free events and programs celebrating National Child DayNovember 20 is National Child Day in Canada, a day to celebrate the rights of children everywhere to live happy, healthy lives, and to ensure they reach their full potential. To celebrate, the City of St. John’s is offering a week of free events and programs, November 20 to 26, at various community centres.
Read more »
St. John’s to offer free events and programs celebrating National Child DayNovember 20 is National Child Day in Canada, a day to celebrate the rights of children everywhere to live happy, healthy lives, and to ensure they reach their full potential. To celebrate, the City of St. John’s is offering a week of free events and programs, November 20 to 26, at various community centres.
Read more »
Sask. talk show host John Gormley announces retirementAfter 25 years, News Talk 650 talk show host John Gormley announced to his listeners on Wednesday morning that he will be stepping away from the microphone.
Read more »
JOHN DeMONT: Ensuring the future of a remarkable Halifax heritage houseExplore stories from Atlantic Canada.
Read more »
City surveys residents on pickleball facilities and usageResults of an online opinion survey will be included in a report to city council
Read more »