Alexander Brigham Abel was born on the family farm in Minnedosa, Manitoba to his parents, Thomas and Katie Abel, delivered by his great grandmother, Kate. He was followed by his sister Doris in 1925.
In 1931, at the age of seven, Alex’s father passed away. Alex attended Cameron School and completed grade 8. He then chose to stay at home and help on the farm, their homestead located S.E. 22-15-18 W1, which Thomas had purchased in 1920. Katie continued to farm and was a continuous inspiration to Alex as she had such courage to farm during depressing times. Raising a family, running a farm, and being a woman to-boot was impressive and admirable considering the time! She always made sure Alex and his sister Doris were always clothed and had food on the table. In 1935, Katie married Alfred Stanley Fleck from Newcastle-On-Tyne, England, and they continued to farm the Abel homestead. Growing up, Alex enjoyed assisting the Abel threshing outfit. The Abel’s acquired a steam threshing outfit in the early 1900’s, and it was one the last seen to operate in the area when it made its last run in 1942.
On January 16th, 1942, Alexander Abel joined the Royal Canadian Artillery. His basic and advanced training was done in Brandon, Manitoba. After intensive training, most of the group was sent to England, except for four men – Alex, and three others who were only 18 years old. So instead, in June 1942 they were posted to a heavy Anti-aircraft Battery (ATT) at Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, where they guarded the steel mills from air attacks.
In August 1943, Alex was posted back to Brandon from where he was sent overseas on the Queen Mary in late September. Immediately upon arrival in Aldershot, Scotland, Alex took his driver’s training. In January 1944, Alex was posted to the 18th Battery 2nd Canadian Antitank Regiment, 2nd Division. During this posting, he was deployed on the south coast in an anti-invasion role in the defense of Great Britain.
In April 1944, Alex was posted to the 7th Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division and all leaves were cancelled. On June 2nd, he prepared for the Normandy Invasion. He boarded the ship at Southampton, and discovered the same ship had the Royal Winnipeg Rifles in attendance. The lieutenant told the group they were the first line of reinforcements- wherever need be.
In the early morning of June 6th, Alex, along with his group, was ordered to be ready to man the assault boats. Alex had watched the Royal Winnipeg Rifles man the boats and go in the water. The assault boats that made it back for Alex’s group were on the Canadian sector of Normandy Beach at 10 o’clock. He and his companions knew they were about to be part of one of the largest military operations in history. Recalling the first night spent on Normandy Beach, Alex said it was very uneasy. On the third day, Alex was selected by his lieutenant along with nine others to help look after 800 German prisoners. This task took place in an open field, with no cover.
In the first week of July, Alex found himself once again being handpicked by his lieutenant for a mission. This time some German snipers got behind the lines and were causing trouble. A fellow comrade, Sineese, was also picked. Alex and two German prisoners had to go between them to act as their cover. Keeping one pace apart, waiting twenty minutes until the Lieutenant was in position, then they would continue down the road. Despite encountering sniper fire during the mission, Alex was able to keep the group together. Alex, Sineese, the lieutenant, and the two German soldiers made it to the Brigade Headquarters, which was located three miles away from where they started.
At the end of July, Alex was posted back in the 18th Battery, 2nd Anti-tank Regiment, 2nd Division. Around this time, he reported a shrapnel infection in his right hand. Expecting it to be treated quickly, he boarded a hospital ship on August 5th destined for England. At 6 a.m. on August 8th there was an explosion. His ship had been torpedoed! By the time Alex made it to the main deck, the ship was already under water. To his knowledge, only one nursing sister made it. Luckily during the aftermath of the explosion, Alex thought to grab a life jacket.
Amongst the chaos, Alex helped a soldier who was badly injured by tying his and the soldier’s boot laces together, as well as his belt to help secure the soldier’s life jacket to keep him afloat. Alex jumped as far as he could off the boat to avoid being caught in the sinking ship’s drag. Unfortunately, the soldier he helped did not survive. From the time of impact to sinking, was twenty minutes. It must have been a frightful experience as there was a handful of Welsh survivors in the water who sang “Nearer My God to Thee”. Alex, among others, were rescued by an American submarine chaser.
After a week in an England hospital, he was back in Aldershot and from there sent to France. He was posted to the 18th Battery, 2nd Anti-tank Regiment, 2nd Division at Dunkirk. From Dunkirk the battery moved to Antwerp, Belgium. The 2nd Division was given the task of clearing the enemy from the harbor area. In November of 1944, his division greatly assisted the 4th Infantry Brigade. The battery arrived in Nijmegen, Holland and took a defensive position with the 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade along the Holland and German border. Alex remained there until the Allied drive was made into Germany through the Reichwald Forrest in February, 1945. Time passed and Alex found himself campaigning through Germany and then back again to Holland to take part in liberating the northern part of Europe. Again, he was on active duty on the approach to Oldenburg, which was reached around V.E. Day.
Alex mentioned in his autobiography a noteworthy fact – the 18th Battery of approximately 100 men had 18 Panther tank kills. Out of all the gallant members of the 18th Battery, two officers and twenty-nine other ranks made the supreme sacrifice. A large number were also wounded. No fewer than three Military Crosses, one Military Medal, one mentioned in Dispatches, and many C and C Certifications were won by the battery.
Alex’s homeward journey was on the Queen Elizabeth. He arrived in Winnipeg in November 1945. He was discharged January 10th, 1946. By the age of 22 years old, Alex had served in the Canadian Army 48 months – 26 months overseas and 15 months in N.W. Europe.
Alexander Brigham Abel was finally back home, on the farm two miles north of Minnedosa, Manitoba. He rented the farm from his mother and stepfather, then bought it from them in 1949. Alex fell in love with Verna Gibson from Waskada, Manitoba. They met in Clear Lake, Manitoba when somehow his sly trickery to get Verna’s attention worked. While both at a gathering in Clear Lake, he noticed Verna was standing on a scale, a game you could find in community halls at the time. Alex snuck up behind her and laid his foot on the scale causing it to give a weight Verna most definitely did not expect! She spun around to find a gentleman grinning from ear to ear. They married on December 30th, 1950. Alex drove the “school van” with horses during the winters from 1951-1958. Verna also took on this task, all the while being a homemaker and an excellent grain hauler!
Alex and Verna were blessed with four children, three boys, Lloyd, Murray, Barry, and one girl, Margaret. In 1961 they built a new home for their family despite it being one of the driest crop years on record. In 1962 they suffered a complete crop damaging hail event. In the year 1963, they took the chance and purchased W 32-15-18, land that was owned by James Abel and farmed previously by Alex’s own grandfather. In 1967, Alex also purchased land from Walter Abel. The family experienced hard years farming and making ends meet. Alex was always happiest when he coached hockey, just like his own father did. Verna tried to get their only daughter, Margaret, to figure-skate but their baby girl was more interested in playing hockey as well!
Their son, Murray, took over the family farm. Murray continued being a successful farmer and raised his own family on the homestead. Murray married Brenda Branston (Burton) and their family consisted of two daughters, Kathryn and Kelsey, and one son, Dillon. The Abel Family Farm received the “Century Farm” title for W ½ 32-15-18 W1, at “Uncle Jim’s” in 2012. The original receiving deed for this land was under David Alexander Abel in 1899. Unfortunately, the following year, Verna passed away on May 14th, 2013.
In March of 2017, Alex was privileged to be awarded by the France Consular with the French National Order of the Legion of Honor medal, France’s highest national honor. This honor gave distinction of a “Knight” to him. Unfortunately, his son Murray passed away the following month, and Alex’s life ended shortly after, on October 12th, 2017.
Brenda Abel continues to successfully farm to this day. Murray and Brenda’s son, Dillon is beginning to take over the family farm and started his own family to carry on the Abel name. His siblings, Kathy and Kelsey, who never strayed far from home, also farm in the community with their husbands. The Abels are working on their application to receive the “Century Farm” title for their home yard, S.E. 22-15-18 W1.