The First and Second World Wars had a profound effect on Canada as a fledgling nation. Assiniboia and the surrounding communities played an important part in the war effort. Many young men and women volunteered for service and many did not return. Communities across southern Saskatchewan have created cenotaphs remembering those who went off to battle and those who did not return. The Assiniboia Times features some of those war memorials located in the region. Historical documents indicate that almost every family in the southern communities had members who joined WWI or WWII. The memorials and Remembrance Day had great meaning for these families.
Assiniboia and Mossbank were two important centres for the Air Force. The Royal Canadian Air Force established the Number #2 Gunnery School at Mossbank which trained thousands of air bomber and gunnery students from around the British Commonwealth. In Assiniboia, the RCAF operated and administered No. 34 Elementary Flying Training School, a flying training station.
Soldiers in the army also made their mark. The South Saskatchewan Regiment was formed in July 1905. It was designated the 95th Regiment, and was authorized in the districts of Assiniboia and Saskatchewan. In August 1942, the South Saskatchewan Regiment participated in the Dieppe Raid. To commemorate the Regiment’s hard work and bravery in Dieppe, a monument was erected at Pourville, just west of Dieppe, where the Regiment landed. From Dieppe, the troops went on to Normandy where they were stationed until the end of the war and were disbanded.
