Allan Andrew Lone
1939-1945 Star, Italy Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM) and Clasp, 1939-45 War Medal
Royal Canadian Ordinance Corps
Royal Canadian Engineers
Allan Andrew Lone entered the world 17 July 1917, the 6th of 11 children born to Henry (Hank) and Annie Lone (Huston) of Mowbray, Manitoba. He and his siblings Howard Norman 1906-1997, William Harvey 1908-1973, Lloyd Elymer 1909-1986, Charles Alexander 1912-2002, Ivan Finley 1914-1985, James Mervin (John) 1921-1989, Doris May 1923, Elsie Irene 1926-2002, Mary Eleanor 1928, Shirley Edna 1930-1993 were raised on the farm. Allan attended the Mowbray Valley School as a child and worked on the family farm as a young man and also in the mine at Flin Flon, Manitoba. Allan enlisted in the Army, Royal Canadian Ordinance Corps, and after training was sent to England and eventually to Italy. Upon completion of the Italian campaign his unit, he was attached to the Royal Canadian Engineers, was sent to France to help push the German offensive back across the Rhine River.
Allan had met Beatrice Mary Baker while stationed in England and they were married after the war, 13 October 1945 at the Walford Anglican Church, Ross-on-Wye in Hertfordshire County, England. Allan was repatriated shortly after the wedding, November 1945 and returned to Canada on the RMS Queen Elizabeth. On 01 July 1946 Allan went to Winnipeg to meet Mary who had finally been able to come to Canada. She came from England on the “RMS Aquitania”. On 05 July 1946 Allan and Mary began their new life together on a farm east of Mowbray.
In the spring of 1950 the following was reported in a local newspaper; ”We are indeed sorry to report that Mr. and Mrs. Allan Lone lost their home and all their belongings by fire Friday evening, May 26th. Fortunately, the children were outside playing and Mrs. Lone escaped unharmed when the kerosene exploded as she was lighting the fire for supper.” The children were Howard William born 1947 and Dennis Allan born 1948. They rebuilt with the help of family, friends and neighbours. Another newspaper article sometime later stated;
“We would like to take this means of saying “Thank You” to our many friends for their kindly thought of us in so many ways, in the loss of our home by fire. It makes us realize what a most generous and kindly folk we are living among. Again, may we truly thank each and all. Mary and Allan Lone.”
In the ensuing years they had 4 more children, Joanne Mary 1951, Darlene Ann 1955, Jean Alice 1957 and Douglas Graham 1959. Life was good on the farm and they lived there until moving to Morden in 1978. They initially settled at 805 Alvey Street and in 1989 moved to Legion 2, 5th floor. Apartment living was not agreeable to Allan and Mary. They loved family gatherings and parties and the apartment just wasn’t big enough for that, so they bought a home at 370 19th Street. Allan remained there until his passing.
Allan was a long time Legion member and enjoyed curling, baseball and playing cards, especially cribbage. He and Mary loved their family and enjoyed looking after their grandchildren.
Allan Andrew Lone passed away 12 December 1995 and is buried at Hillside Cemetery, Morden, Manitoba.
Information from the Lone Family and Wikipedia.