Kenneth Lambrecht
1939-1945 Star, Italy Star, France and Germany Star, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM) and Clasp, 1939-45 War Medal
Princess Louise Fusiliers
H9157
WW II
Ken was born 24 September 1924 to Emil (1890-1964) and Wilhelmina (Hein 1890-1961) Lambrecht in Morden Manitoba. He was the fifth of seven children, Carl, Emma, Lorne, Fredrick, Kenneth, Edward, and Melville, who grew up on the Lambrecht Family Farm south of Darlingford, Manitoba.
Ken was just 17 when he enrolled in the Canadian Army, Princess Louise Fusiliers (PLF) at Brandon and after basic training, Ken was sent to England where the PLF did more training. On 28 October 1943, as part of the 5th Canadian Armoured Division, the Fusiliers left Liverpool for Italy, landing at Naples 10 November 1943. The PLF, a light infantry unit, were converted to a Machine Gun and Mortar Regiment in two companies. The first, the 11th Machine Gun Company (a heavy direct- fire support unit) was sent to the 11th Infantry Brigade. Ken was in the 11th on mortars. The second company, the 12th Machine Gun Company, (also a direct heavy- fire support unit), to the 12th Infantry Brigade. The Fusiliers fought their way through Italy and in 19 February of 1945, along with the 5th Armoured Division, were transferred to North West Europe to join the First Canadian Army. They landed at Marseille 21 February 1945 and proceeded to Belgium arriving 05 March. The 12th Machine Gun Company was disbanded 15 March 1945 and the 11th Machine Gun Company fought until the end of the war. Following WW II the Princess Louise Fusiliers were converted back to a light infantry unit.
Ken returned from Europe at the end of the war physically unscathed and shortly after met Katherine (Kay) Penner (1927- ). They were married 12 October 1946, in Morden. He very much enjoyed his employment at the Experimental Farm (Research Station) when he wasn’t working on the family farm. On 12 November 1947 Kay gave birth to their daughter, Linda Lou.
The Winnipeg Free Press, 24 November 1947 reported that Ken died from Coal Gas poisoning while his wife was in the Hospital. The funeral of K. Lambrecht, 22 year old veteran was held November 17th at the MB Church in Morden. Victim of coal gas poisoning. He was found dead in his home.
The family believe that Ken went home after visiting his wife at the hospital, put a pot of coffee on the coal briquette stove. The damper must not have been set correctly and he died resting on the couch. Kens surviving the war, only to die an accidental death was very difficult for the family to bear. Sadly, the family does not have a lot of stories to share of who he was and his last sibling passed away in 2020. Some have described him as a “kind gentle spirit”. He was “passionate about his Christian Faith”. “A very handsome fella”. On the back of a photo of Ken in uniform, his brother Mel wrote, “My brother was my hero, he taught me how to play Mandolin.”
Kay did remarry after a time and she and her daughter, Linda Lou, live in Alberta. They have stayed in touch with the Lambrecht family throughout the decades and Kay invited them to her 90th birthday party. Linda Lou visits family in Morden when she comes to Manitoba.
Kenneth Lambrecht died 14 November 1947 and is buried at Hillside Cemetery in Morden MB.
Information from the Lambrecht family and from the Government of Canada Official Lineage of the Princess Louise Fusiliers Infantry Regiment.