Myrtle Elizabeth Spencer Petersen
Royal Canadian Air Force
WW II
Myrtle Elizabeth (Spencer) Petersen was born 29 January 1912 at the home of her parents, Earnest and Amanda (McDowell) Spencer at Dunston within the Rural Municipality (RM) of Stanley, 8 miles north-west of Morden, Manitoba. Her parents were homesteaders from Ontario. Myrtle was the 5th of 10 children, Mildred 1898-1985, Baden Herbert 1900-1963, Sterling 1900-1971, Cora 1903-1991, Orval 1914-1992, Velma 1915-1978, Helen Irene 1918-1990, Ralph Ernest 1920-1944 and Mervin 1924-1998. Myrtle was not the first in her family to serve her country, her father Earnest was a Sergeant with the Lisgar Rifles of Kemptville, Ontario. Her brother Baden enlisted during WW I, 06 February 1917 with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, Ralph served with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles in WW II and was killed at Juno Beach 06 June 1944 and Sterling also served in WW II with the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps, enlisting 16 March 1942.
Myrtle attended Lloyd George School in the RM of Thompson, a short distance from the family farm and later boarded in Morden, Manitoba to complete her education.
Following school Myrtle went to Ernfold, Saskatchewan and became postmistress there. Ernfold, 173 km west of Regina had a population of 300 at one point and was a full service village on the Canadian Pacific Railroad line at that time.
On 02 July 1941 Canada’s Governor General authorized the creation of a component in the Air Force for women, later known as the Royal Canadian Air Force Women’s Division, RCAF (WD). Their function would be to release male military personnel, who were presently employed as administrators, clerks, cooks, transport drivers, equipment assistants and telephone operators making them available for combat roles. Prior to this women had only been allowed to serve in medical or nursing capacities. Before wars end, 69 of the RCAF’s 102 trades were opened to women. Recruiting standards were, at least a high school entrance standing, be able to pass a trade test, be of “good character”, 21 to 41 years old, single or if married could have no children under her care. Women holding civil service positions and those with dependent children were ineligible. Myrtle and her brothers Ralph and Sterling, like many young people signed up. Myrtle’s initial training took place in Toronto, Ontario and she served her entire time in the province of Ontario. By the time she was demobilized, at war’s end, Myrtle had attained the rank of Sergeant. Although it is unknown if she was awarded medals for her service, personnel in similar roles and service as above were awarded medals as follows, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM) and the 1939-45 War Medal.
Myrtle returned to the Spencer family homestead and soon after met Alfred Petersen who also resided in the RM of Stanley, 3.5 miles north-west of Morden. Myrtle and Al were married 01 October 1947 in Winnipeg. They settled on the Petersen family farm and Myrtle did all the accounting for the farm. Myrtle and Al felt blessed by the birth of their son Gregory and together they worked the farm and raised their son.
Myrtle was very involved in her community. She helped with the administrative responsibilities of the Dunston Community Church and was the superintendent of the Sunday school. She played a key role in establishing the Morden Museum, now known as the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre (CFDC) which displays some of her father’s artifacts. Some of the Spencer homestead land, Myrtles childhood home, is still being used by the CFDC as an ongoing dig site. Myrtles contribution to her family, community and country continue to be admired.
Sergeant Myrtle Elizabeth (Spencer) Petersen died 02 February 1982 and is buried at Hillside Cemetery, Morden, Manitoba.
Information from family and on the Royal Canadian Air Force (Women’s Division) from The Canadian Encyclopedia.