We regret to advise of the death of John Alexander on 1 February 2005 at the age of 89.
Jack served in the Royal Canadian Engineers during the Second World War. He joined the Army in Edmonton on 17 September 1939 and was discharged in Edmonton on 17 October 1945 – exactly six years later. Jack was initially assigned to the 9th Army Troops, RCE, largely raised in Alberta. He began his training in Canada and was later posted to the United Kingdom. From 1942 onwards, he served in the Chief Engineer I Canadian Corps Branch, seeing action in Italy and Northwest Europe. When the war in Europe ended in May 1945, the Chief Engineer’s Branch facilitated the repatriation of RCE units back to Canada, which explains why his own repatriation was delayed. Cpl Riddell was awarded a Mention in Dispatches, which he received on 9 March 1946.
Donations in Jack's memory may be made to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #6, Cloverdale, 17567 - 57th Avenue, Surrey, BC V3S 1G8. Cpl Jack Riddell is buried in his hometown, Edmonton, AB.