Alberta

Mrs. Anderson of Craigmyle, Alberta, was the 1959 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother. During the national Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa on November 11, 1959, she laid a wreath at the base of the National War Memorial on behalf of all mothers who have lost a child in military service to Canada.

On October 17, 1942, her son, Flight Sergeant James (Jimmie) Sangster Anderson, was fatally injured in a crash landing over Germany while serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force.

On January 20, 1943, a second son, Flying Officer William (Billy) Boyd Anderson, was on a secret mission, as a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force "Demon Squadron", when his plane sent out a SOS 40 miles off the coast of England. The plane was never found.

On March 31, 1944, her third son, Flight Sergeant Lloyd George Anderson, was killed during an air raid over Nuremberg, Germany while serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Mrs. Anderson was born in Denmark and immigrated to Canada in 1913, living with her aunt and cousin on a farm near Craigmyle. She married William Boyd Anderson, originally from Aberdeen, Scotland, and together they raised three sons—James, William and Lloyd. Twin sons, Billy and Jimmie enlisted for service on their twentieth birthday while attending the Calgary Stampede. Lloyd enlisted in 1942 at age 25.

Mrs. Anderson loved to knit and was a curling enthusiast, attending as many curling bonspiels as possible. She and her husband were avid scrabble players.

Her sons’ memory was honoured with the naming of Anderson Creek in Alberta for James, Boyd Creek for William Boyd and Lloyd Creek, Alberta for Lloyd. The Anderson of Craigmyle School was also named and opened locally in memory of the three boys but has since been demolished.

Mrs. Annie Rudd of Stettler, Alberta, was the 1974 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother. During the national Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa on November 11, 1974, she laid a wreath at the base of the National War Memorial on behalf of all mothers who have lost a child in military service to Canada.

On October 9, 1943 her son, Sergeant Francis Rudd, was killed in Hanover, Germany while serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force.

On September 19, 1944, a second son, Sapper Thomas William Rudd, was killed in France while serving with the Royal Canadian Engineers.

Mrs. Rudd married Thomas Rudd, Sr. He was an Imperial veteran, having served in the First World War with the British Forces. He was seriously wounded in 1917 and awarded a Military Medal. Their son, Albert John, served with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and was wounded in Italy in 1944. Their grandson, Jack, also served with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, years later.

Mrs. Elsie Wells from Edmonton, Alberta, was the 1995 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother. During the national Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa on November 11, 1995, she laid a wreath at the base of the National War Memorial on behalf of all mothers who have lost a child in military service to Canada.

On March 8, 1951, her only son, Private Fredrick Orman Wells, was killed while on duty with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry in South Korea.

Mrs. Wells, née Drager, was born in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, on August 17, 1906. She married Ormon Garfield Wells in April, 1927. Together, they raised four children-- Etta Elizabeth, Lois Anne, Delores Faye and Fredrick Orman. She was widowed in 1948.

Mrs. Wells died on June 28, 1996 at age 89.

Mrs. Avril Dianna Stachnik of Waskateneau, Alberta, was named the 2008 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother. During the national Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa on November 11, 2008, she laid a wreath at the base of the National War Memorial on behalf of all mothers who have lost a child in military service to Canada.

On September 3, 2006, her son, Sergeant Shane Hank Stachnik, a combat military engineer, was killed in an ambush while leading his section during Operation Medusa; a ground offensive against the Taliban in southern Afghanistan.

Mrs. Stachnik was born in Edmonton, Alberta, and attended Jasper Place Composite High School. In 1971 she married Hank Stachnik. Together, they raised two children, Shane and Deanna.

In an interview, she relayed what an honour it was to be chosen to represent the mothers and families of fallen solider and commented on her son. "Shane was just a regular guy. He didn’t put on any false airs, but he was a good leader and a good role model; very kind and personable."

The passage of time is helping to ease the burden of their son’s death but Mrs. Stachnik says, “You never forget. You’re always thinking about him.”

Candy Greff calls Lacombe, Alberta home, and has for many years. She was born in Regina, Saskatchewan and was raised mainly in the town of Radville where she later met her husband, Greg. As a Licensed Practical Nurse over 33 years, she received her certification in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and was immersed in a profession in which selflessness and a gregarious nature are virtues. Candy and her husband Greg had three children including Byron, Chelsey and Dustin – and are happy grandparents of eight.

As the National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother, Mrs. Greff will lay a wreath at the National War Memorial on 11 November 2022 on behalf of all Canadian mothers who have lost a son or a daughter in the military either in action or in the course of his/her normal duty. Throughout the year she will also be called upon to perform other duties honouring the Fallen from all conflicts.  

She lost her son Master Corporal Byron Greff, on 29 October 2011, who was riding inside an armoured NATO bus when a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-filled car which impacted the bus. He was the first Canadian soldier to die during that particular training mission, and the last Canadian soldier to lose his life in Afghanistan.