Andreas Ernest Pedersen, born March 11, 1915 on a farm near Leross, Saskatchewan, enlisted in 1940 at Camp Dundurn, Saskatchewan. After basic training, he was sent to Camp Petawawa, Ontario, to train with the Royal Canadian Engineers. His ‘dog tag’ bore his Army identification number, L19290.
Andreas was assigned to the Fourteenth Field Company, and shipped to England, where his Unit trained and assisted in British defence while waiting to be sent to the continent. The 14th was shipped to Sicily, where they supported the Infantry in sweeping up through Sicily and on to Italy.
Andy, as he was known, saw action at Monte Cassino, Rimini and Anzio, and, once the Axis forces withdrew, his Unit was relocated to Belgium, where they joined the Fifth Army in freeing the Belgian and Dutch people.
He returned to the Netherlands for the 55th Anniversary of the Liberation in 2000, and was overwhelmed by the hospitality and love showered on all the veterans who attended the commemorations.
Andy passed away on November 5th, 2007 at the Veteran’s Village, Sherbrooke Nursing Home in Saskatoon. His great-grandson, Michael, is running this year in his honour.