News

World War 1 Remembered - Major General Griesbach - Citizen Soldier

William (Billy) Antrobus Griesbach was a prime example of a citizen soldier – then and now.

In the early 1900’s Canada’s Non-Permanent Active Militia, like today’s Army Reserve, was made up of citizens who lived and worked in the community and were also part-time soldiers training to answer their nations call. As a civilian he practice law in Edmonton and was an alderman and Edmonton’s youngest mayor. He was also a member of the Canadian Parliament and the Senate. On the military side he served as a trooper in the Boer War and was a squadron commander in the 19^th Alberta Dragoons at the outbreak of WW1. During that war he commanded the 49^th Canadian Overseas Infantry Battalion and the 1^st Canadian Infantry Brigade. During WW2 he served as Inspector-General of the Canadian Army for Western Canada.

For more on Greisbach read the article in our latest newsletter at the link below.

Remember 15-1

This is the third in the series of quarterly newsletters we have planned to recognize 100th anniversary events of the First World War as they occur over the next four years.  We want to highlight significant and/or interesting events, people, stories and artifacts from that war with an emphasis on Edmonton and the 49th Battalion.  The newsletters will also include articles related to the Second World War and to more current events, including museum activities.  Anyone wishing to be included on our email contact list to received copies of our newsletter should email us at lermusm@telus.net.

For even more on Griesbach look under the Regimental History tab on this site.