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The Cenotaph, erected in the St. Norbert Cemetery, was an over-grown, long forgotten homage to the thirteen men who fought and died in World War I and who were connected to the St. Norbert area.

In 2008, Art Bloomfield, long-time St. Norbert resident, took a closer look at the overgrown monument while walking his young grandson to preschool. Soon after, he and his family made it their personal mission to ensure that the cenotaph and those thirteen men whose names are etched in stone were forgotten no more.

Celebrate and honour these men at the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month.

Lest We Forget image

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photo of Joseph FrobisherPRIVATE JOSEPH FROBISHER
Regimental #288418

Born:  December 1, 1888, St. Norbert MB

Occupation:  Teamster / Married

Enlisted:  September 13, 1916, 78th Battalion, Canadian Infantry

Survived the War but died of pneumonia one week after the Armistice on November 19, 1918 (aged 30 years) at Anzin, France

May have been an early victim, along with Alfred Oliver Lord, of the influenza epidemic about to sweep Europe and Canada

Awarded:


Married to Mary Copp, this Roman Catholic Teamster had no previous military experience. At the age of 27, he stood 5 feet 5.5 inches and 138 lbs, he had a dark complexion, brown eyes and dark hair.

His story is tragic, given that he was the only man on the list to survive the war, only to die of pneumonia a week after the Armistice at #23 Casualty Clearing Station.

image of the 221 st Bn Cap Badge
221st Battalion
Cap Badge

Private Frobisher enlisted in the 221st Battalion along with Roger Chartrand, James Normand, and brothers Alfred and Ernest Ryan

In England, he and Chartrand were drafted to the 78th.  His file is unclear on why he was held at 4th CIBD, but there are suggestions that he may have either fallen ill or have been injured.  In any case, he didn't join the 78th for another four months.  He was entitled to leave in mid-March 1918, but this was cancelled.  Again, the file does not say why.  The leave was reinstated a few months later, though.


Attestation and other Papers
His grave is in the Brebieres British Cemetery, F 07
He is commemorated in the First World War Book of Remembrance, page 411
His name is inscribed on the St Norbert, MB War Memorial
Veterans Affairs Canada Link
Library and Archives Canada File RG150, 1992-93/166, Box 3318-54

*with files from Jim Busby and Brian Cyr

image of a poppy Lest We Forget image of a poppy

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