Home > Canada > Alberta > Red Deer Census Division > Mirror > Mirror Cemetery > Elmer Oliver Ryall

Elmer Oliver Ryall

Birth	:	2 Sep 1920 Maple Creek Census Division, Saskatchewan, Canada
Death	:	25 Oct 1998 Lacombe, Red Deer Census Division, Alberta, Canada
Burial	:	Mirror Cemetery, Mirror, Red Deer Census Division, Canada
Coordinate	:	52.4815260, -113.0988840
Description	:	He was the son of Alma and Ida German. He changed his name to Ryall from German in Light of WWII and the stigma of the name of "German". He never married. Elmer Obit. Newspaper Unknown. He grew up on the family farm near the Cypress Hills until he was fifteen when he left to work at a number of different lines in various places. At the age of 22 years he was conscripted during the second world war into the Canadian army where he joined the Calgary regiment as a gunner on February 11, 1943. During this... Read More	He was the son of Alma and Ida German. He changed his name to Ryall from German in Light of WWII and the stigma of the name of "German". He never married. Elmer Obit. Newspaper Unknown. He grew up on the family farm near the Cypress Hills until he was fifteen when he left to work at a number of different lines in various places. At the age of 22 years he was conscripted during the second world war into the Canadian army where he joined the Calgary regiment as a gunner on February 11, 1943. During this time in the service he was transferred to Brandon, Manitoba where an event occurred which completely changed his life. In exchange for a three week furlough, he agreed to participate in a 'military experiment'. The experiment involved chlorine gas which is now linked to squamous cell carcinoma from which he died. He grew increasingly ill following the experiment to the point where he could no longer walk or train anymore. On July 8, 1943, he was given a medical discharge and sent back to Calgary. His health continued to deteriorate and in 1946 he was admitted to Alberta Hospital Ponoka. Elmer's sister, Martha, moved from Ontario to work at the hospital and eventually Martha and her husband, Vic Inions, took Elmer home for Thanksgiving weekend in 1951. Elmer never did return to the hospital and slowly partially recovered from his many handicaps. He learned to love the outdoors and was always thrilled to see a deer, fox or coyote. He enjoyed wildlife shows, books, magazines and trips to the zoos and game farms. Elmer was an extremely hard worker and methodically applied himself to the various tasks of farm life. With care and supervision he led a busy, productive life on the farm. The results of his work were obvious as they always had a bountiful garden. Elmer's behavior was a role model for many virtues - generosity, courtesy, diligence, tenacity and integrity. He was never heard to complain or tell an untruth. He accepted his lot in life without bitterness. He did not go to bed without saying "good night" and did not eat a meal without saying grace. It is ironical that when Elmer had to join the armed forces to fight for freedom, that in exchange he lost his own freedom even to the extent of his personhood. The three weeks furlough was incentive enough for him to agree to the experiment, so that he could go home to family and friends. How ironical that this desire would result in a devastating mental illness and handicap where he would be shunned and isolated from family and society. May the dignity which was taken from him in life be restored to him in death. Elmer will be lovingly remembered by his sisters, Minnie Hodgins of Shelbourne, Ontario and Martha (Vic) Inions of Mirror, Alberta; his brothers, Joe (Ann) German of Fort St. John, B.C., Dan (Donna) German of Fort St. John, B.C. and Arthur (Agnes) German of Hythe, Alberta as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Alma and Ida German, sisters Edna Scherer, Ida Fielding and Carrie Lyman and his brothers Henry and Lehi German. Funeral Services were held from the Mirror United Church on Friday, October 30, 1998 at 2 p.m. with Harvey Cole and Wilbur Hayden officiating. The tribute was given by his niece, Noela Baines. Interment followed in the Mirror Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Palliative Care Unit of the Lacombe Community Health Centre. Bashaw Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements. 372-2353. Posted on 1998-11-10 According to Minnie her brother Alma Oliver Elmer German changed his name to Elmer Oliver Ryall. She said he did this because he was so afraid during the War that someone might think he was a German. It is worth noting that there was a lot of paranoia and some terrible things did happen to Canadians who were of German descent. World War II Story (told to Dan German by Elmer German) It was World War II and the year was 1944. Private 1st class Elmer German had just completed basic training at Camp Borden. In the artillery's division, he was now ready for more advanced training. The war in Europe was at a critical stage. The Japs had just bombed Pearl Harbor and new recruits were now being rushed through basic training in camps like Aldershot. Elmer and his division were now sent to Suffield, a remote air force training center located in south eastern AB. They were now to receive a taste of simulated combat conditions, bombing strategies, removing casualties etc. One morning the C.O. lined up his company of men to brief them on the activities of the day. He simply said "Men, today you will learn to use that gas mask which until now you have been carrying around in your packs. At 0700 hours you will march to the practice bombing range wearing full gear. For some time now experiments have taken place involving the use of a new kind of poison gas. The whole thing is too top secret for me to be allowed to tell you any more. The gas bombs will be dropped from a low flying aircraft at 1100 hrs. You will have five minutes in which to apply your charcoal canister masks which you have already become familiar with in yesterdays practice. Should a problem arise, rescue teams will be standing by. Good luck." The salute and he was gone. The men were loosely scattered around out on the bombing range, then right on time at 1100 hrs the planes swooped in and dropped their lethal cargo of poison gas bombs. A pale yellow cloud immediately arose as men scrambled to get their masks on in what was an actual simulation of deadly poison gas warfare. Officers scanned the area with binoculars as the yellow cloud began drifting away. Men could be seen slowly staggering to their feet. One man did not move. Medics donned their masks and in went the ambulance, sirens waling., The man was quickly moved to the stretcher and into the ambulance and rushed to the nearby treatment center. It was quickly determined that the gas mask had not been properly applied. After a period of unconsciousness lasting five minutes, lungs and heart action were restored and the recruit survived. Then he stayed in a military top security hospital. After which he received an honorable discharge. this soldier still suffers from severe nerve and brain damage. This is my uncle. ( as told by a nephew) .

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Elmer Oliver Ryall's memorial?
Elmer Oliver Ryall's memorial is located at: Mirror Cemetery, Mirror, Red Deer Census Division, Canada.
When did Elmer Oliver Ryall death?
Elmer Oliver Ryall death on 25 Oct 1998 in Lacombe, Red Deer Census Division, Alberta, Canada
Where are the coordinates of the Elmer Oliver Ryall's memorial?
Latitude: 52.4815260
Longitude: -113.0988840

Family Members:

Parent

Siblings

Edna Ella German Scherer

(1909 - 1994)

Minnie Grace German Hodgins

(1914 - 2015)

Ida Sabrina German Fielding

(1918 - 1990)

Martha Pluma German Inions

(1924 - 2016)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Mirror Cemetery
Mirror, Red Deer Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.4815260, -113.0988840

2. St. Monica's Anglican Cemetery
Mirror, Red Deer Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.4648300, -113.1115100

3. Water Glen Baptist Church Cemetery
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5. Saint Michael's RC Church Cemetery
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6. Ellice Free Methodist Cemetery
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Coordinate: 52.5793230, -113.1954830

7. Bashaw Cemetery
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Coordinate: 52.5647200, -112.9685100

8. Tees Cemetery
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Coordinate: 52.4700000, -113.3157800

9. Hartland Hutterite Cemetery
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Coordinate: 52.6204600, -113.0990800

10. Earlville Rutherford Cemetery
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Coordinate: 52.5798200, -113.3116400

11. Calumet Cemetery
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Coordinate: 52.6373340, -113.1836860

12. Liberal Cemetery
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Coordinate: 52.3995240, -112.8355340

13. Saint Peter's Lutheran Cemetery
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Coordinate: 52.6655820, -113.0941410

14. Great Bend Cemetery
Delburne, Red Deer Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.2973970, -113.1008320

15. Tail Creek Cemetery
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Coordinate: 52.2961000, -113.0528000

16. Fairview Stone Cemetery
Alix, Red Deer Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.3244490, -113.2886020

17. Erskine Cemetery
Erskine, Wainwright Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.3326100, -112.8850700

18. Clive Cemetery
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Coordinate: 52.4917400, -113.4348700

19. Pleasant Valley Hutterite Cemetery
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Coordinate: 52.3709470, -113.4168538

20. Saron Lutheran Cemetery
Clive, Red Deer Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.5353610, -113.4594370

21. Veach Family Plot
Erskine, Wainwright Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.3176080, -112.8358530

22. Erskine Hutterite Colony Cemetery
Stettler, Wainwright Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.3119330, -112.8401030

23. Dorenlee Cemetery
Dorenlee, Lloydminster Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.7063730, -112.9543020

24. Zion Christian Fellowship Cemetery
Ponoka, Red Deer Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.6681590, -113.3589940