Saskatchewan Soldier Honoured Through Provinces Geomemorial Program

A beautiful coulee along Pipestone Creek, south of the Town of Whitewood, has been named after Lance Corporal Wilfred Jordens, a Saskatchewan son and brave fallen Canadian solider of the First World War.

“Through the GeoMemorial Commemorative Naming Program, the Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to announce the naming of Jordens Coulee,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Gene Makowsky said. “Jordens Coulee will honour the legacy of Lance Corporal Wilfred Jordens, who left our province to serve and ultimately, sacrificed his life for our freedom.”

Jordens was born in Lebret on January 16, 1896. He was farming near Whitewood when he enlisted in 1915. He served with the 28th Battalion, Canadian Infantry – Saskatchewan Regiment and was killed in action on August 21, 1917 at the age of 21. His body was never found and likely remains interred on the battlefield with more than 11,000 fallen Canadians, who along with Lance Corporal Wilfred Jordens are remembered with honour on the Vimy Memorial at Arras, Pas De Calais, France.

“We know that Wilfred Jordens will rest eternally in the soil of Europe alongside the other Canadians with whom he so gallantly fought,” nephew and nominator Thomas Jordens Sr. said. “Through the GeoMemorial program, the official naming of this coulee enables the story of Wilfred’s service and sacrifice to live on in the area of Saskatchewan he called home.”

The GeoMemorial Commemorative Naming Program was established in 1947 and is designed to honour Saskatchewan military personnel, police officers, emergency responders and others killed while serving our country or province. Since its inception, nearly 4,000 geographical features, such as lakes, hills, and valleys, have been named across Saskatchewan.

To learn more about the province’s GeoMemorial Commemorative Naming Program, including nomination instructions, click here.

Article Credit: Government of Saskatchewan