This Remembrance Day, we pay tribute to the brave men and women who have served and protected our freedom. Their courage and sacrifices have shaped our lives, and it’s our duty to ensure their legacies live on.
At TB Vets, we invite you to join us in commemorating those who served by sharing their stories. Whether it’s a family member, friend, or loved one, you can honor their memory and contribution to our country.
Share Your Story & Photos
Do you have a cherished memory of a veteran who made an impact on your life? This Remembrance Day, you can share their story and a photo in tribute to their service. Your submission will not only be part of our collective remembrance but will also be featured in a special blog post on the TB Vets website and across our social media platforms.
By sharing their stories, we ensure that the bravery and dedication of our veterans will continue to inspire and be remembered by future generations.
Catherine (nee-Wilkinson) Schaff was born on May 13, 1926, in Eldersley, Saskatchewan. Her father Thomas was a farmer in Eldersley who served with the Canadian Army in France at Vimy Ridge. Thomas Wilkinson emigrated from Doncaster England before WWI. Catherine’s mother came from Morecambe, England.
Catherine was one of eight children with four sisters and three brothers. They all went to school in a one-room schoolhouse in the District of Clashmoor, Saskatchewan. Catherine’s father named the school after the town of Clashmoor in Scotland, where he was a patient after being injured in WW1.
Catherine left the farm in 1943 and went to work near Toronto in the Ajax war plant, where she learned to make shells for the war effort. She also worked in a Scarborough war plant making bombs. As a “Bomb Girl”
In 1944 she joined the Canadian Women’s Army Corp. She received driver training in Woodstock, Ontario and was posted to Halifax where she became qualified to drive trucks and jeeps. At the end of the war, she met troop ships of Canadian soldiers returning home. Eventually she was transferred to Vancouver where she drove officers around town to their meetings and other duties. When the war was over, she returned to Tisdale Saskatchewan where she soon married John Schaff (1946).
After their 6th child (3 girls and then 3 boys) was born Catherine and John moved to North Vancouver. They had 2 more girls for a family of eight children. Sadly, they lost two girls, Melody and Chrystal. John passed away June 30th, 2005, after nearly 60 years of marriage. Their children Heddy (Bob Bing), Kandys (Peter Merola), Thomas (Jennifer) Daniel (Lisa), David (Leigh Trask) and Alexandra and all of their children are members of Branch 44.
Catherine participated in volunteer work throughout her life. She started in Florentine, Saskatchewan, writing a column in a local newspaper on neighbourhood activities.
In Vancouver she worked for the Capilano Suspension Bridge in Banquet Services as she raised her children. She also volunteered and worked at the North Vancouver Recreation Centre in the cafeteria and spent 10 years volunteering at Riverview Hospital, visiting and entertaining the patients.
That experience later led to a full-time position at Inglewood Nursing Home in West Vancouver, where Catherine became Supervisor of General nursing aides. Catherine worked at Inglewood for 17 years.
Catherine kept herself busy with volunteer work with Royal Canadian Legion Tuberculosis Section, Branch 44, the Lower Mainland Colour Party, and at the Silk Purse Art Gallery in West Vancouver. She also was a hostess at St. Christopher’s Anglican Church.
Catherine joined Branch 44 in 1985 and had been attending meetings with John since 1962. Over the years Catherine has held many positions on the executive of Branch 44.
TVS Branch 44 is forever grateful for the many years of service Catherine gave to help the Branch. She was always ready to lend a helping hand with her warm and cheerful personality. We very much appreciated her dedication and service to Branch 44 and the Royal Canadian legion.
Barbara’s Dad “Charlie” was recruited in Trail, B.C. by the Duke of Connaught’s Own Rifles to fight in WW2. He was assigned to the tank division. Many described Charlie as an expert rifle man and sharp-shooter.
When he was stationed in England he collapsed while on parade only to learn he had contracted TB. Unfortunately, he wasn’t the only one who fell ill, as his brother Stan, in the same regiment, was later diagnosed with polio. The troops training at the time were not aware that sharing gas masks would cause disease to spread.
Charlie was sent home to Canada on a hospital ship and hospitalized at the Tranquille Sanatorium in Kamloops, B.C. and later transferred to and received care at the Shaughnessy Military Hospital in Vancouver, B.C. Charlie developed a reputation at the hospital for his positive outlook and sense of humour – many patients said they wouldn’t have made it through their treatment if not for the hope and reprieve he gave them.
Though Charlie had to have a rib removed during his TB treatment, he carried himself with pride and lived an active life until the age of 89. He was employed as a steward at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 15, Abbotsford, B.C. until retirement. Charlie was an avid hunter and hewer of wood; few were aware of his disability.
Barbara’s mother, Olive, started donating to TB Vets to support veterans like her husband recovering from TB. Barbara continues the tradition by giving throughout her adult life.
Barbara hopes that her donation to TB Vets helps towards a world where no one contracts TB, and is reassured to know that her support helps patients like her Dad recover and live full lives.