Vera Shirley was born in 1915 and enlisted with the Canadian Women’s Army Corps (CWAC) on 8 February 1943. She served with the CWAC in Edmonton and Southern Alberta, taking on duties in recruiting, public relations, and radio publicity. She attained the rank of Sergeant and for her wartime service she was awarded the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and War Medal 1939-1945. Vera was married to Warrant Officer Class 1 Bill Shirley. Following the war they resided in Lethbridge, Alberta and raised three daughters – Jane, Linda, and Diane. Once her children were older she worked at Southern Stationers and Lorna’s Flowers. She enjoyed being both a cub leader and Sunday School teacher at Saint Augustine’s Church. She passed away in 1997.
