Seaforth Highlanders

Ernie Bagstad (1924 - 2011) was born in 1924 near Stavely, Alberta and moved with his family to Rocky Mountain House in 1930. He enlisted with the Seaforth Highlanders in February 1942 and was sent to England the following July. Shortly afterwards he was sent to the Mediterranean as a reinforcement during the Invasion of Sicily and then joined up with the Seaforth Highlanders in Italy in October 1943 where he saw action during the Battle of Ortona in Dec 1943.

In the Spring of 1944 his regiment was moved to the Liri valley where they were tasked with breaking through the Hitler Line. During the attack Ernie was captured by the Germans and spent the rest of the war as a POW in Stalag 7A.

Also see the Mural of Honour Panel #192, Ernie Bagstad.