A former boxer, he still did a bag workout into his 70's. Quite the lad he was. He led a long and fruitful life, finally succumbing to cancer last week. A Regimental funeral, complete with guard of honour, volleys fired, and Regimental pallbearars, will be held in Calgary Tues 12/12/06 at 1400.
David Boyer was born in Medicine Hat, Alberta in May of 1920. In 1940 he joined the Edmonton Fusiliers, and volunteered for a newly formed unit known as the First Special Service Force, better known today as "The Devil's Brigade." This unit was formed of both Canadian and American soldiers and was recognized as the most highly trained infantry unit of the Second World War, drawing its recruits from experienced and educated NCOs, the average rank was Sergeant. After service with the FSSF he moved to the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, being wounded at Ortona, Italy. He finished the war with the Loyal Edmontons, and joined the Calgary Highlanders in the early 1950s. He retired as RSM of the regiment in the 1960s. In civilian life, he worked at Great West Saddlery from 1946-59, then Stafford Foods until 1964 and finally Century Sales until 1985, in addition to 10 years as a professional boxer followed by refereeing. Boyer had five children and 22 grandchildren by his first wife, who passed away in 1978; he had two grown children with his second wife whom he married in 1983.
