Name/Title
Colin Campbell GreenerEntry/Object ID
FL-2026-33-20Photograph Details
Subject Person or Organization
Colin Campbell GreenerContext
Colin Campbell Greener survived the brutal trench warfare of World War I, went on to be decorated for bravery, and eventually returned to his beloved homestead in Battleford, Saskatchewan.
While continuing his remarkable story, it is worth noting a quick chronological detail from the text: since Colin was born in 1891, he would have been 23 years old (rather than 28) when he enlisted in August 1914.
Here is how his story continues and concludes, drawing from family records and historical accounts documented by his goddaughter on Elinor Florence's Blog.
Service with the Royal Canadian Dragoons
Standing at just five feet, three inches tall, Colin often joked that his short stature was the very reason he survived the war. While serving in France with the Royal Canadian Dragoons, the nature of the conflict forced cavalry units to fight on foot alongside standard infantry in the muddy trenches. Despite the harrowing conditions, Colin served with immense courage, earning a promotion to Sergeant and receiving decorations for bravery. Over the course of the war, he was wounded twice but managed to survive the long conflict.
Return to Battleford
Following the armistice, Colin returned to Canada and resumed life on his 160-acre homestead in Battleford. He became an active and deeply respected member of his local community, serving on the local school board and helping build up the region. A fiercely independent man, Colin lived in his modest farmhouse for decades. Although he eventually permitted the installation of electricity, he famously chose to live without modern indoor plumbing or an oil furnace, continuing to bake his own bread and chop his own firewood well into his eighties.
Later Years and Legacy
At the age of 82, Colin finally moved into a nursing home in North Battleford due to declining health. He passed away in September 1979 at the age of 88, leaving behind a lasting legacy as a resilient pioneer, a brave soldier, and a dedicated community member. Today, local archives like the Fred Light Museum preserve the memory of local heroes like Colin who helped shape Western Canada.
To recap Colin's time overseas, life was an ongoing series of battles, culminating in the Battle of Amiens in August 1918, which was considered the decisive battle of the war. By that time, he was a Sergeant in command of 200 men. He survived that battle, which he called "the death valley of Germany", although he horse was shot out from under him. He was later wounded in another battle when a piece of an exploding shell went through his ear. He recovered in hospital for a month, and soon after he rejoined his regiment he went down with influenza, the disease that killed 100 million people worldwide in 1918. Colin may have been small in stature, but he was tough; he recovered and was back in France again when the armistice was signed on the eleventh hour of November 11, 1918. He rounded up German prisoners, and then was allowed to go into Germany to see his brother, Hugh, who was a major in the British Army. His younger brother Arthur, who was in the same unit as Hugh, had been killed.By 1919, he was back in Saskatchewan with a military medal awarded for bravery in the field. Through the Soldier Settlement Act, set up to assist former servicemen after the first war, Colin purchased a better farm near Prongua, about 20 kilometers west of Battleford; there he lived for the rest of his life. Colin never married, and always said he missed his chance because of the war. He had been a churchgoer, but during the war lost his faith and rarely attended church again except for special occasions. He was also an avid sportsman and passionate lover of the outdoors. Colin spent many happy hours walking in the countryside, identifying plants and birds. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman, and nothing annoyed him more than people who broke the games laws.Colin had many neighbors and friends around Battleford. He was a kind and loving godfather, and especially close to June (Light) Florence, who acted as a daughter to Colin in his old age. Colin was a life member of the Royal Canadian Legion, an original member of the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, and Past Master of the local Masonic Lodge. He served on the executive council of the Saskatchewan Motor Club, the Saskatchewan Natural History Society and the local School Board. Colin remained in his tidy little farmhouse near Prongua for many years. He had electricity installed, but never plumbing or an oil furnace. He was still baking his own bread and cutting his own firewood until the age of 82, when he was forced to move into a nursing home. He passed away in September of 1979, at the age of 88.Created By
Justin M. MillerCreate Date
August 30, 2026Updated By
Justin M. MillerUpdate Date
September 12, 2026
