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PREECEVILLE — Dr Reginald Sinclair Forshner remembered for his service in the navy and as a family physician in Preecville for 20 years from 1953 to 1973. Reg Forshner was born on March 22, 1922, in Kamsack. He grew up in Swan River, Man.
In 1939, at the age of 17, he travelled to Winnipeg with .10 cents in his pocket to join the army. The army was not short on recruits, but the navy was.
So he signed up with the Royal Canadian Navy. He served on a corvette-class ship, HMCS Orillia. HMCS Orillia, like other flower-class corvettes, played a crucial role in the allied victory in the Battle of the Atlantic. These ships, despite their small size and limitations, proved to be very effective anti-submarine escorts. HMCS Orillia was based out of Halifax Nova Scotia, and patrolled the North Atlantic, escorting destroyers.
When the war ended in 1945, sailors were offered further education. Forshner completed three grades in one year to obtain his grade 12. He then attended medical school in Winnipeg. After getting his medical licence, he moved to Preeceville, where he had a medical practice for 21 years, serving the people of the community. Forshner was an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion and one of the founding members of the Preeceville Lions Club.
Forshner passed away on May 13, 2009, in Kalispell, Mont.
