(left to
right) John
Vost, Denver Pearson (of Dryden), Norman Olsen
Birth: Manchester, England. Date not known
Death : October 30, 1944 in Belgium.
Though the Vost name is not well known in Dryden, Jost Vost is fondly remembered by many people in Dryden. Cliff Van Koughnett, Victor Smith and others have many fond recollections of John. Helen (Austin) Van Patter remembers that John worked delivering bread with the local bakery.
John Vost came to Dryden during the 1930s with his mother and older sister. John's older sister married a William Dixon of Dryden. It is not known what became of the Vost family after John's death in Europe.
The 1939-1940 Argosy frequently mentions his name. John was the gold cup winner of the 1939 school field day activities. (The field day activities commenced in 1929 under the guidance of English teacher Ward Scott. For many years, the field day activities were the athletic event of the year). John served as a secretary for the DHS Athletic club on 1939-1940. John's involvement with school activities did not end there. He was also a form (class) representative for the DHS Literary Society. The Literary Society held two public meetings that year, and during one meeting, presented a one act play entitled "Elegant Edward". John Vost, along with Marjorie Harris, Dick Smiley, and Bill Saskoley were the major cast members. Finally, the 1939-1940 Argosy states that John was one of the skippers for the in-school curling league.
John joined the L.S.R. (Lake Superior Regiment) in July 1940, and went overseas in 1942. The exact nature of John's military service is not known. Charlie Rankin believes that John was a "runner". A runner is one who delivers messages from one field headquarters to another. Maudie (Smith) Lundmark of Wabigoon, who also enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces, was stationed in Brighton England where she met John Vost. When Maudie recognized John in England, she simply asked him "Hey what are you doing here?", and John replied with the same question!
While stationed in England, John married a girl who first name was Carol. The wedding was attended by fellow Drydenites Mervin Brampton and Denver Pearson.
John was wounded in Belgium and later died of his wounds while undergoing surgery. He is buried in Belgium.
On November 11, 1944 Mervin Brampton wrote a letter to his sister Verna in Dryden. In the letter Mervin made mention of John's death and how difficult it was for him to accept his passing.
A picture of John Vost can be found on page 247 of A Voice In The Wildernesswritten by Pansy Howell.
John was a choir boy in the Anglican Church during the 1930s.
(left to
right) John
Vost, Denver Pearson (of Dryden), Norman Olsen
All pictures were provided by Helen Van Patter and Milly (Findlay) Lappage
More pictures at the bottom of page
Mervin
Brampton (far left), Denver Pearson and John Vost. This
picture was taken in England at John's wedding.
More pictures at the bottom of page
(left to right) Girl not from Dryden,John Vost, Verna (Antilla) Orr, Denver Pearson, Helen (Austin) Van Patter
More pictures at the bottom of page
John Vost and Denver Pearson
One more picture at bottom of page
John Vost on
his
wedding day with Carol