20th Battery (RCA) at Camp Shilo, Manitoba

Scope and Content: Members of the 20th Battery pose for a group photo at Camp Shilo, Manitoba

History Biographical: Frank Shippobotham was born on October 31, 1914 in Lethbridge Alberta to C.C.R. Shippobotham and Margaret (nee Campbell) Shippobotham. Frank was the second son of three. He had an older brother Douglas and a younger brother, Victor. He was an amateur photographer, a member of the Orange Lodge and Scouts Canada, as well as St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Shippobotham enlisted with the 2- 20th Antitank Battery in 1928/1929 and served with them during the interwar years through into the Second World War. Unfortunately a bout of polio as a child left him with a weakened left arm and leg. This affected his ability to serve actively overseas during the war. During his military career he served at Camp Shilo in Manitoba, Camp Sarcee in Calgary and here in Lethbridge at the barracks training new officers and gunners for service overseas and working in Stores. He attained the rank of Quartermaster Sargeant. In June of 1942, Frank married Garnette Lillian Gamble and the couple had one son, Robert Howard, born to them on March 18, 1943. Polio also affected his employment options after his military career. He ended up working various odd jobs like Canadian Western Hardware and St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Frank Shippobotham died on September 12, 1979 of a heart attack at the age of 66 and is buried in Mountainview Cemetery in the field of honour.

Custodial History: Photographed by Frank Shippobotham and kept in the Shippobotham Family.

Scope and Content: Members of the 20th Battery pose for a group photo at Camp Shilo, Manitoba