Heather Erxleben
| Heather Erxleben | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1966 |
| Allegiance |
 |
| Service/ | Canadian Forces |
| Rank | Soldier |
| Unit | 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry |
| Other work | Nurse |
Heather Erxleben (born 1966) is a former Canadian Forces soldier who was the first female to graduate from a Regular Force infantry trades training course. She graduated from the PPCLI Battle School in CFB Wainwright, Alberta on January 19, 1989.[1] Other women had attempted to pass the 16-week training course, but she was the first to succeed.
Her first assignment after training was to 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, at that time stationed in BC.[2] She was in the military for three years, and left the services after her initial commitment was completed.
Before her time in the Canadian Forces, Erxleben drove a truck for a lumber company.[2] As of 2006, Heather Erxleben is a nurse in British Columbia.[3]
In May 2006, when interviewed by the Toronto Star regarding the death of Captain Nichola Goddard, the first female Canadian soldier killed in combat, Erxleben commented: "It's just throwing the clock back, it's going back in time — not going forward... If it was a man (killed), wouldn't it be just as important?" [4]
References
- ↑ Forster, Merna M. (2004). "This Month in Canadian Herstory: January". heroines.ca: A Guide to Women in Canadian History. Retrieved 2006-08-25.
- 1 2 Bornath, L.M. (2006). "Famous, Should Be Famous, and Infamous Canadians: Mini Profiles". famouscanadians.net. Retrieved 2006-08-25.
- ↑ "Goddard proved equality of women". The Gazette (Montreal), part of canada.com. 2006-05-19. Archived from the original on 2006-08-31. Retrieved 2006-08-25.
- ↑ White, Hilary; Westen, John-Henry (2006-05-18). "First Canadian Female Combat Soldier Killed - A Victim of Feminist Ideology". LifeSiteNews.com. Retrieved 2006-08-25.
- "Woman, 22, Makes history as Canadian combat soldier" The Ottawa Citizen. Ottawa, Ont: Jan 20, 1989. pg. A.5