Soldier's Tree

Note- I will be adding more photos on here when I get a chance.

I visited this Memorial in Estevan on June 13th, 2017, and was beyond impressed.
All I can say is you have to go out of your way to see this.

This project was envisioned, and started by, Lester “Les” Hinzman in Estevan,
He asked the chainsaw carver friend of his, Darren Jones, from Alberta,
to carve a couple Soldier's for a seat at his farm, south of Estevan,
in honour of his late Father, William “Bill” Hinzman, a Veteran of WWII.

This was carved from a 100+ year old dead cottonwood tree, located on the Pawson Family farm, next to Lester's place. When the carver started to work on it, he realized the tree was huge, and could be extended to something bigger than what Lester first thought. When it was nearing completion, Lester realized this was too big and beautiful to keep to himself, so he then arranged to transfer the whole project to the Estevan Legion Branch 60. Now the Soldier's Tree is located in a prime spot, near the Cenotaph, on the Court House property, SE corner of 4th st. and 11th Ave. in Estevan. It is awesome!
The finished project is 6 metres high and 5 metres around the base. Complete with 2 sets of benches, with carved military figures on each end.

Construction Pictures below courtesy Ingrid & Jim Beahm

Darren Jones, the carver, “Mr. & Mrs. Cab Studio, Art and Design”, is based out of Rimbey Alberta.

Darren received the much deserved “Key to the City of Estevan” for his contribution to bringing tourists to the city to see this great monument.

Moving Day into Estevan

Note- this same carver carved another couple projects in Estevan,
see the 1946 RCAF Pilot Memorial page and The Return Soldier

Note- George Pawson and Fannie Ellen Pawson, nee Brokenshire, originally owned the Pawson Farm (Section 10, Township 2, Range 8, W2). Later his son, John “Jack” Mitchell Pawson, and his wife, Alice Pawson, nee Czoba, owned “Pawson Market Gardens” in the valley, on property next to Lester's.
George Pawson- b- Sept 6, 1866 in Sherburn House, Durham, England. He Immigrated ca 1882, He married July 6, 1912, d- Jan 25, 1936 in Estevan SK.
Father- Isaac Pawson, and Mother- Sarah Turner
Fannie Ellen Pawson nee Brokenshire- b- Nov 15, 1882 Cubert, Cornwall, England, d- Aug 8, 1931 in Estevan SK.
Jack Pawson- b- 1913 in SK, married Alice Aug 19, 1944, in Plentywood Montana
Alice Pawson wrote the history book of Shand SK.

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