James ‘Jim’ Schan was born in 1917 Grassy Lake, AB, the son of immigrants Leonard and Mary Schan of Port Alberni, BC and formerly of Lethbridge, AB. He was the oldest of 13 children.
Jim was raised in Lethbridge and completed his education at nearby Kipp, AB in 1931. Jim worked as a farm labourer at nearby Nobleford, before enlisting at Calgary, AB on 17 April 1941 as a Gunner. By October he was serving with the 47th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery in Infield, England. He was appointed Lance Bombardier in April 1942, but at his own request reverted to the rank of gunner and requested a transfer to the Royal Canadian Engineers. His request was granted and he was sent to the 1st Mechanical Equipment Company almost immediately. During his training, he qualified as a Pioneer Group 'C' and a Welder Group 'B'. He was sent to Europe with his unit on 12 July 1944. Three of his brothers would also serve in the RCE.
As an Army Troops unit, 1st Mechanical Equipment Company advanced alongside Allied troops repairing damaged roads and causeways across Holland and into Germany. In early March 1945, they were working near the Hochwald Forest. On 19 March 1945, Sapper James Schan died while collecting welding materials when his motorcycle went out of control and crashed. Jim was killed instantly from internal injuries.
A waterfront memorial plaque at Port Alberni, British Columbia honours Jim, his five brothers and one sister, known collectively as the ‘Fighting Schan’s’. The Schans a record for the most family members serving in the Canadian Armed Forces during the Second World War, with seven serving overseas in the Canadian Army - Sapper Jack Schan, Private John Schan, Gunner Leonard Schan, Private Nicholas Schan, Sapper Leo Schan, Sapper Joseph Schan, and Private Dorothy who served in the Canadian Women's Army Corps. Jim married Margaret Beatrice Dixon of Banstead, Surrey, England, married on 14 February 1945, three weeks before he was killed. He is commemorated at Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, Netherlands. He was 26 years old.