The Great War, later named World War I when World War II broke out, lasted from 1914-1918 and had men from Canada serve from beginning to end. Men from the area went to bigger cities like Brandon and Winnipeg to enlist prior to 1915 when the 226th Battalion was formed. Portage la Prairie, Dauphin, Virden, Neepawa, Minnedosa, Russell, Gladstone, Shoal Lake, Birtle and Rapid City each provided a detachment to the 226th Battalion. "The Men of the North" or "Grizzly Bears" as they were known probed to be equal to any other Battalion. Neepawa's detachment, the 4th, was formed on December 13th, 1915 and was placed in the charge of Captain J.C. Mitchell, Lieutenant N.A. Verner, and Lieutenant J.W. Guillespie. 140 men were raised in Neepawa and were part of the "C" Company with Virden and Glenboro.



Neepawa and the rural municipalities of Lansdowne, Langford, and Rosedale provided homes to many brave men and women who served in World War II. Our service to the Allied War Effort also included the establishment of an airforce training school. Construction of the air school started Aug. 26, 1941 2 miles west of Neepawa. The R.A.F. from Britain arrived in March of 1942 under the command of Wing Commander H.R. Black AFC. Many Arrangements were made for the leisure of the airmen including: organized sport, theatre, canteens, post office, Canadian Legion Library, classical music clubs and the Raffians, a hard working concert party.

The school operated under civilian management. It's name changed, in 1943, from 35 EFTS RAF to 26 EFTS, RCAF. The Neepawa school closed with 27 other schools Aug. 25, 1944. The airport remains today and is still in usable condition.

In front of Neepawa's Court House stands two war memorials, each honoring the names of the man and women in the area who lost their lives in WWI, WWII and the Korean War.