NOVEMBER 4, 2016 | THE WELLINGTON ADVERTISER | 23
LEST WE FORGET
A parachute pioneer: Remembering Garnet Wilson MOUNT FOREST Garnet Wilson was only 19 years old when he enlisted in the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion. He was among the first in Canada to be part of the airborne regiments, which gained an international reputation for courage and tenacity. This is his story. Wilson was born on May 19, 1923 in West Luther Township, now Wellington North. He was one of 15 children. Wilson was working as a truck driver when he and his cousin Doug Wilson signed up for service in September of 1942. He applied for the new parachute recruiting campaign. He was accepted after rigorous fitness and endurance testing. He, along with 550 other recruits, travelled by train to Georgia for training, as there was no Canadian facility for the new battalion. In Georgia, he endured gruelling physical exercise, daily runs, parachute drills
and many practice jumps, first from a tower and then an aircraft, to qualify as a paratrooper. By March 1943, Canada had established its own training center at CFB Shilo, Manitoba. By the end of June, the Canadian government decided the paratroopers would travel overseas to join the British Airborne. On July 20, Wilson and the other paratroopers left for Halifax before crossing the Atlantic to England on the Queen Elizabeth. Paratrooper training wasn’t easy. After joining the 3rd British Parachute Brigade, the paratroopers started on a program of extreme physical and mental training. This included a 10 mile run in under two hours, carrying 60 pounds of gear; compass and map reading; navigating for night movement behind enemy lines; learning to fight in the woods; and more. In September 1944, the Canadians had to take the British parachute conver-
sion training. This included jumping with one parachute and no spare. They jumped first from a tower, then a moored training balloon, and lastly, from a Whitley Bomber. The 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion adopted the British Pegasus symbol and maroon berets. During his time in England, Wilson experiences the blackouts in London, air raids and bombings.
On June 7, in complete darkness, Wilson crossed the English Channel. After a year of training, Wilson and the rest of the battalion were to be deployed as part of Operation Overlord, which would be known as D-Day. The paratroopers’ mission would be to land on June 5, 1944, one day prior to the full scale invasion. The Canadians’ mission was to secure the drop zone,
then destroy bridges over the Dives River and neutralize strong points at Le Mesnil crossroads. Wilson never made it to that deployment. During a training jump, Wilson broke his ankle and was hospitalized just months before the battalion was to leave. He was not cleared to parachute, so instead, on the morning of June 7, in complete darkness, Wilson crossed the English Channel. He told his family he remembered the ear piercing sounds of guns and the noise of the planes overhead. Upon reaching the shore, he and the others used their compasses to locate the meeting place of the battalion, at the Germancontrolled Le Mesnil crossroads. They secured the area for three months, when the Germans began to withdraw from the area. Of the 516 men who took part, only 173 returned. Wilson also took part in the Battle of the Bulge in
Airborne - West Luther resident Garnet Wilson (right and above, middle) was part of the pioneer 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion that served in the Second World War. He survived the war, but many of his comrades did not. Submitted photos the Ardennes, Operation Varsity in the Rhine area of Germany and the final push operation to Wismer. He took many photographs of his time in the army. His last roll of film was taken for development, but he never saw it again. On June 21, 1945, Wilson was back on Canadian soil. The paratroopers were the first to be repatriated, but were disbanded in September of that year. In 2004, 60 years after the battle on D-Day, Wilson
returned to Normandy with his family. Wilson passed away peacefully at the family farm on Aug. 18, 2013 at the age of 90. Wilson’s story was taken from a 2015 collection compiled by Barbara Jones.
Remembrance services ABERFOYLE Nov. 11 at 10:30am at the Puslinch Community Centre. ABOYNE Nov. 5 at 10:30am, ceremony on the front lawn of the county museum. Nov. 10 at 5:30pm, candle-lighting tribute begins on lawn of the museum. ARTHUR Parade starts at Legion on Nov. 11 at 10:30am. Cenotaph service to follow. BELWOOD Nov. 6 at 12:30pm at the cenotaph. CLIFFORD Nov. 6 at 2:15pm at the cenotaph.
DRAYTON Nov. 11 at 2:30pm at cenotaph. Parade forms at 2pm, leaves Legion at 2:15. ELORA Nov. 11 at 11am at the cenotaph. ERIN Cenotaph service on Nov. 6 at 10:45am, followed by parade to Legion and nondenominational service at Legion hall. Nov. 11 at 10:45am at the cenotaph. FERGUS Nov. 6 at 12pm, church service at Bethel Baptist Church, preceded by Legion colour party parade. Nov. 11 at 11am at the cenotaph. Parade forms at Legion at 10am.
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GRAND VALLEY Nov. 11 at 10:30am at the cenotaph. GUELPH Nov. 11 service at the Sleeman Centre at 10:20am. Parade leaves the Armoury (7 Wyndham Street) at 9am. Service at John McCrae’s birthplace, 108 Water Street, on Nov. 11 at 9am. Woodlawn Memorial Park service on Nov. 11 at 10:45am. Gather at the Veterans’Area of cemetery at Canadian flag. HARRISTON Nov. 11 at 11am at the cenotaph. Parade from Legion starts at 10:30am.
THANK YOU to our veterans for their sacrifice. We remember the fallen and are grateful for our freedom.
MOUNT FOREST Nov. 11 at 10:30am. Parade starts at Legion. Cenotaph service to follow. PALMERSTON Nov. 6 at 10:30am at Palmerston United Church. Nov. 11 at 11am at the cenotaph. ROCKWOOD Nov. 5 at the cenotaph at 10:45am, with reception to follow in St. John’s Anglican Church Hall. Nov. 11 service, in partnership with Rockwood Centennial Public School, at the cenotaph at 10:50am. SALEM Nov. 11 at 9:30am at the cenotaph.
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Banners honouring local veterans now hang in Arthur By Olivia Rutt ARTHUR - In Arthur, Canada’s most patriotic village, new banners depicting local soldiers and veterans now fly over the main street. Inspired by the recent display of veteran banners in Harriston, Robert Hicks, an executive member of the Arthur Legion, decided “the most patriotic village” should follow suit. “I first saw them in Harriston two years ago and I was impressed with them. I saw an article online about it and I said to my girlfriend, ‘we got to do this in Arthur - I’m doing this,’” he said. Hicks, with support from the Legion’s executive membership, put out a call on social media for sponsorships. He received a number of responses from family members of veterans and community members. Twelve banners, depicting local men who went to war, now hang alongside Canadian flags down George Street (Highway 6) in Arthur. “I think it’s nice for people to see and remember,” said Hicks. He added it is very important to remember those who served, especially as more and more time passes after the end of the World Wars.
Arthur and Area Historical Society member and veteran John Walsh said the banners are great for the community. “The banners are a reminder to local viewers of a war that ... many now would have very little knowledge (about),” Walsh said. “They are a small representation of those who served from the Arthur area in the two great World Wars.” In the Second World War, 363 enlisted from the Arthur area and 25 were killed. Forty more were killed in the First World War. Banners will be available for sponsorship in 2017 as well. To inquire email Hicks at roberthicks052467@ gmail.com. The following local veterans are depicted on the banners now on display. Louis Oscar Williams Williams joined the Canadian Army in the Second World War. He served in Holland around the time of that country’s liberation. His banner was sponsored by the Williams family. Jason Cooper Cooper is currently a sub-lieutenant in the Canadian Navy. He has been in service for 13 years. He served on the HMCS Iroquois when that
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We pay Tribute to all Canadians who serve today and who have served their country in battle and in peacekeeping operations.
ship was taking part in “Operation Enduring Freedom” in the Gulf War. His banner was sponsored by the Cooper family. Mervin H. Waters Mervin Waters was the brother of Ken Waters and son of Alfred Waters. He enlisted in the RCAF in the Second World War. He took part in many bombing missions over German-occupied territory. He was killed when his plane crashed during a training exercise in England. There were no survivors. His banner was sponsored by the Waters family. Jerome Epoch Epoch joined the RCAF in the Second World War. He was a tail gunner on many bombing flights over Germany. On March 3, 1945, two months before the end of the war, he was killed when his plane encountered a freak ice storm and crashed. Only two of that crew survived. Epoch and Mervin Waters grew up a few miles apart in the Kenilworth area. After their deaths they were both buried a few graves apart in the small RCAF Cemetery in Harrowgate in northern England. His banner was sponsored by the Walsh family. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
Banners - Rob Hicks, executive member of the Arthur Legion, was inspired to hang 12 banners depicting veterans in downtown Arthur. Photo by Olivia Rutt
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“They are a small representation of those who served from the Arthur area in the two great World Wars.” - Rob Hicks FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
Lloyd E. McArthur McArthur served in the Second World War in the RCAF, joining up in January of 1943. He was sent to England and joined the 76th squadron as a tail gunner. He took part in many bombing missions over German occupied territory. His banner was sponsored by the McArthur family. Alfred A. Waters Waters served in the Canadian Army in the First World War and was a member of the 153rd battalion. He served in the trenches in France and Belgium and had a brother, Milton, killed in that war. His banner was sponsored by his grandchildren. Kenneth A. Waters He served in the Highland Light Infantry in the Second World War. He took part in the D-Day invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. He was wounded during fighting in France and invalided back to England. He returned to take part in the fighting during the liberation of Holland. His brother Mervin was killed in the RCAF during the war. His banner was sponsored by the
Waters family. Leo Gregory Schmidt Schmidt enlisted in the Perth Regiment in the Second World War. He was sent overseas and took part in the Italian campaign. At the battle of Caprano, he suffered a skull fracture from shrapnel fire. In July 1944, he was sent home on the hospital ship Lady Nelson. His banner was sponsored by the Schmidt family. John Walsh Walsh served in the Canadian
Navy in WWII. He was a sonar operator on the Canadian mine sweeper HMCS Wallaceburg, a senior escort vessel for the convoys of ships taking supplies across the north Atlantic from Halifax to England. His banner was sponsored by the Walsh family. R. Glen Prentice Prentice enlisted in September 1943 in the Royal Canadian Regiment, completing his basic training in Chatham. He was sent overseas and took part in the liberation of Holland in 1945. After VE-Day he signed on to serve in the war against the Japanese. While on leave at his home in Arthur, the atomic bombs were dropped on the Japanese cities and that war was over. His banner was sponsored by the Bodz and Prentice families. Two others Two banners representing fallen soldiers killed in action in all wars (sponsored by the Bell Family) and the Unknown Soldier of all wars (sponsored by Boggs Financial) also hang in the town. - with files from the Arthur and Area Historical Society
On November 11th
Remember
Remembering the fallen: George Ware all battle of the ROCKWOOD Falaise Gap/ - George Robert Pocket. The heavy Ware was born Canadian losses on May 8, 1917 during Operation in Nassagaweya, Totalize were to Albert and inflicted by some Alice Ware of of the strongest Rockwood. opposition on the He was raised Normandy front. in Rockwood. GEORGE R. WARE After re-groupOn June 1, ing, the launch of 1940, Ware enlistOperation Tractable on Aug. ed in the 12th Field Regiment of the Royal Canadian 14 was a concentrated effort Artillery (RCA), headquar- to break through the German lines towards Falaise. tered in Guelph. Supporting the ground After completing a tank attack, RAF and RCAF airdriver/mechanic course on craft were providing tactical Feb. 17, 1941, he was assigned to the regiment’s Guelph- air support. They attacked short of the headquartered 16th battery. target and their bombs fell on He embarked from Halifax the Canadian artillery and and arrived in Liverpool, transport areas. England on July 30, 1941. Ware was severely injured Ware and his 12th Field Regiment, part of the 3rd by a bomb blast. His wounds were too severe and he died Canadian Division, landed at in the early morning of Aug. Juno Beach on D-Day, June 15, 1944. 6, 1944. Ware was buried in the Operation Tractable (Aug. Bayeux War Cemetery in 14 to 16) was an important part of the larger, over- Bayeux, Normandy, France.
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Remembrance Day Service at the Grand Valley Cenotaph November 11, 2016 at 10:30 A.M. In the event of inclement weather the service will be held in the Grand River Room at the Grand Valley & District Community Centre, 90 Main St. N. REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED FOLLOWING THE SERVICE.
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Please take time this November 11th to remember the service and sacrifice of our armed forces, past and present. They served so that we may have liberty, democracy and the rule of law. michael.chong@parl.gc.ca
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Thank you to our residents, men and women who keep alive the memories of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and remain active today in our community supporting residents and local groups throughout the Township in significant ways. Pause with us on November 11 at 11 a.m. to observe the “2 Minute Wave of Silence”. We will remember those who sacrificially served their country, and those presently serving this great nation.
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NOVEMBER 4, 2016 | THE WELLINGTON ADVERTISER | 27
26 | THE WELLINGTON ADVERTISER | NOVEMBER 4, 2016
Next generation understanding impacts of war through trips to Europe By Olivia Rutt WELLINGTON COUNTY - This Remembrance Day two students will have a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices of those who fought in the First and Second World Wars. Ponsonby resident Emily Oakes had the opportunity to stand in front of the massive memorial at Vimy Ridge in August when she was selected for the Beaverbrook Vimy Prize, a two-week journey studying the history of Canada’s role in the First and Second World Wars. Hannah Hutchings, a Grand Valley resident and student of Centre Dufferin in Shelburne, will be standing at Menin Gate in Belgium this Remembrance Day, a trip she has been looking forward to for months. Oakes, who attends Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute in Kitchener, applied for the Beaverbrook Vimy prize four times. Along with 15 other students from Canada, France and England, she spent two weeks touring memorials in England, Belgium and France. To apply for the prize, students aged 15 to 17 must
analyze a piece of First World War artwork in the Beaverbrook Collection, write a motivation letter, a reference letter, a resume and answer a question in an essay, video or artwork. Oakes, 17, wrote an essay about the impact of First Nations individuals in Canada during the First World War. She found out on April 9, the 99th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, that she would finally be going on the trip. The journey to Europe was more than just an opportunity to tour the memorials. It has a personal connection for Oakes. Her great-greatgreat uncle Wilfred Oakes fought in the First World War. Wilfred, a Rockwood resident, enlisted with James Gamble in October 1915. Both fought at the Sommes, where Gamble was killed. Wilfred fought again in other battles such as Passchendaele. He did not fight in the Battle of Vimy Ridge due to tonsillitis but fought in Amiens, where he died on Aug. 12, 1918. Both Wilfred and Gamble are memorialized on the Vimy Ridge Memorial. Oakes left for her trip on Aug. 7, starting in England
visiting the Imperial War Museum, parliament building and University of Oxford, where she took part in two lectures about women in the war and how memorials change over the years. In Belgium, the group toured the Ypres Salient, visiting the Christmas Truce memorial, St. Julien monument to Canadians at the Second Battle of Ypres, Hill 60 and the Menin Gate memorial to missing British and Commonwealth soldiers along the Ypres valley. “It’s crazy to see the impact that the war had on the landscape,” said Oakes. “There was one farmer’s field I remember and it had six German bunkers lined up and the cows were using (them) as shelters.” Oakes explained Menin Gate has 55,000 names on it. “I’ve seen pictures of it, but until you stand underneath it, you don’t quite realize how big it is,” she said. “The impact of the First World War is just crazy.” Oakes participated in the last post ceremony at Menin Gate, which has been held every night since 1927 with the exception of a brief period during the Second World War.
Remembrance Day is always a very important day in the life of our school, our community and our country. We remember the Canadians who served our country in war and in peace and those who serve today.
s e o r He ...We Remember...
“I don’t think I’ve had such a strong emotional connection to a piece of stone.” - Emily Oakes
Historian - Hannah Hutchings, above, is heading out on a two-week trip through The Netherlands, Belgium and France as a part of her digital historian semester at Centre Dufferin High School in Shelburne. She will be honouring her great-great uncle Herbert McDougall on the trip. Photo by Olivia Rutt Oakes also had to opportunity to visit Essex Farm Cemetery in Belgium, where a monument commemorating In Flanders Fields, written by John McCrae stands. Visiting the cemeteries on her tour, Oakes took in the magnitude of the war. “I just couldn’t believe the destruction and how many lives were lost,” she said.
In France, the group visited the BeaumontHamal Newfoundland Memorial, honouring the Newfoundland Regiment that was all but wiped out on July 1, 1916. They also visited Thiepval, a memorial honouring the missing of the Sommes, Juno Beach and Maison Blache, an old chalk quarry used to house
Canadian troops before the battle of Vimy Ridge. The soldiers left their mark on the malleable chalk walls of the tunnels, a remarkable historical record. “They all left a mark on the walls. Some of them had tributes to friends that they lost, some of them to their girlfriends, some of them are cheeky little jokes. Other
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by Canadian Walter Seymour Allward, stands on the highest point of the 14-kilometre ridge. On April 9, 1917, all four divisions of the Canadian Corps fought together, storming the ridge to capture it from German forces. Almost 3,600 Canadians lost their lives in the battle. “It’s a really moving place,” said Oakes. Jennifer Blake of the Vimy Ridge Foundation said how the students experience the trip is important. “It being 100 years ago, we don’t have any veterans left from that conflict,” Blake said. “For a lot of young people today, the war can feel like a million years ago. But for the people who are 15 to 17 ... when they go over, in a lot of cases they’re the same age that the soldiers would have been when they originally fought 100 years ago. “We really think that reaching young people at that age can have a huge impact on how they see Canadian history and how they see the impact of the First Word War.” The group toured the memorial during the early morning and returned when
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times it was just other people writing their names in,” explained Oakes. “If you close your eyes you could sort of imagine that you were there.” She added, “I’ve never felt so close to the war.” The group also had the opportunity to visit cemeteries dedicated to German soldiers who lost their lives in the war. Oakes described the stark contrast between those cemeteries and the memorials dedicated to Allied forces. In one memorial, aptly named the Ring of Remembrance, 499 panels list the names of the 580,000 who died in the north region of Nord-Pas-de-Calais (alphabetically without reference to rank or nationality). When Oakes finally made it to the Vimy Ridge memorial, she admits she shed tears. “It was really profound, I felt really humbled to be able to stand there … because of the sacrifices of all of our Canadian soldiers, I’m so thankful for everything that they’ve done,” she said. The memorial, designed
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Vimy Ridge - ABOVE: Emily Oakes, back row fourth from right, was chosen to attend First and Second World War memorials in England, Belgium and France in August. TOP: As part of her trip, Oakes researched her great-great-great uncle Wilfred Oakes, who is memorialized on the Vimy Ridge Memorial. Submitted photos
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service of her relative. “(The trip) put the sacrifices of our soldiers into perspective,” she said. “If it’s possible, I have an even deeper respect now than I had before.” Remembrance Day in Belgium Hutchings knows where she will be on Nov. 11. Along with her classmates of the digital historian project, she will be standing in front of Menin Gate in Belgium for Remembrance Day to honour not only those who fought in the wars, but her veteran great-great uncle. The digital historian project is experiential learning with the opportunity to study history and math while completing archival research. “We’ll work our way from Amsterdam doing the
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the sun was setting over the valley. “I felt a lot of things honestly. I don’t think I’ve had such a strong emotional connection to a piece of stone,” said Oakes. “The thing that comes to mind most though is that I am so thankful - so thankful for the opportunity to go there, but also so thankful for everything that our soldiers have done.” The names of more than 11,000 Canadians killed in France but whose final resting place is unknown, are carved onto the walls of the monument, including Oakes’ great-great-greatuncle Wilfred Oakes. Seeing his name carved into the stone meant a lot to her, Oakes said, adding it is important for students her age to learn about the war this way. “You can’t learn some of the things you learn in a classroom,” she said. “You learn a lot about the magnitude, obviously the size of the war that you can’t comprehend here (in Canada).” On Nov. 11, Oakes will once again stand solemnly at the Elora and Salem ceremonies, remembering the
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26 | THE WELLINGTON ADVERTISER | NOVEMBER 4, 2016
Next generation understanding impacts of war through trips to Europe By Olivia Rutt WELLINGTON COUNTY - This Remembrance Day two students will have a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices of those who fought in the First and Second World Wars. Ponsonby resident Emily Oakes had the opportunity to stand in front of the massive memorial at Vimy Ridge in August when she was selected for the Beaverbrook Vimy Prize, a two-week journey studying the history of Canada’s role in the First and Second World Wars. Hannah Hutchings, a Grand Valley resident and student of Centre Dufferin in Shelburne, will be standing at Menin Gate in Belgium this Remembrance Day, a trip she has been looking forward to for months. Oakes, who attends Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute in Kitchener, applied for the Beaverbrook Vimy prize four times. Along with 15 other students from Canada, France and England, she spent two weeks touring memorials in England, Belgium and France. To apply for the prize, students aged 15 to 17 must
analyze a piece of First World War artwork in the Beaverbrook Collection, write a motivation letter, a reference letter, a resume and answer a question in an essay, video or artwork. Oakes, 17, wrote an essay about the impact of First Nations individuals in Canada during the First World War. She found out on April 9, the 99th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, that she would finally be going on the trip. The journey to Europe was more than just an opportunity to tour the memorials. It has a personal connection for Oakes. Her great-greatgreat uncle Wilfred Oakes fought in the First World War. Wilfred, a Rockwood resident, enlisted with James Gamble in October 1915. Both fought at the Sommes, where Gamble was killed. Wilfred fought again in other battles such as Passchendaele. He did not fight in the Battle of Vimy Ridge due to tonsillitis but fought in Amiens, where he died on Aug. 12, 1918. Both Wilfred and Gamble are memorialized on the Vimy Ridge Memorial. Oakes left for her trip on Aug. 7, starting in England
visiting the Imperial War Museum, parliament building and University of Oxford, where she took part in two lectures about women in the war and how memorials change over the years. In Belgium, the group toured the Ypres Salient, visiting the Christmas Truce memorial, St. Julien monument to Canadians at the Second Battle of Ypres, Hill 60 and the Menin Gate memorial to missing British and Commonwealth soldiers along the Ypres valley. “It’s crazy to see the impact that the war had on the landscape,” said Oakes. “There was one farmer’s field I remember and it had six German bunkers lined up and the cows were using (them) as shelters.” Oakes explained Menin Gate has 55,000 names on it. “I’ve seen pictures of it, but until you stand underneath it, you don’t quite realize how big it is,” she said. “The impact of the First World War is just crazy.” Oakes participated in the last post ceremony at Menin Gate, which has been held every night since 1927 with the exception of a brief period during the Second World War.
Remembrance Day is always a very important day in the life of our school, our community and our country. We remember the Canadians who served our country in war and in peace and those who serve today.
s e o r He ...We Remember...
“I don’t think I’ve had such a strong emotional connection to a piece of stone.” - Emily Oakes
Historian - Hannah Hutchings, above, is heading out on a two-week trip through The Netherlands, Belgium and France as a part of her digital historian semester at Centre Dufferin High School in Shelburne. She will be honouring her great-great uncle Herbert McDougall on the trip. Photo by Olivia Rutt Oakes also had to opportunity to visit Essex Farm Cemetery in Belgium, where a monument commemorating In Flanders Fields, written by John McCrae stands. Visiting the cemeteries on her tour, Oakes took in the magnitude of the war. “I just couldn’t believe the destruction and how many lives were lost,” she said.
In France, the group visited the BeaumontHamal Newfoundland Memorial, honouring the Newfoundland Regiment that was all but wiped out on July 1, 1916. They also visited Thiepval, a memorial honouring the missing of the Sommes, Juno Beach and Maison Blache, an old chalk quarry used to house
Canadian troops before the battle of Vimy Ridge. The soldiers left their mark on the malleable chalk walls of the tunnels, a remarkable historical record. “They all left a mark on the walls. Some of them had tributes to friends that they lost, some of them to their girlfriends, some of them are cheeky little jokes. Other
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by Canadian Walter Seymour Allward, stands on the highest point of the 14-kilometre ridge. On April 9, 1917, all four divisions of the Canadian Corps fought together, storming the ridge to capture it from German forces. Almost 3,600 Canadians lost their lives in the battle. “It’s a really moving place,” said Oakes. Jennifer Blake of the Vimy Ridge Foundation said how the students experience the trip is important. “It being 100 years ago, we don’t have any veterans left from that conflict,” Blake said. “For a lot of young people today, the war can feel like a million years ago. But for the people who are 15 to 17 ... when they go over, in a lot of cases they’re the same age that the soldiers would have been when they originally fought 100 years ago. “We really think that reaching young people at that age can have a huge impact on how they see Canadian history and how they see the impact of the First Word War.” The group toured the memorial during the early morning and returned when
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times it was just other people writing their names in,” explained Oakes. “If you close your eyes you could sort of imagine that you were there.” She added, “I’ve never felt so close to the war.” The group also had the opportunity to visit cemeteries dedicated to German soldiers who lost their lives in the war. Oakes described the stark contrast between those cemeteries and the memorials dedicated to Allied forces. In one memorial, aptly named the Ring of Remembrance, 499 panels list the names of the 580,000 who died in the north region of Nord-Pas-de-Calais (alphabetically without reference to rank or nationality). When Oakes finally made it to the Vimy Ridge memorial, she admits she shed tears. “It was really profound, I felt really humbled to be able to stand there … because of the sacrifices of all of our Canadian soldiers, I’m so thankful for everything that they’ve done,” she said. The memorial, designed
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Vimy Ridge - ABOVE: Emily Oakes, back row fourth from right, was chosen to attend First and Second World War memorials in England, Belgium and France in August. TOP: As part of her trip, Oakes researched her great-great-great uncle Wilfred Oakes, who is memorialized on the Vimy Ridge Memorial. Submitted photos
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service of her relative. “(The trip) put the sacrifices of our soldiers into perspective,” she said. “If it’s possible, I have an even deeper respect now than I had before.” Remembrance Day in Belgium Hutchings knows where she will be on Nov. 11. Along with her classmates of the digital historian project, she will be standing in front of Menin Gate in Belgium for Remembrance Day to honour not only those who fought in the wars, but her veteran great-great uncle. The digital historian project is experiential learning with the opportunity to study history and math while completing archival research. “We’ll work our way from Amsterdam doing the
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the sun was setting over the valley. “I felt a lot of things honestly. I don’t think I’ve had such a strong emotional connection to a piece of stone,” said Oakes. “The thing that comes to mind most though is that I am so thankful - so thankful for the opportunity to go there, but also so thankful for everything that our soldiers have done.” The names of more than 11,000 Canadians killed in France but whose final resting place is unknown, are carved onto the walls of the monument, including Oakes’ great-great-greatuncle Wilfred Oakes. Seeing his name carved into the stone meant a lot to her, Oakes said, adding it is important for students her age to learn about the war this way. “You can’t learn some of the things you learn in a classroom,” she said. “You learn a lot about the magnitude, obviously the size of the war that you can’t comprehend here (in Canada).” On Nov. 11, Oakes will once again stand solemnly at the Elora and Salem ceremonies, remembering the
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28 | THE WELLINGTON ADVERTISER | NOVEMBER 4, 2016
Next generation gains appreciation of World Wars through trips to Europe a digital biography. Now in Grade 12, she will be making the trip over to Amsterdam, Belgium and France to be immersed in First and Second World War history. Students have to raise funds for the trip themselves. Hutchings received a $500 donation towards her trip from the Arthur Legion.
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Canadian Second World War experience in Holland through the First World War experience in Belgium and France to our ultimate destination, which is Normandy,” explained Neil Orford, head of the program. Orford said students, which included Hutchings in her Grade 11 year, create
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She explained that Grand Valley does not have a Legion, so she reached out to the one in Arthur. “I’m really happy about it ... I’m just really honoured,” she said. Part of the digital historian project includes researching a Dufferin County veteran. Hutchings chose her great-great uncle Herbert McDougall. Her research opened up a novel of family history that she said she was excited to learn about. McDougall enlisted in 1916 but didn’t see the front lines of war for at least a year. He fought in the 100 Days Offensive, a battle near the end of the war. Her research found he was one of the first soldiers who contracted the Spanish influenza and was sent to a
camp to recover. Other soldiers in those camps rioted out of frustration because they were not able to return to Canada. “He ended up getting better, which was actually pretty rare,” said Hutchings. McDougall returned to Grand Valley where he became a postmaster. While McDougall survived the war and the Spanish flu, it did take a toll on him. Hutchings said his hair turned stark white at the age of 25 as a result of shell-shock. She was able to connect with McDougall’s grandson. He attended her presentation in June. Hutchings will be dedicating a brick in honour of her great-great uncle at a ceremony on Juno Beach in France.
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Herbert McDougall, great great uncle of Hannah Hutchings “A lot of the generation now are starting to forget and are not really taking an interest in preserving the history of the war and what (soldiers) did, so going on this trip, we’re able to experience it and then tell (the story) to people,” she said.
We Will Remember Them Sun. November 6th CENOTAPH SERVICE & PARADE Service at 10:45 a.m. Interdenominational Service at the Legion Hall at 12:00 noon.
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They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old, Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We Shall Remember Them
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She added she wanted to go on this trip to “visit the beaches ... of the battle areas and get a sense of what (the soldiers) felt and what they saw, and go to the cemeteries to see where they are buried.” Orford said it is important for the students to learn about the impact of the World Wars this way. “I think it’s important for all Canadians, but in particular for young people,” he said. “The further we get from the great moments in Canadian history that defined our nation both in the First World War and Second World War, as well as the great moments that defined ourselves in peacekeeping activities, the more important it is to keep those kids connected to it” Hutchings and the other students with digital historian project leave on Nov. 7.
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Sunday, November 6, 2016 Remembrance Church Service at 12 Noon Bethel Baptist Church in Fergus Services will be preceded by the Fergus Legion Branch 275 Colour Party
They have our thoughts and prayers. War is a terrible thing, but it reminds us how fortunate we are when our loved ones are at home safe and sound. We join the rest of the community in wishing our troops safe deployment and we thank those veterans who have gone before us to ensure our freedom. Proudly serving Centre Wellington with two newly renovated and comfortable locations. Fergus - Elora 519.843.3100 | 519.846.5352
Friday, November 11, 2016 Remembrance Day Service at 11 AM at the Fergus Cenotaph The Colour Party will form at the Fergus Legion Branch 275 at 10 AM All members are welcome to March. For information regarding the Colour Party and the March contact Sgt.-At-Arms, Conrad Sawyer at 519-787-2106 for instruction and guidance
Remembrance Dinner Fergus Legion Banquet Hall Social from 5 PM to 6 PM
Guest Speaker: Daryl Minife – Zone C-3 Deputy Commander Ticket price for family and friends is $12 each Available from Jim Dixon, Veterans Services Officer, Marilyn Emmerson and our Bar Steward to book and arrange for tickets
REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE
Please join us in a day of remembrance for the men and women who have served, and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace. Date: Time: Location:
Saturday, November 5th, 2016 10:45 a.m. The Rockwood Cenotaph (at Main Street South and Guelph Street in Rockwood)
Parade participants will assemble at 10:30 a.m. at the Rockwood Post Office. The parade will proceed to the Cenotaph, which is located at the corner of Main Street South (Highway 7) and Guelph Street in Rockwood, Ontario. Residents are invited to the service at the Cenotaph which will begin promptly at 10:45 a.m. Following the service, refreshments will be served at the Church Hall at St. John’s Anglican Church (on Main Street). All are welcome. Please note, the Ministry of Transportation and County of Wellington have authorized the Township of Guelph/Eramosa to temporarily close a portion of Highway No. 7, between Fourth Line (Wellington County Road 44) to Milton Eramosa Townline in the Township of Guelph/Eramosa during the Service. In addition, there will be temporary road closures on local streets surrounding the Cenotaph during the Service. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding. The Township of Guelph/Eramosa and the Grade 7 & 8 classes of the Rockwood Centennial Public School will also be holding a Service on Tuesday, November 11th at 10:50 a.m. which the public is welcome to attend. We remember all of those who risked – and lost – their lives fighting for the freedoms we enjoy today. Lest we Forget.
NOVEMBER 4, 2016 | THE WELLINGTON ADVERTISER | 29
Remembering the fallen: Ernest Gerrie
Pearse brought message of remembrance to youths Familiar MC of Fergus service has relocated
Nov. 20, 1943 Ernest Henry to May 1944, at Gerrie was which time he born on Dec. volunteered for 30, 1923 in Erin overseas serTownship to vice. David Henry and By October, Annie Winifred he was a (nee Sanderson) ERNEST GERRIE radar operator Gerrie. at Barriefield He was the Camp, near Kingston. youngest son of their six On Nov. 25, he left children. Sometime after his birth, his family moved Canada by ship and arrived in England five days later, to Rockwood. where he was transferred After graduating from Grade 8 from Eramosa into the Canadian Infantry Corps as a member of the S.S.#9 in Rockwood, he Essex and Kent Scottish worked as a farm labourer Regiment as a gunner. before moving to Hamilton After six weeks he was to work as a machinist’s helper at the Westinghouse flown to the Belgian Front, joining his brother Hugh, plant. who was serving in the On May 1, 1943, he Provost Corps. enrolled in the Army under Gerrie was killed in the National Resource action on April 4, 1945, at Mobilization Act. He enlisted into the the beginning of the Battle of Zutphen and Deventer, 26th Anti-Aircraft Battery in northeast Netherlands. in Newfoundland from
By Mike Robinson
has always believed in what the Legion stands for and the work that the Legion does,” said Manion. “He’s very committed to make sure we fulfilled the commitment of our mission
wanted to retire and see his kids grow up. “You’re there to proFERGUS - What will tect your country from any Remembrance Day here be aggression, that’s what the like without veteran Ray Canadian Armed Forces are Pearse? all about today - any day. A Remembrance Day T h e y ’ r e mainstay in there to proFergus, Pearse has moved out “Ray, being a veteran, has always tect you.” Pearse’s of the area, but believed in what the Legion stands for service to his words to the C a n a d a younger genera- and the work that the Legion does.” did not end tion will carry on. - Greg Manion when he Both he and retired. his wife Elizabeth He decided to join the plan to be at the services statement: to look after veterans and their families’ Royal Canadian Legion. He next week. initially joined Elora Branch Greg Manion, past presi- needs.” Pearse, who grew up in 229 as a bartender in 1983. dent of the Fergus Legion, He then transferred to described Pearse as a proud Fergus, joined the navy in 1954, just a few years after he Fergus Branch 275 in 2003 to member of the Legion. serve as its poppy campaign Manion said when he first was out of high school. Pearse never questioned chairman. He was president became part of the Legion executive, Pearse was look- his decision to join the navy, from 2010 to 2012 and has ing after veteran services even though it meant he was been on the executive ever and Nevada tickets. Pearse away from his family - a wife since. “Being a veteran myself, later moved on to serve as and four children - for many months at a time. But he I personally think that Branch 275 president. “Ray, being a veteran, decided, after 24 years, he everybody that’s been in the
RAY PEARSE service should be a Legion member because they benefit from the Legion,” Pearse said. He has been heavily involved over the years with Fergus Remembrance Day ceremonies, whether as master of ceremonies, acting chaplain, or as the poppy campaign chair. Manion added it was a local tradition for Pearse to speak directly to the kids about the meaning of Remembrance Day. His speeches to them were “phenomenal,” Manion said. -With files by Olivia Rutt
Lest We Forget... Our Freedom... ...Their Sacrifice
REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY
ORANGEVILLE • FERGUS • GRAVENHURST
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11th Parade 10:45am Cenotaph Service 11:00am Auditorium Service to follow
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REMEMBRANCE DAY BANQUET FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11th Social Hour 6:00pm Dinner 7:00pm Tickets $18 each Children under 12 $9
BR. 296 Agenda for Remembrance For more info. call 519-338-2843 or Day email: legion296@wightman.ca
Ÿ Refreshments to follow Ÿ Exhibit opening: War Horse and the
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Ÿ 1:00 pm Lecture: Lisa Cox, Curator, C.A.V.
Barker Museum, University of Guelph – Remembering the Canadian War Horse
November 10 at 5:30 pm, place a TRIBUTE CANDLE, on the front lawn, for the Fallen from Wellington County
Remember Our Veterans “Canada’s Most Patriotic Village”, recognized as such because of Arthur’s extraordinary effort in World War II. With a population of about 900, Arthur had 100 men and women in the armed forces, most of whom were overseas. We celebrate, honour, and thank our Veterans. We will always remember their contributions and sacrifices. WE REMEMBER THEM.
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30 | THE WELLINGTON ADVERTISER | NOVEMBER 4, 2016
Local teen honours veterans with war memorabilia museum By Jaime Myslik ABERFOYLE Carlan Pulkkinen loves increasing his knowledge of military history, both past and present - and he’s only 14 years old. “I think everyone should have an idea of history,” he said. “And not necessarily specifics like the stuff I would be interested in. “Just have an idea about things people have gone through in history.” The Grade 9 Aberfoyle teen has been collecting war memorabilia for years and first put together a museum in his home when he was just 9 years old. His passion grew from his family history. His dad has his grandfather’s military coat and a German helmet the soldier picked up sometime while he was fighting in the Second World War. “The coat and that stuff was all in the closet upstairs and dad pulled it out every once in a while and it was cool,” Pulkkinen said. “The steel helmet is heavy, especially when you’re little and you had to carry that around on your head. “The wool coat too was really heavy.” Pulkkinen also has a framed Union Jack flag and shrapnel that his great grandfather brought back, as well as food ration stamps from his grandmother and copies of First World War letters from his
great grandfather on his mother’s side. The teen’s first museum was set up in his bedroom for Remembrance Day in 2011. “Initially the rest of the family was kind of ‘okay, whatever,’ but we’d have to do a moment of silence; he’d have music going,” said Pulkkinen’s mom Caroline Adams. “He called the family in and it was to be taken very seriously ... I think from there it has grown and I think like [he was] saying it’s important that people know this and know the history because we’re lucky to live where we live. “I think it’s good he’s seeing that because not a lot of kids his age ... are aware and appreciate that.” Since his initial museum, Pulkkinen’s collection has grown as he visits various surplus stores, antique markets and shops online. Most recently he found a military surplus store in Brockville where he picked up more modern equipment. “I was on vacation and I went downtown and I saw a store,” he said. “I stopped and got some stuff.” He picked up a headset and goggles at that store. Also this year, the teen added a Canadian base uniform and a vest that’s similar to what Canadian soldiers wear now on combat missions. Though last year’s museum
was the biggest yet, taking over the family’s entire basement, this year the display will be scaled down. “Probably just the general topics of the categories I have, so maybe a few memorabilia things and then the new stuff, like the uniform is there,” Pulkkinen said. While entrance to the full museum each Remembrance Day is by invitation only, Pulkkinen is taking some items on the road this season. Nov. 2 was take your child to work day for Grade 9 students and Adams took Pulkkinen to Freeport Hospital in Kitchener, where she works, to interact with some of the residents. “I work with seniors in a hospital so I’m hoping actually he can bring a few little things ... we have a lot of veterans so that would be my hope is that he can maybe share some of it with them,” Adams said. Pulkkinen said he’s looking forward to talking to the veterans, but Adams wants him to mingle with other residents as well. “Many of our patients weren’t actually in the RAF for example but ... they’re from Europe and so they were experiencing all the experiences that were going on at the time,” Adams said. “So we actually have some patients from eastern Europe ... to hear their stories I think will be just as valuable.” Pulkkinen is also considering renting out a booth at the
Remembrance museum - Carlan Pulkkinen, 14, puts together a Remembrance Day museum ever year with war memorabilia that he has collected throughout his entire life, including some new items, above, that he plans to add this year. Photo by Jaime Myslik Aberfoyle Farmers’ Market a couple days throughout its season to display select portions of his 50to 100-piece collection and share the war knowledge he has gained throughout his life, much of which comes from books. “I’ve been reading about this stuff for a long time so ... you get to know it all ... and then if you have an idea of something but you don’t really know, you go and look up more and the idea comes from reading books that you’ve read about this subject,” he said. “It’s just interest. I was interested in it so I learned about it and now I know a lot.” In addition to collecting memorabilia and reading, Pulkkinen also creates model battle scenes, which are included in the museum. He already has one of the
Second World War. His next scene will take place in the 2000s and will feature an army unit on patrol. “I was thinking kind of a patrol in any of the countries where there’s been wars - Afghanistan, Iraq ... kind of how they fight wars there which are different patrols,” he said. “You can go anywhere in the city and the enemy’s going to be hiding anywhere. They’ll be living in a house one day, just as regular townspeople and then they come out the next day and they’re soldiers and they just go back to their houses.” Pulkkinen’s war knowledge extends beyond his museum and battle scenes. His is also able to recall historical facts when he’s given a specific date in the past.
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May we never forget the selfless contributions of the men & women who fought for our country.
Remembrance Day Closure Town of Minto Administrative Office will be closed Fri. Nov. 11, 2016
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