NICOLE BESWITHERICK
REPORTER
HARRISTON – On the evening of Nov. 2, members of the community gathered at the Harriston Legion to hear a presentation by Jim Henderson about the history and traditions of Remembrance Day in Canada.
The presentation did not focus on the regular theme surrounding war, but rather it offered insight to how various Remembrance Day traditions have evolved.
“He’s been overseas several times, he’s done tours, he’s done speaking. So, we asked [Henderson] if he would speak to the Harriston Historical Society,” said society vice chair Willa Wick.
She added in an email to the Community News that Henderson is “a man well versed in war history.”
Henderson offered a detailed presentation on different monuments and people in the First World War and Second World War that shaped how Canadians celebrate Remembrance Day.
The event was split in two halves, one each for the First and Second World Wars.
Key topics were John McCrae’s In Flanders Fields, the Cabaret-Rouge British
Cemetery, Vimy Ridge, the Tomb of the Unknown soldier, the “Mother Canada” statue at Vimy Ridge and Charlotte Susan Wood. Henderson, while speak-
ing about Wood, pointed to a photo of her in his presentation. He asked the crowd of nearly 60 attendees if they had heard of her before. Most shook their heads.
Winnipeg was presented to King Edward VIII and was invited to attend the
“In 1936, Charlotte Susan Wood became the [first National Memorial] Silver Cross Mother of Canada,” he said. Henderson explained the mother from
Harriston Historical Society – On Nov. 2, Willa Wick, left, from the Harriston Historical Society, partnered with Anne South, right, from the Harriston Legion to put on a Remembrance Day event. Jim Henderson, centre, gave a presentation about the history and traditions of Remembrance Day in Canada and what shaped them.
Photo by Nicole Beswitherick
519-638-5767
Arthur 177 George Street 519-848-5858
Wellesley 1245 Queen’s Bush Road 519-513-9552
Traditions of Remembrance Day explained
unveiling of the Vimy Ridge Memorial in 1936.
“Here she is wearing a black coat, [wearing] the medals of her sons,” Henderson explained.
“She lost five sons in World War One. And she lost a son in the Boer War.
“It’s just inconceivable how that could happen. And yet it did. Very few people in this country know anything about
her,” he said.
Henderson also brought in WWI and WWII artifacts for attendees to look at and ask questions.
The event marked the first time the Harriston Historical Society and the Harriston Legion had collaborated for such an occasion.
Wick noted at the event, and to the Community News, that the “organizations recognize the continual decline in
attendance for events.”
“If it’s not a good attendance, you feel really bad and wonder why you even bother,” said Wick.
Anne South from the Legion and Wick thought combining the groups in November would be worthwhile as they both typically hold events for Remembrance Day.
“We’re both trying to have a more public presence since coming back from the COVID
shutdown,” Wick stated in an email.
She added she and South were satisfied with the event, and Henderson was pleased people came and were interested in the subject.
Henderson also has a 470-page book, titled Before their Endeavours Fade, that chronicles the lives of 44 soldiers whose names are on the Palmerston cenotaph. A copy was raffled off at the event.
TOP LEFT: The Old 81 engine at the Palmerston Lions Heritage Park with its new decorative poppies.
ABOVE: MP John Nater gave a brief speech at the poppy project unveiling in Palmerston on Nov. 2.
LEFT: The Poppy Project on the Old 81 train in Palmerston was completed thanks to the work of 60 crocheters. A number of them were on hand for the official unveiling of their hard work.
Photos by Nicole Beswitherick
Legion auxiliary makes donations to hospitals
Donation to PDH Foundation – The Harriston Legion Branch
Ladies Auxiliary recently made a $500 donation to the Palmerston and District Hospital Foundation. From left: front, foundation development officer Dale Franklin Marion Murray, Liz Dowler, Sharon McKnight, Branch 296 auxiliary president Linda Sinclair and district deputy commander Zone
Colwell. Photo
Donation to LMH Foundation – The Harriston Legion Branch 296 Ladies Auxiliary recently made a $500 donation to the Louise Marshall Hospital Foundation. From left: front, foundation development office Amy Van Huss, Marion Murray, Liz Dowler, Sharon McKnight, Branch 296 auxiliary president Linda Sinclair, Hildy Pinkney; back, district commander Zone C3 Joyce McLean, Ethel Forbes, Diane Moore, Sara Dineen, Mary Lou Colwell and deputy commander Zone C3 Frances Hurd. Absent: Yvonne Garness, Tammy Lorenz. Photo by Patrick Raftis
OTTAWA – Amid the wars, countless Canadian soldiers and nurses displayed extraordinary bravery and unwavering dedication, putting their lives on the line for our country. Many of these individuals returned home bearing the profound physical and emotional scars of war, having lost limbs in the line of duty.
Their experiences as amputees not only shaped their own lives but, as members of The War Amps of Canada, they left a lasting legacy on generations of amputees to come.
During the First World War, Madeleine Jaffray (1889-1972), served as a nurse in a military hospital near Bordeaux, France.
The hospital where she was working was bombarded by German aviators, and she was wounded in the foot by a piece of shrapnel from one of the bombs.
“I was coming out of a covered passage in one of the wards when a bomb fell right in front of me,” she said.
Her injury led to an amputation, making her Canada’s only female war amputee of the First World War.
Jaffray was awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French military for her bravery, with an additional star for her services.
She also became the only female member of The War Amps at the time, an organization started by amputee veterans of the First World War to provide each other with the support needed to adapt to their new reality.
It was amputees like Jaffray who welcomed the new contingent of amputee veterans following the Second World War, sharing all they had learned.
One of these was Mike Krulicki (1925-2020), who was just a teenager when he volun-
teered for service in the Second World War. He enlisted with the Irish Regiment of Canada, and in 1944, while fighting in the Italian Campaign as part of the attack on the Gothic Line, he stepped on a landmine and lost his right leg below the knee.
“Three nights before I stepped on the mine, I had the same identical dream: a ball of
CHAMP Membership, in recognition of his tireless work for the organization.
Another veteran was Arthur Johnson (1929-2006), who served with the Canadian Army Special Force as a mortar man with the Royal Canadian Regiment and who joined 26,000 other Canadians in the fight for the freedom of South
fire and me walking through it. That happened three nights before I stepped on it. When I hit the mine, that’s all that seemed to hit my brain, was a ball of fire.”
In later years, The War Amps awarded Krulicki two of its most esteemed awards: the Distinguished Service Membership and Honorary
Korea.
In August 1952, on the day he was supposed to go home, he was delayed and found himself on Hill 355 near Seoul in the midst of intense enemy shelling. A mortar landed close by, wounding him and resulting in the loss of his right leg above the knee and damage to his right arm.
Common bond
United by the common bond of amputation, amputees from the First World War, along with those from the Second World War and Korean War, were instrumental in pushing for advancements in prosthetic technology, confronting the stigma of disability, advocating for fair pensions for veterans and providing much-needed support to each other.
Rob Larman, senior advisor at The War Amps and a leg amputee himself, said,
“These honorable individuals contributed their time to various activities of the association and shared their experiences as amputees with others, including modern-day veterans and children.
“The War Amps long history – stretching more than 100 years – is a testament to the tireless efforts of the members who built the Association, and its many unique programs, from the ground up.”
He added, “On Remembrance Day especially, but also throughout the year, we pay tribute to the sacrifice and service of all those who served and continue to serve.”
Every year, from the last Friday in October to Nov. 11, tens of millions of Canadians wear a poppy as a visual pledge to honour Canada’s veterans
While
Drayton
The Drayton Legion Branch 416 will hold a Remembrance service at 2:15pm on Nov. 11 at the cenotaph in Drayton.
Palmerston
The Palmerston Legion will hold its annual Remembrance Day Service at the Cenotaph at 11am on Nov. 11.
Harriston
The Harriston Remembrance Day ceremony begins with a parade to the cenotaph on Nov. 11 at 11am.
Mount Forest
The
Legion branches in cities, towns and communities across the country.
Donations collected during the poppy campaign are held in trust at the branch level to directly support veterans and their families within their community and to help ensure Canadians “never forget.”
In the days leading up to Nov. 11, poppies can be seen in every corner of this great country. This show of support and display of remembrance would not be possible without the efforts of thousands of Legionnaires who volunteer to distribute poppies to the community through schools, community organizations and local businesses.
“We are so grateful for their efforts, and for the support of the many partners, local and national, who welcome
In support of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 226 of Arthur
County’s involvement
Opportunities to show support for veterans
OTTAWA – Canadians often associate The Royal Canadian Legion with Remembrance Day ceremonies and the annual poppy campaign.
to show their appreciation for those who served, including:
- becoming a Legion member to support veterans yearround;
erans.
- planting poppy seeds or growing a garden of Remembrance;
- visiting a cenotaph;
JAMES SHAW
While November is recognized as a time of remembrance, for the Legion and for many across the country, remembrance is a year-long commitment.
At any given moment, there are many opportunities available to anyone wishing
- making a donation to the Legion’s Poppy Trust Fund at any Legion branch;
- saying “Thank you” to a veteran;
- wearing a poppy;
- honouring a fallen veteran on the Legion’s Wall of Honour and Remembrance;
- inviting a Legion Branch to make a presentation at a school or community group
- wearing or displaying commemorative items from the Poppy Store;
- visiting the Canadian war museum or local history museums; and
- volunteering to help vet-
“Most importantly, take a moment now and then to reflect on the freedoms and peace in your life, and to remember the men and women who served and sacrificed for all we have today,” state officials from Royal Canadian Legion National Command.
*Source: Legion.ca
will remember them.
Join us on REMEMBRANCE DAY after the Cenotaph Ceremony, at the Historical Rooms, 146 George St., Arthur, “Canada’s Most Patriotic Village” Visit our displays honouring local veterans, and share your memories. Refreshments to be served. Everyone welcome.
War experience – The County of Wellington Museum and Archives brought its Canadian First World War Experience presentation to Grade 10 history students at Norwell District Secondary School on Oct. 26. The presentation focused on First World War trench life and Wellington
in the war. Students were also able to view artifacts from the war, including clothing, food tins and artillery.
Photos by Mackenzie Norman
