Tuesday 26 May 2015

Tyrone



Location:  Durham Region   N 44 00.585  W 78 43.032
Beside the Tyrone Community Centre, at 2716 Concession Road 7.
 

This nice memorial was erected in 1949, by the citizens of the village of Tyrone, to honour the men of the area who died during the World Wars.  The memorial consists of two brick and concrete pillars, with a marble plaque on each.  A tall flag pole stands between the two pillars, proudly waving our Canadian flag.


Marker text:
Left pillar:
1939 1945
IN REMEMBRANCE OF
PILOT OFFICER LORNE YEO
KILLED IN ACTION AT STUTTGART
MARCH 16, 1944

PTE. NORMAN THOMPSON
KILLED IN ACTION AT NORMANDY
AUG. 9, 1944

CAPTAIN GORDON COWLING
KILLED IN ACTION AT ANTWEP
SEPT. 29, 1944

MEMORIAL POSTS
ERECTED 1949 BY
TYRONE COMMUNITY HALL
 


Right pillar:
1914 1918
IN REMEMBRANCE OF
PTE. ALFRED OXLEY
KILLED IN ACTION AT YPRES
APRIL 24, 1915

PTE. GARFIELD FOWLER
KILLED IN ACTION
NOV. 8, 1915

PTE. FRANK WHEELER
KILLED IN ACTION AT VIMY RIDGE
DEC. 31, 1916

PTE. OTHO STAPLES
KILLED IN ACTION AT VIMY RIDGE
APRIL 9, 1917

PTE. PERCY WERRY
KILLED IN ACTION AT VIMY RIDGE
APRIL 9, 1917

PTE. MANLEY RICE
KILLED IN ACTION AT VIMY RIDGE
MAY 28, 1917




Thursday 21 May 2015

CFB Borden - Corporal Francis Pegahmagabow MM

 

Location:  Simcoe County   N 44 06.171  W 79 53.715
In CFB Borden, on the east side of Ortona Road, north of Lundy Lane. 

A recent article published by Army Public Affairs, written by Gerry Weaver, tells the fascinating story of Canada's most decorated Native soldier--Corporal Francis Pegahmagabow MM.
He was a true war hero, yet humble of his heroics and proud of his Native background. 
 

I have chosen to quote the entire article as it appears on the Canadian Army website.  
http://www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/news-publications/national-news-details-no-menu.page?doc=courage-under-fire-first-nations-war-hero-a-fighter-on-two-fronts/i9se0262

Courage under Fire: First Nations war hero a fighter on two fronts  

Article / May 20, 2015 / Project number: 15-0091

Ottawa, Ontario — Whether fighting in the trenches of the First World War or fighting in the political arena for full rights for his people, First Nations soldier Sergeant Francis Pegahmagabow is a true Canadian hero.
The Ojibwe soldier from Wasauksing First Nation near Parry Sound, Ontario was not only one of the most effective snipers and scouts in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), but of the Aboriginal Peoples who participated in the First World War, he is the most decorated.
Recognized three times for bravery and devotion under fire in Belgium and France, he is one of only 38 Canadians to earn the Military Medal with two bars, each bar referring to a subsequently recognized act of bravery. The modern equivalent to the Military Medal is the Medal of Military Valour, the third highest award for military valour in the Canadian honours system.
Sgt Pegahmagabow was most likely born on March 9, 1889, in what is now Shawanaga First Nation, near Parry Sound. The war hero’s father, a member of Wasauksing First Nation on Parry Island, died of an illness when Sgt Pegahmagabow was just a baby. As his mother also fell ill, he was raised by his Shawanaga relatives, only returning to Wasauksing First Nation as an adult.
As a young man, he turned his hand to several trades, including working as a seaman on boats in Georgian Bay. At 21, he learned to read and write English, a rare skill for a First Nations person of Sgt Pegahmagabow’s generation.
 “We have great admiration for him for that,” said the veteran’s great-grandson, Dr. Brian McInnes. An Assistant Professor of Education at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, Dr. McInnes was very close to two of Sgt Pegahmagabow’s children, Duncan and Marie, who passed on many stories about his great-grandfather.
Sgt Pegahmagabow’s world was soon to change dramatically. When Britain declared war on Germany on August 4th, 1914, Canada too was at war as a member of the British Empire. He was among the first recruits, signing up on August 13, 1914, despite an early prohibition against the enlistment of Aboriginal Peoples. Sgt Pegahmagabow served with the 23rd Northern Pioneers Regiment, based in Parry Sound, which amalgamated into the 1st Battalion of the CEF.  He would go on to fight on the Western Front during all four years of the Great War, attaining the rank of Corporal on November 1st, 1917.
Nicknamed “Peggy” by his Army buddies, the young Ojibwe man soon proved that his courage and abilities were second to none. In 1916, he was one of the first Canadians to be awarded the Military Medal. He received the first of his three commendations for facing enemy fire repeatedly while carrying vital messages along the lines during the battles at Ypres, Festubert and Givenchy.
A spiritual man, Sgt Pegahmagabow carried an Ojibwe medicine pouch which he believed would help keep him safe. This belief may have been a comfort to a man who faced constant danger, including being present at the Second Battle of Ypres, where the German Army first used chlorine gas as a weapon. Dr. McInnes said after the war, his great-grandfather developed breathing issues which became so severe he eventually had to sit up to sleep.
Wounded in the leg while fighting in France in September, 1916, the war hero returned to action in time to take part in the bloody assault on Passchendaele. During a battle so intense the Allies lost some 16 000 men, he earned his first bar to his Military Medal. His commendation reads:
At Passchendaele Nov. 6th/7th, 1917, this NCO [non-commissioned officer] did excellent work. Before and after the attack he kept in touch with the flanks, advising the units he had seen, this information proving the success of the attack and saving valuable time in consolidating. He also guided the relief to its proper place after it had become mixed up.
Following his valorous actions during The Battle of Scarpe in August 1918, Sgt Pegahmagabow received his second bar. This commendation reveals again his courage under fire:
During the operations of August 30, 1918, at Orix Trench, near Upton Wood, when his company were almost out of ammunition and in danger of being surrounded, this NCO went over the top under heavy MG [machine gun] and rifle fire and brought back sufficient ammunition to enable the post to carry on and assist in repulsing heavy enemy counter-attacks.
His record as a sniper is equally impressive. Although difficult to substantiate as he worked alone, the expert marksman is credited with 378 kills. However, Dr. McInnes pointed out his great-grandfather never spoke of his record as a sniper to his family. “He valued that he had won the Military Medal three times, and the fact that each time he had so done it was for an act of valour that saved life,” said his great-grandson.
According to Dr. McInnes, his great-grandfather was known as an insightful man. “He was an exceptionally kind, gentle, light-spirited and humorous individual, who also was thoughtful and reflective on the world.
Sgt Pegahmagabow’s early response to Canada’s call for soldiers may well have been an example of that reflective nature. With a great-grandfather who fought for the British in the War of 1812, the war hero’s family had a history of military service. Dr. McInnes said Sgt Pegahmagabow also hoped his willingness to serve would help change perceptions about Aboriginal Peoples.
I think that was a powerful motivator for him to go to war because it was this opportunity that equalized men and women. In war, nobody was above anyone else by virtue of their birth status in this country,” said Dr. McInnes.
Sgt Pegahmagabow made the point himself in a 1919 interview with the Toronto Evening Telegram, saying bluntly, “I went to war voluntarily just as quick as the white man.
Ending the war at the rank of corporal, the weary veteran returned home in 1919 to a political landscape that was as restrictive for Aboriginal Peoples as it had been before the war. “Returning from the war where he had done what he believed to be a great act of service to Canada, I think he believed he should have earned equality from that experience,” said Dr. McInnes. “It was a source of frustration that would bother him the rest of his life.
Sgt Pegahmagabow, who married Eva Nanibush Tronche and fathered eight children, became a political activist, serving as councilor and band chief for Wasauksing First Nation. He was elected the Supreme Chief of the National Indian Government and was also a member of the National Indian Brotherhood, which was an early precurser to the current Assembly of First Nations.
After the war, the veteran appeared to miss the camaraderie he had enjoyed with his Army colleagues. In the mid-1920s, he re-enlisted in the Militia. Historian Adrian Hayes in his book, Pegahmagabow: Life-Long Warrior, presents convincing media and anecdotal evidence that the war hero served in “A” Company of the 23rd Northern Pioneers Non-Permanent Active Militia (NPAM). The unit was later amalgamated into the Algonquin Regiment. The Reserve Force is the modern equivalent to the NPAM.
Unfortunately, as many Militia soldiers’ personnel records between the First and the Second World Wars were not archived, there is no formal record of Sgt Pegahmagabow’s rank during his Militia service. However, during his research, Mr. Hayes noted and made photocopies of correspondence from the Company Commander of “A” Company to the war hero. One letter addressed the war hero as Sergeant, while another addressed him as Sergeant-Major.
As well, Mr. Hayes observed that in his interview with Roy Lloyd O’Halloran, Second World War veteran and former Mayor of Parry Sound, he described Sgt Pegahmagabow as a sergeant-major. Dr. McInnes also documented Francis’s son Duncan referring to his father as Sergeant.
The decorated veteran died in the community of Wasauksing on August 5, 1952 of a heart attack. He has been honoured by being entered into the Indian Hall of Fame, as well as having the 3rd Canadian Ranger Patrol Group's headquarters at Canadian Forces Base Borden in Ontario renamed in his honour in 2006.
Dr. McInnes feels his great-grandfather offers this country an authentic story of a Canadian hero whose soul was defined by his distinct linguistic and cultural identity.
He valued above all else his identity as a First Nations person in this country and the unique contributions he could make as a First Nations person.
By Gerry Weaver, Army Public Affairs

 
The memorial itself is found in front of the 3rd Canadian Ranger Patrol Group building.
Marker text: 
Dedicated
to the memory of
Corporal Francis Pegahmagabow, MM
1889 - 1952
A member of the 
Parry Island Band,
a hero of the First World War and
Canada's most dedicated
Aboriginal Soldier

Unveiled by 
The Hon. James K. Bartleman.
O. Ont., Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario
6 June 2006
(repeated in French)

 

Saturday 16 May 2015

Belwood



Location:  Wellington County   N 43 47.467  W 80 19.341
On the corner of Queen Street and 5th Street North.
 

This memorial was erected in 1919 by the Township of West Garafraxa, in honour of the men from this region that gave their lives in WWI.  It was later re-dedicated in 1946, with the additional names of those lost in WWII.

" From the Wellington County Museum and Archives; Tweedsmuir History, page 277: “Plans were underway for the erection of a Cenotaph soon after the close of the First World War. On Feb 22, 1919, the “Daughters of the Flag” appeared before Township Council, asking permission to use the north corner of Market Square for the Cenotaph. At the April meeting, the Recreation Committee ask for $500, so they could give the returning soldiers a ten-dollar gold piece each. Jack Milne said he came home on the train to Belwood, on Monday July 7, 1919. The reception and unveiling of the Cenotaph were held Wednesday, July 9th; and the 12th of July was held in Arthur on Saturday. Jack said, ‘it was a busy week!’”
**taken from:  http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/nic-inm/sm-rm/mdsr-rdr-eng.asp?PID=7061


Marker text:
Front:
IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF OUR BOYS
WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WARS
FOR FREEDOM AND LIBERTY

1914 - 1918
YPRES
DAVID GREGSON APR. 24, 1915
ST. ELOI
ERNEST S. McLLELAND APR. 5, 1916
GEO. A. MILNE JUNE 2, 1916
VIMY RIDGE
WALTER BELLAMY APR. 9, 1917
LENS
THOMSON C. HALL AUG. 9, 1917
HILL 70
DAVID A. BLACK AUG. 15, 1917
PASSCHENDAELE
J. S. HANNA OCT. 31, 1917
CAMBRAI
CYRUS YOUNG NOV. 20, 1917
J. W. JOHNSTON SEPT. 2, 1918
HENRY GOODALL OCT. 1, 1918
W. J. COURTNEY APR. 5, 1918

1939 - 1945
OVER THE CHANNEL
EDWIN P. PVEY MAR. 29, 1943
FRANCE
WM. S. LOUTTIT AUG. 14, 1944
HOLLAND
ARNOLD E. SPICER OCT. 11, 1944
ITALY
CHAS. R. FLEWWELLING DEC. 20, 1944
IPPERWASH
GORDON A. SMELTZER AUG. 16, 1945

ERECTED BY THE
TOWNSHIP OF WEST GARAFRAXA
 


 
Back:
ERECTED BY THE
TOWNSHIP OF WEST GARAFRAXA





Sunday 10 May 2015

Beamsville


 

Location:  Niagara Region   N 43 09.978  W 79 28.737
Corner of King Street and William Street, in front of Jacob Beam Public School.
 

A very elegant memorial in a small park in front of the public school.  The memorial was erected with the help of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 397.  Originally it paid tribute to the men and women lost in the Great War, their names presented on brass plaques attached to the front of a white stone wall.  Later other plaques were added with names of those lost in World War II, and also to recognize the wars in Korea and Afghanistan.
At the sides of the memorial can be found a WWI German Spandau machine gun, and an M114 155mm Howitzer from WWII.  Topping the beautiful memorial is a golden-coloured crown to honour all those who fought for Home, Empire and Freedom.


Marker text:
Front decoration:
YPRES
THE SOMME
HOOGE
LENS
PASSCHENDAELE
ARRAS
VIMY
CAMBRAI
AMIENS

Front centre:
IN GRATEFUL MEMORY
OF THE BRAVE SONS OF
CLINTON AND BEAMSVILLE
WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES
FOR HOME, EMPIRE
AND FREEDOM
IN THE WAR OF 1914 - 1918
THIS MONUMENT IS ERECTED
 

Left Honour Roll:
ROLL OF HONOUR

SGT. F.S. ALBRIGHT
PTE. C. BARNETT
PTE. H. BARNETT
SIG S. BARNETT
PTE. A. BENDELL
PTE. E.C. BLUNDEN
PTE. P. BODDINGTON
PTE. C. CLARK
PTE. O. CULP
PTE. R. CULP
NUR. SISTER L. DAVIS
PTE. J.E. DURHAM
PTE. E.B. DYCER
PTE. A. EDEN
SGT. MAJOR H.H. ELLIOT
PTE. F. ENGLAND
PT.E A. HARDIE
CORP. E.J. HARSHAW
PTE. W.M. HERLEY
DRIVER A.R. HEWITT
 


Right Honour Roll:
LIEUT. G. HICKLING
PTE. G. HILLIER
PTE. R. HOBDEN
PTE. W. HURLEY
PTE. A.H. JENKINS
LIEUT. J.E. JONES
PTE. G. KNIGHT
PTE. A. LAWRIE
PTE. J. LYNCH
TRP. L.C. McLEOD
PTE. J.P. PAIGE
PTE. A.O.D. FEREIRA
PTE. G. PURCELL
PTE. G.E. READ
PTE. J.D. REID
PTE. W. RYCKMAN
PTE. W. STONE
PTE. C. THOMPSON
PTE. A. VANHORN
CAPT. R.J. WATTAM
PTE. C.W. WILCOX
 


Centre lower:
IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO FELL IN THE
1939  SECOND WORLD WAR  1945

LT.COL.  W.E. ANDREWES
FUSILIER H.C. BEACHIN
CPL. L.P. BEATTY
PTE. W.J. BIBBY
CPL. R.D. BLAINE
LA C.D.G.S. BOULTON
FLT.SGT. R.A. BRETT
TRP. N.L. CAMERON

PO. S.F. CHUDZIK
TRP. M.R. COMBE
MAJ. C.G. COOPER
FLT.LT. S.H.R. COTTERILL
FLT.SGT. R.H. CULP
PTE. E. DYBALL
PTE. G.W. GOOD
PTE. A. GEDDES

SGT. N.H. GROH
FLT.SGT. H. HAMILTON
L/CPL. L. HIGH
CPL. W. JUHLKE
PTE. R.E. KELTER
PO. L. LOGAN
PO. R.C. MARTIN
L.A.C. R.L. MILN

SGT. T.H. PAGE
FLT.LT. R.B. PALMER
PTE. J.B. SHEPHERD
SGT. J.B. STALLWOOD
GNR. F.G. SZOCS
PO. O.J. THORPE
FO. J.K. WATSON
CPL. C.W. WILLOUGHBY

SGT. R.K. GRIFFITH
LT. J.D. OSBORNE
SGT. H.W. WRIGHT
 

Lower Left:
KOREA
1950 - 1953

Lower Right:
AFGHANISTAN
 






Sunday 3 May 2015

Port Elgin

 
 

Location:  Bruce County   N 44 26.230  W 81 23.229
On Mill Street, east of Goderich Street.
 

This beautiful memorial is found in Cenotaph Park, the memorial gardens and trees are planted in honour of our veterans.  This monument was originally erected in 1903, to honour the loss of Trooper Gordon Cummings, killed on his 25th birthday in the Boer War in South Africa.
In 1924, the citizens of Port Elgin and Saugeen Township erected matching cenotaphs at the site of Gordon's monument, to honour those lost in the Great War.  In 1962, the stones were re-carved to add the names of those lost in the Second World War.  Additional carving in 1986 commemorated the Korean War.  The Cenotaph Park was officially opened in September of 2006, with help of local councils and Branch 340 of the Royal Canadian Legion.  A plaque at the entrance to the park gives more history of the land and the park.


Marker Text:
Centre monument:
IN MEMORY OF
TROOPER GORDON CUMMINGS

OF KITCHENER'S HORSE, KILLED AT THE
BATTLE OF NOOITGEDACHT,
SOUTH AFRICA DECEMBER 13, 1900;
WHILE GALLANTLY ATTEMPTING TO
PROCURE AMMUNITION FOR HIS COLUMN.
SON OF PATRICK AND BARBARA CUMMINGS.
BORN IN SAUGEEN, DEC. 13, 1875
 


Right stone:
OUR HONOURED FALLEN
SAUGEEN TOWNSHIP

1914 - 1918
CAPT. L. TRANTER
LIEUT. J. GEDDES
PTE. T. BULGER
G. MUIR
O. CHRISTIE
R. GOWANLOCK
H. LEEDER
E. REINHART
J. MILLER
R. REANY
C. NICKLE
W. LYNESS
G. SWITZER
L. SCHELL
W. SWITZER

1939 - 1945
SPR. R. BLACK

1950  KOREA  1953
 

Left stone:
OUR HONOURED FALLEN
PORT ELGIN

1914 - 1918
CAPT. SMITH
LIEUT. R. THOMPSON
SGT.MAJ. A. CHRISTIAN
PTE. R. ATKINSON
C. CROSSWELL
M. GILBERT
J. NUNN
S. HARMAN
J. GREGG
T. JACKSON
D. McGILLIVRAY
H. McARTHUR
D. McINTYRE
W. WILLOUGHBY
C. SPARLING
M. MOULTON
J. SALEMAN

1939 - 1945
MAJ J.A. HOWE
CAPT. GEO. EATON
F/O L. ERNST
F. VAUPEL
R. VAUPEL
J. MUIR
F/SGT. N. HETTRICK
SGT. J. STURGEON
L/BDR. J. JONES
PTE. D. STODDART

1950  KOREA  1953