Margaret Balfour - February 17
Anne Gosselin - May 19
Herbert Street - July 1
Angie Campbell - July 28
Adelaide Waterhouse - July 30
Allan Mole - September 7
Robert Hunter - November 10
George Maggs - November 27
Lest We Forget
Recent Tributes
Taylor School Grade 4A Class 2011-2012
Taylor School Grade 4A Class 2011-2012
My great grandpa was in World War 2. I was five years old when he died. I still have a picture of me with my grandpa by a tank. Lakelyn
We have a Remembrance Day ceremony to remember all those people that went to war and came back alive, and those who died. We will remember all those soldiers who went to other countries to help fight. We will remember those people who were 18 and 19 who risked their lives to save us. Cailey
We remember all the soldiers who risked their lives to keep our country free. We have to remember, because if your dad was in the war you would remember him. Don't forget the war because people were trying to keep us free. Men and women's friends are gone forever. I feel sad, really sad! Hannah
My great grandpa fought in World War 2. He fought with Winnipeg’s PPCLI. I never got to meet him. He died when my mom was 5. I always wanted to meet him. Corbin
We should remember all the men and women who fought in the war, who died for us, we should remember them. Scott
We have to remember because of all the lost soldiers. All of them fought for our freedom! I feel very safe now!!! Zackeus
My great grandpa was in the World War 2. He got blown out of a house. He was the only person to survive from his troop. My great grandpa came home alive. Carson K.
We are remembering all the soldiers who fought for us in the war. We need to remember because of the soldiers who died in the war and who are in wars fighting for us and others right now. We have a Remembrance Day ceremony to remember all the soldiers. Sheyanne
We have a Remembrance Day ceremony because we have to remember the people who risked their lives for us to be free. If you don't remember the Great Wars, World War 1 and World War 2, you better start now because people risked their lives for you! WE should remember. Jayden
We have a Remembrance Day to remember the soldiers who tried to protect us. Every year we have a ceremony for people who died and lived. We need to remember all the soldiers and the people who tried too. Poppies help you remember. Seth
My Grandpa Jack’s uncles were in the war. They fought in World War 2. Four from my great grandma’s side and three from my great grandpa’s side of the family. My Grandpa’s Uncle Alan had been fighting for some quite some time, he was a gunner in a tank. One day, a man climbed into the tank and to their surprise it was my grandpa’s Uncle Alan’s son, who had later joined the fight and his dad didn’t even know he was in the war too. Jenna Part 1
My grandpa’s brother (my mom’s Uncle Tom) fought in the Korean War. Jenna Part 2
My cousin Jim Clark served in the war in Afghanistan for 8 months. He was a part of the Task Force Orion. Orion stands for “The Hunter.” His home base was at a Kandahar Airfield in a big gravel parking lot. He lived in a huge tent that slept 100 people or more. He would go out for 6 weeks at a time, driving a LAV (Light Armor Vehicle). On day #36 he was heading back to the Kandahar Airfield with his task force when his L.A.V. wouldn’t go into gear, he worked at it for a while and finally got it going. When he got back, he showered and when he pulled back his sheets from his cot, there was a cat and 6 baby kittens in his bed. After being out for 6 weeks, he said the best part of coming back was getting mail. I mailed him letters when he was there. He was lonesome. He said he got mail from people that he didn’t even know with nice notes in them. I was only 4 year old when he was there. My mom would say, “I love you to the moon and back,” and I would say, “I love you to Afghanistan and back.” Jenna Part 3
Why do we have a Remembrance Day ceremony? To remember all the innocent people who went to war to keep peace. We have it to remember all the people, because all of the people who went to war were trying their very best to keep us safe! We have it because all of the people who sacrificed their lives were trying to keep us free!! Kirstyn
We remember the soldiers who died. They had a celebration when the war ended on the 11th of November in the 1st World War. We remember the people who died and who survived. Alesha
We have a memorial ceremony each year at 11:00 on November 11th. We remember the soldiers who are fighting for peace. Everyone should remember! Cole
We have ceremonies to help us remember why the Canadians protected us from the evil. We remember the men and women who fought for our lives. Emma
Remembrance Day is to remember the people who died in war to keep peace in Canada. Theron
My mom said my great, great grandpa was in the war. He came back alive. I am glad he came back alive. Carson R.
We remember on Remembrance Day, because soldiers fought to give us freedom. Poppies also help us remember. Soldiers will not be forgotten!! Saige
My Father and my Uncle
My father was too young to go to war being born in 1929. But he was very proud of his older brother Orville who went. My dad past in 1998 but I remember him always carrying a piece of paper with the info of his brothers acheivements during the war too show off to all his friends at the bar. So I figured I will do the same for him.
One of 10 M.Ms awarded to the Canadian Provost Corps in the 1939-45 War.
M.M. London Gazette 11 October 1945. The original recommendation states:
‘At the time his unit was stationed in the vicinity of Nijmegen, Holland, personnel of No. 13 Canadian Provost Company were on duty on the bridges, which were a target area for heavy shelling by German batteries. In the face of constant shell fire this N.C.O. remained at his post over a long period of time and on numerous occasions calmly directed traffic, removed vehicles which were obstructing traffic and by his example of grim determination and coolness under fire, enabled convoys to proceed through the target area.
On 1 March 1945, this N.C.O. was stationed at Cleve, Germany. On this date the central area of the town. and especially the area of the Company H.Q. came under heavy shell fire. A large number of vehicles were concentrated in a central square, near a water point. Several were hit by shrapnel and one, after receiving a direct hit, burst into flames. Lance-Corporal Camphaug uncoupled the water trailer, entered the vehicle which was burning fiercely and moved it out of the square, abandoning it at the entrance to an alleyway where it did not endanger the remaining vehicles. Despite heavy shelling of the square, this N.C.O. removed the immediate threat to the remaining vehicles and personnel in the vicinity.
During the months this N.C.O. has served in the European theatre, his conduct in the face of enemy action has been an inspiration to his comrades. His complete disregard for personal safety and his coolness under shell fire has on several occasions enabled convoys transporting vital supplies to the forward troops to proceed through the target area with a minimum loss of vehicles and time.’
Orville Theodor Camphaug was born at Battrum, Saskatchewan in December 1916 and enlisted in the Canadian Army in April 1940, initially being posted to the 1st Battalion, South Saskatchewan Regiment. Arriving in the U.K. in that December, he subsequently transferred to the Canadian Provost Corps and was embarked for North-West Europe in July 1944, initially with an appointment in the 12th Battalion, but from October of the same year in the 13th Battalion. As verified by the above recommendation, he subsequently witnessed extensive action, not least at Nijmegen - presumabaly not that long after the capture of the bridge during the Arnhem operations - and at Cleve in Germany in the following year. He was finally repatriated to Canada in December 1945, where he was discharged at Regina, Saskatchewan in February of the following year. In August 1950, however, and no doubt as a result of the outbreak of hostilities in Korea, he re-enlisted in the Canadian Army Special Force, but he never went overseas and was discharged on medical grounds at the end of the same year.
A letter from My Uncle Paul La Prairie who Fought in WWII, Thank you to all my Uncles and men and women who served and serve
A letter from My Uncle Paul La Prairie who Fought in WWII, Thank you to all my Uncles and men and women who served and serve
Letter from My Uncle Who Fought in WWII
My wife Heather and I took a trip to Europe in 2004. During our visit we travelled through the Netherlands, and one of the stops we made there was in Ermelo - a beautiful town a short drive from Amsterdam. This was one of the many places that my Uncle Paul, and our Canadian troops, fought in World War II.
Uncle Paul wrote my father, George La Prairie, in 2001 with a brief description of his journeys in World War II. With Remembrance Day upon us, I thought it was timely to share with you:
"Dear George....you asked me for information on my visits to Holland. I was there, first, during the War. Then, Jean and I made two trips on our own. Later I led about six group trips to Holland, and as many to Italy.
In 1945 The Irish Regiment of Canada, as part of The Fifth Canadian Armoured Division, finished its tour of duty in Italy. I was in the hospital with jaundice when the Regiment left for Holland. That jaundice seemed to be a common ailment because of the unsanitary conditions through the country.
Then, after my stay in the hospital I was in charge of the re-inforcement depot. We sailed from Naples to Marsailles. The rail trip up through France was very scenic. We were all in boxcars, but I took over in a rooftop caboose.
Our regiment started its battle action in Holland, on Nijmegan Island, near Arnhem. They crossed on the famous pontoon bridge. There were minor skirmishes and the division moved up toward Otterloo.
On April 11th the Germans, who had been cut off in their retreat, attacked our Division and our Battalion Headquarters. Our flame-throwers went into action and stopped the attack. This was a tremendous victory for us. The corporal in charge of the flame-throwers, "Red" Asselstine, received the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
I rejoined my Regiment there and was posted as the Battle Second in Command. That is, I stayed near the Lieut-Col. (Commanding Officer) at Tactical Headquarters. Should he have become a casualty or been away at Bridge Headquarters, I would take over.
The next day we advanced on Ermelo and took 105 prisoners from the 6th German Parachute Division. The People of Ermelo were wonderful in their reception of us. I have been back there often and have had continuing receptions from the people and their Burgomasters. I also have friends there with whom I correspond regularly.
We then moved on and up to the Joure-Sneek area. On April 23rd we took over from the Canadian Scottish Regiment, of the 3rd Canadian Division, east of Groningen.
On April 28th we started to move toward Delfzijl. The Germans had used this port town to bring their supply ships across the Ems river, from Germany. We had brief bits of fighting here and there and moved up to Heveskes.
It was my job to work out the details of an attack, with heavy artillery support, to move through Weiward and seize a key bridge, before the enemy could destroy it. Our tanks were supposed to cross this bridge at daylight. The bridge was the only way that our tanks could cross some swampy ground and the river.
On the morning of May 2nd, A Company was supposed to lead the attack. Unfortunately, A Company had gone through some terrible actions. There where only 18 men left, of an establishment of 127. The Company Commander was also a casualty.
So, being the one who made the plan of attack, I took over. We went ahead with what is called a creeping box barrage of artillery. Shells were falling to each side of us and in front. As we advanced, the shells fell farther in front. This barrage was to keep down enemy infantry. Then, there was a dog-leg; we followed the road with a sharp left turn, with the artillery changing too.
When we reached the bridge, two sections of our troops ran across and the third section stayed at the near end. Then I saw two men, whom I thought we our troops checking for mines on the bridge. They where Germans putting in mines. That was the end of their activity.
As daylight came I could see around. There were huge artillery placements. Then I saw a long stairway going down into the ground. My batman, of Polish origin, could speak German. Some prisoners told him that was the big headquarters.
So, for some reason, I wanted to go down. God must have been on my side. For some reason I decided to take off my steel helmet and put on my Green Bonnet. To do so I had to put my revolver in its holster, which was under my loose camouflage jacket. Then, I put the steel helmet in the rear pouch of the jacket.
Down the steps I went into a large room with telephones and radios and staff people sitting at the desks. At the bottom of the stairs was a German soldier pointing a sub-machine gun at me. However, I was not carrying a weapon and was not wearing a steel helmet.
A senior officer who spoke English came forward. I told him that I wanted to talk to his Commanding Officer, and was brought to Korvet Kapitan Von Walters (Major General). I told him unless he surrendered his troops, our artillery bombardment would start again. Through his interpreter he said that enough of his men had been killed, and gave the order for the radio and telephone operators to issue a cease fire order. We then took 38 Officers and 1386 Other ranks as prisoners.
As a matter of interest, I took the Korvet Kapitan back to Brigade Headquarters. Our Brigade Intelligence Officer spoke German and questioned him. Then, the Korvet Kapitan pointed at me and asked the I.O. what my rank was. I was still in my camouflage coverall. I thought that he was being a bit uppity, wanting to make sure that he, of senior rank, had been captured by a senior Officer. I told the I.O. to tell him that I was a Boy Scout, and left. I was awarded my Distinguished Service Order for this adventure.
That was the end of the war for us. On the 5th of May, all of the Germans in Holland surrendered."
We had two Uncles who fought in World War II - Major A.J. Paul La Prairie and Private Jules La Prairie (December 01 1923 - November 21, 2005).
Thank you, uncles, for your bravery, and thank you to all the Canadian men and women in service.
Michael La Prairie is the owner of Century 21 In Town Realty in Vancouver, BC
The Old Man
The old man with white hair walks slowly now, but he casts a long shadow. Look closely at that shadow and you may see the boy of seventeen that he was, full of life, his gait straight and steady, his arms swinging in cadence to the beat of his boots. A boy who left home to go to war.
Yes, he walks slowly now, slightly bent and worn from the weight of the years and the memories that flood his thoughts. Memories of friends lost, lives unfulfilled and the horrors of war. Yet the old man does not complain, he doesn’t brag, but if you ask him, he might tell you, as if recounting a story, in a matter-of-fact sort of way, what is was like to be a soldier in a time of war.
He’ll tell you of his first trip on the ocean with thousands of other boys and how he spent most of his time by the rail. He’ll tell you of arriving in England a wide-eyed boy, not old enough to go to a pub, yet somehow old enough to go to war. He’ll tell you of places with strange-sounding names, such as Dieppe, Juno Beach, Apeldoorn, Arnhem, Ortona and many more.
He’ll simply say that his country called and all he did was answer that call… “For King and country”. He did his duty, nothing more. He’s not a hero, for all the heroes are still ‘over there’, but the medals on his chest tell a different story. A story of courage and valour, of a duty well done!
As the old man gets closer and the crowd applauds its thanks, look closely at his shadow and you may see the boy of seventeen that he was, full of life, his gait straight and steady, his arms swinging in cadence to the beat of his boots. A boy who left home to go to war and came home a man.
On November 11th, see the old men, but look closely at the shadows…
To my Father Nickolas Kraichy
My Father never spoke much of the War and his Service although the three of us, his Sons, knew that he was very proud of his service and his Country. He kept in touch with some of his "comrades in arms" and later in life had a hidden away display of his service bars and medals.
I am his middle son, Don Kraichy, and have tried to piece together what I can of his past service as he passed on in 1996. The family had a few records that we have perused and I have written the Department of Defence requesting information (so far unsuccessfully). I have also conducted web searches and visited one of his past detachment headquarters museum, the "Seaforth Highlanders" here in Vancouver.
I do know that Dad ran away from home and volunteered in Winnipeg, Manitoba and since being under age,decided to enlist under the assumed name of a Joseph Kukura, after visiting a local Cemetary(you can guess the rest). I know that his Mother, my Grandmother, later finding this out, wrote the Canadian Military demanding his return home. He always claimed that even being under age, they had to much time and money invested in his training to return him to Winnipeg. His service number is H1091 and along with the Seaforth Highlanders with which he served from 20 Feb 1945 until wounded on 13 April, 1945 in Italy, he also served with the "Princess Patricia" and "Winnipeg Rifles" regiments(I believe). I know my Dad served as a Medical aid and was trained in Mountaineering (Mountain climbing/repelling) as we did have a few pictures of his training time here in British Columbia. I also know he fondly talked of a fellow Highlander, a man by the name of "Bowie" that he visited once or twice after the war. Much more I do not know.
I thank the Curator of the "Seaforth Highlander" musem in Vancouver who allowed me to visit the regiment headquarters and museum.
I would appreciate anyone who knew of my Father or who may have served with him to contact me as I would truly value and appreciate any and all information.
To all of our veterans, may God Bless you for your Service and Sacrifices and may we never forget!
My favourite story my dad told me
As a child I would beg my dad to tell me stories about when he was a medic in Korea. One of my favourites was the this one:
The shelling hadn't stopped yet and my dad could hear a soldier crying for help. He ran out into the field under fire and pulled the man to safety. At first my dad thought he was an American soldier but later discovered the man was a Canadian. He never knew whether the man lived or died. He was badly injured. Fast forward 30+ years, my husban and I are sitting at a friend of my husband's aunt's kitchen table and he was telling us about his service in Korea and how he served on the American side. One day he was on patrol and fell under heavy fire. He was badly wounded and was sure he was about to die when he felt a strong set of arms lifting and carrying him off the field. He was taken to a hospital so fast he never had time to thank the medic and he never knew whether or not he made it home. Once the shock of hearing the other side of the story wore off I told John my dad was that medic and he did indeed make it home. It was a touching end to a very old story. I now share it with my children since my dad passed away 10 years ago. Thank you all of our brave men and women. Our freedom is paid for by your sacrifice.
To My great Grandfather
My great grandfather fought as a comanding officer in world war 2 he was apart of the Diepe landing and was taken captive. He was my hero and i miss him so much. Here is what I know of his story.
He was a comanding officer in the Canadian Armed Forces in world war 2. He had his own sqaud of men. They were sent into battle in the battle of Diepe. From what i heard from my father who heard this from my great grandfather on his death bed. He told my dad that is was horible he lost so many men. He would run up and down a barbwire fence from a place that was safe from enamy fire to the water and pull injuried or killed men from the water up to this place. The whole time he was being shot at. The way he was captured was he was firing at a enamy pillbox when a enamy artillier shell went off not to far from him and drove his rifle but up into his jaw knocking him unconsios. He was then woke up by enamy soldiers walking along the beach kicking bodies to see if they were alive or dead. He was then take captive. The told my father that he was in the polish death marches. He never gave up hope on seeing his family again and did so much to survive.
He was a loving and caring man and I miss him so much, When he pasted away he had put in his will that he wanted my father and his siblings to have the medals he was given from the war. He was a quite man who never really talked about what happened and held it in till he was on his death bed. But i will never forget what he did for me way back then and what he did for my children there is nothing i can say to show how thankful i am. My family has his purple heart and when ever i see it i break down and cry as i am so blown away from the sacrafice he made back then.
Thank you to the people who fought for the world!!
I just wanted you all to know that I greatly appreciate what you all sacrificed for the world. Such unselfish acts is very seldom seen these days, you all have displayed what it is to be an honourable human, free from greed. I could not even begin to imagine what it would have been like, but I thank you for stepping up to help others in need. I will be wearing a poppy on November 11th, actually I wear a poppy every day, and when I am asked why I do, my response is simple: I remember what they did every day and I am proud of it.
Thank you all for what you did.
Major Yvon Theriault's grand son
Gavin
I will be writing a story on my grand mother Grace Theriault (Bureau), and my grand father Maj.Yvon Theriault.
Taking Such Pride , My Grandfather Hedley.
My grandfather Hedley has recently passed so I wanted to honour him by telling people about him. He was a part of the Royal Canadian Legion , who stood proudly in his uniform and with his medals on. He passed july 7th peacefully with his loving and supporting family. He wasn't just an ordinary older man, he did what he could to support and help his family out anyway he could. I , living 2 hours away from him , never saw him as often as i wanted but when we could we would do our best to to go out and see him. My pop and I were somewhat close, he was the one I looked up to and took such great pride in having a grandfather throughout my childhood and now into my teens who served in world war ll . He spoke alot about the war but he would always talk about the " good times " ,the jokes, the children and your ordinary soldiers life. But would never speak about the bad times. He never gave up on what he did , he was 80 and still going moose hunting with my family! My grandfather took such pride in being a veteran , every parade, gathering or service he would attend with his dark blue uniform and his shining medals, as he would salute his country he stood proudly not making a move or dare speaking for that 1minute of silence you could see in my grandfathers face he was thinking and remembering the terrible , & happy things he went through as a young soldier. Also remembering his ''buddies'' and friends who passed in the war or after the war. My grandfather was such a special person i know he will always be remembered , never forgotten and honoured with pride in his community. He is one of many many soldiers who has made our lives better , safer and took pride in being a part of something like the war. He changed many peoples lives and no one will ever forget him. Rest In Peace Poppy I Love and Miss you so so much ! You did such a great job & i'll always have honour and respect of calling you my pop.
Love Samantha ♥
Age: 15
