HUMAN RIGHTS COMPLAINT DISMISSED
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ROAD PRICING MAKES A LOT OF SENSE
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MORE TO FRASER THAN MOST THINK
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FRIDAY
NOVEMBER 9 2012 www.newwestnewsleader.com
New West’s Jon Cornish is up for two CFL awards. SEE PAGE A17
Dead rat shuts class Grant Granger
ggranger@newwestnewsleader.com
MARIO BARTEL/NEWSLEADER
Sgt. Robert Hartley has just completed work on a book documenting the history of the Royal Westminster Regiment, which will be celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2013.
Remembering the regiment Book a comprehensive 150-year history of the Westies
actions that cost him his life during the final months of the First World War. Harley says one branch of his family lost all the men except one serving in the military. So it was natural for him to join the cadets when he was 12 and the Westminster Regiment when he was 17, which was 29 years ago. And it was natural for him to already be fascinated with its history. So fascinated, in fact, Harley has wanted to chronicle its past in book form for more than two decades. When he was put on the committee to develop ways to honour the
Grant Granger
ggranger@newwestnewsleader.com
Sgt. Robert Harley probably heard his first war story while he was still in the cradle. The military is in his DNA. Harley comes from a long line of relatives with connections to the armed forces. Some won medals, including a great uncle, Cpl. Harry Garnet Miner, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his brave
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regiment’s 150th anniversary in 2013, Harley pitched his idea. “This was my chance to jump in there and say let’s do a pictorial history of the regiment,” says Harley as he sits amidst the medals and memorabilia in the regiment’s armoury museum which he runs. Harley’s worked on For King and Country: 150 years of The Royal Westminster Regiment for nearly two years. He and retired Capt. Terry Leith sent the final scans to the printer Halloween night. “The vast majority has not been published before,” says Harley.
“It was a huge project, but I love it. I have my own little museum at home.” HOW IT ALL BEGAN
The volunteer regiment’s origins stem from a meeting at Hyack Hall on the evening of Nov. 11, 1863. Ten days later, Gov. James Douglas approved establishment of the New Westminster Rifle Company No. 1. At the time, New Westminster was the region’s capital and the prevailing sentiment was the area needed protection. Please see WESTIE, A3
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The stench from a decomposing rat was so strong a special education class at New Westminster secondary had to be moved to another floor Tuesday. Parent Wendy Harris said she was told staff at the Foundations of Success program refused to teach the class because of the odour. An investigation revealed a dead rat was inside the walls. She also noted it was the same room where asbestos was found by workers several years ago. Harris, past-chair of the district parent advisory council (DPAC), has a son in the Foundations of Success program. She said the incident, which was confirmed to her by the school, must have been horrifying for students and staff. Rodents at NWSS have been on her radar for a long time. “It’s a huge problem, huge problem,” said Harris. “I have seen rats going into the building in different areas. I haven’t seen them going into that particular wing.” Harris said rats have been chewing electrical wires at the school for a long time. see ‘IT’S AN OLD’, A8