We will remember Remembrance Day in Kimberley and Cranbrook November 11, 2012
Photo courtesy Cranbrook Archives CBK.2009.028.047
Soldiers marching down Baker Street in Cranbrook during a Veteran’s Day parade in 1920.
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Remembrance Day
Kimberley’s war effort
From strategic metals from the Sullivan Mine, to men and women serving overseas, Kimberley’s war effort was massive C AROLYN GR ANT bulletin@cyberlink.ca
Not as much is known about Kimberley’s contribution to WWI versus WWII, says Kimberley Heritage Museum curator Marie Stang. “At that time, there was no cenotaph in Kimberley and people had to go to Cranbrook to sign up,” she said. However, one famous WWI hero from Kimberley was Major Clarence McDougall, a Sullivan Mine superintendent, who died during the war. His name lived on in McDougall Townsite, McDougall Hall and McDougall Hospital. His name is on the Cranbrook cenotaph. However, WWII was a different story. Not only did many Kimberley
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Major Clarence McDougall died in 1914. Prior to the war, he was superintendent at the Sullivan Mine. men and women sign up to fight, the Sullivan Mine was a huge part of the war effort. Many of the metals mined at the Sullivan were considered essential to the war effort. The mine stepped up production, and as men left to go to war, women took their place in the concentrator, though not underground. Stang says that during these years when many experienced workers went off to war, the highest number of accidents and deaths at the mine were recorded as inexperienced personnel
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took over. Kimberley was also under black out for much of the war, with windows painted to block light in case of night-time air raids on the mine. It was also thought that the Sullivan Mine would be a target for saboteurs, with its wealth of metal essential to the war effort. The Rocky Mountain Rangers militia group was formed for home defense during those years, Stang says. “A lot of guys who were too old to go to war, joined the Rangers,” Stand says. The Kimberley HeriPhoto courtesy Kimberley Heritage Museum tage Museum’s Remem- Sam Soderholm’s fighter went missing over Egypt brance Day display is in 1940. worth a look. You will find a complete list of Kimberley men and women who volunteered for active service. There is a uniform from the Canadian Women’s Army Corp, worn by Edna Fisher (Almac), hundreds of wartime photos, and examples of propaganda leaflets and more. Stang and museum volunteers would be happy to take you Photo courtesy Kimberley Heritage Museum through the exhibit. Before going missing, Sam sent this picture of the The names of those who left Kimberley to Pyramids taken from his airplane, home to his fight will be familiar to family. many. The Soderholm brothers, Sam and Paul, volunteered, with only Paul returning. Sam joined up in 1936 and flew with the Royal Air Force in Africa and Palestine. He was reported missing in 1940. His brother Paul returned home injured, and died in 1947. Their sister Ruth SoPhoto courtesy Kimberley Heritage Museum derholm taught school in Paul Soderholm in an armoured vehicle.
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Sunday, November 11th Royal Canadian Legion #24 CRANBROOK
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Kimberley for decades, beginning in 1927. “Everyone knew her,” Stang said. Other Kimberley names such as Sam Wormington, who proudly wore his uniform every year to Remembrance Day ceremonies in Kimberley until his death in 2011; Betty Aitchison, longtime Liberal party stalwart, served with the Canadian Women’s Army Corp. Kris Christensen did as well. “Lots of Kimberley women served as nurses overseas,” Stang said. “They played a big role.” You can see the entire story at the Kimberley Heritage Museum, top floor of the Public Library building.
daily townsman / daily bulletin FRIDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2012 Page R3
Remembrance Day
Remembering those who gave so much
Remember Sunday, November 11
when armies stopped fighting World War I on November 11th at 11am in 1918 (the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month).
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Lest We Forget Photo courtesy Kimberley Heritage Museum
Kris Christensen, left, Air Force, 1944 in England.
Photo courtesy Kimberley Heritage Museum
Lest We Forget.
Four CWAC women. That’s Kimberley’s Betty Aitchison on the left.
On this day, we want to thank the veterans for their service to our country. Especially Bud Caldwell who meant so much to us.
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Southeast BC’s Law Firm On behalf of City Council, City staff and the residents of the City of Kimberley, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to all those who have served and those who are still serving their country in times of war, conflict and peace. We honour the sacrifices of these brave men and women. Mayor Ron McRae City of Kimberley North Idaho Lifestyle Magazine photo
Steve Brine
, LL.B. Kimberley - Fernie - Cranbrook 290 Wallinger Avenue, Kimberley, BC V1A 1Z1 Tel: 250-427-0111 Fax: 250-427-0555 steve@rockieslaw.com
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Sam Wormington, a legend on Kimberley’s ski hill, served during WWII.
Legion Remembrance Day Wreaths Will all organization representatives who wish to place wreaths on the Cenotaph Sunday, November 11th, please be sure to obtain wreaths at the Old Telus office 4411 Ave. S. 9:00 a.m. Remembrance Day to ensure elimination of delay. Royal Canadian Legion Cranbrook Branch No. 24 Downstairs in the Heritage Inn, use rear parking lot.
Remembrance Day Celebration 2012 Parade starts at Elks Hall, 10:30 am to Cenotaph. Join us for refreshments after the ceremony.
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Remembrance Day
Gathering at Kimberley’s cenotaph Always 820 Cranbrook Street, Cranbrook • 250-426-5208
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PROUDLY Remembering those who served so valiantly.
Photo courtesy Kimberley Heritage Museum
108th Field Battery RCA, October 28, 1939 in front of the Armouries in Kimberley (now Centre 64). Bill Bennett - MLA Kootenay East
Remembrance Day Parade Sunday, November 11th
A time to honour our veterans for our freedom and prayers for those who still defend it.
Will assemble in the parking lot behind the Credit Union at 10:00 a.m. March off at 10:30 a.m. precisely to Cenotaph where Service will be held, then march back to the Credit Union parking lot. The lounge will be open after the parade. Members & Guests Welcome. General Public Welcome after 1 pm.
C AROLYN GR ANT bulletin@cyberlink.ca
Each year on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, Kimberley citizens gather at the cenotaph to remember all those who gave their lives and themselves over more
than a century of wars. It is always a moving ceremony; always well attended. It is a tradition and it goes on. Despite the Kimberley branch of the Royal Canadian Legion ending their charter last year and selling their building,
...And their names are engraven on honour’s bright crest.
Remember! Legion is downstairs, in the Heritage Inn, rear parking.
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Thank you! College of the Rockies salutes our veterans and the men and women in the Canadian Forces currently serving our country.
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Kimberley residents will still gather at 11 a.m. on Sunday, November 11, 2012 at the cenotaph to remember. This year, with no Legion, a number of Kimberley groups have joined together to provide the traditional services, and post-ceremony fellowship. The Kimberley Community Band will direct the service and provide music, the Air Cadets will lead the parade, which will muster at 10:30 outside of Centre 64, then follow the traditional route through the Platzl. The post-ceremony gathering will be held at the Kimberley Elks Club. Young people will be welcomed right next door at the Sparks Youth Centre. Kimberley’s cenotaph was constructed in 1956, built by local labour and approximately three tons of rock from Cominco’s open pit. Twelve yards of gravel and 49 bags of cement were also used. The cenotaph was dedicated and unveiled at a Royal Canadian Legion meeting on October 25, 1956, just ahead of that year’s Remembrance Day ceremony.
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Remembrance Day
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2012 Page R5
Letters from the front
Annalee Gr ant Townsman Staff With files from Dave Humphrey, Cranbrook Archives
In memory of the brave men and women, let’s take a moment to remember.
The response of Cranbrook was swift and joyous just a day after World War I was declared, reported the Cranbrook Herald on August 27, 1914. The city gathered for the two weeks prior to their departure to celebrate the volunteers at a number of social events. They were heroes being sent off to support the war effort abroad, but the soldiers and residents of Cranbrook were very much unaware of what trials they were to face in the years ahead. Performing at a concert on August 25, 1914 was the Kootenay Orchestra as well as a number of local musicians. Volunteered were showered with presentations of the community’s apprecia- Troops entraining at Cranbrook Station, 1914. tion and a dance followed. “The floor was cleared Each man was handed by the Cranbrook City at the close of the concert an envelope containing band, with school chiland the Kootenay Or- $7.50 from the proceeds dren and the local Boy chestra furnished the gathered at the various Scouts in tow. Flags music for the dancing social events. were waving, and the which continued until a “The mayor stated men arrived to a crowdlate hour,” the Herald that the city was proud ed train station via reads. “Everyone present of such a fine contin- Baker Street as the reported a most enjoy- gent and that their crowd sang “God Save able time.” movement would be the Queen” and “Oh On August 28, 1914, watched with consider- Canada.” Eventually the the city of Cranbrook able interest by the citi- train pulled out of the gathered at the rail sta- zens. In offering their station after many a tion to say their last services and lives for handshake. The band goodbyes. the Empire, they ful- continued with “Annie “It is estimated that filled the highest and Laurie” until it was no over 2,500 people were at noblest duty that could longer in sight. In all the C.P.R. station to bid be asked of a subject of there were 150 men goodbye and God speed his majesty the King.” aboard; they were to the departing volunThe volunteers were joined in Fernie by 93 teers,” said the Herald. marched up the street more.
Remember their sacrifice
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Our fallen heroes will always be remembered
We Will Remember Them
Photo courtesy Cranbrook Archives CBK.1982.038.004
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Ted Kettringham wrote home on October 9, 1914. After a scene of such triumph, his letter begins to tell of a less comfortable reality for the men leaving Cranbrook. “As you know we left on a Friday and as usual it has proved unlucky. The run from Cranbrook to Quebec took 90 and a half hours, never stopping longer than one hour at any place. We had a good time on the train, but the good time ceased as soon as we got off the train.”
teaching us lessons of sacrifice
and the value of freedom Set aside a moment for quiet reflection and thanks on this day.
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From there, the Fernie and Cranbrook boys split up into different regiments. Kettringham remained with a group of East Kootenay soldiers, 53 total, and joined the Quebec Rifles. They boarded the troopship “Scotian” and off they went towards Europe. “Most of us have been sea sick – some very much so – including yours truly, and Walter Chambers is still in bed and this is his seventh day at seas.”
A Salute... to those who gave and those that continue to give.
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The Royal Canadian Legion #24
Remembrance Day 2012 Parade - 10:30AM • Ceremony - 10:45AM Master of Ceremonies ................................ Larry Warren O Canada .................................................. Mount Baker Music Dept. Hymn........................................................ O God, Our Help in Ages Past Address ..................................................... Padre Ray Green Address ..................................................... Clive Brown Memorial Charge ....................................... Clive Brown Last Post .................................................. Dave Ward Silence Reveille.......................................... Dave Ward Lament ..................................................... Dan McKinnon Prayer....................................................... Padre Ray Green Act of Remembrance Clive Brown, RCL Branch No. 24 Laying of the Wreaths God Save the Queen ................................... Mount Baker Music Dept.
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2012 Page R6
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Remembrance Day
Letters speak of longing for home From page 5 Already, Kettringham had resigned to his future before setting foot on the front lines. our servicemen and women “I have had the honour for what they have done to be appointed battalion scout, so if we see the fir- and what they still do. ing line it doesn’t look like me seeing Cranbrook again. What do you think? 1924 Cranbrook St. N, Cranbrook, BC Well, I’m quite reconciled Local or Long Distance 250-489-4010 • 1-888-489-4010 250-489-4010 • 1-888-489-4010 www.alpinetoyota.com to my duty and I’ve been 1924 Cranbrook St. N. Cranbrook, BC www.alpinetoyota.com trained, so it’s up to me.” And then letters from the wounded began coming home. The Cranbrook Herald printed letter after letter describing fierce As you and your family celebrate battles and tales of bullet Remembrance Day, thank a wounds and recovery. veteran for making it possible. Sydney Malcolm wrote to brother Ernest as he reCAPITOL TIRE covered from a head “Complete Tire Service & wound after the LangeWheel Balancing” marck battle. The letter 601 Industrial Rd. No. 1, Cranbrook was published in the Herald on May 27, 1915. “I was charging nearly double with my gun at the trail, when about fifteen or twenty yards from the German trench I lifted a little to get my gun in both hands, when a bullet FOR ALL OF YOUR RENTAL, CONCRETE, grazed my forehead. It CUTTING & CORING NEEDS. CALL US! knocked me out.” Sydney was then left to his own devices as the 2450 Cranbrook St. N. Germans shot at any Cranbrook, BC V1C 3T4 wounded soldiers that 250-426-5254 moved. EQUIPMENT LTD. Toll Free: 1-800-561-5254
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1914 WWI recruits on the steps of Cranbrook courthouse. “A corporal told me to get back to a dressing station and I passed a fellow shot in two places in the leg. I helped him along as best I could. It was a case of ping, ping, all the way till we got to a little hole.” Sydney also told of a sniper captured by the Canadians “He was crying like a baby. He must have been 6’3” and his captors about 5’4”.” Tales of Canadian courage emerged from the letters coming home. Sgt. W.L. McGregor talked about narrowly escaping death in a letter in the
DLY REMEMBERING PR O U OUR VETERANS FOR THEIR SACRIFICES THEN AND NOW.
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Herald on May, 31 1917. “Many of my pals dropped on all sides of me but the Lord must have been with me as I was lucky to survive at all.” McGregor’s thoughts turned to Cranbrook in these dark moments. “When I had to stand in the open trenches all night long under the severe conditions prevailing, on very little grub in sight, why ask me if I thought of Cranbrook? What I mean most, if I ever get back I will know how to appreciate little comforts.” Pte. Herb Clark was homesick when he wrote home. His letter, printed along with McGregor’s in the Herald spoke of a fire fight with bullets narrowly missing him, and rumours spreading fear amongst the troops. “They say the (Germans) are rendering down the dead to get fat and feeding residue to the pigs, but I cannot say if it
Photo courtesy Cranbrook Archives CBK.1989.064.002
is true or not.” Each soldier made a point of bragging about the Canadian troops over their German opponents, as did D. MacLennan in an undated letter in the Herald. “We have marked superiority in artillery though I guess Germany has as many infantry as we have, probably more, but our boys make up for it in nerve and grit, that which counts most in an attack.” MacLennan also spoke highly of remembering the Rocky Mountains and comforts of B.C. “Canada sometimes seems to me that I have seen it in a dream, some far away country, really it seems years since I left B.C. ‘God’s Country’ as I have heard some of the boys call it, a good name for it with its magnificent scenery and matchless climate.” Cranbrook didn’t forget their boys after the fateful day on the train.
On November 11
Take Time to Remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice
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Back home groups gathered together boxes to send overseas and the beginnings of the Royal Canadian Legion and Ladies Auxiliaries formed. G.S. McCreery wrote in a letter in the Herald printed May 10, 1917 that a parcel received was capable of spreading joy among the entire camp. “It is reassuring to feel that back in the home land there are those who take such a kindly interest in our welfare. At the present time we are occupying tents — four men in a tent — so; living together, we travel together and when a parcel arrives from home, all four of us enjoy its contents; so, three other chaps beside myself are grateful for the gift.” Studding each newspaper were the notices of death, sometimes multiple announcements in each issue. Pte. John Macdonald and Lt. “Harry” Banfield killed in action at Vimy Ridge: May 31, 1917. For years in Cranbrook’s newspapers the names of the city’s dead were repeated – but among them were new recruits announced each week. Cranbrook’s volunteers never ceased. After World War I, the coverage of the dead continued, as if begging the city not to forget them. In the Cranbrook Courier on July 23, 1920 a list read out every single name, with the headline asking “Have we forgotten the heroic dead?” Two years later the paper announced the unveiling of the Cranbrook war memorial on the fifth anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge. Again the names were listed. They are now printed for all to see forever on Cranbrook’s War Memorial in Rotary Park.
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Remembrance Day
Cranbrook remembers this Sunday Annalee Gr ant Townsman Staff
It’s an annual tradition that attracts young and old to pay their respect to the fallen soldiers of Cranbrook. This year’s Remembrance Day ceremony in Cranbrook will be held Sunday, November 11 at Rotary Park at 11 a.m. Royal Canadian Legion Branch 24 president Clive Brown said the parade will form up behind the East Kootenay Credit Union at 10:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. before marching down 10th Avenue and into Rotary Park. The service will begin promptly after. Brown reminds all businesses who purchased a wreath that they will have to pick them up at the Poppy Office before 10:30 a.m. on the day of the ceremony. The office is located on 11th Ave across from the old Fire Hall in the Telus office. With poppies proudly displayed, Girl Guides, Brownies and local Cadets will be marching along in the parade. Afterwards they will head to the Army Cadet hall for snacks. After the ceremony, the adult crowd is invited to the Legion on Cranbrook St. for refreshments and a more informal celebration. Brown said the bigger the attendance at this year’s Remembrance Day ceremony, the better. “We’re hoping everybody would attend to come out and celebrate Remembrance Day,” he said. “We’re hoping that we see a very good turnout from the community.” Brown is the new president of the Cranbook legion after outgoing president Edith Leclair stepped down. He will remain in the position until the legion’s
FRiDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2012 Page R7
Remembering Our Courageous Veterans. Cranbrook kIa
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Take Time to Remember on Nov. 11th Gathering at the Cranbrook Cenotaph
Photo courtesy Cranbrook Archives CBK.1983.056.001
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Squadron took on the annual ceremony this year. “They took this on,” Brown said. With younger blood behind the ceremony, Brown predicts it will get bigger and better in the years to come. “It’s got no where to go but grow,” he said.
elections in December. Poppies are available now in various locations around Cranbrook. Brown is happy that Kimberley will continue with a Remembrance Day ceremony after the local Legion surrendered its charter last year. The 266 Air Cadet
The only difference this year will be a lack of wreaths to go around in the community, he added. The cadets have
taken on selling poppies in Kimberley with assistance from the Cranbrook Legion. “It’s a lot of work,” Brown said.
Remembering our fallen soldiers and those on active duty East Kootenay District Labour Council 104 - 105 9th Ave. S., Cranbrook, B.C. V1C 2M1
Remembrance Day
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November 11th
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May they be matched by our gratitude for years to come.
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Remembrance Day
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