lege of Art, where he had studied under Emanuel Hahn, the sculptor best known for designing two of Canada’s iconic coins: the “caribou” quarter and the “Bluenose” dime. Deciding against a militaristic theme, Saull’s concept of a mourning mother highlighted hopes for a new era of peace. “I didn’t want a charging bayonet,” he said during an interview in 1999. His inspiration came from a somber First World War memorial he had seen overlooking a field in Belgium. His wife, Dorothy, served as the figure’s model. A plaque installed after her death in 1997 noted that she was “an inspiration in every phase of the construction.” In April 1948, work began on the new monument, which took seven months to complete. At 3 p.m. on November 11, 1948, over 1,500 people attended the unveiling led by Lt. Governor Charles Banks. The Daily Colonist described the scene: “As A solemn crowd of over 1,500 people gathered to pay the flags fell away from the silent figure of a mother bending tribute to Oak Bay’s war dead from the Second World War over the names of the war dead, a naval gun on the shore of at the unveiling of the new cenotaph in Uplands Park on the bay fired in salute. The crowd remained hushed in two November 11, 1948. (Photo courtesy Oak Bay Archives) minutes of silent dedication.” Robert Wootton, Oak Bay’s Reeve addressed those assembled: “At a time like this we must speak in the the nines with brightly polished medals and thick language of the heart rather than of the mouth,” he wool overcoat, collapsed in the middle of the said. “The woman is emblematic of motherhood His smile ceremony. An ambulance was called and he and the motherland. She is both proud and sad. and wave to the was carried out on a stretcher. His smile and Proud because of the illustrious achievements of crowd elicited a wave to the crowd elicited a stirring round her sons and daughters and sad at their loss.” of applause and for a brief moment his frailty The crowd sung solemn hymns, and prayers of stirring round of seemed to melt away. dedication were led by Archdeacon A.E. Nunns applause .... I was there again in August 2004, when four of St. Mary’s Anglican Church and Reverend W.W. bronze plaques were added to the base of the McPherson of Oak Bay United Church. Dignitaries laid monument. Affixed to large rocks, each one honours memorial wreaths. Staff-Sergeant B. Drysdale played the the contributions of First World War, Canadian Merchant “Last Post” and “Reveille.” Sentries stood in motionless tribute Navy, Korean War and Canadian Peacekeeping veterans. At at the four corners of the monument. that time, I overheard a Korean War veteran speak excitedly Saull died in 2002. He created many more public monuto a television reporter and repeatedly confirm the air date of ments including the provincial crests at Confederation his interview — he wanted to make sure that his grandchilSquare on Menzies Street, the coat of arms that adorn the dren could tune in, hoping they might feel some pride in their entrance to Government House and the carved figurehead at old grandfather’s service. the bow of the tall ship Pacific Swift. It is many small moments like these that are etched into Efforts are now underway to create a lasting legacy to the my memories of Oak Bay’s poignant memorial to the fallen First World War in our community. Volunteers at Oak Bay and eloquent monument to peace. Archives are working on a Roll of Honour of First World War veterans. It will make a fitting accompaniment to the Roll of Do you have special memories of Oak Bay’s cenotaph or a story Honour of Second World War fallen inscribed on the cenotaph. to share about your or a family member’s wartime service? If This year in particular provides an opportunity for reflecso, we’d love to hear from you. Email: watsoni@yahoo.com / tion. I remember an Oak Bay remembrance service in the Twitter: @watsonivan / Call: 250-418-0700 1990s when an elderly First World War veteran, dressed to WINTER 2014/2015
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