Gabriola Island, British Columbia
In November 1994 all the known island ex-service veterans, about 45, were
contacted
by telephone and invited to meet at a local hall to discuss the possibility of erecting a
monument. This meeting, which was held about two weeks later with 30 veterans present, supported
the concept of a monument. A committee of eight volunteers was organized to make investigations in respect
to location, size, type, composition and funding. At this meeting it was also decided that this
monument should be a Cairn rather than a Cenotaph, and that the project would be called the
"Gabriola Memorial Cairn".
In February 1995 a second meeting was called to hear committee recommendations and to discuss
the project in general. At this meeting the following was determined: the location was suggested
as being placed on the lawn of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachment's office, other locations were discussed but
rejected for various reasons. Composition would be a 4` x 4` x 4` concrete base and would be
mounted on an island sandstone of appropriate size. The sandstone should be
flat on one side so
that a bronze and cooper plaque could be mounted on it and the Cairn was not to be more than 6 - 6.5` in
height.
After much discussion it was decided that the plaque should bear the Veteran Affairs Canada "Canada Remembers"
logo. The veterans stated that the Cairn should be for all who served and not just for those
who served overseas or at home in the Armed Forces. Many citizens served Canada in other
important facilities, such as, hospitals, shipyards, aircraft and munitions factories.
The veterans also thought it would be most appropriate for the Cairn to be unveiled and
dedicated on the 50th Anniversary of VE Day, May 8, 1995.
Since only a handful of island veterans were members of service organizations, such as, the
Royal Canadian Legion and the Royal Canadian Naval Association and since there was no Gabriola
Island veterans' organization, it was decided that the project funding would be by individual
donations from veterans, and the sale of "Canada Remembers" lapel pins. The Gabriola Lions Club
were also to be approached for funding.
In March 1995 various tasks were allotted to committee members and after several meetings, the
project began to take shape. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police were most co-operative and kindly arranged for the Cairn
to be placed on their property. A suitable sandstone was found after much searching. The plaque
was than ordered while local trades people volunteered to provide gratuitously both labour and
material. The Veteran Affairs Canada members provided the label pins which veterans sold around
the island. These proved to be a very popular item and after selling 800 there were no more available.
In general, support from the community was most gratifying.
Invitations to attend were sent out to Federal, Provincial and local government politicians, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Divisional HQ and to the Gabriola Elementary School, plus the local Scouts Troop.
In April 1995 volunteer veterans commenced to dig the Cairn's foundation. Over the next two
weeks the concrete was poured with a maple leaf etched into the surface at each corner. After a
week, to allow the concrete to harden, the sandstone was craned into place and anchored to the
base.
On May 1, 1995, the plaque was professionally inserted into the sandstone. The
whole project was
then draped with a tarpaulin to keep rain off, and away from prying eyes. The program was sent
for printing and the Gabriola Volunteer Fire Department offered to hose down the roadway and
paths around the Cairn two days before the ceremony.
On May 8, 1995, the Unveiling and Dedication Ceremony was held. The unveiling
was performed by
Senator Ray Perreault on behalf of the Federal Government, Ms. June Bobbie on behalf of Veterans
Affairs Canada, Ted Krell representing service veterans and "All Who Served", and Joe Davis
representing Gabriola's pioneers and present day residents. Reverend Donald Gordon, a former RCNVR,
performed the dedication and conducted the service that followed.
It was estimated that 40 veterans and 400 members of the community, population 3000+, attended.
Veterans and the public were welcomed, and dignitaries were introduced by the Carin Committee's
Chairperson, Peter Eastick, former RNVR. Eastick stressed the importance of "never forgetting"
the sacrifices made by the men and women of our Armed Forces during the Two World Wars and the
Korean conflict.
During the playing of "Reveille" a fly-over was made by a World War II Harvard (trainer) aircraft
flown by Phil Kalnin. The pilot flew several passes over the area, as each time he dipped his
wings in salute.
Following the ceremony, dignitaries and guests were entertained to a light luncheon at the nearby
Agricultural Hall.
Other ceremonies at the Cairn have included:
August 13, 1995 - 50th Anniversary of VJ Day at the end of World War II
November 11, 1995 - Remembrance Day
May 5, 1996 - "Battle of Atlantic" Sunday
November 11, 1996 - Remembrance Day
May 4, 1997 - "Battle of the Atlantic" Sunday
November 11, 1997 - Remembrance Day
Roll Of Honour
World War I |
|
World War II |
|
Walter Asher
John Barrett
Joseph Barrett
Abram Cocker
Archibald Coats
Edward Degnen
George T. Duncan
John Finnamore
William Goodall
Robert Gray
David Hoggan
William Juriet
John Langlands
Angus Martin
Samuel Martin
Alexander McCord
Robert McNeil
William Nichol
David Nicholson
W.E. Palmer
Christian Petersen
George Petersen
Harry Petersen
Robert Petersen
Samuel Petersen
William Petersen
James Rollo
H.L. Seimon
Edward Silva
Frank Silva
Louis Silva
|
|
C.Brown
John Cox
M. Cox
R. Cox
Joe Davis
Len E. Dobinson
J. Easthom
Mark Edgar
Lesley Finnamore
Stanley Finnamore
T. Huggins
A. Law
H. Law
B. Leitch
Angus Martin
R.E. Nicoll
D. O'Brien
H. Petersen
R. Petersen
William D. Rowan
Henry Silva
R. Simpson
|
"Their Names Shall Liveth for Evermore"
|