Remembrance Day in Chapleau 'fittingly and solemnly' observed in 1950 but sacrifices made for freedom remembered every day

Remembrance Day was "fittingly and solemnly" observed by veterans of World War I and World War II, as well as citizens of Chapleau in 1950, according to the Chapleau Post.

The newspaper reported that attendance at the service in the Town Hall, followed by the laying of wreaths and poppies at the cenotaph, which at the time was located beside it, was the largest in many years. It also marked the largest attendance by veterans on record.

World War I and World War II veterans paraded from the Royal Canadian Legion Hall to the Town Hall. The auditorium was filled to capacity for the service conducted by Rev. H.W. Strapp, Minister at Trinity United Church and Rev. E. Roy Haddon, Rector of St. John's Anglican Church,.

Rev E Roy Haddon

Mr. Haddon, who had served in the British Army in World War II was the padre to Branch Number 5 (Ontario) of the Royal Canadian Legion.

In his remarks, Mr. Haddon said that although one day a year is set aside for Remembrance Day, "the sacrifices made for freedom will always be remembered every day."

He added that the principles for which so many gave their lives in both wars to ensure "freedom of speech and worship were not bought cheaply and that should be remembered each time we look at the cenotaph the memorial to those who bought freedom for us."

(In our book, The Chapleau Boys Go To War, Michael McMullen and I note that in World War I from 1914 to 1918, there were 283 volunteers with a Chapleau connection -- 282 men and one woman. We also record that 32 Chapleau boys died in World War I.  In World War II, from 1939 to 1945, our research identified 416 who enlisted, with a Chapleau connection  -- at least 30 were women. There were 29 Chapleau boys, either killed in action or died due to war-related causes.)

Given the size of the community, Chapleau made a significant contribution to the country's armed forces in both wars.

Following the service in the Town Hall, everyone moved outside to the cenotaph for the laying of wreaths and poppies. Each veteran paid tribute their fallen comrades by placing a poppy and saluting in front of the cenotaph.

In the afternoon, the veterans gathered privately in the Legion Hall and later in the day a banquet was held. Once again, Mr. Haddon and Mr. Strapp were speakers, and were joined by Reeve B.W. 'Bubs' Zufelt, of the Township of Chapleau.

Reeve B. W. Zufelt

At the time the Legion Hall was still officially owned by the municipality, but working with Mr. Zufelt, by 1955, ownership was transferred to Branch Number 5. For his efforts, Mr. Zufelt was honoured with a Life Membership in the Legion.

In 1950. D.T. 'Toddy' Collinson, a veteran of World War I, was president of Branch Number 5. His father, George Collinson, a veteran of World War I, was a charter member of the branch. 

Mrs. Agnes Freeborn, was president of the Ladies Auxiliary. Her husband, Earle Freeborn. served in World War I, and was also a reeve of Chapleau.

The cenotaph was moved in 1978 from beside the Town Hall to beside the Legion Hall

From 'For the Fallen' by Laurence Binyon

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."  

Thanks to Doug Greig for the Chapleau Post. My email is mj.morris@live.ca