Memorial wall of plaques and photos unveiled and dedicated at Chapleau Royal Canadian Legion Hall in 1947

Memorial plaques and photos of the Chapleau boys who gave their lives in World War I and World War II were unveiled and dedicated in an "impressive ceremony" in the Royal Canadian Legion Hall at Remembrance Day 1947, according to a Chapleau Post story.

(I have included photo of the plaque at Chapleau High School)

Victory in Europe Day, more commonly referred to as V-E Day was on May 8, 1945, and Branch No. 5 was honouring its fallen just two years later  on November 11 . 

The Chapleau Post reported that the upstairs hall was filled to capacity for the ceremony with relatives of those being honoured seated in a reserved section. 

Over 100 Legion members paraded into the hall taking their places as a Guard of Honour standing on either side of the hall.

The ceremony was officially opened by D.T. 'Toddy' Collinson, the branch president, and son of George Collinson, a World War I veteran who participated in the founding of Branch No. 5. Veteran Bill Stedman also spoke.

Msgr Romeo Gascon of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church spoke on the significance of Remembrance Day, focusing on the significance of those who gave their lives.

The plaques, one with the names of those who died in World War I and the other in World War II were unveiled from behind the dark maroon curtains, and dedicated by Rev. H.W. Strapp, of Trinity United Church. The photos were included in the dedication.

Canon H.A. Sims, of St. John's Anglican Church, and a World War I veteran, gave the benediction.

Following the ceremony, the Chapleau Post reported that many favourable comments were made about the arrangement of the plaques and photos covering an entire wall.

I don't recall if I attended this ceremony with my mother Muriel E Morris, and my grandparents Lil and Harry Morris and George and Edythe Hunt. I was six years old.

As most readers know my father James Morris was killed on active service in the RCAF in World War II on July 16, 1943. My grandfather Harry Morris served in the Canadian Forces in World War I, and my grandmother Edythe Hunt, served as a nurse attached to the British Army in England in World War II.

However, this memorial wall remains a special place for me to this day. In 2015 when I was home to launch 'The Chapleau Boys Go To War" with my co-author Michael McMullen, we had a book signing downstairs.

I slipped away and went upstairs and gently pulled back the curtains, and had my own personal moment of silence, not only thinking of my father, but all those from Chapleau, especially those who did not come home. They shall grow not old!

In 1947, at the branch's annual meeting, J.M. 'Jack' Shoup was elected president. Mr. Shoup had served in World War I and II. Other officers included first vice president Henry Therriault, second vice president Rene Aquin, secretary Toddy Collinson and treasurer Fred Matters. 

Auditors were Harry Searle, a World War I veteran who led the Chapleau delegation to Winnipeg in 1925 for the founding of the Legion, served as first branch president and after whom the branch was eventually named; George Collinson and Steve Therriault. The executive committee included Mr. Searle, Mr. Steve Therriault, Ovide Cote, Willard Morrison and Walter Steed.

I have only included photos of those who died from World War II, but will share those from World War I, closer to the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I on November 11 this year. Photos were not available for Leonard Brough, Harold Chandler, Angus Dawson, Frank Matchequis, F. Sheshewabic, Bernham Thorpe.

After Mr. Shoup became president, he gave a speech to the members, reminding them that they still had a "duty to serve." And they sure have, in every aspect of community life!  With a renovation program of the hall currently underway, today's members continue to do so!  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Chapleau World War I and II veterans urged to become involved in community life as Legion members elected to township council in 1947

Two years after the end of World War II, as those who served in Canada's armed forces returned home to Chapleau, they were being urged to take more of an interest in community and municipal affairs.
Both J.M. Shoup, president of Branch No."5" of the Legion, and Harry Searle, after whom the Chapleau branch came to be named, urged the World War II veterans to be more involved in community life. Mr. Shoup, who had served in World Wars I and II and Mr. Searle, who served in World War I, and worked tirelessly for benefits for veterans were speaking at the annual Legion Armistice Day Banquet and Dance held in the Town Hall in 1947.

Mr. Searle proposed a toast to the branch and talked about the founding of the Legion and those from across Canada who were responsible. He stressed that it was with no thought of personal gain that the Legion was founded. Mr. Searle was present at the meeting in Winnipeg in 1925 where the Legion was founded and Chapleau received its Charter in 1926 as Branch No. 5 and was later named in his honour and is now known as Harry Searle (Ont. No. 5) Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, according to information on the Chapleau community portal.

J.L Whitney proposed the toast to the memory of those who did not come back while Mrs. L. Montgomery outlined the work of the ladies during the war both in the forces and at home. She said that although the war was over there was still a fight against poverty to be won.

J.M. Shoup

In his remarks Mr. Shoup gave an outline of the work of the branch during the past year and what had been accomplished at the hall. He said that the hall was becoming more and more a community centre every day and that more and more facilities would be added for the benefit of both the general public and veterans.

Over 240 members and guests were present for the turkey banquet which was enjoyed by all. World War II veteran Henry Therriault was chairman for the evening while J. Thomson played the Last Post. After dinner they moved to the Town Hall auditorium where an hour of excellent humorous entertainment was provided under the direction of Ted Soucie. Dancing followed in the basement to the music of Wilf Simpson and his orchestra.

About a month later, Mr. Shoup was returned as branch president for another term at the branch's annual election of officers. Henry Therriault was elected first vice president, A.R "Rene" Acquin, second vice president, with George Collinson as secretary and Fred Matters as treasurer. Auditors were Mr. Searle, Mr. Collinson and Steve Therriault. The executive committee consisted of Mr. Searle, Mr. (Steve) Therriault, Ovide Cote, W. Morrison and Walter Steed. Interestingly two members of the Legion executive were elected to Chapleau township council in the 1947 election: Mr. Steed and Mr. Shoup. In that same election Mrs. F.M (Maud) Hands, who had been a nurse in England during World War I, became the first woman ever elected to Chapleau council.

When I discovered the articles about the 1947 activities that appeared in the Chapleau Post, it seemed appropriate to use them  as it marked the beginning of changes in Chapleau that would continue for many years. The veterans of World War II heeded the comments of Mr. Shoup and Mr. Searle to become involved in community life, and they were involved in every aspect of it in the years to come.

As I wrote in my 1984 book, "Sons of Thunder... Apostles of Love" the veterans returned home, resumed their employment, married and started to raise their families. .. These veterans, having experienced the bitterness of war and having lived through the Great Depression were determined to build a better community for their children.

I added: They became involved in local organizations, sat on the municipal council and school boards, and were active in their church. Chapleau was beginning to change. The barriers of isolation were being removed.

As I reflect today on the Chapleau where I was raised, attended school and later returned to teach at the high school, I recall the names of so many of our community's veterans who rose to the occasion not only in time of war, but in time of peace to create a better place for us all.

At a Remembrance Day service in St. John's Anglican Church one year later in 1948, Rev. Canon H.A. Sims said in part, "We must make peace by working hard at overcoming ugliness with beauty; overcoming meanness with generosity; overcoming lies with truth, and by overcoming evil with good." The service was to dedicate a prayer desk in memory of my father. Flying Officer James E. Morris, who was kiilled on active service in the RCAF in 1943.

Those who did come home understood so clearly the words of Canon Sims, and gave so much to our community. Thank you. To those who did not return, they shall grow not old because we will always remember them. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Chapleau cenotaph moved to new site beside Royal Canadian Legion Hall in 1978

In June 1978, a very moving ceremony was held to rededicate the cenotaph which had been moved from its original location beside St. John's Anglican Church, to its present site beside the Harry Searle Branch No. 5 of the Royal Canadian Legion Hall. Newcomers to Chapleau and many younger people may not know that at one time the cenotaph had another home.

 The cenotaph was located at the north end of Young Street between St. John's Anglican Church and the old Town Hall.


The ceremony conducted by branch president Henry Therriault opened with the singing of 'O Canada' and the hymn 'O God Our Help in Ages Past' by the Chapleau Community Choir. Rev. William Ivey, branch padre, then gave the scripture reading followed by the community choir singing the anthem, 'Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory.' Mr. Ivey and Rev. Carson Duquette then delivered prayers of thanksgiving.

The cenotaph was then unveiled and Mr. Ivey gave a prayer of dedication while Air Cadet Morris played Last Post and Reveille. Cenotaph guards were Ken Russell and Lou Casconette. Branch president Therriault then laid a wreath, followed by others at the foot of the cenotaph in its new location. Legion members who were on parade deposited their poppies.

Jack Boucher was responsible for moving the cenotaph.

I placed a wreath on behalf of the citizens of the Township of Chapleau.

Led by the Chapleau Town Band, Legion and Air Cadet members went on parade around town, followed by visits to the cemeteries for a dedication of the graves of veterans.