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

Making peace by overcoming ugliness with beauty, meanness with generosity, lies with truth, evil with good!

Let me share some thoughts expressed by Rev. Canon H.A. Sims, the Rector of St. John's Anglican Church in 1948. They seem as appropriate today on this Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day) in our troubled world as they were three years after the end of World War II.

In part, here is what Canon Sims. a World War I veteran,  said:

"There is not the slightest necessity for civilized men to destroy their civilization in warfare. Nothing is settled by warfare which could not be better settled in some more reasonable, humane and decent way.

"Warfare is caused by men  who have allowed the spirit of the devil rather than the spirit of God to determine their thinking.

"Peace does not come through wishing for it or through praying for it... peace comes only from those who make it; who work harder at making peace than men working at making war.

"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."

I was at the church that night with my family because a memorial prayer desk was being dedicated in memory of my father, Flying Officer James E Morris, who was killed on active service in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1943 during World War II. I was seven years old.

In his incredible book, 'The Ordeal of Total War', Gordon Wright tells us that Sir Winston Churchill once commented that the effects of World War II, will be felt by those affected by it for at least 100 years. Trust me, Churchill was right. I am just shy of 77 now , and have lived with that war every day of my life.

Every time I hear of the death of one of the member of our armed forces, or for that matter police officers, firefighters, and other first responders, my heart goes out to their family and friends. I know, I care  and I understand.  My email ias mj.morris@live.ca