Marking the end of World War I in 1918 with thoughts on war and peace over 100 years

Me with my Dad 1942

As Remembrance Day approaches, and this year we mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I on November 11, 1918,  my thoughts as they often do at this time of year return to a service in St. John's Anglican Church in 1948, three years after the end of World War II.

In 1948, Rev. Canon H.A, Sims, the Rector, and veteran of World War I was conducting a service to dedicate a prayer desk given to the church by the family in memory of my father, Flying Officer James E. Morris. He was killed on active service in the RCAF in 1943 during World War II.

I was seven years old in 1948, at an age where I was starting to come to terms with the fact that he was not coming home. 

Yes, I had my mother, Muriel E. (Hunt) Morris, my grandparents Edythe and George Hunt and  Lil and Harry Morris, as well as my aunt and uncle Elsie and B.W. 'Bubs' Zufelt and my Zufelt cousins, my aunt Marion Morris --- and my friends in Chapleau. All played a most important role in my life.

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.

During World War II. and in the years since, there have been countless families and children. who like me and my family, were affected by war, and acts of terror, and each time, which is almost daily, I shake my head a bit, and wonder why. But, I know, I care and I understand the lasting effect of these events on our lives.

After World War I, my family and so many others lived forever after with the aftermath of that war. My grandfather's brother was killed in action, while Grandpa (Harry Morris) served in the famous 227th Regiment. Two of my grandmother's brothers Griffin and Charles Mulligan also served.

Let me share some thoughts expressed by Canon H.A. Sims, at the prayer desk dedication service. They seem as appropriate today in our troubled world as they were three years after the end of World War II.

Canon Sims

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 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 have shared the thoughts of Canon Sims in other columns, but feel they are worth repeating. They are a message of hope in a world that often seems hopeless but to me at least the light still shines in the darkness.

Jim Roberts Vietnam veteran

My good friend Jim Roberts, an American who served in the United States Marine Corps in Vietnam, and moved to Canada after returning home wrote a wonderful letter a few years ago. Here is part of it:

"I just want people to be happy. Friends are the fruit cake of life, some smelly. some cooked in alcohol, some sweet, but mix them together and they are all my friends... This is what I want: I want people who are sick with no cure to be able to be cured. I want children with no families to be adopted. I want people to never have to worry about food, shelter and heat. I want peace and love for everyone."

To mark the end of World War I 100 years ago, in the next two columns my cousin Michael McMullen, who co-authored 'The Chapleau Boys Go To War' with me will share his research into the 227th Regiment. Lest we forget!!!!

My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Chapleau Hub located in St. John's Anglican Church introducing wide variety of projects with goal of preserving historical building

Victoria Rioux photo

The Chapleau Hub, located in the upstairs of historic St. John's Anglican Church, is in the process of becoming home for a wide variety of activities and projects, but the Anglican community also holds its services there.

Victoria Rioux provided an update on some of the activities pointing out that "Our main goal remains preserving this historical building and provide an affordable option for the Anglican congregation to remain in the building. The beautiful space upstairs is currently under-utilized. The building needs to be humming to keep the lights on".

As a matter of historical interest St. John's was established in Chapleau in 1885 with the first church building located on the site of the old tennis court beside the rectory. The first service in the present St, John's was held on March 29, 1908 when it was dedicated by Bishop George Holmes. For a time Bishop Holmes lived in Chapleau and St. John's was the Pro-Cathedral of the Diocese of Moosonee.

Bev Hamilton photo

Stonewalls restaurant is located downstairs which is now "humming along" according to Victoria.

Victoria advised that the Chapleau that the Chapleau Hub was started with support from "MSDSB (Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board) in the form of two summer students. After Canada Day, we trialed a few community activities just to see what appetite Chapleau has. One summer student Hannah Barlow has returned on her coop term so we have been able to maintain some consistency. She is absolutely integral to our mission."

Victoria Rioux photo

Her team is running weekly movie nights, and  hosted a Community Yard Sale in September which raised $400 for the Anglican church on the day, as well as stocking the second hand store with unsold items which they can sell in the store.

Right now the major event being planned is a Children's Halloween Event scheduled for October 27 and 28. It will include pumpkin decorating, candy toss, scavenger hunt and more. Sounds like fun. The Hub is planning a major activity each month.

There are other tenants including Yoga by Kathleen Bouchard and Boot Camp by Margo Beaudoin, while the EarlyON program was scheduled to join the Hub as I was working on this column. 

Victoria noted that the "BIGGEST" news is that they are installing the first wood heating system in Chapleau. It may now be completed.

She explained  this will make the building Carbon Free!: It is a wood pellet boiler that is high efficiency and fully automatic. It is completely hands off, no handling of pellets by hand, just like an oil or propane furnace. 

Victoria Rioux photp

She added: "Why? Reason #1: Unlike propane and oil, wood pellets are environmentally friendly because it's not a fossil fuel, it's carbon neutral (bc you regrow the trees).  Reason #2: Wood pellets are half the price of oil and propane, and 1/4 the price of heating with electricity.  Reason #3:  It supports Northern Ontario's economy.  Wood pellets are made in Northern Ontario, and all the money stays in Northern Ontario with the pellet facility owners and the forestry industry that supplies the wood.  Our wood pellets will initially be coming from the Thunder Bay and Atikokan region, delivered by a special delivery truck.

"Also, Jason(Rioux) believes there's a "sustainable future" here, one that is best for the environment and saving our plant from climate change, one that creates new economic growth and jobs for Northern Ontario, and one that is more affordable to homes and businesses. 

"Nordic countries have been doing this for over 30 years. But going first has proven to be tough, we need to install a large pellet storage bin at our site before the wood pellet delivery truck can come from Thunder Bay to fill us up.  Once we have the system fully installed, we will be inviting the community to come take a look and learn about the future.  Parts of Europe decided decades ago that wood pellet heating was the long term sustainable way to go, and Europe purchases almost all of the pellets we make in Canada!  It has proven to be economically viable for them to import all our pellets, it surely makes sense for us to be using them for our own heating needs."

My thanks to Victoria for providing an update on progress at the Chapleau Hub. Other projects and activities are in the works. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

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Chapleau Senior Citizens Club honours Dr G. E. Young for contribution to Chapleau at ceremony in 2010

The Chapleau Senior Citizens Club honoured Dr. G..E Young for his contribution to Chapleau at a social held in the Bignucolo Residence in February, 2010.

Making the presentation to Dr. Young, who was born and raised in Chapleau, and practised medicine in the community for almost 50 years, were Margaret Fife and Velma Morin, while the Township of Chapleau was represented by Andre Byham.

He was presented with a plaque "acknowledging his tremendous commitment to the health and well being of the citizens of our community during his years of medical practice."

The exact wording on the plaque which Dr. Young hung above the photo of his graduating class in medicine at Queen's University in 1942 read: "In acknowledgment of your tremendous commitment to the health and well being of the citizens of our community during your many years of medical practise in Chapleau. You will always be remembered and loved by all for your dedication. Presented by the Chapleau Senior Citizens Club, February 11, 2010".

In response, Dr. Young said he was "pleasantly surprised" and deeply appreciative of the gesture, according to a story in the Chapleau Express. 

On the same occasion the Senior Citizens Club made a presentation to the Chapleau General Hospital Foundation.

After graduating in medicine from Queen's University in 1942, he interned at Columbia University in New York with no intention of returning home. He did to replace a doctor who wanted a vacation, and the rest is history.

Not only did he practise medicine, but became involved in many aspects of community life which included building the town beach using his own funds, establishing a television system, serving as a township councillor for six years. He was also the second president of the Chapleau Rotary Club. 

He always seemed to have a new project underway.

Related to his medical practise he served as served as coroner, medical officer of health and chief of staff at the hospital. There were occasions when he was the only medical doctor in Chapleau, who also "hopped freights" to look after patients along the Canadian Pacific Railway.

Over the years Dr. Young and I became good friends, and I was delighted to stay at his place when I was home for the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of Chapleau in 2001. In 2004, on his cross country trip he visited with me in Cranbrook. Dr. Young and my father Jim Morris were born only weeks apart in the Lady Minto Hospital soon after it opened in 1914.

In 1997, shortly after he retired, Dr. Young was honoured at a reception hosted by the township.

During my 2001 visit home I learned from Jean Hong that when she and other Chapleau girls were in training to be nurses, they would visit with Dr. Young when home and he would provide assistance and support. Over the years they would make it a point to have a visit with him.

Jean died recently and I extend my most sincere sympathy to Yen and all the Hong family.

My email is mj.morris@live.ca