A remembrance day service in honour for the 74 men who were killed, Roll of Honour 12th Field Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery, C.A.S.F. (1940-1945)

Family and military history segment presented by well-known speaker Glenn Wright, a family historian, former archivist at Library and Archives Canada, and a published author, spoke on the military records of veterans who returned to Canada and appear in researchers’ family trees. The military part of the session was presented by Rob Stark, President of the 12th Field Regiment Association and a son of a late veteran of the Regiment.

Presentations made possible by The Wellington County Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society June 7th, 2014 at the Arthur  Legion. Organizer Bob McEachern.

Reading of the Honour Roll by Joan Ruth Maynard

Link to Honour Roll list of names 

” The Fallen Comrade table “ prepared and set with care by Diane Gilbertson is a place of honour in memory of fallen soldiers.

• The white tablecloth draped over the table represents the purity of their response to our country’s call to arms.
• The empty chair depicts an unknown face, representing no specific Soldier but all who are not here with us.
• The table itself is round to show that our concern for them is never ending.
• The Bible represents faith in a higher power and the pledge to our country, founded as one nation under God.
• The single red rose reminds us of their families and loved ones. The red ribbon represents the love of our country, which inspired them to answer the nation’s call.
• The slices of lemon on the bread plate remind us of their bitter fate.
• The salt upon the bread plate represent the tears of their families.
• The wine glass, turned upside down, reminds us that our distinguished comrades cannot be with us to drink a toast or join in the festivities of the evening.

Wikipedia Link – The Missing Veterans Table >>

Poem by Fredrick H. (Buck) Rogers, Gunner 12th Field Regiment, 16th Battery…

We do not forget

On May 5th in 1945,
Many thank God to still be alive.
The guns have ceased firing; men could now stand,
Peace had returned to this troubled land.

This gave men a time to rejoice,
Returning home was their first choice.
You now sat back and thought of a friend,
Who gave his life before the end.,

When we got home we certainly were glad,
For those that stayed, we were very sad.
But we know in God’s own way,
We will meet these men another day.

Once a year in the fall,
The men gather in a hall,
To sit around arid reminisce,
Of the good times had, and a friend they miss.

The call now comes to leave the hall,
To march downtown to the cenotaph tall.
You can tell they march with pride,
Because they have an old friend by their side.

The service is short, some eyes are not dry,
We think of things long since gone by.
As we march back and see the crowd,
Having fought for our country, we are proud.

We only hope, young people today,
Do not forget as we all pass away.
That they help keep this day with pride,
And remember why so many young men died.

-Fred Rogers, Gunner 12th Field Regiment, 16th Battery

References :
Remembrance Service 2014 Arthur Legion >>

12th Field Regiment November 9 – 14, 1944 war diary entries

” Freedom Isn’t Free ” Ordinary Canadians who made extraordinary sacrifices