Abbotsford News
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Friday, November 8, 2019 A15
November 11, 2019
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE REACH P61
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE REACH P43358
Students at old Abbotsford school trained to defend Canada in a war Zack CASTIGLIA Contributor
The undocumented history underneath the old Philip Sheffield High School reveals how some students in Canada trained for the Second World War. The Abbotsford Virtual School, formerly known as Philip Sheffield High School, has a fascinating past beneath its gymnasium. During the Second World War, the school took a proactive approach. In the event that the conflict came to North America, the school built a firing range in the basement. They did this to ensure that students were prepared to defend Canada. However, the details of this program have not previously been recorded. Christine Wiebe, chair of the Philip Sheffield History Project, partnered with Abbotsford Vir-
Philip Sheffield High School had firing range in basement
tual School, University of Fraser Valley and The Reach Gallery Museum to document the unique history of Philip Sheffield. “In interviewing past students of Philip Sheffield High School that attended during the Second World War, I was surprised to learn some of these students were taught how to fire rifles,” Wiebe said. “This was part of their curriculum in the event the war carried over into Canada.” Cadets and the Aircraft Recognition Club became popular for students who were interested in contributing to the war effort. Students in the Aircraft Recognition Club were able to identify any ally or enemy aircraft. Cadets learned skills like knots and lash-
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE REACH P13237
es, signalling, first aid and map reading. They were taught to handle defence equipment such as helmets, gas masks, anti-gas suits and goggles, rifles, and signalling
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lamps. Students were also trained to handle firearms. The crawl space in the school’s basement was set up as a firing range and used for target practice. The firing range
was in use from 1939 until the end of the war in 1945. “These students learned how to handle and respect firearms, which they greatly appreciated. They were thankful they had learned the basic rules to operate the rifles correctly,” Wiebe said. “I constantly felt their sense of pride for their school and country. They understood clearly what the war was all about. As young people, this was a lot of responsibility to accept.” Anyone who has memorabilia from the old Philip Sheffield School and would like to donate it, or have it copied, is asked to contact Kris Foulds at The Reach: kfoulds@thereach.ca or 604-8648087 (ext. 122).
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Abbotsford News
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November 11, 2019
Sacrifice and legacy: Two amputees share a special bond Sean Borle, 24, recalls meeting Second World War veteran Lloyd Brown, 96, for the first time six years ago at a Remembrance Day ceremony. “We had this magical moment where I reached out my right hand and he put out his left, to shake hands,” he says. Borle was born missing his left hand, and Brown lost his right arm on Oct. 18, 1944 while serving with the Loyal Edmonton Regiment in Italy. “I was staked at a farmhouse which had a children’s treehouse located behind it,” Brown says. “In the treehouse was a sniper who kept shooting at our boys. A tank then came, which shot out shells, the shrapnel hitting my right arm.” When Brown arrived at the hospital, the doctors had to amputate his arm. “Fortunately, I was in such shock that I didn’t feel a thing,” he recalls. The ability to find the positive in a dark situation is one reason why Borle admires Brown. On Remembrance Day, the pair share a special tradition
of laying a wreath on behalf of The War Amps, an organization entering its second century of service this year. The War Amps was started by war amputee veterans returning from the First World War to help each other adapt to their new reality as amputees. They then welcomed amputee veterans following the Second World War, sharing all that they had learned. Borle grew up in The War Amps Child Amputee (CHAMP) Program, which provides financial assistance for the cost of artificial limbs, emotional support and regional seminars to young amputees across Canada. It was started by War Amps members, like Brown, who realized their experiences of living with amputation could help others. Through what they call “Operation Legacy,” Borle and his fellow members of CHAMP have now “taken up the torch” of remembrance to pay tribute to the veteran members of The War Amps, whose efforts have made a
difference in the lives of thousands of amputees. “I can’t overstate the impact that these programs have on young amputees and their futures,” Borle says. “Knowing that there are people like Lloyd, who understand what it’s like to be missing a limb, makes you feel like you’re not alone.” When Brown attends the Remembrance Day ceremonies, he reflects on all those in his regiment who never came home. “It’s heartbreaking to think of all those who lost their lives and it’s important to remember them,” he says. For Borle, it’s special to share Remembrance Day with Brown. “I would not be the person I am today had it not been for that decision more than 100 years ago to begin The War Amps,” Borle says. “It is our commitment as Champs that the legacy and sacrifices of Lloyd, and all the war amputee veterans, will be remembered and carried forward.”
Second World War amputee veteran Lloyd Brown shares a special bond and Remembrance Day tradition with Sean Borle.
In honor of Remembrance Day Crossroads restaurant would like to offer free coffee to all Veterans. Please stop by on November 11th to have a cup of coffee on us as a simple thank you for your service. CROSSROADS RESTAURANT 1821 Sumas Way, Abbotsford • Hours 6:30am - 9pm • Phone: (604) 852-1614
REMEMBRANCE DAY
Lest we forget
Thank you to our Veterans who gave up so much so that we could live in peace
Honourable Dr. Darryl Plecas, Speaker MLA Abbotsford South 604.744.0700
darryl.plecas.mla@leg.bc.ca www.darrylplecasbcmla.ca @darrylplecasbcmla
Abbotsford News
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Friday, November 8, 2019 A17
November 11, 2019
Service held at Thunderbird Memorial Square Event in Abbotsford on Monday, Nov. 11 hosted by Royal Canadian Legion
A Remembrance Day service takes place Monday at Thunderbird Memorial Square in Abbotsford.
Lest We Forget
ABBOTSFORD NEWS FILE PHOTO
Branch 15 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Abbotsford will host a Remembrance Day service on Monday, Nov. 11. The ceremony takes place at the Cenotaph in Thunderbird Memorial Square off Veterans Way (behind city hall). The parade commences at 10:30 a.m., leaving from Garden and Simon streets. Guests are asked to arrive at 10:15 a.m. Members of the Royal Canadian Legion and the local youth cadet corps are among those who will participate in the ceremony, which includes a parade and laying of the wreaths. Two minutes of silence are observed at 11 a.m. Certain roads will be closed to traffic due to the ceremony:
n Cruickshank Street from Simon Avenue to George Ferguson Way from 9:30 to 11 a.m.; n Simon Avenue will have a single lane closure between Trethewey and Cruickshank from 10:30 to 11 a.m.; n Trethewey Street from South Fraser Way to George Ferguson Way from 10:30 to 11; and n Veterans Way from Trethewey to Thunderbird Memorial Square from 10:30 to 11. Remembrance Day is observed on Nov. 11 to recall the end of the First World War in 1918. Hostilities formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Also in Abbotsford, a Remembrance Day service takes place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Monday at the Anavets Hall (30346 McNeil Ave.) in Mt. Lehman.
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A18 Friday, November 8, 2019
Abbotsford News
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November 11, 2019
Abbotsford’s Remembrance Days in 1939 and 1945 seen through historical archives Abbotsford News reporting shows the anxieties of people living through conflict “Remembrance Day recalls the courage and sacrifice of the past. It bids us reconsecrate ourselves Looking at how Remembrance Day was reported in 1939 and 1945 to the nation’s highest service, in by the Abbotsford News shows the whatever field our duty lies. “It will make us eager to put anxieties of people living through national interest before personal conflict. security and personal profit. The paper dated Nov. 8, 1939, “On that day, while remembering gives a solemn picture of local citizens grappling with remembering our glorious dead, let us use those two minutes to seek God’s Plan their fallen loved ones from the First World War in the face of an- and to find out how best to serve Him, our King and our Country. other looming European conflict “Then we can build the sort of only three months old. world they died to bring about.” A column on the page reminds The paper is filled with advercitizens that, “Remembrance Day ceremonies will be held as in former tisements asking for donations to the Red Cross and the Canadian years.” A front-page proclamation in Old Legion’s Poppy Fund. One story reported that school English text was issued by the Canadian Federation of Municipalities buses filled with local students and Mayors and signed by the reeves were joined by 1,300 New Westminster students on a long journey of Abbotsford and Matsqui. Patrick PENNER Abbotsford News
The stone cenotaph in Jubilee Park following the 1940 Remembrance Day service. Numerous wreaths were laid at its base. The stone monument was dedicated on April 7, 1929 and remained in Jubilee Park until 1950, when it was relocated to the site of the new provincial building on Laurel Street. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE REACH MUSEUM, CATALOGUE NUMBER P7059
to the Peach Arch in Washington to celebrate 126 years of peace between the U.S. and Canada. They exchanged flags with their U.S. counterparts, played national anthems and paraded through the Peach Arch to celebrate the long peace at the border instead of paying service to the casualties of “the war to end all wars.” The paper’s reporting of Nov. 11 celebrations were more far more upbeat when the war had ended in 1945. There were columns filled with colourful reports of local soldiers telling stories about their time overseas. In one instance, a returning soldier, Petty Officer Arthur Blackham, described his experience Continued on A19
Let us honour Remembrance Day Each year, we gather across Canada on November 11 to pay tribute and remember the Canadian men and women who sacrificed their lives while protecting the freedoms of our country. On this day, our thoughts are with all the brave men and women who never came home, we honour them and pay tribute to their families. It is important for us to remember and reflect on all of our veterans, whether they are veterans of war or peace support operations. All of these heroes deserve our recognition and we owe them an endless debt of gratitude for protecting our liberty and way of life. We must never forget.
Abbotsford City Council
Remembrance Day Ceremonies:
Monday, November 11, 2019, 10:30 am (Arrive by 10:15 am) Veterans Way, Thunderbird Memorial Square, and Mount Lehman, 30346 McNeil Avenue
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Abbotsford News
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Friday, November 8, 2019 A19
Lest We Forget the Sacrifices
November 11, 2019
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ANOTHER DAWN I live to see another dawn, I watch the battle rage; That condemns our spirit to this Hell, Where the mud becomes our grave, The blank stare of fear... That numbs our souls, We’re sacrificial lambs, And when we fall, we pass the torch; To a Comrade’s failing hands. It matters not... Be it day or night, For the cycle is the same; The call to arms, we breach the trench, To avenge those fallen names; The ones who came from far away, That answered Freedom’s Call; Their valor bleeds into our hearts, For we are “ Brothers One And All “ I pray to see Another Dawn,
To break this sleepless night.. Another breath of life to live, Another day to fight, A moment lost in solitude, Visions of a Soldier’s face; His body held in his Mother’s arms.. Rising up to Heaven’s Grace. Please grant the gift of One Last Dawn, When the sounds of War will cease; When the Rifles fall on hallowed ground, In Remembrance of Peace; We shall honor them with Poppies Red, For now and evermore..... Give us their voice to remind the world, The Futility of War! In honour of all the vets that served our country so gallantly! Wayne J. Jackson of Abbotsford, November 2019
Bonds were used to help returning POWs From A18 during the German Blitz on London as “no Sunday school picnic,” and storming the beaches of Normandy as “ticklish work.” Cartoon advertisements selling war bonds to citizens were on every page. One titled “Unfinished
Victory” reminds readers that the bonds will be used to help the returning 68,000 wounded and POWs. “Our victory is not complete until every mother, wife and other dependants of those who made the supreme sacrifice are given adequate pensions. Over 38,000 Canadians died for us.”
Many traditions have remained the same throughout the World Wars and up to the present day. The Royal Canadian Legion still distributes the poppies and wreaths. Uniformed veterans still observe two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. with their fellow citizens around the Abbotsford Cenotaph.
es On
(South Fraser Way & Threthwey St. - by TD Canada Trust)
ou & Your Lo gY v in
ed
1A-32465 South Fraser Way
Open 7 Days a Week. Monday - Friday open late.
RemembRance Day Service and Parade monday, november 11 10:00 am Sharp
at the cenotaph, Thunderbird Square on Veterans Way, abbotsford (behind city Hall) Please join us as we honour Veterans in World War I, World War II, The Cold War, The Korean War, Peacekeepers, and today’s Veterans of Afghanistan. For more information: 604-853-1711 •www.abbylegion.ca abbylegion.ca Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 15, Abbotsford
Lest we forget.