George Mathewson
About 70% of the more than 300 men from Sarnia who have died fighting for Canada lie in graves scattered around the globe.
Their remains rest in 120 cemeteries in at least 17 countries, including such far-flung places as South Africa, Algeria, Sri Lanka, Iceland, Barbados and the Azores.
But another 89 Sarnians killed in military conflicts have never been found. They have no known grave.
The special publication you see before you is both a tribute to the men and women who serve today, and a commemoration of those who served to protect our country in the past.
Most of the stories — like the statistics above — can be traced to the Sarnia War Remembrance Project, a remarkable record of the city’s military contributions started six years ago by the retired teacher Tom Slater and a group of volunteer researchers.
Many of the stories you are about to read have never been told before, beyond the families of the participants. And many concern the First World War, which mercifully ground to a halt 100 years on Nov. 11, 1918.
A big thank you to all the dedicated researchers and writers who contributed to the project, including Slater and Tom St. Amand, Randy Evans, Gary Shrumm, Phil Egan, and all the families who so kindly shared their anecdotes and photos.
Gratitude as well goes to our sales team, graphic artists, carriers and especially to all our advertisers, without whom this special edition would not be possible.
The anniversary of the Armistice makes this is an extra special Remembrance Day. The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 62, has moved the traditional services held at 11 a.m. to the Sarnia Arena from Veterans Park to accommodate what could be a large crowd and to avoid complications from bad weather.
And a 12:30 p.m. the sound of church bells will ring out across the city, commemorating the joy that spread through Sarnia a century ago at news the guns had finally fallen silent and the war was over.
Please take a moment this Remembrance Day to thank a veteran for his or her service, and to remember all those who have fought to protect our freedoms.
Cover art by Tyler Viscount. Image used: The Taking of Vimy Ridge, Easter Monday, 1917. Painted in 1919 by Richard Jack (1866-1952). Displayed at the Canadian War Museum.