G.S.B.S. General Stewart Beneficial Shrapnel - Royal ...
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General Stewart Beneficial Shrapnel April 2021
G.S.B.S.
Celebrating Volunteers who breathe life into the branch activities
Thanks to everyone for hang- For now, continue to drop by to Branch celebrate his ‘100 years
ing-in, for your support and support the branch for a meal or young’ milestone birthday. Of
remaining well. Though numbers drink. course; due to continuing restric-
have been very high in Lethbridge, A big “thank you” to Dominion tions we could not enter but his
we trust everyone is abiding by the Legion Command as our applica- family and staff brought him to the
restrictions and precautions. Also, tion for financial assistance from window where we sang to him from
I trust we are catching-up on the the Government of Canada Emer- the outside followed by a couple
chores and pastimes that had been gency Support of Royal Canadi- of renditions on the pipes, which
put on the back-burner. an Legion assistance fund was everyone especially Doc enjoyed.
And, though we are open again approved and deposited to our Many Happy returns Doc!
with restrictions still in place for account. On the same day Peter Pouquet
activities, business has been slow at We truly appreciate all support also turned 100 and received many
the Branch until phase 3 starts. we receive until we get back into birthday cards. Congratulations!
Volunteers throughout the year full service again! To ensure needed business of
make the branch thrive and my On March 15, 2021 a few of us branch gets done the Executive and
thanks to those that contribute. dropped by Edith Cavell to wish committees started meeting (virtu-
Once conditions allow we will our latest distinguished mem- ally) by zoom.
recognize our many volunteers in a ber Doc (Charles) Dowling, for- Thanks for your continued sup-
more formal way. mer President of General Stewart port and remembering!
Branch receives Veterans Organization Emergency Support Funding
The branch made an applica-
tion for the Veterans Organization
Emergency Support Funding for
assistance with expenses during the
period the branch was impacted by
COVID-19. The Lethbridge branch
received $10,849.30
The amount of funding assis-
tance requested by all branches
nationwide was significantly more
than the $14 million available and
adjustments were necessary. In
many cases, branches were seeking
replacement for lost revenue rather
than
For clarity and transparency, this
was the process used:
•21% of branches nationwide
made application in February,
therefore, this Phase II distribution
totals 21% of the available funding, Photo by Glenn Miller
Lethbridge MP Rachael Harder presented a certificate of appreciation to the branch for
CONTINUED page 2 its support for veterans and community work.
Federal Funding Grant •A base payout amount was Phase III Disbursement
which means a total of approxi- established based on an equita- Some funds from the $14 million
mately $2.8 million will be distrib- ble distribution for each branch allotment from the federal govern-
uted now. that applied; the base amount was ment remain.
•For fairness, each Command $10,289.53. Branches requesting As a result, a Phase III disburse-
was allotted a total amount of less than the base amount were pro- ment will take place in April 2021
money available for distribution vided that lesser amount without with additional funds going to
within their Command based on adjustment. some branches that are most in
need. Our existing application will
be used to determine this and we
will be informed to the outcome.
The General Stewart Branch is
greatfull to Dominion Command.
in advocating for all branches in
these challenging times.
a corresponding percentage of the •Any excess funds remaining
branches nationwide cont’d from were then shared with the branch-
Support Grant that are within their es requesting more than the base
Command amount.
Photo by Mike Bennett
Gerri Mutter was most pleased when she
obtained a rare perfect 29 while playing at
the legion before Covid days. Once phase
3 is declared by AHS, the branch will be
only then be allowed to resume with more
activities for members such as playing
cards, pool and darts and weekly meat and
raffle draws.
Photo by David Rossitor
Left: Past President of the General Stewart
branch and WW2 veteran Doc Dowling
was supported by family and well wishers
as he turned 100 on 15 March. Doc was
involved for many years with the both
the Army Cadets and Army League and
they have not forgotten his contributions.
Thanks to the Legion for also arranging a
piper to perform making his day special.
The family wishes to thank all who came
out to celebrate this amazing man.
2
GOFUNDME to help cover cost of critical roof repairs to branch lower roof
Covid heath restrictions have repairs on the lower levels of the tar
made gathering to fund raise not an and gravel roof areas.
option at this time. Therefore, the With the pandemic greatly
branch is establishing a GoFundMe restricting our revenue this past
through Legion member Kent Per- year, we find ourselves seeking
ry to cover the costs of roof repairs. funding from both our member-
The goal is to raise at least ship and outside sources in order
$20,000.00 (approx. 50% of the total for us to facilitate these roof repairs
cost) with the campaign ending on and enable services to be main-
31 May 2021. tained.
Our current building, previous- The Lethbridge Branch is a not-
ly a grocery store, has been our for profit service club and is not
home for 44 years. The years are a registered charity. We rent our
beginning to catch up with us as facilities for community events.
we maintain the branch the best we We acknowledge and are grateful
can within our resources. of the support the community has
In recent years, we made signif- demonstrated each year during the
icant investments in having the poppy campaign.
upper-level roof recovered with a Unfortunately, the money raised
foam roofing material. This contin- for the Poppy Campaign is held in Photo by Glenn Miller
ue to holds up well to the weather. trust and cannot be used for any House of Cars flags fly in the wind as
Past repairs to the lower levels support for the day to day opera- roofing materials begin to be used to make
repairs on the lower roofs surrounding the
can be best described as a band- tions of the branch. legion.
aid solution. Recent weather has It is our sincere hope that you
not impacted the branch where will help us by donating to our
we gather, but repairs to the lower GoFundMe campaign.
levels are urgently required as leaks On behalf of our veterans and
are occurring for our tenants. members, we thank you for your
A contractor has just finished support.
Photo by Glenn Miller Photo by Glenn Miller
The lower levels surrounding the legion were repaired the last week of March. Rain Crew from Waterproofing Roofing and
has been leaking into the space of the lease tenants and required immediate repair. The interiors lay down new strips of membrane
branch as landlord was ensuring that no further leaks occur as previous patch works over on the lower north roof surrounding the
the years was now failing to keep the roof dry. legion before moving on to the next phase.
3
Veterans with unmarked graves honoured
Names of the Lethbridge military (1885-1956), In Raymond Edward
markers to be installed at the Leth- Davies (1875-1965), and in Fort
bridge Mountain View Cemetery are: Macleod James Hugh “Hughie”
William Roy Carver (1911-1996)- Campbell (1896-1954), George
note recently installed, Thomas Percy Dixon Ferguson (1883-1929),
Marienus “Tom” Dogterom (1920- William E. Ferguson (1883-1962),
1984), Joseph Thomas Patrick Fer- John Purrier “Jack” Griffin (1897-
guson (1894-1960), Thomas Samuel 1973), and Richard John Sherlock
The Last Post Fund’s mission is to Hunt (1880-1954) Jessie Benson “Jack” Vandersluys (1910-1993).
ensure no Veteran is denied a dig- Hunt (1880-1954), Steven “Steve” If you know of any family rel-
nified funeral and burial, in addi- Kravets (1894-1962, John Rufus atives or friends who may have
tion to a military gravestone due to Lowther (1894-1956), John Dirk information on the above soldiers
insufficient funds at their time of Roelofs (1910-1984) Mary Mildred please contact Last Post Fund mem-
death. (Mannen) Roelofs (1909-1985), ber Glenn Miller 403 3 60 6076 to
The Last Post Fund introduced Cleason Schweitzer (1889-1951), be invited for a future ceremony.
Samuel “Sam” Vere (1886-1950), For more information of the Lost
the Indigenous Veterans Ini-
John Cyrus Wright (1893-1983). Veteran Initiative program, call
tiative at the start of 2019, an In Taber Edward Eldon Ellingson 1-800-465-7113 or visit the Last
initiative that is consistent with (1914-1982), James Leper Milne Post Fund.
the Canadian government’s efforts
towards advancing reconciliation
and renewing the relationship with
Indigenous peoples based on the
recognition of rights, respect, coop-
eration and partnership.
This initiative has two compo-
nents: to provide grave markers to
Indigenous Veterans deceased for
over 5 years and lying in unmarked
graves, and to add traditional
names of Indigenous Veterans to
existing military grave markers.
Veteran’s families also have the
option of asking for a culturally-rel-
evant symbol for the headstones.
After two years the initiative has
marked 72 veterans graves.
The Lost Veterans Initiative
Recently launched in Febru-
ary 2021 to recruit researchers
across Canada who can further
help to find our veterans who lie in
unmarked graves.
Since launching of the program
this past winter, several volunteer
researchers have already come
Photo by Dale Woodard
forward in Alberta, Saskatchewan,
Last Post Volunteers Glenn Miller and Yvonne Sugimoto place a temporary marker in
Ontario, Nova Scotia and New- Mountain View cemetery at the grave of Lethbridge WW1 Driver John Lowther who
foundland and Labrador already. joined the 78th Depot Battery. He was the last of his family line.
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The branch continues to look
for any leads for potential future
tenants for the memorial hall.
If you know of a business who
would like to have access to high
traffic corner along 3rd Avenue
South and Mayor Magrath Drive
South with free parking check
out our rooms on the branch
website
Did you know...
Photo by Glenn Miller
Trucks and guns from the Lethbridge 20th Independent Field Battery RCA are seen
entering the south city limits as they travel to CFB Suffield for training. Lethbridge is
know as an Artillery town with a presence since established 1 Feb 1908. Members of the
artillery are wearing a special patch to mark the 150th anniversary year starting 1 April.
Photo by Glenn Miller
UBIQUE 150 Anniversary of the Canadian Artillery
The Vimy Ridge Armoury received its In 2021, the Royal Canadian The museum’s temporary exhibit
name on 9 Nov 2001. Captain Andrew Artillery Museum will celebrate will run until December 2021. We
Auchterlonie center was part of the reg-
ular force staff attending the dedication.
UBIQUE 150 as part of meaningful will also present it as a virtual 360
Aucterlonie is retiring this month after local, regional, and national activ- exhibit with the link below.
serving 42 years in the CAF. ities. UBIQUE 150 Interactive:
The Royal Regiment of Canadian The RCA Museum has also devel-
Artillery designed the campaign to oped a pictorial interactive covering
nurture the esprit de corps, cele- the last 150 years.
brate our regimental heritage, and Originally designed as a touch-
connect with Canadians. screen museum display, COVID-19
The 150th anniversary of A and B changed our plans. We are now dis-
Batteries’ founding creates an excel- playing it online as a photo interac-
lent opportunity to celebrate the tive based on periods and sub-cat-
unique history and heritage of the egories.
Royal Regiment.
Virtual 360 Exhibit:
The Royal Canadian Artillery
Museum will host a temporary
exhibit that celebrates the 150th
anniversary of A and B Batteries.
Photo by Glenn Miller
Cherry Castle Inc was presented a Poppy
These units were the first “full-
Appreciation Award from the poppy com- time” or “regular” elements of the
mittee for their long term support in pro- post-Confederation Canadian
viding in kind support to the annual poppy Army and represented a significant We hope you enjoy and share to
campaign and other legion activities. step in Canada’s evolution. other Canadians the link
5
Branch membership
by the numbers
Maintaining your membership
brings opportunities to make new
friends, opportunities to volunteer
in many different aspects of the
branch and to honour and support
Canada’s veterans.
Within our membership about
1/3rd have not renewed.
You may have recently got a
reminder to renew and if able you
The Support our Troops licence plate honours current and former members of the
Canadian Armed Forces. The design feature artwork is in honour of the first four
can get up to date by coming in
Alberta-based Canadian soldiers whose lives were lost in Afghanistan in April 2002. to the branch or by going to the
branch website
Ladies
Special licence Auxilliary
Life
22
Total Membership
Affiliate 116 2%
plate help to non voting 11% Ordinary
264
2
supports veterans 0% 24%
Funds raised from the Support Affiliate
Our Troops specialty licence plate 243
23%
program help current and former
members of the Canadian Armed
Forces and their families in Alberta Associate
through organizations that provide 428
support for children’s programs, 40%
scholarships, family assistance, vet-
erans who are homeless or at risk of
homelessness, and other initiatives.
Quick facts
Support Our Troops, the official
charitable cause of the Canadian
Armed Forces, exists to meet the
unique needs and special challeng-
es faced by members of the Cana-
dian Armed Forces community as a
result of military service.
Specialty plates are sold at Alber-
ta registry offices for $75 plus appli-
cable registry fees.
Of the total cost, $55 goes direct-
ly to the Canadian Armed Forces
Support Our Troops program. Photo by Glenn Miller
Branch president Michael Cormican stands beside a display of the WW1 theme bench
The government retains $20 from
the branch donated to the Lethbridge Military Museum. It was at not delivered for the
each plate sold to offset the cost of opening of the Legacy Courtyard but has arrived and will be on display at the museum
production and mailing. courtyard when it reopens during phase III.
6
Photo submitted
Above: Lieutenant Alexander Dower
10th Bn., Canadian Infantry who died on
11 April 1917 Age 35. The son of Alexan- Photo by Parks Canada
der and Jean Dower, of Huntly, Aberdeen- Right: Members from the Alberta RCMP are holding the Canadian flag of the time
shire, Scotland; husband of Minnie M. in WW1 on Vimy Ridge Wateron Park. They were part of a multi national delegation
Dower, of Cardston, Alberta. Just one of invited by Parks Canada to mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
many southern Albertans who were killed Canadian troops from Edmonton and UK troops from Suffield rounded out the group
during the attack from 9-12 April 1917. that ascended Vimy Ridge to mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge in
Waterton National Park 2017.
VIMY RIDGE
DAY
9 APRIL
Stafford Street (red marker line) is a trench located on Vimy Ridge named in early
1917 and was named in honour of Major Alexander Boswell Stafford of Lethbridge. He
was the first Battery Commander of the 39th Battery Canadian Field Artillery.
Photo by Glenn Miller Photo by Glenn Miller
Keepsake of battle sent home to family in Lethbridge. Left: Delicate silk embroidered Vimy Ridge monument is lite up at night
letter of flowers and BEST WISHES FROM FRANCE with card inside. Right: Playing since the renovations were completed
card with hand writing in pencil “I picked this up on Vimy Ridge April 10 1917. made for the 90th anniversary ceremonies.
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ORDER A MUSEUM LEGACY STONE
HURRAY 50% SOLD OUT!
For more than a century soldiers, sailors and
airpersons from Lethbridge and area have
served Canada and Canadians.
Their legacy is maintained within the
Lethbridge Military Museum. In honour of
their sacrifices we ask that you help carry on
their legacy by purchasing a Legacy Stone at
the Museum courtyard.
HOW TO ORDER A LEGACY STONE Stones are available with the following headings:
Stones can be purchased for $150.00 through the In Memoriam
Lethbridge Military Museum by contacting Ray Romses -Veteran
403-327-1345 or e-mail r_c_romses@hotmail.com -For Spouses: We Also Served
-Serving Member
The cost per stone is $150.00. $75.00 of this $150.00 will -Museum Friend
go to pay for the cost of the legacy stone/engraving and
$75.00 will go as a donation to the Lethbridge Military To order complete the following:
Museum. This donation, in turn, will help defray some of Name/Company:___________________________
the Museum’s costs associated with the courtyard/patio. Address:__________________________________
__________________________________
A tax receipt of $75.00 will be issued for the donation E-mail:___________________________________
portion. Phone:___________________________________
Enter name/detail for the stone on lines below,
Cheques must be made out to “Lethbridge Military Unit (limit 3 lines and 18 characters per line):
Senate Association”. i.e. Veteran or Museum Friend
Joseph Smith John & Jane Doe
20th Bty RCA 75-80
NOTE: During closurer due to Covid, be sure to view the museum online interactive Mural of Remembrance
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