October 31, 2003 Memories of War Projects A Good Idea

With every Remembrance Day more memorial books and projects are evident. It's been almost 60 years since our military were in the heat of battle in WWII and 90 years since WWI. I reported on a few of the new books last week and will write about a WWI veteran next week. Today I want to draw your attention to 3 worthwhile memory projects.

The Globe & Mail recognizing that "there are less than10 First World War Veterans still walking among us" worked with the Dominion Institute and the Government of France to develop a fascinating Memory Project. They asked their readers for "personal photographs and letters that document the front line experience of Canadian troops in the First World War". The 10 most significant original artifacts as established by a distinguished panel of Canadian and French historians will be published in the Globe & Mail on November 11, 2003. An additional 100 notable images from among those received will be featured on the internet at www.globeandmail.com. This will be an excellent source of information on Canada's role in WWI.

The Nugget Memory Project

The North Bay Nugget is holding a contest for elementary and secondary students on "What Remembrance Day Means to Me". Many of the essays will be published in the Nugget in a special supplement on November 8. A prize will be awarded for the best overall essay and for the winners in 3 categories: grades 1 to 6; 7 & 8; and 9-12. Art work and poetry were also accepted from the schools for the supplement.

Soldiers receiving copies of newspaper with latest news. Kim Shergold Collection.

A Personal Memory Project

It is not just organizations and newspapers that have memory projects. I recently met with Kim Shergold who lives near Corbeil Corners on Highway 17 and saw her remarkable and expanding collection of Canadian military memorabilia. Her ultimate goal is to collect letters, poetry, and photos showing an appreciation of the service our military gave in WWI and II, and produce a book. She sends letters of appreciation to many veterans each year and has created a beautiful poppy made from beads that she gives to some veterans.

Kim Shergold with some of her collection of military artifacts. Doug Mackey Photo.

Kim's grandfather Gordon Mitchell Coleman (1912-1998) served as a Lance Corporal overseas for 43 months in France, Italy, Africa and Germany and received several medals. Like many veterans he refused to talk about his experiences. But when he died Kim and her mother contaced some of his war buddies and one of them John Williams of Kingston shared a lot of information with them. Kim and her mother were invited to the reunion of her father's 47th Armoured Artillery Battery in Coburg. John Williams gave Kim some scrapbooks and other material and she was started on her way to collecting. She now has hundreds of photographs, flags, maps, old newspapers, etc. (see photo)

I was fascinated by the copies of the Canadian Press newspaper The Maple Leaf produced for our military during WWII. One copy celebrating the end of the war had the largest head line I have ever seen. It filled the whole front page and simply said KAPUT. The paper included stories and photographs of the signing of the unconditional surrender documents and lots of other celebratory reports.

Stan Scislowski the author of the book Not All Were Brave invited Kim to a reunion of the D Day Dodgers in Orillia where she made some excellent contacts. One veteran with a large collection gave it to her because of her enthusiasm. Kim has contacted authors, Legions, schools, etc. in her collecting of information for a book she would like to publish honoring our veterans. She has received some excellent response but also some remarkable apathy. She feels the work of Canadians is honoured more in Holland and France etc. than here sometimes.

Soldiers visiting the Quints in Corbeil. Kim Shergold Collection.

Kim would like to add to her collection and produce a Thank You Book for Veterans. She would love to hear from anyone with photos, poems, stories that could eventually be put in the book for veterans, Legions, schools, etc. Material can be copied and returned. She can be contacted at Kim Shergold #3261 Hwy 17 E, RR#2, Corbeil, P0H 1K0 or by phone at 705-752-2037.

Check your local newspaper for Remembrance Day Ceremonies.