This year, Remembrance ceremonies in Bradford West Gwillimbury will have a special focus.
It has been 100 years since Armistice Day marked the end of the First World War — a crucible of fire that helped forge the nation of Canada.
The First World War began in 1914. At the time, Canada had a population of just under eight million, yet 619,636 Canadians enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force, under the direction of the British military.
Almost 424,000 Canadians served overseas, and more than half that number were killed or wounded in action — nearly 61,000 killed, and 172,000 wounded.
The statistics mean that about seven per cent of Canada’s population was engaged in the war effort. Add in those who contributed on the Home Front, and the families of the service men and women, and there is scarcely a community in the country that wasn’t touched by The Great War.
To mark the special anniversary, the Royal Canadian Legion and Veterans Affairs have launched the Bells of Peace Program, asking all communities coast to coast that have bells — in churches, schools, historical sites, or military institutions — to participate by tolling the bell 100 times, starting at sundown on Armistice Day, Nov. 11, with a five-second pause between each toll of the bell.
Bradford West Gwillimbury will be participating, said Legion President Mike Giovanetti. He plans to reach out to local churches, especially Trinity Anglican in Bradford, which he called “a great supporter.”
There’s another part to the program. The Royal Canadian Legion is asking that school children search out the graves of those who served in the First World War and returned home to be buried in their communities.
The children are asked to place a small Canadian flag, available from the local legion branch through the Poppy Fund, on each First World War veteran’s grave.
Archives Canada has a database that identifies veterans of the First World War and their communities that can be used to locate the graves.
The Bradford legion is working with Veterans Affairs Canada, the Canadian Armed Forces, Parks Canada and cadets to bring the program to Bradford West Gwillimbury.
The legion will be selecting a descendant of a First World War veteran to assist with the ringing of the bell, and a piper to play Amazing Grace once the tolling stops.
For more information, contact the legion at 905-775-5025.
