As we approach another Remembrance Day, we should again pause and reflect on those who paid the ultimate price in defense of our freedom- a “freedom” which is not without its own logical boundaries which has been predicated soundly for centuries on the “rule” of law. A “freedom” which far too many of us today have silently taken for granted.
Here is a story of a Fallen Soldier who has no special connection but whose sacrifice in a far away land should be honored and remembered.
More than 2,800 nurses served in the Canadian Army Medical Corps, as fully-enlisted officers in the specially-created all female rank of “Nursing Sister”, during World War I. Nicknamed “bluebirds” because of their blue uniforms and white veils, Canada’s nursing sisters saved many lives by caring for wounded and sick soldiers during this horrific conflict in France and Belgium during the Great War (1914-1919). Their valour and dedication to the war effort, however, is often overlooked. One of these Nursing Sisters has a unique connection to Medicine Hat and her story is one that should be told as part of another interesting chapter in the history of Medicine Hat.
On June 16th, 1945 Major Mary Minor Mills, R.C.A.M.C was awarded the Royal Red Cross Medal by King George VI at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Major Mills has a unique and special connection to Medicine Hat and Southeastern Alberta and Southwestern Saskatchewan and her story is a story worth telling as it forms another interesting chapter in the history of Medicine Hat.
A recent genealogical discovery is worthy of being documented as I found that a distant relative in WWI was awarded the rare Victoria Cross for gallantry and bravery. As we approach November 11th, and honour those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for love of country, his story is worth sharing as we discover one of the many “real” moral tragedies of war. LEST WE FORGET
This is the second of a series of articles in relation to the St Margaret’s Church “Living” Memorial Project. READ ON
As an amateur genealogist and historian, I have been recently involved in several interesting research projects. I have written extensively regarding my family history (Anhorn/Medlicott/McIvor) and in doing so, I have endeavored, whenever possible, to put the story in some … Continue reading
Following the research, writing and posting on my personal homepage an article on a local Medicine Hat “character” entitled, “Lost in the Shadows-The Untold Story Of Phoebe Munro of Medicine Hat”, I received a phone call from someone mentioned in … Continue reading
A recent post on the Facebook page ”If you grew up in Medicine Hat you remember when” caught my attention. Quite interestingly, the photo and accompanying post garnered a great deal of interest from the Facebook followers of the site, … Continue reading
Fact or Fiction: The Relationship of the Scott Family of Medicine Hat to the Famous Explorer Captain James Cook At the request of my good friend Gary Scott and consistent with my unabated enthusiasm for genealogical research, I began to … Continue reading
