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Pilgrimage to Europe honors memory of Canadian war dead By Oksana Buhel When Al Fraser, of Limehouse, fully immerses himself in his hobby, anyone who sees him may think Frases: ae a visitor from a bygon Prise 2 tell you what the weather was like when Canadian soldiers fought the battle at Vimy Ridge, in which World War I battles Canadians figured most prominently and describe the strategies of these battles. He owns an authentic World War I uniform, mess kit, firearms and other equip- ment. It would be fair to say Fraser, in his own way, has become a figurative captive of the Great War. Fraser is a member of the Museum of Applied Military History (MAMH), 20th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Forces. “We recreate uniforms and move- ments,” Fraser explained. Individual wars are studied in great detail by the mem- bers of the museum. As well as focusing on World War I, Fraser belongs to the World War II group of the muse- um.The Boer War and the Revolutionary War aré also analyzed by museum mem- bers. Fraser explained inter- est is growing in the Korean War and there is a strong possibility it will be a topic for museum members to research, “People don’t real- ize the extent of Canadian participation in the Korean War,” Fraser insisted. To collect information, MAMH members comb through: books;: documents... and speak with people involved in the wars. Fraser’s battalion did its research by visiting the sites of battles of both World Wars in which Canadians made a profound impact Fraser flew to France Nov. 1 with two other local battal- ion members - Brian Cox, also of Limehouse and Fred Vansickle of Acton. The men were joined several days later by 10 other MAMH mem- bers and together they visited battlefields across France and Belgium. The “weekend before Remembrance Day, the bat- talion was at Vimy Ridge to honor the Canadian soldiers killed in the battle. “It was the largest gathering, of Canadians in uniform since 1918,” Fraser boasted. Foreign dignitaries, soldiers and members of the public were on hand to honor the “Tt was cold and there was a little bit of snow blowing,” Fraser recalled. “One of the members was making a pre- sentation and he told us this was very much like the day of the battle of Vimy Ridge — we were all overwhelmed.” The official ceremony was similarly moving, Fraser said. “It was inspiring to see such a beautiful monument on such a large. piece of Canadian land.” (Although the propertyy is in France, 250 acres surrounding Vimy Ridge has been designated Canadian land.) The battalion then spent three days in Ypres, Belgium, site of the Mennin Gate. “Mennin Gate was the sym- bolic passage of soldiers to the western front,” Fraser explained. Every evening at 8 p.m., streets around the gate aré closed and the sentinel plays “Last Past.” The gate itself is inscribed with names. of. oe soldiers..who. died... in battle The Sotn battalion visited umerous cemeteries and left small Canadian flags on the tombs. “Sometimes the tombs didn’t even have the name of the soldier, only a circle with a small maple leaf in the comer and the inscrip- tion peal of the Great War’,” Fraser said. “The tombstones really tell a story,” he added. “Most of those soldiers out there were 17-18 years-old.” The eight-day tour ended in Mons, Belgium, where the battalion participated in the 75th anniversary of Armistice Day. On November 11, 1918, the last shots of World War I were fired in Mons. The battalion proceeded to St. Synphorien Cemetery just outside the town, where the last Canadian soldier who was killed, two minutes before the 11 a.m. end of the war, was buried. “It’s quite a dubi- ous honor,” Fraser pointed out. After the visit, the battal- ion had lunch with the mayor of Mons. “It was held at the City Hall,” Fraser said, “right in the square the Canadian soldiers marched into.” November 12, the bat- talion returned to Canada. “The whole. trip was one big Halton Hills This Week, Saturday, December 4, 1993 — Page 17 The Museum of Applied Military History’s 20th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Forces, visited Vimy Ridge Nov. 7 to honor Canadian soldiers who died during World War I. Front row, from left: Ed Anderson, Rob Greive, Dan Moreau, Gavin Watt, Al Morrow, Fred Vansickle (Acton) and Brian McLaughlin. Back row, from left: Gary Crocker, Al Fraser (Limehouse), Bruce Cane, Doug Lawrence, Ron Atkins, Jim McCrae and Brian Cox (Limehouse). photo submitted research project,” Fraser plans for upcoming similar trips, he stated he is “still recovering from this one.” “When you're in the ceme- teries, it’s hard not to view war as an extreme waste,” 3 bedroom bungalow pool 6 appliances Gos heatin, N bediooms, pe. with hors at eam living-dining: foom, is ie GONE. 3 bathrooms. At ‘ Central air. Clean, bright as in new order. Flexible closing for occupation. tied at a JOHN BLOSS", SALES REP. (519) 824-0044, RES. ain 1364527 sutton group ~ graysione realty inc., realtor 343 Waterloo Avenue, Guelph rate maou Family DOUG MEAL * 8 3-0300 24 Hour Service | | How do you get 72 hours out of a 24 hour day? | ® BLUE SPRINGS REALTY ss Sales Rep, REMK (HALTON) CORP. _ fm %: MEMBERS OF THREE REAL ESTATE BOARDS: | T= vais. 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