The battle of Vimy Ridge has been heralded as Canada’s unofficial date of birth as a nation.
Canadian troops did what the British and the French could not do, and dislodged the Germans from Vimy Ridge, which was a key strategic point on the coast of France.
April 9 will mark the 100th anniversary of the start of that famous battle, and the day before the anniversary, the Royal Canadian Legion’s Estevan branch and the Estevan Army Cadets will team up to commemorate the occasion with events.
Craig Bird, who is the commanding officer with the Estevan Army Cadets, said they observe the Vimy anniversary every year, but this year will be even more special because of the centennial milestone.
Bird and a few others will make a presentation to give the cadets, the legionnaires and the public some history on the battle, and to show Canada’s contribution to the First World War.
“As well, I’ve put a little bit of local content in there as well, and I go into a little bit more detail about the southeast corner and its contribution to the Canadian Forces during World War 1,” Bird said in an interview with Lifestyles.
The cadets will then host a soup and sandwich lunch that is open to the public.
A service will take place at the cenotaph in downtown Estevan at 1 p.m. There will be a wreath-laying ceremony and two minutes of silence in honour of the Canadian Forces members who lost their lives at Vimy Ridge.
Also, Capt. Robert Rooks will make a presentation to the cadets regarding the Estevan Soldiers’ Tree monument next to the cenotaph.
Bird was a full-time member of the military for 10 years before settling down in Estevan as a member of the EPS, and is a military collector. He has a keen interest in military history, especially Vimy Ridge.
“When the Passchendaele movie came out, I did presentations with regards to that battle,” said Bird.
He is excited there will be special events in Estevan for the Vimy centennial, because he didn’t want to see special events limited to Saskatoon and Regina.
“It will be nice to have some local participation, and anybody that is interested is invited to come down,” said Bird.
Vimy Ridge is also something the army cadets have always paid close attention to.
The legion will then host its annual Vimy Night. Local legion president Lyle Dukart said cocktails will be served at 6 p.m. and supper is at 7 p.m. The program will follow.
A keynote address will be delivered by Rooks, whose uncle, Lt. Lester G. Rooks, was killed in the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Robert Rooks will speak about his uncle and the battle at Vimy.
Local dignitaries, including Mayor Roy Ludwig, MLA Lori Carr and MP Robert Kitchen, are also scheduled to speak.
Service pins will be presented to long-time members of the legion. Dukart noted they have some 60 and 65-year pins and bars to be distributed. There will also be some special awards handed out during the evening.
“There is going to be a slide show,” said Dukart. “Angela Clements went over to Vimy Ridge, and she is going to present her photos.”
Dukart hopes the anniversary will result in a large crowd for this year’s Vimy Night.
"The tickets were going out of the door pretty quickly the last few days,” said Dukart. “I’m not sure what they’re up to now.”
The legion hosts its Vimy Night on the Saturday before April 9 each year.
