Remembering to Remember

Remembering to Remember

We are nearing the date for Remembrance here in Canada.

It falls on November 11th which happens to be tomorrow as I write this.

Thank you for following along on these blog entries and for keeping those who served in your thoughts.

We are honoured to support our veterans by wearing a poppy in remembrance of their bravery, determination and strength.

Thank you.

Each year in the school where I taught for 26 of my 40 year teaching career we would gather the students in the gymnasium and hold a Remembrance Day service around a theme selected for that year.

I remember fondly the year we honoured the roll animals played in war, be they horses, elephants or oxen that hauled heavy gear in WWI or be they animals such as cats and dogs that offered comfort and companionship to the troupes who spent many long hours in the trenches between the times of battle in the field during both world wars.

Gander the Newfoundland dog, pictured above, did so much more than just offering a warm body to hug. 

 In December 1941 when he was the mascot for the Royal Rifles of Canada he became a war hero by sacrificing his life to save his soldier friends.  

During the battle of Hong Kong, he bravely grabbed a Japanese grenade that had been tossed near a group of wounded Canadian soldiers and carried it away before it exploded, saving the lives of seven service men.  

For his actions, Gander was posthumously awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal known as the "animals" Victoria Cross in the year 2000.

For those from outside Canada, the name Gander comes from the town of Gander located in Newfoundland...and of course Gander was a Newfoundland breed of dog.  

Newfoundland joined Canada on March 31, 1949 following the two world wars.  

Before joining Canada, Newfoundland was called the Dominion of Newfoundland and was a self-governing British Dominion.

Many will recall that it was on the morning of 911 in 2001 when the kind people of Gander and surrounding communities took into their homes, churches and schools the passengers from 38 heavy aircraft (plus four military planes) that were forced to land immediately.

The friendships forged among Canadians and Americans as well as folks from many foreign countries remain stronger than ever to this day.

We are thankful to the residents of Newfoundland & Labrador for the warmth they demonstrated during that troubling time.

During WWI, medical officer John McCrae, who penned the famous poem 'In Flanders Fields' had a wonderful companion in the field; his horse named Bonfire.  

He developed a deep affection for Bonfire who was a gift from a friend.  

His horse was with medic McCrae from the beginning of the war in 1914 until McCrae's death in 1918.  

In letters home to family, John wrote how Bonfire endured many difficult and dangerous experiences with him.

Like many other animals in war, Bonfire offered a vital connection to normalcy and emotional stability amidst the horrors experienced in the battlefields of the Western Front in both France and Belgium.

McCrae often wrote to his nieces and nephews back home in Canada (in the written form from Bonfire's perspective) and he would sign off each letter with a drawing of Bonfire.

When John McCrae died of pneumonia and meningitis in France in January of 1918, Bonfire played a poignant role in his funeral.  

Bonfire was led in military procession with McCrae's riding boots reversed in the stirrups, a traditional cavalry tribute to a fallen master.

In retirement, Bonfire spent his final years in the loving care of others.

His story is a testament to the profound bonds that developed between soldiers and their horses, providing mutual psychological support during the immense trauma of the First World War.

And now for a story on the lighter side of things...the origins of the series of books around "Winnie the Pooh".

The story begins with Canadian Lieutenant Harry Colebourn who was a veterinary officer with the Fort Garry Horse cavalry regiment based just outside Winnipeg, Manitoba.

While en route to England by train during the First World War, the train made a stop in White River, Ontario where Harry purchased the young bear for twenty dollars from a local hunter and surreptitiously brought the bear aboard the train and on to England via ship.

The bear gained unofficial recognition as the Fort Garry Horse regimental mascot.

Colebourne named the bear 'Winnie' after his adopted hometown in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

For the safety of the bear, Colebourn left Winnie at the London Zoo while he and his unit were in France.  

After the war, she was officially donated to the zoo and became a much-loved attraction.

One day famed English writer A.A. Milne brought his son, Christopher Robin, to the London Zoo where they met Winnie.

Being so enamored with the experience, Milne bought Christopher a toy bear from Harrods department store.

Initially Christopher Robin had named the toy bear Edward, then later Winnie after the famed Canadian black bear, Winnie that he often saw on his many visits to the London Zoo.  

He added the name Pooh after a friend's pet swan they had once encountered on holiday.

Milne then went about writing the adventures of "Winnie the Pooh"!

And now...you know the rest of the story!

Cats often served as regimental mascots providing comfort to the soldiers in the field.

On ships at sea and in the trenches in the field cats kept the mice and rats at bay helping to ensure some form of sanitary existence where often there was none.

They were true family members of the platoons and were treated with utmost respect.

"For Gallantry,  We Also Serve," reads the Dickin Medal, a medallion awarded to the work of animals in wartime.

The medallion was the idea of Maria Dickin in 1943 to honour the work and often, sacrifice of animals in World War II.

Some animals, like Gander, the Newfoundlander, received the medal posthumously many years later for their sacrifice and work during World War I.

Simon was the only cat to receive a Dickin Medal.

She lived aboard the ship HMS Amethyst where, despite her injuries, she saw to the disposal of many ship rats.

Indeed our feline friends served as 'mousers and ratters' in helping to protect vital food stores and in helping to prevent the spread of disease.

Here in Ottawa, there is a memorial to the contributions made by animals in the war effort.

It is located in downtown Ottawa in Confederation Park.

The memorial was unveiled on November 3rd, 2012.

Indeed, we are all thankful for those who served our nation, including our animal friends, both in times of war and in times of peace.

Hey, Chris sent along this image taken during a recent ops session of his tractors on flatcar as his train departs Craig Leigh bound for St. Helens.

Chris sent along this message my way:

"Hi Mike - it seems some folks over at the Durango & Silverton have been reading your blog, because they obviously saw the photo of my tractor load that you posted."

And here is the power that was hauling the flatcar.

Chris sent along the YouTube link to view this train passing by the videographer.

Thanks Chris for passing these great images and videos our way!

Copy and paste the link below into your computer's browser.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvzvENCQl6s

The railroad aspect of this entry covers the day when the members of Ottawa HOTrak came to visit.

Following the visit, a number of HOTrak veterans joined the OVGRS which was fabulous!

A handful of OVGRS friends came out to volunteer on the day.

Here we see the passenger runs waiting and ready for their power before the session begins.

Again...check out the elevated roadway that once existed in Craig Leigh.

Pat volunteered his time to set up rail cars and assist with the HOTrak members who we handed throttles to...to run the trains.

Lawrence assists a couple of lads in Glen Hammond.

Bernie and friend certainly are enjoying the camaraderie found between the two groups.

Bernie...I'm not sure if you were already and OVGRS member or if this day ignited the passion in you for large scale operations in the great outdoors?

Doug brought out his Canadian Nation RS3 for the lads to run.

A year later Doug would hand this unit over to me for which I am greatly appreciative.

Pat's steamer handles the pool train as a HOTrak member gets ready with screwdriver in hand to set out some headend equipment on the house track in behind the depot.

The drovers' caboose brings up the rear of a westbound freight in front of the old depot at Bell.

Lawrence's 'pride & joy' locomotive gets a workout from one of our friends from HOTrak.

There they be!

Gord Bellamy brought out is Delaware & Hudson GP38-2 which would eventually come my way thanks to a wonderful offering from Gord...much appreciated for sure!

Check out the older alignment of the tracks leading into Nelson Yard from the west at the location named after Gord Bellamy.

The passenger run has conducted a stop at Bellamy and will be first through the junction.

Here's Garry...yet another HOTrak veteran who joined forces with the OVGRS!

An RP&M train is arriving Rat Portage following its "out of body" experience or "out of property" one at least.

This is the location where the trackwork actually heads out to the front of the property.

Bernie and an associate have fun in Ironwood!

Doug Matheson's Northland RR 40 footer boxcar contains the logo for his outdoor large scale railroad which has an interchange track in Craig Leigh.

Here's Doug now...dispatching the session!

A crowd of attendees service the area in and around Bell as Gord works the RP&M in Glen Hammond.

I recall, that for a season or two you were either an IPP&W employee or an RP&M one.

I spent a full season running the RP&M back then.

RP&M ball caps were offered...but alas, I rarely wear one!  💥

This center cab handles the ore at the Fallentree Mine.

Garry visits Rat Portage with Pool Train 15 as it was numbered back then.

The yard in Rat Portage is teaming with traffic.

Note the other train off on one of the yard tracks with the Drovers' Caboose.

There's Gord of Bellamy fame now!

CN & CP rendezvous just outside Bellamy.

We spot two lovely locomotives from our two main train companies up here in Canada.

We certainly don't forget about steam as this pair attests to the fact!

Loverly...just loverly...I say with tongue in cheek.

Actually...they are lovely!  😀😀😀

Pat, on the left with an HOTrak colleague.

Both can't smile enough.

Pat...like Bernie & Garry...I'm wondering if this was your first foray into the large scale universe or were you already part of the gang?

Frank came by for a drink and some friendship.

Rest in Peace laddie!

Hmmm...I do believe this session occurred between our two Saturday regular ones...on a Wednesday if I recall correctly.

Looks like we didn't have a 'Workday Wednesday' crew out before the session as the grass is almost as tall as the trains!

Paul was also a HOTrak member who came on by and joined the OVGRS group!

Thanks, Gord, for introducing me to this fine 'Northeastern based" diesel locomotive!

Before Gord passed it along my way, he had already named it the "Ralph Dipple" in honour of our late friend, Ralph, who toiled away to the west in Firgrove where Ralph Yard now exists in our memory of him!

As for me, back at the time of this visit I had only been a member of the group for a very short while.

I love running trains so much at Fred's place that I simply had to volunteer to assist on this very successful day!

A group shot!

Thanks so much, Fred, for hosting and entertaining our guests from HOTrak.

Hey, next year we should invite the group back for a midweek session!

It's been over ten years after all!

Fred and crew are members of the OVGRS!

Our HOTrak friends who visited that day  for a 'one time experience' are honourary members!

And with this lovely CNR van, we bid you farewell for another day.

We leave you with this lasting image of John McCrae and his animal friends, Bonfire and his dog, Bonneau.

Indeed, our furry friends certainly provided comfort during the terrifying hardships of war.

Poem written by physician, surgeon and soldier John McCrae.