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Archival description
Local History Collection War dead
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Vipond, Helen in Korea

Helen Vipond honours Canada as the representative to strike the gong at the War Museum in Seoul, three times in hope that the sound will travel far enough to reunite the two Koreas in peace.

Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library

Town honors veterans

"While dignitaries gather at the war memorials in Normandy on Monday, June 6th a short but emotion-filled ceremony was held at the Cenotaph in Bradford. Between 50 and 60 veterans, their families, and members of the Royal Canadian Legion gathered for a Memorial Service led by Padre O. Hopkins, commemorating the 50th Anniversary of D-day. Among the dignitaries present was Mayor Pat Storey, who laid a wreath at the Cenotaph, in honor of the "boys who never came home." The Mayor was also on hand to confirm that the municipality, as part of the 50th Anniversary activities, will be following the recommendations of Chief of Police John Harrison, and renaming a number of streets after Bradford veterans. "It's something we've been trying to get on with for five years," commented Storey, noting that the proposed names have historical significance, as "the names of people that have contributed to our country and our community." Chief Harrison, who with Special Constable Les Bluestein, carried out the archival background research, told those gathered that following amalgamation, there were a number of duplicate street names in the town of Bradford West Gwillimbury. "Because of confusion in emergency situations, those street names have to be changed," the Police Chief said. Changing the names to honor veterans, living and dead, was an appropriate step, added. Councillors, in Committee of the Whole last night, voted to recommend the renaming of several streets after the veterans, "to honor those individuals while they are still living, and commemorate in part the 50th anniversary of D-Day." Barrie Street in West Gwillimbury will be known as Woolven Rd.; Centre Street in the marsh will be Noble St.; Church St. in Bond ...
(Page 2) ...Head - Booth St.; Simcoe Place i Bradford - Kneeshaw Place; Simcoe Road in Bond Head - Hopkins Rd.; Simcoe Street (the bend from Luxury to the canal) - Walker Avenue; Turner Rd in West Gwillimbury - Breeze Drive; and the Service Road on the north side of Highway 88 - McKinstry Road. For biographies of the veterans see pages 18 and 19."

Bradford West Gwillimbury Times

The UN Memorial Ceremony in Korea

Mr. Coun Bal Seon, Director of Memorial Affairs with Lorraine Mantle and her mother Helen Vipond at The UN Memorial Cemetery in Busan, Korea.

Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library

The UN Memorial Ceremony in Korea

Mr. Marius R. Grinius, The Canadian Ambassador to The Republic of Korea, Lorraine Mantle and Helen Vipond at The UN Memorial Cemetery in Busan, Korea. A photo of the beautiful cemetery grounds and the magnificent view.

Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library

The UN Memorial Cemetery

The basket of gorgeous red roses provided by Mr. Yu-Chui Park, Ph.D., The Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs to be placed at the grave of "Lieutenant M.C. Vipond," at The UN Memorial Cemetery in Busan, Korea. The beautiful arm spray or roses, mums etc. all done in yellow tones was from David, Lorraine and Sarah Mantle.

WEGWHIST Collection

The Roll of Honour Book

The Roll of Honour Book at the War Museum in Seoul showing the Canadian flag and the number of lives sacrificed from Canada for peace in Korea.

Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library

The Roll of Honour Book

The Roll of Honour Book at the War Museum in Seoul listing Milton C. Vipond among the ranks from Canada who laid down their lives for peace in Korea.

Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library

Spence, Cpl. William obituary

"Won Military Medal
The following letter gives details of Corporal Wm G. Spence's death and burial:
France Oct 8th, 1918
Mr. James Spence, Bradford, Ontario Canada
Dear Mr. Spence - it is my very painful duty to have to inform you that your son, No. 345884, Corp. W.G. Spence, was killed in action on the 28th Sept., 1918. He was killed while leading his gun crew forward taking part in the attack on enemy positions close to Bourlou Wood.
At a time like this one almost feels that words are useless, but I would like to express to you my sincere sympathy for you in your bereavement, and it is always nice to know that someone, other than oneself, has known and appreciated he who has gone. Corpl. Spence has been with this Company for quite a lone time now, and will be greatly missed by everyone. He was always well liked by the man, and as a N.C.O. [non-commissioned officer], I always found him all that could be desired.
I am glad to be able to tell you that since I commence to write you I have received notice that Corpl. Spence has been awarded the Military Medal for good work in a previous operation. I might tell you that he won this for very good work while taking part in the attack close to Arras on the 2nd Sept. 1918.
I am enclosing herewith a ring which Corpl. Spence left out of the line with one of the other men. He wished it to be sent to you.
It will doubtless be a consolation for you to know that he was buried in the British military cemetery at Quarry Wood, close to the Canal du Nord.
Again assuring you of my sincere sympathy, believe me to remain,
Yours very truly,
F.J. Burke,
Captain, O.C. "D" [Company], 38th [Canadian Infantry Battalion]."

Bradford Witness

Smith, Henry Harvey

Regimental Number 195695

From the Canadian Virtual War Memorial:
“Henry first joined the Army as part of the 80th Battalion, on August 10, 1915. He was discharged at Camp Barriefield, on September 25, 1915 as "medically unfit." In January, 1916, he enlisted again, this time with the 93rd Battalion, 57th Regiment, Peterborough Rangers. On July 15, 1916, Henry shipped out of Halifax, Nova Scotia, aboard the SS Empress of Britain and arrived in Liverpool, England on July 25, 1916. In September 1916, he was moved to France and on October 2, 1916, was assigned to a Unit that was fighting, in the Battle of the Somme, near the village of Courcelette. On October 12th, 1916, he was wounded by shrapnel and on October 14, 1916 he died of those wounds. He was 39 years (?), four months old. Ironically, October 14 was the birthday, of his wife Susan.”

From the Northern Advance, December 28, 1916:
"Pte. Henry Smith, a resident of Bradford nine years ago, has been killed in action. He enlisted at Peterboro."

Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library

Plaque at the War Museum, korea

One of the many plaques that lined the walls of the War Musuem in Seoul showing the names of the veterans from all the nations who lay down their lives for peace in Korea.

Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library

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