Vittoria launches Veterans Banners
Chris Abbott
Editor
The inaugural launch of the Vittoria Veterans Banners on Old Brock Street was held Sunday, Oct. 25 with a formal introduction at the Historic Anglican Christ Church in Vittoria.
“Today we gather to mark a special occasion in our community,” said James Christison, chair of the heritage committee for the Vittoria & District Foundation.
“These banners are not just a visual display, but they are an incredible living, historical overview of our area’s proud military heritage,” said Christison.
“These banners tell a story that literally spans centuries. They represent veterans from the dawn of our settlement, the upheaval of the War of 1812 to the Fenian raids, to the Northwest Rebellions, and the most horrific battles of the First and Second World Wars. This year’s banners also honour veterans from every single branch of our armed forces.”
It was fitting to officially launch the Veterans Banners inside the historic church, said Christison, with the Union Jack flag on the wall behind him that was present in the church at the start of The Great War, a gift from the Gundry family.
“The town hall next door, with its bell, stands as a silent witness to this history. Just a few days short of 108 years ago, that very bell would have joined a chorus of others across Norfolk and the entire nation to announce the end of The Great War.
“Ultimately, the banners serve a sacred purpose. They promote active Remembrance. These veterans were neighbours, sons, daughters, fathers and mothers, they walked our streets, they sat in these pews… The faces being displayed on Brock Street now invite our children, our visitors, our daily commuters to take note and remember our veterans.”
“What a wonderful occasion, and the timing could not be more fitting to unveil these banners as we begin marking Remembrance Day,” said Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady, “and reflect on the sacrifices made by those who have served our country.”
The banners are visible reminder of the courage, the sacrifice and the service of men and women who helped shape the community and protect the country’s freedom.
“As James was saying, Norfolk County certainly has, over time, made tremendous contributions to protecting those freedoms.”
In 2024, Brady brought forward a private member motion at Queen’s Park ‘to find meaningful ways to remember those who have served our country.’
“It is so heartening that, even though the Legislature has not adopted the idea, people like you are actually making it happen without legislation. We can’t just have Remembrance confined to one day on the calendar, it must be part of our everyday lives.
“And the banners that we are going to walk out and see today, they remind us not only of the contributions that came before us, but also of the challenges that remain. Today, men and women continue to serve at home and abroad, and they deserve our recognition, our support and our gratitude.
“May the banners here in Vittoria inspire a moment of reflection every time someone passes by. And may we never take for granted the freedoms that we enjoy today.”
“It is an honour to have the banners up in the village to represent those people that served and made it possible for us to be here today,” said Joan Norman, President of the Vittoria & District Foundation. “We can’t thank you enough for supporting it and hopefully in the coming years there will be more banners to join. We will not forget, and we thank you for your help in making it possible.”
Donna Kendall, President of the Vittoria Women’s Institute, recited the Vittoria and Charlotteville honour roll.
“They are not forgotten, Vittoria Remembers,” said Christison, noting the banners would go up annually during the Remembrance season. “We will be doing this next year as well.”
2026 VITTORIA VETERANS BANNERS
Private Catherine (Aspden) Church
1924-2003
Served with the Royal Canadian Army Women’s Corp. with active military service in Canada during the Second World War.
Leading Stocker Howard L. Knight
1915-1963
Served with the Royal Canadian Navy aboard the Corvette Amherst in the Atlantic theatre during the Second World War.
Sergeant Ernest Machon
Enlisted with the Canadian Engineers, serving overseas in WWI. Awarded the Military Medal. Killed Oct. 21, 1917, age 33.
Corporal Harvey A. Oakes
1925-2000
Enlisted and served with South Saskatchewan Regiment, Canadian Infantry, Second World War.
Colonel Abraham Rapelje
1772-1875
Served with the 2nd Norfolk Militia in the War of 1812. He was a Colonel of the 1st Norfolk Regiment in the 1837 Rebellion.
Private Elwood Smith
1893-1968
Served with the 39th Norfolk Regiment, enlisted for WWI with the 133rd Norfolk’s Own. Overseas service included the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Wounded and gassed.
Corporal Otto E. Smith
1893-1973
Enlisted for WWI with the 133rd Norfolk’s Own. Awarded Military Medal.
Chief Petty Officer Robert Smith
1923-1986
Enlisted with the Royal Canadian Navy, serving on the Corvette Galt in the Atlantic theater during the Second World War.
Lt. Colonel David Tisdale
1835-1911
Canadian Militia and 39th Norfolk Regiment, with service during the Trent Affair and Fenian raids. Became Canadian Minister of Defence in 1896.
Flying Officer Charles B. Wyckoff
Enlisted with Royal Canadian Air Force, Bomber Command. Killed with his crew over France on May 23, 1944, age 28.
Comments