In Arthur, Canada’s most patriotic village, new banners depicting local soldiers and veterans now fly over the main street.
Inspired by the recent display of veteran banners in Harriston, Robert Hicks, an executive member of the Arthur Legion, decided “the most patriotic village” should follow suit.
“I first saw them in Harriston two years ago and I was impressed with them. I saw an article online about it and I said to my girlfriend, ‘we got to do this in Arthur – I’m doing this,’” he said.
Hicks, with support from the Legion’s executive membership, put out a call on social media for sponsorships. He received a number of responses from family members of veterans and community members.
Twelve banners, depicting local men who went to war, now hang alongside Canadian flags down George Street (Highway 6) in Arthur.
“I think it’s nice for people to see and remember,” said Hicks.
He added it is very important to remember those who served, especially as more and more time passes after the end of the World Wars.
Arthur and Area Historical Society member and veteran John Walsh said the banners are great for the community.
“The banners are a reminder to local viewers of a war that … many now would have very little knowledge (about),” Walsh said.
“They are a small representation of those who served from the Arthur area in the two great World Wars.”
In the Second World War, 363 enlisted from the Arthur area and 25 were killed. Forty more were killed in the First World War.
Banners will be available for sponsorship in 2017 as well. To inquire email Hicks at roberthicks052467@gmail.com. The following local veterans are depicted on the banners now on display.
Louis Oscar Williams
Williams joined the Canadian Army in the Second World War. He served in Holland around the time of that country’s liberation. His banner was sponsored by the Williams family.
Jason Cooper
Cooper is currently a sub-lieutenant in the Canadian Navy. He has been in service for 13 years. He served on the HMCS Iroquois when that ship was taking part in “Operation Enduring Freedom” in the Gulf War. His banner was sponsored by the Cooper family.
Mervin H. Waters
Mervin Waters was the brother of Ken Waters and son of Alfred Waters. He enlisted in the RCAF in the Second World War. He took part in many bombing missions over German-occupied territory. He was killed when his plane crashed during a training exercise in England. There were no survivors.
His banner was sponsored by the Waters family.
Jerome Epoch
Epoch joined the RCAF in the Second World War. He was a tail gunner on many bombing flights over Germany. On March 3, 1945, two months before the end of the war, he was killed when his plane encountered a freak ice storm and crashed. Only two of that crew survived. Epoch and Mervin Waters grew up a few miles apart in the Kenilworth area. After their deaths they were both buried a few graves apart in the small RCAF Cemetery in Harrowgate in northern England. His banner was sponsored by the Walsh family.
Lloyd E. McArthur
McArthur served in the Second World War in the RCAF, joining up in January of 1943. He was sent to England and joined the 76th squadron as a tail gunner. He took part in many bombing missions over German occupied territory.
His banner was sponsored by the McArthur family.
Alfred A. Waters
Waters served in the Canadian Army in the First World War and was a member of the 153rd battalion. He served in the trenches in France and Belgium and had a brother, Milton, killed in that war.
His banner was sponsored by his grandchildren.
Kenneth A. Waters
He served in the Highland Light Infantry in the Second World War. He took part in the D-Day invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. He was wounded during fighting in France and invalided back to England. He returned to take part in the fighting during the liberation of Holland. His brother Mervin was killed in the RCAF during the war.
His banner was sponsored by the Waters family.
Leo Gregory Schmidt
Schmidt enlisted in the Perth Regiment in the Second World War. He was sent overseas and took part in the Italian campaign. At the battle of Caprano, he suffered a skull fracture from shrapnel fire. In July 1944, he was sent home on the hospital ship Lady Nelson.
His banner was sponsored by the Schmidt family.
John Walsh
Walsh served in the Canadian Navy in WWII. He was a sonar operator on the Canadian mine sweeper HMCS Wallaceburg, a senior escort vessel for the convoys of ships taking supplies across the north Atlantic from Halifax to England.
His banner was sponsored by the Walsh family.
R. Glen Prentice
Prentice enlisted in September 1943 in the Royal Canadian Regiment, completing his basic training in Chatham. He was sent overseas and took part in the liberation of Holland in 1945. After VE-Day he signed on to serve in the war against the Japanese. While on leave at his home in Arthur, the atomic bombs were dropped on the Japanese cities and that war was over.
His banner was sponsored by the Bodz and Prentice families.
Two others
Two banners representing fallen soldiers killed in action in all wars (sponsored by the Bell Family) and the Unknown Soldier of all wars (sponsored by Boggs Financial) also hang in the town.
– with files from the Arthur and Area Historical Society
