Second World War veteran Werner Hockin, 94, salutes as Laila Cole, president of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 4, helps him lay a wreath at the Vedder cenotaph during the 102nd commemoration of the Battle of Vimy Ridge at All Sappers’ Memorial Park on Tuesday. (Jenna Hauck/ The Progress)
A small group of people gathered Tuesday to commemorate the 102nd anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge at All Sappers’ Memorial Park on Tuesday.
Second World War veterans, Werner Hockin and Bernie McNicholl (age 94 and 93, respectively), were there along with others to pay their respects. About 25 wreaths were laid around the Vedder cenotaph.
The Battle of Vimy Ridge started on Easter Monday on April 9, 1917 and ended on April 12. A total of 3,595 Canadian soldiers died and about 4,000 to 5,000 more were wounded.
See video below for more, including a brief history of the Battle of Vimy Ridge read by Rollie Keith whose father fought in the battle and suffered “a significant leg wound.”
The Colour Party marches around the cenotaph during the 102nd commemoration of the Battle of Vimy Ridge at All Sappers’ Memorial Park on Tuesday. (Jenna Hauck/ The Progress)Dan McDermid plays the bagpipes during the 102nd commemoration of the Battle of Vimy Ridge at All Sappers’ Memorial Park on Tuesday. (Jenna Hauck/ The Progress)The Colour Party raises their flags during the 102nd commemoration of the Battle of Vimy Ridge at All Sappers’ Memorial Park on Tuesday. (Jenna Hauck/ The Progress)Walter Webster, sergeant at arms, lays a wreath during the 102nd commemoration of the Battle of Vimy Ridge at All Sappers’ Memorial Park on Tuesday. (Jenna Hauck/ The Progress)A wreath is placed at the cenotaph during the 102nd commemoration of the Battle of Vimy Ridge at All Sappers’ Memorial Park on Tuesday. (Jenna Hauck/ The Progress)City councillor Bud Mercer lays a wreath during the 102nd commemoration of the Battle of Vimy Ridge at All Sappers’ Memorial Park on Tuesday. (Jenna Hauck/ The Progress)The 102nd commemoration of the Battle of Vimy Ridge took place at All Sappers’ Memorial Park on Tuesday. (Jenna Hauck/ The Progress)Second World War veteran Werner Hockin, 94, shares a laugh with Laila Cole, president of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 4, during the 102nd commemoration of the Battle of Vimy Ridge at All Sappers’ Memorial Park on Tuesday. (Jenna Hauck/ The Progress)The 102nd commemoration of the Battle of Vimy Ridge took place at All Sappers’ Memorial Park on Tuesday. (Jenna Hauck/ The Progress)The Colour Party marches around the cenotaph during the 102nd commemoration of the Battle of Vimy Ridge at All Sappers’ Memorial Park on Tuesday. (Jenna Hauck/ The Progress)Bernie McNicholl (left), 93, gets a chuckle out of 94-year-old Werner Hockin following the 102nd commemoration of the Battle of Vimy Ridge at All Sappers’ Memorial Park on Tuesday. The two veterans both fought in the Second World War. (Jenna Hauck/ The Progress)
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