Remembering Vimy Ridge
This weekend marks the centennial of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, with events planned at venues in Victoria and Qualicum Beach to honour the valour and sacrifice of more than 10,500 Canadians killed, wounded or missing during the three-day battle.
Watch members of the Canadian
Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s) at a Freedom of the City march on Saturday.
The regiment will march from the Bay Street Armoury to Victoria City Hall, then to the cenotaph on the grounds of the legislature.
The march begins at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Bay Street Armoury, 713 Bay St. Join Parks Canada at Fort Rodd Hill for a commemorative ceremony to mark the precise minute 100 years ago when the first shots of this Canadian battle were fired in France.
Listen to music by the 5th (B.C.) Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Army Band and stories by historians and local military re-enactors, do commemorative crafts and enjoy hot chocolate around a campfire.
There will be official speeches, a colour party from Royal Canadian Legion 91 and a tribute to Victoria’s own General Sir Arthur Currie.
The highlight of the evening will be a 100-round rapid-fire barrage by the guns of the 5th Field Regiment at 8:30 p.m.
Visitors are invited to bring a blanket or chair.
The event is free to attend. It runs 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday at Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site, 603 Fort Rodd Hill Rd., Colwood. For information, go to veterans.gc.ca/eng/events/details/ 8445. The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s) and the 5th (B.C.) Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Army will host Vimy100 at the Bay Street Armoury on Sunday.
The open house and commemorative event will feature military displays by more than 30 community history, heritage and archives groups, including militia units of the Bay Street and Lt. General Ashton armouries.
Archival material and information on display will be related to the Vimy Ridge battle and First World War
The guest-of-honour, Brigadier General (Ret’d) J. E. L. Gollner, will arrive at 12:30 p.m.
The Canadian Scottish Regiment Women’s Auxiliary will be holding two sittings of a traditional tea party, with period costumes, music and skits.
Commemorative music will play throughout the day.
The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Bay Street Armoury, 713 Bay St. (doors open on both Bay or Field Street entrances). The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 76, Qualicum Beach is hosting a parade and cenotaph service to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge on Sunday.
The parade will begin on Veterans Way from Memorial Avenue to the Legion.
The assembled will lay a wreath and hold a memorial service at the Legion cenotaph.
The parade and cenotaph service will be followed by a Veterans’ Appreciation Luncheon at noon.
The luncheon is free for veterans and their spouses (or caregivers) and $20 for non-veteran Legion members.
The parade starts at 11:30 a.m. from Veterans Way at Memorial Avenue in Qualicum Beach. The Qualicum Beach Legion is at 180 Veterans Way, Qualicum.
For more information, go to legion76.ca/events.html.