Skip to content

Local groups to place white crosses on veterans’ graves around Cowichan

It’s a celebration of our history as well as a time for families to remember
8937166_web1_171025-CCI-decorating-veterans-crosses_1
Dwight Grieve of the Malahat Legion helps hammer in a cross at the old Mill Bay Methodist Church to honour veterans, while others watch in 2016. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen file)

It’s just about time to start decorating the graves of Valley veterans for Remembrance Day and around the region, groups are getting ready to do it.

On Saturday, Oct. 28, sea cadets will place crosses on the graves of veterans at historic All Saints churchyard in Westholme. The ceremony starts about 10:30 a.m.

On Sunday, Oct. 29, members of the Duncan branch of the Royal Canadian Legion will hold their annual flag raising event at Duncan City Hall to kick off their annual poppy campaign.

Cadets will join them for this event, which is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Then the cadets head over to Mountainview Cemetery and St. Mary’s Anglican churchyard, on Somenos Road, where they place white crosses decorated with poppies beside the graves of veterans buried there.

On Saturday, Nov. 4, the Mill Bay/Malahat Historical Society is coordinating these celebrations in South Cowichan by placing white crosses to mark the graves of all armed services veterans in that part of the Valley.

They will start at 1 p.m. at Shawnigan Cemetery with 31 crosses and continue in Mill Bay with 12 more crosses at the heritage church (the former Methodist/United) at the end of Church Way.

Then at 2 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church Cemetery bagpipes will provide the background for the placement of 48 crosses, with socializing and refreshments to follow in the pastoral centre.

This project has been growing yearly as the historical society and the church discover more and more information about who is buried in this old churchyard.

The society coordinates these placements but spokesperson Jim Wisnia said the group “is grateful for the cooperation of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 134, Cowichan Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron, Malahat Lions, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, and the Old Cemeteries Society” in making it a special day for all concerned.

•••

At St. Andrew’s Anglican churchyard in Cowichan Station, a group of former parishioners and volunteers will independently place 27 crosses starting at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4.

•••

At the St. John’s Church in Cobble Hill, the congregation has a history of placing crosses on the many veterans’ graves in their old churchyard.

This year, they plan to start this act of remembrance right after the church service on Sunday, Nov. 5, about 11:30 a.m.

•••

St. Peter’s Church historic church in Duncan is offering the ninth Veteran Cemetery Tour, Tea, and Remembrance Day Display on Saturday, Nov. 11.

Doors open at 1:30 p.m. and the tour starts at 2 p.m.

The cemetery committee would be pleased to receive any of the following items for the display: military photos of a family member or friend, other memorabilia of past wartime experience, medals, books (especially about Vimy), uniforms, badges, etc.

The items do not have to relate to people in St. Peter’s own cemetery. Contact Priscilla Lowe (250-746-4381) or Chris Easly (250-597-0075) if you can help out. Items are returned to owners immediately after the event ends at 4 p.m.



lexi.bainas@cowichanvalleycitizen.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter