By Mark Squibb
November 10, 2023 Edition
In 2016, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 34 in Ferryland commemorated World War I veterans by placing crosses, each bearing the name of a known World War I veteran from the region, in the grounds around the Ferryland cenotaph.
Branch 34 member Guy Barnable said the response to that act of remembrance was so positive the Legion has taken it upon themselves to commemorate World War II veterans from Bay Bulls to Cappahayden.
“I think Newfoundland and Labrador has always been really good at commemorating military contributions,” said Barnable. “And a lot of these World War II veterans, our generation grew up with, so we have that connection to them. They were either our grandparents or great-grandparents, or our parents. And now that a lot of them have passed, people are recognising that we can’t forget their sacrifices.”
The Branch has assembled a list of over 200 World War II veterans who were either born on the Southern Shore or settled there after the war. That list has been posted to social media, and can be made available on request. Barnable is asking people to reach out to him at legionbranch34project@gmail.com or 709-763-6070 if they know of anyone missing from the list or if there are any errors on it.
“Please don't assume Legion Branch 34 has information on a veteran,” said Barnable. “We would much rather hear from someone with information they already have than not hear from them at all.”
Barnable said the Legion is also interested in hearing from family members or friends who may be able to provide photographs or further information such as dates of service.
Branch 34 is hoping to have all the information compiled by March 2024.
