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Re: BOER WAR MEMORIAL CENTRAL PARK CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA 7 years 4 months ago #49619

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BOER WAR MEMORIAL CENTRAL PARK CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA 7 years 4 months ago #49620

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BOER WAR MEMORIAL CENTRAL PARK CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA 7 years 4 months ago #49621

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BOER WAR MEMORIAL CENTRAL PARK CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA 7 years 4 months ago #49622

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BOER WAR MEMORIAL CENTRAL PARK CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA 7 years 4 months ago #49623

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BOER WAR MEMORIAL CENTRAL PARK CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA 7 years 4 months ago #49624

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This was originally posted 4 1/2 years ago and it additional information to the fantastic photos that have been posted by Berniece,,,,,,

Thanks Berniece......

Mike


CALGARY HERALD, JUNE 19TH, 1914,

UNVEILING OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN STATUE TOMORROW
MAGNIFICENT EQUESTRIAN FIGURE WILL BE HANDED
OVER SATURDAY

IN THE PRESENCE OF OVER 2,000 TROOPS UNDER ARMS AND WITH HUNDREDS OF CIVILIAN SPECTATORS IN ATTENDANCE THE SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS MEMORIAL WILL BE UNVEILED AT 3 O'CLOCK TOMORROW AFTERNOON. THE MAGNIFICENT EQUESTRIAN FIGURE WHICH IS THE WORK OF SCULPTOR HERBERT, HAS BEEN ERECTED ON ITS PEDESTAL IN CENTRAL PARK AND THOSE WHO HAVE SEEN IT STATE THAT IT IS A BEAUTIFUL SAMPLE OF ART. THE UNVEILING CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE AT 3 O'CLOCK AND FOLLOWING IS THE PROGRAMME ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL COMMITTEE WHICH MET IN THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AT CITY HALL THURSDAY AFTERNOON.

"0 CANADA" - 103rd REGIMENTAL BAND
INVOCATION - REV . DEAN PAGET
ADDRESS - R. B. BENNETT , K. C. , M. P .
UNVEILING - COLONEL E.A. CRUIKSHANK, D.O.C.
"LAST POST" - 103rd REGIMENTAL BUGLE BAND
DEPOSIT OF WREATHS - VARIOUS
"GOD SAVE THE KING" - 103rd REGIMENTAL BAND

ONLY TICKET HOLDERS, SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS AND RELATIVES OF VETERANS WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE PARK DURING THE TIME THE CEREMONIES ARE TAKING PLACE. THE STREETS AND AVENUES UPON WHICH THE PARK FRONTS WILL BE CLOSED TO MOTOR CARS, BUT THE STREET CARS WILL RUN AS USUAL.

FIRE CHIEF SMART WILL ATTEND TO THE DECORATION, BOY SCOUTS AND CADETS WILL ASSIST THE POLICE IN GUARDING FLOWER BEDS AND SHRUBS, AND IN THE MORNING THE CADETS WILL ASSIST THE DAUGHTERS OF THE EMPIRE IN SELLING FLAGS FOR THE STATUE FUND.

CITIZENS AND MERCHANTS ARE REQUESTED TO OBSERVE THE DAY BY A GENERAL DISPLAY OF BUNTING AS THIS IS THE FIRST MEMORIAL TO THE MEN WHO FELL IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN CAMPAIGN TO BE UNVEILED IN WESTERN CANADA. THE FLAGS ON ALL PUBLIC BUILDINGS WILL BE HOISTED IN HONOR OF THE EVENT.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


SOUTH AFRICAN MEMORIAL STATUE IS UNVEILED BY THE
DISTRICT OFFICER COMMANDING
INSPIRING SCENE WITNESSED AT CENTRAL PARK ON
SATURDAY AFTERNOON - DISTINGUISHED GATHERING
LISTENS TO AN ELOQUENT SPEECH FROM
R.B. BENNETT, K.C., M.P.

IN THE PRESENCE OF THOUSANDS OF CITIZENS OF CALGARY, THE HEADQUARTERS STAFF OF THE MILITARY DISTRICT, MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY AND THE BAR, LEADERS IN THE CIVIL, EDUCATIONAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY AND VETERANS WHO WORE ON THEIR BREAST MEDALS WHICH THEY WON FOR SERVICE FATHFULLY AND NOBLY RENDERED FOR THE EMPIRE, THE EQUESTRIAN STATUE, ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF THOSE BRAVE CANADIANS WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES IN SOUTH AFRICA WHILE FIGHTING FOR THEIR QUEEN AND COUNTRY, WAS UNVEILED BY COLONEL E. A. CRUICKSHANK, DISTRICT OFFICER COMMANDING THE MILITARY DISTRICT.

FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR BEFORE THE CEREMONY WAS SCHEDULED TO START THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE CONGREGATED ON THE THOROUGHFARES ADJOINING THE CENTRAL PARK, AND HUNDREDS FILLED THE LAWNS, LOOKING SPLENDID IN GREEN. ONLY TICKET HOLDERS AND SPECIALLY PRIVILEGED PERSONS WERE ALLOWED WITHIN THE ENCLOSURE WHICH WAS ROPED AND GUARDED BY POLICE AND CADETS, AND ON THE PLATFORM WERE R.B. BENNET, K.C., M.P., J.W. MITCHELL, WHO PRESIDED AT THE CEREMONY; COLONEL SANDERS, D.S.O., R.M., D.C., THE VERY REV. E.G. PAGET, D.D., M.A., DEAN OF CALGARY; DR. A.M. SCOTT, SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, J.A.V. HOTETTE; ACTING MAYOR COSTELLO; MRS. P.J. NOLAN; AND MRS. MACLEOD.

DISTINGUISHED CITIZENS PRESENT

THE GARDENS OF THE PARK, ABUNDANT IN THEIR MANY VARIED FLOWERS, LOOKED THEIR BEST AND THE AFTERNOON WAS FAVOURED WITH BRILLIANT SUNSHINE WHICH ADDED TO THE SPLENDOUR OF THE OCCASION. MANY DISTINGUISHED CITIZENS OF CALGARY WERE NOTICED IN THE ENCLOSURE AMONG THEM BEING: MR. JUSTICE WALSH, MR. JUSTICE SIMMONS, JUDGE WINTER, MAJOR BURKE, J.P., ALDERMAN E.H. RILEY, ALDERMAN CRANDALL, MR. JUSTICE STEWART, ALDERMAN FREEZE, CHIEF AND MRS CUDDY, STANLEY JONES, K.C., JAMES MUIR, K.C., A.H. CLARKE, K.C., M.P., REV. DR. KERBY, REV. A.O. MACREA, D.D., REV. CANNON HAYES, VEN. ARCHDEACON HOGBIN, REV. CANON MONTGOMERY AND MANY OTHERS.

COLONEL CRUICKSHANK, D.O.C., WAS PRESENT WITH IS HEADQUARTERS STAFF WHICH CONSISTED OF COLONEL WEATHERBE, CAPTAIN BELL, D.A.A.G., Q.M.G., MAJOR BRYANT, G.S.O., MAJOR DRUM, A.D., M.S., MAJOR ATKIN, DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORT AND SUPPLIES, MAJOR DE RAM, INTELLIGENCE OFFICER, MAJOR HEWGILL, ORDINANCE OFFICER, LIEUT. HITCHIE, PAYMASTER, LIEUT. STEEDMAN, PAYMASTER, CAPTAIN LOGIE, ORDINANCE OFFICER, CAPTAIN NYBLETT, SANITARY OFFICER, CAPTAIN FOX, SIGNALLING OFFICER, CAPTAIN GILKER, LIEUT. TOYE, POST OFFICER, LIEUT. COX, INFANTRY INSTRUCTOR.

CADETS AND SCOUTS ATTEND

SHORTLY AFTER THREE O'CLOCK THE 103rd REGIMENT, IN COMMAND OF COLONEL ARMSTRONG, HEADED BY THE BAND, IN COMMAND OF BANDMASTER FORD, MARCHED INTO THE GROUNDS AND TOOK UP POSITIONS ALONG THE LINES OF SPECTATORS. CADETS AND BOY SCOUTS, IN CHARGE OF SCOUTMASTERS AD AND SPILLER, LINED THE WALKS AND LOOKED SPICK AND SPAN IN THEIR KHAKI UNIFORMS. CONSPICUOUS AMONG THOSE IN THE ENCLOSURE WAS COLONEL SANDERS WHO WORE ON HIS BREAST THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER, WHICH HE WON FOR GALLANTRY, SAVING THE LIFE OF A SOLDIER DURING ONE OF THE BATTLES OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN WAR.

A SPLENDID GROUP WERE THE VETERANS, ALL OF WHOM FOUGHT FOR QUEEN AND COUNTRY IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN CAMPAIGN, AND UPON THE BREAST OF EVERY MAN WAS A MEDAL WITH CLASPS. SOME WORE FOUR AND EVEN FIVE MEDALS, AND ONE WAS NOTICED TO BE WEARING THE STAR OF THE ISSUANT CAMPAIGN. THESE STALWART, BRONZED LOOKING MEN, THE EMBODIMENT OF THE IMPERIAL SPIRIT, STOOD DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE PLATFORM. NO DOUBT THEIR MINDS WANDERED TO THE SUN BURNED VELDT AND THEIR MEMORIES WENT BACK TO HARD FOUGHT ENGAGEMENTS AND WELL WON FIGHTS. NO TRACE WAS SEEN UPON THEIR FACES OF THE TRYING EXPERIENCES THAT THEY MUST HAVE GONE THROUGH IN FAR AWAY SOUTH AFRICA. THEIR THOUGHTS MUST HAVE WANDERED TO THE CAMPFIRES AND BIVOUACKS FAR AWAY FROM THEIR HOMES ON THE FAR FLUNG WESTERN PRAIRIES.

SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS ATTEND

BUT YESTERDAY THE SCENE WAS CHANGED TO A CITY THAT HAS GROWN AND PROGRESSED WITH THE ADVANCE OF CIVILIZATION, AND MANY OF THE MEN THEY FOUGHT WITH SIDE BY SIDE NOW LIE AMONG THE RUGGED KOPJES AND FORDS OF NATAL AND THE TRANSVAAL. FOR THE PURPOSE OF HONORING THE MEMORY OF THESE GALLANT WARRIORS THESE VETERANS HAD GATHERED TOGETHER AND AS THE SOLEMN NOTES OF THE LAST POST ECHOED THROUGH THE TREES AND BEYOND TO THE MASSED SPECTATORS, THEIR HEADS BOWED IN REVERENCE AND AWE. IT WAS AN INSPIRING SIGHT AND NOT ONE TO BE QUICKLY FORGOTTEN BY THOSE WHO WERE PRIVILEGED TO WITNESS IT.

AMONG THE VETERANS PRESENT, WITH THE REGIMENTS IN WHICH THEY SERVED IN SOUTH AFRICA WERE, COLONEL SANDERS D.S.O., R.N.W.M.P., MAJOR STEWART, REV. R.H. WALKER, ARGYLL AND SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS, C.A. BLACK, STRATHCONA HORSE, J.L. ANDERSON, STRATHCONA HORSE, L. FLETCHER, 16TH LANCERS, W. ROGERS, GLOUCESTER REGIMENT, S. PEARSON, 2ND BATTALION BUFFS, A.R. BATES, 4TH MOUNTED INFANTRY, E.H. DYER, 1ST YEOMANRY, E. BERRY, 1ST YEOMANRY, GEORGE BLAKE, D.F.H.A., S. GISLINGHAM, 2ND QUEEN'S R.W.S., MAJOR BURKE, ROYAL IRISH FUSILIERS, J. DAVIS, CANADIAN SCOUTS, ANDREW MILLER, STANLEY JONES, ROYAL CANADIAN REGIMENT.

PRAYER OF INVOCATION

AFTER THE BAND OF THE 103rd REGIMENT PLAYED "0 CANADA," THE FOLLOWING INVOCATION WAS READ BY THE VERY REV. E. C. PAGET, D.D., M.A., DEAN OF CALGARY

"0, ALMIGHTY GOD, WHO VOUCHSAFE TO CONSECRATE IN OUR HEARTS THE LOVE OF HOME AND FATHERLAND SO THAT IN EVERY AGE MEN HAVE HAZARDED THEIR LIVES THAT THEIR COUNTRY MIGHT BE SAFE AND FREE; BE WITH US NOW, WE PRAY THEE, WITH THY SACRED PRESENCE TO HALLOW THE UNVEILING AND DEDICATION OF THIS MONUMENT WHICH WE HAVE RAISED IN MEMORY OF THOSE MEN OF THE DOMINION OF CANADA WHO IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN WAR, GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR COUNTRY'S CAUSE.

MAY THIS MEMORIAL OF UNSELFISHNESS AND OF BRAVE PATRIOTISM STAND FOR THE GENERATIONS TO COME AS AN OPEN LETTER KNOWN AND READ OF ALL MEN AND OF THEIR GREAT MERCY HASTEN THE YEARS WHEN WAS SHALL CEASE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD AND THE CLOUD OF THY BLESSED PEACE ENFOLD THE NATIONS FOREVER AS THE WATERS COVER THE SEA. THIS WE PRAY THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD, AMEN."

TROOPS MARCH PAST

AFTER THE UNVEILING CEREMONY TWO THOUSAND SOLDIERS WHO HAD COME FROM THE MILITARY CAMP MARCHED PAST THE MONUMENT SALUTING AS THEY PASSED. IT SEEMED AS IF THE LINE OF RED COATED SOLDIERS WOULD NEVER PASS AND A LARGE CROWD STOOD ALONG THIRTEENTH AVENUE AND FOURTEENTH AVENUE TO WATCH THE MARCH PAST. AT THEIR HEAD RODE COLONEL CRUIKSHANK D.O.C., WITH THE HEADQUARTERS STAFF. THEN CAME LIEUT.-COL. BELCHER AND STAFF IN COMMAND OF THE 5TH BRIGADE, AND THE PROVISIONAL BRIGADE UNDER THE COMMAND OF LIEUT.-COL. SISSONS. THE TROOPS MARCHED IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER:

15TH LIGHT HORSE
19TH ALBERTA DRAGOONS
23RD ALBERTA RANGERS
25TH BATTERY, CANADIAN FIELD ARTILLERY
4TH FIELD TROOP, CANADIAN ENGINEERS
NO. 14 COMPANY, ARMY SERVICE CORPS
NO. 17 CANADIAN FIELD AMBULANCE
PROVISIONAL BRIGADE
CORPS OF GUIDES
ARMY SERVICE CORPS
103rd REGIMENT

EXCELLENT ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE BY CHIEF CUDDY AND HIS ASSISTANTS, WHO PERFORMED THEIR DUTIES WITH THAT PRECISION AND TACT WHICH MAKE FOR THE COMPLETE SUCCESS OF SUCH CEREMONIES. INSPITE OF THE IMMENSE CROWDS, NOT AN UNTOWARD INCIDENT MARKED THE WHOLE PROCEEDINGS AND THIS WAS IN NO SMALL MEASURE DUE TO THE SPLENDID WORK OF CHIEF CUDDY AND THE MOUNTED AND FOOT POLICE.

MR. BENNETT'S SPEECH

AN INSPIRING AND ELOQUENT SPEECH WAS DELIVERED BY R. B. BENNETT, K.C., M.P., AND HIS LOFTY REMARKS WERE CONSTANTLY INTERRUPTED WITH APPLAUSE BY THE LARGE CONCOURSE PRESENT. THE MEMBER FOR CALGARY FIRST EMPHASIZED THE FACT THAT THE CITIZENS WERE HONORING THE MEMORY OF THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR EMPIRE, QUEEN AND COUNTRY. HE THEN PASSED ON TO THE TRIUMPHANT RETURN OF THOSE HEROS WHO CAME THROUGH THE CAMPAIGN SAFELY, AND FINALLY MR. BENNETT TOUCHED A LOFTY VEIN WHEN HE POINTED OUT THAT THE EXAMPLE OF THE WORTHY DEAD SHOULD INSPIRE EVERY CANADIAN WITH THE HIGH AND LOFTY CONCEPTIONS OF OUR GREAT AND EVER INCREASING RESPONSIBILITIES WITH HEROIC DEVOTION TO DUTY AND LOVE FOR COUNTRY.

MR. BENNETT SPOKE AS FOLLOWS:-

FELLOW CITIZENS, -- THROUGH THE UNTIRING EFFORTS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION OF THIS CITY, WHOSE OFFICERS AND MEMBERS DESERVE THE HEARTFELT THANKS OF ALL WORTHY CITIZENS, WE ARE ENABLED TO MEET TOGETHER TODAY TO DEDICATE THIS MONUMENT TO THE MEMORY OF THE BRAVE CANADIANS WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR OUR FLAG AND EMPIRE.. THE OCCASION IS A MEMORABLE ONE IN THE LIFE OF OUR CITY.

"THE NOBLEST SENTIMENTS AND THE HIGHEST THOUGHTS EMBODIED IN THE BEST OF ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS FOUND EXPRESSION IN THE MONUMENTS AND STATUES ERECTED TO COMMEMORATE THE VICTORIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF THOSE HEROIC FIGURES WHO MASTER MINDS MADE POSSIBLE THE CREATION OF VAST EMPIRES. AMID OUR MATERIAL PROSPERITY, THIS MONUMENT; CANADIAN IN ITS CONCEPTION, DISTINCTIVE IN ITS CHARACTER, MARKS OUR REALIZATION OF OBLIGATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES ACCEPTED AND DISCHARGED AND COMMEMORATES THE HEROIC VIRTUES OF THOSE WHO THOUGH DEAD YET SPEAK AND TO WHOM ALL TO SOON CAME THE "WELL DONE" OF THE MASTER"

HEROIC SELF SACRIFICE

"HERE IN THIS BEAUTIFUL PARK, THE CENTRE OF ACTIVITIES OF THIS PROUD CITY, THE PRODUCT OF OUR TWENTIETH CENTURY CIVILIZATION, IN WHICH MATERIALISM PAYS SO LARGE A PART, THIS MONUMENT WILL EVER STAND AS A VISIBLE REMINDER OF OTHER THAN MATERIAL THINGS: OF HEROIC SELF-SACRIFICE; INDOMITABLE COURAGE; LOFTY PATRIOTISM; DEVOTION TO DUTY AND OF SERVICE TO THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM, JUSTICE AND LIBERTY. GREAT LIVES NEVER DIE; GREAT DEEDS ARE IMPERISHABLE; GREAT NAMES ARE IMMORTAL. IT WILL SERVE AS AN INCENTIVE TO THE YOUTH OF OUR CITY TO EMULATE THE EFFORTS OF THOSE WHO ARE NO MORE. IT WILL FILL THEIR MINDS WITH HIGH AND LOFTY CONCEPTIONS OF PATRIOTISM, AND WITH A DESIRE TO LIVE LIVES OF USEFULNESS AND SERVICE. IT WILL ADD TO THE GREAT ARTISTIC ASSETS OF THE PEOPLE, TO THE BEAUTIES OF THE PARK AND RESOUND TO THE GLORY AND HONOR OF OUR COUNTRY.

IT WILL BE THE LAST GREAT WORK OF A GREAT CANADIAN, A GREAT FRENCH-CANADIAN, WHO HAPPILY IS WITH US TODAY. THE GENIUS OF HIS IMAGINATION HAS FOUND EXPRESSION IN MONUMENTS AND STATUES IN BRONZE AND MARBLE IN OUR GREAT EASTERN CITIES. HIS NAME HAS BEEN IMMORTALIZED BY HIS WORK ON PARLIAMENT HILL. HE HAS BEEN HONOURED BY HIS SOVEREIGN AND DECORATED BY THE GREAT REPUBLIC OF FRANCE. IN YEARS TO COME IT WILL BE A SOURCE OF GRATIFICATION AND PRIDE TO OUR CITIZENS TO REFLECT UPON THE FACT THAT THE LAST GREAT WORK OF PHILLIPE HEBERT, THE DISTINGUISHED CANADIAN SCULPTOR AND ARTIST HAS BEEN ERECTED IN THIS PARK."

NOBLE SENTIMENT

"THIS MONUMENT CRYSTALLIZES IN CONCRETE FORM A GREAT NOBLE SENTIMENT IT EVIDENCES OUR IMPERIAL CONSCIOUSNESS AS DEVELOPED IN
THE STRESS AND STORM OF WAR. IT STANDS AS A MEMORY TO MEN WHO DIED FOR A GREAT CAUSE. IT IS AN EXPRESSION OF OUR REALIZATION THAT CANADIANS ARE INDEED PART AND PARCEL OF A GREAT AND COSMOPOLITAN
BUT UNITED EMPIRE. IT WOULD SERVE NO USEFUL PURPOSE TO ATTEMPT, EVEN IF I COULD IN THE SHORT SPACE OF TIME AT MY DISPOSAL, TO STATE THE CAUSES OF THE GREAT WAR IN WHICH OUR HEROIC DEAD OFFERED THEIR LIVES AS WILLING SACRIFICES FOR THEIR COUNTRY.

IT IS SUFFICIENT TO SAY THAT AN AUTOCRATIC AND ARROGANT RULER HAVING OBSTINATELY REFUSED TO CONCEDE TO THE SUBJECTS OF THE SUZERAIN POWER THEIR RIGHTS AS BRITONS, CONFERENCES AND NEGOTIATIONS ENSUED, BUT ALL EFFORTS AT CONCILIATION FAILED. THIS GREAT EMPIRE, NOT AS AGGRESSOR BUT TO REPEL THE INVASION OF THE HOMES OF ITS CITIZENS AND OUR FELLOW CITIZENS IN NATAL, WAS FORCED TO RESORT TO THE ARBITRAMENT OF WAR."

"I SAY THE EMPIRE," CONTINUED MR BENNETT, "FOR WHILE THE CONFERENCES AND NEGOTIATIONS WERE CONDUCTED AND DECLARATION OF WAR WAS MET BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE BRITISH ISLES, THE LIVES AND PROPERTY OF EVERY SUBJECT OF THE QUEEN, EVERY MAN AND WOMAN WHO OWED ALLEGIANCE TO OUR COMMON FLAG, WERE MENACED AND AFFECTED, CANADIAN WERE NOT ASKED TO CONTRIBUTE FORCES TO THE DEFENCE OF THE EMPIRE. THE SPONTANEOUS OUTBURST OF PATRIOTIC ENTHUSIASM ON PART OF THE CITIZENS OF THE EMPIRE, RESIDENT OVERSEAS, IN NEW ZEALAND, AUSTRALIA, CANADA AND IN INDIA, WAS THE DISTINGUISHING INCIDENT OF THE WAR."

PEACE NOT DISTURBED

"THE QUARREL BETWEEN THE BOERS AND THE BRITISH WAS NOT ONE IN WHICH OTHER THAN AFRICAN COLONISTS HAD A PERSONAL INTEREST. THEIR
HAPPINESS, PEACE AND COMFORT WERE NOT THREATENED OF DISTURBED. THEIR HOMES WERE NOT INVADED, YET THEY WILLINGLY OFFERED THEIR LIVES, BECAUSE THEY REALIZED THAT THEY WERE CITIZENS OF AN EMPIRE AND THAT ANYTHING AFFECTING ITS SUPREMACY IN SOUTH AFRICA DISTURBED ITS UNITY AND MENACED ITS SUPREMACY THROUGH OUT THE WORLD. THEY REALIZED THAT THE TRADITIONS AND HERITAGE OF CENTURIES MUST BE PRESERVED FOR POSTERITY IF THEY WERE WORTHY OF THE SACRIFICES OF THEIR FOREFATHERS."

"CANADA CONTRIBUTED ABOUT 6,000 MEN OF ALL ARMS, INFANTRY, MOUNTED RIFLES AND ARTILLERY. WE LEFT OUR DEAD ON THE VELDT FROM THE SEABOARD TO PRETORIA. THE ROYAL CANADIAN REGIMENT WAS PRESENT AT THE FIRST GREAT BOER REVERSE AT PAARDEBERG ON MAJUBA DAY, AND SCORES OF OUR VOLUNTEERS THERE VALIANTLY MET THEIR DEATHS AS SOLDIERS OF THE EMPIRE. THAT REGIMENT PARTICIPATED IN OVER FORTY BATTLES, GREAT AND SMALL, AND TRAMPED OVER 1,200 MILES. OUR MOUNTED RIFLES PARTICIPATED IN MANY BATTLES, AND LEFT THEIR NAMES ENROLLED HIGH UP UPON THE SCROLL OF FAME BY REASON OF THEIR SPLENDID COURAGE AT DIAMOND HILL AND HARTS RIVER. OUR ARTILLERY PARTICIPATED IN THE HISTORIC RELIEF OF MAFEKING. THE SERVICES OF STRATHCONA'S HORSE ARE PART OF THE MARTIAL HISTORY OF OUR RACE."

"IN EVERY RESPECT OFFICERS AND MEN BORE THEMSELVES FEARLESSLY, GALLANTLY, AND WELL, MAINTAINING IN THEIR INTEGRITY ALL THOSE PRICELESS TRADITIONS THAT HAVE BEEN THE PRIDE AND HONOR OF BRITISH
ARMS THROUGH ALL THE CONFLICTS OF THE CENTURIES."

WORK OF R.N.W.M.P.

"NO REFERENCE TO THE SPLENDID SERVICES OF OUR TROOPS WOULD BE COMPLETE IN THE MIND OF WESTERN CANADIAN AUDIENCES IF I FAILED TO MENTION THE ROYAL NORTHWEST MOUNTED POLICE, AND THE NAME OF ONE OF ITS PIONEER MEMBERS, COLONEL S. B. STEELE. NOR PERHAPS TO A CALGARY AUDIENCE WOULD I HAVE DONE MY DUTY IF I FAILED TO MENTION THE NAME OF ONE WHO SITS OPPOSITE, LIEUT.-COL. SANDERS, WHO BEARS UPON HIS BREAST THE INSIGNIA OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER."

"THE GRAVES OF OUR HEROIC DEAD," CONTINUED MR. BENNETT, "WHO SLEEP BENEATH THE FAR-OFF VELDT, HAVE, THANKS TO THE EFFORTS OF THE DAUGHTERS OF THE EMPIRE, BEEN SUITABLY MARKED. IT WAS BUT FITTING THAT THE WHOLE WOMEN OF OUR DOMINION SHOULD INSURE THE DOING OF THIS SERVICE. WHEN THE IMMEDIATE GLORY OF WAR IS FORGOTTEN, THE SORROW AND SUFFERING THAT IS ALWAYS INCIDENT TO A GREAT CAMPAIGN MUST BE AND IS BORNE, AND USUALLY IN SILENCE BY THE WIVES, THE MOTHERS, AND SWEETHEARTS OF THOSE WHO ARE NO MORE. OUR CANADIAN WOMEN IN GIVING THEIR BEST BELOVED TO THE CAUSE OF THE EMPIRE WERE WORTHY OF THE BEST TRADITIONS OF OUR RACE, AND SPARTAN MOTHERS DID NO MORE."

HEROIC STRUGGLES

"I SHALL NOT ENDEAVOUR TO RECALL IN DETAIL THE MEMORIES OF THE HISTORIC STRUGGLES OF OUR TROOPS. THEY ARE FRESH IN THE MEMORIES OF ALL. THE ENTHUSIASM WITH WHICH THE SURVIVORS WERE MET UPON THEIR RETURN WILL NOT SOON BE FORGOTTEN. TODAY IT IS OUR MOURNFUL
DUTY TO THINK OF THOSE WHO ARE NO MORE, WHO SLEEP THEIR LAST SLEEP IN A FAR OFF CONTINENT; WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES WILLINGLY AND GLADLY FOR THE FREEDOM OF THEIR FELLOW CITIZENS OF THE EMPIRE, AND WHOSE PATRIOTISM AND DEVOTION TO DUTY MARKED THEM AS MEN WORTHY IN EVERY SENSE OF THIS MEMORIAL."

"NOR MUST IT BE FORGOTTEN," SAID MR. BENNETT, "THAT NOTWITHSTANDING, ALL THAT HAS BEEN SAID, THE HEROIC VIRTUES OF OUR
RACE HAVE BEST BEEN DEVELOPED UNDER THE STORM AND STRESS OF CONFLICT. THE SPIRIT OF SELF-SACRIFICE HAS BEEN AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE DEVELOPED IN THE PEACEFUL WALKS OF LIFE; IN TRADE AND COMMERCE; IN EVERY AVENUE OF HUMAN EFFORT; BUT THE GREATEST EXAMPLES OF HEROIC DEVOTION TO DUTY, TO COOL, DETERMINED SELFSACRIFICE, AND OF DAUNTLESS COURAGE THAT THE WORLD HAS KNOWN, ARE RECORDED UPON THE PAGES OF THE NAVAL AND MILITARY HISTORY OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE."

DEVOTION TO DUTY

"MAY THE EXAMPLE OF OUR WORTHY DEAD INSPIRE US WITH HIGH AND LOFTY CONCEPTIONS OF OUR GREAT AND EVER INCREASING RESPONSIBILITIES WITH HEROIC DEVOTION TO DUTY, WITH WILLINGNESS TO MAKE SACRIFICES, WITH PATRIOTISM, PRIDE AND LOVE FOR OUR COUNTRY, WITH SEAL FOR THE GREATNESS OF OUR EMPIRE. NOT THAT WE MAY BOAST OF OUR GREAT EXTENT OF TERRITORY, OUR WEALTH, OUR POPULATION, OR OUR POWER, BUT THAT WE SHOULD BE FILLED WITH THANKFULNESS FOR OUR OPPORTUNITIES AND WITH THE PROUD CONSCIOUSNESS THAT UNDER THE PROTECTING AEGIS OF OUR FLAG EVERY CITIZEN IN OUR EMPIRE, BE THE RICH OR POOR, MAY ENJOY LIBERTY, FREEDOM, JUSTICE AND EQUALITY UNDER THE LAW. LET US REALIZE THAT UNLESS THESE THINGS CONTINUE THE EMPIRE MUST PASS AWAY."

"IT RESTS WITH US," SAID MR. BENNETT, " AND THOSE WHO COME AFTER US, TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT OUR HEROIC DEAD HAVE DIED IN VAIN. VICTORIA CROSSES, DECORATIONS, RIBBONS, MEDALS AND CLASPS UPON THE BREASTS OF THE LIVING REMIND US OF THEIR COURAGE, THEIR BRAVERY, AND THEIR SERVICES; BUT ALL THESE THINGS, EVEN THE DEATH OF THOSE WHOME TODAY WE HONOUR, WILL HAVE BEEN IN VAIN UNLESS WE
KEEP THE TORCH OF OUR CIVILIZATION UNDIMMED, MAINTAIN HIGH AND LOFTY CONCEPTIONS OF OUR DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS, AND EXPRESS IN OUR LIVES, THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS, THE REALIZATION OF OUR WORLD WIDE INFUENCE.

DEDICATES MONUMENT

"IN THE NAME OF THE CITIZENS OF CALGARY" CONCLUDED MR. BENNETT, "AND FOR AND ON BEHALF OF ALL OUR CANADIAN PEOPLE, I DEDICATE THIS MONUMENT TO THE MEMORY OF OUR HEROIC DEAD, IN FAITH AND CONFIDENCE THAT THEIR LIVES HAVE NOT BEEN LIVED IN VAIN, BUT THAT THEY WILL SPEAK TO US AND TO GENERATIONS YET TO COME OF WORK WELL DONE OF IMPERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND REMIND US OF THE NECESSITY OF EVER MAINTAINING THOSE PRINCIPLES OF LIBERTY, JUSTICE AND FREEDOM AMONG THE MILLIONS OF THE HUMAN RACE, WHOSE PEACE, HAPPINESS AND WELL BEING HAVE BEEN AND WILL BE BEST ASSURED UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE FLAG OF OUR EMPIRE."

"THE TUMULT AND THE SHOUTING DIES,
THE CAPTAINS AND THE KINGS DEPART
STILL STANDS THINE ANCIENT SACRIFICE,
A HUMBLE AND CONTRITE HEAR
LORD, GOD OF HOSTS BE WITH IS YET,
LEST WE FORGET, LEST WE FORGET."


CALGARY HERALD, JUNE 21st 1914
Life Member
Past-President Calgary
Military Historical Society
O.M.R.S. 1591
The following user(s) said Thank You: BereniceUK

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