Lest we forget: Honouring their sacrifice

By Lethbridge Herald on November 2, 2024.

FROM THE HILL
Rachael Thomas – Conservative Member of Parliament for Lethbridge

“We are the dead, short days ago we lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, loved and were loved.”

Whether it be a local ceremony at the nearest legion, a Remembrance Day school assembly, or a solemn moment at the Lethbridge Cenotaph, on November 11th we will stop to remember our heroes. We will honour those who left the comfort of home to secure a future of peace and liberty for us all. 

The present freedom we enjoy is only made possible by the sacrifice of the brave men and women of our own hometown and Country. These local Canadian heroes endured the unimaginable for our freedom. 

During the First World War Lethbridge had the highest per capita enlistment of soldiers of anywhere in Canada. 

Among them were the famed 31st Battalion and other regiments that fought valiantly at Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele. On the battlefields of Europe, they faced unimaginable horrors as they engaged in trench warfare and forged a legacy that still inspires us today. 

Sadly, 157 men never made it back to Lethbridge alive. 

They never came back to stop by their favourite shops, enjoy the beauty of the nearby mountains and above all, embrace those they loved.

Their sacrifice is felt today through the freedom we know and enjoy.  

Today, the Lethbridge Cenotaph stands to commemorate these 157 brave men. 

In its unveiling in 1931, Lieutenant-Governor Walsh stated: “unfortunately, it is one of the frailties of our human nature that we often neglect or entirely forget events and persons whom we should hold in imperishable memory”. 

Today and every day we are responsible for honouring their memory and their sacrifice.

During the Second World War, Lethbridge once again stood strongly in defense of Canada as many enlisted to fight against tyranny. Lethbridge was home to the 4th Canadian Armoured Division and contributed to significant campaigns, including those in Europe and the Pacific. Local communities rallied around the troops, hosting events to support families and raise funds for the war effort.

From the home front to the battlefield, the people of Lethbridge shined as an example of true communal strength. 

In total, more than 45,000 brave men and women gave their lives during WWII. 

We remember and honour their immense sacrifice. 

After the war, many veterans returned to Canada with physical, emotional, and psychological scars. Despite these hardships and enduring the unimaginable horrors of combat, most soldiers went on to contribute to society in meaningful ways. 

When the First World War began, Lethbridge resident, William Edward Frame, enlisted in the army and defended his country overseas. 

Sadly, he was badly wounded and had to return home. For his courage and service, William Edward Frame was awarded with the Military Cross from King George V. Though his military service had to come to an abrupt halt, his service to others continued as he became a local school principal and invested in the lives of countless young people. 

As the Second World War broke out, William Edward Frame once again enlisted to protect Canada. 

During this time, William Edward Frame served as a Major in the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corp. This unit ensured the troops were well-equipped with transport, clothing, and weaponry. After the war, William Edward Frame returned home and continued his work in the education field. He was appointed as Alberta’s Chief Superintendent of Schools. 

William Edward Frame’s service to Canada is an example of the extraordinary work and dedication of local men who stepped up to fight on behalf of the country they believed in. 

His life stands out as one of humble service to his fellow Canadians. 

While there are very few world war veterans still living, we must remember all those who have sacrificed and who continue to sacrifice in defending our freedoms. Their experiences remind us of the cost of peace and the importance of gratitude.

On Remembrance Day and every day, we have a duty to uphold and honour the memory of these individuals and care for the veterans who gave so much. 

We must continue to stand on guard for Canada and protect our liberty and peace.

As John McCrae wrote in his famous poem, In Flanders Field, “To you from failing hands we throw the torch; be yours to hold it high.”