This is this time of year, more perhaps than the rest, that our thoughts should be about our families and friends. As equally important, but often forgotten, are those we have lost over the years.
And how unfair that we usually forget the fallen as well! Men and woman who's heroism have paved the way for our very existence.
For the most part, it is those fallen whom I have dedicated over 23 years researching, advocating as needed, and bringing back to life their incredible stories of bravery.
Tens of thousands of emails, photo's, miles traveled and dollars spent have allowed me to bring to readers about a dozen less than 600 blogs over the past ten years since this blog was born back in Dec. 2012.
This self financed quest has resulted, quite literally in just over 1 blog a week for ten years.
And how unfair that we usually forget the fallen as well! Men and woman who's heroism have paved the way for our very existence.
For the most part, it is those fallen whom I have dedicated over 23 years researching, advocating as needed, and bringing back to life their incredible stories of bravery.
Tens of thousands of emails, photo's, miles traveled and dollars spent have allowed me to bring to readers about a dozen less than 600 blogs over the past ten years since this blog was born back in Dec. 2012.
This self financed quest has resulted, quite literally in just over 1 blog a week for ten years.
In five days the year 2022 will be gone. But today's blog will bring you four dates, of so many in North America's History that all of us are duty bound to remember next year, and all those to follow.
It was on Monday 15 April 1912 that the Titanic headed off to North America on her inaugural voyage. She carried some 2400 passengers on a trip that was said to be the safest of safe. Officials claimed it was unsinkable. But history tell us that it ran into ice and, in less than three hours took over 1500 to their watery graves. Only about 700 survived.
There is no shortage of information about this tragic event. There are internet sites, books, and historic films, plays and memorials in England, the US and Canada, particularly at Halifax.
So, having reminded you of this horrific event, I shall confess to an error that appeared in one of my very first blogs a decade ago. A tidbit I just discovered in the past few weeks.
The error involves Anthony C Paquet, who shall appear in the next blog.
But my error had Paquet being a passenger on the Titanic. A ship that was not launched until 1912. Trouble is Mr. Paquet died back in 1882.
Sorry folks!
There is no shortage of information about this tragic event. There are internet sites, books, and historic films, plays and memorials in England, the US and Canada, particularly at Halifax.
So, having reminded you of this horrific event, I shall confess to an error that appeared in one of my very first blogs a decade ago. A tidbit I just discovered in the past few weeks.
The error involves Anthony C Paquet, who shall appear in the next blog.
But my error had Paquet being a passenger on the Titanic. A ship that was not launched until 1912. Trouble is Mr. Paquet died back in 1882.
Sorry folks!
Jumping forward about 6 yrs, it was on Thursday 19 December 1917, that Halifax was rocked by a horrendous explosion in it's and neighbouring Dartmouth Harbour. Two transports collided, one full of explosives destined for the war effort in Europe.
The above before and after images, give an indication of the horrendous event. It lasted only about 12 minutes. About 1,800 lost their lives and another 9000 would be injured.
Like the story of the Titanic above, There are no shortages of materials available on this tragic event. I include it here to
today to remind you that this is a 2nd of 4 dates we should all remember in the years to come.
Historians and others have dubbed Wednesday 19 August 1942 as..."the bloodiest day for Canada in WW11.
The top left and lower right images show the peaceful beach where the horrendous slaughter took place, and also shown above.
In August and later I did a series of blogs about the battle. Two remain to be done. The above images are to remind you of the date in future years that you should set aside some time to reflect on the fact that just over 900 were killed within few hours, and that there were over 3,000 casualties, about 1950 being POW's.
While it is well known that the Americans had about 50 commandos in the raid, recent information suggests that there may be as many more who flew with the British during the raid.
In the next blog I will share with you news of a well known battle. And with that some little known facts about Canadians in that battle.
Hope you will join me then,
Bart
The top left and lower right images show the peaceful beach where the horrendous slaughter took place, and also shown above.
In August and later I did a series of blogs about the battle. Two remain to be done. The above images are to remind you of the date in future years that you should set aside some time to reflect on the fact that just over 900 were killed within few hours, and that there were over 3,000 casualties, about 1950 being POW's.
While it is well known that the Americans had about 50 commandos in the raid, recent information suggests that there may be as many more who flew with the British during the raid.
In the next blog I will share with you news of a well known battle. And with that some little known facts about Canadians in that battle.
Hope you will join me then,
Bart
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