Just back from the Canadian Great War I Vigil

To commemorate the 90th anniversary of the end of the Great War, Canada’s Historical Society has co-ordinated the Vigile 1914 - 1918 Vigil. It’s very simple. Starting at 5 p.m. local time on November 4, and continuing every night until dawn tomorrow, the names of all 68,000 who died in the Great War will be projected on various public buildings in London and across Canada. The first projection each day is at Canada House, Trafalgar Square, and then at various locations across Canada.

The Queen and Prince Philip attended the first night at Canada House.

Regina is one of the centres which is participating in the Vigil, which is being projected on the Legislature. Mrs. Piper and I walked to the Legislature tonight, along the shores of Lake Wascana. Full moon, highlighting the choppy waves on the Lake. A real chill in the air - there will be heavy frost tonight. I thought of those young men, shivering in the trenches at this time of year. And then up the garden, past the Queen’s Statue, and there was the screen, covering most of the main front of the Legislature.

Very simple - the names flashed up, two at at time, white on a dark blue screen. As we walked up, John McCrea’s name came up. Each name stayed on the screen for about four minutes, then replaced by another pair of young dead men.

We stayed for a while, watching those names of all the young Canadians who never came home. Then we walked home in the crisp air.

The last name that will come up, just before dawn tomorrow, will be George Lawrence Price, a Moose Jaw man who was shot and killed in France just two minutes before the ceasefire.

My wife and I were walking through Union Cemetery in Calgary last week, and there was a perfect little WWI military cemetery in the middle of it. Many of the boys who were commemorated died in the last days of the war: October and November 1918. The Union Jack and the Maple Leaf flew proudly over the area, and the gravestones were lined up with military precision. We were reminded of the Books of Remembrance we saw in the Peace Tower in Ottawa–no doubt these boys are listed there and will be displayed in the Vigil.

I’m in Lethbridge tonight and won’t be able to see if anything is happening here, but rest easy, fellows–you did good. You’re not forgotten.

I can’t imagine how terrible it was to be in the trenches of World War I. We can’t forget.

If I’m up early enough tomorrow, I may go to see the last names flash on the screen, just before dawn.

The Australian G-G is in France for a ceremony at Verdun.

I associate dawn services with Anzac Day. But I’m off in about half an hour to my parish church to sing at a Remembrance Day Requiem being offered for the repose of the souls of deceased servicemen.

Piper Dad’s choir will be singing tomorrow night at their annual “Act of Rembrance.” Dad wanted something a bit more contemplative than some of the other services, so his male voice choir puts this on each year - songs and readings in a thoughtful mood. Not a religious service as such, but just to remember.

Our services normally start at 10.30 a.m. and run to about 11.30. There are two here - one indoor at the local arena, and one outdoor at the Cenotaph at Victoria Park. The outdoor one can be a bit chilly - not unusual to have a light dusting of snow. People choose which one they’ll go to, according to the weather, age of participants, and so on.

I don’t think there’s going to be a major ceremony at the end of the names at dawn, but I’m curious to see it. If I get up in time, it’s just a short walk away, so I’m going to try to make it.

It is wonderful to see such a simple and moving tribute. I’m happy that it has become easier to access the names, records and in some cases, photos of those who served.

May they always be enshrined in our hearts with gratitude.

The last name that came up the screen was George Hamilton Price, of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Died from a sniper’s bullet at 10.58 a.m., November 11, 1918. He was the last Canadian casualty of the War, and likely the last Allied casualty as well.

He’s buried in the same cemetery as Lt. M.J. Dease of the British Army - the first Allied casualty of the War.