Hall of Remembrance

THe Hall of Remembrance is a memorial to earlier generations of Canadians, particularly Perth residents, who fought and died in the wars of the 20th century. The artifacts of the small local war museum have been reorganized and displayed better, and the Legion held a re-dedication and dinner Saturday, May 15, 2017. The memorabilia commemorates the major conflicts of the 20th century in which Canada played a role. The collection, which fills six rooms, are made up of artifacts donated by local veterans and their families, ranging from medals, letters, and photographs, to military souvenirs captured from enemy troops.

There is a display devoted to the story of Flying Officer William J. Kyle, who went missing in action at the age of 22 while flying a Dakota aircraft on a Second World War mission in Burma. It includes Kyle’s watch, recovered from the wreck, and a letter mailed by Kyle to his mother on June 2, 1945, very shortly before the plane crash.

Another display commemorates the contributions of Judge John Matheson, an artillery officer in the Second World War, and his uniform, photograph and other memorabilia are displayed. Years after the war, Matheson served on the committee assigned to choose the new Canadian flag. A copy of his book, Canada’s Flag, is part of the display.

There are walls of photographs of local veterans. If the serviceman in the picture died in action, the picture bears a poppy. One prominent individual among the photographs is Major Alex R. Campbell of the Lanark and Renfrew Scottish Regiment who was Killed in action in Italy on Dec. 25, 1943.

One display has the original wooden cross from the gravesite of Corporal Farquar Caldwell Fraser, killed in action in the First World War at the age of 23 and buried at Pas de Calais, France, May 19, 1917. The cross was returned to Canada after the Commonwealth Military Cemetery was refurbished