1985 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother – Rose Bernst

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National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother Rose Bernst.
(Photo: courtesy of Earl Douglas Bernst)

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(Photo: courtesy of Earl Douglas Bernst)

Mrs. Rose Alice Louise Bernst from Thunder Bay, Ontario, was selected 1985 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother. During the national Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa on November 11, 1985, she laid a wreath at the base of the National War Memorial on behalf of all mothers who have lost a child in military service to Canada.

On August 29, 1941, her son, Private Clarence Robert Bernst, died from injuries sustained while serving with the Lake Superior Regiment (Motor).

On November 24, 1944, a second son, Able Seaman Ronald William Bernst, was killed at sea while on duty with the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve.

Mrs. Bernst was born in London England on April 17, 1898. She immigrated to Canada as a child where she eventually met and married Edward Emil Bernst in Fort William, Ontario (now Thunder Bay). She and Edward moved to Nokomis, Saskatchewan in 1916 and had eight children together: seven boys and one girl. They eventually returned to Fort William in 1935 when the drought and the depression forced them to abandon their farm.

Mrs. Bernst has the distinction of having every male member of her immediate family serve in the Canadian forces. Her husband Edward served with the Forestry Corps in Scotland from 1942-45. Her son Clarence served with the Lake Superior Motor regiment. Charles served with the Lake Superior Motor regiment; Albert served with the British Columbia Dragoons; Harry with the Princess Patricia Light Infantry; Allan with the Thunder Bay Service Corps in Korea from 1954-57; and Earl served with the Royal Canadian Navy sailing on a Corvette in the North Atlantic from 1942-45.

List of National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mothers

(Information courtesy of the Royal Canadian Legion, Canadian War Museum and families of the National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mothers)