1996 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother – Margaret Langille

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1996 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother – Margaret Langille
(Photo: David Archer)

(Photo: David Archer)

At the age of 95, Mrs. Margaret May Langille of River John, Nova Scotia, was the 1996 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother. During the national Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa on November 11, 1996, 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 16, 1944, her son, Private Lawrence Alvin Langille, was killed while serving with the Essex Scottish Regiment during an assault in Falaise, France.

Mrs. Langille was born in Cape John on May 20, 1901 and was the daughter of Peter and Minnie Heighton. She married Mr. Elsford Langille and together they raised their own sons, six foster children from infancy and provided a temporary home for other foster children.

Mrs. Langille was known for her generous spirit and ensured that those she cared about were afforded a home-cooked meal and a place to stay. Despite damaged eyesight and limbs, resulting from childhood tuberculosis, she continued to sew, quilt, knit, crochet and bake for her children and presented friends with homemade, Christmas fruitcake.

Mrs. Langille collected and cherished photos and keepsakes from four generations of offspring, foster children and their descendants, including a pillow from her son, Lawrence, embroidered, with the word "Mother". Mrs. Langille died on June 6, 2007, at the age of 106. She was predeceased by her husband.

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)