The sacrifice given by Canadian men and women for the voice of freedom has been grievous.
From the Boer War to Operation Apollo in Afghanistan, we have lost many, both in battle and in peacekeeping efforts. For those who were blessed in returning safely home, the horrific memories, for some, still remain. For those still serving, we owe our gratitude. And for the less fortunate, we endear them the honour of not being forgotten. We owe them that much.
Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, constructed in 1928, has created some memories of her own. At the onset of WWII, it was the portal through which our troops would meet their destiny, some quite young, venturing into the unknown. For many, it would be their last time on Canadian soil, leaving loved ones behind to worry about their fate.
Pier 21 becomes domain of the Canadian Department of National Defense
On September 10, 1939, Pier 21, once used as a passenger terminal for trans-Atlantic ocean liners, was inundated with troop ships, becoming the domain of the Department of National Defence. The Pier was large enough to accommodate thousands of soldiers at a time. It was also close enough to existing military facilities and the Halifax train station to transport military personnel.
The Pier’s well protected harbour facilitated easy assembly of convoys for the allies. From here, 500,000 soldiers and airmen departed for Europe in 1940. Of those numbers, 50,000 did not return and for those that did, many were on hospital ships.
CORB introduced
While areas of Britain were being heavily bombarded, Canadian officials introduced the Children’s Overseas Reception Board (CORB), a British sponsored organization. It allowed close to 3,000 British evacuee children to arrive at Pier 21 in 1940. These children were sent to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Although successful initially, it was relinquished after 17 children were lost with the sinking of the City of Benares, a British steam passenger ship, by a German U-boat in September 1940.
War brides
With the influx of so many Canadian service men and women arriving in Britain, continental Europe marriages were inevitable. An estimated 48,000 young women met and married Canadian servicemen, arriving in this country shortly after the war. For most, it was their first time in this country, entering a new realm and a new world.
WWII saw our greatest fatalities, with Canada experiencing 45,00 deaths and 55,000 wounded. In 2001, we rose to the occasion again as an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan mandated by the United Nations. Here too, we suffered significant losses.
Tomb of the unknown soldier
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, located at the National War Museum in Ottawa, stands as a reminder to all Canadians of our commitment to the cause of peace and freedom and of our losses attributed to wars. It stands as a revered monument to our service personnel who have no known grave and who were laid to rest where they fell.
Pier 21: Teach and remind the younger generation
The younger generation may find it difficult to comprehend something they have never witnessed. For this reason, we owe them education and enlightenment about the vital roles our war vets have played in our war efforts.
They may also send a thank you message to our serving troops through the Canadian Forces Message Board. Every little gesture of appreciation and gratitude will certainly not go unnoticed.
Pier 21 served its purpose well in the war effort. Since 1999, the Pier can be seen as a memorial epitomizing our unrelenting devotion to serve this country in time of need. To those that served, we thank you and may your legacy live on.