January 14, 2016
Manitoba Government Enlists Community Help to Identify Local First World War Casualties for Commemoration
– – –Geographical Features to be Named After Fallen Soldiers: Minister Nevakshonoff
The Manitoba government is launching a new multi-year project to formally honour Manitobans who lost their lives during the First World War, Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Tom Nevakshonoff announced today.
“It is never too late to commemorate our fallen heroes,” said Minister Nevakshonoff. “Although we have a list of 1,092 confirmed Manitoba casualties of the First World War, we know there were many more.”
It is believed that as many as 7,000 men and women from Manitoba lost their lives while serving Canada in the First World War. However, there are few reliable records as soldiers were often transferred between regiments and some records were lost.
“With the help of the community, we hope to commemorate every Manitoba soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice during the First World War,” said Andrew Swan, special envoy for military affairs. “Manitoba will continue this proud tradition of honouring our fallen soldiers in a way that also celebrates the land they fought and died to protect.”
Manitoba currently has more than 4,200 lakes, islands, bays and other geographical features named after fallen soldiers who served from the Second World War to the present day. This project will extend this honour to include those who served in the First World War and began with the naming of Sidney Halliday Lake in Duck Mountain Provincial Park after Pte. Sidney Halliday.
To add the name of a soldier lost during the First World War, contact the Manitoba Geographical Names Program of Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship at 204-945-6680 or visit www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/lands_branch/geo_names/index.html.
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