Plaque Honouring War Heros Placed at Crandall Cenotaph

Ceremony held during homecoming weekend

Crandall's old time pot luck supper was held on Saturday, July 14 with 103 signing the guest book.
Following much visiting and supper, Ed James of Elkhorn made an excellent presentation to remind us how a young Frank Thompson left the wheat fields of the prairies to enlist in the forces. A sobering but excellent presentation to remind us never to forget and to. appreciate the freedoms we have today.

Mailboxes auctioned
Following this, former Crandall resident Jack Lewis, now living at Crystal City, auctioned off several donated items and sets of former Crandall mailboxes that have been used until this year. A permanent display of the boxes is retained in the front lobby of the hall.
Sunday morning at 10:30 a special service took place at the cenotaph to unveil the new plaque naming Crandall's 10 war heroes who died in the two World Wars. There were four honour guards at the cenotaph as well as color party formed by the Royal Canadian Legion, The four honour guards were Shane Coveney, Lt. Colonel; Craig Hyndman, RCMP Cpl. Scott Lawrence (nephew of fallen soldier Ken Lawrence) and a military friend of the latter, Gunner Sedgewick.
Ted Andrew chaired the service. Reeve Bill dark of the Rural Municipality of Miniota provided introductory remarks. Zone Commander Walter Murray of Oak Lake fittingly addressed the audience. Miniota and Hamiota Legions were represented by members, and Vel Doupe represented the Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary and she also handed out the wreaths that were to be laid. Kaitlin Lawrence, great niece of Ken Lawrence named on the plaque, read "In Flanders Fields". Piper, Sergeant Ewen Booth of Carnduff, SK played background music, Ron Houck of Hamiota played "Reveille" and "Last Post" during the service. Ivan Lawrence of Crandall and Ruby Mathison of Hamiota assisted with the unveiling of the plaque. The names on the plaque were read by Gerald Shier and Lorna Eastcott were as follows;
World War I: D. Brown, V.F. Gow, E.C.G. Little, T.L. Phillips, P.N. Phillips, W. Smith, S. Tindall.
World War II: A.W. Colbeck, K.S. Lawrence, G. Padfield.
Wreaths were then laid with Reeve dark representing the R.M. of Miniota and Ms. Aline de Montigny laying a wreath representing the Crandall Community; John Stowe, President of the Miniota Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, Legion Zone Commander Walter Murray of Oak Lake and Merilee Minion (in place of her father Grant Hyndman unable to attend due to illness) on behalf of the Royal Canadian Legion and veterans; Ken and Rick Padfield and Christine Little representing families of our fallen soldiers; Shane Menzies, Tanner Booth and James Hunkin on behalf of our youth.

Histories read
Keyboard accompaniment for singing of the hymns and God Save the Queen was provided by Hazel Henderson, and later in the hall when the choir sang "Precious Memories". Following supper, Ruth Toews sang a song written by Ted Andrew as a tribute to our fallen soldiers. Brian Johnston read the letter written by Nichola Goddard to her parents - she was Canada's first fallen female soldier. He also outlined brief histories of the seven soldiers who died in World War I and were pictured and depicted on an informative display in the hall along with those of the three soldiers who died in World War II. Ivan Lawrence read a brief history of his brother Ken Lawrence, Ruby Mathison of her brother, Wayne Colbeck and Ken Padfield of his uncle, George Padfield - all three war heroes of World War II who didn't return.
The program concluded Sunday evening. One hundred and thirty-five guests had signed the book this day, some had not been back for the first time in over 50 years. Next year's event will be held on July 19 and 20.