The Canadian Scottish Remember

The Canadian Scottish Memorial at Pioneer Square, Victoria, B.C.

The Canadian Scottish Memorial at Pioneer Square, Victoria, B.C.

“Pioneer Square” the Regiment’s Place of Remembrance

As I wander up to Victoria’s Christ Church Cathedral I first walk by Pioneer Square where I stop to take a picture of the Canadian Scottish Memorial. The memorial that stands here is a replacement as an original marker, from the Great War, stood here for many years until removed and now displayed near to the regiment at its Bay Street Headquarters. I have seen many pictures of the regiment gathered here, familiar faces, faces of regimental legend. This is a place of tradition – a place where members of the regiment stand side by side as soldiers in arms, thinking upon their service and the service of others. Who has stood here? Urquhart, Peck, Metcalf and more. As I walk closer to the marker, the camera in arm, the marker in view, an image taken for today and for tomorrow just as remembrance should be. It is time to visit the regiment’s cathedral.

Staff Sergeant Doidge, in an original 16th Battalion uniform, stands before the Vimy Cross once at Pioneer Square.

Staff Sergeant Doidge, in an original 16th Battalion uniform, stands before the Vimy Cross once at Pioneer Square.

The original Regimental Memorial (the Vimy Cross) at Pioneer Square, Victoria, B.C. was consecrated October 12, 1938. The cross was first placed on the battlefield at Vimy by the 16th Battalion C.E.F. The 1938 dedication was the first time that the Canadian Scottish Regiment wore the Kitcheners’ Wood Oak leaf and acorn emblem for the first time. The replacement marker was dedicated in September 1951.

Regimental legends: Left: W.H. Metcalf VC, MM and Bar. Right: C.W. Peck VC, DSO and Bar. Center: BC Premier B. Johnson MBE.

Regimental legends: Left: W.H. Metcalf VC, MM and Bar. Right: C.W. Peck VC, DSO and Bar. Center: BC Premier B. Johnson MBE.

The memorial’s inscription: “IN MEMORY OF ALL RANKS OF THE REGIMENT WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM IN THE GREAT WORLD WARS”.


About The Author

pferguson
Paul has worked with the Paradigm Motion Picture Company since 2009 as producer, historian and research specialist. Paul first met Casey and Ian WIlliams of Paradigm in April 2007 at Ieper (Ypres), Belgium when ceremonies were being held for the re-dedication of the Vimy Memorial, France. Paul's sensitivity to film was developed at an early age seeing his first films at RCAF Zweibrucken, Germany and Sardinia. Paul returned to Canada in 1967 and was captivated by David Lean's "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Bridge on the River Kwai". Over time Paul became increasingly interested in storytelling, content development, character, direction, cinematography, narration and soundtracks. At the University of Victoria, Paul studied and compared Japanese and Australian film and became interested in Australian film maker Peter Weir and his film "Gallipoli" (1981). Paul was inspired when he learned Weir visited the beaches, ridges and ravines of the peninsula. "Gallipoli", the film, led Paul on many journeys to sites of conflict in England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Malta, Hawaii, Gallipoli, North Macedonia and Salonika. When Paul first watched documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, "The Civil War", Paul understood how his own experience and insight could be effective and perhaps influential in film-making. Combining his knowledge of Museums and Archives, exhibitions and idea strategies with his film interests was a natural progression. Paul thinks like a film-maker. His passion for history and storytelling brings to Paradigm an eye (and ear) to the keen and sensitive interests of; content development, the understanding of successful and relational use of collections, imagery and voice. Like Paul's favorite actor, Peter O'Toole, Paul believes in the adage “To deepen not broaden.” While on this path Paul always remembers his grandmother whose father did not return from the Great War and how his loss shaped her life and how her experience continues to guide him.

Comments

Leave a Reply