Blenheim Military Museum
27 George St. N0P 1A0 Blenheim, ON, Canada

Sharing this obituary with our community. At the museum we have Helen's items in our nursing showcase. This includes pips, cape, pictures, boots, etc. Helen, thank you for your service, RIP. Lest we forget. https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestar/obituary.aspx

We are sorry to announce the passing of Jim Rutherford. Jim was a very active member and volunteer of the Blenheim District Freedom Library and Military Museum. He was very passionate about our museum and spent a lot of time volunteering. He will be greatly missed. "They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them." Lest we forget. Thank you Jim for... your service and dedication to the Museum. RIP Jim Rutherford. https://lifetransitions.ca/james-rutherford/

If you look at the back right-hand side of a Canadian $10 bill, you will see an old veteran standing at attention near the Ottawa War Memorial. His name is Robe...rt Metcalfe and he died last month at the age of 90. That he managed to live to that age is rather remarkable, given what happened in the Second World War. Born in England , he was one of the 400,000 members of the British Expeditionary Force sent to the mainland where they found themselves facing the new German warfare technique - the Blitzkrieg. He was treating a wounded comrade when he was hit in the legs by shrapnel. En route to hospital, his ambulance came under fire from a German tank, which then miraculously ceased fire. Evacuated from Dunkirk on HMS Grenade, two of the sister ships with them were sunk. Recovered, he was sent to allied campaigns in North Africa and Italy . En route, his ship was chased by the German battleship Bismarck . In North Africa he served under General Montgomery against the Desert Fox, Rommel. Sent into the Italian campaign, he met his future wife, a lieutenant and physio-therapist in a Canadian hospital. They were married in the morning by the mayor of the Italian town, and again in the afternoon by a British padre. After the war, they settled in Chatham , Ontario , where he went into politics and became the warden (chairman) of the county, and on his retirement he and his wife moved to Ottawa . At the age of 80 he wrote a book about his experiences. One day out of the blue he received a call from a government official asking him to go downtown for a photo op. He wasn't told what the photo was for, or why they chose him. 'He had no idea he would be on the bill,' his daughter said. And now you know the story of the old veteran on the $10 bill.

Today the Chatham-Kent Museum remembers Corporal Byron Gilbert Budzin. Corporal Budzin is featured on a panel at the Wallaceburg Branch of the @Chatham-Kent Pu...blic Library . Stop by to see it. Corporal Byron Gilbert Budzin was born on May 26, 1890 to William and Amelia J. Budzin of Wallaceburg, Ontario. He worked as a labourer for the Dominion Sugar Company. Budzin enlisted on May 19, 1916 with the 186th Battalion CEF. On March 26, 1917, he was shipped overseas to train at Bramshott Camp before being sent to France on September 3, 1917. In France, he was transfered to the 1st Canadian Battalion. It was with the 1st Battalion that Budzin fought in the Battle of Passchendaele on November 6 and 7, 1917. After the two days of engagement, Budzin was reported Missing in Action. The Circumstances of Death Register officially gave notice of his death on May 24th, 1918, , with the following information: just after the Battalion had reached its objective, in an attack on Passchendaele, and were digging in, he was instantly killed by an enemy shell which hit him in the side of the neck and temple. Lest We Forget.

The Br. 185 Legion is conducting manned Poppy distribution today until 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at Sobey's and Food Basics. Legion member Rick Car...on was on duty today outside of Sobey's, conducting Poppy distribution. Poppies are also available at several businesses in Blenheim and Erieau. Please make a donation and wear your Poppy proudly from now until Remembrance Day to show your respect to all of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and to help the Royal Canadian Legion to continue to provide financial assistance to our veterans. See more

Your television or computer will be the place to honour the thousands of men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the freedom of Canadians. The ...COVID-19 pandemic has forced the cancellation of Remembrance Day events across Canada. The Royal Canadian Legion's national and provincial headquarters are asking Canadians to stay home and watch the televised broadcasts of local and national Remembrance Day ceremonies on Wednesday, Nov. 11. The few Remembrance Day ceremonies that are taking place will be very low key compared to most years as COVID-19 precautions and restrictions will be in place at services. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, where many local residents fought and died defending Canada and the United Kingdom in Europe. Here in town, the Cpl. Harry Miner Royal Canadian Br. 185 Legion announced last week that it would not be holding its annual ceremonies at the Cenotpah and in Erieau on Nov. 11. Br. 185 Legion had already cancelled its traditional parade and ceremony at St. Mary's Hall, the church service held on the Sunday before Remembrance Day and the parade in Erieau. Plans to hold small ceremonies at the Cenotaph and Veterans Garden in Erieau were both cancelled last week due to a limit of 25 people at outdoor gatherings on municipal property. The secondary plan to hold an indoor service at the Legion, with a maximum of 44 attendees, was also scrapped last week due to concern for the health of participants. Wreaths will be placed at the Cenotaph and the flag lowered at 11 a.m. next Wednesday. In person ceremonies and parades have also been cancelled across Chatham-Kent, including the observance at the John Bradley Centre and the Cenotaph in Chatham. YourTV will broadcast a taped ceremony on Nov. 11 starting at 10 a.m. on Channel 11 and on the YourTV Chatham Facebook page. The broadcast will be replayed throughout that day on the cable TV station. McKinlay Funeral Homes has partnered with Legion branches across Chatham-Kent to produce a Remembrance Day video to honour local veterans. The video is available beginning today online at www.remembrancedayck.com The 2020 National Remembrance Ceremony will be conducted live at the National War Memorial on Nov. 11 with many restrictions in place, including a limit of 100 people and no parades. The ceremony will be broadcast live on CBC and CTV as well as online on the Royal Canadian Legion's Facebook Page www.facebooklive/CanadianLegion Meanwhile, Poppy distribution is taking place at several businesses in Blenheim and Erieau. People can make donations at unmanned donation boxes and get a poppy. Legion members and volunteers will man Poppy distribution stations this Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Sobey's and Food Basics, weather permitting. See more

Today, the Chatham-Kent Museum Remembers Corporal Harry (Henry) Garnet Bedford Miner Corporal Miner is featured on a panel at the Chatham Branch of the Chatham-...Kent Public Library. Stop by to see it. Corporal Harry (Henry) Garnet Bedford Miner was born on June 24, 1891 near Cedar Springs in Raleigh Township. His parents were John and Sarah Orpha (Bedford) Miner. He is said to have attended public school at Selton in Howard Township and at Highgate in Orford Township. In December 1915, he enlisted in London, Ontario in the 142nd Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force. He was transferred to the 58th Infantry Battalion the following year, which fought as part of the 9th Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division. On August 9, 1918, the 9th Brigade participated in the Battle of Amiens at Rifle Wood and Demuin. This day would become known as the first day of the Hundred Day Offensive, which ultimately brought an end to the First World War. Wounded during the battle, Miner died on August 8, 1918 and was buried in the Crouy Military Cemetery, just outside the village of Crouy-Sainte-Pierre. It was his actions at Demuin that led him to be awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously. Lest We Forget.

All month long during November, the Chatham-Kent Museum will be highlighting the military contributions of men and women from Chatham-Kent. Each day we will fea...ture a different individual. Today the Chatham-Kent Museum remembers Nursing Sister Pauline Rose Nursing Sister Rose is featured on a panel at the Chatham Branch of the Chatham-Kent Public Library. Stop by to see it. Nursing Sister Pauline Rose was born on December 17, 1877 in Chatham, ON. She trained as a nurse in New York from 1904-1905. Prior to enlisting, she worked as Matron in Nanaimo General Hospital in British Columbia. Rose served at the No. 5 Canadian General Hospital in Salonika, Greece from May to December 1916. This hospital was one of three Canadian hospitals the No. 4 and No. 5 Canadian General Hospitals and the No. 1 Stationary Hospital that provided medical support to the British forces in Macedonia during the first two years of the war. At the beginning of 1917, Rose experienced a strain of duties as a result of her work at the hospital and returned to England for a month for medical care to recover. Following a request for Canadian medical staff to support Canadian troops on the Western Front, the three hospitals in Salonika were closed and Canadian staff were sent to assist. Rose worked at the No. 3 Canadian Stationary Hospital in Doullens, France from July 1917 to March 1919. On May 29, 1918, the No. 3 Canadian Stationary Hospital was bombed resulting in the death of three nursing sisters along with 29 patients and other staff. Remarkably, no other casualties were incurred at the site except those that were a direct result of the bombing. This was attributed to the care of the nursing sisters who quickly moved their patients to safety. Rose was awarded several medals recognizing her service during the First World War. Most notably, she received the Military Cross and the Royal Red Cross Class 2. For the bravery that she demonstrated during the bombardment of No. 3 Canadian Stationary Hospital, Rose was awarded the Military Cross in 1919 by King George V. The ceremony took place at Buckingham Palace. Lest We Forget.