>> Don Kissinger
One hundred and three years ago, approximately one in four Victoria High School students and staff joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force which fought in the First World War.
Honour rolls prominently adorn the front entrance of the school and one honours 497 of those who died in the “War To End All Wars.” A row of seats in the Lawrie J. Wallace Auditorium pays homage to eight who lost their lives in that battle.
Vic High will honour those who fought approximately 8,200 kilometres away in the Battle of Vimy Ridge and celebrate the youth of the school during the 150th anniversary of Canada.
This event will be held on Wednesday, April 12, with an admission-free program in the school’s auditorium, at 2:00 and repeated at 7:00 p.m. featuring WWI music and a presentation by noted author Barry Gough.
Gough, one of Canada’s foremost military historians and writers, is a former student, teacher and chair of the Victoria High School Alumni Association.
His book, From Classroom to Battlefield: Victoria High School and the First World War, chronicles a few of the lives of those from Vic High who paid the supreme sacrifice in defence of democracy.
The event is funded by the Victoria Foundation’s Community Foundation of Canada.
For further information, contact Don Kissinger of the Victoria High School Alumni Association at donkissinger@shaw.ca or 250-514-8916.
