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Wainwright Main Street Project


Memorial Clock Tower

 

 Dedication Services

PROGRAMME of the DEDICATION SERVICES of the MEMORIAL CLOCK TOWER erected by the Walter Musson Chapter, I.O.D.E.

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Wainwright, Alberta Sunday, September 13, 1925 at 2:30 p.m.

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Hymn—“O Canada”

Prayer—Rev. Andrew Love

Address—Mayor E. L. Cork

Reply—Mrs. Adelina Lasell, regent I.O.D.E.

UNVEILING Memorial Tablet—The Hon. Senator Major-Gen. W. A. Griesbach, D.S.O., C.B., C.M.G.

The DEDICATORY PRAYER will be offered by the Rev. A. Love.

One minute of silence will be observed.

Bugler Frank Stott will sound “Last Post”

Placing Floral Tributes—The School Children

Hymn—“O, God, our help in ages past”

Addresses will be given by—

Capt. G. L. Hudson, representing

the G. W. V. A., and

Major Harcus Strachan, V. C.

Benediction—Rev. Andrew Love

GOD SAVE THE KING!

 

 Backgrounder: Major Harcus Strachan, V.C.

Local war hero, Harcus Strachan, V.C. …

… from the Chauvin district, received a Military Cross and Victoria Cross for his bravery and achievement during World War I. Strachan was an honoured guest speaker at the dedication ceremony, at which time he was an officer of the 19th Alberta Dragoons. At the time of this writing, little else is known about Major Strachan.

 Town Clock

The Town Clock prior to refurbishing
The Town Clock • Summer 2000

In 1925, the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire (I.O.D.E.) dedicated the clock to men who fought in the Great War. This community’s losses were inscribed upon a plaque positioned within the stone structure.

Frank Bailey designed and built the stately cenotaph with stones gathered from the community by school children and other residents. The clockworks were imported from England and run by batteries until 1959 when paved streets allowed underground electricity to be installed. In 1929, Wainwright burned around the clock, but the memorial was not to be damaged. Mr. Bailey also constructed the original stone gate pillars that marked the entrance to Buffalo National Park.

In July 1947, a second ceremony and plaque commemorated soldiers lost in World War II. Represented at this ceremony were Camp Wainwright, Town, Legion, Sea Cadets, PPCLI Guard of Honor, Air force, Army, Navy, I.O.D.E. and honored Mothers.

Dressed in summer khaki shorts, rolled shirtsleeves, white belts, knee-highs, and smart berets, the PPCLI Guard of Honor marched from the train station to the cenotaph for inspection by General Worthington.

Each year a Remembrance Day ceremony is held and wreaths placed at the base of the clock in memory of those who fought for our freedom, “Lest We Forget.”

 

 Backgrounder: Marsha Scribner

Local freelance writer, Marsha Scribner…

…has resided in the Wainwright area since 1976. She is the author and designer of the 1990 book, Transitions, published under the direction of 1st Canadian Brigade Group in commemoration of Camp Wainwright’s fifty years of service.

Ms. Scribner continues to be active as a writer/researcher/historian for other community heritage projects, including the Wainwright Buffalo National Park Interpretive Centre Foundation. She has graciously permitted our reproduction on this site of her writings from Transitions.