Vimy
Another MVPA Honour
Last week the local MVPA was asked to display vehicles for the "1st Annual Edmonton Vimy Ridge Memorial Parade", April 15th 2012. """It was at Vimy, on April 9th, 1917, that all four Divisions of the Canadian Corps attacked simultaneously for the first (and last ) time"" Over 100,000 men took part in the battle.
""The Infantry attack was preceded by a powerful artillery bombardment which lasted almost three weeks, involving about a 1,000 guns, including huge, 15-inch howitzers.""
""By the afternoon three of the Canadian Divisions had captured most of Vimy Ridge. By the next day, Hill 145 was also in Canadian hands, leaving just a few isolated outposts. By April 12th these too had been taken and the Canadians' victory was complete"".
At the Vimy Memorial, carved on the walls are the names of 11,285 Canadians missing in France from the Great War. Over 7000 Canadians are buried in 30 War Cemeteries within a 16km radius of the Memorial. The number is high but understandable in when realizing the 200,000 Canadian, British, French and German dead who lie Buried on the Ridge from earlier attacks.
My Grandfathers Brother, Great Uncle Ralph
Memorial: Private Ralph Crickmay Ewing - Canada at War gave his life in October of 1916 in the Vimy area so the M135 was not going to miss this opportunity to show her respect.
Typically we have a large MVPA showing. With the weather displaying the same attitude it did on April 9th, 1917 at Vimy, the show was moved from outdoors to indoors and only 3 brave Steel Soldiers sat outside waiting for some attention......and boy did they get it. As it turns out the "Special Guest"....our Lieutenant Governor of Alberta.... likes military vehicles and was escorted outside for a private MV viewing prior to the release of the cadets. With one of the MVPA boys in tow (name withheld), the group went outside while the rest of us watched the troops.
After the 'indoor cadet parade' the MVPA honour included lunch with the Lieutenant Governor in the officers mess. As lunch was ending, with escort, the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta walked over and sat at our MVPA table to chat about the MV's. Although in the presence of a WWII 1942 Ford, His Honour, Col. (Ret'd) the Honourable Donald S. Ethell, OC OMM AOE MSC CD LLD............. talked mostly about the Deuce.
So in continued preservation of the M135, some pics.