Submitted by Gerry Tilmans,
1st VP, Public Relations Officer
April 9th marks the Battle of Vimy Ridge. In 1914, the ridge had been taken by German forces as they pushed forward into France. Over the years French and British forces had tried unsuccessfully to take this heavily fortified important ridge, resulting in over 150,000 losses.
The Vimy Ridge battle began on Easter morning and was fought between April 9-12, 1917. Canadian Corps, for the first time ever, combined four Canadian divisions, attacking simultaneously in synchronized movement using the “creeping barrage” to carefully bombard slightly ahead of our advancing troops which suppressed enemy fire, allowing trench lines to be overrun. This was after months of meticulous planning, employing innovative tactics and intensive preparation as well as extensive reconnaissance. During this battle, we lost 3,500 Canadian troops and 7,000 were wounded. In four days of intensive battle, they were able to take the ridge.
Soldiers of the 16th Battalion “C” Company recruited from Tobermory, Lion’s Head and Wiarton, fighting alongside volunteers from Saugeen First Nation and Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation at Cape Croker. Battalions B and C were from Hepworth, Tara, Southampton and Port Elgin.
Vimy Ridge became a symbol of Canadian pride as our soldiers were viewed as elite forces capable of using effective counter-battery fire and coordinated infantry-artillery support. We will remember them.
Open to the public are our monthly movies:
• Friday April 17: West Side Story,
• Friday May 29: Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Pt 1,
• Friday June 26: A Complete Unknown.
We will provide tea, coffee and snacks. This event is provided in partnership with the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula’s Senior Active Living Centre (SALC) funding with support from the Government of Ontario. Doors open at 1:00pm, movie starts at 1:30pm.
Also open to the public (by RSVP): Let’s Talk Lunch and Learn events with guest speakers. The events are free to attend but please register with Sharron Colter at 519-793-3473 or at dshcolter@eastlink.ca This series is sponsored by a 2026 Community Grant from the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula, the Northern Bruce Peninsula Community Support Advisory Action Committee (NBP CSAAC), the Council on Aging Grey Bruce (COAGB) and Legion 202 Lion’s Head.
The dates are:
• Friday April 24 – 11:30-2:30 “Lets Talk about Age Friendly Communities” – Emily Kussman of Bruce County
• Wednesday April 29 – 11am-2pm “Let’s Talk About Options for Housing for Older Adults” with Angela Yensson, lawyer for the Owen Sound Community Legal Clinic.
• Friday May 22 – 11am-2pm “Let’s Talk About Health and Wellness” Topic/Speaker TBA.
• Tuesday June 23 – 10am-1pm “Let’s Talk About Senior Resources” Topic/Speaker TBA.
Just a reminder about our weekly Tai Chi classes are Fridays, now 9:30am to 10:30am. This is open to the public, so if you’re interested just come out a few minutes early, and bring a dry pair of shoes with you. The focus of the moves are to stretch, improve balance, and of course, have fun. This is not a “hot” workout so casual wear is fine.
Join us on Mondays and Thursdays (Except the first Thursday of the month) at 1:00 pm for a fun round of darts. Doors open at 12:30pm, play begins at 1:00pm. It costs $3 to play. Saturday May 9th we play “darts for meat” where you play for a chance to bring home a prize cut, entry is $4.00 plus $1 per game (maximum $10 depending on your skill/luck). Our address is 6 Hellyer Road.
~ Lest we forget ~
