Skip to content

In Our Opinion: A shameful day in Rupert

While the rest of the nation remembered our fallen at Vimy Ridge, Prince Rupert did nothing

As our front page of the Northern Connector on Friday, showing proud students from Prince Rupert at Vimy, our online video on Sunday and our story this week on Page A10 describes, Prince Rupert has very poignant connections to the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

Seven to be exact.

Their names were Lance-Corporal Charles “Scotty” Dennis, 28; Private Francis Frank Gray, 33; Lance-Sergeant Charles Helas, 34; Private Percy Godfrey Le Neveu, 21; Lt. Albert Lineham, 33; Lt. Robert Alexander Stalker, 38; and Lance-Corporal Albert Williamson, 40.

All of these Prince Rupert men died in that battle.

While the rest of the nation remembered our fallen, Prince Rupert did nothing.

One wonders had those seven last names been Brain, Thorkelson, Kinney, Mirau, Cunningham, Niesh or Randhawa, would it have made a difference.

But it’s not all on the City or the Legion for the lack of a service.

We all need to do better.

Lest we forget cannot just be words.