HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2016-09-28, Page 19From furrows to the front lines
CONTINUED FROM > PAGE 18
Catherine remembers her
father Frank Fingland always
wearing long sleeves to hide
the damage to his arm that
hospitalised him for two
years. Fingland wondered
why he had been spared
after losing his best friend in
battle. He used this time to
get a university degree,
passed his bar exams,
became a lawyer, and served
10 years as a provincial judge
before retiring.
Fingland considered his
beloved family his legacy.
Catherine remembers
accompanying her father to
annual dinners in Toronto,
where he proudly intro-
duced his daughter to his
some of his wartime buddies
who had formed "The
Beachnuts Club." A bottle of
whiskey was to go to the last
survivor, but Catherine does
not remember his name.
Audrey Bentley's father
Bill Sims came home in
1919, married in 1920, and
Audrey was born in 1923.
Her father never talked
about the war, his only sou-
venir a piece of shrapnel in
his shoulder. Sims devoted
his time to working hard to
support his wife and family.
There was no pension.
"When Audrey was in her
teens, Canada became
engaged in another war.
Audrey had 'hung out' with
a group of young people,
including Walter Bentley,
who was working as a bar-
ber in Exeter. Walter's father
Earl and his three brothers
all served in the 161st, so
the families knew each
other. Walter joined the
Royal Canadian Regiment
in 1940. Bill Sim's reaction
on seeing Walter in uniform
was a pat on the back and
"Good boy, Walter": Audrey
and Walter were married in
1946.
"Bonnie Sitter's hero is
her father Vic Hogarth. He
was a sniper, employing
expertise with firearms
developed as a Huron
County farm boy. Bonnie
discovered through a
researcher that her father
won a shooting competi-
tion, making him the best
shot in the Division and the
Battalion. She remembers
men coming to their home
to watch Vic put on a blind-
fold, take apart and reas-
semble a gun taken from a
German officer. The only
war story he ever related
was how he captured the
officer.
"Hogarth was severely
wounded in the legs and
back after stepping on a
landmine. In 1930 he
underwent a bone graft,
spending 30 months in a
body cast in Christie St.
Hospital. Shortly after
returning home, he bent
over to tie his shoes and the
graft broke. After another
operation, he spent another
30 months in a body cast
before resuming life on his
farm. He lived to be 90:'
Reynolds says Bonnie
credits her father with teach-
ing his children determina-
tion, compassion, generos-
ity, love and humility by his
example.
"These three men, exem-
plifying the brave soldiers
of the 161st, together with
the many others who left
Huron County to enlist in
other units, will be hon-
oured during these centen-
nial celebrations. A number
of historical re-enactments
and commemorative events
are being generously sup-
ported by the Government
of Canada, County of
Huron, Town of Goderich
and Huron Arts and Herit-
age Network.
During a dedication cere-
mony on Sept. 22, 550
If you go
A Victory Parade will march along the original route in
Goderich to the railway station at 2.00 p.m. on Oct. 8, fol-
lowed by a Descendants' Dinner duplicating the original
menu, at 6:30 p.m. at the Goderich Legion - seating capac-
ity 161. A church service at Trivitt on Oct. 30 replicating the
original program will focus on the Regimental Colours.
Displays and documentaries at the Huron County Museum,
including a film on nursing sisters, and speakers visit-
ing the high schools, are among the planned event.
To Commemorate. To Remember. To Give Thanks.
beautiful ceramic poppies
representing Huron's war
dead will be installed around
the cenotaph in Goderich,
followed by a reception for
the more than 100 volun-
teers who created the mem-
orable momentoes under
the mentorship of artist Ruth
Anne Merner.
The project was inspired by
a remembrance ceremony in
2014 in England in which
888,246 poppies representing
England's military war dead
filled the Tower of London
moat. The Huron poppies will
be distributed Nov.3 to each
of Huron's Royal Canadian
Legions to honour those
whose name are engraved on
individual cenotaphs.
Family & Friends are invited to a
Buck & Doe
SO, Cinam, 6
Ccs / ) 7iOJ
await
Seaforth Sr' District Community Centres
Saturday, October 8, 2016
8pm - lam
Tickets available at the door
Music provided by DJ
• Age of Majority • Lunch Provided
$10tor�3,Lh'
Star g Sept. 29' Thursday nig
FarmilLea, gue 7-10
Call P$e4,519-525-2 43
YOGA & MEDITATION
The Clinton Family Health Team is offering Yoga
and Meditation classes Tuesday mornings at
9:30 am beginning October 4th in the lower level
of the Clinton Medical Clinic.
Please join us for gentle stretching and meditation.
To register or for more information, please call
Julie Talbot MSW, RSW at 519-482-3000
Wednesday, September 28, 2016 • Huron Expositor 19
seaforthhuronexpositor.com
The Clinton Family Health Team
is offering an eight-week course on
Mindfulness Meditation.
This course will take place at the Clinton Medical
Clinic Wednesdays at 2:30 pm and begins
October 5th.
You will learn skills to help alleviate symptoms of
stress and distress!
To register or for more information contact
Julie Talbot MSW, RSW, at 519-482-3000
RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE • CELEBRATING ACHIEVEMENT
Central Huron Secondary School
www.amdsb.ca/CHSS Clinton, Ontario Canada
Please Join Us for our annual
Awards Assembly at 9 am
On Friday October 7
At Central Huron
Secondary school Commencement
Exercises at 7 pm
Friday October 7, 2016
At Central Huron Secondary School
This invitation is extended to all our graduates, their proud parents, relatives,
and cheering friends.
Graduates, Award Winners and Presenters -
please arrive at the school no later than 6:30 p.m.