The Citizen, 2009-02-26, Page 28PAGE 28. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2009.
Jim Rutledge’s book chronicling
Huron County’s fallen soldiers from
the Second World War is nearly
complete.
Rutledge, of Goderich, plans to
launch the book, called The Men Of
Huron: A Book Of Honour And
Remembrance 1939-1946, at a kiosk
set up at the corner of North Street
and The Square on July 5.
In addition to all of the research
(he left on Monday for his third
research trip to the National
Archives in Ottawa) he received co-
operation from fellow researchers
overseas.
He has pictures of the cemeteries
where many of Huron County’s
soldiers are buried, which he plans
to include in the book.
Having interviewed over 1,000
people, Rutledge says he is very
proud of what he has accomplished
and that he had a lot of fun
compiling the information.
“I have always been interested in
this history. I was pretty surprised
when I found out there wasn’t a
book of this kind for Huron County.
Surprised and angry. This is a big
part of our history, remembrance.
These guys should be honoured and
remembered,” he said.
There are just over 200 of Huron
County’s soldiers who perished in
the Second World War and Rutledge
says there is approximately one page
dedicated to each of them, in
addition to information on their
regiments, the cemeteries and 10
stories from Huron County soldiers
who made it back safely.
Rutledge’s work on the book
began back in 2005 when he first
went to the Huron County Library
and found there wasn’t a book of this
kind available.
“With something like this, I’m
really disappointed that no one had
made the effort,” he said.
Rutledge’s father, Lorne, served in
the Canadian armed forces, and after
Rutledge began doing research, his
curiosity for the stories of these men
began to grow.
In 2005 there were two large
celebrations to commemorate the
60th anniversaries of VE Day and VJ
Day, which is where this project
began to take shape.
In Goderich there were over 800
veterans, several bands and military
vehicles to mark the occasion.
After partnering up with the
Bayfield Historical Society and
receiving a Trillium grant for
$15,000, the project was well on its
way.
In his first two trips to the archives
in Ottawa, Rutledge was surprised to
find the information that was
available there. On many of the
soldiers’ forms, there were lists of
hobbies, jobs before they enlisted
and educational information. With
these profiles and the interviews,
Rutledge says he feels he has crafted
a detailed portrait of every soldier
Huron County sent to the Second
World War who didn’t come back.
In addition to the launch plans, the
book has also gone on-line, with a
website developed by two high
school students from Goderich, at
www.menofhuron39-46.ca
Rutledge says he has already
received just under 20 pre-orders for
the book.
The first printing of the book will
yield 500 copies, then proceeds from
the sales of the first printing, will go
to finance the second printing.
Rutledge says he hopes the book
will be printed and in his hands by
the end of April. After the launch, he
will tour each municipality in Huron
County, visiting every Legion.
At the launch, in addition to
information on the book, there will
be military vehicles and flags, music
from the era and significant press
coverage, and hopefully, Rutledge
says, a significant amount of guests,
as the launch will take place on the
popular arts and crafts show
weekend in Goderich.
After the promotion for the book
has concluded, Rutledge then plans
to take one year off and start the
process all over again, beginning a
similar book, in the same style,
compiling Huron County’s fallen
soldiers from the First World War.
It will be difficult, however,
Rutledge says, due to the timeframe
and the fact that he estimates Huron
County sent at least double the
soldiers to that war.
He is, however, excited to take on
the project, looking forward to
digging back into Canada’s
historical records.
Launch date set for book honouring World War II vets
Slippery slope
While the snowsquall warning had been lifted, this transport truck found
itself jackknifed and in a ditch just north of Blyth on Hwy. 4 late Friday
afternoon. Visibility had improved but roads were icy. OPP officers and
Burkholder towing responded to the call. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
Looking for local heroes
There are so many people out there who do
so much to improve their community.
Now you have a chance to say thanks.
Nominate that special person for the 24th
Annual Citizen Citizenship Awards.
Each year a committee chooses an outstanding citizen from each of the Blyth and area
and Brussels and area communities to receive an award for contribution to the
community. If you know someone you think should be honoured, please fill in the ballot
and send it in. You may attach a longer explanation of why you think your nominee
should win, if you like. If you have nominated someone before and he or she didn't win,
please feel free to try again.
I nominate
as Citizen of the year for
I feel she/he deserves this award because
Nomination Deadline April 30, 2009.
Name and phone number of nominator
❑❑Blyth
& area ❑❑Brussels
& area
By Shawn Loughlin
The Citizen
Here we snow again
After a gradual, but persistent return to winter this past week, following a bit
of a break, Mother Nature hit the area with a series of snowsqualls on
Sunday that made driving more than a challenge and resulted in
cancellations and some road closures. A view down Brussels downtown
didn’t offer much but white. (Vicky Bremner photo)
ON $6.00 THURSDAYS
Drop into either of our offices any
Thursday with your word classified
(maximum 20 words) and pay only
$6.00 + GST (paid in advance).
That’s $1.00 off regular rates.
The Citizen