Not just a cannon, a cause to remember
- Details
- Published on Monday, September 17, 2018
Neepawa Legion rededicates historical monument
Photo by Cassandra Wehrhahn
Christine Waddell (centre), representing M.P. Robert Sopuck, posed with the cannon behind the newly revealed plaque with members of the military, the RCMP, and MLA Eileen Clarke (second from right).
By Cassandra Wehrhahn
Neepawa Banner & Press
This past Saturday, Sept. 8, the Neepawa Legion (#23) held a rededication ceremony for its long-standing 100 year old German cannon, officially making it a marked historical monument and memorial.
The cannon in question dates back to World War I, and is a 15-cm schwere Feldhaubitze 13 manufactured by Fried. Krupp, and was captured by the tenth and fourteenth Battalions at Cagnicourt, France on Sept. 2, 1918. The ceremony was lead by Legion member Robert Ferguson and was attended by several veterans, political representatives, and members of the community.
Originally standing at the courthouse grounds, and recorded arriving in a Neepawa Press article dated Aug. 31, 1920, the cannon was later moved to the local Legion. Over the years, the cannon had deteriorated, which lead to Legion #23 members resolving to restore the artifact in 2017, with committee chair Ernie Sydor taking the lead on the project.
“The deterioration of the cannon was to the point that we had to make a decision. We went out, myself and the committee, to the community and asked. We had a resounding answer that they wanted this preserved,” said Sydor in an interview with the Banner & Press. “So we got an estimated cost, we received contributions from the community, as well as had individuals that gave both their time and resources and did not charge us to have this re-done.”
Sydor highlighted the significance of the canon’s rededication, stating that it is “a memorial monument and a reminder to all of the sacrifices given by our veterans, by those who gave their ultimate”.
Photo by Cassandra Wehrhahn
A nicely sized crowd was gathered for the re-dedication ceremony on Saturday, for which the rain thankfully was kept at bay until the very end. All seats were filled, and more people yet stood to watch as old letters were read, stories told, and thanks given to our veterans.
“We do not wish to forget. We want to remember. They gave their ultimate so that we can live in harmony and peace not only in our country, but throughout the world,” Sydor relayed. “By the fact that we have established this and refurbished it, it allows other younger Canadians to understand, to remember.”
The cannon was able to avoid being repurposed, when the need for steel scrap arose during World War II like many other artifacts had, which Sydor believes is thanks not to luck, but to the will of the people in Neepawa who wished for it to be retained.
Evening events
Following the dedication ceremony, the Legion hosted a fellowship hour with music provided by Ken Rogers and Leanne Harding. The lower hall was packed with members and guests and it was noted that Harding had been playing piano at Legion events for 50 years.
The gathering was treated to one of the Legion Auxiliary’s famous roast beef suppers complete with the head table being piped in and a number of dignitaries from CFB Shilo in attendance. The supper event and formal part of the evening was emceed by Robert Ferguson.
A history of the WWI German Krupp cannon was reviewed in more detail than during the afternoon ceremonial dedication. Committee chair Ernie Sydor and member Steve Goudie noted at the supper that after WWI, captured equipment was distributed across the country in recognition of the service by community members. Among the captured equipment was 45 cannons, 27 mortars and 225 machine guns. The Neepawa cannon arrived to only minor fanfare with a parade from the train station and sat for many years at the Beautiful Plains County Court building and then later at the Legion.
Generations of kids have played on the cannon including current Legion president, Brent Hunter. “Us kids played on it. A few years ago it was noted it was in pretty rough shape. We (the Legion) had pretty much decided to give it away to Shilo and they wanted it to add to their collection but along came Ernie Sydor with a different idea.”
A reason to remember
Sydor said “This isn’t just a cannon, it’s reason to remember. People from this area made the ultimate sacrifice to save our freedom. One hundred and twenty-three graves at Riverside Cemetery are marked by white crosses.” All 123 came from the community of Neepawa, and area, and died serving Canada.
Sydor, along with Goudie and Harvey Ebner and others went to work and presented the restoration project idea. Money came in fairly quickly. Bert deKoning of Eden offered to sandblast the cannon and did so at no charge. Jack Kulbacki did the the painting on the same terms. Brian Reynolds of Rapid City was commissioned to rebuild the wooden spoke wheels. Sydor said, “The wheels are of an 1800’s design and Brian spent weeks learning wheelwright trade using naturally dried hickory wood and Amish techniques to build the wheels.”
Mary Murray was honoured for donating quilts to raffle. MLA Eileen Clarke brought greetings. MP Robert Sopuck was represented by Christine Waddell who brought greetings, a certificate of recognition, a new Canadian flag and flag pins for the Legion.
At the beginning of the evening Sydor noted the project’s theme, “We will restore, we will remember. At the end of the evening, he said, I think we can now change the wording a little bit, we did restore and we did remember. Hopefully the cannon will be a reminder to us of the sacrifice people made in WWI for another 100 years.”
Photo by Cassandra Wehrhahn
The restored schwere Feldhaubitze 13, Fried. Krupp, cannon at its resting place outside the Neepawa Legion. In an up close look at the cannon, one will be able to discover a few shining, original brass pieces left untouched by paint. Thanks to the combined efforts of all who worked to keep the canon in shape, it appears that it will be sticking around for quite some time.
