Wat vet Williamson receives recognition
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- Published on Thursday, March 5, 2015
By Sheila Runions
Banner Staff
On Wednesday, Feb. 27, MP Larry Maguire hosted a recognition ceremony at Brandon Legion No. 3. He was acting on behalf of Veterans Affairs minister Erin O’Toole when he provided pins and certificates to Second World War veterans. Held to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Canada’s participation in the conflict, Ken Williamson of Rivers was one of the seven people honoured.
On Sept. 10, 2014, to mark the 75th anniversary of Canada’s engagement in the Second World War, Julian Fantino (minister of Veterans Affairs at that time) announced a national tribute for Canadians who served at least one day with Canadian or Allied forces at home or abroad. From 1939-45 (the war’s duration) more than one million Canadians served; at the time our nation’s population was approximately 11 million. Ten per cent of those service people were wounded (55,000) or killed (45,000). Less than eight per cent (approximately 80,000) Canadian Second World War veterans are alive today. The lapel pin and certificate were presented in honour of the extraordinary role they played in the Allied victory.
Design of the pin and illustration on the certificate are based on the original Victory Nickel which features a flaming torch and a large V, which stands for both victory and the coin’s denomination. The coin was originally in circulation from 1943 to 1945 and was re-issued in 2005, the 60th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. For the next five years the federal government will organize and support events and initiatives that pay homage to the many Canadians who served during the World Wars, and will recognize the enduring legacy of these historical events.
These recognition events express the government’s, and nation’s, “tremendous contributions of those who courageously defended our shared values of peace and freedom... we are remembering and honouring those who served in this conflict with pride and appreciation,” said Fantino.
Williamson was born near Harding and when he turned 18 (1941) he enlisted with The Royal Regiment of Canada. He served with that division in Canada and Europe until his discharge in 1946. He spent most of his married life in Brandon but retirement was spent in Rivers when in 1997, he and Bette (now deceased) made their cottage at Chimo Resort a permanent residence. After a season of winter occupancy, Ken became a full-time tenant at Rivers Kiwanis Courts in 2012.
