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Sign in to My VAC AccountIN THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM AND PEACE
MANY YEARS AGO EDWARD HANSON,
LESLIE MCCREA AND ARTHUR KREUT
LIVED IN IOCO
THEY WERE LIFELONG FRIENDS, WHO
EXPLORED THE SURROUNDING FORESTS
AND MOUNTAINS, SWAM IN THE INLET
DURING THE SUMMER AND SKATED ON
THE ICE DURING WINTER.
WHEN WORLD WAR II BEGAN, THEY LEFT
THEIR HOMES AND FAMILIES TO JOIN
THE ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE
SADLY, THEY WOULD NEVER
RETURN HOME.
THIS PLAQUE IS DEDICATED TO
THE EVERLASTING SPIRIT OF THESE
THREE BRAVE MEN AND ALL THOSE
FROM IOCO THAT SERVED DURING
WAR AND PEACETIME.
The Ioco War Memorial was dedicated by the City of Port Moody to all those from Ioco who served in war and peacetime, particularly Edward Hanson, Leslie McCrea, and Arthur Kreut, who were killed during the Second World War.
Guy Black, a local historian, asked the City of Port Moody to include this memorial as part of Port Moody's Historical Stone Marker and Storyboard Program, and he also wrote the inscription.
[plaque]
PRIVATE JOHN CHIPMAN "CHIP"
KERR VC
1887-1963
John Chipman Kerr was born in Fox River, Nova Scotia.
Prior to WWI, Chip moved out west and worked as a
lumberjack in BC, and homesteaded in Alberta. In
September 1915, Chip enlisted and served in the Canadian
49th Battalion. On September 16, 1916, Chip's battalion
fought near Courcelette, France during the Battle of the
Somme, where he was instrumental in overpowering an
enemy stronghold and capturing 62 prisoners. He was a
recipient of the Victoria Cross; the highest and most
prestigious award for gallantry that could be awarded to
British and Commonwealth forces. In 1947, Chip moved to
Port Moody where he lived and passed away int his home
on February 19, 1963. Parkland at 2900 Hope Street was
dedicated to Chip Kerr by the City of Port Moody in 2006.
The John Chipman Kerr Memorial was unveiled by the City of Port Moody in front of Private John Chipman Kerr VC's house "Sleepy Castle" on February 25, 2018. After having served during both the First and Second World Wars, Kerr moved to Port Moody in 1947 and would live in this house on Clarke Street until his death in 1963.
The Chip Kerr Park and Chip Kerr VC Memorial Auditorium were also dedicated to him.
[Arch/Arche]
VETERANS PARK
[Plaque/Plaque]
VETERANS PARK
DEDICTED BY
THE CITY OF PORT COQUITLAM
IN RECOGNITION OF
THE YEAR OF THE VETERAN
AND IN REMEMBRANCE OF
ALL VETERANS
FOR THEIR VALOUR, HONOUR AND SACRIFICE
NOVEMBER 8, 2005
This park was renamed Veterans Park in 2005, in honour of the Year of the Veteran.
City of Port Coquitlam - Veterans Park Dedication:
In honour of the Year of the Veteran, the park in front of City Hall was renamed Veterans Park in November 2005. "It's no coincidence that this permanent tribute to our veterans will be in such a high-profile location - right in front of City Hall,:|" Port Coquitlam Mayor Scott Young said. "We wanted Veterans Park to be front and centre in our community, to serve as constant reminder of our veterans', honour, valour and sacrifice." Mayor Young met with members of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 133 in the summer of 2005 to determine a fitting way for Port Coquitlam to celebrate the Year of the Veteran, which marked the 60th anniversary of the Second World War. The resulting proposal to dedicate Veterans Park was unanimously supported by City Council. "All the veterans I've spoken to are excited about it. They think it's outstanding," Branch 133 President RJ Kent said. "The Royal Canadian Legion and our veterans, in conjunction with City Hall, are ecstatic about the dedication of the park. On behalf of the veterans, I'd like to thank the Mayor, the Councillors and City Hall for making this effort and this gesture in the Year of the Veteran." Veterans Park is already home to Port Coquitlam's cenotaph and as such, plays host to part of the City's annual Remembrance Day ceremonies. It's beautiful landscaping and Shaughnessy Street location also makes it a popular respite for people shopping or doing business in the downtown area. "It pleases me greatly to know that with the dedication of Veterans Park today, generations to come will have a place in our downtown to sit quietly and reflect on what our veterans did for this country and for all of us," Mayor Young said. A dedication plaque has been installed in Veterans Park to commemorate the dedication and the Year of the Veteran. As well, the park's new name will be added to the brick-and-concrete archways at its three entrances.
The Chip Kerr VC Memorial Auditorium was dedicated by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 119. On January 1, 2015, the hall was closed for new development.
The John Chipman Kerr Memorial and the Chip Kerr Park were also dedicated to him.
Port Moody, BC is named for Colonel Richard Clement Moody, Royal Engineers, who was appointed Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works and Lieutenant Governor of the new colony of British Columbia in 1858. Moody’s role was both to provide military support for the new colony and to carry out the major building projects that were necessary to keep up with a sudden growth in population and commerce – largely the result of the 1858 Gold Rush. Amongst the accomplishments of his sapper detachment contingent were the survey and construction of the Cariboo Wagon Road, exploring and planning the settlement of new towns in the BC mainland, and setting aside a military land reserve for what was to become Stanley Park. Port Moody was established at the end of a trail that connected New Westminster with Burrard Inlet to defend New Westminster from potential attack from the US. The town grew rapidly after 1859, following land grants to Moody’s Royal Engineers who settled there after the sapper detachment was disbanded in 1863. (Refer to memorial number 59029-002)
[park sign/enseigne du parc]
CHIP KERR PARK
[storyboard/scénarimage]
January 11, 1887 – February 19, 1963
1887 - Born in Fox River, Nova Scotia
1915 - From his homestead in Alberta, enlists in WWI and serves in the Canadian Expeditionary Force’s 49th Battalion
1916 - On September 16, he was chief bayonet man with the 49th Infantry Battalion near Courcelette, France, during the Battle of the Somme. Realizing the Canadians’ supply of bombs was low, Kerr valiantly got out of his trench and ran towards the enemy while exposed to heavy fire. He opened fire at point-blank range, inflicting heavy losses. This led the enemy to surrender as the Germans believed they were surrounded. Despite having part of his index finger blown off due to a bomb, Kerr managed to lead his group in capturing 62 prisoners and 250 yards of enemy trench.1
1917 - Receives the Victoria Cross on February 5 from King George V at Buckingham Palace for his courageous acts during the Battle of the Somme
1939 - Re-enlists in the Canadian Army at the start of WWII, transfers to the Royal Canadian Air Force, and is posted to Sea Island, British Columbia
1947 - Moves to Port Moody in 1947 and lives in this house on Clarke Street, built around 1908
1963 - Lives in Port Moody until his death in 1963. Mount Kerr in Jasper National Park, Alberta, is named after Kerr, as is Chip Kerr Park in Port Moody
The Victoria Cross Range is situated northwest of Jasper, Alberta. It is comprised of 19 peaks, of which five are named after Victoria Cross recipients. Mount Kerr and is 2560m high. Small stainless steel plaques have been mounted near the summit of the five mountains by the three branches of the military services.
Notes
1 Al Sholund, “The Year of the Veteran…A Tale of Two Soldiers”, City of Port Moody and Arthur Bishop, “Valour on the Somme: Part 5 of 18”, Legion Magazine, September 1, 2004
2 Personnel Records Centre, Department of Veterans Affairs
In 2006, the Chip Kerr Park was dedicated to John Chipman Kerr, a Victoria Cross winner. He enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force's 49th Battalion in 1915, and was instrumental in the Battle of the Somme. During the Second World War, he re-enlisted and was posted to Sea Island, British Columbia as part of the Royal Canadian Air Force. He moved to Port Moody in 1947 and remained there until his death in 1963.
The John Chipman Kerr Memorial and Chip Kerr VC Memorial Auditorium were also dedicated to him.
[front/devant]
TO THOSE WHO WALK BY
REMEMBER
WE GAVE OUR YESTERDAYS
FOR YOUR TOMORROWS
LEST WE FORGET
This memorial was erected by Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 133.
[plaque/plaque]
DAVISON PARK
In memory of two brothers
who gave their lives in World War II
George Davison - Douglas Davison
City of Port Coquitlam
This municipal park, dedicated by the city of Port Coquitlam, is dedicated to George and Douglas Davison, two local brothers killed while in military service during the Second World War.
Needs further research
[side/côté]
1914-1918
GEORGE BATES
J.E. ST. PIERRE
JAMES REDPATH
WALTER WIGMORE
THOMAS MCQUEEN
WALTER L. RAYNES
BENJAMIN SEABORN
ALEXANDER MASSON
"THEIR NAME LIVETH FOREVERMORE"
[side/côté]
DAVID BAIRD
J. MCDONALD
JOHN BRUCE
GEORGE REID
D. MCDONNELL
JAMES TAYLOR
HARRY OATWAY
THOMAS A. SMITH
WILLIAM J. HUNTER
"THEIR NAME LIVETH FOREVERMORE"
[side/côté]
1939-1945
S.W.F. BAKER
H. BARNUM
E.R. BERKEY
D. DAVISON
G. DAVISON
J. EARLAND
W. KRIVAC
R. LONSDALE
H. MCTAVISH
F. MEEHAN
J.G. MILLERSHIP
A.H. SPINKS
C. TRAN
F. TREICHEL
H.J. VANDERRVEEN
J. ZAPPIA
"THEIR NAME LIVETH FOREVERMORE"
KOREA
1950-1953
This memorial is dedicated to the veterans and local war dead of the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War.
