British Columbia

Kimberley Memorial Walls were installed by Kootenay Monument Installations on May 16, 2018. The Memorial Walls commemorate some of the local individuals who have served.

The Kimberley Cenotaph is also located in the Kimberley Veteran Memorial Park.

Kimberley Veteran Memorial Park was unveiled on July 8, 2017, recognizing the service of all Veterans. A local Veterans group, Military Ames, had approached the City of Kimberley about a vacant downtown lot, presented their plans for a Memorial Park, and the City dedicated the land to them. Military Ames received several grants and assistance, including from Kimberley District Heritage Society, to construct the park.

Within the park is the Cenotaph, two Memorial Walls, a border of boulders that represent strength, and a direct descendant Vimy Oak. The park was laid out so that from an aerial view it depicts a Celtic Cross. At each four points of the cross there is embedded flagstone from the decommissioned cenotaph, representing a compass to guide the souls of the fallen home.

The Kimberley Cenotaph and Kimberley Veteran Memorial Park were unveiled on July 8, 2017. A Veterans group, Military Ames, realized the old cenotaph was in need of being replaced, as it was crumbling and had moss growing on it. They approached the City of Kimberley about a vacant lot downtown, presented their plans for a Memorial Park and cenotaph, and the City dedicated the land to them. Military Ames received several grants and assistance, including from Kimberley District Heritage Society, to construct the Park. The memorial commemorates Canada’s World Wars participation, peacekeeping efforts and Canada’s Vietnam War Veterans.

Memorial Walls are also located in the park.

Mount Gerry Andrews is named in honour of Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Smedley Andrews CM, MBE, OBC. The mountain was named by the Government of British Columbia on March 10, 2011.

Gerald Smedley Andrews was born in Winnipeg and initially worked as a teacher in British Columbia. He went on to obtain a Forestry degree before undertaking graduate studies in aerial photogrammetry at Oxford and Dresden, Germany. With the onset of the Second World War, he joined the military and was commissioned in the Royal Engineers before transferring to the RCE in July, 1940. Assigned to 1 Canadian Corps Field Survey Company, the ensuing years saw him progress in rank and responsibility. In June 1943, General McNaughton assigned him to create an Air Survey Section for the Canadian Army Overseas. One of his greatest accomplishments involved preparations for D-Day. There was a desperate need for detailed hydrography of approaches to the invasion beaches in France. Using a method of correlating velocity of beach waves with depth of water and determining the wave velocity from consecutive timed air photos, Gerald’s unit computed and compiled more than 100 beach profiles. He continued to serve until demobilized in March 1946. After the war, he returned to British Columbia where he laid the foundation for BC’s mapping service as Surveyor General and Director of Surveys and Mapping. He retired in 1968 but continued to be active in mapping and surveying. Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Smedley Andrews CM, MBE, OBC, passed away in Victoria in December 2005 at the age of 102.

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This mountain was named in 1918 in honour of Colonel W.A. "Billy" Bishop VC. Bishop was a Canadian fighter pilot who was awarded the Victoria Cross during the First World War. Bishop shot down a total of 72 enemy aircraft including three on the daring, solo, dawn attack on a German airfield for which he was awarded the VC. During the Second World War he served as an Air Marshall, playing an important role in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan by inspiring a new generation of pilots to serve their country in the air at its time of need.

This mountain was named in 1918 in honour of Capt. Francis A. C. Scrimger V.C. Scrimger was born in Montreal, Quebec. He received his MD from McGill University in 1905. Capt Scrimger was the medical officer with the 14th Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 1st Canadain Division. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions at the second battle of Ypres while serving with the Canadian Army Medical Corps. The VC Citation states the following: “On the afternoon of 25th April, 1915 in the neighbourhood of Ypres, when in charge of an advanced dressing station in farm buildings which were being heavily shelled by the enemy, he directed under heavy fire the removal of wounded, and he himself carried a severely wounded Officer out of a stable in search of a place of greater safety. When he was unable alone to carry this Officer further, he remained with him under fire until help could be obtained. During the very heavy fighting between 22 and 25 April, Capt. Scrimger displayed continuously day and night the greatest devotion to duty among the wounded at the front.”

This mountain was named in 1966 in honour of Herbert John Poland from Golden, BC. Private Poland was declared missing in action on 9 August 1944.

This mountain was named in 1964 in honour of Spr. Joseph S. Gydosic from Fernie, BC. Gydosic was killed on 4 June 1945 during the Second World War.

This mountain was named in 1964 in honour of AB Albert Lloyd Keays. Keays was killed in action with the Royal Canadian Navy on 31 July 1942.