British Columbia

Mount Colonel Foster is named in honour of Major-General (then Lieutenant-Colonel) William W. Foster, CMG, DSO with two bars, MC, Croix de Guerre (France), Croix de Guerre (Belgium).

William Washborough (sometimes spelled Wasbrough) Foster was born in England in 1875 and moved to Canada in 1892, to work for the Canadian Pacific Railroad in Revelstoke, BC. The ensuing years saw him hold various civic positions in Revelstoke including Justice of the Peace and Police Magistrate. In 1910, he became Deputy Minister for Public Works for the Province of BC and was elected to the BC Legislature in 1913. Upon the outbreak of the First World War, Foster enlisted in the 2^nd Canadian Mounted Rifles and sailed for England in June 1915, arriving in France in September of the same year. This Regiment was part of the 3^rd Canadian Division and fought throughout France and Flanders, notably in the Battles of Mont Sorrel, Flers-Courcellete, Thiepval, Vimy Ridge and Scarpe. In August 1917, Foster was appointed Commanding Officer of the 52^nd Battalion CEF, a position he held until the unit was demobilized in 1918. Upon his return to Canada, he became president of an engineering firm as well as being president of various organizations including the Legion, and the Alpine Club of Canada. He returned to service during WW II as Chairman of the Canadian Officers’ Selection Board and later was promoted to the rank of Major-General in charge of the Northwestern area of Canada. After the war, he became head of the BC Hydro-Electric Power Commission and initiated many great engineering projects. He was also a notable mountaineer, having made the first ascent of Mount Robson in 1913 and Mount Logan in 1925. William Washborough Foster died in Vancouver on 02 December 1954 at the age of seventy-nine.

Peck Lake is named in honour of Lieutenant-Colonel Cyrus Wesley Peck, VC, DSO and bar.

Cyrus Wesley Peck was born in April 1871 in Hopewell Hill, NB. In 1887, he moved to New Westminster, BC with his family. At a young age, he attempted to join the British Army and volunteered for the Boer War however his eagerness for the military went unfulfilled. He eventually found himself in Northern Canada and later in Prince Rupert when WW I broke out. He enlisted as a captain in November 1914 and went overseas with the 30^th Battalion, CEF. In April 1915, he was promoted to major and transferred shortly afterwards to the 16^th Battalion, Canadian Scottish Regiment. In January 1916, he was appointed Commanding Officer of the 16^th Battalion. During his service overseas, LCol Peck was awarded the DSO and bar, was Mentioned in Dispatches five times and wounded twice. But he is best remembered for his actions of 2 September 1918 at Cagnicourt, France (Drocourt- Queant Line) where his leadership and courage under fire, led to the success of the brigade attack and the awarding of the Victoria Cross (see citation below). Having been elected Member of Parliament for Skeena in 1917, as a soldier candidate, Peck embarked on his federal political career upon the cessation of WW I. He was later elected to the BC legislature in 1924 and 1928. Following his political career, he was appointed to the Canadian Pension Commission. Cyrus Wesley Peck died in September 1956 and his ashes were scattered off the coast of Prince Rupert.

 “For most conspicuous bravery and skilful leading when in attack under intense fire.

His command quickly captured the first objective, but progress to the further objective was held up by enemy machine-gun fire on his right flank.

The situation being critical in the extreme, Colonel Peck pushed forward and made a personal reconnaissance under heavy machine-gun and sniping fire, across a stretch of ground which was heavily swept by fire.

Having reconnoitred the position he returned, reorganised his battalion, and, acting upon the knowledge personally gained, pushed them forward and arranged to protect his flanks. He then went out under the most intense artillery and machine-gun fire, intercepted the Tanks, gave them the necessary directions, pointing out where they were to make for, and thus pave the way for a Canadian Infantry battalion to push forward. To this battalion he subsequently gave requisite support.

His magnificent display of courage and fine qualities of leadership enabled the advance to be continued, although always under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire, and contributed largely to the success of the brigade attack.”

(London Gazette, no.31012, 15 November 1918)

Mount Scherle, is named for Private William P. Scherle who was killed in a helicopter accident on 7 July 1970 while on a surveying mission. The 2,743-metre peak overlooking the accident site was named Mount Scherle on 30 December 1970.

There are several Canadian geographical names that honour the ‘sapper.’

Lake Lye in the Chilcotin Training Area (near Williams Lake, BC) is named for Brigadier General William Kirby Lye. BGen Lye is an RMC graduate who went overseas during the Second World War with 16th Field Company and was later Second-in-Command of 1st Field Company. In England he was also Chief Instructor of the Engineer Reinforcement Unit. He was Mentioned in Despatches and appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his distinguished service in 1944 as Staff Officer Royal Engineers, Headquarters 2 Canadian Corps. BGen Lye’s post-war appointments include: Deputy Commander, Canadian Forces Base Units, Middle East (United Nations Emergency Force); Commander, Camp Chilliwack and Commandant, Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering; Commander Canadian Base Units (Europe); Commander, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island Area; Chief of Staff, Administration, at Headquarters Mobile Command; Senior Assistant Adjutant General and Director General Ordnance Systems and Director General Land Operations in Canadian Forces Headquarters. BGen Lye retired in 1973 after his assignment as Commandant Royal Military College, Kingston.

This obelisk honours Sapper J.E. Leblanc, a member of 1 Combat Engineer Regiment who drowned, along with the cook MCpl Desforge when his vehicle left the road and plunged into the Thompson River on 15 June 1978.

The Ashcroft Cenotaph was built by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 113 on their property with help from donations. On November 11, 1993, it was dedicated to all those who served in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War.

This memorial is dedicated to the twenty men from the communities of Bralorne, Gold Bridge, and other small communities in the Bridge River Valley of British Columbia who gave their lives in the Second World War. The plaque, which measures 16 inches high x 22 inches wide, is mounted on a stone and concrete cairn which is 28 inches high. It was erected by the Gold Bridge Community Club.

This memorial is dedicated to the men listed who died in the Second World War. It was erected by their fellow veterans who returned.

Constructed in 1920 (approx.) in memory of members of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces who enlisted from Clinton and District. The Clinton Memorial Hall was built by the residents of Clinton in the early 1920's as a memorial to World War I forces. All labour and material were donated. The hall is still used today and is maintained by the village of Clinton. The monument is inside the hall and is used each year at Remembrance Day ceremonies on November 11th.