Colombie-Britannique

Vimy Dr

[plaque at Tamihi Way]

The Woods

Known simply as "The Woods" by residents, this natural stand of native conifers has colonized the site since the early 1900s. "The Woods" consists largely of Douglas Fir, the most commercially important species in the west coast logging industry. This stand offers an opportunity to see all of British Columbia's native confierous species in one place, including Douglas Fir, Western Hemlock, Western Red Cedar, as well as the rare Grand Fir and Sitka Spruce. The Bigleaf Maple and Paper Birch trees also found in this second-growth stand are now yielding to these longer-lived and more dominant conifers. The Woods have long been a favoured play area for children of military families who were posted to Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Chilliwack, and were retained in Garrison Crossing as an important community green space. This maturing forest reflects the natural history and habitat in the surrounding mountains and the Fraser Valley.

CANADA LANDS COMPANY
SOCIÉTÉ IMMOBILIÈRE DU CANADA

[plaque at 5806 Garrison Boulevard]

GARRISON CROSSING

Restoration of "The Woods"

This magical woodlot known as "The Woods" in military times
was a popular and imaginative gathering place where the
children of the Mitchell Gardens community came to play. It
was a remnant forest stand on the edge of the base property
when the first PMQs were constructed in the mid 1940s. As
surrounding property was acquired by the federal government
to meet the demands of a growing installation, the woodlot
became centrally located within the community. Extensive use
over the years had destroyed much of the undergrowth. It was
sensitively restored to its local native ecology with the planting
of over 7,000 trees, shrubs and ground-cover in 2007 during
the redevelopment of the former military base lands. A network
of walking paths and benches was also added as part of the
Garrison Crossing legacy to enjoy this special place for years
to come. Today, this 2.3 acre (.93 ha) suburban forest now
commonly called the "Tree Park", is owned and managed by
the City. Please stay on the paths.

Restauration du boisé  « The Woods »

Connu sous le nom de « The Woods » à l'époque de la base
militaire, ce magnifique site boisé était un des endroits favoris
des enfants du quarier Mitchell Gardens, qui venaient y jouer.
C'était un reste de al forêt qui entourait la base quand les
premiers logements militaires ont été construits, au milieu des
années 1940. Quand le gouvernement fédéral acheta la
propriété voisine pour répondre aux besoins grandissants de
l'installation, le boisé se retrouva au cœr de la communauté.
Au fil des ans, le sous-bois a souffert de l'utilisation intense
du secteur. On a voulu restaurer le sous-bois en se souciant
de l'écologie locale et, durant le réaménagement des terrains
de l'ancienne base en 2007, on y a donc planté plus de 7 000
arbres, arbustes et plantes couvre-sol. Un réseau de sentiers
et des bans ont été aussi installés, pour rendre hommage au
passé de Garrison Crossing et pour faire de cet endroit un lieu
agréable à l'avenir. Aujourd'hui, ce boisé aubain de 2.3 acres
(.93 ha) est connu sous le nom de « Tree Park », et appartient
à la Ville. Veuillez rester sur les sentiers.

CANADA LANDS COMPANY
SOCIÉTÉ IMMOBILIÈRE DU CANADA

Cheam Centre Historic Precinct

You are standing at the area south of Tamihi Rooad and east of the Boulevard that grew into the centre for community activity and support for military personnel and their families. A former hangar building once located near this corner became the social centre for the community and housed local gatherings and club meetings. Next to it, a teen hall known as 'The Shack' held dances, and meetings. Recreational, retail and commercial buildings continued to be added into the early 1970s in support of the growing Mitchell Gardens Community. The enclave consisted of the Cheam Centre recreational complex, as well as a library that also played host to clubs and housed the Base Band. An old drill hall housed a day care, French immersion school, roller-skating and thrift shop. A CANEX (Canadian Exchange) general store building also housed a barbership, dry cleaner and coffee shop. There were two chapels in this area, along with a hospital and dental clinic. Most of the buildings were demolished after the base closure but this rejuvenated precinct lives on as the "heart" of the community.

CANADA LANDS COMPANY
SOCIÉTÉ IMMOBLIÉRE DU CANADA

[left side/côté gauche]

Daily Life in Mitchell Gardens

Mitchell Gardens was a community that shared the rhythms of military life. Every morning at 6:30 the community would wake up to the scratchy, but distinctive, sound of 'Reveille' from a loudspeaker at the main gate. The cars would seem to start up at the same time with 'good mornings' called from neighbour to neighbour. It would be quet again until the older children went to school and the younger ones came out to play. After supper, families would congregate on the front steps of their homes to talk about the day or 'the boss'. However it was always quiet by 9:00 p.m. as the military day started early. Just as the music ushered in the day, so too did it signal its end, when the sounds of 'Retreat' could be heard at sunset. This was life in Mitchell Gardens - Reveille, O Canada, God Save the Queen and Last Post were played every day up to the closing of the vase in the Spring of 1998.

Le quotidien à Mitchell Gardens

À Mitchell Gardens, la vie du quartier suivait les horaires militaires. Tous les matins, à 6h30, le quartier s'éveillait au son du « réveil », cet air de clairon si distinctif diffusé par un haut parleur grinchant depuis l'entrée principale. Les voitures semblaient toutes se mettre en route  la même heure, pendant que les voisins se saluaient. Ensuite, le calme revenait jusqu'à ce que les écoliers prennent le chemin de l'école et que les tout-petits sortent jouer dans le jardin. Après le souper, les familles se réunissaient sur les galeries pour jaser, parler de leur journée our du « patron ». Mais le calme revenait dès 2th parce que la journée musicales, elle se terminait aussi en musique, alors que les sons de la « retraite » se faisaient entendre au crépuscule. À Mitchell Gardens, la vie suivait ce rythme - le réveil, O Canada, Dieu protège la reine et le dernier clairon ont été joués tous les jours jusqu'à la fermeture de la base, au printemps 1998.

CANADA LANDS COMPANY
SOCIÉTÉ IMMOBILIÈRE DU CANADA

[right side/côté droite]

The "400 Club"

On the base, there were several clubs that helped create a sense of belonging for the residents living on the base. The Mitchell Gardens Community Council was one organization that played a significant role in the organization of events and activities that fostered community spirit. One program sponsored by the group, called the "400 Club", reflected the blossoming of the community in the early 1970s. For $2 per month, each of the 400 members would be entered into a draw to receive monthly club prizes of cash and merchandise. Proceeds from this lottery were used to purchase playground equipment and to fund the construction of baseball diamonds and playfields. The community council supported many community groups including a minor baseball association and sponsored events such as 'green thumb' contests, and the 'Festival of Lights' at Christmas. It was through these groups that residents could feel an instant sense of belonging even though as military personnel, they were transferred frequently to other bases.

Le « Club des 400 »

De nombreux clubs ont été formvs sur la base, afin de créer un sentiment d'appartenance pour les résidents. Le conseil communautaire de Mitchell Gardens était un organisme qui a joué un rôle important dans l'organisation d'événements et d'activités pour stimuler l'esprit communautaire. Un des programmes parraineés par le groupe s'initulait le  et reflétait le sentiment communautaire du début des années 1970. Moyennant 2 $ par mois, chacun des 400 membres pouvait participer à un tirage mensuel et courir la chance de gagner des [rest of the inscription is unclear in photo/le reste de l’inscription n’est pas clair sur la photo]

CANADA LANDS COMPANY
SOCIÉTÉ IMMOBILIÈRE DU CANADA

[left side/côté gauche]

Lieutenant Colonel
C.N. Mitchell, VC, MC

The only Canadian Military Engineer (Sapper) to be awarded the Victoria
Cross for valour, Lieutenant Colonel Coulson Normal Mitchell, VC, MC,
served as Commandant of Camp Chilliwack from April 1944 to September
1946. Lieutenant Colonel Mitchell helped transition the base into peacetime
after World War Two and initiated the first Permanent Married Quarters
(PMQs), marking the beginning of a permanent military and civilian
settlement. Soldiers waiting for discharge after the war operated a sawmill
to create lumber to build the housing and it was believed that, through
panning for gold along a nearby river, raised money that was used to pay
for other constructing materials such as glazing, hardware and plumbing
fixtures. During this period, several local roads and bridges along with
other improvements on the base were constructed as part of training
exercises. Lieutenant Colonel Mitchell was also instrumental in the
construction of the commemorative "All Sappers Memorial Park" and its
cenotaph, in 1946. On October 12, 1973, the PMQ residential area was
named Mitchell Gardens in his honour.

Lieutenant-Colonel
C.N. Mitchell, VC, MC

Seul sapeur canadien ayant mérité la Croix de Victoria pour bravoure, le
Lieutenant-Colonel Coulson Norman Mitchell, VC, MC, occupa le poste
de commandant du Camp Chilliwack d'avril 1944 à septembre 1946.
Après la Dieuxième Guerre mondiale, le Lieutenant-Colonel Mitchell a
dirigé la transformation du camp en base militaire en temps de paix et
a instauré les premiers logements militaires, le début d'un secteur
permanent pour les militaires et les civils. Après la guerre, les soldats
qui attendaient la fin de leur service ont exploité une scierie pour fabriquer
le bois de construction des habitations et l'on croIt que c'est aussi gràce
au lavage d'or à la batée dans une rivière voisine, ont recueilli des fonds
pour d'autres matériaux de construction comme les fenêtres, la plomberie
et la quincaillerie. À l'époque, plusieurs routes et ponts locaux, de même
que des améliorations de la base, one été réalisés dans le cadre d'exercices
de formation des sapeurs. Le Lieutenant-Colonel Mitchell s'est aussi
impliqué au projet de construction du parc commémoratif «De tous les
Sapeurs»- le cénotaphe - en 1946. Le 12 octobre 1973, le secteur de
logements militaires a été nommé Mitchell Gardens en son honneur.

[right side/côté droite]

VC Presented by King George V
at Buckingham Palace on 3 April 1919

"For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on the night of 8-9
October 1918, at the Canal de 'Escaut, north-east of Cambrai. He led a
small party ahead of the first wave of infantry in order to examine the
various bridges on the line of approach and if possible, to prevent their
demolition. On reaching the canal he found the bridge already blown up.
Under a heavy barrage he crossed to the next bridge, where he cut a
number of 'lead' wires. Then, in total darkness and unaware of the position
or strength of the enemy at the bridgehead, he dashed across the main
bridge over the canal. This bridge was found to be heavily charged for
demolition, and whilst Captain Mitchell, assisted by his NCO, was cutting
the wires, the enemy attempted to rush the bridge, in order to blow the
charges, whereupon he at once dashed to the assistance of the sentry
who had been wounded, killed three of the enemy, captured 12 and
maintained the bridgehead until reinforced. Then, under heavy fire, he
continued his task of cutting wires and removing charges, which he knew
might well at any moment have been fired by the enemy. It was entirely
due to his valour and decisive action that this important bridge across
the canal was saved from destruction."

(London Gazette: 31 January 1919)

VC présentée par le Roi George V
au Palais de Buckingham, le 3 avril 1919

« Pour bravoure et sens du devoir insignes durant la nuit du 8 au 9 octobre
1918, au Canal de l'Escaut, au nord-est de Cambrai. Il a emmené quelques
ingénieurs en mission de reconnaissance, avant l'infanterie, pour examiner
les ponts que cell-ce devait franchir et tenter d'empEcher leur démoltion.
En arrivant au canal, ils ont constaté qu'on pont avait déjà été détruit à
l'explosif. Après avoir franchi, sous des tires nourris, le pont effondré, ils
sont arrivés au pont suivant, oU il a coupé les fils reliés aux charges
d'explosifs. Puis, dans l'obscurité, ils ont poussé jusqu'au pont principal
sur le canal, qu'ils ont traversé en courant, sans savoir combien
d'Allemands se trouvaient de l'autre côté. D'importantes charges
d'explosifs avaient été posées sur ce pont et, tandis que le Capitaine
Mitchell, avec l'aide de son sous officier, coupait les fils, l'ennemi avait
les charges. Le Capitaine Mitchell a couru rejoindre son guetteur, qui
fait 12 autres prisonniers et a défendu la tête de pont jusqu'a l'arrivée
des renforts. Ensuite, il est retourné sous le pont pour continuer de couper
les fils et d'enlever les charges de destruction jusqu'à ce que le pont soit
sûr, tout en sachant que l'ennemi pouvait le faire sauter à volonté. C'est
donc grâce à sa bravoure et son action décisive que cet important pont
sur le canal n'a pas été détruit. »

(London Gazette: 31 janvier 1919)

GARRISON CROSSING

Mitchell Gardens
Home Away From Home

Post WWII was a period of establishment at the former CFB
Chilliwack. Many returning soldiers settled into their new PMQ's
(Permanent Married Quarters) in the Mitchell Gardens, which were
organized in clusters and allocated according to rank. This
fledgling community grew from the experience and rhythms of
military life, shared by the families of military members of all
ranks. While PMWs were small with basic amenities, they were
also orderly and safe, and the community embraced them with
pride and respect. A neighbourhood spirit grew as military
wives and children joined clubs and community assocations,
participated in clothing drives, Sunday school and block parties
The residents of Mitchell Gardens reached out to their
neighbours for friendship and support as they devoted their
lives to Canada's armed forces. This residential area was named
Mitchell Gardens to honor Lt. Col. C.N. Mitchell, VC MC, recipient
of the Military and Victoria Crosses in WWI, and the camp
commander from 1944-1946, during the transition to peacetime
after WWII.

Mitchell gardens
un second chez soi

La BFC Chilliwack fut établie durant la période qui suivit la
Deuxième Guerre mondiale. De nombreux soldats s'installèrent
dans les logements familiaux de Mitchell Gardens, qui étaient
regroupés et attribués selon 1e rang. Cette nouvelle
communauté s'installa en fonction de l'expérience et du rythme
de la vie militaire, que partageaient les familles des militaires
de tous rangs. Petits et peu équipés, les logements familiaux
étaient néanmoins un lieu ordonné et sécuritaire, et la ville les
accuillit avec fierté et respect. À mesure de la participation
des épouses et des enfants des militaires aux clubs et
assocations locals, aux cueillettes de vêtements usagés, aux
cours religieux du dimanche et aux fêtes de rues, le sentiment
d'appartenance grandit. En plus de dévouer leur vie aux Forces
armées canadiennes, les résidents de Mitchell Gardens se firent
des amis parmi leurs voisins, tout en leur offrant leur soutien.
Le quartier résidentiel fut nommé Mitchell Gardens en l'honneur
du Lieutenant-Colonel C.N. Mitchell, VC MC, récipiendaire de
la Croix militaire et de la Croix de Victoria durant le Première
Guerre mondiale et commandant du camp de 1944 à 1946,
durant la transition à l'après-guerre.

CANADA LANDS COMPANY
SOCIETÉ IMMOBILIÈRE DU CANADA

[left side/côté gauche]

The Cheam Centre

The Cheam Centre was at the heart of the military community at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Chilliwack from its opening in 1971 until the base was closed at the end of 1997. Originally funded by proceeds from the military Canadian Exchange (CANEX) program, it was built for the use of the military, RCMP, Department of National Defence, civilian personnel and their family members. Public access was limited to invited guests only when accompanied by a member. The Spartan Swim Club also trained there until the Chilliwack Landing Leisure Centre was opened in August 2002.

The original structure housing the indoor swimming pool was built from two wartime airplane hangars that had been dismantled and relocated from the Ladner Airfield designer Eric Hames of 3 Field Squadron and the Base Construction Engineering section, along with the help of many volunteers and some outside contractors. The Cheam Centre featured a six-lane, 25-metre swimming pool with two springboards at the deep end. A two-storey section contained a spectator's mezzanine and other community rooms. Many going-away parties, wedding receiptions and celebrations took place in the Thurston and Cheam banquest rooms, games room, bar and loungeon the second floor of the original facility.

An attached curling rink was constructed and opened in 1971 for use by members. From 1974 to 1996, several teams representing "Sappers" participated in an annual curling event known as the Beaverspiel. The beaver was the CFB Chilliwack icon that also appeared on the hat badge of Sappers. Military engineers from CFB Chilliwack, firefighters, construction engineers and the Combat Engineer Regiment hosted teams from across Canada and Germany.

A double gymnasium facility built in 1986 included workout rooms and squash courts. After the base closed, the Cheam Centre facilities were taken over and funded by the City of Chilliwack, and programs were opened up to the greater community and continued to operate under the YMCA for 12 years.

The City of Chilliwack replaced the original pool with a new aquatic centre that was opened in May 2010 as the Cheam Leisure Centre. With the new pool in operation, the 40-year-old pool and curling rink structures were demolished to make way for a new public park that was opened in the summer of 2011. With playgrounds, picnic areas, a children's spray park and modern indoor recreation facility, the Cheam Leisure Centre continues to be the heart of Garrison Crossing and a focal point of social gathering for swimming, play, exercise and relaxation for residents and visitors alike.

CANADA LANDS COMPANY
SOCIÉTÉ IMMOBILIÈRE DU CANADA

[centre/centre]

[top left caption/légende en haut à gauche]

Trusses from an old airplane hangar in Ladner that was dismantled and reused for the Cheam Centre superstructure. (Photo courtesy of CFB Chilliwack Historical Society, 1969)

Les fermes de l'ancien hangar d'avion de Ladner, qui furent démontées et réutilisées pour la première structure du Centre Cheam. (Photo gracieuseté de la société historique de la BFC Chilliwack, 1969)

[top right caption/légende en haut à droite]

Pipe Sergeant Rob Campbell - Announcing the Canadian Military Engineer curlers at the Annual Beaverspiel. (Photo courtesy of CFB Chilliwack Historical Society, circa 1975)

Le Sergent cornemuseur Rob Campbell - annoçant les curleurs du génie militaire canadien, au Beaverspiel annuel (Photo gracieuseté de la société historique de la BFC Chilliwack, vers 1975)

[middle left caption/légende centrale gauche]

Original indoor pool building at the Cheam Centre, with solar hot water heating panels at grade along the south face of the building. (Photo courtesy of the CFB Chilliwack Historical Society, 1995)

Première piscine intérieur du Centre Cheam, avec panneaux de chauffage solaire de l'eau, au sol, sur le côté sud de la structure. (Photo gracieuseté de la société historique de la BFC Chilliwack, 1995)

[middle right caption/légende du milieu à droite]

New aquatic facility under construction. Photo is taken from the roof of the original indoor swimming pool structure that continued operations until the completion of the Cheam Leisure Centre. (Photo courtesy of the City of Chilliwack, August, 2009)

Nouvelle Piscine en construction. La photo a été prise du toit de l'ancienne piscine, qui a continué d'être en opération jusqu'à l'achèvement du Cheam Leisure Centre. (Photo gracieuseté de la Ville de Chilliwack, aoUt 2009)

[bottom left caption/légende en bas à gauche]

Proud members of the Fraser Valley Spartan's Swim Team who were based out of the Cheam Centre and who qualified to compete in the 1991 Summer National Championships.
(left to right) Coach Sam Montgomery, and swimmers Scot Bain, Robyn Chambers, Daryl Sahnnon, Alanise Ferguson, Jennifer Heagy, Cindy Unruh, Ryan Laurin and Dan Eros. (Photo courtesy of the Chilliwack Progress News, July 31, 1991)

De fiers membres de l'êquipe de natation des Spartans de la vallée du Fraser, basés au Centre Cheam, qui se sont qualifiés pour le championnat d'été national de 1991.
(De gauche à droite) L'entraîneur Sam Montgomery et les nageurs Scot Bain, Robyn Chambers, Daryl Shannon, Alanise Ferguson, Jennifer Heagy, Cindy Unruh, Ryan Laurin et Dan Eron. (Photo gracieuseté du Chilliwack Progress News, 31 juillet 1991)

[bottom right caption/légende en bas à droite]

Ribbon cutting ceremony officially opening the new aquatic facility and Cheam Leisure Centre. Local children assisted by (Left to Right) Randy Regier, President of Preview Builders International Inc. Mayor Sharon Gaetz and Councillor Ken Huttema. (Photo courtesy of the City of Chilliwack, May 15, 2010)

Cérémonie d'inauguration officielle de la nouvelle piscine et du Cheam Leisure Centre. Des enfants du quartier aidés par (de gauche à droite) Randy Regier, président de Preview Builders International Inc. la mairesse Sharon Gaetz et le consiller Ken Huttema. (Photo gracieuseté de la Ville de Chilliwack, 15 mai 2010)

[right side/côté droite]

Le Centre Cheam

Dès son inauguration en 1971, le Centre Cheam a été le cœur de la communauté militaire de la base des Forces canadiennes (BFC) Chilliwack et ce, jusqu'A la fermeture de la base A la fin de 1997. Financé A l'origine par les recettes des économats des Forces canadiennes (CANEX), le centre a été construit A l'intention des militaires, de la GRC et du personnel de la Défense nationale, du personnel civil et de leurs familles. Le grand public avait seulement droit d'accès au centre sur invitation, et accompagné par un membre. Le club de natation Spartan s'est aussi entraîné ici jusqu'A l'inauguration du Chilliwack Landing Leisure Centre en août 2002.

A l'origine, la structure qui abritait la piscine avait été construite A l'aide de deux vieux hangars du terrain d'aviation Ladner, qui avaient été démontés puis transportés sous la direction du commandant de la base, le Colonel Joe Black. Le concepteur Eric Hames du 3e escadron de campagne et la section du génie de construction de la base ont travaille A sa construction, avex l'aude de nombreux bénévoles et de certains entrepreneurs externes. Le Centre Cheam comprenait une piscine de 25 mètres A six couloirs, avex deux trempins A la partie profonde. Une section de deaux étages contenait la galerie des spectateurs et des salles communautaires. De nombreuses fêtes, réceptions de mariage et célébrations se sont déroulées dans les salles de banquet Thurston et Cheam, dans les salles de jeux, le bar et le salon, A l'étage de l'ancien immeuble.

En 1971, une piste de curling a été construite et inaugurée pour les membres. De 1974 A 1996, plusieurs équipes représentant les «Sapeurs» ont participé A une compétition annuelle de curling, le Beaverspiel. Symbole de la BFC Chilliwack, le castor figurait sur l'écusson des casquettes de Sapeurs. Les ingénieurs militaires de la BFC Chilliwack, les pompiers, les ingénieurs de construction et le régiment du génie de combat ont été les hôtes d'équipes venue de partout au Canada et même d'Allemagne.

En 1986, un gymnase double a été construit, incluant des salles de musculation et des courts de squash. Après la fermeture de la base, la Ville de Chilliwack a géré et financé les installations du Centre Cheam, qui a ouvert ses programmes A toute la collectivité, et qui a continué d'exploiter le centre, sous la bannière de la YMCA, pendant 12 années.

La Ville de Chilliwack a remplacé la première piscine par un nouveau centre aquatique, le Cheam Leisure Centre, qui a ouvert ses portes en mai 2010. Une fois la nouvelle piscine en fonction, la structure qui abritait la vieille piscine et la piste de curling a été démolie pour faire place A un nouveau parc public, A l'été 2011. Doté de terrains de jeu, d'aires de pique-nique, d'un parc aquatique pour les petits et d'un centre de loisirs moderne, le Cheam Leisure Centre continue d'être le point névralgique de Garrison Crossing, l'endroit oû les gens - citadins ou touristes - se rencontrent pour aller nager, jouer, faire de l'exercice et se détendre.

CANADA LANDS COMPANY
SOCIÉTÉ IMMOBILIÈRE DU CANADA

Left Marker

On Friday June 1^st, 1945 at 9:06 am, eleven Royal Air Force members training at No.5 O.T.U Abbotsford, took off and flew into thick clouds aboard B-24 Liberator bomber KK241. Their mission; a navigation exercise to Penticton, Revelstoke and return. The last acknowledged radio transmission was at 9:40 AM.

During sixteen desperate days, over one million kilometers were flown searching for the missing men. Two hundred crew in 53 planes flew 372 sorties to find them. KK241 was finally located on June 16^th. It had struck Mt. Welch, less than 100 feet from the summit. The rescue group used jeeps and packhorses to get closer to the crash site. The steep terrain was so difficult it took three more days to reach the site on foot.

Right Marker

The treacherous terrain made it impossible to remove the remains of the crew. The men were buried in a mass grave between the summits of Mt. Welch and Mt. Still. The grave was marked with a simple wooden cross.  The crash was one of the worst military training accidents in Canada during WWII.

In 1983 Air Cadets from 861 Silverfox Squadron in Abbotsford, under Commanding Officer Chris Weicht, constructed a memorial cairn beside Airplane Creek incorporating one of the Liberator’s engines. In 2013 Air Cadets from 147 Airwolf Squadron in Chilliwack, under the command of Capt. Ted Bowman and supervised by Lt. (N) Ron Shore, found the1983 memorial face down and unrecoverable in Airplane Creek. Plans were made at that time to build a new memorial. On July 14, 2015, this engine was recovered from the crash site.

This monument was dedicated on September 26, 2015 with members of Gordon Hammond and David Langlands families present.  

Reverse  Side of Monument:

Left Rear Marker

"In two world wars one million Canadians came to Britain and joined the fight for freedom. From danger shared, our friendship prospers" 

This memorial also pays tribute to the 55,573 Bomber Command aircrew who perished, of those 10,659 were Canadian. They perished in training accidents, in the skies over Europe and in prisoner-of- war (POW) camps.

Under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) 1940-1945, Canada hosted and graduated 131,533 pilots, observers, flight engineers, and other aircrew. The crew of KK241 was one such crew. Over 100 aerodromes and landing fields were built under the plan. Abbotsford’s airport was one of them. Aircrews from Australia, New Zealand, Poland, Norway, Belgium, The Netherlands, Czechoslovakia and France trained in Canada. Most who flew were very young, the majority in their late teens.  

Right Rear Marker

During World War II Canada had a population of only 11 million people. Still, more than one million men and women joined the military to fight for peace and freedom. More than half of all men in BC and 40 % of all men in Canada aged 18-45 enlisted. 

During the War, the Women’s Auxiliary of Chilliwack planted one Blue Hydrangea at the Chilliwack Middle School for each local airman lost. By the end of the War, the living memorial had 49 Blue Hydrangeas planted. One was planted to honour the men of KK241.

113,663 members of the Canadian Forces were killed during the First and Second World Wars. Please take a moment to remember and be grateful to the men and women who have served, or are currently serving to protect our peace and freedom. 

French Version included as per translation provided by Veterans affairs

Caen AVE

This plaque honours Lieutenant-Colonel Coulson Norman Mitchell, VC, MC, Royal Canadian Engineers

On the night of 8/9 October 1918 during the Canadian attack north of Cambral, Captain C.N. Mitchell of the 4th Canadian Engineer Battalion led an engineer party that removed the explosives from the bridge across the Escaut Canal in the face of the enemy and under fire. For his brave actions, Captain C.N. Mitchell was awarded the Victoria Cross.

From 1914 - 1946, Lieutenant-Colonel C.N. Mitchell was both Camp Commander and Commandant of the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering and personally led the design and construction of this All Sappers' Cenotaph, that is dedicated to All Commonwealth Sappers.

Dedicated by the Canadian Forces Base Chilliwack Historical Society with support from the Retired Sappers (Chilliwack)

Cette plaque commémore le Lieutenant-colonel Coulson Norman Mitchell, VC, MC, du Corps royal du génie canadien.

Dans la nuit du 8 au 9 octobre 1918, au cours de l'attaque Canadienne au nord de Cambrai, le Capitaine C.N. Mitchell du 4e bataillon du gEnie du Canada était à la tête d'une équipe d'ingénieurs qui a désamorcé les explosifs sous le pont du canal d'éscault sous le feu de l'ennemi. Le Capitaine Mitchell s'est vu remettre la Croix de Victoria pour sa bravoure.

De 1944 à 1946, le Lieutenant-colonel C.N. Mitchell était à la fois commandant de campement et commandant de l'École royal Canadienne du génie militaire, il a aussi assure la conception et la construction du cénotaphe des sapeurs, dédie à tous les sapeurs du Commonwealth.

Présentée par la Société d'histoire de la Base des Forces canadiennes Chilliwack avec le soutien des sapeurs à la retraite (Chilliwack)