Left to right: Pieter Valkenburg, Lois Brown, Scott Masters, and Bear. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)
July 28, 2024. Over the past 10 years, Pieter has researched the stories behind the names on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion in Prince Edward Island. As well, he’s researched the stories of other Island soldiers and veterans, and Canadian soldiers buried in The Netherlands and Belgium…and continues to do so. “…It’s important to tell each individual story…” he says.
But, with 80 years since the end of WWII and over 100 years since the end of WWI it can be difficult to find families and photos of these soldiers. Success quite often depends on help from other researchers, libraries, archivists, and genealogists who have taken an interest in the On The War Memorial Trail research project.
….A request to meet WWII veterans from the Island….
We also get requests from other researchers looking for help. Recently, we were contacted by Scott Masters, Director of the Crestwood Oral History Project at Crestwood Preparatory College in Toronto, Ontario. (See https://crestwood.on.ca/ohp.) Scott explained that he would be on the Island, and, as a history teacher, he was looking to interview veterans.
“…I do these interviews with and for my students, and we find it is something that creates a great legacy for the vets and their families….” Masters wrote. “…I am hoping that you might be able to connect me to a veteran. I always think it would be great for the kids to hear from another veteran – and the students would see these once I am back at school. I am especially interested in WWII vets – while the chance is still there. Our program has won both the Governor-General’s and Prime Minister’s awards….”
The Crestwood Oral History Project is compatible with the work done by Pieter in the On The War Memorial Trail research project. Scott noted that the aim of his school’s project is to “…help to illuminate the past and expose students to points of view and specific memories that they would not necessarily find in textbooks….”
After consulting with Royal Canadian Legion members Duane MacEwen and John Yeo, two WWII veterans were suggested for Scott to interview: Lois Brown of Kensington and Jean MacLean of Meadowbank. Both women agreed to be interviewed.
….We met WWII veteran Lois Brown…
Lois Brown in uniform. (Photo courtesy of Lois Brown)
We had a chance to meet Scott Masters at the home of Lois Maud (nee Wall) BROWN and her Pomeranian-pug Bear. Born August 26, 1924 in Princetown, Prince Edward Island, the daughter of Everett and Ella (Morrison) Wall, Lois is approaching her 100th birthday. “…I enlisted with the Canadian Women’s Army Corps in 1943 and worked as a telephone operator for 1 ½ years in the Gunnery Operations Room at Barrack Green in St. John, New Brunswick…” she told us. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Women%27s_Army_Corps)
Lois received the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation in 2012 and is still on the Executive of Branch 9 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Kensington, Prince Edward Island.
We enjoyed meeting Scott Masters and Lois Brown and thank them for helping to ensure that our Canadian military history is not forgotten. You can watch Scott’s interview with Lois Brown at https://crestwood.on.ca/ohp/brown-lois/.
Do you have photos or information to share? Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.
© Daria Valkenburg
….Want to follow our research?….
If you are reading this posting, but aren’t following our research, you are welcome to do so. Our blog address: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/
4 countries, 6 weeks, 7,000 km – an unforgettable war memorial journey in Europe…. Daria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is available in print and e-book formats. Net proceeds of book sales help support research costs and the cost of maintaining this blog. For more information see https://nosoldierforgotten.com/
You are also invited to subscribe to our YouTube Channel: On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter Valkenburg: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ591TyjSheOR-Cb_Gs_5Kw.
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On The War Memorial Trail Research Project........ with Pieter and Daria Valkenburg 
Hi from sunny Sunday Halifax
I know Scott Masters. He is fantastic. Scott and two students interviewed me during Covid.
They did a beautiful job. Scott introduced me to the Veterans Breakfast Club (USA)
They also interviewed me and also did a nice article for their VBC magazine.
I see Scott sometimes when we both are on the VBC.
Thank you both for all you do to keep military history alive. It is so important.
I wish we could meet sometime.
George Zwaagstra.
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Thank you for your kind words, George. It is indeed a great project that Scott Masters is involved in, and it’s wonderful that he and two students interviewed you. We will let you know next time we are in Halifax and perhaps we will have a chance to finally meet after all these years. All the best….Daria and Pieter
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