Remembrance Day Service

On The War Memorial Trail….Remembrance Week 2025 – Remembrance Day Services At Borden-Carleton Legion And In Kinkora

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November 17, 2025. A cool but dry day on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 here on Prince Edward Island was very welcome for those standing outside during Remembrance Day services at Borden-Carleton Legion in Borden-Carleton and in Kinkora.  It seemed as though more people were in attendance than in previous years.

 ….Remembrance Day Service At Borden-Carleton Legion….

Pieter was the guest speaker during the Remembrance Day service at Borden-Carleton Legion. (Photo credit: Matt MacFarlane)

Remembrance Day at the Borden-Carleton Legion began with an inter-faith service, with Reverend Barbara Cairns of the United Church in Bedeque, and Father Babu A. Jesuraj of St. Malachy’s Roman Catholic Church in Kinkora.  Father Jesuraj, who is from the Tamil Nadu province in India, explained that he had only been assigned to the parish in Kinkora for a month.  Trish Taylor spoke about the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII and invited dignitaries from the area to say a few words about remembrance. 

Pieter was the guest speaker, and gave the same presentation he’d given a few days earlier at the Remembrance Service in Crapaud Community Hall.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2025/11/12/on-the-war-memorial-trail-remembrance-week-2025-remembrance-service-at-crapaud-community-hall/)

Flag lowered by Arthur Ranahan during the playing of ‘The Last Post’ by the Cenotaph at the Legion in Borden-Carleton. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Wreath laid on behalf of the Government of Canada by the Cenotaph at the Legion in Borden-Carleton was placed by Pieter and carried by Danny Bernard. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Following the Remembrance Day Service, everyone was invited inside the Legion for a light lunch and a much needed cup of coffee or tea.  We also had a chance to look at the posters prepared by members of the local 4-H club, which were on display in the Legion hall.

Posters for Remembrance Day from the 4-H club were displayed in the Borden-Carleton Legion.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

….Remembrance Day Service by the Memorial in Kinkora….

The Remembrance Day service was over in Borden-Carleton by the end of the morning, but Legion members made their way to the memorial in Kinkora in the afternoon for a service there.

Wreath carried by Pieter Valkenburg and placed by Cenotaph in Kinkora by The Honourable Heath MacDonald, MP for Malpeque, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Wreath carried by Brian O’Connor and placed by Cenotaph in Kinkora by Matt MacFarlane, MLA for District 19, Borden-Kinkora Leader of the Green Party of PEI. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Following the service in Kinkora, Pieter (centre) posed for a photo with Matt MacFarlane (left) and Heath MacDonald (right).  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg

Following the Remembrance Day Service, everyone was invited inside the community hall for a bowl of chile or chicken corn chowder and a much needed cup of coffee or tea.

….Statement by Matt MacFarlane in the PEI Legislature….

Matt MacFarlane, MLA for District 19, Borden-Kinkora, Leader of the Green Party of Prince Edward Island, informed us that he’d given a brief statement about us in the legislature on November 4, 2025.  We had no idea he’d done this until he sent us the link! (https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Ame5ppZio/)

Thank you to the Legion members who participated in the various Remembrance Week events, and to the volunteers at the Borden-Carleton Legion and Kinkora Community Hall for preparing the snacks and hot drinks.

May we never forget all those who served, and continue to serve!  The work of remembrance of those who served continues.  More Remembrance Week stories to come.

If you have a story to tell, please let Pieter know. You can email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, or comment on the blog.

© 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…..Remembrance Week 2023 – We Remember

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November 12, 2023.  After a hectic week of activities, Remembrance Week is over for 2023.  However, in the Valkenburg household, remembrance of those who served continues all year round through Pieter’s research and the documentation of as much of his research as possible.

Here’s a whirlwind tour through some of the activities on Prince Edward Island in which we participated over this past week….

…Flags placed at graves of veterans….

On November 3, 2023, Pieter, along with fellow veteran Mario Henry, and Mario’s son Laurie, placed Canadian flags at the graves of veterans buried in 9 cemeteries, and at 4 cenotaphs, in the area covered by the Royal Canadian Legion’s Borden-Carleton Branch #10.  This has been done annually for over 20 years.

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Pieter Valkenburg (left) and Mario Henry at Bedeque Cemetery. (Photo credit: Laurie Henry)

 …Remembrance Week presentations at three schools….

Three Island schools were visited on November 6, 2023 – Somerset Elementary and Kinkora Regional High School in Kinkora, plus Amherst Cove Consolidated in Borden-Carleton.  Kinkora Regional High School even provided a delicious lunch! 

CIMG6592 Nov 6 2023 Somerset Elementary in Kinkora

Somerset Elementary School in Kinkora. Left to right:  Arthur Ranahan, Pieter Valkenburg, Kathy Henry, Sea Cadet Makia MacLean, Roger Leboeuf, Air Force Cadet Alessandria Recio, George Palmer, Sea Cadet Olivia Bulman, Mario Henry, Abigail Bulman, Trish Taylor, PEI (17th Recce) Canada Cadet Thomas Palmer, Dawn Gradwell.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

CIMG6603 Nov 6 2023 Somerset Elementary in Kinkora children with poppy posters

Children at Somerset Elementary in Kinkora presented poppy posters to the Legion members.  Pieter and Dawn Gradwell hold up two of the posters.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

CIMG6601 Nov 6 2023 Somerset Elementary in Kinkora children with poppy posters

Poppy poster presented by one young artist to Pieter.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

…Remembrance Day in Borden-Carleton….

November 11 was bitterly cold this year, with intermittent rain throughout the day, and light snow flurries in the afternoon.  Luckily it stayed dry during the two Remembrance Day ceremonies in which Pieter participated.

In the morning we were at the Remembrance Day ceremony in Borden-Carleton.

CIMG6623 Nov 11 2023 Borden Carleton Pieter Valkenburg & Danny Bernard with Canada wreath

Danny Bernard carried the Government of Canada wreath which Pieter placed at the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

CIMG6634 Nov 11 2023 Borden Carleton Cenotaph

Cenotaph at Borden-Carleton Legion with the official wreaths.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

…Remembrance Day in Kinkora….

It was so cold that we went home to warm up before going on to Kinkora for the Remembrance Day ceremony in the afternoon.

CIMG6636 Nov 11 2023 Kinkora Valkenburg Hall MacDonald Dean

A chance to warm up before the service in Kinkora began. Left to right:  Pieter, RCMP Cst Nicole Hall (ret), The Honourable Heath MacDonald, MP for Malpeque, Rev William Dean of the North Tryon Presbyterian Church.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

CIMG6641 Nov 11 2023 Kinkora Heath lays wreath that Pieter carried

The Honourable Heath MacDonald, MP for Malpeque, and Pieter after laying the wreath in Kinkora.  Flag bearers: Roger Leboeuf (left) and Arthur Ranahan (right).  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Following the ceremonies we were very happy to return to our warm house and reflect on how lucky we are to live in a country where we could return to a pleasant home, free of war and strife.  May we never forget the sacrifices made by so many, and may we never forget that so many people today live in a war zone and are experiencing death, uncertainty, and insecurity in not knowing what will happen next.  Lest we forget is never more appropriate.

Do you have a story to tell? Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or send a 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/

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEurope4 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. 

Never miss a posting!  Subscribe below to have each new story from the war memorial trail delivered to your inbox.

On The War Memorial Trail….. Remembrance Day On The Island

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November 13, 2022. Remembrance Week is always busy at our place. This year was a bit different as we gave a presentation featuring a few of the names listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion, at the Legion’s Remembrance Day indoor service – prior to the placing of wreaths and crosses at the Cenotaph.

RCL Nov 11 2022 Presentation They Arent Just Names On A Cenotaph

This was the title of our presentation.

…11 photos are still to be found for the names on the Cenotaph….

There are 48 names from WWI and WWII listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion.  Unfortunately, photos for 9 from WWI and 2 from WWII have not been found.  The story of each one has been told in previous postings on this blog.

Names still without faces from WWI

  • James CAIRNS, born in Kinkora
  • Leigh Hunt CAMERON, born in Albany
  • James Lymon CAMERON, born in Victoria
  • William Galen CAMPBELL, born in Wellington
  • Bazil CORMIER, born in Tignish
  • Joseph Arthur DESROCHES, born in Miscouche
  • Charles LOWTHER, born in North Carleton
  • Arthur Clinton ROBINSON, born in Tryon
  • Harry ROBINSON, born in Augustine Cove

Names still without faces from WWII

  • Leonard Stephen AVERY, born in Bedeque
  • Ernest Ramey GALLANT, born in Borden

 … We attend Remembrance Day ceremonies in Borden-Carleton and Kinkora…..

November 11, 2022 was a cool day for the Remembrance Day service at the Legion in Borden-Carleton, Prince Edward Island.

CIMG6027 Nov 11 2022 Borden Carleton Legion Ceremony Pieter and Danny Bernard

Pieter and Danny Bernard walk to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph in Borden-Carleton on behalf of the Government of Canada. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

CIMG6028 Nov 11 2022 Borden Carleton Legion Ceremony Pieter lays wreath

Pieter placed the wreath on behalf of the Government of Canada at the Cenotaph in Borden-Carleton. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

CIMG6035 Nov 11 2022 Cenotaph at Borden Carleton Legion

Flag bearers Arthur Ranahan (left) and George Palmer (right) are flanked by representatives from the Fire Brigade and RCMP at the Cenotaph in Borden-Carleton. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

In the afternoon, members of the Legion attended the Remembrance Day ceremony in Kinkora.

CIMG6039 Nov 11 2022 Kinkora Pieter and Heath MacDonald

Pieter Valkenburg with The Honourable Heath MacDonald, MP for Malpeque after laying a wreath on behalf of the Government of Canada in Kinkora.

…Remembrance Day didn’t end with the two ceremonies!…

After we returned home in the late afternoon, cold and tired, we learned that CTV News wanted to interview Pieter during a live broadcast.  So, after a short rest, Pieter was interviewed by Todd van der Heyden of CTV news.  You can watch Military researcher identifies 200 fallen soldiers | CTV News at https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2561931

Remembrance Day may be over for another year, but Pieter’s research work continues.  If you have photos and information to share about Canadian soldiers, please contact Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or send a tweet to @researchmemori1.

…Want to follow our research?….

If you are reading this posting, but aren’t following the blog, you are welcome to do so.  See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/ or email me at dariadv@yahoo.ca and ask for an invitation to the blog.

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEuropeDaria’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 on the book, please 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.

© Daria Valkenburg

Remembrance Day Service At Borden-Carleton Legion

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CIMG4893 Nov 11 2020 Cenotaph outside Borden Carleton Legion

Cenotaph outside Borden-Carleton Legion with the official wreaths.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

November 12, 2020. On November 11, a curtailed, but moving, Remembrance Day service was held outside the Borden-Carleton Legion, in front of the Cenotaph.  The weather was beautiful, unlike in past years!

CIMG4897 Nov 11 2020 Colour parade bearers Arthur & George

Colour parade bearers Arthur Ranahan (left) and George Palmer (right).  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

CIMG4899 Nov 11 2020 Lining up for the parade outside Borden-Carletown Legion

Legion members line up as the names of those being remembered were read out.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Wreaths had been placed ahead of time, respecting Covid-19 safety measures.  Legion veterans gave the salute for the official wreaths, with Hon. Jamie Fox, MLA for District 19 Borden-Carleton giving the act of respect for the wreath laid on behalf of the Province of Prince Edward Island.

CIMG4900 Nov 11 2020 Pieter takes salute for Govt of Canada wreath

Pieter Valkenburg took the salute for the Government of Canada wreath on behalf of the Hon. Wayne Easter, MP Malpeque.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

After the official wreaths were noted, names were read out ‘in memory of’ for the other wreaths and crosses, and as each name was read out, a Legion member raised the wreath or cross up from its position of lying on the ground.

CIMG4891 Nov 11 2020 Pieter takes salute for Govt of Canada wreath

Pieter Valkenburg wore a clear-window mask as a gesture of inclusiveness and respect for those who need to see a person’s face in order to communicate.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

The service was well-organized and put together with a small number of volunteers. 

Remembrance Day may be over for this year, but the work of remembrance of those who served continues.  If you have photos or information to share, please email Pieter at dariadv@yahoo.ca or comment on the blog. 

© Daria Valkenburg

 

Remembrance Day On The Island

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November 12, 2019. It was at a Remembrance Day service several years ago that Pieter realized that he was laying a wreath at the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion, and he had no idea who the names listed were.  This started him on the quest to put a face and story to each name and was the beginning of the Borden-Carleton Cenotaph Research Project. So it seems only fitting that a few photos from Remembrance Day 2019 are featured in this blog.

CIMG3636 Nov 11 2019 Borden Legion Pieter & Daria

Pieter and Daria following the inter-faith service at the Borden-Carleton Legion. (Photo credit: Brenda Graves)

The Borden-Carleton Legion does two services on November 11.  The first one is at the Legion at 11 am, with wreaths laid at the Cenotaph.  The other service is in Kinkora, with wreaths laid at the Cenotaph there.

CIMG3641 Nov 11 2019 Borden Legion Remembrance Service

Waiting for the wreath laying to begin by the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion. Two members of the Borden-Carleton Fire Department beside Legion member Arthur Ranahan (hidden behind the Canada flag) and Legion member Carl Payne. In the background are members of the Kinkora Regional High School Band. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

CIMG3642 Nov 11 2019 Borden Legion Remembrance Service Pieter & Kathy Henry

Kathy Henry carrying the wreath that Pieter laid on behalf of the Government Canada at the request of Malpeque MP Wayne Easter. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

CIMG3644 Nov 11 2019 Borden Legion Remembrance Service Pieter & Kathy Henry

A moment of reflection after the wreath was laid at the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

CIMG3647Nov 11 2019 Kinkora Remembrance Service George Palmer Pieter Kathy Henry

Waiting for the service to begin in Kinkora. Left to right: George Palmer, Pieter Valkenburg, Kathy Henry. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

CIMG3659 Nov 11 2019 Kinkora Remembrance Service

After laying the wreath for the Government of Canada at the Cenotaph in Kinkora, Pieter and Kathy Henry leave. Flag bearers are Carl Payne (Canada flag) and Arthur Ranahan. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

November 11 tends to be a day with inclement weather, but cold and rain never stops people from coming out to remember.  May we never forget!

If you have stories or photos to share about the names on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion, please contact Pieter at dariadv@yahoo.ca or comment on the blog.

© Daria Valkenburg