Let's Not Forget

Thursday, July 02, 2009 11:00 AM

"The Canadian Red Ensign" 2,000,000 Served 111,000 Died

We are at the end of an era. The World War Two Veterans from Canada's Armed Forces, are becoming very few in number.The Canadian Red Ensign is the flag they volunteered and served under. It symbolized the Canada they were fighting for.A lot has changed since then.

Soon all we will have left is their memory. The one thing above all that will always represent them and their efforts, is our first national flag. The last flag of all those that died for us.

At Victory Square, the main war memorial in downtown Vancouver, Canada's old battle standards fly proudly from the face of the monument--every day, all year round. The Union Jack and the Canadian Red Ensign on the left, the Royal Canadian Navy White Ensign and the Royal Canadian Air Force Blue Ensign on the right, with the new Maple Leaf flag in the centre.Although these old service ensigns were disposed of by our government in Ottawa, they will always have a place of honour in our history. They should never be forgotten. Without them, all perspective is lost. They are important symbols of our heritage, representing our wartime sacrifices and the evolution of Canadian culture.

For years many Canadians requested that the Red Ensign be flown at Vimy Ridge with the Union Jack in memory of and out of respect for all those it was created, just as it was on the day it was opened.All the flags at Victory Square should be proudly flying at the newly created tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Ottawa and the war museum. Every day, all year round. Anything less is a misrepresentation of our past.

These requests are not too much to expect. It cannot hurt anyone to keep asking and it will only help if we keep them flying. Lest we forget,Bill BishopMaple Ridge, BC

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Posted on Thursday, July 02, 2009 11:00 AM in Views by Submitted Article

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Comments

Posted by: Eagleone on July 2 2009 2:32 PM

I'll second that request out of respect for those that made their sacrifices under those flags.

Posted by: gus on July 2 2009 4:20 PM

"The Canadian Red Ensign is the flag they volunteered and served under."

Are you sure of that.

It is my understanding that until 1945, the only "official" flag of Canada was the Union Jack.

Thew Red Ensign was flown for Canada at sea and at posts around the world.

In 1945 it was established as the "temporaty" Canadian Flag with the addition of the Coat of Arms until a replacement was found.

The Army apparently adopted the Navy's practice in January of 1944 with the Air Force following soon after.

If that is the correct version of history, then not too many actually volunteered under the Red Ensign. On top of that, it was just a temporary flag.

I understand the maple leaf was first discusses as a flag in 1919 (following another war we must not forget about in this discussion).

I would think that those who died would have been proud to know that as a result of their .

Posted by: gus on July 2 2009 4:21 PM

..... sacrifice their home and native land finally has an "offcial" flag of its own rather than one borrowed from the Brits.

Posted by: Bill Bishop on July 4 2009 2:56 AM

Bill Bishop said... Sir J.G. Bourinot wrote in "How Canada is Governed(1895)under "Executive Power" with regards to the Dominion Government and the National flag, Quote" The Dominion of Canada has also authority to display on all public occasions a national flag; viz., the Red or Blue Ensign...The Red Ensign is displayed at the opening and closing of parliament, and on national occasions. The Blue Ensign is a distinguishing flag of the government vessels of Canada; the mercantile marine of the Dominion has a right to use the Red Ensign."Sir John George Bourinot,(1837-1902)Canadian historian and political scientist. He is remembered as an authority on the Canadian constitution and government his "Local Government in Canada (1887), Manuel of the Constitutional History of Canada (1888,rev.ed.1901), How Canada Is Governed (1895, rev.ed. 1918)," and other books are still authoritative... It would be only fair to make sure that it becomes common knowledge that with the passage of time the true perspective on the creation of the current national flag of Canada, and the great emotion and sadness that accompanied the moment has in many ways been purposely hidden, lied about, overlooked and in many cases forgotten. In June 1964 the Toronto Telegram wrote "The people of Canada should be allowed to decide whether or not they wish to live under the flag of thier forebearers or discard it in favor of a new emblem...Mr. Pearson has an enviable reputation for sagacity and diplomacy. Let him ask the people by referendum whether they want to replace the banner that carries the symbols of our nationhood by one that is mounted on the colour of surrender and would be most suitable for an arboretum." The Vancouver Province wrote "Canadians who are outraged at the thought of abandoning a flag sanctified by lives and blood of thousands of our countrymen in two great wars - a flag of colour and character in every way superior to the glorified dish towel that Mr. Pearson..." we will remember