This Remembrance Day we will gather to reflect on the human cost suffered during Canada’s military conflicts. We will gather at locations across Halton Region, including at George’s Square Veterans’ Wall, the Trafalgar Memorial, or Bronte’s Memorial Park cenotaph in Oakville. In those places of honour we will see the names of local men and women who fought and died in these conflicts.
The number of names can make it difficult to contemplate the very real lives that were lived by those listed, but each name represents a person who laughed, cried and was loved. And some who were tragically lost far too early. Perhaps by sharing their stories, we can strengthen and renew the humanity of the people behind the names. Two such stories are those of George Ramsay and Peter Barnicke, whose names are listed on George’s Square Veterans’ Wall and the Trafalgar Memorial, respectively.
George Ramsay
George Ramsay was born in 1914. He attended Oakville High School and worked at the Oakville Basket Factory. He eventually married his sweetheart, Marjorie. Early in the Second World War he enlisted into the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), serving four years. In 1944, George’s plane disappeared during a training exercise in British Columbia. Despite weeks of fruitless searches, Marjorie remained convinced that he was alive and spent the couple’s entire savings to continue looking. She’s quoted in the Toronto Star as saying “the money is no good without him. I only wish I had more. . .” George’s aircraft was finally found, months later, but with no survivors. Afterwards, a heartbroken Marjorie re-settled in the United States.
Peter Barnicke
Peter Barnicke was born in Oakville and before enlisting with the RCAF in 1943 at just 17 years of age, he worked at Sheridan Nurseries and loved playing hockey with friends. During the War, Peter earned several medals of valour and was eventually assigned to Tempsford Air Base in England, secretly flying supplies and agents into Nazi-occupied Europe. He was on one of these operations when his plane disappeared in November 1944. Due to the clandestine nature of his missions, it took more than a year before Peter was even listed as missing and more than seven years before his grieved parents received a letter confirming that their son was forever lost somewhere in the North Sea.
NAMES
The names are here, if you look around, In this and every other town. Engraved on brass and carved in stone, Too oft we pass and leave them ‘lone’.
In Oakville, let’s be more aware Of the listed names in George’s Square. Of the sacrifice they represent, That we may live in blithe content.
Yet, all too often we complain, As our fortunes wax and wane, Sometimes each other to berate That we, are not more fortunate.
If, in such times we’d keep in mind That life, for us, has been most kind. For these, their names on tablets found, Would gladly share our daily round.
So look and see, they’re not just names Scribed here ‘neath stained glass windowpanes. Each was a life, too soon to yield, For a plain white cross in a foreign field.
So, as we live let us remember, And not just now in grey November. Though life may call on us to give, They gave their all, that we, may live.
WRITTEN BY OAKVILLE RESIDENT,
BOB OLOMAN (1932-2011)
FOR REMEMBRANCE DAY 2003
These are just two stories that detail the sacrifices made by Oakville residents. There are hundreds of others, and all merit acknowledgement. For those interested in learning more, additional stories are shared in Pathway to the Stars, an exhibition commemorating the RCAF’s Centennial. It will be on display at the Oakville Museum, located at 8 Navy Street, until March 2025. Co-curated with local historians Michael Johnson and Terry Murphy, the exhibition centres on the contributions of locals, like George and Peter.
