Second World War veteran Russell Clearwater from Iron Bridge made a special donation to Blind River’s Timber Village Museum’s (TVM) current exhibit titled Blind River Remembers: VE Day
The donation was made by Clearwater, who was recently named a Life Member of the Blind River Legion 189, on Tuesday, the opening day of the month-long exhibit, adding to a group of exhibits commemorating the World Wars and Canadian soldiers who fought and died and those who survived the conflicts.
Clearwater attended as the exhibit’s honorary first visitor along with his wife Vera delivering the donations which included: a set of framed newspaper pages from the Toronto Evening Telegram dated May 7, 1945 and a burlap Canadian flag from around 1922. The newspaper shows the front page of the paper which displays the headline “Peace is Won Nazis Give Up” and the second is the first page of the second section of the paper and contains images of the armistice signing.
“These newspapers are now on display in the TVM Art Gallery as part of the remembrance exhibition,” said a museum official. “The Timber Village Museum is very thankful to Mr. Clearwater for this donation.”
Blind River Remembers: VE Day is focusing on the local connections to World War II, as well as the 75th Anniversary of the end of the war in Europe (VE Day). The exhibit is open from Nov. 5 to Nov. 30, 2020 in the TVM Art Gallery. Returning again this year, to assist staff with the exhibit, is Guest Curator retired MCpl. Anastasia Dufour.
“A main feature of the exhibit is a Local Connections tribute wall with the names of 49 local area lads who lost their lives between 1939 and 1945, many of whom are buried in Commonwealth War Cemeteries across Europe,” officials said. “These tributes include names that span from Manitoulin Island to Desbarats. It is by no means a comprehensive list and it is expected that the exhibition will also provide an opportunity to enhance and expand the museum’s knowledge, as well as public knowledge, of the local area residents who served in the Canadian Forces.”
Also on display, are artefacts from the museum’s heritage and archival collections, as well as loaned materials from local residents, the Blind River Legion Branch 189, and the Sudbury Armory.
With many Remembrance events cancelled or significantly reduced this year due to COVID-19, the museum’s goal is to provide a reflective and informative space for visitors.
This year Remembrance Day ceremonies in Blind River will not include a parade or services inside the Legion building. A scaled down wreath laying ceremony will take place at the cenotaph with Mayor Sally Hagman urging residents to wear masks while attending the cenotaph.
“Commemorative exhibitions such as this are becoming even more important as our living links to the conflict pass on in increasing numbers. In 2019, Veterans Affairs Canada reported that there were 33,000 surviving Canadian veterans of the Second World War with an average age of 95.”
The TVM Art Gallery, located at the marina, will be open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.