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| Fallen soldiers honoured during Louisbourg encampment |
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LAURA JEAN GRANT
The Cape Breton Post
LOUISBOURG — Members of the Canadian and British militaries returned to their roots Saturday during a moving commemorative ceremony at the Fortress of Louisbourg.
The ceremony, in honour of all those who lost their lives during the second siege of the Fortress of Louisbourg in 1758, was held as part of the 2008 encampment marking the 250th anniversary of the historic battle between the French and English troops.
Major Cameron Simpson of the 53 Louisbourg Royal Artillery of the British army was in Louisbourg for the encampment. He said every July 26 they hold a ceremony at home to remember their own who died in the siege. He said it was very special to be on this side of the ocean to see first-hand where those who came before him fought and where some lost their lives.
Simpson said Saturday’s service, which involved military members, re-enactors and visitors, was a touching tribute.
“It was lovely. It was all-inclusive and in a historical context that I didn’t appreciate until I arrived,” he said, adding that he’ll take back what he’s learned and seen to his colleagues. “We knew all the facts but we didn’t have the feeling which we now take with us.”
The siege, in which the British side defeated the French, is generally regarded as one of the most definitive moments in Canada’s history and Lt. Col. Joseph Gillis, commander of the Sydney Garrison and the 2nd Battalion Nova Scotia Highlanders, was also honoured to be a part of the ceremony.
“To be able to stand here on the battlefield ... it doesn’t get any better than that to help understand the whole significance of the event,” he said.
Gillis said the service was a very dignified event and an eye-opener for all soldiers and military personnel.
“I appreciate so much that Parks Canada has given us the opportunity to take part in this,” he said. “It means everything to me.”
Encampment 2008 chair Sandy Balcom, a curator and historian, said the ceremony, which took place at Rochefort Point overlooking the ocean, was an important part of the three-day event.
“The whole purpose of the encampment is to commemorate the important events of history that happened here and those events sadly involved the loss of lives on both sides, and perhaps the most important aspect of the encampment is that we not forget that,” he said.
The ceremony was the first event on a full schedule of activities Saturday, as visitors continued to arrive by the busload to take in everything from artillery and full tactical demonstrations to dancing and drumming workshops. The fortress was a sea of colour and costumes with approximately 1,200 re-enactors on site for the weekend.
“The re-enactors are really into it,” said Alf Hopkins, who was at the encampment with his daughter Mellissa Hopkins. “I was just telling my daughter you can picture people living here.”
Alf, a native of Port Morien who now resides in the Halifax area, said he first took Mellissa, now 30, to the Fortress of Louisbourg when she was toddler and was thrilled to return.
“This is world-class, there’s no doubt about that,” he said.
Mellissa said she was loving the experience and was particularly impressed that the site is a real “functioning” community.
“I love it. It’s amazing,” she said. |
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