The Rotary Clubs of Brockville recognized Remembrance Day with a traditional visit to Lyn United Church where the members and guests enjoyed a delicious ham dinner and received an after-dinner presentation. This year the guest speaker was Captain Andrew Melchers of the Brockville Rifles. Captain Melchers presentation was entitled "Up The Brocks! The Brockville Rifles in Europe, 1944, and the battle honours still owed to them." In the photo above, Captain Andrew Melchers (left) is shown with his parents Patti Melchers (middle) and Rene Melchers (right) prior to dinner. (Photo credit: Andrew Kizell)
During his presentation, Captain Melchers brought attention to the members of the Brockville Rifles who gave the ultimate sacrifice and have been killed in action. (Photo Credit: Andrew Kizell)
Rotarian Bruce Leslie (left) expresses the thanks of the Rotary Brockville members to Captain Melchers (right) for his interesting and informative presentation. (Photo Credit: Andrew Kizell)
Rotarian Ray Marshall (2nd right) expresses gratitude for an excellent dinner to the volunteer members of the Lyn United Church. (Photo Credit: Andrew Kizell)On November 9th, the Rotary Clubs of Brockville, known as Rotary Brockville, conducted a joint meeting at Lyn United Church to recognize Remembrance Day. The members and their guests were treated to an excellent ham and scallop potato dinner with all the fixings served by the volunteers from the Lyn United Church congregation. After dinner, Captain Andrew Melchers of the Brockville Rifles gave an interesting presentation about the work underway to have the Brockville Rifles receive additional battle honours that researchers believe the Unit is due. The presentation highlighted the excellent research conducted by 2nd Lt. B. W. Ayers of the Brockville Rifles. During the presentation, Rotarians learned that the Brockville Rifles are shown in one of the most famous pictures taken of the D-Day Battle landing at Juno Beach, even though they did not receive battle honour recognition during WWII.
Captain Melchers highlighted the current recognition the Brockville Rifles have received for their contributions to active service dating back to the War of 1812, as shown below. The Rifles are looking to add certain "battle honours" that reflect their actual contributions to war efforts undertaken by the Canadian Armed Forces. The difference in the distinctions are shown below. (Photo Credit: Andrew Kizell)
(Photo Credit: Andrew Kizell)
Based on the extensive research conducted by 2nd Lt Ayers, the Brockville Rifles have presented recommendations to the Canadian Armed Forces Leadership to consider rectifying this oversight. They are hopeful that a favourable decision will be made soon.