By Charlotte Morritt-Jacobs - (@morrittjacobs on Twitter)

11 Days of Remembrance: Southern Alberta and Vimy Ridge

Nov 4, 2016 | 5:53 AM

LETHBRIDGE – During the Battle of Vimy Ridge in April 1917 Canadian burial squads followed were tasked with burying the dead in temporary battlefield cemeteries – now local historians want to ceremoniously honour those fallen heroes.

Through a fundraising campaign titled Help Recover Our Vimy Heroes, efforts are being made to give proper burials to Canadian soldiers who died at Vimy Ridge which includes 10 members of the 113th Battalion Lethbridge Highlanders who are believed to be lying in a makeshift mass grave in Northern France.

According to Brett Clifton, local historian and teacher at Wilson Middle School two of the soldiers, Earl and Clarence Betts who lived between Raymound and Coutts still have family in the area.

This southern Alberta connection has resulted in a large number of contributors being from the province.

Clifton noted that under the policy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission the soldiers will be buried near where they fell, but close to their comrades.

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“It’s more a matter of giving them a proper burial being placed with comrades and being commemorated by name and rank with their unit.”

The teacher who has been making it his goal to educate grade students on Canada’s contribution in war time said that projects such as these help embody and instill the “Lest We Forget” principle.

“This lets them know that their (Canadian) history matters and it matters that people remember soldiers by name even if they passed away 100 years ago – stories are still being shared.”

Clifton noted that the campaign will help pass along more than just war facts, but help to inform students of the actual Canadians who laid down their lives for their country.

The campaign aims to raise $110,000 to cover equipment rental, loss of farmer’s growing season and archeologists.

On the days leading up to Remembrance Day on Nov. 11, Lethbridge News Now will deliver a “11 Days of Remembrance – Did You Know” feature segment discussing topics of interest which illustrates Lethbridge’s direct and indirect involvement in military pursuits.