Goats Grazing near Field of Crossses
The City of Calgary has hired a herd of goats to browse the grass on the heights overlooking the Field of Crosses. This "Green solution" it is hoped will return the slopes to their original grasses. Non-native grasses and weeds are a veritable Goat buffet. The Field...
Murray McCann, Field of Crosses Founder, Calgary’s citizen of the year.
MURRAY MCCANN: CITIZEN OF THE YEAR. Congratulations to Murray McCann, founder of the Field of Crosses, recently honoured by the City of Calgary as Calgary's citizen of the Year. Click link for Calgary Herald's coverage. Murray McCann Announced as Calgary's...
Sunrise and sunset ceremonies begin at Calgary’s Field of Crosses Memorial Project.
Calgarians are invited to attend a series of sunrise and sunset ceremonies at the Field of Crosses Memorial Project starting on Wednesday. Click to watch video. The annual display along Memorial Drive includes over 3,400 white crosses, each representing a...
Calgarians gather to honour fallen soldiers in ceremony leading to Remembrance Day
For the first time this year, people gathered at the Field of Crosses on Memorial Drive in Calgary on Wednesday to pay their respects to Southern Alberta's fallen soldiers. Click to watch the video. More than 3,400 white crosses, each bearing the name of a man or...
‘I can never imagine myself doing that’: Calgary students honour Alberta’s war dead
It was a big task for staff and students from Delta West Academy: out in the chilly air Monday morning adorning 3,400 crosses with donated poppies at Calgary’s Field of Crosses on Memorial Drive. Click to watch video. Students from kindergarten to high...
The Battle of the Atlantic is celebrated every year on the 1st Sunday of May.
The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest continuous military campaign of WW2, lasting from September 3 1939 to May 8 1945. It was a pivotal fight for control over Atlantic shipping routes. The Allies worked to keep vital supply lines open between North America and Europe, while German forces aimed to cut them off. Canada played a key role through its navy and air force.
At the war’s onset the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) was relatively modest, comprising only a few vessels and personnel. However, recognizing the importance of the Atlantic convoys, Canada embarked on a rapid expansion of its naval capabilities. By the end of the war, the RCN had grown to be the third largest navy in the world, with over 400 vessels and 100,000 personnel.
Canadian warships escorted convoys across the North Atlantic waters. These escorts gave protection against German U-boats aiming to disrupt the flow of troops and supplies for the allied war effort. The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) also involved, conducting aerial patrols to detect and deter U-boats enhancing the effectiveness of naval escorts.
The Battle of the Atlantic was costly for all sides. The RCN lost 24 warships and approximately 2,000 officers and sailors, along with 752 members of the RCAF. The Canadian Merchant Navy also faced significant losses, with 58 ships sunk and 1,100 merchant mariners losing their lives.
Allied forces had substantial losses, with over 3,500 merchant vessels and 175 warships sunk, resulting in the loss of 36,200 naval personnel and 36,000 merchant mariners. On Kriegsmarine lost 783 U-boats with approximately 30,000 U-boat crew members losing their lives.
By the end of the war, Allied navies had escorted a total of 25,343 merchant ships across the Atlantic.
Canada’s contributions to the Battle of the Atlantic helped secure Allied control over crucial North Atlantic Sea routes. The dedication and sacrifices of Canadian personnel ensured the continuous flow of supplies vital for Allied operations in Europe. The victory in the Battle of the Atlantic was a defining chapter in Canada’s military history.
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As we continue celebrating National Volunteer Week, we wanted to share just a small sample of photos posted over the years featuring some of the incredible volunteers who help make Field of Crosses possible.
From working in the warehouse cleaning and preparing crosses, to installation, take down, and even coffee station duty at the Field, these dedicated individuals give their time, energy, and heart in so many ways.
Their efforts help ensure this powerful tribute continues to stand with the respect and care it deserves, honouring those who gave their today for our tomorrow.
To every volunteer past and present, thank you. Your impact is seen, felt, and deeply appreciated.
Want to see more? Take a look back through our photos here on social media. You’ll find many more galleries of these all stars hard at work behind the scenes and out at the Field.
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Starting today, April 19 to 25, we recognize Volunteer Week. This year’s theme, Ignite Volunteerism, shines a light on the power of civic participation, the importance of rebuilding volunteer networks, and the stories of those who give their time to make a difference.
At The Field of Crosses, the dedication of our volunteers is at the heart of everything we do. Without the help of so many incredible people, we would never be able to carry out the work that makes this tribute possible each year. From cross and site preparation, to installation and takedown, and everything in between, their time, effort, and care help ensure we continue to honour the fallen in a meaningful way.
We also love sharing photos of our amazing volunteers in action. Take a look back through our social media history to see many moments captured, from the warehouse to The Field, featuring these selfless individuals whose efforts help make it all possible.
To every volunteer who has stood with us past and present, thank you. Your commitment helps keep remembrance strong for future generations.
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𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐊𝐈𝐍 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧 𝐋
Age 21 – F/O (P) RCAF – 17/01/1945
𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐊𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩 𝐊
Age 24 – Sgt (N) RCAF – 29/05/1944
Merlin Leigh and Philip Keith were born in Southern Alberta, the sons of Henry and Mildrid Matkin of Leavitt, Alberta. The boys were active in sports; Merlin enjoyed basketball and baseball, while Philip enjoyed basketball and swimming. Both had completed their high school education in Cardston, Alberta and worked on the family farm. Merlin’s ambitions included commercial flying or diesel mechanics. Philip’s ambition was to study medicine, both enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in Calgary, Alberta.
Philip was a navigator in the RCAF in active service, training with #12 Operational Training Unit and had not seen any action. He was tragically killed when he was run over by a taxi in London.
Sergeant Philip K Matkin died on May 29, 1944, at the age of 24. He is buried at the Brookwood Military Cemetery in Surrey, England.
Merlin received his wings as a pilot officer at Cardston, Alberta on October 13, 1943, and went overseas in January 1944. He was posted with the 514 Squadron Royal Air Force, stationed at RAF Waterbeach. Merlin was killed in action on a bombing run attacking a benzol plant at Wanne-Eickel, Germany.
Flying Officer Pilot Merlin L Matkin died on January 17, 1945, at the age of 21. He has no known grave, his name is inscribed on the Runnymede Memorial in Surrey, England.
The province of British Columbia honoured Sergeant Philip K Matkin by naming Mount Matkin for him, located on the continental divide in the Castle Rivier Valley, on the Alberta/British Columbia border.
It seems fitting that the memory of both brothers be honoured by the mountain's name.
Each November during the Eleven Days of Remembrance in Calgary, Alberta, the Field of Crosses commemorates Sergeant Philip K Matkin and Flying Officer Pilot Merlin L Matkin.
www.fieldofcrosses.com/
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The Battle of Vimy Ridge
On the morning of April 9, 1917, after days of heavy artillery bombardments across Northern France, Canadian troops advanced on Vimy Ridge. In their first opportunity to fight together, all four Canadian divisions stormed the front. At 5:30 am, 15,000 troops advanced under the protection of the creeping barrage, a newly adopted strategy that used artillery as a defensive cover.
Vimy Ridge was a strategically important position that saw approximately 150,000 deaths of French and British troops in the earlier stages of the war. To prevent a repeat of earlier efforts, the Canadian corps thoroughly planned and practiced their attack. The infantry was given specialist roles such as machine gunners, rifleman, and grenade throwers to allow for greater firepower and flexibility in the heat of battle. Models of the battlefield and aerial reconnaissance photographs were provided behind the lines for training purposes.
Along with superior preparation, the Canadian forces outnumbered the German defenders, 35,000 to 10,000. By April 12 the Canadians captured the Pimple, a high point on the north end of the ridge, which was one of the most well defended parts of the German lines. Although the battle was successful, April 9, 1917, became and remains to this day, the bloodiest day in Canadian military history. In total, 3,598 were killed and an additional 7,000 wounded. In recognition of Canada’s success, 100 hectares of land was given to the Canadian government, including Hill 145 in France, which is now the home of the Vimy Memorial. This white marble monument was unveiled in 1936 and is an important reminder of the sacrifices Canadians made.
Each November during the Eleven Days of Remembrance in Calgary, Alberta, the Field of Crosses commemorates 143 Canadians from Southern Alberta who made the ultimate sacrifice at Vimy Ridge from April 9 to April 12, 1917.
www.fieldofcrosses.com/
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