Five Things To Know About The Field Of Crosses
Lest we forget, the more than 3,000 white crosses now on display along Memorial Drive aims to ensure that Calgarians remember the sacrifices of Southern Albertans in the fight for freedom. Now in its seventh year, the Field Of Crosses Memorial Project pays tribute to...
Calgary students lay 3,200 silk flowers to honour fallen soldiers
CALGARY — Students from Delta West Academy placed a silk flower on each of the 3,200 crosses at the “Field of Crosses” on Memorial Drive Thursday. The annual act helps the students appreciate the enormity of the sacrifices southern Alberta soldiers have made. Delta...
Calgary’s Field of Crosses Memorial Project returns to honour veteran
Volunteers in Calgary have spent days setting up 3,200 white crosses commemorating southern Albertan lives spent in the service of the nation. In it’s seventh year, more than 100 volunteers with the Field of Crosses Memorial Project finished erecting thousands of...
Generational respect for Southern Alberta’s veterans
For Laura Vanderkruk, organizing volunteers to set up the 3,200 memorial crosses on Memorial Drive to honour Southern Alberta’s veterans has become a way of keeping her family close. George Bittman, Vanderkruk’s father, was a navy veteran who helped organize the...
Volunteers put up field of crosses ahead of Remembrance Day
More than seven years ago, Murray McCann was driving through the mountains in Georgia before Memorial Day when he noticed a small cluster of crosses along the side of the road. Initially, McCann thought a collision had claimed three lives and someone had erected a...
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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Happy Easter from all of us at The Field of Crosses 🐣
Wishing you and your family a beautiful day filled with warmth, laughter, and time spent with the people who matter most. May this weekend bring a sense of renewal, a little extra joy, and moments worth holding onto.
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𝐊𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐀
Age: 26– FLS RCN
Date of Death: 04/11/1946
James Aubrey Kelly was born on February 20, 1920, in Red Deer, Alberta, to William James Kelly and Lillian Overton Kelly, of Calgary, Alberta. He was the brother of his sister, Muriel.
After graduating from Western Canadian High School, James worked as a salesman, store clerk and telegraph messenger for the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Having two years of military experience in the Sea Cadets, James enlisted with the Royal Canadian Navy on September 2, 1940, in Calgary, Alberta. He served on various ships until he was drafted to the HMCS Athabaskan on February 4, 1942.
On April 29, 1944, the HMCS Athabaskan was torpedoed and sunk by enemy action in the English Channel. James survived the attack but was reported as missing on May 1st.
On May 9, 1944, it was learned that James and several others had been captured by the German Naval Forces and became prisoners of war in Germany. In a ‘capture card’ sent home to his parents, he reported, “I have been taken prisoner of war in Germany and am in good health.” They were being held at the Prison Camp Marlag und Milag Nord near the village of Westertimke, Germany. His POW number was 1291.
A year later April 29, 1945, James was freed from the POW camp. A Naval Message to his parents on May 8, states; “Your son was recovered from German hands, has arrived in the United Kingdom on May 4, 1945, but regret he has been admitted to the Canadian General Hospital, Bramshott, Surrey, England with a broken right leg”.
James was transported back to Montreal, Canada and granted a 60-day leave, returning to active service on July 28, 1945, with the HMCS Cresent.
Tragically, at the age of 26, while serving onboard the HMCS Cresent on November 4, 1946, James accidentally fell overboard whilst rigging an accommodation ladder and drowned at sea. His name is inscribed on the Halifax Memorial in Nova Scotia, Canada.
Each November during the Eleven Days of Remembrance the Field of Crosses in Calgary, Alberta commemorates Leading Seaman James A Kelly.
www.fieldofcrosses.com/
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