Veteran hosts presentation on two First World War heroes

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~

The legacies of two First World War heroes from Victoria will be the focus during a presentation by military historian MWO (Retired) Bart Armstrong’s at the Centennial Library in Saanich, Nov 1 at 1 p.m.

Armstrong, a former member of Victoria’s 11th Service Battalion, Toronto Scottish (then the Princess Louise Fusiliers at Halifax, will speak at the branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library located on Tillicum Rd.

Armstrong has re­searched and written extensively about Canadians who have received the Medal of Honor in the United States along with Canadian military history. His appearance is part of the Saanich Remembers World War One historical project.

During the one-hour address he will discuss the legacy of Victoria’s well-known war hero and Victoria Cross recipient Lieutenant Commander Rowland Bourque of Canada’s Naval Reserves, who saved the lives of 40 men from drowning in Belgium. He will also focus on the mostly unheralded and forgotten war hero, Private Robert Gilbert of the Canadian Mounted Riffles. Gilbert who was black and fought at Vimy was never properly acknowledged for his bravery by Canadian or British military authorities, Armstrong says.

Saanich Remembers World War One historical project is focussed on commemorating residents of Saanich who served for Canada in the First World War.

Free registration at gvpl.ca/events.

For more information, visit their website here.