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Refurbished First World War howitzer due to return to Brantford

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Brantford residents will get their first look at the newly refurbished First World War gun in September.

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With restoration and repairs completed, plans call for the captured German howitzer to play a prominent role in Valour Day celebrations being organized by the 56th Field Regiment and city officials for Sept. 28. The gun will be towed by two Clydesales as part of a parade.

“It’s really looking good,” said Brantford Coun. John Utley. “I think we have something that everyone can be proud of and will hopefully last another 100 years.”

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At present, the howitzer is being stored at the armouries in Simcoe. It will be part of a couple of test tows before being moved to Brantford in time for Valour Day.

Manufactured in German in 1913, the howitzer is one of five captured on Aug. 8, 1918, at Demuin, France at the beginning of the Battle of Amiens. The date – Aug. 8 – is referred to as the start of Canada’s Hundred Days Offensive during the First World War and the Black Day for the German Army.

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Brantford was chosen to receive the captured howitzer by A. W. Pratt, the acting commanding officer of the 116th Battalion.

“During the operations in front of Amiens during August this year this battalion capture a number of field guns and machine guns,” Pratt said in a letter to Brantford’s mayor in 1918. “We have a number of officers and men from your city in this unit and in view of the gallant work done by them during these operations, we would ask you to accept on behalf of the battalion, a 5.9 German howitzer.”

The gun in one of only two registered war trophies in the city. It has occupied a prominent spot in Jubilee Terrace Park, beside the Brantford armouries, for about 100 years.

The years were not kind to the gun. Last year, city councillors decided to have it restored and hired Gill Bibby Boat Building, of Stoney Creek, to do the work.  Bibby was selected by a task force comprising Utley, fellow councilllors Dan McCreary, Richard Carpenter, John Sless and Brian Van Tilborg, city staff, Geoffrey Moyer of the Great War Centenary Association and Lt. Col. Lawrence Hatfield, commanding officer of the 56th.

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City council approved spending up to $49,000 on the project and so far just over $40,000 has been spent on the howitzer, dedication stone, lighting

Hatfield is pleased the gun will be back in Brantford in time for Valour Day.

“This gun, its history and connection to the community recognize the service and sacrifice of those who have gone before,” he said.

The regiment picked Sept. 28 for Valour Day for several reasons, Hatfield said.

The date coincides with the regiment’s 153rd birthday and National Armouries Day and is the closest Saturday to Oct. 1, the anniversary of the date Sgt. William Merrifield earned the Victoria Cross for his actions during the battle of Canal Du Nord on Oct. 1, 1918. The Victoria Cross is the most prestigious award for gallantry in battle and the Brantford armoury is named after Merrifield.

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Following the parade, the howitzer will be returned to its Jubilee Terrace Park home.

“There’s no record of a dedication ceremony being held when the gun was brought to Brantford,” Hatfield said. “So, we’re planning to hold a dedication ceremony following the parade.”

Valour Day also will include two speakers – a reviewing officer from the Department of National Defence and Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis.

Plans also call for a storyboard explaining the significance of the howitzer to be installed on the site.

As well, city officials are looking at adding landscaping and installing a bench, lighting and a security camera.

City council approved spending up to $49,000 on the project and so far just over $40,000 has been spent on the howitzer, dedication stone, lighting and the storyboard. There is about $8,800 remaining in the budget.

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