Visit to France and Belgium - Day 3
The last day of Their Excellencies' visit to France and Belgium began with commemorative activities at the Thélus commune,a township of Vimy, in France.
Tue, 04/10/2012 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2012-0118-001
The tomb stones created by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission are for Commonwealth cemetaries located all over the world.
Tue, 04/10/2012 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2012-0123-003
In the afternoon, Their Excellencies visited the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the organization that maintains gravesites in France. Mr. Pierre Ansart gave Their Excellencies a guided tour of the premises.
Tue, 04/10/2012 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2012-0123-001
The unveiling of the commemorative plaque was also attended by children of Thelus.
Tue, 04/10/2012 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2012-0120-005
The unveiling of the commemorative plaque at Thélus Town Hall was attended by (from left to right) Mr. Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs, Their Excellencies, Mr. Bernard Milleville, Mayor of Thélus, as well as Mr. Marc Lortie, Ambassador to Canada in France, and his spouse.
Tue, 04/10/2012 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2012-0120-004
The plaque is a reminder of the battle won by the First Division of Canadian Corps Artillery on April 9, 1917.
Tue, 04/10/2012 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2012-0120-003
The Mayor of Thelus and the Governor General unveiled the plaque.
Tue, 04/10/2012 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2012-0120-002
Their Excellencies also attended the unveiling of a commemorative plaque at Thélus City Hall. The Mayor, Mr. Bernard Milleville, delivered an address for the occasion.
Tue, 04/10/2012 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2012-0120-001
The visit to Bois-Carre British Cemetary was touching.
Tue, 04/10/2012 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2012-0119-003
Their Excellencies visited the Bois-Carre British Cemetery, in Thélus.
Tue, 04/10/2012 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2012-0119-002
More than 200 Canadians are buried in the Bois-Carre British Cemetery.
Tue, 04/10/2012 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2012-0119-001
Mr. Robert O'Brien of the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping salutes proudly.
Tue, 04/10/2012 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2012-0118-007
The people of Thélus were also invited to the ceremony.
Tue, 04/10/2012 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2012-0118-006
The Mayor of Thelus, Bernard Milleville, also laid a wreath of flowers.
Tue, 04/10/2012 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2012-0118-005
The Governor General laid a wreath of flowers on behalf of all Canadians.
Tue, 04/10/2012 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2012-0118-004
The ceremony aimed to commemorate the battle that ended by the capture of the village of Thélus by the First Division of Canadian Corps Artillery on April 9, 1917.
Tue, 04/10/2012 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2012-0118-003
A ceremony than took place at the Canadian Artillery Memorial. Mr. Robert O'Brien of the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping delivered an address.
Tue, 04/10/2012 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2012-0118-002
The French office employs some 420 people, most of whom are gardeners forming 35 mobile horticultural teams. Each team is responsible for maintaining the cemeteries and memorials for a particular region. The Commission also creates all the signage for the cemeteries.
Tue, 04/10/2012 - 12:00 MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall GG2012-0123-004