GATHERING OUR HEROES

IODE Kent Regiment, is undertaking Gathering Our Heroes, research project to locate the names of those from Chatham and Kent County who served during World War II. This research project, was started after the war in order to catalogue and preserve pertinent information about Chatham and Kent County veterans in a series of Remembrance Books for the Chatham- Kent Museum. These books are important historical documents containing thousands of names of WWII veterans, and perhaps many more could be added.

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A bit of background.......

Following The Great War, members of IODE Kent Regiment created a beautiful set of Remembrance Books, listing many of the veterans of World War I, from the Chatham and Kent County area. These books are housed in the Chatham- Kent Museum and are important historical documents and among those most used today by people searching their genealogy. A local historian, Jerry Hind, has researched over 1,900 additional names who did not appear in these original documents. He has created a list of these names and continues to research the stories of the veterans of World War I from the Chatham and Kent County community.

Following World War II, IODE members again created a set of Remembrance Books for our area, listing many of the men and women who served in that conflict. IODE Kent Regiment are fortunate to have this second set of Remembrance Books, listing many of Chatham and Kent County service men and women from World War II, in Chatham- Kent Museum.

However, IODE Kent Regiment know that many who served are not recorded in these books and the Chapter has undertaken a comprehensive research project to find as many of these missing veterans as possible. IODE Kent Regiment estimate that they will find over 5,000 names that do not appear in the original Books of Remembrance. The Chapter plan to create a list of these missing veterans that will be housed with the original Books of Remembrance in Chatham- Kent Museum. Also, IODE Kent Regiment wish to preserve the stories of the contributions and lives, of of those who served, for the future generations of Chatham and Kent County.

Looking for:
      • Names
      • Photographs
      • Stories of their lives and service during World War II
To be included in the database, the veteran must have been:
      • Born in Chatham and Kent County, or
      • Living in Chatham and Kent County at the time of enlistment, or
      • Actually enlisted in Chatham and Kent County.
If you have relatives or know of any Chatham and Kent County WWII veterans, or if you have come across information about such veterans, please contact:
IODE Kent Regiment,
6 Craven Drive,
Chatham, ON
N7L 3T8
or email: kentregimentiode@yahoo.ca

Time is of the essence, as we are losing our veterans quickly, and with them, the opportunity to preserve their stories.

For further information, contact Citizenship Officer Sheila M. DeJaegher info@iodeontario.ca

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IODE Canada is a national women's charitable organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals through education support, community service and citizenship programs.