The Icelandic connection - 01.12.2020, Side 27

Vol. 71 #4
ICELANDIC CONNECTION
169
rehabilitation for disfigurations and
amputations to their bodies, blindness,
deafness and “Shell Shock” (now called
PTSD) for their continued exposure to
endless stress. This emotional impact was
also deeply felt and shared by the loved
ones and relatives of the dead, wounded
and returning veterans, often resulting in
family break-ups and physical and mental
abuse to many wives and children. This
situation was also exacerbated by the fact
that many returning veterans could not
find jobs, which only prolonged their
existing hardships and suffering.
Camp Morton Provincial Park is
located 5 miles north of Gimli Manitoba
and is located along the shoreline of Lake
Winnipeg. The park is a well-known
facility which provides recreational
opportunities for the many visitors who
come there during the spring, summer and
fall time periods.
Over the last several years, Camp
Morton Provincial Park has become an
increasingly popular meeting place to hold
the annual November 11th Remembrance
Day celebration outdoors. The event is held
in a general area along the lakeshore where
two historical cenotaphs are located to
commemorate First World War soldiers.
The first one was built by the Union
Bank of Canada to honour many of their
fallen comrades who made the supreme
sacrifice during WW I. This cenotaph was
originally located near McKelleran Creek,
on property owned by the Lakeside Fresh
Air Camp, approximately one mile south
of the Camp Morton Park.
The other one however, was built
on site at Camp Morton in 1927,
where it has withstood the test of time
over the years. The location of this
particular cenotaph however, appears
to be somewhat of an anomaly, in that
it was constructed on Roman Catholic
Church property, by Roman Catholic
parishioners and commemorates only
one man, Major Christopher, Patrick,
O’Kelly. Major O’Kelly had received
the highest award for Valour given
by the British Commonwealth, for
his heroic actions during the second
Battle of Passchendaele in Belgium
during WWT, the Victoria Cross.