EDITED VERSION OF MAYOR MITCH PANCIUK’S ADDRESS AT THE BELLEVILLE CENOTAPH SUNDAY JULY 28, 2019
On behalf of the City of Belleville, all of our employees and residents, as well as my colleagues from Belleville City Council, we thank you for joining us this afternoon as we pay an overdue tribute to three Belleville citizens who served and protected us, our nation and the world.
First, I would like to recognize the two individuals responsible for bringing these citizens to our attention; Robyn May and Neil Burrell. Both Robyn and Neil have spent countless hours doing the research and planning that made today’s ceremony possible. The names and events we recognize today are a direct result of their hard work.
I would also like to thank the Belleville Veterans Council, John Geen and the Rev. Dr. Allen Miller who also helped to make this event happen.
On behalf of the City of Belleville, I want to offer congratulations to Col. Ryan Deming on his appointment to the position of 8 Wing Commander at CFB Trenton. I would also like to extend a special thank you to Col. Deming for providing the assistance of Canada’s military in helping to ensure that this ceremony will be done properly and with the dignity our honorees deserve.
Mayor of Belleville Mitch Panciuk speaks at Belleville Cenotaph. (Photo: Marilyn Warren/City of Belleville)
Today we unveil the additional names of three individuals whose service and ultimate sacrifice during the First World War is not, and will never be, forgotten. Dedication ceremonies like this are steeped in tradition and historical significance, beginning with the original creation of a Memorial Cenotaph here in Belleville in 1923, recognizing those who were lost in “The Great War.” For the past 96 years, the Cenotaph has seen further additions that recognized those who served our great nation in the Second World War, and in other international conflicts. Over time, we have updated these monuments as additional names have become known, but that hasn’t occurred in quite some time.
Three names have been missing from the memorial to the Great War, and today the City of Belleville is proud and honoured to celebrate these three lives. It may be over a hundred years since they passed, but we will not forget them.
The joys and freedoms we all so richly enjoy would not be possible without the sacrifices of brave Canadians such as the three we honour here today.
So, who were these people we recognize at this ceremony today?
They were born here in Belleville. They grew up and attended school.
They attended Church, walked these streets, went to public events, talked with their fellow citizens, planned and dreamed for their own families and futures, had their own opinions and thoughts about the future of their City, their Province and their Country.
They had friends and families and other loved ones who mourned their passing. They were lost far too soon, simply because they were willing to step forward and defend us, even if it meant making the ultimate sacrifice.
Flight Sub/Lt. Ellis Vair Reid
Flight Sub/Lt. Reid was born in Belleville on October 31st, 1889, and joined the British Royal Navy Air Service on January 10th, 1916 in Toronto, where he enlisted, or attested as it was known back then.
Flight Sub/Lt. Reid served with No. 10 Wing’s famed and much feared Black Flight, along with renowned WW1 Canadian pilot Raymond Collishaw. Flight Sub/Lt. Reid was an Ace Pilot, downing 19 German aircraft during the first half of 1917. Flight Sub/Lt. Reid was mentioned in dispatches as early as April 1917, and posthumously received the Distinguished Service Cross on July 31st, 1917.
Flight Sub/Lt. Reid’s aircraft is believed to have been shot down by anti-aircraft artillery on July 28th, 1917 near the most embattled community of WW1 – Ypres, Belgium. His remains were never recovered and he is commemorated on the Arras Flying Service Memorial in Arras, France. Today marks the 102nd anniversary of his disappearance and death.
And we honour him.
Lt. David Alwyn “Al” Forneri
Lt. David Alwyn “Al” Forneri was born in Belleville on January 10th, 1883. He attested in Montreal, Quebec on September 21st, 1914 and died on March 1st, 1917 during a raid in preparation for the battle of Vimy Ridge, one of the defining and most successful battles in the history of Canada.
Lt. Forneri had previously been wounded twice, yet he still insisted on returning to battle. His brigade was engaged in a skirmish against the German army on Hill 145 when he was wounded a third time. As the stretcher bearers were attempting to return Lt. Forneri to Canadian lines, an artillery shell fell directly on top of them.
No remains were ever recovered. Lt. Forneri has no known grave and is commemorated on the Vimy Monument, which now stands on Hill 145 in the Belgian countryside, just outside of Ypres.
And we honour him.
Nursing Sister Agnes Florien “Florie” Forneri
Nursing Sister Agnes Florien “Florie” Forneri was the two-years-older sister of Lt. Al Forneri.
She was born in Belleville on April 18th, 1881. She attested to the Canadian Army Medical Corps on February 22nd, 1917 in Kingston, Ontario. She served in military hospitals in Canada, France and England and was a dedicated nurse.
Initially posted to the Kitchener Memorial Hospital in England, Nursing Sister Forneri submitted numerous requests to be posted to France to care for the more severely wounded soldiers. She was transferred to No. 8 Canadian General Hospital in St. Cloud, France and it was here that Miss Florie Forneri first became ill with stomach ulcers.
Nursing Sister Forneri was invalided to No. 12 Canadian General Hospital in Bramshott, England and upon recovering, she stayed and tended to patients in that hospital. Shortly thereafter, her illness returned. Unwilling to see a doctor, she endured the pain and difficulty of her condition until she collapsed at her work station. Nursing Sister Forneri was re-admitted to hospital and died of multiple bleeding ulcers on April 24th, 1918.
Nursing Sister Florie Forneri was buried with full military honours and rests in the military section of the Bramshott Churchyard in the South of England.
And we honour her.
Let our women and men in uniform and the entire World take notice.
Belleville will never forget your service, nor the loss of our heroic sisters and brothers.
May God grant them peace and may their souls know our gratitude.
We will remember them.
