WALKERTON – On Canada Day, six Chesney siblings placed poppy rocks to remember their second cousins Bert Chesney and Ray Chesney, both of whom served in the Second World War.
The brothers are buried in Walkerton Cemetery, one behind the other, and next to their parents Robert Chesney and Eva (Longmire).
The family knew those two were veterans, but did not know many details. Poppy Rock Project organizer Jan Briggs-McGowan was able to establish Bert’s service as a private with the Canadian Army though a “Last Post” article, placed by Oakville Branch in the March-April 1996 edition of LEGION magazine.
She also located the military service number B22178 of his younger brother Ray, who was a private with the Royal Canadian Artillery. Briggs-McGowan then provided the link to Library & Archives Canada so the family could request the complete service files of the two brothers.
The Poppy Rock project hopes to commemorate all veterans buried in the 28 active cemeteries within Brockton. So far, 570 have been located. If you would like to add a poppy rock for your veteran, leave a message for Briggs-McGowan at the Walkerton Legion (519-881-0821).
