Discover the military history of the Okanagan
Articles and stories from military historians
BC Dragoons go to Czechoslovakia, 1945
During the Second World War, Prime Minister Mackenzie King aimed to manage the Canadian obligations to the war effort while balancing competing concerns from London and, later, Washington with Canadian needs. He foresaw Canada’s role as an emerging middle power after...
Reading a Location on a First World War Map
There is so much in the background about maps made in this era that we won’t delve into details, such as the conversion of coordinates to GPS or the theory of longitude and latitude here. [See notes for more resources.] However, we have several maps of different...
One Painting, Many Questions
Every so often, we come across an item that raises more questions than answers. For example, this painting apparently depicts a soldier in the 29th Battalion (Vancouver) Canadian Expeditionary Force training in Hastings Park, Vancouver, in early 1915. It shows the...
A Soldier With Soul
“I called him my Soldier with Soul.” - Anne Snyder1 Jonathan Sutherland Snyder UE, BA, S.M.V. was born Dec. 20, 1981, and raised in Penticton. From a young age, he always wanted to be a soldier. He became many things over his 26 years, starting as an Army Cadet...
Decorated Fallen of the Okanagan – SWW – Cpl F.A. Cherry MM K57783 1st Cdn Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s)
Frank Arthur Cherry was 4th child of seven by Winnifred A. (nee Jones) and Herbert Cherry; born in Prince Albert, Sk. April 28, 1924; grade 8 education; lived 3 yrs in Penticton employed as a sawmill planer or mill hand for Lear Planing Mill Ltd., Penticton; Frank...
Heather’s Raiders
The War Diary for the Okanagan’s 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles (2CMR) made special mention of nocturnal action on November 20/21, 1916, in front of Vimy Ridge. Nine men out of 49 were recommended decorations for their daring and efficient work that night, and the unit...
Lt. Frederick A. Heather MC, MM
Lieutenant Frederick Ambler Heather MC. MM. is another of the Okanagan’s Decorated Fallen in the First World War (FWW), and another officer that rose from the ranks with the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles (BC Horse). Fred was born to Thomas and Emily H. (nee Ambler)...
The Distinguished Service of Major C.K.L. Pyman
Colin Keith Lee Pyman, who was 30 years old with blue eyes, red hair, and a fair complexion, sailed with the 5th Battalion (Western Cavalry) to England on October 8th, 1914. He served briefly with the Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) in 1915 and was promoted...
Decorated Fallen of the Okanagan, Part II – First World War
In Part I, we reviewed definitions, descriptions of Canadian military decorations, and their qualifying criteria. This time we look closer at some examples from the First World War. According to our records, 20 men listed on Okanagan cenotaphs were decorated for...
Visit the Okanagan Military Museum
Step inside and feel the dedication to service and memory which inspired the museum’s founders. The Okanagan Military Museum reveals how local men and women met the call of duty and contributed to events on the world stage.
“For two decades now, our collection has wowed both locals and visitors, and we’re excited for that to continue. This is part of our shared history and a chance for us to come together in remembrance.”
– Keith Boehmer, Military Historian