Fittingly, On Armistice Day, Thursday 11th November, the Museum will be holding a Service of Thanksgiving to honour the life and work of Doug Sample, our Canada Branch President, who sadly passed away on November 7th last year. This will take place at 2pm in the Museum Chapel.
We are delighted that several members of Doug’s family will be joining us from Canada for the occasion, these being his daughters Donna and Beverley, who is also accompanied by her daughter Sara and also Doug’s granddaughter Jill from his son Jim, who is unable to come across at this point.
It is also very pleasing that the Canadian High Commission are sending a representative, Major Terry Ledrew, plus a representative from RAF Leeming will be present. Doug, himself a former Air Gunner with 415 Squadron, based at Eastmoor near Sutton on the Forest, York, did much to raise awareness of and honour his countrymen who fought so willingly, with Canada being the first nation to join Britain’s side in the fight against Nazi oppression. It was fitting that he was awarded the Canadian Veterans Affairs Commendation in 2006, in recognition of his achievements.
Doug will be familiar to many who have been associated with the Museum for any length of time, as he was actively involved from around 1988, establishing the Canada fundraising branch which has contributed so greatly to the Museum’s development.
During the occasion, a Canadian Maple Tree will be planted and Dedicated in his memory, along with a memorial plaque to be located near to the Memorial Garden.
This will be a poignant occasion to remember a great freind and any members who wish to attend are asked to please notify Ian Richardson, Communications Manager on 01904 608595.
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