Some discoveries bring you closer to your family’s history in ways you never expected.
While doing genealogy research into my family, I came across the Second World War Book of Remembrance and discovered that the page bearing my great-grandfather’s name would be turned on my birthday. I knew right away that I had to be there.
I made the trip to Ottawa to witness the page turning and see Walter’s name displayed in the book. What started as a discovery during my family research became something much more personal, and I wanted to be there to see his name honoured and take in a moment that connected me to a part of my family’s history I had spent time learning about.
My nanny was only four years old when she lost her dad, Walter Allison Sawler. Nanny has since passed away, but I watched her live a life wondering who he was, what it would have been like to have him around and what parts of her came from him.
With the help of my uncle, I was able to read reports and records from Walter’s time serving. Like many families, we don’t always talk about the difficult parts of our history. But you can’t have the beauty without the beast. Walter was young, married and just starting his family when he was drafted into the war so, he struggled with his physical and mental health while being so far from home and the people he loved.
Sadly, Walter never made it back home. Back to my nanny. Back to the little four-year-old girl he was missing and loving from so many miles away.
Standing there on my birthday, looking at his name and realizing I am now the same age he was when his life was cut short, is something I don’t think I’ll ever be able to fully put into words. I never had the opportunity to know him, but being there and seeing his name in that book felt incredibly special.
During my visit, I had the opportunity to meet the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and Member of Parliament for Halifax West, Nova Scotia.
Minister Diab was there for the occasion and made the experience even more special by presenting me with a certificate in recognition of my birthday. Having her take the time to acknowledge my personal connection to the Book of Remembrance and my great-grandfather’s story was something I will always appreciate.
Minister Diab also spoke about the importance of taking time throughout the year, not just on Remembrance Day, to remember and honour the people who fought for our freedom. Her words were a fitting reminder of why these stories matter and why it is important to continue sharing them.
What began as a search into my great-grandfather’s past became an experience I will carry with me. I travelled to Ottawa hoping to learn more about Walter and honour his memory, and I came away with a deeper connection to his story and a moment in our family’s history that I will never forget.