This request from a Serving Islander could not have arrived on my desk on a better day than a Red Friday. Capt Terry Hunter sent this to me with Reference to the naming of the new school in Stratford PEI.
Greetings: From Capatin Terry Hunter
This is in response to the online article in the Guardian at http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=334591sc=98 with regards to suggestions for naming the Elementary School in Stratford.
I am a former Islander who once lived on Glencove Drive in Stratford. As this year marked the passing of our last of our Canadian Veterans who fought in the First World War, I think it would be appropriate to name the new elementary school in Stratford Captain Frederick Thorton Peters, V.C. Elementary after the only Prince Edward Islander who was awarded the Victoria Cross, the British Empire's highest award for valour.
Capt Peters, a highly decorated Veteran, was born in Charlottetown and was educated at St. Peters' private school. After joining the Royal Navy during the First World War, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, the first ever awarded to a Canadian. He was also awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. During the Second World War, Capt Peters was awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery in action at Oran, Africa. He was wounded in one eye and taken prisoner but was later released when Oran was captured by the Allies. Unfortunately, Capt Peter's plane crashed in the Atlantic Ocean and he has no known grave.
Given that this Prince Edward Island Hero is virtually unknown to Islanders except to the Naval Personnel of the HMCS Queen Charlotte, I think naming an elementary school in his native province after him would be warranted recognition for Capt Peters. Veterans Affairs Canada and the Royal Canadian Legion have many endeavours to ensure the youth of Canada do not forget the great sacrifices made by Canadians during the war years to ensure their freedom. What better way would there be to help instil appreciation and comprehension of these sacrifices of our Veterans along with creating interest about their exploits in our Island youth than to name their school after one of its most important, yet least known Island Military heroes.
Update from Capt Hunter: http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=336632sc=98
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Thornton_Peters
Capt. Frederick Thornton Peters Oran, North Africa November 8, 1942 Royal Navy
Frederick Thornton Peters was born in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, on the 17th of September 1889, son of the Attorney General and the first Liberal Premier of that province. He was educated at St. Peter's Private School, later went to school in Victoria, British Columbia, and from there to Naval School in England. He graduated as a midshipman and three years later he received his commission as a sub-lieutenant. During the First World War he was decorated with the Distinguished Service Order, the first ever given to a Canadian, and the Distinguished Service Cross for gallantry in action. Following the action which won him the Victoria Cross, he was proceeding to England when the plane he was in crashed and he was killed. He has no known grave but his name appears on the Naval Memorial at Portsmouth, England. Citation
Captain Peters was in the 'suicide charge' by two little cutters at Oran. Walney and Hartland were two ex-American coastguard cutters which were lost in a gallant attempt to force the boom defences in the harbour of Oran during the landings on the North African coast. Captain Peters led his force through the boom in the face of point-blank fire from shore batteries, destroyer and a cruiser - a feat which was described as one of the great episodes of naval history. The Walney reached the jetty disabled and ablaze, and went down with her colours flying. Blinded in one eye, Captain Peters was the only survivor of the seventeen men on the bridge of the Walney. He was taken prisoner but was later released when Oran was captured. On being liberated from the gaol, he was carried through the streets where the citizens hailed him with flowers. He won the D.S.O. and D.S.C. in the last war. He was born in 1889.
Captain F. T. Peters, V.C., D.S.O, D.S.C.
Victoria Cross London Gazette 18.5.1943 Acting Captain Frederick Thornton Peters Royal Navy
On a personal note I served one year in Oran as a civilian Catering Manager. I was unaware of Canada's role in ORAN in WW2 until I first visited HMCS Queen Charlotte and saw the article , maps and photos on their wall. If this goes to a PEI vote it certainly has mine. I listened with interest to the cbc morning radio show and was surprised at the interest. This would certainly be a fine remembrance for a born and bred Islander. (not from away)
The full name Captain Frederick T. Peters V.C. Elementary would in my estimation be the proper name. The students over the years will reduce the name when talking about their school But I feel the entire name must be used for historical purposes. Thanks to Captain Hunter for his Concern as to the history of his Island place of birth.
Please show your support for Canada's Military .
Nil Sine Labore
Robby
