It seems strange to me that an issue as important as the naming of a new school,has only sparked the Interest of one Islander who currently lives in Ottawa.For those interested please tune into Compass: Copy of my e mail follows:
Greetings all:
I just did an interview at CBC Ottawa via a satellite link to CBC TV in Charlottetown. Kind of weird in that I had to stare into a camera while listening to Kerry Campbell ask questions from Charlottetown. He could see me on a monitor but I couldn't see him. I had no idea what questions he was going to ask and there were a couple of times where we stopped for him to adjust my position, reclarify, etc. so sorry for any flubs during the shoot. It will be reedited before broadcast.
The interview is set to air on Friday April 23rd on the CBC Charlottetown Compass News starting at 1800 hrs Atlantic Standard Time. You can also watch it on streaming video online at http://www.cbc.ca/pei/
I've set up a facebook page for people to join in support of naming the school also. Forward it on.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=111327392238347
Cheers!
Terry
Captain Terry Hunter CD, B.A., B.Ed., M.Ed.
So folks let`s see what the school board is going to do. To me it only seems fitting that it be named after Captain Peters VC as the military and veterans of PEI seem to be the only people interested. It should be decided by acclimation.
A Review of last weeks Blog:
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 theDistinguished Service Cross for gallantry in action. Following the action which won him theVictoria 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 Hartlandwere 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.
With this issue in mind please wear Red Today to show support for our troops.
Nil Sine Labore
Robby
