Winnipeg, MB - Today Mayor Sam Katz and members representing Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) launched a ticket drive to help send PPCLI cadets and students to the 100th anniversary commemoration of the PPCLI battle at Frezenberg, Belgium. Frezenberg, part of the Second Battle of Ypres, is the location where the PPCLI fought its first major battle and sadly, lost most of its original volunteers, many of them Manitobans.
The “Patricias” - as they are fondly called - have a long association with the City of Winnipeg. In 1914, Winnipeg was an active recruiting centre for the Regiment and for many years, the 2nd Battalion PPCLI was located at Winnipeg’s Kapyong Barracks. Today, 2 PPCLI is located in Shilo; however, Winnipeg remains home to two PPCLI Army Cadet corps and an active PPCLI Association.
In a launch event held at City Hall today, Mayor Katz purchased the first pair of tickets to a fund-raising event called the Manitoba Gala, to be held Oct. 4, 2013 at CanadInns Polo Park. Money raised from this event will help send cadets and students to France and Belgium to take part in tours of battle sites and events marking the 100th anniversary of the First World War years.
“Proceeds from ticket sales will go towards sending some very special cadets and students to Belgium and France in 2015 for a commemorative tour of battle sites holding tremendous significance to our nation’s military, and in particular, the Patricias,” said Mayor Katz. “I am honoured to support young people who wish to honour the memories of all those who fought with the PPCLI and other Canadian regiments in the First World War.”
"The Gala that the Manitoba Committee is putting together will be a great night - featuring Julian Austin and his great music, and going a long ways to help Manitoba youth get to Belgium and walk where other generations fought,” said Lieutenant-General (retired) Ray Crabbe, Colonel of the Regiment PPCLI. “Join the PPCLI family at CanadInns Polo Park on Friday, October 4."
Tickets for the Manitoba Gala are now on sale at McNally Robinson and guest services at CanadInns Polo Park.