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Over the past 400 years the exploits of the military in this province has been extraordinary. Those who explored our forests, ventured over the vast prairies and navigated the Hudson Bay, the island channels of the north and the thousands of lakes, rivers and streams, opened the immense lands of western Canada to the world. These explorers, traders and settlers all had the duty of protecting their forts, trading posts and the trade routes which brought wealth and progress to the new world.
Manitoba’s earliest recorded military event was on August 15th, 1612, over 400 years ago, when then Captain Thomas Button landed on the shores of Hudson’s Bay and claimed the land north, west and south of Hudson’s Bay for King James of England. He named the land New Wales, the land
we now know as Manitoba.
Manitoba has one of the proudest military records of any province in the history of Canada. Our accomplishments on land, sea and in the air have served as a tremendous sense of pride to all of us.
The bravery of ordinary Manitobans, in extraordinary challenges has resulted in our citizens winning
18 Victoria Crosses, more per capita than any other province. These include Canada’s most decorated war hero; William Barker from Dauphin, the bravery of Winnipeg’s Andrew Mynarski who was a true example of a hero, and the extraordinary accomplishment of our soldiers; Clarke, Hall and Shankland, the
three VC winners who all lived on the same block on what is now Valour Road in Winnipeg. At home our Military have fought floods, fires, ice storms and provided security and service to our citizens and visitors.
We are proud to recognize the 400 years of our military history, and the loyalty, dedication
and service of our armed forces in a “Quadricentennial” magazine of the Military in Manitoba.
This magazine is laid out in a time line of the 400 years of events which depicts the major events. Some events and individuals are described in some detail but for the most part it simply lists the date and event of our exciting and informative history. It does not attempt to tell the whole story, as our intent is
to create an interest in the great achievements of those brave and dedicated men and women who, in uniform or buckskins brought this great country to nationhood.
Our hope is that our historians, researchers and writers, both present and future, young and old will select an untold story of our land and bring the full chronicle, unrevised, true and honest to our readers, our schools and our citizens. This, so we can all be proud of our past and from that, learn to work for a better future.