The Prairie Sailor

A model, or “maquette” of the proposed life size statue has been created by Winnipeg Sulpture Helen Granger Young, a well known sculptor whose recent work includes that of the “Famous Five” (Nelly McClung and her four friends sigining the petition to get Canada to recognize women as persons) which as been recently placed on the Manitoba Legislative grounds.

Prairie Sailor Brochure and Donation Form (ADOBE ACROBAT DOCUMENT)

A project of the Naval Museum of Manitoba to honour all the men from the Canadian Prairies who have served in the Canadian Navy with special thanks for those who served during the Battle of the Atlantic.

As a Naval Centennial project the Naval museum placed a large anchor in front of HMCS CHIPPAWA to honour all who have served in Canada’s Navy during the past 100 years.  It is proposed to place the Prairie Sailor statue adjacent to the anchor to complete an area honouring all past naval service and marking the exceptionals contribution made by the men of the Prairies.

Photo Gallery

Click on the thumbnails below for a larger version of each image:

Donations

You are invited to take part in the Prairie Sailor Project.  Here is how you may participate:

  1. You may make a donation. Any amount is greatly appreciated
  2. The area around the centenial anchor and Prairie Sailor statue pedestal is paved with bricks. You may purchase a memorial brick to be personally engraved.   Donations of $200 will receive a three (3) line stone and donations of $350 will receive a four (4) line memorial stone. Your brick will be a permanent tribute at this site.
  3. You can also help us by spreading the word about this project!

More detailed donation information is available in our brochure:
Prairie Sailor Brochure and Donation Form (ADOBE ACROBAT DOCUMENT)

Why a “Prairie Sailor” Statue in Winnipeg?

During World War II, the Korean Conflict, the Gulf War and throughout the 100 year history of the Canadian Navy, men and women from acrosss the prairies have enlisted in the Navy to serve their country.

During WWII Winnipeg became the third largest naval recruiting center in Canada only exceeded by those on the two coasts.  Approximately 300 officers and 8,000 other ranks began their journey to the sea in Winnipeg onboard HMCS Chippawa.

On a population basis, men from the prairies made up an exceptional percentage of Canada’s seagoing naval force that performed such great service during the Battle of the Atlantic and in the subsequent years as Canada’s navy has continued its activities to protect those that “pass upon the seas upon their lawful occasion”.

Many women also joined the Women’s Naval Service and served in shore establishments in Canada and abroad,  Their services is marked as part of a tri-service women’s monument in memorial Park.  However there is no monument specifically honouring the men from the prairies, – the “Prairie Sailors”.

Suggestions for inscription on stones

The inscription on the stones may be anything suitable to the nature of the project that fits the spaces permitted.  It is your opportunity to put in place for years to come a public acknowledgment of, and thank you for, the service of family members, friends, old mess mates and others.

It may be in memory of a named individual or individuals with the name of the donor or donor’s family.  “In loving Memory” is the common first line on such stones.  Those remembered may have served at any time in the history of the Canadian Navy.

The larger bricks may list more than one name.

The dedication may be to a group or Ship’s Company.

The dedication may be a simple thank you to those that served , worded as you may see fit with donor’s name.

The inscription may simply be the name of the donor, donor’s family, a donating company, organization or group.

For further information

Phone: (204) 269-2390

Phone: (204) 667-7324

Email: prairiesailorstatue@mymts.net