An ironwood tree now stands in solemn remembrance of four brothers who were ready to make the ultimate sacrifice during the First World War.
On June 23 numerous descendants gathered in Veterans Park in Salem to pay tribute to James W. Rogers, Fred Walter Rogers, George Edward Rogers and Albert Stanley Rogers, three of whom survived the war.
Though the forecast called for rain, Don Rogers, son of James W, noted, “they went through a lot worse for us.”
He said there is another tree in the park dedicated to George Edward Rogers, the one brother killed in the Great War.
Special thanks were offered to George Rogers for the idea and arranging the purchase of the tree and plaque.
Part of the dedication included an open mic session, during which family members could share memories.
George Rogers said he always thought his grandmother Rogers and Auntie Min were two of the most amazing women when he was growing up.
“As it turns out, there is one more … my great grandmother Annie, who had two sons in five-and-a-half months … and I don’t think that’s ever been done before in the history of mankind.”
He was alluding to the enlistment of brothers George and Albert, who “lied to get into the war. Albert was only 16 when he signed up.”
George also had good things to say about the Elora branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.
“This tree will leave a lasting memory that the Rogers family was once a big part of Salem,” he said.
During the dedication, Don stated the memorial tree will continue to grow as a living witness of James, Fred, George and Albert Rogers, who served in the First World War as brave soldiers.
“They dedicated their young lives to the service of our country, risking their lives so we and the next generations may live in peace,” said Don.
James Wesley Rogers
Born in 1894, Jim was overseas in France at the time of the death of his wife Alice Elsie McMaster and baby Wesley Lockwood Cavell Rogers. He was shot in August 1918 during the Battle of Amiens receiving a large scar over his backside. He remarried after the war and fathered 12 children.
Fred Walter Rogers
Born in 1896, Fred married after the war and fathered two daughters.
George Edward Rogers
George was born in 1898 and died during a training exercise in England. He enlisted in Elora in December 1915. He was 17 at the time.
He embarked on the HMS Olympic (sister ship of the Titanic) from Halifax on April 28, 1917, arriving at Liverpool on May 17. He transferred to the 25th Reserve Battalion Canadian Expedition Force and entered Segregation Camp at Bramshott that day.
He was injured in a mine explosion on Aug. 17, 1917 on Longmoor Ranges, near Bramshot. Initial reports indicated eight killed and 29 wounded, two of whom were not expected to live. The explosion happened during an instruction on trench raids.
Admitted to Bramshott Military Hospital, George died a few minutes after admission and was buried in England.
Albert Stanley Rogers
Born in 1900, Albert married after the war and fathered 11 children.
