MINTO – First-time author Jim Henderson, a Palmerston native, has just released a book: Before Their Endeavours Fade.
The volume chronicles the battles and politics of the First World War and provides insights into the Second World War.
Henderson’s introduction to the military came as a youth when he and a few other young daredevils manoeuvred the ledge traversing the Palmerston library below the main windows. It was from that ledge that he first noticed the soldier on the cenotaph next to the library, and the names carved into the granite. Over the years he developed a passion for knowledge about those soldiers.
For the book, roughly 35 years of research was done through family interviews, personal stories and military records.
As a second career, over a 15-year period, Henderson organized and led Canadian battlefield tours to Europe, including cemeteries where the fallen are at rest. A full two years was spent writing the manuscript and another six months with the editing process.
The result is a 470-page book that draws the reader into the personal lives of Palmerston-area men who fought (and died) in the battles from 1914 to 1918 and 1939 to 1945.
Although the main thrust is toward the names on the Palmerston cenotaph, it’s a great read for anyone with limited knowledge of the life of a Canadian soldier in the world wars.
A book launch and signing, including a brief presentation, sales ($40) and refreshments, will take place at the Palmerston Legion (260 Daly Street) on Oct. 5 from 2 to 4pm.
On Oct. 9 at 7:30pm the Harriston Historical Society will be hosting a presentation by Henderson on the battles of Vimy Ridge and Hill 70 in the Community Room of the Harriston library.
A further presentation by Henderson, with different material, will be held at the Wellington County Museum and Archives on Nov. 24 at 2pm.
– Submitted by Willa Wick for the Harriston Historical Society