Ceremony honours Orillia teen 79 years after his death
Aircraftman First Class Stanley Peacock was just 16 when he was killed in an explosion while working as an apprentice on the Fairmile Q 116 on Lake Couchiching in Orillia 79 years ago.
On Thursday morning, a small ceremony was held at St. James Anglican Cemetery to honour the teen who wasn't even old enough to enlist in Canada's war effort in 1943.
"There were three men injured, and he died," said Rick Purcell, president of the Orillia Legion branch.
Peacock still has family living in the Sunshine City, one of whom attended the ceremony.
"Stanley was my father-in-law's brother," said Deanna Lynn Peacock. "It has to be remembered. When I hear the bugle, I think think the story has to be remembered. I'm emotional already."
The Orillia legion has a model replica of the Q 116 on display.
The Fairmile Q 116. (Supplied)
"A year after the explosion, it was rebuilt and went down to Halifax, and this is 116 in the waters of Halifax," said Purcell.
The legion has plans to build a new obelisk honouring Peacock just feet from where the explosion happened decades ago.
The legion expects it will cost roughly $10,000 and has collected about 20 per cent of the cost to date, with hopes of having it built in time for the 80th anniversary next year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
BREAKING Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
'There was a lot of black smoke': Crane operator sounds alarm while trapped during highrise fire in Halifax
A tower crane operator alerted emergency crews after noticing a fire on a construction site in Halifax Tuesday morning.
Cherry blossoms blooming in Canada: Here's what to know
There is a swaying sea of colour in some cities across Canada, and it's a sure sign of spring: cherry blossoms are in bloom.
Murder charges filed against U.S. woman who crashed into building hosting birthday party, killing 2 kids
A Michigan woman was charged Tuesday with second-degree murder and other crimes after prosecutors say she drunkenly smashed her SUV into a boat club that was hosting a birthday party, killing two young siblings and injuring several other people.