In Remembrance of Ukrainian Canadians in WWII

From the collection of The Ukrainian Museum of Canada, UWAC, Manitoba Branch

“Heroes of Their Day” – UCCLF

Welcome to the current virtual exhibit of the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, UWAC, Manitoba Branch. This exhibit gives a glimpse of the role of Ukrainian Canadians in WWII in three parts:

• The wartime Ukrainian Canadian Servicemen’s Association
• Ukrainian Canadian Chaplains in WWII
• Those who supported the war effort from home

In addition to archival photos from our collection we acknowledge photos and other material provided by the Panchuk family, newspaper clippings and other memorabilia donated by Anna Babynec, the research paper by Dr. Roman Yereniuk.

Panchuk, Gordon Bohdan, was born 8 February 1915 in Meacham, Saskatchewan and died 20 June 1987 in Montreal Quebec, buried in the St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Cemetery, Oakville, Ontario.

In 1940 he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and underwent training in wireless operations. In 1942 he was attached to the RCAF intelligence service.

On 6 June 1944 (D-Day) he took part in the Allied landing in Normandy, and remained for two years on active duty.

He was one of the founders of the London based Central Ukrainian Relief Bureau and became its first director.

From 1955 to 1980 he taught in a Montreal high school and completed his BA and MA. After his retirement he became rector of the St. Petro Mohyla Institute in Saskatoon.

Read more: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-veteran-who-helped-bring-30000-ukrainian-refugees-to-canada-to-be/

Wedding of Bohdan Panchuk and Ann Cherniawsky, London, 2nd of February 1946

(Left to right): Capt. S Davidovich, Capt. A.M. Homik, Captain S.W. Frolick, Capt. D. Melnyk, Capt. Walter Grenkow and Capt. Peter Smylski; Bestman, Flight Lieutenant J. Romanow, Maid of Honour was Leading Aircraftwoman E. Winarski.

Captain Ann Crapleve

Ann Crapleve-Smith (1920 – 2005) was one of the first Ukrainian volunteers in the Canadian Women’s Army Corps in World War II.

Ann was born in 1920 in the town of Ladywood in Manitoba. Later she resided in Winnipeg where she completed University and began a career as an accountant. It was as though she would have a regular life and regular job. However, as the war progressed she became increasingly concerned and in 1941 she enlisted. In November 1942 as a member of the First Corps she arrived in Great Britain.

While in England Ann was a prominent member of the Ukrainian Canadian Servicemen’s Association, formed on January 7, 1943.

For her dedicated service in the war effort Ann was awarded the Medal of the British Empire in June of 1944. She was one of the first Ukrainian Canadians to receive this high distinction. The ceremony took place at Buckingham Palace and Captain Crapleve was accompanied to the event by Captain Rev. Semen Sawchuk, Chaplain. In August 1944, Ann was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.

After the defeat of Germany, Ann was sent to the Continent to assist in the withdrawal of the Canadian Corps to the British Occupied Zone. From then until 1946 she served in Germany. After demobilization to Canada, she soon returned to Europe to participate in the efforts to assist Ukrainians in Displaced Persons camps. She became a key member of the Central Ukrainian Relief Bureau, working in the DP camps to provide humanitarian aid, legal assistance and to prevent repatriation of Ukrainians to the USSR. In October 1946, she became part of the Canadian Humanitarian Aid Mission based in Frankfurt Am Main where she coordinated the work of CURB, for Ukrainians in the American and French Zones. In December 1947, she was chosen to head up CURB’s work in Europe.

Ann returned to Canada in 1951 and became active in the Royal Canadian Legion. Later she worked at the Museum of Man and Nature (now the Manitoba Museum) in Winnipeg. She passed away in 2005 after a most extraordinary and eventful life.

Members of The UCSA active in WWII clockwise from lower left:

1. Officers at the official opening of the Club
2. F. Lt. J. Burianyk
3. L.A.C. Mike Ewasyshyn
4. Capt. J.G. Karasivich
5. Welcome to the first get together
6. L.A.C. Johnnie Yuzyk

In 1995, a memorial plaque was placed on the facade of 218 Sussex Gardens in London, formerly the Vicarage, to recognize this building as the home of the UCSA, “London Club” during WWII.

Subsequently the Ukrainian Civil Liberties Foundation decided to commission a commemorative stained glass window in the adjacent St.James’s Church. The window would complement the plaque and would honour the Ukrainian Canadian volunteers in WWII.

UCCLF fundraised for two years working closely with the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain and the diocese of St.James’s Church.

An unveiling took place on the 75th Anniversary of VE Day, 8th May, 2020 but due to the Covid-19 pandemic the formal ceremony has been postponed.

The window, located in the South Vestibule, depicts a sunflower, symbolic of light and life, intertwined with the Tryzub or Trident, Ukraine’s national symbol and Coat of Arms.

Ukrainian Canadians are eternally grateful for the benevolence shown to Ukrainian Canadian volunteers by the Parish of St. James’s Church during and after WWII.

The window includes the following lines from the Gospel of Mathew.

“I was a stranger and you gave me shelter”

March 15, 1965, Sewing for the Red Cross for 25 Years (l. to r.) Mrs. J. Tracz, Mrs. O. Monastyrski, Mrs. O. Babynec at Red Cross Centre on Osborne St.

“Прийдіть до Мене, усі струджені та обтяжені, і Я вас заспокою!”

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

– Gospel of Mathew

Thank you for visiting our virtual exhibit!

Вічная Пам’ять!