News VIMY VETERAN TheReview Wednesday, April8,1992 — A2 — eee eee eee eee aa Continued from Page Al April 9, 1917. There was a strong wind blowing along with snow. It was cold. The German forces had been subjected to weeks of shelling, which was intensified April 2. “They (artillery) had pounded that ridge and the German lines for days,’ Henley said. “They beat the ground all to pieces. “T think it was 50,000 tons of shells were poured into there. The Germans called it the week of suffering.” And so, Henley says, the attack began around 5 a.m. The German resistence, weakened from the bombardment, was minimal at first. “There was a crust on the mud,” he said. “The wind was behind us and the poor bastards were getting it right in the face.” The Canadians walked slowly up the ridge, shielded by a curtain of shells. “If you walked too fast you were killed by your own artillery,” said Henley. His division reached its objec- tive, capturing the top of the ridge, but other divisions ran into heavier resistance and victory wasn't declared until Apnil 12. Henley has only been back to the ridge twice since that day. Both times to visit the Vimy Memonal, which took 11 years to build before it was unveiled by King Edward VIII on July 26, 1936. The Memorial has 11,285 names of Canadian soldiers who were listed as missing and pre- sumed dead inscribed on its ram- parts. In 1990, Henley returned for what he said was the last time. He had the honor of laying a wreath to commemorate the anniversary of the historical battle. These days he leads a somewhat quieter life. There are no more bombs flying overhead or the daily fear of being killed by a sniper. He has to wear hearing aids as a result of the exposure to front-line fighting in two wars (he also fought in the Second World War). But it doesn’t slow him down. iT youre NEW IN TOWN and don’t know which way to turn, call the Verena luo. | You'll be glad you did.§ hostesses at: (Sidney & North Saanich) Claudia Parfitt 656-7898 Viola Howe 656-3825 E (Brentwood & Central Saanich) | Frances Suddaby652-7767 § Vicky Jackson 652-5689 (Baby Welcome) Fern Gifford 656-8932 Welcome Wagon Answering Service 479-3385 In the basement of his Sidney house he has a room with shelves on one side and a workbench on the other. On the shelves are plastic models which he built and painted as historically correct as possible. His bookshelves are filled with historical accounts of the wars man has waged against himself. A comer of the living room is covered with regimental badges from around the world. Henley relishes the tradition and prude which was once synonomous with being a soldier He has stopped making modem war models. Instead he concen- trates on Waterloo, handpainting each thumb-sized figurine, includ- ing every detail of their uniforms and features. Henley will don his own uni- form tomorrow at the Saanich Peninsula branch of the Royal Canadian Legion-and again at the BC. Legislature April 12, at 1:30 p.m. for special ceremonies com- memorating the 75th anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge. ROY HENLEY shows off some of the numerous models of military equipment and personnel he has buili over the years. His collection features most of the tanks Commis- sioned by the German and Allied forces. Funeral Chapels 656-2932 or 388-5155 Offer a complete choice of Professional Service. —TRADITIONAL —MEMORIAL —DIRECT CREMATION —FULL PRE-ARRANGEMENTS SERVICES Services from your church or in either of our chapels at 1803 QUADRA STREET VICTORIA or 317 GOLDSTREAM AVE. COLWOOD © Just one ere),