Hundreds visit ‘Pine Street Boys’ Victoria Crosses exhibit

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This article was published 11/11/2014 (3053 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A small exhibit holding the medals of three Winnipeg war heroes drew curious visitors to the lobby of the Manitoba Museum on Remembrance Day.

The “Victoria Crosses of Valour Road” exhibit tells the story of three young men who lived on the same street in Winnipeg and were honoured for their bravery with the medal during the First World War.

“I think it’s cool that they had this exhibit out here. I definitely learned a bit more about them,” said Alex Daigneault, who visited the exhibit today.

Like many Winnipeggers, Daigneault had learned about the three soldiers in school.

Lieutenant Robert Shankland, Cpl. Lionel B. (Leo) Clarke and Sgt.-Major Frederick William Hall were three of the 70 Canadians who received a Victoria Cross for their actions in the First World War.

The men had lived on Pine Street in what is now the city’s West End. The city renamed the street Valour Road after they they were each awarded a Victoria Cross for showing bravery on the battlefield.

In total 96 Canadians have received the Victoria Cross. Since 1993, the Canadian government awards its own medal and Canadians are no longer eligible for the British honour.

The Valour Road exhibit is open free of charge in the entrance lobby of the museum until Sunday. Next week, it returns to Ottawa, where it is kept at the Canadian War Museum.