Victoria Cross plaque stolen in Toronto (12/24/06)

Victoria Cross plaque stolen in Toronto

UCCLA

OTTAWA - A trilingual bronze plaque honoring the World War I Ukrainian Canadian hero Cpl. Filip Konowal has been stolen from the facade of Branch 360 of the Royal Canadian Legion, located at 326 Queen St. W. in Toronto.

The branch, popularly known as "CLUB 360" (Canadian Legion Ukrainian Branch), was particularly active in recalling the valor of this Canadian veteran, who was awarded the Victoria Cross by King George V, installing similar historical markers in places across Canada associated with Cpl. Konowal's life, including Richmond, British Columbia (Royal Westminster Regiment), Ottawa (Governor General's Foot Guards) and on its own building in Toronto in 1996.

Plaques were also unveiled in Kudkivtsi, Ukraine - Konowal's home village - in 2000, and near the site of the Battle for Hill 70, Lens, France, in 2005. A trilingual booklet detailing Konowal's life was published by the branch and distributed widely across Canada to public libraries, schools and universities.

Members of the group were likewise instrumental in rescuing Konowal's Victoria Cross which now stands permanently on display in the new Canadian War Museum. The VC was the British Empire's highest medal for bravery.

Commenting on the theft, Branch 360 President John B. Gregorovich said: "Our building was seized, without just cause, by the Ontario Provincial Command, with the sanction of Dominion Command of the Royal Canadian Legion, in June 2005. While this matter has yet to be resolved by the courts, the fact is that our property is currently in the charge of Ontario Provincial Command. Their stewardship leaves much to be desired, for, on their watch, a valuable bronze plaque honoring a Canadian soldier has been stolen.

"When our branch was active that plaque was safe and sound. It was only after Ontario Command padlocked our premises and expelled us from our branch, over the protests of our members, that this outrage took place."

Mr. Gregorovich said the branch has called upon the Ontario and Dominion commands to file a police report about this theft and to contact their insurance providers to arrange for an exact replica of the Konowal plaque to be made and reinstalled.

"We expended considerable time and resources in doing the good Legion work of honoring Filip Konowal, one of our Great War veterans, and now that effort is being undone because of the actions of Ontario and Dominion commands," Mr. Gregorovich said. "They have a moral and legal duty to redress this situation."

The branch is also asking anyone who has any information about the theft of this plaque to come forward and help recover it. "It is a sad day indeed when memorials to Canadian heroes become prey to petty thieves," Mr. Gregorovich commented.

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