In 1936, Mrs. Charlotte Susan Wood from Winnipeg, Manitoba, became known as the first National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother when she placed a wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Westminster Abbey in London, England, on behalf of all Canadian mothers who have lost a child in military service to their country.

On August 24, 1914, her son, Private Frederick Francis Wood, was killed at Mons, Belgium while serving with the Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment).

On May 5, 1917, a second son, Private Peter Percy Wood, was killed at Vimy Ridge while serving with the Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regiment).

She was awarded the George V Jubilee Medal in 1935. While on a pilgrimage to attend the unveiling of the Vimy Ridge Memorial in July 1936, Mrs. Wood was presented to King Edward VIII. Seizing the opportunity she said to him, "I have just been looking at the trenches and I just can’t figure out why our boys had to go through that."

King Edward VIII replied, “Please God, Mrs. Wood. It shall never happen again.”

Photo: Library and Archives Canada/PA-148875

As a platoon commander from May to December 2010, Captain Collette demonstrated front line leadership that was critical to her soldiers’ success during intense combat in Afghanistan.

Stationed in volatile Nakhonay, her platoon regularly faced the threat posed by improvised explosive devices, all while repelling numerous attacks on their base. Despite suffering casualties within the group, she kept her soldiers focused and battle-ready; her desire to succeed never wavered. Captain Collette’s fortitude under fire and performance in combat were critical to defeating the enemy and disrupting all insurgent attempts to reoccupy this key village.

Medal of Military Valour awarded:  November 30, 2011
Invested: June 22, 2012

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Help Perley Health Foundation create a sea of Red and White on the lawn of Perley Health this Remembrance Day.  This year, a Canadian Flag will be planted on the lawn of Perley Health for each donation made.

https://perleyhealthfoundation.ca/stories/blog/2021-sponsor-a-flag/

(Anonymous) in memory of Prof. John Cairns, RCAF, WWII

Mr. William Abbott, in memory of Russel Morey

Mrs. Susan Atkinson, in memory of Maurice Alexander Enkel, Black Watch Regiment

Mrs. Tina Creber, in memory of my husband, MGen (Ret'd) Ernest Basil Creber a member of the RCEME corps

Helen Edwards, in memory of John C.S. Edwards

Dr. Jack Granatstein, in memory of Nancy Colbert

Dr. Jack Granatstein, in memory of Prof. John Ricker, RCAF, WWII

Dr. Jack Granatstein, in memory of Dr. Robert Spencer