What is the National Day of Mourning? It is the day where we recognize persons killed or injured in the workplace, and commit to making the workplace a healthy and safe place.
Prior to April 28, 1914, workers in Ontario were required to sue their employers to receive compensation for injuries acquired on the job. The Workers Compensation Act saw employees give up their right to sue their employers for injuries for an no fault, automatic, employer paid system that would guarantee swift and regular payment. The National Day of Mourning came into effect on April 28, 1991, across Canada, since then flags in all federal facilities are lowered to half mast.
In front of the Communication and Electronics Museum stands a monument to Private Petty Porter who passed away in workplace accident in the Golan Heights on November 6, 1980, at the age of 21. Part of a “1 Line Troop” 5-person crew scheduled to do antenna maintenance; Private Porter was belted into the top of a 60ft Trylone tower when the accident occurred. The crew were lowering a Log Periodic antenna for maintenance when a guy wire supporting the tower snapped. The tower broke in half and fell to the ground carrying Private Porter to his death. An investigation of the accident concluded that an improperly installed strain insulator, used to connect the guy wires to support the radio antenna and break the electrical path to prevent short circuits or grounding, was to blame. It had broken, separating the guy wire, causing the tower to collapse.
In 1984, Chief Warrant Officer Roger Ladouceur, a member of the ill fated 5-person crew who was there when Private Porter had his fatal accident returned to the Golan Heights. While he was there, he had a monument erected in memory of Private Porter. Over time, it became the memorial to all members who had lost their lives in the Golan Heights area (UNEF I, UNEF II, UNTSO and UNDOF). In 2006, the monument was transferred to the Military Communications and Electronics Museum grounds.
Every year there is a ceremony at the cairn in memory of Private Porter and all who died in the Golan Heights area.
On April 28, 2023 remember to think of those who have suffered a workplace accident and strive to make your workplace healthy and safe.
By: Karen Young, Museum Manager
Coffee with Veterans
Join us at the Museum for Coffee! 1000 on April 11! Veterans and serving members welcome! Proudly sponsored by ADGA https://www.adga.ca/
Mercury Shop News
The Mercury Shop will be at the CFB Kingston Spring Craft Sale April 29, 2023
1000-1500
Thompson Drill Hall