The Kent Regiment Chapter, Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire (IODE) members are pleased to announce their 100th anniversary as an IODE chapter. We are the oldest IODE chapter in Chatham-Kent.
On April 13, 1913, the 24th Kent Regiment Chapter IODE was formed at the request of the Commanding Officer of the 24th Kent Regiment, Colonel H.D. Smith, to assist the regiment and their families as well as women and children of our community. The chapter adopted the motto of the regiment: “Unto the Last Ditch” and 95 members enrolled. The first regent (today the president) was Mrs. A.C. Woodward.
Creation of the “Gathering Our Heroes” website is the 100th anniversary project of the chapter. The website will be launched at a reception and wine tasting to honour the 100th anniversary of the chapter. The reception will held on Wednesday, April 24, in Studio One of the Cultural Centre, from 2 to 5 PM, with the program beginning at 3 PM. Admission by invitation.
The website commemorates the contributions of our local veterans from both World War I & II. It includes a comprehensive, searchable database of the veterans who served from Chatham-Kent. Following each conflict, IODE recorded the service of many veterans from our area in 13 Books of Remembrance, which were donated to the Chatham-Kent Museum for safekeeping.
The website has been designed by A. Thiel Marketing and Graphic Design. Local historian, Jerry Hind, has completed much additional research and continues to research the names and stories of our veterans from these conflicts. Mr. Hind is sharing his research on the website and acting as the curator of what is, basically, an online museum. The Chatham-Kent Museum is also sharing the digital Books of Remembrance on the website. We have collected and continue to collect additional information about our veterans from both World Wars and it will be included on the website. We thank all those who have contributed information and supported our chapter to make this project possible.
Garna Argenti, President
Norma West, Historian
For additional information contact:
Sheila at 519-351-2741
Norma at 519-352-6715 or kentregimentiode@yahoo.ca
