We had a wonderful time at the Bonnyville Gala where I was presented with my Grandfather's Boer War medal. At the Gala, I asked one of the Legion members how I could thank everyone for the celebration of the return of the medal to my family. He replied, “no thanks is necessary, I can see it (the joy and thanks) on your face.” How true this is.
I thank Legion 183 for taking care of the medal for so many years. By now I assume many of you have heard this astonishing story. Thanks to Dan Gates of the Legion for his repeated attempts to locate a descendant. Thanks to my Grandfather, Bob Land for bringing the medal to the Legion, Bob's uncle for retrieving it out of the trash in Victoria, the Internet, my Sydney, Australia, cousin-three times removed – whom I've never met and didn't know existed, for his British Geneology work on the Watson family, Dan Gates and members of Bonnyville Royal Canadian Legion Branch 183, Gala organizers and the people of Bonnyville, and whomever else I have failed to recognize (forgive me).
The medal is now as safe and sound with our family as it was with Branch 183. I knew I would be interviewed at the Gala, but I didn't know it would happen in front of 520 people. The march of Legion members lead by the bagpipes, almost had me on my knees. It was beautiful. I loved the uniforms, the music, but particularly the pride, joy, and deep emotion expressed by many when the medal was handed over to me. Thank you Bonnyville!
As I reported in the interview with the Nouvelle, I've now gained a piece of my family history along with new friends in Bonnyville and Australia. I also said that it was one of my life's deepest regrets that I couldn't spend more time with my Victoria grandparents. Visiting my grandfather when I was very young, loved to walk with me to Victoria's Inner Harbour, followed by a visit to the “World's best” candy shop. As a daughter of a Royal Canadian Air Force pilot, we spent our lives mostly in Ontario, France and Quebec. I was proud to say that my father trained on CF 100s at Cold Lake Air Force Base back in the 1950s, a wonderful connection to the area.
My deepest heartfelt thanks for such a wonderful gift. I will never forget October 5, 2013, Bonnyville, Alberta, Canada.
Penelope (Penny) Ann Jensen nee Watson
