They’re all gone now, this group of men who served us all during the Second World War – all of them longtime contributors to the Sooke community. Standing are Frank Planes, Larry Rumsby, Leonard Jones; seated are Stanley Jones and a fifth individual. The group were gathered at the home of Jim and Elida Peers during the 1990s, recounting their wartime exploits for the historical record.
While the four named gentlemen were all veterans and recognized as upstanding citizens and community contributors, and while the fifth individual was also a veteran and community volunteer, we prefer not to detail his life here, as unfortunately, we were to learn much later, he was responsible for a sad chapter in this community’s life.
In the white shirt at left, Frank Planes became a legendary figure. Grandson of Chief Andrew Lazzar, his T’Sou-ke name was Kwaq a yuk; he grew up with intuitive skills as a fisherman and became renowned for his knowledge of these waters. Serving in the North Pacific for three years, Frank was proud of the six medals he was presented with: the 1939-45 Star, the Pacific Star; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp, National Aboriginal Veterans Association Medal, a Defence Medal and United Nations Medal.
Next to Frank is Larry Rumsby, who was one of those younger fellows who were barely old enough to join up before the war was over in 1945. While his service during the war was brief, his entire life was spent in not only raising his family but in generously contributing to the welfare of this community almost up to his passing at age 95.
The Jones brothers, Stan and Len, were twins born in 1925 to Mabel and George Jones, and they were twins as well in patriotic service throughout their lives. In 1942 the brothers both joined the Royal Canadian Navy and underwent training in Calgary. Len went on to serve on the corvette HMCS Dawson in the North Atlantic. Stan’s service was on a minesweeper between Victoria and Prince Rupert. The Jones brothers married sisters whom they had met because of their Alberta training, and the families went on to take up major roles in the business development of the community, among them their development of Cedar Grove Mall in 1974.
Steering Sooke Community Association was a major commitment of both brothers. Len also served many years on the board of the Sooke School District and with Sooke Volunteer Fire Department, while Stan’s interests also took him to sports where Stan Jones Field at SEAPARC serves as a legacy to his name.
Elida Peers is the historian with Sooke Region Museum.
