ABORIGINAL WAR HERO HERMAN STOCK, WHO DIED ON D-DAY BEING HONOURED AT WAHTA SATURDAY WITH HAMMOND ARTWORK
WAHTA — Yesterday’s 80th D-Day anniversary will be marked tomorrow at Wahta, where 22-year-old war hero Herman Stock was born.
The native son died June 6, 1944, in Normandy as part of the Juno Beach invasion that began the march toward victory and the end of the Second World War.
The rifleman with the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada is buried in Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, Grave Reference: V. B. 14.
He’s also remembered on a monument at lot 12, Concession 6, Muskoka Road 38, Wahta Mohawk Reserve, ON.
Greg Hammond would like to have been in France for the ceremonies.
“Oh boy, would I.”
In 2016 the military history buff and digital media artist visited Stock’s French resting place.
With him he carried sand from the Muskoka River, which he sprinkled on the grave. Along with some he placed on the grave of one of his dad’s, friends.
Hammond has created a custom mixed media art piece commemorating Stock and is presenting it to Stock’s community at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Wahta municipal office.
Stock was born on the Gibson Reserve in Sahnation, Ontario, April 14 1920, son of Robert and Mary Stock. He worked as a labourer and was a member of the United Church.
He enlisted in The Queen’s Own Rifles in July 1941 at 19 with no previous military service, and served with the Regiment for three years before D-Day.
Hammond, who’s dad Orvil started Hammond Transportation where Greg drives bus, said “I’ve always been a history buff and have a strong interest for Canadian military history and the understanding that others have sacrificed so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we have today.
“My interest in Indigenous life and issues stems from my mother, Fran. She grew up on Manitoulin Island and when we would visit the Island as kids, we would often attend pow wows there.
“I remember that we travelled to western Canada and stopped in Thunder Bay at a pow wow because Chief Dan George was speaking.
“We always had native art and crafts in our home, and we actually had a totem pole in front of our house. My mother took an Indigenous Studies course and when she couldn’t get answers on some issues that concerned her, she dragged my sister and I with her to a meeting in Ottawa with the minister of indian affairs.
“This piece comes from the combination of those interests”.
A digital media artist Greg Hammond is from the well-known Muskoka transportation family. His eclectic artworks begin with his original photography which features iconic Muskoka scenes, natural settings, and the everyday beauty that he encounters. Combining the reality of photography with artistic impression he edits and filters each composition into stunning pieces of digital fine art.
“The artistic process allows me to bring what I see (or think that I see) onto the canvas, creating colourful pieces which range from whimsical to meaningful. I’m always humbled when others find beauty in a piece that I’ve created,” he said.
A member of Muskoka Arts and Crafts, his artwork has been exhibited at various venues in the region and numerous pieces have been used to support charities.
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