Written By Alan Good
TRAVEL - Travel to Strathroy and pay a visit to the museum at 34 Frank Street. Outside, the Sir Arthur Currie Memorial statue and the names of people within the community that are inscribed on the cenotaph memorials may cause you to pause and be thankful. But inside, you’ll view a display that may cause you some discomfort.
In 1942 the Canadian government forced thousands of Japanese Canadians from British Columbia and put them on trains headed anywhere. They could only take with them what they could carry and were promised their other possessions would be safe. But their possessions were stolen or sold.
Before then, they had lived in British Columbia for decades and despite discrimination managed to grow as a people. Japanese Canadians built lives, businesses and families—many who were displaced were born in Canada—and generally were rooted here.
After Japanese attacks on US soil, a law was enacted. It was stated to be “a protective measure” which exiled almost 4,000 to Japan and sent another 18,000 Japanese Canadians across Canada, with no way to return as their homes were sold.
Some 8,347 people were sent to Ontario, some locating near Strathroy. Even after the war had ended, many were still being sent away. The government, for reasons of their own, took pictures of businesses and homes which later was used by displaced Japanese to contest the sale of their property.
At the museum, meet the people whose lives were uprooted and changed forever and witness their struggle. Some were betrayed by friends while others had their businesses bought by competitors after they were dispossessed. Later, one such Japanese Canadian would be invited to attend a ceremony at Vimmy Ridge.
It’s worth a drive to Strathroy to see how these people had been treated. As well, digital information can be accessed from your own home such as Virtual War Memorial soldiers who gave their lives for our country in overseas wars. Other digital exhibits include tributes to hometown heroes.
