News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

By LeRae Haynes

There will be a unique display of respect tomorrow in Williams Lake, when Legion members, firefighters, Emergency Services Workers and RCMP members will line the highway between Mackenzie Avenue and South Lakeside.

They will be there to honour a special group passing through Williams Lake to Alexis Creek. Delta Company, First Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry has returned from a seven-and-a-half-month combat mission in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.

Approximately 82 soldiers, members of Delta Company’s 12 Platoon, will travel through Williams Lake to Alexis Creek to attend a private memorial service for Lieutenant Andrew Nuttall.

The military convoy will pass through Williams Lake tomorrow at noon, where they will be greeted along the highway as a sign of respect, honour and gratitude.

On Sunday the group will come back through Williams Lake and stop for lunch at noon in Boitanio Park, put on by the Legion. The community, and CRD and City dignitaries are invited to join the Delta Company members for a celebratory cake made by Save On Foods, and for music provided by the Williams Lake Pipe Band.

Legion Zone Commander Vivian MacNeil, who has been the driving force behind this coming event, said that local businesses and organizations have been very generous and supportive, and that the Legion is very pleased for the opportunity to show respect and support for Canadian troops.

In early June, Delta Company, First Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, returned from a seven and a half month combat mission in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.  As part of the 1,150 person Task Force 3-09 Battle Group, the 210 soldiers of Delta Company Group, partnered with a 70 man company of Afghan National Army soldiers, lived among the Afghan local national population establishing a security presence in the former insurgent stronghold of Nakhonay, allowing initial reconstruction, development and trust building initiatives to take hold. 

The soldiers did so by aggressively patrolling an area measuring approximately 45 square kilometers, living in extremely austere 40 man patrol bases. 

The Delta Company area of operations proved to be one of the most dangerous areas of Southern Afghanistan, as over the course of their tour, Delta Company soldiers uncovered over three metric tonnes of weapons, explosives and improvised explosive device making material.  Unfortunately, this tactical success came at a high cost, as Delta Company lost five soldiers in the course of their mission and suffered a number of seriously injured. 

Canadian casualties included Sapper Steven Marshall of Calgary, Alberta, Lieutenant Andrew Nuttall of Victoria, B.C., Sergeant John Wayne Faught of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Private Tyler Todd of Bright, Ontario and Private Kevin McKay of Richmond Hill, Ontario. 

After leaving Williams Lake, the Delta Company will return to Edmonton, where the battalion will be disbanded and absorbed into other units.

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