On June 2, 1953, the town of Selkirk burst into a vibrant display of community spirit and civic pride to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Marked by decorated streets, festive parades, sporting events, and a massive community gathering, the historic day brought local residents together to honor the new monarch in truly grand fashion.
Paul Henrikson (1924–1992) was a Second World War Royal Canadian Navy veteran who served on the HMCS Uganda. After the war, he dedicated his life to education as a beloved teacher at Selkirk Collegiate and the Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary School, while also serving his community as a town councillor, Deputy Mayor, and active member of numerous local clubs.
Remember the dedication of Otto Scramstad, a proud World War II veteran who answered the call to serve in the Canadian Army. Alongside his brothers Bob and Harry, he stood as a vital member of Selkirk’s historic Dufferin Gang, leaving behind an enduring legacy of family sacrifice and community service.
Follow the extraordinary life of Harold Little, a D-Day veteran who courageously navigated a swimming tank onto Juno Beach. Despite losing an eye to a landmine during the landing, he heroically carried a wounded comrade to safety, later returning to Europe to complete his service with the historic Dufferin Gang. After the war, he built a legendary local career as a commercial and government recovery diver, a legacy celebrated today at the Marine Museum of Manitoba.
Follow the selfless life of Harold Henrikson, who stepped away from school in the 1930s to support his family at the Selkirk Foundry. After marrying in Ontario and enlisting with the Lord Strathcona’s Armoured Horse Tank Corps, this proud member of the Dufferin Gang fought in the Liberation of the Netherlands and Belgium before returning home to raise his family, work at the Selkirk Mental Health Centre, and serve as a dedicated Mason and Legion member.
Follow the inspiring life of Elma Gunter, who grew up in Selkirk alongside four of her siblings in the historic Dufferin Gang. After serving as a secretary in the Canadian Women’s Auxiliary Corps during World War II, she returned home to build a vibrant career and dedicate decades of her life to vital community organizations, including the Business and Professional Women’s Club and the Gordon Howard Seniors Centre.
The Selkirk Museum celebrates the Royal Canadian Legion’s history through The Forty-Second Branch, a book written by Malcolm Macfarlane in 1977. Macfarlane faced challenges in researching the Legion’s first fifty years due to incomplete records, relying on colorful memories from its members. The book captures the Legion’s formation, successes, struggles, and contributions to Selkirk.
Discover the incredible legacy of Selkirk’s Langlois family—from their roots in boatbuilding and life on Hecla Island to the remarkable story of nine brothers who all served in WWII and returned home safely.