If you pass through Hopewell Cape in the square by the cannons you will see two black granite benches which face the guns looking out over the bay. These were donated to the museum by Harold Clifton Reid. They bear the inscription, “Donated by Harold Reid, World War II (1943-44) and Korean War Veteran (1950-52), Regular reserve (1954 -57).” They grace the square where Harold spent many days playing on the guns as youth.
Harold grew up in Hopewell Cape and regularly visited his home town after he moved away after the war. He always kept an active interest in the “going-ons” around Hopewell Cape. During the Victory Cannon Campaign, (the campaign to restore the captured German guns which sit in Hopewell Cape Square) Harold already in his nineties, kept a keen interest in our progress. Harold also generously gave the funds needed to restore the wheels on each of the guns.
It was during one visit to the museum that Harold related a Halloween prank they pulled as kids while growing up in the Cape. He said, “One Halloween, a couple of boys and myself, well, we took the wheels off the large gun, and rolled them across the road, and then down the hill to the river.” He said “I’ll never forget the way the wheels took off, and gathered speed as they rolled and bounced straight and true down the hill. It was a sight I’ll never forget.” Harold went on to say, “We never did get caught for that prank.”
Harold passed away peacefully at Sunnybrook Hospital on Tuesday, April 3rd, in his 91st year. Beloved husband of Ann (nee Griffiths) for 65 years. Loving father of Carol Gilewski (Mark), David (Christine), Paul and Laurie. Proud Grandpa of Lindsay (Justin), Davis, Tracy (Sean), Terry and Robert. Beloved Great Grandpa of Charlotte and Logan. Harold will be dearly missed by his grandpuppy, Abby.
