Konowal Plaque Stolen in Toronto

TORONTO–A trilingual bronze plaque honouring the First World War Ukrainian Canadian hero, Corporal Filip Konowal, VC, has been stolen from  the facade of

Branch #360 of The Royal Canadian Legion, at 326 Queen St. W., in Toronto.

The Branch, popularly known as CLUB 360 [Canadian Legion Ukrainian Branch] was particularly active in recalling the valour of this Canadian  veteran,

installing similar historical markers in places across Canada associated with Cpl. Konowal’s life, including Richmond, British Columbia  (The Royal Westminster Regiment), Ottawa (The Governor General’s Foot Guards), and on their own building, in Toronto, in 1996.

Plaques were also unveiled in Kudkivtsi, Ukraine (Konowal’s home village), in 2000, and near the site of the Battle for Hill 70,  Lens, France in 2005. A trilingual booklet detailing  Konowal’s life was published by the Branch and distributed widely across Canada to public libraries, schools and universities. Members of the group were likewise instrumental in rescuing Konowal’s VC, which now stands permanently  on display in the new Canadian War Museum.

Commenting on the theft, Branch #360’s president, John B. Gregorovich, said: “Our building was seized, without just cause, by the Ontario  Provincial Command, with the sanction of  Dominion Command of The Royal Canadian Legion, in June 2005. While this matter has yet to be resolved by the courts, the fact is that our property is currently in the charge of Ontario Provincial Command. Their stewardship leaves much  to be desired, for, on their watch, a valuable bronze plaque honouring a Canadian soldier has been stolen. When our Branch was active, that  plaque was safe and sound. It was only after Ontario Command padlocked our premises and expelled us from our Branch, over the protests  of our members, that this outrage took place.

“We have called upon the Ontario and Dominion Commands to file a police report about this theft and to contact their insurance providers to  arrange for an exact replica of the Konowal plaque to be made and reinstalled. We expended considerable time and resources in doing the good  Legion work of honouring Filip Konowal, one of our Great War veterans, and now that effort is being undone because of the actions of Ontario and Dominion Commands. They have a moral and legal duty to redress this situation.

“We are also asking anyone who has any information about the theft of this plaque to come forward and help us recover it. It is a sad day indeed when memorials to Canadian heroes become prey to petty thieves.”