P.E.I. cadet corps pays homage to fallen soldiers of Vimy Ridge

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the battle

Image | Flag bearers - 09/04/17

Caption: The ceremony ended with a parade back to the Queen Charlotte Armoury. (Nicole Williams/CBC)

Islanders gathered for a somber ceremony at the Charlottetown cenotaph Sunday to remember the soldiers who fought in the battle of Vimy Ridge.
Royal Canadian Army Cadets from all four Prince Edward Island Cadet Corps came together to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the battle.

Image | Cadets - Charlottetown - 09/04/17

Caption: Members from the Royal Canadian Army Legion at the ceremony Sunday. (Nicole Williams/CBC)

The cadets began their memorial early Sunday morning, placing candles all around the cenotaph.

Image | P.E.I. Cadet Corps - 09/04/17 - Charlottetown

Caption: Members of the P.E.I. Cadet Corps and the P.E.I. Regiment gather in front of the Charlottetown cenotaph to pay homage to the fallen soldiers of Vimy Ridge. (Nicole Williams/CBC)

Later in the afternoon they marched to the cenotaph from the armoury for the ceremony.

Image | Candles - Charlottetown - 09/04/17

Caption: A candlelight ceremony at the Cenotaph took place early Sunday. Thirty-one candles were placed on the cenotaph to represent the 31 Island soldiers killed in action at Vimy Ridge. (Nicole Williams/CBC)

Premier Wade MacLauchlan, Senator Mike Duffy and Lieutenant-Governor Frank Lewis were among those present to mark the historic milestone.

Image | Charlottetown cenotaph - 09/04/17

Caption: The Charlottetown cenotaph. (Nicole Williams/CBC)

"Our P.E.I. cadet corps holds part of the legacy of Vimy," said Lewis. "We are proud of you. You've taken the torch and hold it high."

Image | Cadets - Charlottetown - 09/04/17

Caption: P.E.I. cadets named off the 31 Islanders killed in the battle. (Nicole Williams/CBC)

The P.E.I. Regiment estimates there were at least 2,000 Islanders involved in the battle at Vimy, with hundreds more working behind the lines.