WALL OF HONOUR

STELLARTON - Over 90 years ago, a young man put aside his fear and rushed across enemy lines as bullets whizzed around him, intent on saving the lives of his two injured comrades.
Miraculously, he got one to safety, but as he returned to save the second, he was killed.
The man was Private James Peter Robertson, born on Oct. 26, 1883, in Albion Mines, which would eventually become part of Stellarton. Just 34 years old, he was fighting in the Battle of Paschendaele on Nov. 6, 1917.
This was his second act of bravery that day; earlier, he had dashed to an opening on the flank in the battle and rushed a machine gun position, struggling with the crew and killing four of them. The remainder fled to their own lines, allowing Robertson's platoon to advance.
For these acts, Robertson was awarded the posthumous Victoria Cross for conspicuous bravery. The highest military award that can be given, it takes precedence over all over orders, decorations and medals that can be given.
"The recipients of the Victoria Cross represent the best of our country, these individuals embody the word heroes," Justice Minister Ross Landry told the hundreds of people who gathered at a park dedicated to James Robertson's honour on Sunday afternoon.
"I think it's most fitting the community of Stellarton dedicated this park in the memory of Private Robertson," he added.
But more than just a memorial to Robertson, the park serves as a reminder of all of Pictou County's military heroes. Behind the monument in the shape of a Victoria Cross, and bearing Robertson's image, is a wall made up of 300 bricks, each bearing the name of one of Pictou County's veterans.
The bricks were hugely popular, said Stellarton Legion member Bill White.
"We could've sold 400 of them," he said. "We were getting calls every second day for people looking to buy more. The last week of the sale, we had line-ups at the legion, people wanting more of them."
Prior to the dedication ceremony, Pictou County residents stood before the wall, studying each name closely, sometimes stepping forward to brush their fingers across the inscribed names. Several hundred people attended the ceremony Sunday, most clad in red to show their support of Canada's current military, as well as the veterans.
Paul Freeman, a member of the Admiral Murray branch of the Royal Canadian Navy, participated in the ceremony and helped to unveil the monument. "It's just fantastic," he said. "To see all these people out, dressed in their red clothing in honour of the veterans, is just fantastic."