Faith, hope and love echo throughout Remembrance Day service in Charlottetown

On a cold, wet and grey November morning, Islanders gathered with umbrellas in hand around the cenotaph in downtown Charlottetown for the annual Remembrance Day ceremony.

At times, all that could be heard was the patter and crackle of pouring rainfall as hundreds of people stood in silence to remember and reflect on the military veterans who lost their lives.

Leading the service in Charlottetown was Maj. Rev. Tom Hamilton.

It is one of many ceremonies taking place across the country Monday, with thousands gathering to pay their respects to veterans and reflect on the stories of their sacrifice.

One such story that Hamilton told the hushed crowd in Charlottetown was of Padre William Alfred Seaman, a military chaplain serving in the Second World War.

Rescued injured soldiers

Seaman was originally from Springfield, P.E.I., and married Louise Van Duyn Seaman (Trueman), of Sackville, N.B.

Historical address covers the story of Island soldier William Alfred Seaman

16 days ago

Duration 2:23

For the historical address in this year's Remembrance Day ceremony in Charlottetown, Maj. Rev. Tom Hamilton shared the story of William Alfred Seaman — who gave his life rescuing other soldiers during the Second World War.

During the Battle of Caen in France in July 1944, Seaman was tasked with retrieving wounded soldiers while the city was under constant bombardment. 

Those who had died, he would bury in Bény-sur-Mer military cemetery, just north of the city of Caen. During funeral services, Hamilton said, Seaman would often include the words: "And now abideth faith, hope, love. These three, but the greatest of these is love."

As the fight for Caen continued, so did Seaman's rescue missions. It was during one of those, on July 14, that Seaman was hit by shrapnel from a high-explosive shell. He was rushed to receive care, but a week later, on July 21, he succumbed to his injuries. It was the day of his 10th wedding anniversary.

"Back home on P.E.I., his wife, young son and daughter and his parents grieved for the husband, father and son who would never return home," Hamilton told those gathered in Charlottetown.

'Commit ourselves to faith, hope and love'

Seaman was buried alongside those who he himself buried — in Bény-sur-Mer cemetery. His wife, Louise, chose the same words for his gravestone that he had used for the fallen soldiers he buried.

"And now abideth faith, hope, love. These three, but the greatest of these is love."

As the ceremony wrapped up in Charlottetown, Hamilton left a lasting message for people to take away from the service.

"As we honour the fallen this day, show respect to our veterans and resolve to be peacemakers in this world," he said in front of the crowd at the cenotaph. 

"Let us commit ourselves to faith, hope and love."