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Memorials - The Finnish Boys

In 1942-43 with the war enveloping Estonia, Estonian students 18 – 21 years of age, to avoid conscription into the German army, chose a dangerous crossing of the Gulf of Finland and volunteered to fight in the Finnish army against the Russians. There were over 4000 volunteers of Estonian origin in the Finnish army. They were formed into a volunteer regiment called unit JR200. The regiment was instrumental in helping the Finns repel the invading Russian forces. They suffered many losses. The Finns along with the Estonians were able to fight the Russians to a stalemate. The Russians finally sued for peace and they reached a negotiated settlement. Rev. Oskar Puhm, the first minister for St. Peter's, was part of this group of Estonian volunteers. He may have been the army chaplain for the regiment but he served side by side with the volunteers in the regiment.

The volunteer regiment JR200 was disbanded in Aug 1944. At the time Estonia was under attack by overwhelming Russian forces on the Eastern front. Members of JR200 were given the option of staying in Finland or returning to Estonia to fight the Russians. 168 officers, 142 non-commissioned officers and 1422 soldiers, volunteered to return to defend Estonia against the Russian army. When they returned the population acknowledged them as “the Finnish Boys” Suomen-pojat, in Finnish).  They had indeed left as school boys but returned as battle hardened combatants ready to defend their homeland.

On the Eastern front at a place known as the “Blue Hills” they faced the most brutal battle of the second world war. Most did not make it. But they held off the overwhelming Russian forces for a month. This time allowed over a 100,000 Estonians to escape to Sweden and other countries. Almost every Estonian family in Canada owes these “young men” a debt of gratitude. Some of these veterans are interred in the church's columbarium along with Pastor Oskar Puhm who died in 1990.

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"Eesti auks,
tuleviku

pandiks." 

"For the honour
of Estonia,
as a pledge
for the future."

The “Finnish Boys” who survived the war, built a vibrant veterans organization in Toronto. This helped to mask the physical wounds they suffered on the battlefront. But the impact of the horrors and the trauma they witnessed had an impact on their souls.. Without exception they chose not to open up those wounds to family or friends. Only Rev. Oskar Puhm had been there with them…. he understood … he provided them with solace. They remained “his boys” until his death, March 28th, 1990.

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Envisioning a Memorial

 

Having arrived in Canada, as early as in 1950, the Finnish Boys gathered together to support one another and formed The Finnish Boys Club.  In September of 1957, they decided to create a memorial for their fallen brothers.  The logical place was at St. Peter's who provided them with a space at the south side of the altar.  An artist was chosen from a brother-in-arms, Alfred Karu.  The memorial was blessed at a church service on October 5th, 1958.

 

The memorial is made from polished Swedish granite.  It is adorned with a simple symbol of a flame of  hope.  The text comes from the Jalaväerügement 200's flag: "For the honour of Estonia, as a pledge for the future" (Eesti auks, tuleviku pandiks).  At the blessing, Pastor Puhm stated "I will turn you, black granite, into a living sign for us to behold."   

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Several years later on February 2nd, 1969, a granite altar was added, also designed by A. Karu.  There is a spot to place a candle.  At the altar's blessing a small box made from oak containing soil from homeland Estonia was added to the memorial.

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Above:  Memorial ceremony 2006.

In 1980, a copy of the Regiment's flag was created, blessed, and given an honourary spot beside the memorial.  The memorial is the focal point for every Independence Day anniversary celebration in the church.


Sources:  
Hanne Oja, Peetri Koguduse 50. juubeliaasta väljaanne 1998
Väino Einola,  "Closing the Columbarium at St. Peter's Church cannot be morally justified", Estonian World Review, March 2, 2023.

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