Introduction

Jerry's Medal

 An historical fiction novel for young readers

Introduction 

I started writing a book about Jeremiah Jones when my children were in elementary school. Both my daughters are in university now and yet the fascination continues.

Jerry was a farmer from Truro, Nova Scotia who was desperate for a little adventure in his life. He lied about his age so he could enlist in the military and became one of the few blacks who actually saw action at Vimy Ridge.

According to accounts recorded in the local Truro newspaper, Jerry was promised a Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) after an act of heroism on the battle field,  but he never received it. Family members fought for the recognition for years after his death and in February 2010 he was finally awarded a Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service.

In my unpublished book, Jerry's Medal,  I recount the story Jerry's life through the eyes of a young black girl from Truro who stumbles upon his story when a wood carving of the soldiers' likeness seems to come to life. I wrote it as young adult fiction in the hopes the story might be accessible to students in elementary school and junior high school.

The use of the wood carving as a story device seemed like a good idea at the time. Ten years ago there were dozens of wood carvings in Truro honouring notable residents from the past. There was a brochure available at the tourist centre and people would come to town and marvel at how the statues carved from dead elm trees gave many corners in the small town lots of character.

Unfortunately, most of the carvings have rotted away, including the 10-foot tall Jones piece by local artist Bruce Wood. There are still a few around, including one of Vera Clyke, an organist from Zion Baptist Church, who appears briefly in the book.

Although I interviewed many members of the Jones family, and used the best records I could get from Veterans Affairs, the book is a fictional account. The conversations in the dark trenches and the recounting of the Gentle Giant's bravery on the battlefield are my best guess at what might have happened - nothing more.

With the 100th anniversary of Vimy just weeks away, I decided to get the book out of the basement and into the hands of at least a few people who might appreciate it. The book is 20 chapters long. I'll be posting a new chapter at least once a week.

The first few chapters set the scene in Truro and introduce the main character Lizzie Paris, a precocious 11 year-old who travels back in time to accompany Jerry as he prepares to face the Germans at Vimy.