Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Musings at St. Andrew's
Andrew Hight | Family Ministries Coordinator
With Remembrance Day approaching, I thought it fitting to share two stories from the book “Down to Earth Cherub: The Life and Legend of Finlay Stewart”. One speaks to an important part of our sanctuary’s history, and the other offers a touch of good humour.
“In June of 1939, Rev. Finlay Stewart led a deeply moving ceremony at St. Andrew’s. For many years, the battle flags—or “colours”—of the 118th Overseas Battalion, a principal military group from Waterloo County that fought during World War I, had been kept in safekeeping at St. Andrew’s.
When the Scots Fusiliers of Canada were to receive their own new colours, it was arranged—with Fin’s involvement—to “lay up” the colours of the old 118th permanently in the church. On Sunday, June 18, the surviving members of the battalion marched from the Canadian Legion Hall to St. Andrew’s, led by the pipe band of the Scots Fusiliers.
As the congregation gathered, the lieutenant in command rapped three times on the church door.
“Who is there?” asked the Church Clerk.
“The colour party with the colours of the 118th Overseas Battalion, to be deposited for safekeeping.”
The colour party entered the sanctuary—two lieutenants carrying the colours and three sergeants with fixed bayonets—and paraded down the aisle. Fin received them and directed that the flags be laid on a white cross prepared at the front of the church.
“These colours have been returned here after having been paraded before Their Majesties and having saluted them on June 6,” Fin said. “They are placed here for safekeeping, never to leave the church again.”
He then offered a prayer of dedication.”
If you are curious, these flags are laid to rest in the wooden case on the left side of the Sanctuary next to the Positiv Division of the organ. The Scots Fusiliers flags were retired in November of 1972. They hang in the wooden case next to the clock on the right side.
“On one Remembrance Day, Fin led the post-service procession to the Legion Hall, as was his custom. Doug Haas, the church organist joined him for the first time and was offered what seemed an innocent-looking bowl of punch. Unbeknownst to him, the punch was a potent mix of rum and red wine - “one of the most powerful combinations possible.”
Fin poured six small paper cups, placing three before Doug and three before himself.
“It’s a good drink, Dougie,” he said. “Drink it down—it’ll warm you up.”
Doug dutifully followed Fin’s lead, tossing back the first two cups and enjoying the taste. Fin finished his third, stood up, and announced cheerfully,
“Well, Dougie, I’m off to talk with my friends.”
Moments later, Doug realized why the drink was called “a punch.” His head spun as if struck by a hammer, and he sat paralyzed while Fin merrily worked the room.”
Andrew Hight
Family Ministries Coordinator