Veteran Leonard T. Stick Honoured in Road Naming Ceremony

A special event was held today (Friday, June 22) in Bay Roberts to name a road after an honoured local historical figure and veteran, Leonard T. Stick. The Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works, was joined by area officials, as well as Mr. Stick’s family members, to celebrate the official naming of L.T. Stick Drive.

“It gives me great pride to be able to honour such a remarkable man in this way,” said Minister Hedderson. “Mr. Stick devoted his life to serving his country, first in the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, then as a Newfoundland Ranger, and later as a Member of Parliament. By naming this road L. T. Stick Drive, we hope to show our appreciation for his public service and to show how much his contribution means to this community.”

Leonard T. Stick, a long-time resident of Bay Roberts, was the first Newfoundlander to enlist in the Royal Newfoundland Regiment in 1914. He was a member of the Blue Puttees, rising to the rank of Captain, and was wounded at the Battle of Beaumont Hamel on July 1, 1916. He went on to serve in the Indian Army and in July 1935, Mr. Stick was the first man appointed to Chief Ranger of the Newfoundland Rangers and given the rank Major. Upon Confederation in 1949, he became the first Member of Parliament for the then District of Trinity-Conception, where he served until his retirement in 1961. Mr. Stick passed away in 1979.

“L.T. Stick is known as the ‘man of firsts,’ for his trail-blazing public life in the military, the Rangers, and in public service to his province and country,” said Glenn Littlejohn, MHA for Port de Grave. “I am so pleased to be here today to see this great man honoured for his contributions to both his community and to the shaping of our province’s history.”

The access road into Bay Roberts from Veterans Memorial Highway (Route 75) was named L.T. Stick Drive in the ceremony at Bay Roberts Town Hall.

“The naming of L.T. Stick drive was a priority for the Town of Bay Roberts and was supported by the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion,” said Philip Wood, mayor of Bay Roberts. “L.T. Stick was a brave and patriotic Newfoundlander and I share in the pride of his family and our community today as we name this road in his honour.”

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2012 06 22             10:15 a.m.