The Mine Awareness Training Area of the Peace Support Training Centre in Kingston Ontario was dedicated 26 May 2000 to Sergeant Ivan Stark.
Sergeant Ivan Lethbridge Stark was born 9 April 1928 in Ocean Falls British Columbia. His parents, Ivan and Mary, originated in Labrador. Sergeant Stark joined the Canadian Army on 5 February 1945 in London Ontario. He served in Canada and had volunteered for the Pacific Theatre, but the war ended before he could be sent. He was honorably discharged 19 October 1945 in London Ontario at the rank of Private. He received the Canadian Volunteer Medal and the 1939-45 Medal. Ivan Stark had left school at the age of 15 with only his grade 8 education and, in trying to find employment after the war, completed a vocational course in draughting. During this time, he met his wife, Marie Yvette; they were married 14 August 1946 in a small catholic wedding.
Ivan Stark decided to return to military life on 21 January 1952 as a member of the Royal Canadian Engineers. His position was that of Bricklayer in 57 Field Squadron RCE. On 29 January 1952, Ivan Stark was transferred to the 23rd Field Squadron RCE. He worked his way up through the rank of corporal and upon completion of his Small Arms Course 15 February 1957, was promoted to the rank of sergeant. Sergeant Stark embarked for Egypt 20 September 1957 and was killed seven days later when the jeep he was in struck an anti-tank mine. He was in the passenger seat listening to Sergeant Talyor (the person he was taking over for) explain about minefield locations. The jeep hit the mine along the edge of the road, which was known to be cleared. It was believed that a Bedouin may have placed the mine there for United Nations troops to pick up. Sergeant Stark was killed instantly. Although Sergeant Taylor was thrown from the jeep with few physical injuries; the blast knocked him unconscious. A Bedouin stayed with Taylor until help arrived. Sergeant Stark became the first Canadian killed by a mine after World War II. Sergeant Stark's body rests in Plot 16, Row B, Grave 5, Moarscar Military Cemetery, Ismalia, Egypt.
Among many others, the dedication ceremony was attended by the Stark family: Mrs Yvette Stark (seen in the photo below), Robert Stark, Ronald Stark, Larry Stark, Jean Lund and Linda Stark; Master Warrant Officer (R) Bob Taylor (the driver of the jeep in which Sergeant Stark was killed); Major-Generals Arp and Jefferies; Mayor Bennet of Kingston; and Colonels Simpson and Appleton. On behalf of the CME Branch, Colonel Simpson presented Mrs. Stark with a suitably marked, framed portrait of the cairn erected in memory of her husband. After the dedication ceremony, the attendees received a brief about the operation of the Mine Awareness Training Area (MATA), and were conducted through the various training stands that make up the MATA.