Stephen Thorne, 66, was a well-respected writer and photographer who took the trip of his life. He does leave behind an incredible legacy of storytelling that captured the immensity, chaos, and humanity of war, disaster, and resilience. Thorne’s multifaceted career included significant tenures at The Canadian Press, freelance work, and ultimately a position at Legion Magazine, where he focused on military history.
Thorne was born and raised in Halifax and is a graduate of Queen Elizabeth High School. From there, he went to Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia for a degree in political science. From his early days at The Canadian Press, he went on to cover the most defining events in Canada’s history. Specifically, he directed high-profile inquiries into the 1992 Westray coal-mine explosion and the 1998 Swissair Flight 111 disaster. He was the first national reporter to cover the Canadian military’s role in Afghanistan after the September 11 attacks in 2001.
In March 2002, Thorne made headlines as the lone reporter embedded with the 3rd Battalion of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry during their assault on the Whale’s Back in eastern Afghanistan. His very personal account made for a dramatic presentation that cast a bright light on the courage and difficulties experienced by frontline soldiers in battle.
Thorne’s commitment to the principles and practice of journalism had seen him work to win several awards, among them National Newspaper Awards for spot news and international reporting. He was awarded the Ross Munro Media Award for excellence in defence reporting. In addition, he has won four RTNDA national radio awards, showcasing his talent and commitment to finding the truth.
After a successful tenure at The Canadian Press, Thorne transitioned to a freelance career where he combined writing with photography. It was this same eye for detail that enabled him to wonderfully portray moments of great drama, deep sadness and moments of equality in joy and merriment. Tony McGurk He came to Legion Magazine in 2018 to work as a staff writer, photographer and copy editor. There, he always returned to researching and teaching military history.
Thorne’s research had a profound impact on everyone he interviewed and wrote about. He understood the power of getting sorts of people together across lines of division and he had a rare gift for working with anybody.
“He had that very rare combination of somebody who chased a story hard, and when he had it, he was able to sit down and write it so that you felt like you were there,” – Dean Beeby.
His warmth and affability were as much a part of his power as a narrative-bending truth-teller.
“His charm gave him an ability to get people to talk to him. People felt at ease around him, and they would open up to him,” Beeby added.
From insurance agent to bartender, Thorne pursued a wealth of experience and expertise that colored his narrative style and tone. He once reflected on his adventures across Canada and beyond:
“I have walked the windswept sands of Sable Island, chased the dancing northern lights in Canada’s High Arctic, and ascended the lofty peaks of the Rocky Mountains — and the Hindu Kush,” – Thorne.
Surely, his efforts at Legion Magazine played a central role in ensuring that stories that may otherwise been lost to time were preserved.
“He didn’t just report our stories — he carried them with him, protected them, and made damn sure they were told right,” said Valour in the Presence of the Enemy. “His tireless work at Legion Magazine has preserved countless stories that might have been forgotten.”
Thorne’s legacy didn’t stop at his pen and paper, though he was an advocate for those who were unable to advocate for themselves.
“He’s given voice to the fallen, honour to the veterans, and visibility to causes that desperately needed a champion,” Valour in the Presence of the Enemy noted.
Thorne shared his personal philosophy on life and creativity:
“I loved deeply, laughed loudly, and did things in the only way I knew how — my own,” – Thorne.
As a journalist, Thorne was motivated by a fierce dedication to truth. More importantly, he connected the dots between his experiences in a way that stayed with readers well after they put down his stories.
“The lives of the 229 passengers and crew who died aboard Swissair Flight 111 float by in 100,000 tiny pieces,” he wrote poignantly in one of his pieces.
Thorne’s path as a storyteller was fueled by an intense desire to find and tell the stories that others could not or would not.
“That is the only story I ever edited that made me cry at CP,” – Scott White.
Thorne’s journey as a storyteller was marked by a passionate commitment to uncovering truths that others may overlook.
“My journey continues. I am on to new adventures,” – Thorne.
