Thursday 23 January 2014

Drayton

 

Location:  Wellington County   N 43 45.369  W 080 40.221
On the east side of Wellington Street, at the corner of Wood Street.


A pair of stone pillars with a metal arch leads us into Drayton Memorial Park, a pleasant park which acts as a reminder of those brave souls who fought for their country, men from this small village and the surrounding farmlands.  The memorial is made of cobblestone and once featured a small fountain.  On the front and back are engraved the names of the fallen from the World Wars.  Flowers and wreaths decorate the base of the stone cenotaph and show that people of this community still care and have not forgotten.


Marker text:
Front:
1914-1918
IN MEMORIAM

A. BICKMORE
U. BIRCH
C. BETTENSON
J. COWAN
L. HUGHES
A. HENRY
O. HARVEY
R. KENNEDY
U. McDOWELL
H. RICHARDS
N. RAYMOND
E. RIDDOLLS
A. WHITE
L.G. McLEOD
M. HENRY
L.L. DAVIDSON
W. REILEY
 



Back:
1939-1945
IN MEMORIAM

N. BELL
R. COLQUHOUN
H.B. DOWNEY
G. FARR
H. GILES
A. INNANEN
V. MUSSER
R.B. REID
H. ROLLS
A. SANTA
I. SHANTZ
A. STONE
K. WARD
G.A. WRIGHT
I. WILSON
C. SHAW



Sunday 19 January 2014

Sundridge


 

Location:  Parry Sound District   N 45 46.370  W 079 23.175
On the west side of Main Street, in a small park.

A beautifully kept and maintained cenotaph, looks like it may have been recently refurbished, with the engravings on the white marble highlighted with black paint.  Set in a horseshoe shaped walkway with gardens around the outside, this is a striking memorial to the brave men of Joly and Strong Townships and the village of Sundridge, who served in the 162nd Overseas Battalion of the Great War, and the men who followed in their footsteps in the Second World War.  The names of battles from the the First World War are also featured on the memorial.
Sundridge is on the west shore of Lake Bernard, the largest freshwater lake in the world with no island.  Just a bit of trivia for those who enjoy knowing these things.
 



Marker text:
Front:
162
BATT.

ST. JULIEN
VIMY RIDGE

HEROES OF THE GREAT WAR

PTE. EARL DAKE
PTE. HENRY OSBORNE
SERGT. JA'S MINORGAN
PTE. J.E. HORNIBROOK
LEUT. N.J. HARKNESS
SERGT. W.D. STEWART
PTE. DAN ASTLEY
PTE. R. PINKERTON
PTE. A BOSSART
PTE. LEVI ROBBINS
PTE. A. CUTHBERTSON
PTE. HEZEKIAH TOWLE
CORP. CLAUDE DUKE
PTE. T.R. BURTCH
PTE. JOHN O. JAMES
PTE. C. BURNES

1914 - 1918
 
 

Left:
PASSCHENDAELE

HEROES OF THE
SECOND WORLD WAR

P.O. ALVA A. RHEUBOTTOM
F/S GEORGE I.H. DUNBAR
CPL. LENARD CALDWELL
PTE. VICTOR HUBACHEK
PTE. CHARLES SHEFFIELD
PTE. WILLIAM SMITH
PTE. JAMES WELCH

1939 - 1945
 

Rear:
SOMME

HEROES OF THE GREAT WAR

PTE. GEORGE HARMER
PTE. ALBERT HARMER

1914 - 1918
 

Right:
CAMBRAI

ERECTED BY THE
TOWNSHIPS OF
JOLY AND STRONG
AND THE VILLAGE
OF SUNDRIDGE
 
  




Wednesday 15 January 2014

Amherstview - Loyalist Township


 

Location:  Lennox and Addington County   
N 44 13.474  W 076 38.277
In the settlement of Amherstview, in Centennial Park, on the east side of Fairfield Boulevard.

Loyalist Township was one of the first areas of Ontario to be settled, mainly by United Empire Loyalists after the American Revolution.  In 1998, Loyalist Township was formed after the amalgamation of several smaller towns and townships.

The memorial is a fairly recent addition, located in Centennial Park.  This attractive memorial commemorates the major conflicts of the 1900's and also recognizes the peacekeeping effort.
 

Marker text:
LOYALIST TOWNSHIP

WORLD WAR I
1914 - 1918

KOREA
1950 - 1953

WORLD WAR II
1939 - 1945

PEACEKEEPERS

LEST WE FORGET

"AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN
 WE WILL REMEMBER THEM"


Friday 10 January 2014

Sutton Cemetery

 

Location:  York Region   N 44 18.818  W 079 21.367
Found in the east section of Briar Hill Cemetery, off of Black River Road.
 

This simple yet thoughtful memorial pays tribute to the many men and women who bravely served their country, and now peacefully rest here in Briar Hill Cemetery.
The memorial itself is a large steel cross, decorated with flowerpots, flagpoles and a walkway to lay wreaths during the time of remembrance.  Throughout this cemetery, can be found several military style headstones dedicated to those who have passed.  The cemetery is divided into two parts, a small valley separating them.  The Cross is located in the east section, whoever military grave markers can be found in both sides.  I have provided photos of several grave markers, I apologize if there are any I have missed.

This cemetery holds special meaning to me and my family, as Sutton was our original hometown.  Several members of our family have served over the years in various branches of the Canadian Forces, and some still carry on the tradition.
 

Marker text:
TO OUR
GLORIOUS DEAD

WE WILL
REMEMBER THEM
 






Sunday 5 January 2014

Bolton

 
Location:  Peel Region   N 43 52.964 W 079 44.596
On the east side of Centennial Drive, at the entrance to the cemetery. 
 

This beautiful monument to fallen heroes was first unveiled in a large ceremony on October 21, 1921.  At the time this was the largest and most important event ever held in the region.  Family members, political dignitaries, school children and thankful citizens all came out to honour those who paid the supreme sacrifice for freedom, all leaving flowers or wreaths as their thanks.
Originally, the cenotaph was located just inside the entrance to Laurel Hill Cemetery, but was moved to its present location in 1969, on the east side of Centennial Drive, near the cemetery entrance.

The memorial is beautifully carved from Canadian granite, adorned with several decorations and topped by a solemn soldier resting on a Flanders Cross.  The names of those lost in the First World War are engraved in the stone, while a brass plaque was added after the Second World War to include those from the later conflict.  The names are arranged by the date of death and no rank is included, as all men are equal in the end.  The Korean War is also recognized, although no names from this war are included.  The names of several battles from the Great War are also engraved around the base of the memorial, unfortunately I have failed to capture these in my photographs, so at this time I cannot publish these unforgetful battles.
At the time of my visit, the two flagpoles which flank the memorial were sadly without colours.  I would hope this has been rectified by the powers that be, for in their trust was left the responsibility to care for the cenotaph and perpetuate the memory of the brave men who gave their lives for their country.  Lest We Forget.
 



Marker text:
Front:
IN MEMORY OF
OUR HONOURED DEAD
AND THOSE WHO CARRIED ON
IN THE GREAT WAR
1914 - 1918

ALBERT ARMSTRONG
ALBERT W. RUSTON
WM. MUNRO
ROBT. S. McALLISTER
FRANK R. WILSON
GEORGE ARMSTRONG
CHARLES CREWSE
EDWARD MASON
LAWRENCE MATTHEWS
SARSFIELD SMYTH
GEORGE T. HOWARD
ROY M. SPARROW
EARL N. McMINN
ALBERT STRONGE
WM. J. CHAMBERLAIN
THOMAS E. SMITH
WM. H. WOOD
ARTHUR SCOTT
ELMER A. MOSS
GEORGE W. MUNRO
J. LINCE
JOHN W. TRIBBLE
HUBERT S. CORLESS
THOMAS D. McMAHON
WM. THOMPSON
EARL J. STRONG
PHILIP STEPHENSON
HARRY C. BISHOP
 

Rear:
IN MEMORY OF
OUR HONOURED DEAD
AND THOSE WHO CARRIED ON
IN THE GREAT WAR
1914 - 1918

GEORGE MILLS
ERNEST G. JACKSON
ALBERT WALKER
EDWARD E. ELLIOTT
JOHN A. McCALLUM
CUTHBERT PITCHFORD
CHARLES CLOW
WILBERT McCAFFREY 
RICHARD CLIFTON
HARRY HICKEY
MORLEY ATTWOOD
JOHN BASS
CHARLES HASKELL
WM. C. LITTLE
JOHN MORGAN
HERBERT MILLER
HILLIARD PERDUE
LEONARD SEARLE
EDWARD MORGAN
SYDNEY SHAW
J. WEBSTER
JOHN GROGAN
ARTHUR LONG
WILFRED BANKS
BASIL LEPPER
STANLEY A. WALKER
CHARLES H. WATSON
WALTER McBRIDE
WM. McNAIR
NEIL McKAY
 

Right side plaque:
1939 - 1945
IN GRATEFUL MEMORY 
OF THE MEN OF
BOLTON AND VICINITY
WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN WORLD WAR II

ARMSTRONG, JOHN
CONNELL, WILLIAM P.
CROCKER, ALBERT
CRONIN, T. MICHAEL
ELLWOOD, JAMES B.

ELLWOOD, WILLIAM R.
EDWARDS, A. GORDON
GROGAN, EDWARD
MOORE, W. ROBERT
SANFORD, NORMAN E.

WOOD, STANLEY A.

"GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS THAT A
MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS."
 
 

Left side:
KOREAN WAR
1950 - 1953