Ontario War Memorials: Toronto- Victoria Cross Memorial

Location: City of Toronto N 43 45.918 W 79 25.189
On the main boulevard in York Cemetery, North York. East off of Beecroft Road.

A beautiful memorial dedicated to the 99 men who have been awarded the Victoria Cross while fighting as with the Canadian military. The monument is set out to represent the shapes of the Victoria Cross and a Maple Leaf and occupies the main walkway along the boulevard that runs through York Cemetery.
Unveiled in July 2017, the memorial has individual plaques for each VC winner describing their actions of bravery which led to their receiving the highest honour awarded by the British Commonwealth. Also featured is a large replica of the Victoria Cross and an accompanying plaque that describes the history and significance of the award.
http://www.mountpleasantgroup.com/Resources/victoria-cross-memorial.aspx

The Victoria Cross has not been awarded to a Canadian since World War II, sadly excluding the acts of bravery demonstrated in Korea, Nato peacekeeping activities or Afghanistan. A new "Canadian" VC has been designed to replace the highest honour.

Marker text:
THE VICTORIA CROSS, which was instituted by Queen Victoria in
1856, is the Commonwealth's premier military decoration for gallantry. It
was created to honour "most conspicuous bravery, or some daring or
pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in
the presence of the enemy."

A recommendation for the Victoria Cross was usually issued by an officer
at the regimental level, or equivalent, supported by three witnesses. It was
subsequently passed up the chain of command to the secretary of state for
defence, and then presented to the reigning monarch to sign. some awards
were bestowed posthumously. All citations were published in the London
Gazette.

The bronze cross pattee was originally made from the metal of two
Russian cannons captured at the Siege of Sevastopol (1854-55) during the
Crimean War. The pattee is decorated with the Royal Crown surmounted
by a lion guardant. Below it is a scroll with the words"FOR VALOUR."
The recipient's rank, name and regiment were engraved on the reverse of
the mounting bar and a ribbon added.

Canada's recipients total 99, including some who were attached to the
forces of other Commonwealth countries as well as non-Canadians
serving in Canadian units.

Click on any of the photos to enlarge them.