Friday 23 December 2022

Strathroy - Sir Arthur Currie Monument

 

Location:  Middlesex County     N 42.95630   W -81.62427

In front of the Strathroy Library and Museum, 34 Frank Street.

 

The following description is taken from the "www.veterans.gc.ca" website, 

"The memorial, consisting of an inscribed granite base and a life-sized bronze figure of General Sir Arthur Currie, was sculpted by artist Adrienne Alison.  The Sir Arthur Currie Memorial Project unveiled the life-size bronze statue of the famous First World War General on August 4, 2014. The event included a cadet parade, band performances, military re-enactor demonstrations and the participation of a number of distinguished guests, project supporters, and descendants of General Sir Arthur Currie.

Currie was born just outside of Strathroy, and became the first Canadian commander of the Canadian Corps in the First World War. The project was paid for entirely through fund-raising efforts through private donations, corporate sponsorships, numerous community organizations, Veterans Affairs Canada and the Army Cadet League of Canada.

A travelling exhibit highlighting the extraordinary life and military career of  Sir Arthur Currie is on display at Museum Strathroy-Caradoc. The exhibit considers the influence of his youth on his remarkable rise through the ranks from a militia gunner before the First World War to becoming the first Canadian commander of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Highlights of the display include a battlefield model demonstrating Currie’s use of the creeping barrage tactic, a restored German machine gun captured at the Battle of Amiens, and items related to a soldier’s experience in the trenches on the front line. There are also numerous artifacts and photographs that trace the humble roots of Canada’s greatest military commander."

 

 

 

 

Marker text:

Front:

THIS STATUE HONOURS THE
VALOUR AND SACRIFICE OF ALL
CANADIANS WHO SERVED IN THE
GREAT WAR, 1914 - 1918.
ERECTED IN MEMORY OF
GENERAL SIR ARTHUR WILLIAM CURRIE,
GCMG, KCB, VD.
GENERAL OFFICER COMMANDING
THE CANADIAN CORPS FROM 1917 - 1919

Back:
CETTE STATUE HONDRE
TOUS LES CANADIENS QUI ONT SERVI
AVEC VAILLANCE ET DEVOUEMENT DANS
LA GRANDE GUERRE DE 1914-1918.
ÉRIGÉE À LA MÉMOIRE DU
GÉNÉRAL SIR ARTHUR WILLIAM CURRIE.
GCMG, KCB, VD.
OFFICIER GÉNÉRAL COMMANDANT
DU CORPS CANANDIEN DE 1917 À 1919

Adrienne Adison 2014







 

 

Sunday 18 December 2022

Strathroy

 

Location:  Middlesex County     N 42.95630   W -81.62427

In front of the Strathroy Library and Museum, 34 Frank Street.

The following description is taken from the "www.veterans.gc.ca" website, written by a good friend of this page and dedicated researcher John P. Sargeant, the leading authority on war memorials of Middlesex.

"The Mary Armstrong Chapter of the IODE erected a Soldier’s Memorial on August 24, 1924, next to the Strathroy Armoury. It was unveiled by Helen Buchanan whose father, Sergeant Reginald Buchanan, was one of the fallen. The cenotaph was worked on by the Hambly brothers. It consists of three large tablets of imperial grey Canadian granite standing side by side on a light grey base.

On July 31, 1930, a cross of sacrifice and two bronze lamps on either side of the cross were added by the Daughters of the Empire. The unveiling was done by Mrs. S. F. Robinson, of London, wife of the late Rev. Rural Dean Robinson, formerly rector of St. John’s Church, Strathroy. He was the chaplain of the 126th when war was declared. Rev. and Mrs. Robinson gave their three sons for active service, one of whom, Captain Fritz Robinson, was killed at Givenchy in 1915.

In the 1940s, the fallen from the Second World War were engraved on the cenotaph. In 2010, and inscription for the Korean War was engraved on the south face of the cenotaph.

The foreground of the cenotaph was redesigned in 2012 to make room for the laying of wreaths and a raised flower bed. The masonry for the flower bed included limestone carving from the razed armoury.

In 2015, the Strathroy-Caradoc Lions Club installed custom metal signs recognizing the sacrifice of each of the individuals listed on the cenotaph and their respective regiments, to mark the centenary of the First World War.

An inscription for Afghanistan was engraved on the cenotaph on November 5, 2015, and unveiled by Afghanistan Veteran Richard Sauve on Remembrance Day 2015. It was engraved by Strathroy Monuments and paid for by Veterans."

 

 

 

 

Marker text:

Front:

OUR 

GLORIOUS

DEAD

 

"TO LIVE IN HEARTS WE LEAVE

BEHIND IS NOT TO DIE."

 

JAMES ABBOTT 

JAMES ARMSTRONG

FREDERICK ADAIR

E.J. BURTENSHAW

R.J. BUCHANAN

JOHN BROWN

R. BROWN

R.D. BRISCOE

WALTER BEER

W. MacW. CUDDY

W.H. COOPER

OSCAR DAVIS

HUGH DEWAR

W.E. FOXEN (M.C.)

WILLIAM GOUGH

A. HOLDERNESS

HOWARD JAMES

FRED W. (PAT) JAY

S. KEMP (M.C.)

GEORGE R. URQUHART

 

JAMES KELLESTINE

CYRIL LOWE

ARTHUR L. LINDSAY

ERNEST J. LEADEN

THOMAS MILLIKEN

EDWARD T. MOORE

GEORGE MAIN

JAMES MACAULEY

NEIL McLEAN

JAMES McCEARY

STORMONT McINTYRE

ALICE NETTLETON (VAD)

WILLIAM S. COWAN

 

ALEX NEWTON

RALPH NEWTON

JOHN NUNN

THOMAS NORMAN

A. NEWBURY

OSCAR O'DELL

HAROLD PAYNE

CHARLES PERRING

L. PEMBLETON

ASA PATTERSON

E. REARDON

F.W. ROBINSON

EDGAR SEXTON

C.H. SMITHRIM

GORDON B. SMALL 

VERNON SULLIVAN

GEORGE E. WALLACE

THOMAS B. WELCH

HAROLD WEISE

CHARLES R. BENNETT

ERECTED BY THE I.O.D.E.


1914 - 1918

 



Right side:

1939 -1945

CHARLES F. ADAIR

ROBERT ADAIR

KENNETH ADAIR

ALBERT ARTHUR

C.W. BARKER

ALLAN CAMPBELL

W.K. FERGUSON

DONALD LEITCH

JACK MCDONALD

ARDEN PAYNE

LEROY SWALES

DONALD THOMSON

JACK LOVELL

LAWRENCE PIKE

MAXWELL HALL

RUSSELL GERRY

 

 

 

 

 

Left side:

KOREAN WAR 

1950 - 1953

 

AFGHANISTAN

2001 - 2014

 





 


 

 

 



Wednesday 14 December 2022

Iron Bridge

 

Location:  Algoma District     N 46.27945   W -83.22303

In Tally-Ho Park, west side of Main Street, north of the Trans Canada Highway.

 

This memorial is found in the village of Iron Bridge, but represents the Township of Huron Shores, known as the Huron Shores Memorial.  It is a large grey granite wall listing the names of those from this township lost in the World Wars.  The setting is a quiet Tally Ho Park, located just off the busy Trans Canada Highway, providing a pleasant place to stop and enjoy the peaceful Mississagi River and to pay respects to the fallen.  The Legion Branch 182 in nearby Thessalon hosts the Remembrance Day ceremony at this memorial.



 

Marker text:

Centre:

HURON SHORES MEMORIAL


HURON SHORES RESIDENTS PAY TRIBUTE

TO ALL THOSE WHO ANSWERED THE CALL

OR THEIR COUNTRY TO HELP PRESERVE THE

PEACE AND FREEDOM WE NOW ENJOY SOME

PAID THE SUPREME SACRIFICE

SOME SUFFERED SEVERE PHYSICAL AND

MENTAL WOUNDS AND ALL ENDURED

HARDSHIPS  WE HONOUR THOSE WHO

CONTINUE TO SERVE IN THE CAUSE OF PEACE


LEST WE FORGET

 


Left side:

WORLD WAR I

ELDER, GEORGE CLIFFORD

BELL, NEIL CAMERON

COTE, HECTOR

BELL, JOHN ALEXANDER

KIRBY, RUSSELL LARNE

MIRON, LAWRENCE

FORBES, ROBERT SPENCE

JORDAN, WILLIAM THOMAS

BEATON, ANGUS

ATKINSON, GORDON

MCDOUGALL, ROBERT GEORGE

SEABROOK, HUGH ALLEN

BOOTH, WILLIAM

LIZOTTE, FRANK

RYCKMAN, JOHN WARDELL

 

 

 

Right side:

WORLD WAR II

MCKIGGAN, ANGUS ALEXANDER

BERRY, ANDREW ALLEN

ROBINSON, BRUCE WILBERT

MCCLELLAND, BEVERLY WILLIAM

ALLAN, JOSEPH WILLIAM

PAPINEAU, HAROLD WALLACE

ANSLEY, WILLIAM CHARLES

LEISHMAN, HERMAN IVAN

PARISIEN, NOEL

TREMBLAY, ALFRED

SHEDDEN, JOHN THOMAS

 







 

 



Sunday 4 December 2022

Ottawa - South African War Memorial/Animals in War

 

Location:  City of Ottawa     N 45.42234   W -75.69222

In Confederation Park, northeast of the fountain.

 

"The South African War Memorial is set in Confederation Park in downtown Ottawa. Thirty thousand school children donated pennies to pay for this monument to Canadian volunteers who died in the South African War (Boer War) of 1899–1902.

The monument is comprised of a bronze statue on a stone pedestal. The bronze statue depicts a man dressed in the uniform used during the South African War. He is holding a rifle and has his hat raised above his head. On the pedestal, there are two plaques. The plaques honour sixteen Ottawa volunteers who died in the South African War, in which 267 Canadians lost their lives. The monument was created by the sculptor Hamilton MacCarthy in 1902.

This memorial had previously been erected in Confederation Square near the National War Memorial 1967-8.

 

In 2012, the Animals in War Dedication was unveiled next to the South African War Memorial. The location is symbolic because Canada supplied 50,000 horses for the South African War."

"The Animals in War Dedication honours animals that served alongside their human comrades in war. It is symbolically set next to the South African War Memorial, a battle for which Canada supplied 50,000 horses for mounted troops. The footprints of dogs, horses and mules are stamped into the concrete of the Animals in War Dedication, representing the marks they left on the battlefield. Three bronze plaques depict animals in war and provide interesting facts about their roles, their sacrifices, and their unwavering loyalty. Among the roles animals have played in war:

  • Mules: Carried panniers and artillery.
  • Horses: Carried mounted troops and hauled field guns.
  • Carrier pigeons: Delivered messages to specific destinations.
  • Dogs: Used as messengers, medical assistants, bomb detectors, and search and rescue workers.

A bronze, life-sized statue of a medical service dog stands guard over the dedication. It is wearing an authentic replica of a medical backpack that war dogs used during the First World War. Canada’s military still employs dogs to this day. The Animals in War Dedication was created in 2012 by Canadian artist and sculptor David Clendining."

*the above taken from  https://www.veterans.gc.ca/

 

 

 

Marker text:

(top plaque)

ERECTED BY

30,000 CHILDREN OF OTTAWA

AND ADJOINING COUNTIES

IN MEMORY OF

TPTR. G. BRADLEY               PTE. W.J. LESLIE

DVR. R. BRADLEY                 PTE. F.J. LIVING

CPL. W.S. BRADY                   TPR. G.O. MANN

PTE. O.T. BURNS                     PTE. E. MCINTOSH

PTE. H. COTTON                     GNR. E. PICOT

PTE. E. DESLAURIERS           SGT. W.H. REA

PTE. W.A. HULL                       PTE. W.H.J. ROSS

PTE. Z.R.E. LEWIS                   CPL. G. THOMAS


WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE

SOUTH AFRICAN WAR

1899 - 1902

 

(lower plaque)

CE MONUMENT A ÉTÉ ÉRIGE GRÂCE À LA GÉNÉROSITÉ DE 30000 ENFANTS D’OTTAWA ET DES COMTÉS AVOISINANTS. IL HONORE LA MÉMOIRE DES PERSONNES DONT LE NOM APPARAIT CE-DESSUS ET QUI ONT PERDU LA VIE DURANT LA GUERRE DES BOERS DE 1899 – 1902.

NATIONAL CAPITAL COMMISSION
COMMISSION DE LA CAPITALE NATIONALE

 

 

 

Animals in War Memorial:

Left side:

Animals in War

For centuries, animals have demonstrated an enduring 

partnership with humans during times of war. They have 

served as means of transportation, beasts of burden, 

messengers, protectors and mascots. Still today, dogs 

use their unique, sharply tuned instincts to detect mine 

clusters, and conduct search and rescue operations. We 

remember the contribution and sacrifice of all animals.

 

Les animaux en temps de guerre

Pendant des siècles, les animaux ont été les partenaires 

indéfectibles des humains en temps de guerre. Ils ont 

servi de moyens de transport, de bêtes de somme, de 

messagers, de protecteurs et de mascottes. Encore de nos 

jours, les chiens se servent de leur instinct exceptionnel 

pour détecter les champs de mines et mener des 

opérations de recherche et de sauvetage. Nous saluons 

la contribution et le sacrifice de tous les animaux.

 

 

Centre:

Relentless shelling in the First World War  

(1914 – 1918) left huge craters of mud and sewage. 

Horses and mules could best navigate these 

difficult conditions to supply the front and 

evacuate the wounded.

 

Les bombardements intensifs de la Première Guerre 

mondiale (1914 – 1918) ont laissé d’immenses cratères 

de boue at d’eaux usées. Les chevaux et les mules 

pouvaient mieux affronter ces conditions difficiles 

pour approvisionner le front et évacuer les blessés.

 

 

Right side:

Horse carried soldiers, and 

pulled gun carriages, supply 

wagons and ambulances. 

Many paid the ultimate price 

and their loss was mourned 

by those they served.

 

Les chevaux ont transporté les 

soldats, et tire les affûts de canon, 

les chariots d’approvisionnement 

et les ambulances. Beaucoup ont 

péri et ceux qu’ils servaient ont 

pleuré leur perte.




 

 

 

 





Sunday 13 November 2022

Ottawa - National Artillery Memorial

 

 

Location:  City of Ottawa    

N 45.440153  W -75. 696079

On Green Island, 90 Sussex Drive.

 

 This memorial is situated in a beautiful park where there are a few more memorials and where everyone can enjoy the scenic view of the Ottawa River, Gatineau PQ and the Rideau Falls. Situated on the left side of the park, which is across 111 Sussex where the Ottawa Town Hall used to be, the National Artillery Memorial consists of 3 parts. John McCrae statue, a wall and a weapon.

No need to give a description of the John McCrae statue as it was posted on Ontario War Memorials on November 10, 2018. The only extra information I could give is that 2 statues were made. The Ottawa one was unveiled May 3, 2015 and the one in Guelph on June 25, 2015.

 **Photos and description by Louise Bellec.

 

 

 

Marker text:

National Artillery Memorial Weapon

Plaque:

National Artillery Memorial

 The memorial wall and 25 pounder artillery field gun

commemorate the service of The Royal Regiment of

Canadian Artillery. The Latin words on the badge read

Ubique (Everywhere) and Quo Fas et Gloria Ducunt

(Whither Right and Glory Lead).

 

Gunners have participated in every major conflict in

Canada's history and, as a combat component of the

Canadian Armed Forces, the Artillery continues to

make a vital contribution to missions around the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Artillery Memorial Wall

Plaque on left side of wall:

 

A la glorieuse mémoire des membres

du Régiment royal de l'Artillerie canadienne

qui ont sacrifié leur vie pour le Canada.

 

 

Front wall:

 A NOS GLORIEUX MORTS

 

IN GLORIOUS MEMORY OF THE OFFICERS AND MEN

OF THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF CANADIAN ARTILLERY

WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE SERVICE OF CANADA.

 

 

 

Plaque on right side of wall:

This memorial was erected in Major's Hill Park by The Royal Regiment of

Canadian Artillery and dedicated by His Excellency Major-General Georges

P. Vanier, D.S.O., M.C., C.D., Governor General of Canada on 21 September,

1959. It was rededicated on this site by The Right Honourable Antonio

Lamer, P.C., C.D., LL.D., D.U., Chief Justice of Canada on 24 May, 1998.

 (Repeated in French.)

 

 

 

 

 

National Artillery Memorial John McCrae Statue

Plaque:

Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae(1872 - 1918)

 

John McCrae was a Canadian poet, gunner and

physician who participated in the First World War.

In May 1915, he was moved to write the well-known

poem "In Flanders Fields" following the death of

comrades during the Second Battle of Ypres in

Belgium. McCrae's poem came to symbolize the

sacrifice of all who fought and died in the First

World War and is the inspiration for the poppy

as the symbol of remembrance in Canada and in

other countries.

 

This statue was erected on May 3, 2015, by

The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery in

collaboration with the Royal Canadian Medical Service

and with support from the Government of Flanders.

 

Artist: Ruth Abernethy

 (Repeated in French.)