Mount Forest - Legion Br. 134

 

 

Location:  Wellington County     N 43.97993   W -80.73459

At the Legion, 140 Kings Street West.

 

The Mount Forest Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion is known as Branch 134, founded here in the Legion Memorial Hall by the B.E.S.L. in 1952.  The building is now known as the Frederick Campbell VC Building, named after one of the local heroes from WWI.  In front of the Legion are two Ontario Historical blue plaques that tell the story of Frederick Campbell and Lewis Honey, both awarded the Victoria Cross for valour in the Great War and both born in the area.  There is also an concrete pad and small plaque for a captured German field gun, but it was not present during my visit, presumably out for repairs.  The photos of the gun are from my previous visit in 2013.  Along the side of the building are found a series of murals depicting scenes of the Canadian Forces in action and paying tribute to the aforementioned VC winners.  The Legion is very active in this community and keeps a constant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who came before and served our country to ensure our freedom.

 

Marker text:

LIEUT. S. LEWIS HONEY, V.C; D.C.M; M.M.

1894-1918

Born at Conn, Honey enlisted in January 1915, with the 34th

Battalion, C.E.F. and served in France with the 78th Battalion.

During a Canadian attack in September 1918, in the Bourlon

Wood area, he recognized his unit under severe fire, and

rushed a machine-gun post single-handed, capturing the guns

and ten prisoners.  Later he repelled four enemy counter-

attacks and led a party which took another post and three guns.

On September 29 he led his company against a strong enemy

position and was mortally wounded on the last day of the

attack.  For his conspicuous bravery, Lieutenant Honey was

posthumously awarded the British Empire's highest decoration

for military valour, the Victoria Cross.

Archeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario.

 

CAPTAIN FREDERICK W. CAMPBELL, V.C.

1867-1915

Born in Oxford County and raised near Mount Forest,

Campbell saw active service in the South African War.

He went overseas in 1914 with the first Canadian 

contingent and was posted to the 1st Battalion, C.E.F.

In June, 1915, his unit was engaged in the Givenchy

area of France.  During an attack on the German

trenches, Campbell held an exposed position under heavy

fire, despite the loss of most of his detachment.  He

then advanced and succeeded in holding back a strong

counter-attack.  Shot by a sniper, Campbell died of his

wounds.  For his gallant conduct he was posthumously

awarded the British Empire's highest decoration for

valour, the Victoria Cross. 

Archeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario.