Ontario War Memorials: December 2023

Saturday 30 December 2023

Seely's Bay - Lillies Cemetery

Location: Leeds and Grenville Counties N 44.49169 W -76.18905

At the south end of Lillies Cemetery, west side of Highway 15, about 4km north of Seely's Bay.

This is one of four memorials in the Seely's Bay area, this particular memorial is erected by the Citizens of Rear of Leeds and Lansdowne Township. The plot of land for the cemetery and the memorial was donated by Hammett Lillie. The area of the memorial is at the south end of the cemetery, standing on its own in a place of solemn remembrance. The memorial honours the local men of this township who paid the ultimate price in World War II. Their names and ranks are forever engraved in the grey marble stone.

Photos by Louise Bellec.

Marker text:

Left Panel:

PATRIOTIC SACRIFICE

Center panel:

IN HONOURED
AND LASTING
MEMORY OF
THESE MEN
WHO GAVE THEIR
LIVES IN THE
DEFENCE OF
THEIR COUNTRY
IN WORLD WAR II
1939 - 1945

THEY GAVE
THEIR TOMORROW
FOR OUR TODAY

SQDN. LDR. (CHAPLAIN)

JAMES G. BROWN

LD. STO. ALFRED C. DEAN

F/O DOUGLAS H. FRY

PTE. HUBERT McPHERSON

PTE. DANIEL E. PERRIN

P/O NELSON R. PERRY

L/BD. HILBERT L. SLY

F/LT G. OSBORNE TEDFORD

GNR. LAWRENCE A. WILLIAMS

F/O ARTHUR L. WARREN

MAJOR ERIC A. WILLIS

ERECTED BY CITIZENS OF REAR

OF LEEDS AND LANSDOWNE.

PLOT DONATED BY HAMMETT LILLIE

Right panel:

FOREVER REMEMBERED

Thursday 7 December 2023

Portland

Location: United Counties of Leeds and Grenville

N 44.69544 W -76.19286

On the north side of Highway 15, at the corner of Colborne Street, the west entrance to the town.

At the western entrance to the village of Portland can be found this impressive monument, dedicated to honouring the names of those from this area who fought and died during the World Wars. The quiet village is nested along the famous Rideau Canal. The memorial is found beside the graveyard of the Emmanuel Anglican Church. The list of names on the plaques indicates that the memorial was erected a short time after WWII and before the Korean War, which is recognized by a separate plaque. Little information can be found regarding this memorial, but the long list of names gives every indication that Portland and its surrounding families made a large contribution and sacrifice in the fight for freedom.

*Photos by Louise Bellec.