Saturday 28 April 2012

Niagara Falls - Battle of Lundy's Lane


Location:  N 43° 05.359 W 079° 05.726  Located in Drummond Hill Cemetery, on the south side of Lundy's Lane.


This was the site of the bloodiest battle of the War of 1812. On the afternoon of 25th July, 1814, Lieutenant-General Gordon Drummond with about 2800 men engaged the invading American army which had recently been victorious at Chippawa. The armies were evenly matched and the six-hour battle lasted until darkness and heavy losses put an end to the fighting. Each force had lost over 800 men. Although each claimed victory, the Americans had failed to dislodge Drummond from his position. They withdrew the next day, ending their offensive in Upper Canada.
The memorial itself features 3 plaques and several adornments, including cannons.  There are several other plaques and memorials nearby the main monument, but today I will only present the key memorial.
Now a National Historic Site, this monument was erected in 1895.

Marker text:
Front:
1812-1814
LUNDY'S LANE

ERECTED BY THE 
CANADIAN PARLIAMENT
IN HONOUR OF THE VICTORY
GAINED BY THE 
BRITISH AND CANADIAN FORCES
ON THIS FIELD ON THE
25TH DAY OF JULY 1814
AND IN GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE
OF THE BRAVE MEN
WHO DIED ON THAT DAY
FIGHTING FOR THE UNITY
OF THE EMPIRE
1895

Right:
IN ENDURING MEMORY OF 
PRIVATES JOHN BECKHOUSE, WILLIAM BRENTON, MARK CONNORY, WALTER DUFFIS, JOHN HARWOOD, ALEXANDER MOFFIT,  AND JAMES TORBITT,   ONE HUNDRED AND THIRD REGIMENT OF FOOT; 
LIEUTENANT HENRY N. MOORSOM, SERGEANT PETER ROY, CORPORAL WILLIAM ROURKE.  PRIVATES JOSEPH HILL, MOSES HOLMES, AND GASPARD SALTSCRIBER.  
ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTH REGIMENT OF FOOT;
SERGEANT GASPARD FORSTER, PRIVATES PAUL DOUCET AND ROBERT JONES. GLENGARRY REGIMENT OF LIGHT INFANTRY FENCIBLES;  
ENSIGNS JOHN CAMPBELL AND JOHN MACDONELL AND PRIVATE FRANCIS BUTLER.
THE VOLUNTEER INCORPORATED BATTALION OF MILITIA;  
PRIVATE GEORGE COGHILL,  FIRST REGIMENT OF LINCOLN MILITIA.
KILLED IN BATTLE HERE, 25TH JULY 1814.


Rear:
IN ENDURING MEMORY OF
CORPORALS BENJAMIN MORRIS AND THOMAS SEVILLE, AND PRIVATE ROBERT MARTIN, FORTY-FIRST REGIMENT OF FOOT:
CAPTAIN ROBERT SPUNNER, LIEUTENANT JOHN HENRY LATHAM, SERGEANT THOMAS CUTTS, PRIVATES CHRISTOPHER ARMSTRONG, JOSEPH BOULTON, JAMES CAIN, CHARLES COOKE, THOMAS COOKE, EDWARD CORCORAN, JOSHUA CORKIN, JEREMIAH DENCHY, JOHN DONAVAN, HUGH GORMAN, JOHN GRIFFIN, JOHN HALLORAN, JOHN JOYCE, THOMAS LANTRY, PATRICK LOUGHRAN, JOHN MATTHEWS, JACOB MILLER, THOMAS ORR, WILLIAM PACEY, JAMES PATTERSON, PATRICK QUINN, WILLIAM ROURKE, THOMAS RYAN, TIMOTHY SULLIVAN, THOMAS TELFORD, WILLIAM THOMPSON, JAMES TURNER, ROBERT WALLACE, CHARLES WICTAM, RICHARD WILMORE AND WILLIAM WRIGHT.  SECOND BATTALION, EIGHTY-NINTH REGIMENT OF FOOT.
KILLED IN BATTLE HERE
25TH JULY, 1814


Right:
IN ENDURING MEMORY OF 
GUNNERS DAVID COULTER, RICHARD ESFORD, DAVID HUMPHRIES, JOHN MCGAUGHEY, AND THOMAS TULLY.  ROYAL REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY
LIEUTENANT WILLIAM HEMPHILL, CORPORAL WILLIAM AITON, PRIVATES WILLIAM BRUSH, NEIL CARNIE, WILLIAM CAYLE, JAMES GORDON, FELIX DOYLE, JOSEPH DYKE, AUGUSTUS ESTROBIA, JOHN FENTON, JAMES FIELDING, PETER HELFORTY, PATRICK KEARNS, MATTHEW KENNAIRD, WILLIAM McCORMICK, THOMAS MACFARLANE, NICHOLAS POLAND, THOMAS RICHARDS, JOHN THOMPSON, AND WILLIAM WOOD.  FIRST BATTALION, FIRST REGIMENT OF FOOT, (THE ROYAL SCOTS)
PRIVATES OWEN BUCKINGHAM, WILLIAM BUMBY, THOMAS CLARK, SAMUEL HALFPENNY, EDWARD McGRATH, WILLIAM SCOTT, THOMAS WHITE, AND JOHN WILKINS.  FIRST BATTALION, EIGHTH REGIMENT OF FOOT, (THE KING'S).
KILLED IN BATTLE HERE
25TH JULY, 1814 














 
 
 


Friday 27 April 2012

Oshawa - CF86 Sabre



Location:  N 43° 55.022 W 078° 53.641   Found at Oshawa Airport, at the north end of Stephenson Road, across the road from the museum.


Located in Airmen's Park, along with two other plaques and memorials, this CF86 Sabre is painted in the colours of the 416 "City of Oshawa" Squadron.  The Oshawa airport was one of many used during time of war to train pilots.  The Canadair(Montreal) built Mark V Sabre, was used primarily by the RCAF in Europe.  The Mark V featured the more powerful Orenda 10 engine and was produced from 1953 to 1958.  A total of 370 Mark V's were produced and used by the RCAF, with 75 being transferred to the German Luftwaffe in 1957.
The famed Golden Hawks aerobatic team began in 1959 and used the Sabre Mark V for their maneuverability and prowess in the air.

Marker text:
SABRE 23047
THIS CANADAIR MARK V SABRE JET,
PAINTED IN THE COLOURS OF THE
416 "CITY OF OSHAWA" SQN., IS
DEDICATED, BY GRATEFUL CITIZENS
OF OSHAWA AND DISTRICT, TO ALL
ALLIED AIRMEN WHO SERVED THEIR
COUNTRY IN THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM.

I have fought the good fight. I have
finished the race. I have kept the faith.-
PAUL 4:6-8





Thursday 26 April 2012

Newmarket - Pte. W. Haines



Location:  N 44° 03.056 W 079° 27.500  Located in the Veteran's Memorial Park, at the southeast corner of Church Street and D'Arcy Street.


Young local hero, died during the Boer War in South Africa. A member of the Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry, 2nd(Special Service) Battalion "C" Company.  Private Wesley Haines died of Enteric Fever on the 6th of June, 1900.  He is buried in the Braamfontein Garden of Remebrance in Johannesburg.  His service number was 4272.
The memorial featuring a bust in his likeness was erected in the Veteran's Memorial Park, which also features several other memorials, but this is the only memorial dedicated to an individual, in this park.

Marker text:
IN MEMORY OF
PTE W. HAINES

MEMBER OF 2ND BATTALION
ROYAL CANADIAN REGIMENT
WHO DIED FOR HIS QUEEN
AND COUNTRY IN
SOUTH AFRICA
6th OF JUNE 1900

AGED 19 YEARS


Commemorated on Page 15 of the South African War Book of Remembrance, and his grave marker from
BRAAMFONTEIN GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE (JOHANNESBURG)
South Africa



Tuesday 24 April 2012

CFB Borden - RCEME


Location:  N 44 16.101   W 079 54.585    Located in CFB Borden, at the corner of Lundy Lane and Ensign Road, in front of the RCEME Headquarters.

This memorial is dedicated to the men and women who serve quietly to keep the fighting troops in good running order, the Electrical and Mechanic Engineers.  These Craftsmen are represented by the Weapons Techs, Vehicle Techs, Material Techs and Fire Control Systems Techs.  Vital links in the organization, but they don't get the glory of the front line troops.  The memorial was dedicated to commemorate the 50 years of service that RCEME has provided.  I am very proud to say that my son is currently serving as a Craftsman, learning his trade as a Vehicle Technician and keeping up the tradition of those who served before him.
The names surrounding the memorial are those of contributors and supporters, not the names of the soldiers, so I choose not to include them here.  Thank you for the contribution to make this memorial happen, but I prefer to concentrate on the names of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, not on those whose made financial support.

Marker Text:
1944    ARTE ET MARTE   1994

CANADA'S CRAFTSMEN
THE CORPS OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL
ENGINEERS (RCEME)  WAS FORMED AS A SEPARATE ENGINEERING CORPS OF
THE CANADIAN ARMY ON 15 MAY 1944.   MEMBERS OF THE NEW CORPS WERE
DRAWN FROM THE ENGINEERING BRANCH OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN ORDNANCE
CORPS.  THOSE FROM OTHER CORPS JOINED IN THE YEARS AFTER THE WAR.
IN 1968, AS A RESULT OF INTEGRATION,  RCEME WAS DISBANDED AND MOST
OF ITS MEMBERS WERE COMBINED WITH THE MOBILE SUPPORT EQUIPMENT
TECHNICIANS OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE TO FORM THE LAND
ORDNANCE ENGINEERING BRANCH.  THE BRANCH NAME WAS CHANGED TO THE
LAND ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINNERING BRANCH IN 1984 AND TO
THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERING BRANCH ON 1 JANUARY
1994.  FOR THE PAST 50 YEARS THEY HAVE KEPT THEIR IDENTITY AS 
CANADA'S CRAFTSMEN AND HAVE PROUDLY PROVIDED SUPPORT TO THE 
CANADIAN FORCES.  THEIR REPUTATION AS SOLDIERS, TECHNICIANS AND
ENGINEERS IS REFLECTED IN THEIR MOTTO,
"ATRE ET MARTE", BY SKILL AND BY FIGHTING. 
15 MAY 1994 

50 YEARS OF SERVICE 
CANADA'S CRAFTSMEN DISTINGUISHED THEMSELVES IN BATTLE IN THE 
ITALIAN CAMPAIGN, THE D-DAY LANDING IN NORMANDY, NORTHWEST
EUROPE, KOREA AND THE PERSIAN GULF.  THEY HAVE SERVED IN ALL
THEATRES IN WORLD WAR II, THROUGHOUT CANADA, IN THE NORTH
ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION, AND ON MOST UNITED NATIONS
PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS. 
(repeated in French)






 

Monday 23 April 2012

Lloydtown - Jesse Lloyd


Location:  N 43° 59.417 W 079° 41.760  Located at the corner of Little Rebel Road and Rebellion Way, statue is on the northwest corner, historic plaque is across the road.

Here you find a statue of Jesse Lloyd, founder of Lloydtown and prominent figure in the 1837 Rebellion.  There are no markings on the statue itself, but across the road is an Ontario Historical Plaque. 

Plaque text:
In 1832 Jesse Lloyd, a Quaker who had come from Pennsylvania to Upper Canada about 1812, purchased 24 ha of land in this vicinity. During the following years he sold portions of his property to incoming settlers. The erection of a grist-mill, sawmill and woolen mill, two tanneries, stores and a number of pioneer industries hastened Lloydtown's growth. By 1851 the community contained a post-office and two churches and had a population of about 350 persons. Jesse Lloyd, the founder of the village, had played a significant role in the rebellion of 1837. He raised and trained a local force, but following MacKenzie's defeat Lloyd was forced to flee to the United States where he died in exile.










Sunday 22 April 2012

Queenston - Brock Monument


Location:  N 43 09.601 W 79 03.173  This overwhelming monument can be seen for miles in every direction.  Located in Queeston Heights Park, on the Niagara Parkway.


This impressive monument is dedicated to Major-General Sir Isaac Brock, who was the key military figure in the War of 1812, who died here at the Battle of Queenston Heights, 13 October, 1813.


During the summer months, the monument is open for visitors to climb the narrow spiral staircase to the top, for an incredible view of the surrounding countryside.  Only room at the top viewing area for two people.


There are two National Historic Site plaques on the monument, one inside and one outside, and also the main inscription of dedication for this monument.


Marker text:
UPPER CANADA HAS DEDICATED THIS MONUMENT
TO THE MEMORY OF THE LATE
MAJOR-GENERAL SIR ISAAC BROCK .K.B.
PROVISIONAL LIEUT. GOVERNOR AND  COMMANDER OF THE FORCES
IN THIS PROVINCE. WHOSE REMAINS ARE DEPOSITED IN THE VAULT BENEATH.
OPPOSING THE INVADING ENEMY HE FELL IN ACTION NEAR THESE HEIGHTS
ON THE 13TH OCTOBER 1813, IN THE 43 YEAR OF HIS AGE.
REVERED AND LAMENTED BY THE PEOPLE WHOM HE GOVERNED.
AND DEPLORED BY THE SOVEREIGN
TO WHOSE SERVICE HIS LIFE HAD BEEN DEVOTED.

The Battle of Queenston Heights
In the early morning of 13 October 1812, American troops under Major-General Stephen Van Rensellaer crossed the Niagara River and took possession of Queenston Heights. Major-General Isaac Brock hurried from Fort George to lead a small force against the invaders and was killed in an attempt to regain the heights. In the afternoon, Major-General Roger Hale Sheaffe with his force of British regulars, militia and Indians from Fort George strengthened by reinforcements from Chippawa, took the hill from the west flank, capturing 958 prisoners. This celebrated victory ended the American offensive of 1812.


Their Fame Liveth
In enduring memory of Sergeant Charles Merryweather and Privates Thomas Haynes and David Jones of the Forty-First Regiment of Foot, Privates Richard Frickleton, Thomas Gee, Martin Hall, Thomas Levins, John Merrick, William Newman, John Smith and Richard Wade of the Forty-Ninth Regiment of Foot, Private Henry Cope of the Second Regiment of York Militia, Private Thomas Smith of the Third Regiment of York Militia, Ayanete and Kayentatirhon, Cayuga Chiefs, Ta Kanentye, Onodaga warrior, Kayarawagor and Sakangonguquate, Oneida warriors, killed in action here, 13th October, 1812.








Saturday 21 April 2012

Brockville


Location:  N 44° 35.384 W 075° 41.069  Located in Court House Square, in the median of Court House Avenue and King Street.

The Brockville War Memorial was constructed in memory of the men of Brockville, who gave their lives for King and Country in the Great War, and in grateful remembrance of those who shared its danger. Unveiled on May 23, 1924, this monument has not only been used on November 11th, but also as a saluting base for various regiments when holding reunions to honour their dead.

The Town of Brockville, under the leadership of Mayor W.B. Reynolds, was responsible for building the war memorial at the foot of Court House Avenue and King Street. Alderman N.G. Sommerville was the chairman of the project.
The memorial is 22.5 feet in height and is reported to weigh 100 tons. It is comprised of a granite base with supporting abutments and stations a bronze figure of an advancing Canadian soldier fully equipped for battle. The soldier holds a rifle with a fixed bayonet in the extended left arm, while the right arm is in the act of throwing a hand grenade.
From the base rises the main shaft, which carries on its front the following inscription: "In honoured memory of the men of Brockville who gave their lives for King and Country in the Great War, and in grateful remembrance of those who shared its dangers 1914-1919 1939-1945."
Above the main shaft is a plinth for the higher shaft. On the front and rear edges reads the inscription: "Their names liveth for evermore." The higher shaft below the soldier carries the 1832 crest of the Municipality and below it the quotation: "To you from falling hands we throw the torch, be yours to hold it high, if ye break faith with us who die, we shall not sleep, though poppies grow in Flanders Fields." On the back of the monument, an inscription reads: "Greater love hath no man than this - that a man lay down his life for his friends. Korea 1950-1953."
On the East and West sides of the upper shaft are Christian crosses with a memorial wreath at the foot. Against the wreath are piled the pouches, haversack, bayonet scabbard and steel helmet of a soldier. Below this are the battle areas in which the men of Brockville served (on the East side, Passchendaele, Amiens, Arras and Cambrai; on the West side, Ypres, Sanctuary, Wood, Courcelette and Vimy Ridge). In later years, the monument text came to include the dates 1939-1945 and Korea 1950-1953.
The statue of the soldier is made of bronze and was sculpted by Nicholas Pirotton - a Belgian who had moved to Canada. The figure was cast by the Allis Chalmers Company of Toronto. The war memorial was built and erected by the McIntose Granite Company of Toronto.
The unveiling of the monument was held on Friday, May 23, 1924, with a large number of veterans and citizens present. The unveiling was performed by the Right Honorable George P. Graham, who was, at that time, the Minister of Railroads and Canals of Canada. Member of Parliament, Mr. H.A. Stewart, congratulated the Town Council, the Committee and the people of Brockville for the completion of the memorial, and reminded people of what it stood for. The memorial was dedicated by the Chaplain of the Brockville Rifles, Honorary Captain A.F.C. Whalley. In the parade, were the Brockville Rifles and The Royal Canadian Army Cadets from the Brockville Collegiate. Also present were students from all the public schools. The Brockville Rifles performed a Three Valley Salute and the bugler sounded the Last Post.
The Brockville War Memorial is now a historical site and is well looked after each year by the City of Brockville.  **text taken from   www.cdli.ca/monuments





Friday 20 April 2012

Owen Sound


Location:  N 44° 33.840 W 080° 56.695   On the east side of 1st Avenue (also known as Veteran's Way), across from the library.


Along Veteran's Way you will find three Ontario Historical Plaques, dedicated to the three men from the area who were awarded the Victoria Cross (see my March 30, 2012 entry for details of these plaques.  Beside these are also a fountain and memorial.


This memorial is dedicated to those who fought and those who died in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War. It was erected by the City of Owen Sound and the Townships of Sydenham, Keppel, Derby and Sarawak.

Fountain:
RE-DEDICATED
MAY 30, 1982
1914 -- 1918
1939 -- 1945
1950 -- 1954

AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN
AND IN THE MORNING
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

Memorial:
Front left:
Lest We Forget

WORLD WAR I
1914 - 1918

628,736 Served
66,573 Died
138,166 Wounded
2,818 POW

Take Time to
REMEMBER




Front right:
Lest We Forget

WORLD WAR II
1939 - 1945

1,081,865 Served
44,927 Died
53,145 Wounded
8,271 POW

Take Time to
REMEMBER

Rear:
ERECTED TO COMMEMORATE
OUR HONOURED DEAD
AND THOSE WHO CARRIED ON
IN THE GREAT WARS

FROM THE CITY OF
OWEN SOUND
AND THE TOWNSHIPS OF
SYDENHAM
KEPPEL
DERBY
SARAWAK