The Cenotaph at Strathroy Ontario - Museum Strathroy

The Cenotaph at Strathroy Ontario
The Torch, be yours to hold it high
John P Sargeant
September 2013
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Forward
We are always thrilled at the amount of support there is for a project like this. We
want to thank the staff at Museum Strathroy Caradoc; Brianna Hammer, Crystal
Loyst and Andrew Meyer. Also the staff of Strathroy Library who cheerfully found
me a microfilm reader, sorted out the technical problems and gave me good
advise.
On my indebted to list are Al Lloyd of the 21st Btn Descendants website, Bill Groot
Strathroy Historian and photographer, Marg Liessens for her graveyard and
gravestone pictures, Marika Pirie of the CEF Discussion Group for her newspaper
clippings, Norm Giffen for his details on the lamps on the cenotaph, Rob Butler for
details on the early Armouries, military history of Strathroy, and numerous
contributions about the 135th Btn.
Merci to Marc Pilot of Berteaucourt-les Thennes, France and of the CEF
Discussion Group for the photo of Ernest Burtenshaw’s grave. Thanks to Alan
Lines of England who took an Easter holiday to find and photograph a grave.
Marian Rashleigh for her research on Shorncliffe Camp and the Sling Plantation.
Donna Nettleton Smith for details on Alice Nettleton. Patricia Moss for the material
on Asa Patterson.
Not to be forgotten is the class of high school students who prepared the histories
of the men on the WW2 panel.
I’m sure there are others who have contributed and my thanks to them should be
presumed.
Finally my eternal gratitude to Louise who tolerates this chronic condition
This little booklet is an attempt to put in place a “hard copy” of some of the material
on the website. There are many pictures and newspaper clippings that are there,
but not here. If you wish to explore further information on the individual person, go
to Museum Strathroy Caradoc’s website at
http://www.strathroymuseum.ca/en/exhibits/virtualwarmemorial.asp
John P Sargeant
660 Wonderland Rd S
London On
519 473 0475
[email protected]
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The Cenotaph at Strathroy
Remembrance Day 2008
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Location
Strathroy’s Cenotaph is located in front of the town’s public library and museum on
Frank Street. From the 402 take Hickory Drive to the lights at Caradoc Street,
continue to the next set of signal lights and turn right. Cenotaph is on your left.
The location chosen next to the town hall and in front of the Armoury. The armoury
was torn down in the 1960’s and replaced with the library and museum complex.
The cenotaph, however, remained on its original foot print.
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History of the Cenotaph
In 1909, as part of a campaign by the federal government, Strathroy received a
brand new armoury. Before that time the local militia had met and practiced in a
shed near the corner of Adelaide and Scott Streets. The local militia unit was 26 th
Battalion of Infantry being raised in 1866. Head quarters was moved to Strathroy
between 1880 and 1900.
The Armouries became the focus for recruiting when WW1 began in August of
1914.
The Strathroy Age Dispatch published an article on the 10th of April 1924 stating
that Messrs Hambly Brothers were working on the Soldier’s Memorial and that they
hoped to have an unveiling later in the summer. The following list of names was
published to be commemorated on the memorial and any corrections were
encouraged.
“The list at present is as follows:
Pte J Abbott
Pte J Armstrong
Pte F Adair
Pte E J Burtenshaw
Sergt R J Buchanan
Pte J Brown
Pte R Brown
Pte R Briscoe
Pte W Beer
Lieut W MacW Cuddy
Lieut W H Cooper
Pte O Davis
Pte H Dewar
Lieut W E Foxen MC
Lance Corp W Gough
Pte A Holderness
Pte H James
Capt F W Jay
Lieut S Kemp MC
Pte J Kellestine
Corp W Lowe
Capt A L Lindsay
Sergt T Milliken
Sergt Major E Moore,
Lance Corp G Main
Pte James Macaulay
Sergt N McLean
Pte J McGeary
Spr S McIntyre
Miss A Nettleton (VAD)
Corp A Newton
Corp R Newton
Sergt J Nunn
Pte T Norman
Pte A Newbury
Pte O O’Dell
Hon Capt H Payne
Pte C Perring
Pte E Pembleton
Pte A Patterson
Pte E Readon
Capt F W Robinson
Lieut E Sexton
Pte C Smithrim
Pte G B Small
Pte V W Sullivan
Pte G Wallace
Lieut Col T B Welch
Pte H Weise”
Three names were added later at the bottom of each column, George E Urquhart,
William S Cowan and Charles R Bennett. In addition we have found three names
that, by virtue of their Strathroy connection, could be added.
On the 24th of August 1924 all assembled in Alexandria Park and paraded to the
cenotaph site in front of the Armouries. Teachers of various Sunday Schools saw
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that their pupils arrived with flowers. Cars were provided for the next of kin and
seats in the town square were ready.
The program was as follows
Hymn “O God our Help”
Chairman Judge D C Ross – remarks
Unveiling of the monument by Miss Helen Buchanan of Stratford. Sgt R J
Buchanan is listed among the names on the honour roll. I presume she was his
sister or daughter
Prayer of Dedication – Rev John Moore (relative of Sgt Maj Moore?)
Scripture Reading – Mrs W. B. Lindsay (mother of Capt A L Lindsay)
Address General Sir Arthur Currie
Last Post
Reveille
Placing of Wreaths on the monument
Band selections
Hymn “O Canada”
GOD SAVE THE KING
On the 3rd of September the Strathroy Age published the following report on the
unveiling.
3 Sept 1924
Strathroy Age Dispatch
War is a Delusion and A Lie
“War is not the means to Establish Peace” said Gen. Sir Arthur Currie, at
Unveiling of I.O.D.E. Memorial Sunday Afternoon --- Late War was Fought for
Ideals, Which are Even in Danger in These Peace Times – To Truly
Remember Our Glorious Dead, We Must Take Up the Challenge to Contend
and Sacrifice for the Upbuilding of Humanity – Great Crowd Witness
Unveiling of Fine War Memorial Erected by Daughters of Empire
The solemn exercises in connection with the dedication and unveiling of the
war memorial --- erected by the Daughters of the Empire – on Sunday afternoon
last, were witnessed by a very large gathering of our citizens augmented by many
from the surrounding distinct. The weather was ideal for the open-air ceremony.
The beautiful grey monument, upon which are engraved the names of
Strathroy’s glorious dead and which will ever be a constant reminder of their great
valor and sacrifice, was surrounded by a dense crowd of people, with cars parked
deep on both sides of Frank Street along the outer edges. The program was
conducted from a special stand, in front of which were seated the near relatives of
the deceased men. It was a most impressive occasion.
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All those taking part gathered at Alexandra Park at 3 o’clock and from there
paraded to the armoury lawn led by the 26th Regimental Band. First came the
returned men, about one hundred strong, accompanied by representatives of the
veterans of Glencoe, Parkhill and Sarnia. Then followed the members of the Mary
Armstrong Chapter I. O. D. E. to whose untiring efforts the memorial is due, and
then the mayor and town council. The Salvation Army Band augmented by outside
players came next leading the Sunday Schools of the Methodist, Anglican,
Presbyterian and Baptist Churches and their own each child carrying his tribute of
flowers.
Judge D. C. Ross of St Thomas acted as chairman and after the opening
hymn “O God our Help in Ages Past” made a short introductory speech, eulogizing
the indefatigability of the Daughters of the Empire during and following the war and
adding fresh laurels to the memory of our boys for their patriotism, courage,
tenacity, valor and sacrifice. “The least thing we can do” he said “is to keep their
memory green and it our duty to make their kin to know we appreciate their
supreme contribution to the cause of righteousness. They carried the torch bravely
in the terrible struggle. Now comes our responsibility in times of peace.”
The flag which draped the monument was the drawn aside by Miss Helen
Buchanan of Stratford whose father Sergt. Reginald Buchanan was one of the
fallen. Rev John Moore offered the prayer of dedication and Mrs. W. H. Lindsay,
mother of Brig General Wm. B. Lindsay of General Currie’s overseas staff, red a
portion of the 7th chapter of Revelations.
Sir Arthur Currie, in his masterly dedication, recalled the heroism of
Canada’s youth, how they had nobly added to the traditions of their fathers, and
stressed the fact that none of Canada’s soldiers had gone to fight for any material
gain, but rather for an ideal, and that the sacrifice of those to whom all had
gathered to do homage was made for an ideal. There, he believed, was the real
message of such an occasion, that ideals always had to be fought for, and were
never completely won, that the fight for them in peace time was as severe, as
necessary as in war time, and that the sacrifices of those who had fallen, was a
trumpet call to carry on this warfare shoulder to shoulder, without thought of east or
west, race, religion, as they had done on foreign soil, with but the single ideal of
service to true Canadian patriotism.
Sir Arthur, in opening his address, pointed to the heroic sacrifices of the men
who went overseas to the common foe. These sacrifices, he said, were not to be
lost by those they left behind and for whom they had fought.
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“Their sacrifices,” the speaker reminded, “were made so that we can live in
peace and security. Canada did not enter the war to secure territory of wealth by
conquest, bur for certain ideals and principles that are the very foundation of our
civilization and those ideals were freedom and right.” “Sacrifices are needed just as
greatly in times of peace as in times of war, for these ideals are constantly in
danger” General Currie continued. “War is a delusion and a lie. There is no glory in
war. War is not a means of bringing peace to the world. A lasting peace can only
be built up and wars eliminated by
cooperation among mankind. This
dedication is an inspiration and a
challenge to us. The soldiers have
come back to a changed world. We
must go forward, side by side, as a
solid phalanx and make war upon
the forts of folly, as in this way only
can we remember our dead.”
At the conclusion of General
Currie’s address the Last Post and
Reveille were blown bugler P
Greswell (sp?) H.C. R. London,
and the monument was decorated
with flowers. The singing of “O
Canada” completed the program.
Col Ware DSO was present
representing General King, who
was unable to attend and Col
(undecipherable) of Parkhill on
behalf of the 24th Middlesex
Regiment.
The monument which was erected by the I.O.D. E., consists of three large
tablets of imperial grey Canadian granite standing side by side on a light grey base.
The centre tablet is inscribed “Our Glorious Dead” with the quotation underneath
“To live in the hearts of those we leave behind, is not to die”. The rest of the space
and the side tablets are occupied by the names of the fifty five soldiers whose
memory is there commemorated.
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The Age Dispatch
July 31, 1930,
The Cross of Sacrifice Is Now in Place
Strathroy’s Completed Memorial to “the Boys Who Did Not Return,” Will be
Unveiled Next Sunday Afternoon—May the Ornamental Lamps at the Foot of
the Cross Forever Burn in Loving Remembrance of Strathroy’s Fallen
Heroes—Work is a Credit to Daughters of the Empire.
At the Soldiers’ Memorial Monument in Central Park, the large cross of gray granite
has been erected by Hambly Bros., and is receiving much favourable comment. It
surmounts the central
panel, and bronze lamps embellish the two side panels, where lights will be kept
burning. This work was decided on by the Mary Armstrong Chapter, I. O. D. E.,
some months ago, and has been carried through successfully by the committee in
charge, and financed by the Chapter.
The unveiling ceremony will take place Sunday afternoon, August 3, at 2:30, during
the Old Boys’ Reunion. Miss Ann Wakefield, acting Regent of the Chapter will
occupy the chair, and the address of the afternoon will be given by Major the Rev.
A. Graham, who was chaplain of the Middlesex Regiment, and served with them
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overseas during the war. The unveiling will be done by Mrs. S. F. Robinson, of
London, wife of the late Rev. Rural Dean Robinson, formerly rector of St. John’s
Church, Strathroy, who was chaplain of the 126th when war was declared, but was
refused, on account of failing health, for overseas service. Rev. and Mrs. Robinson
gave their three sons for active service, one of whom, Captain Fritz Robinson, was
killed at Givenchy
in 1915. Miss Mary Armstrong, the beloved teacher, in honour of who the
Chapter was named, is to read the scripture lesson, coming from her home in
Windsor for this purpose.
The Middlesex Regiment are in charge of the military part of the program, and the
regimental band will lead the music. Local clergymen will also assist in the
program. All organizations or individuals desirous of placing flowers at the
monument during the ceremony, will be afforded the
opportunity to do so. This addition to the memorial was designed by Major George
Hunter, of
Simcoe.
Research and
transcription by Bill Groot.
It will be noted in the photo above that a cannon occupied a place beside the
cenotaph at some time after the cross of sacrifice was installed. No one seems to
know what became of it. Thinking is that perhaps it was sacrificed for metal salvage
during World War 2.
Judging by the car in the
left edge of the photo and
the fact the Cross of
Sacrifice is in place, this
would seem to be a photo
taken in the 1930’s. Note
the presence of the
cannon.
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This photo is thought to have been
taken sometime in the 1950’s
before the armouries, which can
be seen in the right corner of the
picture, were torn down in the
1960’s. Obviously taken on
Remembrance Day, the Guard
with Reversed Arms and the trees
bare of leaves.
Remembrance Day
2008
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In 2010 those who fought
in the Korean conflict
were remembered and
the words Korean War
1950-1953 engraved on
the south face of the
cenotaph.
The Town of Strathroy
Caradoc takes special
pride in keeping the
grounds around the
cenotaph neat and well
landscaped.
In
the
spring
of
2012
a
redesign of the fore
ground of the cenotaph
made more room for the
laying of wreaths and
provided a raised flower
bed. The masonry for
the flower bed includes
limestone carving from
the
razed
armoury.
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Periodically the lamps on the
cenotaph get broken by weather or
unseemly vandals. In this respect a
member of the Sir Arthur Currie
Legion Branch #116 undertook to lay
in a supply of globes. He contacted
the Corning Glass Company and
secured a small supply that he keeps
in his possession should the need
arise to replace same.
The lamps are hard-wired into the
town power supply and burn 24
hours a day as “eternal flames”.
“To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.”
Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae In
Flanders Fields
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The Honour Panels
World War 1
There are 53 names in three panels. Three of the names are out of alphabetical
sequence at the bottom of each panel, namely George R Urquhart, William S
Cowan and Charles R Bennett.
Over the course of researching the men on the cenotaph, we also came across
Gunner Frederick Bolton a nephew of Strathroy resident W. F. Bolton. Their
father Charles J Bolton who formerly lived in Adelaide Township, lost two sons in
the Great War.
John Bosman’s son of the same name. was killed in action. He had enlisted in
the west and was probably missed for that reason.
Thomas Herbert Benstead, son of Thomas Benstead of Strathroy enlisted in
the 70th Btn in September 1915. He sustained a head wound, was returned home
and died of his wounds. He is buried in Woodland Cemetery in London.
There are probably other names that could have been included. As noted
previously, the IODE advertised the names that were to be engraved on the
cenotaph and asked for any further names to be submitted. Perhaps their
relatives simply missed the opportunity. Every committee had its own rules for
who should be included and the Mary Armstrong Chapter of the IODE was no
exception
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World War 2
A few years ago Museum Strathroy Caradoc prepared a detailed sketch of each
of the men on the WW2 panel on the Cenotaph.
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Korea and Beyond
In 2010 the Legion desired remembering those who
had fought in Korea and a panel was added to the
south face of the cenotaph. No names were added.
At this point, no mention has been made of
remembering Peace Keepers or those who fought
in Afghanistan
The names on the cenotaph are those who gave their lives in service of their
country during the wars and a few years beyond. It does not show those who
came home alive, but wounded in soul and body. It does not show the names of
the families who, along with the Royal Canadian Legion and other veterans
organizations, became the support system for the post-traumatic stress disorder
sufferers or for those with disabilities due to war injury. We must always be
mindful of their sacrifice and contribution.
We shall remember them.
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Remembrance Days
AKA Armistice Day
Each November 11th a ceremony is held at the cenotaph in remembrance of
those who served both here and abroad. The following is a random collection of
pictures from the 2010’s
Piping in the Colours
A wreath in honour
At rest
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Greetings from the PM
CTV covers Ceremony and
Sir Arthur Currie Memorial
Project
Remembering
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