The Battle of Vimy Ridge in northern France, April 9-12, 1917, is considered one of the defining events in the history of Canada. Where Allied troops struggled and failed, the Canadians overcame great odds and eventually captured the Ridge. In the course of the battle, nearly every tree in the once-forested area was destroyed.

After the battle, a Canadian soldier, Lieutenant Leslie Miller of Scarborough, Ont., gathered acorns from an oak tree on the ridge and sent them home to Canada to be planted on his Scarborough farm later named ‘The Vimy Oaks’.

Today, ten of these trees exist on the wood lot owned by the Scarborough Chinese Baptist Church. The acorns from these trees have been planted & nurtured. One of these descendants from the original trees planted in Canada in 1917 has been replanted here as a lasting remembrance to the brave soldiers who fought and died during that epic Vimy Ridge battle.

One of these trees is now planted here at the St Thomas Veteran’s Memorial Garden to honour and remember the fate of so many Canadians who gave their all 100 years ago. As the years go on, the tree will continue to be a tribute to those who perished or served. We are honoured to have obtained one of these ‘Vimy Oaks’ and have a distinguished place for it to grow and flourish in remembrance.