Cenotaph at the Veterans Memorial Garden in St. Thomas
A ‘Ram’ Kangaroo of 1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron, in support of 12th British Corps operations, in Holland, during mid to late October 1944.
CT160141, was one of the initial issue of ‘Ram’ Kangaroo armoured personnel carriers to the squadron, having been
received from “F” Squadron, 25th Canadian Armoured Delivery Regiment (The Elgin Regiment), on 2 October 1944. Courtesy of Bovington Tank Museum (BTM 2293)
The Cenotaph
The Cenotaph was dedicated on October 5, 1957 in a simple ceremony attended by more than 1,000 people. David L. Burgess, National President of the Royal Canadian Legion from Ottawa, gave the dedication address. Reverend R. W. Lane, Padre of Branch 41 gave a prayer of dedication and the benediction.
Standard Granite Quarries of Beebe Quebec undertook erection of the monument which was designed by Allan Wicks, an active member of the Lord Elgin Branch 41 of the Royal Canadian Legion in St. Thomas. Mayor John Stirling and President David Burgess unveiled the Cenotaph and a single wreath was laid by Mrs. Eileen Wicks, widow of the Cenotaph designer who was tragically killed in a plane crash just a few weeks earlier.
The project was funded by public subscriptions organized by the Legion under Kenneth Stokes, with site construction completed by Haramac Construction of St. Thomas with landscaping provided by the St. Thomas and District Horticultural Society. The Elgin Regiment, under Command of Lt. Colonel E. G. King, was on parade with representatives from local Legion Branches, Ladies Auxiliaries, The Elgin Regiment Veteran’s Association, the Aylmer Legion Pipe Band, The Elgin Regiment Band, The IODE and Sea Cadets.
On October 12, 1982, the Cenotaph was rededicated to honour Canadians who served in the Korean Conflict 1950-1953. Mayor Doug Tarry cut the ribbon and Al Zacker and Ernie Pineau, representing the Korean Veteran’s Association, laid a wreath.
‘IN COCLO QUIES EST’
a Latin Inscription at the top of the center column means
THERE IS REST IN HEAVEN
Canada’s Contribution to the Second World War (1939–1945)
Canada declared war on Germany on September 10, 1939, and over the next six years, more than 1.1 million Canadians—men and women—served in uniform at home and overseas. The war touched nearly every Canadian family. By the time peace was restored in 1945, over 45,000 Canadians had died, and more than 55,000 were wounded. Canada’s role in the Second World War was far-reaching, with significant contributions made by the Army, Navy, Air Force, and the women who served in uniform and in vital civilian roles.
The Canadian Army sent more than 730,000 soldiers into service. They fought with distinction in major campaigns:
- Dieppe Raid (1942): A costly but instructive raid involving nearly 5,000 Canadians.
- The Italian Campaign (1943–45): Canadian forces helped break the German line at battles such as Ortona and the Liri Valley.
- D-Day and Normandy (June 6, 1944): Canada’s 3rd Infantry Division landed at Juno Beach, securing a critical foothold in Nazi-occupied France.
- The Liberation of the Netherlands (1944–45): Canadians played a leading role in liberating Dutch cities and providing life-saving food relief to civilians.
The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) grew from a small coastal force to the third-largest Allied navy by 1945. Over 100,000 sailors served, including 6,500 women. The RCN escorted thousands of convoys across the Atlantic, defended merchant shipping from German U-boats, and participated in amphibious landings in Europe. Canada built corvettes, frigates, and destroyers at shipyards across the country.
Canadian Nurses, known as “Nursing Sisters,” served in field hospitals across Europe, North Africa, and Asia. Over 4,500 military nurses wore the uniform, many near the front lines, caring for the wounded under fire. Their bravery and compassion saved thousands of lives.
Canadian Women served in uniform in the Canadian Women’s Army Corps (CWAC), the Royal Canadian Air Force Women’s Division, and the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRENS). These women took on critical roles—clerks, drivers, mechanics, operators, and instructors—freeing up men for combat duty. Thousands more worked in munitions factories, shipyards, and farms under the National Selective Service program.
By war’s end in August 1945, Canada had emerged as a middle power with a strong military tradition and a global reputation for courage and commitment. Canadian forces served not only in Europe, but in Hong Kong, Alaska, and the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Their legacy endures in the freedom they helped restoreWe remember all who served—on land, at sea, in the air, and in the hospitals and factories of war.
Canada’s Contribution to the Korean War (1950–1953)
The Korean War, often called “The Forgotten War,” was anything but forgettable for those who served. Beginning in June 1950, when North Korea invaded South Korea, the conflict quickly escalated into a major international crisis. Under the banner of the United Nations, Canada answered the call to defend democracy and international law—its third-largest overseas military deployment after the World Wars.
Over 26,000 Canadians served in Korea between 1950 and 1953, with approximately 7,000 remaining for peacekeeping duties after the armistice signed on July 27, 1953. Canadian troops faced bitter cold, rugged terrain, and fierce fighting. Some of the most intense Canadian actions included the Battle of Kapyong in April 1951, where Canadian forces successfully held their ground against a much larger Chinese force, and the defense of Hill 355, a key position repeatedly contested during the war.
Canada suffered 516 fatalities, and over 1,200 were wounded. Though no official Elgin County unit deployed as a whole, individual members of the Elgin Regiment—which at the time was part of Canada’s Reserve Army—volunteered and were attached to Regular Force regiments such as the Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR), the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI), and the Royal 22e Régiment. Others served in artillery, signals, and support roles. Their contributions are honoured locally through memorials and regimental traditions.
The Korean War marked the beginning of a new era in Canadian military history—one defined by peacekeeping, Cold War readiness, and international cooperation. It also affirmed Canada’s reputation as a committed ally on the world stage.