The “History of the Brant County War Memorial”

Seven bronze statues were added to the Brant County War Memorial in 1992.  The photo gallery and overview of the Brant War Memorial Park and Cenotaph can be found here.

The printed program for the 1992 unveiling and dedication ceremony of the seven WWII bronze statues included the following recount of the History of the Brant County War Memorial:

The first public meeting was held 27 January 1921. It was agreed that a War memorial would be built and that the site would be where it is today. There was some grand plan at the time for making this the corner for a Grand Boulevard on which would be built a city hall. Opera House and other public buildings. This plan has long since been forgotten. The location of the memorial is still the best possible in the City.

In 1923 the Brant War memorial Association was incorporated under an Act of Parliament with all citizens of Brant Country eligible for membership. Mr. Walters S. Allward, the designer of the Vimy Ridge Memorial located in France, was engaged to design and erect the monument at a cost of $75,000.00. The Association agreed on the following. “The design should be impressive, column, and simple and of high artistic quality, which will ensure its appreciation for all time.” This principal has been adhered to.

In 1924, a Women’s section was organized and proved to be a powerful influence.

In 1926, little progress had been made in securing the necessary funds. Plans were made to option the property. In 1927, a campaign committee was appointed with an objective of $150,000.00. In May 1927, the City Council endorsed the entire plan and promised full support. The amount subscribed by the public was in the excess of $100,000.00 with another $25,000.00 in debentures by the City of Brantford.

On the 23 May 1933, the monument, with the exception of the bronze statues was dedicated. A letter circulated by the Brant War memorial Association stated that “it is still the hope of the association that they will eventually be able to complete the memorial by the addition of Bronze figure to be erected on the front pedestals. “It further stated that funds were just not available. It has taken twelve (12) years rather than the hoped five (5.) It was a magnificent tribute to the 701 Brant county Citizens whose names are inscribed on the towering pylons above the words: “THEY GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR HUMANITY.”

The years following 1933 gave no financial opportunity to finish the Monument with the Bronze Sculptures as originally planned. In 1946 the Second World War has now come and gone and further sacrifices have been made. The negotiations were again entered into with W. S. Allward, but due to ill health this association was to be abandoned. Problems arose as the artistic design and the financing of the addition of the Bronze Sculptures. At this point the plan was abandoned.

In 1954, a decision was made to add a Granite gallery at the rear of the existing memorial on which the names of the fallen from the Second World War and the Korean War would be suitable displayed. Much cooperation from the city Women’s Section, Silver Cross Mothers, Brantford citizens and The Association made this possible. A design by Mr. Charles Brooks was approved and Cromar Construction Company completed the work.

On the 2, July 1956 The remembrance Gallery was unveiled and dedicated. These words: ‘THEIR FIGHT WAS NOT FOR GAIN, GLORY, HONOUR OR PRIDE, BUT FOR THE FREEDOMS WE CHERISH IN DEMOCRACY – THIS IS A CITIZEN’S MEMORIAL” was said by the Honourable Ross Macdonald. There are 339 names inscribed in the Gallery.

There still remained one problem, a service station on one corner of the property. For several years offers were made and finally in 1960, Memorial Square was complete and the development and beautification could be carried out by the Parks Board.

A Resolution passed by Branch #90, Royal Canadian Legions summed it all up, “Whereas: the Canadian Legions Branch 90 has noted with satisfaction the removal of the service station from the corner of Dalhousie and Bridge streets, adjacent to the Brant County War memorial. Whereas: We have also noted the prompt and excellent work of the Parks Board in landscaping the area, thereby greatly improving the appearance of the War Memorial and the Memorial Square. Therefore be it resolved: That we congratulate the Mayor and City council. The Brant War Memorial Association and the Parks Board, on this accomplishment which will meet with the approval of all veterans in Brantford and Brant County.

On 14 November 1960 a special meeting was held in the City Council Chambers to hear a Resolution to disband the Brant War memorial Association. The Charter Was surrendered.

On 24 April 1987 it was first decided that something should be done about the War memorials in Brant County. Through the years the neglect, time and weather had taken its toll. In September 1987 all Ex-Service Organizations within Brant County met with the idea of naming a new committee. It was agreed that the name would be Brant County War Memorials Committee. Each organization was asked to contribute some funds to start the ball rolling. The summer of 1988 was spent cleaning and pointing Paris, Burford and the Brant County Memorial; the St. George memorial received a revised date plaque which included Korea and Korea was corrected on the Brant Country memorial. Necessary silicone was put on to protect the surface against further discolouration. The lighting was also updated. With the work completed, the Committee’s sights were sent on the big one. The finishing of the Brant Country Memorial with the bronze Sculptures.

On 8 December 1988, the Brant Country War Memorials Committee was incorporated with the Province of Ontario. Number 793984. On the 17 January 1990, the Committee applied and received a charitable foundation Number from Revenue Canada 085-1691-52 which enables the committee to issue receipts for Income Tax purposes.

A contract was signed with Helen Granger Young of Winnipeg to design, sculptor and supply the Bronze Monuments. Three (3) Males representing Members of the royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Air Force. Four (4) Females representing Nursing Sister of the Royal Canadian medical Corps, Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service, Canadian Women’s Army Corps and Royal Canadian Air force – Women’s division. At a cost of $370,000.00 including installation and GST, completion is scheduled for the fall of 1992. Final payment is due 15 November 1993. The Ex-Service Veterans Organizations of Brant Country have been the main sources of funding. The City of Brantford and the County of Brant have made token grants. Citizens of Brant County as well as Ex Service Association from across Canada have also been quite generous with donations. Federal and Provincial governments have offered very little support or assistance. Parks and Recreation Brantford have been very supportive with changes such as walkways, lighting and landscaping.

As of 12 August 1992 $253,200.00 has been paid towards completion of the project.

The 12 September 1992 has been set aside as the day of Unveiling and Dedication. A Bronze Plaque, with these words will be unveiled at the same time:

THESE SEVEN BRONZE STATUES ARE DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF ALL BRANT COUNTY CITIZENS WHO MADE THE “SUPREME SACRIFICE” AND TO COMMEMORATE OUR LOCAL ARMED FORCES VETERANS WHO DID SO HONOUR THEIR COMMUNITY, THEIR COUNTY, AND THEMSELVES FOR THE CAUSE OF THE PEACE AND FREEDOM.

The Bronze Statue of the Nursing Sister is to represent two (2) Brant Country Nursing Sisters who died due to the enemy action in the 1^st World War. As well as all other nursing Sisters who made the Supreme Sacrifice. Nursing Sister K. Maude Macdonald, died 19 May 1915, German Air Raid #1, Canadian general Hospital in France. Nursing sister Dorothy M. Baldiwn died 31 May 1918, German Air Raid on # 3 Canadian General Station group Hospital in France.

There were 46 Canadian nursing Sisters killed in the 1^st World War due mainly to enemy action.  We do not have the figures for World War II as the Women’s Casualties were lumped together. There were at total of 73 women who died due to enemy action in WWII, a large portion of those would have been Nursing Sisters.