Fleming College

The recently installed Peterborough Wall of Honour features 11,302 names inscribed on 12 massive granite boulders surrounding the Peterborough Cenotaph on George Street.

It is the only memorial of its kind in Canada as it lists the name of every man and woman from Peterborough City and County who served in both World Wars and in the Korean War.

It is also unique in Canada in that it includes the names of merchant mariners from Peterborough who served during the wars, said Alan Wilson who was part of the Wall of Honour committee.

Mr. Wilson spoke at the Remembrance Day ceremony held at the Sutherland Campus on Nov. 11. He shared information and a slide show on the Wall of Honour, a 12-year project that was finally unveiled on Oct. 9 of this year.

“It was one of the most moving ceremonies I have ever been to,” he said. “Many attended and were able to read the names of loved ones. Tears flowed.”

Each boulder weighs 18 tons. They were left with a rough, unpolished exterior to signify that “war is rough,” said Mr. Wilson, whose father, grandfather and great-grandfather all served in combat.

While other countries conscripted their citizens into service, Canadians volunteered. One million Canadians signed up in World War I, while 600,000 volunteered in World War II. One in 10 died in the Great War and one in 20 did not come home from the second World War.

Within Curve Lake First Nation north of Peterborough, every eligible man enlisted to fight in both World Wars, said Mr. Wilson.

“It takes something special to volunteer for a cause and be willing to die for it.”

The Sutherland ceremony also featured the reading of a poem written by a student in honour of her great grandfather who was killed in the Battle of the Somme in World War I.

Flander’s Fields by John McRae was also recited and the traditional moment of silence was held and observed throughout the college. Frost held their traditional outdoor ceremony in honour of Remembrance Day as well.

– 30 –