Honouring National Vimy Ridge Day at Guild Park
- John P. Mason
- Apr 7
- 2 min read
On April 9, the Canadian flag at Guild Park & Gardens will fly at half-mast in remembrance of the Canadians who fought and sacrificed their lives at Vimy Ridge in northern France during WWI.
The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a defining moment in Canadian history—marking the first time all four divisions of the Canadian Corps fought together to achieve a decisive victory. This moment helped shape Canada’s national identity as a strong, independent, and united nation.
🌳 Leslie Miller &
The Vimy Oaks 🌳
Scarborough-born Lieutenant Leslie Miller served in the Signal Corps and fought at Vimy Ridge. After the battle, he gathered acorns from the battlefield’s damaged oak trees and had them sent home to Canada. He later planted them on his Scarborough farm, which he named Vimy Oaks. Some of these trees still stand today.
In 2018, two Vimy Oak trees—direct descendants of Miller’s original oaks—were planted at Guild Park, gifted by the Government of Canada and Scarborough-Guildwood MP John McKay. Later, MP McKay arranged for a commemorative plaque for these trees. The City of Toronto created the plaque's metal stand, which incorparates the letter "V" for Vimy, and installed the sign May 17, 2024.
🎖 Walter Allward & The Canadian National Vimy Ridge Memorial 🎖
Toronto-born Walter Allward, one of Canada’s greatest sculptors, designed the Canadian National Vimy Ridge Memorial in France, which was unveiled by King Edward VIII in 1936. The two towering columns symbolize the enduring friendship between Canada and France, and its walls bear the names of 11,200 Canadians who died in France with no known grave.
The 100 hectares of land where the memorial stands was given to Canada by France in gratitude for the sacrifices made by Canadian troops and their victory at Vimy Ridge.
Allward also has a connection to Guild Park. He was hired by the Bank of Montreal as a consultant to oversee the placement of 12 provincial panels and 8 animal panels on the bank’s building at Bay and King Streets. These panels are now displayed at Guild Park & Gardens.
As we reflect on National Vimy Ridge Day, we honour those who fought for our country and the lasting legacies they left behind—both at Vimy and here at Guild Park & Gardens.
Comments