This Memorial Garden was funded by the citizens of St. Thomas & Elgin County to honour  over 10,000 local men and women who served and over 1000 who gave their lives in the defence of freedom. The parkette was dedicated by the Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Ontario, The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell. OC. Ont. On October 28, 2017.

Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele, Juno Beach and D-Day, the Battle of the Atlantic, the Air War in Europe, Hong Kong, the Pacific War, freeing the Netherlands, the Korean War, numerous Peace Keeping Missions, and most recently Afghanistan, all bring floods of memories for Canadians. In addition to these, the Garden is also a memorial to those who served in the War of 1812, 1837 Rebellion, 1866-70 Fenian Raids, 1869-70 Red River Rebellion, 1885 North West Rebellion, and the 1899-1902 Boer War. The significance of the Garden and its importance for families of our fallen from St. Thomas and Elgin County are primary elements that were created.

The Great War memorial was created by J.G. Tickell & Sons Bronze Founders in Toronto and sat outside of the old hospital on Pearl Street in 1922. It was later moved to the St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital in the early 80’s, and now has been refurbished and relocated in this Memorial Garden.

The WWII / Korean War Cenotaph was also moved from its location on Talbot Street to the Memorial Garden.

A new bronze statue of an Afghanistan soldier was created for the garden by Sudbury-based sculptor Tyler Fauvelle. “It’s a privilege for me to install this artwork during the Remembrance period,” said Fauvelle. “This sculpture is about connection. The Great War Memorial and the Cenotaph are both in the soldier’s line of sight. The sacrifices made of life, mind, body and spirit are connected through time, because freedom still has the same price.”

The gardens and a stone walkway provide a peaceful and beautiful home for the memorials and those choosing to walk through or rest on the provided benches. In addition to the statues and gardens, this parkette is also home to 3 Vimy Oaks. These trees are true descendants of the Vimy Ridge acorns sent home to Canada by Lt. Leslie H. Miller, who named the trees grown from these acorns, the “Vimy Oaks”.

(*Quote from Tyler Fauvelle provided by Tim Laye. http://ontariowarmemorials.blogspot.com/2020/01/st-thomas.html)

(Photo provided by Van Pelt’s Business Solutions)