Canadian Virtual War Memorial

The Soldiers' Tower – The Soldiers’ Tower was built by the University of Toronto Alumni Association in 1924 as a memorial to the Great War of 1914-1918. The names of those who died in that conflict are carved on the Memorial Screen at photo left. After the Second World War, more names were placed in the Memorial Arch at the Tower’s base. In total, almost 1200 names are inscribed. A Memorial Room inside the Tower contains mementoes and artifacts, and a 51-bell carillon serves as the audio element of the living memorial to the alumni, students, faculty and staff who died in the World Wars. The Soldiers’ Tower is the site of an annual Service of Remembrance. Photo: Kathy Parks, Alumni Relations.

Memorial Arch – The names of those who died in the Second World War were added to the archway beneath the Soldiers’ Tower in 1949. The name of “Lt J. H. BLAIR R.C.O.C.” is among the names inscribed. Photo: Cody Gagnon, courtesy of Alumni Relations.

Memorial Room – Soldiers’ Tower, University of Toronto. Photo: David Pike, courtesy of Alumni Relations.

Memorial Book – University of Toronto Memorial Book, Second World War 1939-1945. Published by the Soldiers’ Tower Committee, 1993. Entry on page 6 reads: Lt James Howard BLAIR RCOC. BASc 1942. Died as a result of an accident in Debert, Nova Scotia, 4 July 1943. Buried in Park Lawn Cemetery, Toronto, Ontario.

Photo of Blair James Howard – Photograph of James Howard Blair from Torontonensis, University of Toronto yearbook, 1942.

Family Marker – Close-up view of Blair family head stone, Park Lawn Cemetery, Toronto. Photo: G. Gervais.

Cemetery – Blair family head stone in situ at Park Lawn Cemetery, Toronto. Photo: G. Gervais.

Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Star April 1942. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Star April 1942. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Telegram July 1943. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me