This school, Lord Byng Elementary School, is named in honour of Field Marshal Lord Julian Byng, 1st Viscount Byng of Vimy, GCB, GCMG, MVO, DCO, Commander of the Canadian Corps at the Battle of Vimy Ridge. The school was originally built in 1921, but was named “Lord Byng School” in 1926. The school was replaced in 1996 with a new facility by the same name.
Field Marshall Byng (September 1862 – June 1935) was born in England and upon graduation was commissioned in the King’s Royal Rifle Corps in 1879, but transferred to the 10th Royal Hussars 4 years later. He served in India, Egypt, and Sudan before attending the Staff College at Camberley in 1892 following which he became a squadron commander in his regiment. In 1899, he deployed to South Africa and was tasked with raising and commanding the South African Light Horse. He returned to England in 1902 but was soon sent back to India to command the 10th Royal Hussars. Between 1904 and 1906, he commanded successively the Cavalry School, the 2nd and 1st Cavalry Brigades, before being promoted to Major General in 1909. At the outbreak of the First World War, Byng was Commander of the 3rd Cavalry Division and saw action at Ypres in October – November 1914. In early 1915, Byng was sent to Gallipoli to command IX Corps in their withdrawal from the ill-fated campaign. By June 1916, he was in command of the Canadian Corps and, along with his subordinate officer, Major-General Arthur Currie, led the Canadians to victory in April 1917 at the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Shortly afterwards, Byng was appointed Commander of the 3rd Army until the cessation of hostilities. Following the First World War, he was appointed Governor General of Canada in 1921, a position he held until 1926.
