The idea for this 2005 Year of the Veteran Mural came from the late Sir Paul Martin, who wanted the mural to be an educational tool so that the men and women who had given their lives for Canada would not be forgotten. Sir Paul Martin served during the Second World War with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. He was a wireless operator in the Signals Platoon and later a dispatch rider. After the war he returned to Transcona and served on town council, as Mayor, and also as a chaplain for the local Royal Canadian Legion.
Painted by Charlie Johnston, the mural had many individual and corporate sponsors from the local and wider community. The mural tells the story of Transcona’s efforts in the World Wars on the home front and overseas in three layers. The foreground showcases the Transcona community before the onset of war with Central School, Canadian National Railway Shops, and a Harley Davidson as a nod to Sir Paul Martin. During the First World War a portion of the shops were shut down and turned into a munitions factory that produced 18 pound shells for Allied Forces.
The middle of the mural is dedicated to the war effort and Transona Veterans' participation in all branches of the military, including HMCS Transcona, Transcona Shell Co., Cordite Plant, and Canada’s Armoured Train. During the Second World War, Defense Industries Limited opened the Cordite Plant just east of the community. At the plant they produced Cordite and Nitroglycerin for the Allied Forces. Canada’s only armored train was constructed in secret at the Transcona's Canadian National Railway Shops during the Second World War. After Pearl Harbor was attacked, the Canadian Government was fearful of an attack on their western shores so the armored train was constructed in secret. After the train was completed, it was shipped to the West Coast and patrolled around the Prince Rupert Area for a short time before being taken out of service without ever firing a shot.
At the top of the mural are acts of Remembrance including crosses and poppies.
