This memorial tree was planted in memory of Private Roy Stairs who was killed during the Battle of Hill 70.
Roy Sharp Stairs was born on 19 July 1896 in Temperance Vale, New Brunswick. He was employed as a farmer before enlisting in the 115th Battalion, on 26 January 1916. He embarked for overseas service with his Battalion, on 23 July 1916, arriving in England 8 days later. By October 1916, Stairs had been transferred to the 112th Battalion for training, after which he was assigned to the 26th Battalion (New Brunswick), Canadian Expeditionary Force. He joined his new unit in the field in May 1917 and took part in the Battle of Hill 70, near Lens, France. It is during the first day of this battle that Stairs was hit by enemy fire and died on 15 August 1917. With no known grave, Private Roy Stairs is memorialized on the Vimy Ridge Memorial.
Interestingly, Roy Stairs was to become the uncle of The Honourable Gerald Stairs Merrithew (1931-2004), Minister of Veteran Affairs from September 1988 to January 1993.
