Alberta

The Edmonton Canadian Pacific Railway Great War Tablet was dedicated at the Canadian Pacific Railway Station, Jasper Avenue and 109^th Street on April 28, 1922. It was relocated to the CPKC Archives and is currently in storage.

To honour those who served and gave their lives during the Great War, the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) erected a series of bronze memorial tablets in over twenty select locations along their railway system and offices in Canada, United States, England and China. The tablet depicts Britannia, the national personification of Britain, as a helmeted female warrior with a lion to her right and a shield at her feet, HMS Lion (Admiral Beatty's flagship during the Battle of Jutland) with airplanes above and a tank in front, Canadian Pacific Steamship RMS Empress of Russia (used during the war as an armed merchant cruiser and transport ship), Canadian troops, and a CPR locomotive in a nod to all those who travelled by train across Canada before heading overseas. The plaque was designed by Archibald Pearce, Chief Engineer's Department, Montreal, with its model and casting by the Bromsgrove Guild at Worcester, England.

All tablets were unveiled simultaneously on the same date along with three identical Winged Victory memorials in Montreal, Winnipeg and Vancouver.

This Canadian Pacific Railway Great War Tablet was first dedicated at the Calgary Natural Resources Building on April 28, 1922. It was later moved to The Military Museums.

To honour those who served and gave their lives during the Great War, the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) erected a series of bronze memorial tablets in over twenty select locations along their railway system and offices in Canada, United States, England and China. The tablet depicts Britannia, the national personification of Britain, as a helmeted female warrior with a lion to her right and a shield at her feet, HMS Lion (Admiral Beatty's flagship during the Battle of Jutland) with airplanes above and a tank in front, Canadian Pacific Steamship RMS Empress of Russia (used during the war as an armed merchant cruiser and transport ship), Canadian troops, and a CPR locomotive in a nod to all those who travelled by train across Canada before heading overseas. The plaque was designed by Archibald Pearce, Chief Engineer's Department, Montreal, with its model and casting by the Bromsgrove Guild at Worcester, England.

All tablets were unveiled simultaneously on the same date along with three identical Winged Victory memorials in Montreal, Winnipeg and Vancouver.

In September 2005, three seven feet high statues were commissioned by Canada Lands Company to honour the military personnel who served in the Canadian Forces during the Second World War. The three bronze figures of young servicemen in uniform and full kit appear to be emerging from the eight feet high bas relief bronzes mounted on natural stone plinths. Each branch of the Canadian Armed Forces is represented by a statue; a pilot for the Air Force; a soldier for the Army; and a sailor for the Navy. The statues were created by renowned bronze sculptor Don Begg of Studio West Bronze Foundry Ltd. 

On 4th August 1944 Squadron Leader Bazalgette was "Master bomber" of a Pathfinder Squadron detailed to mark an important target for the main bomber force. When nearing the target his Lancaster came under heavy anti-aircraft fire. Both starboard engines were put out action and serious fire broke out in the fuselage and the starboard main-plane.

The bomb aimer was badly wounded. As the deputy "master bomber" had already been shot down, the success of the attack depended on Squadron Leader Bazalgette and this he knew. Despite appalling conditions in his burning aircraft, he pressed on gallantly, marking and bombing it accurately. That the attack was successful was due to his magnificent effort.

After the bombs had been dropped, the Lancaster dived, practically out of control. By expert airmanship and great exertion Squardon Bazalgette regained control. But the port inner engine then failed and the whole the starboard main-plane became a mass of flames. Squadron Leader Bazalgatte fought bravely to bring his aircraft and crew to safety.

The mid-upper gunner was overcome by fumes. Squadron-Leader Bazalgatte then ordered those of his crew who were able to leave by parachute to do so. He remain at the controls and attempted the almost hopeless task of landing the crippled and blazing aircraft in a last effort to save the wounded bomb aimer and helpless air gunner.

With superb skill and taking great care to avoid a French village, he brought the aircraft safely down. Unfortunately, it then exploded and this gallant officer and his two comrades perished. His heroic sacrifice marked the climax of a long career of operations against the enemy. He always chose the more dangerous and exacting roles. His courage and devotion to duty were beyond praise.

This plaque is one of 16 that were installed on Victoria Cross Boulevard in honour of Canadian Second World War Victoria Cross Recipients.

John Weir Foote was born in Madoc, Ontario on 5 May 1904. A Presbyterian minister, he joined the Canadian Chaplain Service at the beginning of the Second World War.

On 19 August 1942 Honorary Captain Foote was attached to the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (RHLI), one of the battalions from the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division that participated in the raid on the French port of Dieppe on that day. After landing, Padre Foote assisted the RHLI’s medical officer in caring for the wounded at the regimental aid post. However, he frequently left the relative safety of that location for the open beach where he rendered first aid, and gave injections of morphine to alleviate the suffering of the many wounded who were there. Later, he carried wounded men from the regimental aid post to landing craft waiting to evacuate the survivors of the raiding force. Padre Foote declined the opportunity to embark, preferring to continue to minister to those left behind, and to share their fate as prisoners of war.

At the end of the war, Padre Foote received the Victoria Cross for his conduct at Dieppe, the first ever awarded to a Canadian chaplain. He died in Hamilton, Ontario on 2 May 1988.

This plaque is one of 16 that were installed on Victoria Cross Boulevard in honour of Canadian Second World War Victoria Cross Recipients.

The Captain Nichola Goddard Plaque is part of the Letters Home installation on Trasimene Heritage Walk. It was created in 2020 by Canada Lands Company who uniquely redeveloped Calgary’s former Canadian Forces Base. Captain Goddard's story is told through the letters she wrote home during her service in Afghanistan. Serving as a forward artillery observer, she was killed by enemy fire on May 17, 2006. She was the first Canadian female combat soldier to lead troops into combat, the first artillery officer to call in support fire on an enemy since the Korean War, and the first female combat soldier lost to enemy fire – all in the same battle.

The Captain Vernon Cole plaque is part of the Letters Home installation on Trasimene Heritage Walk. It was created in 2020 by Canada Lands Company who uniquely redeveloped Calgary’s former Canadian Forces Base. Captain Cole's story is told through the letters he wrote home during his service in the Korean War. He earned the Military Medal for courage, leadership and personal bravery during his service in Korea.

The Lieutenant Norma Stowe Plaque is part of the Letters Home installation on Trasimene Heritage Walk. It was created in 2020 by Canada Lands Company who uniquely redeveloped Calgary’s former Canadian Forces Base. Lieutenant Stowe's story is told through the letters she wrote home during her service in the Second World War. Norma Stowe served as a nurse with the Canadian military and was stationed in South Africa.

The Private Alexander Decoteau Plaque is part of the Letters Home installation on Trasimene Heritage Walk. It was created in 2020 by Canada Lands Company who uniquely redeveloped Calgary’s former Canadian Forces Base. Private Decoteau's story is told through the letters he wrote home during his service in the First World War.

Alexander Decoteau, a Cree from Saskatchewan born in 1887, became Canada’s first Indigenous police officer and competed as a runner in the 5-km race in the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden. In 1916, Decoteau joined the Canadian army as a battalion messenger, running messages across battlefields in the face of enemy fire. Tragically, Private Decoteau was killed in October 1917 during the Battle of Passchendaele, just before his 30th birthday.

In his memory, Alex Decoteau remembrance runs are held every year in Canada and Belgium.

The Trasimene Heritage Walk is a tribute to the Canadians who bravely served our country in military conflicts, and honours Currie’s rich military history. The walk was originally named after a Second World War battle near Lake Trasimene. Located in Tuscany, the Trasimene Line was a German defensive position that the Allies were able to penetrate, ultimately forcing the Germans out of Italy. This became a significant victory for the Allies. Three divisions of Canada’s First Armoured Brigade, including the Calgary, Ontario and Three Rivers regiments, received the Trasimene Line battle honour.

The Trasimene Heritage Walk pathways are part of the original wooded areas of the Currie Barracks where numerous initiatives celebrate the barracks' history. Located on the heritage walk is the Letters Home installation — stories told through the letters that four Canadians wrote home during their service in military conflicts.