Ontario

Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae was born in Guelph, Ontario in 1872, he served with an artillery battery in the South African War and had a successful civilian medical career. When the First World War broke out in 1914, the patriotic 41-year-old enlisted again and would be appointed as a medical officer with the First Brigade of the Canadian Field Artillery.

During the Second Battle of Ypres in the spring of 1915, McCrae was tending to the wounded in a part of Belgium traditionally called Flanders. On May 2, a close friend was killed in action and this painful loss inspired McCrae to write In Flanders Fields the next day. It would be published in Britain’s Punch magazine and quickly became one of the best-known poems of the war, helping make the poppy an international symbol of remembrance. Sadly, Lieutenant-Colonel McCrae would not survive the conflict, dying of illness in January 1918.

John McCrae Public School was named in honour of John McCrae B.A. M.D. Tor; M.R.C.P. & Lt Col: C.A.M.C. Pathologist, poet, physician and soldier. a man among men. In 1899 he came to McGill University as Governor's Fellow in Pathology and was lecturer in Pathology and later a Lecturer in Medicine. He served with the Artillery in the South African War and in the Great War as M. O. with the 1st B.de C.F.A. as Chief Physician to No 3 C.G.H. McGill & as Consultant in Medicine to First Army. Born at Guelph Ont. 1872. Died on service at Boulogne France 1918. He wrote In Flanders Fields in May, 1915, just after the horrendous second battle of Ypres, in which he lost a close friend.

Unity Park was designated as Richmond Hill's "Peace Park" as part of Canada's 125th Birthday in 1992.

"Peace Parks Across Canada" was conceived and organized by the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) in collaboration with "CANADA 125" and the National Capital Commission. As Canada celebrated its 125th Birthday, some 400 cities and towns across Canada dedicated a Park to Peace – with most parks dedicated at Noon local time, October 8th, as the National Peacekeeping Monument was being unveiled in Ottawa. The members of the winning design team included Cornelia H. Oberlander, landscape architect. Supporters included the Federation of Canadian Mayors and Municipalities, Canada Parks and Recreation Association, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, Heritage Canada, World Wildlife Fund Canada, Friends of the Earth, Canadian Society of Landscape Architects, and local Rotary Clubs all across Canada. Project sponsors included VIA Rail, Greyhound Lines Canada, Ltd., CP Hotels and Resorts, Ramada International Hotels and Resorts, Four Seasons Ltd., Meridien Hotels, Concept 3 Advertising and Programmed Communications, Ltd.

Peace Parks Across Canada" has served as the foundation in launching the "IIPT Global Peace Parks Program" on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, 2000

At noon on October 9th, 2007 – one day after the precise 15th Anniversary of the original dedications, and as Canada continues to be a beacon of peace, Tolerance, and Understanding in a world of increasing violence and distrust, and a nation that celebrates diversity, a nation-wide re-dedication was co-ordinated.

Each of the original Peace Parks incorporated a ‘Bosco Sacro’ (Peace Grove) of 12 trees as a symbolic link with one another, and with nature - and as a symbol of hope for the future. The 12 trees were also symbolic of Canada’s 10 Provinces and two Territories. As there are now three Territories, a 13th tree was planted as part of the "Re-dedication Ceremony."

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 459 Memorial

This road is named to honour Major Addison Alexander Mackenzie, MC.

Addison Alexander "Lex" Mackenzie was born in 1885 in Richmond Hill. He originally pursued a military career and in 1912 joined the Governor-General's Body Guard (in 1936 this regiment was amalgamated with The Mississauga Horse to become The Governor-General's Horse Guards).

He was transferred to 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles and arrived in France in 1915. He was wounded and decorated for valour (Military Cross) at the Battle of the Somme in 1916, and was later wounded at Vimy Ridge.

After the war, Mackenzie left the army and returned to the family farm and took up farming. He entered municipal politics, serving as a member of the Village Council and later as reeve. He was elected member of the Provincial Legislature for York North in 1945, and represented the riding until his retirement at the 1967 election. He died in 1970.

This park is named in memory of Corporal Matthew Dinning. It was unveiled on July 12, 2008 by the Town of Richmond Hill.

Matthew David James Dinning was born in March 1983 at Richmond Hill and raised in Wingham, Ontario, where he was very active in high school and community sports. Following graduation from high school, he completed a Police Foundations Program at Westervelt College in August 2002 and joined the Canadian Forces in May 2003 as Military Police. Completing his military police training in Spring 2004, he was posted to CFB Petawawa and subsequently transferred to 2 MP Platoon in May 2005. Soon after, he volunteered and was selected to be a member of the Close Protection Team assigned to protect the Regional Command South Commander, Brigadier General David Fraser, in Afghanistan. Following intensive training, he deployed to Kandahar in February 2006. On April 22, 2006, Corporal Matthew Dinning was one of four soldiers killed by a roadside bomb in Gumbad, Afghanistan.

This memorial was erected by the Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario. The plaque is dedicated to Lieutenant-colonel Robert Moodie 1778-1837. He served in the war of 1812, participating in the battles at Lundy's Lane, Fort Erie and Sackett's Harbour. See the plaque inscription for more details.

Two brick gates at the North end of Stouffville Memorial Park. South end of Church Street South.

The Memorial to the Fallen Soldier was erected by the Indo-Canadian community, with the contribution of Canadian Museum of Hindu Civilization (CMOHC) and its donors. They presented the monument as an offer of respect and gratitude to the Canadian Armed Forces, and also dedicated it to Canadian soldiers who sacrificed their lives during Canada's peace keeping efforts. The monument was unveiled on October 2, 2010, by CMOHC.

Shaped as a maple leaf, it is exquisitely carved in black granite (Nerro Assuloto) and Imperial red granite, sourced from southern India. Standing tall a towering height of 12 feet, the gleaming monument weights over 15 tons. This monument is designed to capture the glory and heroism of our armed forces. A symbol of peace and patriotism, the memorial is placed next to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi. The CMOHC has also created a Wall of Heros in their museum, listing the names of all soldiers that have died in Afghanistan. The priests in the attached temple offer prayers for each of the names at sunrise and sunset daily.

This memorial was constructed in 1967 by Rebecca Sisler, RCA in memory of those of the Markham District whose lives were sacrificed for the cause of Freedom. It was dedicated in a Remembrance Day Ceremony on November 11, 1967. Originally located outside the library building, the sculpture named "The Fortress", was moved indoors and rededicated in a ceremony in June 1996.

After the Second World War, citizens of Markham hoped that a fitting memorial would be erected to the memory of those who gave their lives for the cause of freedom in the First and Second World Wars. A rock garden at the southern end of Markham was begun, but never finished. Until a General Meeting of the Public was held at the Veterans Hall early in 1964 and a Cenotaph Committee was appointed, no tangible evidence of a memorial had been forthcoming.

The Cenotaph Committee was composed of ex officio, the Reeve of the Village, the President of the Markham District Veterans Association and nominees, Mrs. Fred Reid, Mr. Allan T. Paterson, Mr. Anothony C. Allen, Mr. Lloyd Abernethy and Mr. Paul Mingay. Two fundamental problems had to be solved by the Committee, firstly the design and secondly the site for the cenotaph. A design contest was held and several submissions were made by area artists. After much discussion and thought, negotiations were entered into with the Village Library Board, with the hope of locating the memorial at the new Centennial Library site. The Library Board gave approval, which was ratified by the Village Council. Mr. Philip Brook, the library architect, was charged with ensuring the setting and design would be compatible with the building. At this point the Committee sought professional help, and the well known and very talented sculptor, Miss Rebecca Sisler of Terra Cotta, formerly of Markham Township, graciously agreed to assist.

Miss Sisler initially submitted a column design, but by now the library was underway and the piece would be lost in its architecture. From further discussion with Miss Sisler evolved the concept of a family group as the basic social unit of society. The Committee approved of the model made by Miss Sisler, and only the task to bring the ideas into being remained.

All the while the Committee kept in mind the high ideals involved in their task. When it came to raising the funds, it was felt that as this was a community task that it should be shared communally. The communal meal is part of their heritage and not only in religious history, but whenever in the past joint effort was needed at barn raisings, threshing bees and silo fillings, men and women sat down together. It was decided to try it. The Kiwanis Club of Markham agreed to provide the framework for the organization of the dinner and with the help of many other citizens and all other service clubs, the Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Veterans Association, matters got under way.

To address the dinner Rear Admiral William M. Landymore, O.B.E., C.D., R.C.N. was invited. That he came with his gracious wife from their home at Head of Chezzetcook, Halifax County, Nova Scotia without conditions and without reward will ever be remembered by the 600 people who filled the Centennial Ballroom at the Inn on the Park. His address stirred every soul and was, perhaps, for many the keynote speech for their Centennial year. He was given the key to the Village by Reeve Alma Walker and accorded the privileges of a freeman by resolution of Council, and, as well made an honorary member of the Veterans' Association and the Kiwanis Club of Markham. The dinner, with special donations from the Markham Unionville Lions Club, the Kiwanis Club of Markham and many individuals and corporations have provided the cenotaph proper.

The pool and setting which compliment the cenotaph and indeed are part of it, have been constructed by contractors who have contributed labour and material, either without or at reduced cost. The remainder of cost was hoped to come from the municipality. This cenotaph commemorates those who are buried elsewhere, who have died at war for this, our Canada, in the defence of those privileges and those freedoms exercised in their fullness in the dedication of this sculpture, November 11, 1967.

The Cenotaph Committee: Chairman Mr. Paul W.J.Mingay, Mrs. Fred (Edna) Reid, Mr. Anothony C. Allen, Mr. Allan T. Paterson, Mr. Lloyd Abernathy; Councillor Village Representative Reeve Alma Walker; Markham District Veterans Representatives President Arthur Underwood 1964-65, President Willian Birch 1965-66, President Charles Mullett 1966-67, First Vice-President Jack Peplow 1967.