Other

City/Municipality
Toronto
Memorial Number
35090-132
Type
Address
145 Queen Street East
Location
Moss Park Armoury
in Canada
Yes
GPS Coordinates
43.6537958, -79.3728004
Image
Photo Credit
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
Caption
Wall of Honour and Battle Honours
1 of 2 images
Image
Photo Credit
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
Caption
Wall of Honour
1 of 2 images
Province
!4v1666982443673!6m8!1m7!1sNV4gtuY-NhhfCtnDOJ0bzA!2m2!1d43.6537958287728!2d-79.37280040823114!3f351.70811138347545!4f8.712448645124823!5f0.7820865974627469
Body Content

The Wall of Honour is a powerful reminder of the weight of sacrifice of those who have laid down their lives in service to Canada and the cause of peace. In includes tablets with the names of all The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada who have fallen in combat or died during peacetime service. 

City
Toronto
Country
Type Description
Wall
Memorial CF Legacy ID
11079
City/Municipality
Toronto
Memorial Number
35090-131
Type
Address
145 Queen Street East
Location
Moss Park Armoury, Wall of Honour
in Canada
Yes
GPS Coordinates
43.6537958, -79.3728004
Inscription

HONOUR ROLL
TO THE MEMORY OF THOSE MEMBERS OF
THE QUEEN’S OWN RIFLES OF CANADA
WHO PAID THE SUPREME SACRIFICE IN
WORLD WAR 2, 1939-1945
“WE WILL REMEMBER THEM”

Image
Photo Credit
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
Caption
Honour Roll
Province
!4v1666982443673!6m8!1m7!1sNV4gtuY-NhhfCtnDOJ0bzA!2m2!1d43.6537958287728!2d-79.37280040823114!3f351.70811138347545!4f8.712448645124823!5f0.7820865974627469
Body Content

This Honour Roll contains the names of The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada's casualties during the Second World War.

The Queen’s Own mobilized for the Second World War on 24 May 1940. The Regiment’s first assignment was the defence of the two strategic airfields of Botwood and Gander, Newfoundland then a posting to New Brunswick for additional training and integration into 8th Brigade. Eventually, the Regiment was posted to England, in July 1941, as a part of the 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade of the 3rd Canadian Division. 

During the Second World War 463 Queen’s Own were killed in action and almost 900 were wounded, many two or three times. Sixty more were killed serving with other units in Hong Kong, Italy and Northwest Europe.

City
Toronto
Country
Type Description
Honour Roll
Memorial CF Legacy ID
11077
City/Municipality
Toronto
Memorial Number
35090-130
Type
Address
145 Queen Street East
Location
Moss Park Armoury, Wall of Honour
in Canada
Yes
GPS Coordinates
43.6537958, -79.3728004
Inscription

[plaque]
QUEEN'S OWN RIFLES OF CANADA
IN PACE PARATUS

1914      1918

Dedicated To the Riflemen of
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
Who Made the Supreme Sacrifice During the First World War

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the Going Down of the Sun and In the Morning.
We Will Remember Them."

TORONTO
III
REGIMENT

CANADIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE 83

CANADA NUNQUAM DORMIMUS OVERSEAS 95

QUEEN'S OWN RIFLES OF CANADA 166

OVERSEAS 198
BATTALION
CANADIAN BUFFS

QUEEN'S OWN RIFLES OF CANADA 255

Image
Photo Credit
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
Caption
plaque
1 of 5 images
Image
Photo Credit
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
Caption
panels 1 - 3
1 of 5 images
Image
Photo Credit
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
Caption
panels 4 - 6
1 of 5 images
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Photo Credit
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
Caption
panels 7 - 9
1 of 5 images
Image
Photo Credit
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
Caption
panels 10 - 12
1 of 5 images
War or Conflict Term
Province
!4v1666982443673!6m8!1m7!1sNV4gtuY-NhhfCtnDOJ0bzA!2m2!1d43.6537958287728!2d-79.37280040823114!3f351.70811138347545!4f8.712448645124823!5f0.7820865974627469
Body Content

Twelve bronze panels list the names of 4,421 First World War fallen who served in The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada or one of its perpetuated units:

  • 3rd Battalion, Toronto Regiment, Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF)
  • 83rd Battalion, Queen’s Own Rifles, CEF
  • 95th Battalion, CEF
  • 166th Battalion, Queen’s Own Rifles, CEF
  • 198th Overseas Battalion, Canadian Buffs, CEF
  • 255th Battalion, Queen’s Own Rifles, CEF

The Honour Roll was unveiled during the Remembrance Day parade in November 2018, the centennial anniversary of the Armistice. The inscription includes a stanza from the poem "For the Fallen" by Laurence Binyon.

With the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, Canada responded by sending the Canadian Expeditionary Force. The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada provided the vast majority of men to the 3rd Battalion. By the 11 November 1918 armistice, 7,562 Queen’s Own Rifles had served overseas. Of these 1,254 were killed in action, died of wounds or of other causes – approximately one in six. Thousands more were wounded. Six soldiers who had served with or been attached to The Queen’s Own were awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry.

City
Toronto
Country
Type Description
Honour Roll
Memorial CF Legacy ID
11076
City/Municipality
Toronto
Memorial Number
35090-129
Type
Address
145 Queen Street East
Location
Moss Park Armoury, Wall of Honour
in Canada
Yes
GPS Coordinates
43.6537958, -79.3728004
Inscription

IN MEMORY OF
MAJ. GEN. MALCOLM SMITH MERCER CB
COMMANDANT
AND THE
OFFICERS
NON COMMISSIONED OFFICERS
AND
MEN
OF THE
2ND REGIMENT QUEEN'S OWN RIFLES
OF CANADA
WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR
1914 - 1918

QUEEN'S OWN RIFLES OF CANADA
IN PACE PARATUS

Image
Photo Credit
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
Caption
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada First World War Tablet
Province
!4v1666982443673!6m8!1m7!1sNV4gtuY-NhhfCtnDOJ0bzA!2m2!1d43.6537958287728!2d-79.37280040823114!3f351.70811138347545!4f8.712448645124823!5f0.7820865974627469
Body Content

The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada First World War Tablet was unveiled in the University Avenue Armouries on 16 April 1921 by the Right Honorable Arthur Meighan, Prime Minister of Canada. Guests included the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, the Premier of Ontario, the Mayor of Toronto, the Bishop of Toronto, joined of course by thousands of friends and relatives of the fallen. On the tablet is a robed woman holding a wreath of laurel in her outstretched hand. The plaque is dedicated to Major General M.S. Mercer and all of the Queen's Own Regiment of Canada’s casualties in the First World War.

With the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, Canada responded by sending the Canadian Expeditionary Force. The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada provided the vast majority of men to the 3rd Battalion. By the 11 November 1918 armistice, 7,562 Queen’s Own Rifles had served overseas. Of these 1,254 were killed in action, died of wounds or of other causes – approximately one in six. Thousands more were wounded. Six soldiers who had served with or been attached to The Queen’s Own were awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry.

City
Toronto
Country
Type Description
Plaque - bronze
Memorial CF Legacy ID
11075
City/Municipality
Toronto
Memorial Number
35090-128
Type
Address
111 Wellesley Street West
Location
Legislative Building
in Canada
Yes
GPS Coordinates
43.6618603, -79.3913634
Inscription

PRO PATRIA

THIS TABLET IS A TRIBUTE BY THE
Province of Ontario
TO THE MEMORY OF THE BRAVE VOLUNTEERS
WHO FELL AT LIMERIDGE
ON THE 2ND JUNE 1866, WHILST DEFENDING
THE NIAGARA FRONTIER AGAINST THE FENIAN INVADERS.

ENSIGN MALCOLM MCEACHREN

  • SERGT HUGH MATHESON.
  • PTE MARK DEFRIES.
  • PTE WILLIAM SMITH.
  • PTE WILLIAM F. TEMPEST.
  • CORPRL FRANK LACKEY.
  • PTE CHRISTR ALDERSON.
  • PTE MACOLN MACKENZIE.
  • PTE JOHN H. MEWBURN.

OF THE 2ND BATT QUEEN'S OWN RIFLES.

Image
Photo Credit
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Caption
plaque
Province
!4v1670242757221!6m8!1m7!1sCAoSLEFGMVFpcE9WMGpXZVJxdTBMdEhxTTVrb1pZMWZEcmVLbm5nSHdnb3F4b3dU!2m2!1d43.6618603!2d-79.3913634!3f7.125002843118255!4f22.970544162749633!5f0.7820865974627469
Body Content

This plaque was erected by the Province of Ontario to honour soldiers of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada who fell at Lime Ridge on June 2, 1866. The Toronto militia volunteers were fighting Irish-American Fenian insurgents who had invaded Canada near Fort Erie in the hopes of holding Canada ransom for Irish independence. Between 1866 and 1871, this group raided Canadian territory from New Brunswick to Manitoba. Nine riflemen from Toronto’s The Queen’s Own Rifles Regiment were killed.

City
Toronto
Country
Type Description
Plaque
Memorial CF Legacy ID
11072
City/Municipality
Toronto
Memorial Number
35090-126
Type
Address
145 Queen Street East
Location
Moss Park Armoury, Wall of Honour
in Canada
Yes
GPS Coordinates
43.6537958, -79.3728004
Inscription

In memory of those members of
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
who fell at the Battle of Ridgeway
for Queen and Country
2 June 1866

Rrn. C. Alderson
Rfn. M Defries
Rfn. F. Lakey
Sgt. H. Matheson
Rfn. J.H. Mewburn
Ensign M. McEachern
Rfn. M. McKenzie
Rfn. W. Smith
Rfn. W.F. Tempest

Image
Photo Credit
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
Caption
tablet
Province
!4v1666982443673!6m8!1m7!1sNV4gtuY-NhhfCtnDOJ0bzA!2m2!1d43.6537958287728!2d-79.37280040823114!3f351.70811138347545!4f8.712448645124823!5f0.7820865974627469
Body Content

The Battle of Ridgeway Tablet was consecrated on 16 May 2012. It is dedicated to The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada's casualties from the Battle of Ridgeway on 2 June 1866.

The Toronto militia volunteers were fighting Irish-American Fenian insurgents who had invaded Canada near Fort Erie in the hopes of holding Canada ransom for Irish independence. Between 1866 and 1871, this group raided Canadian territory from New Brunswick to Manitoba. Nine riflemen from Toronto’s The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada were killed.

City
Toronto
Country
Type Description
Plaque - bronze
Memorial CF Legacy ID
11070
City/Municipality
Toronto
Memorial Number
35090-125
Type
Address
1 Austin Terrace
in Canada
Yes
GPS Coordinates
43.6785946, -79.4096633
War or Conflict Term
Province
!4v1662979732840!6m8!1m7!1s0Z5WSZrSVSDLGyCxmzOUwQ!2m2!1d43.67859460196389!2d-79.40966328217377!3f167.54262048219016!4f-2.3144838459083132!5f0.7820865974627469
Body Content

Major General Sir Henry Mill Pellatt, CVO, DCL, VD, was The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada’s longest serving Commanding Officer and builder of Casa Loma, home of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum and Archive which occupies a major part of the third floor of Casa Loma. Henry was born in Kingston, Ontario, on January 6, 1859. After high school, he joined his father’s firm and volunteered in The Queen’s Own Rifles enlisting 2 November 1876 as a rifleman.

By 1892, Henry was in control of ‘Pellatt and Osler’ (his father having retired) and made a number of shrewd, very profitable investments. Henry had the means to see his dreams of owning a castle come true.

Casa Loma - “House on the Hill”, took three years and $3.5M to build. Sir Henry Pellatt filled Casa Loma with priceless artwork from Canada and around the world. With soaring battlements and secret passageways, it paid homage to the castles and knights of days gone by. Sir Henry Pellatt’s numerous business and military connections demanded entertaining on a large scale at Casa Loma. 

The First World War had serious effects on Henry’s businesses. By 1924, many of his business ventures had collapsed. He was $1.7 million in debt and his wife’s health was quickly fading, (she died the following year). Broken and penniless, Henry turned over his beloved Casa Loma to the City of Toronto.

During the Second World War, Casa Loma was home to Station M, a secret manufacturing facility that tested and produced gadgets and covert material for the Special Operations Executive and Camp X. 

City
Toronto
Country
Type Description
Building - castle
Memorial CF Legacy ID
10977
City/Municipality
Toronto
Memorial Number
35090-124
Type
Address
1 Austin Terrace
Location
Casa Loma
in Canada
Yes
GPS Coordinates
43.6783883, -79.4096033
Inscription

SIR HENRY MILL PELLATT
1859-1939

At the peak of his dramatic career, Sir Henry Mill Pellatt was one of Canada's most powerful businessmen. An ambitious financier who became wealthy through bold investments in electricity, real estate, and mining, Pellatt helped bring electric street lights to Toronto and to develop the first Canadian hydroelectric generating station in Niagara Falls.

In 1901, Pellatt became Commanding Officer of The Queen's Own Rifles, a militia regiment he had joined at the age of 18. His leadership of this regiment and his role in the development of electric power in Ontario earned him a knighthood in 1905.

In 1913, Pellatt and his wife Mary moved into Casa Loma, designed for them by architect E.J. Lennox. It was one of North America's grandest residences. Ten years later, the Pellatts were forced to leave after investments severely reduced their wealth.

Major General Sir Henry Mill Pellatt died in 1939, and was honoured with one of Toronto's largest military funerals.

HERITAGE TORONTO 2009

Image
Photo Credit
Casa Loma
Caption
plaque
Province
!4v1662573310095!6m8!1m7!1sCAoSK0FGMVFpcE9EMUNFMGo5akVjVWp2dE5uamlVVEhMNy1nUzNVMF9DN0VYU2s.!2m2!1d43.67838829999999!2d-79.4096033!3f321.4985304202184!4f-26.99617620714413!5f0.7820865974627469
Body Content

This plaque commemorates Major General Sir Henry Mill Pellatt, CVO, DCL, VD, The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada’s longest serving Commanding Officer and builder of Casa Loma, home of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum and Archive which occupies a major part of the third floor of Casa Loma. Henry was born in Kingston, Ontario, on January 6, 1859. After high school, he joined his father’s firm and volunteered in The Queen’s Own Rifles enlisting 2 November 1876 as a rifleman.

He was a remarkable runner and by the age of 20, was the fastest ‘miler’ in all of North America. In his 20s he founded the Toronto Electric Light Company, appointed himself secretary and negotiated a deal to install arc lights in a small section of Toronto. Six years later, he held the contract to install all the street lighting for the entire city of Toronto! By 1892, Henry was in control of ‘Pellatt and Osler’ (his father having retired) and made a number of shrewd, very profitable investments. Henry had the means to see his dreams of owning a castle come true.

Henry rose through the ranks to command The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada from 1901-1920. At the time an extremely rich man, he was very generous to the regiment. In 1910, he personally financed a five-week trip for over 600 Queen’s Own personnel, plus officers’ horses, to sail to England to mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada in 1860. The military exercises lasted from 13 August to 3 October. In 1910, he created the Companion of the Victorian Order (CVO)

Henry’s younger brother Mill Pellatt served with the regiment as a private in the late 1890’s and early 1900’s. His son Reginald also served in the Queen’s Own Rifles, becoming Commanding Officer (1925-1930) and Honorary Colonel (1951-1956). Henry was promoted to Major-General upon his retirement in 1921 from The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada. 

The First World War had serious effects on Henry’s businesses. By 1924, many of his business ventures had collapsed. He was $1.7 million in debt and his wife’s health was quickly fading, (she died the following year). Broken and penniless, Henry turned over his beloved Casa Loma to the City of Toronto.

His service of fifty years with The Queen’s Own Rifles was celebrated on 27 June 27 1926 with a march past 500 men complete with the circling overhead of three military planes. When he died on 8 March 1939, thousands lined Toronto streets for his funeral procession. He was buried with full military honours befitting a soldier who had given so much to his country.

Since 1970, Casa Loma has been the home of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum and Archive.

City
Toronto
Country
Type Description
Plaque
Memorial CF Legacy ID
10964
City/Municipality
Toronto
Memorial Number
35090-122
Type
Address
6 Hoskin Avenue
Location
Trinity College Chapel narthex, Trinity College in the University of Toronto
in Canada
Yes
GPS Coordinates
43.6647148, -79.3957009
Inscription

TO THE GLORY OF GOD
AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF

EDWIN PATRICK O’REILLY, B.A.
STUDENT OF THIS COLLEGE 1892-95
GUNNER IN THE ROYAL CANADIAN ARTILLERY
WHO GAVE HIS LIFE IN THE SERVICE OF THE
BRITISH EMPIRE
AT DE AAR SOUTH AFRICA
17TH MAY 1900.

THIS TABLET IS ERECTED
BY HIS TEACHERS AND FELLOW STUDENTS.

“Be of good courage and let us play the men for our people and for the
Cities of our God and the Lord do that which seemeth him good” 2 Sam.X.12.

Image
Photo Credit
Cody Gagnon, courtesy of Alumni Relations, University Advancement, University of Toronto
Caption
plaque
1 of 2 images
Image
Photo Credit
Cody Gagnon, courtesy of Alumni Relations, University Advancement, University of Toronto
Caption
plaque detail
1 of 2 images
Province
!4v1653580831880!6m8!1m7!1s_r8gsOHXOrhm9-KJz4_M7A!2m2!1d43.66471479389764!2d-79.39570093684033!3f329.1331887322359!4f6.990033007211949!5f0.7820865974627469
Body Content

This plaque was erected in memory of Edwin Patrick O’Reilly who gave his life in the South African War. It is thought that the plaque was likely erected in the original Trinity College chapel on Queen Street West in Toronto. The college moved from that location in 1925. After a new chapel was built in 1955 at the current location, all of the early plaques from the original location were moved to the narthex.

City
Toronto
Country
Type Description
Plaque - brass
Memorial CF Legacy ID
10896
City/Municipality
Toronto
Memorial Number
35090-120
Type
Address
174 Orchard View Boulevard
in Canada
Yes
GPS Coordinates
43.7073545, -79.4046355
Inscription

[plaque]
TO THE MEMORY OF THOSE MEN AND WOMEN
OF NORTH TORONTO
WHO PAID THE SUPREME SACRIFICE
IN THE WARS OF
1914-1918 AND 1939-1945

THIS BUILDING IS DEDICATED BY THE
NORTH TORONTO COMMUNITY CORPORATION
TO FOSTER HEATHFUL RECREATION

FOR YOU WE HOLD THE TORCH

DEDICATED DECEMBER 4, 1965         RE-DEDICATED NOVEMBER 11, 2017

Image
Photo Credit
North Toronto Arena
Caption
plaque
1 of 2 images
Image
Photo Credit
North Toronto Arena
Caption
North Toronto Arena
1 of 2 images
War or Conflict Term
Province
!4v1639496486976!6m8!1m7!1sds3VDCeucobMuql9YhcOdQ!2m2!1d43.7073545141977!2d-79.40463548680492!3f176.31875773948366!4f-4.404816335985572!5f0.7820865974627469
Body Content

The North Toronto Memorial Arena was dedicated on December 4, 1965, in memory of those who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars. It was rededicated on November 11, 2017.

City
Toronto
Country
Type Description
Building - arena
Memorial CF Legacy ID
10728