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War
Memorials Overseas & Ireland, - Cornwall (Ontario, Canada) |
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The War Memorial for Cornwall (Ontario, Canada).
(Photo : Tim
Laye)
This memorial is located in the Legion Memorial Park on the corner of Second Street W and Bedford Street, in Cornwall (Ontario, Canada).
The following description of the memorial is taken from Tim
Laye's blog;-
"A beautiful cenotaph in Legion Memorial Park, erected in 1923 by the
citizens of Cornwall and suburbs. Originally erected to honour those lost
in the Great War, the memorial was later modified to include the Second World
War and Korea, as well as a plaque recognizing contributions made in peacekeeping
and the Afghan conflict. The memorial is host to the traditional November
11th Remembrance Day ceremonies and is also used for Battle of the Atlantic
ceremonies. An elegant fountain adorns the grounds in front of the memorial,
this was added as a Centennial project in 1967. A pair of cannons and well
landscaped gardens also greet those who visit this special place, as the statue
of a young soldier watches over the names of his comrades, resting atop the
cenotaph after his long fight with the foe, he leans weary against one of
many grave markers from Flander's Fields. The Royal Canadian Legion Branch
#297 retains stewardship of the park."
A transcription of all the names commemorated on the memorial is provided by Tim Laye, to whom we are extremely grateful for use of his photographs and his blog. Amongst the names is that of an Officer of the Yorkshire Regiment.
2nd Lieutenant William Wallace Watson. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment.
Son of the late A. G. and Nellie A. Watson, of Cornwall, Ontario, Canada.
Killed 13 October 1916. Aged 22.
Commemorated on Pier and Face 3 A and 3 D, THIEPVAL MEMORIAL.
The following information on Lieutenant Watson is taken from Robert
Coulson's biographies of Yorkshire Regiment Officers who were killed in
the First World War;-
William Watson served with the 2nd Battalion during the Somme offensive in
the summer and autumn of 1916.
In mid September the battalion were in a training area close to Naours, leaving
there on October 4th by motorbus and route march to brigade reserve in Switch
Trench.
On October 13th 2nd Lt Watson and the battalion were ordered up to the support
area closer to the front line.
Marching in columns the battalion was heavily shelled during which 2nd Lt
William Wallace Watson was killed on October 13th 1916 aged 22.
Jacky Rodger has kindly forwarded two contemporary Canadian newspaper reports
which tells us something more about Lieutenant Watson and his brother;-
The Ottawa Journal, Sat 21 Oct 1916, p1 col 7;-
"Cornwall, Ont., Oct 21.— Second Lieut. Wallace Watson, of Cornwall
11th and 2nd Yorkshire Regiments (Imperial) has been killed in action, according
to a cable to his mother today from the British War Office. He was a student
at the Ontario College of Pharmacy, Toronto, when the war began, and went
to London to complete his qualifying course last January. He was 22 years
of age."
The Ottawa Journal, Thu 3 May 1917, p5 col 5;-
"Mrs. A. G. Watson has received notification from Ottawa, that her son,
Gunner Alex. G. Watson, had been slightly wounded in the face, and had been
admitted to Boulogne Hospital on April 23. Gunner Watson went overseas, early
in September 1916. He is 20 years of age and was a pupil of the Cornwall High
School. A brother of the young soldier, Lieut. Wallace Watson, who was killed
in action on Oct. 15 1916. He joined the Imperial forces while attending the
Ontario College of Pharmacy, Toronto."
The War Memorial for Cornwall (Ontario, Canada).
(Photo : Tim
Laye)
The War Memorial for Cornwall (Ontario, Canada).
(Photo : Tim
Laye)
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