PERTH COUNTY – The Stratford-Perth Archives is excited to help launch the newest phase of the Allward Memorial Project. The Archives was approached by volunteers Nancy Stotts Jones and Lorna Harris, who formed the Allward Memorial Committee to raise awareness of this unique memorial.
Working alongside Perth County Staff, Nancy and Lorna developed a new webpage (www.perthcouty.ca/AllwardMemorial) featuring photography and six narrated videos celebrating Canadian sculptor Walter S. Allward and the war memorial designed for Stratford and the nearby townships of Perth County after the First World War. The videos are narrated by a variety of Stratford Festival actors and notable voices including: Richard Fitzpatrick, Ruth Barret, Geraint Wyn Davies, Peter Mansbridge, Lally Cadeau and R.H. Thompson.
As well as Allward’s career, the videos explore Canada’s role in the First World War and the grief and gratitude inspired by the sacrifices made because of the war that can be seen in community war memorials like the one in Stratford and in others around the county.
History of the Allward Memorial
Discussions on a suitable war memorial for Stratford and the surrounding area started almost as soon as the First World War ended in 1918. By 1920, a group of citizens had come together to form the Soldiers War Memorial Committee. They collected $19,000 of the $25,000 needed to build a cenotaph from citizens of Stratford, North Easthope, Downie and Ellice Townships. The rest of the cost of the Memorial was covered by grants from the municipal councils. The Stratford War Memorial was unveiled on Nov. 6, 1922.
Nearly a century later, the Allward Memorial Project was founded to encourage discovery of the artist and to express gratitude to those honoured on his works. Between 1914-18, more than 61,000 Canadian lives were lost in the First World War. Many soldiers died overseas, their bodies never repatriated. Allward sought to honour them in the memorials he crafted, the most famous of which is at Vimy Ridge in France. In his own words, that monument to Canada’s fallen represented “what we owed them and we will forever owe them.” More than a century later, beyond most living memory, our debt to them may feel like ancient history – yet it endures.
“Perth County is pleased to have the opportunity to host this important piece of local history,” said Warden Jim Aitcheson. “As Remembrance Day approaches, it is important that we all take time to reflect on the sacrifices made by generations before us.”
This Remembrance Day, we encourage everyone to take a moment to learn and reflect on those lives lost and to learn more about this historic memorial by visiting www.perthcounty.ca/AllwardMemorial.
