The dedication of Point Edward’s cenotaph was marked 100 years ago during a visit to the area by Lord Byng, Canada’s governor general and a hero of Vimy Ridge.
The dedication of Point Edward’s cenotaph was marked 100 years ago during a visit to the area by Lord Byng, Canada’s governor general and a hero of Vimy Ridge.
Lord and Lady Byng stopped in Sarnia and Point Edward April 18, 1922 during a national tour that followed his appointment as governor general.
On Tuesday, the Village of Point Edward and the Point Edward Ex-Servicemen’s Association will mark the centennial of that dedication with a service at the cenotaph in Veterans’ Memorial Park on St. Clair Street.
Representatives of the federal, provincial, county, village and neighboring city governments are expected to speak and lay wreaths, beginning at 5 pm
Gary Capp, vice-president of the association, said the celebration grew out of a conversation he had with others about one year ago where a plaque attached to the cenotaph noting the dedication was mentioned.
After a walk to the cenotaph to confirm the date, they discovered the centennial was approaching, Capp said.
The association and village planned the ceremony expected to include a color party and pipe band from Branch 62 of the Royal Canadian Legion in neighboring Sarnia.
“We’re excited about it,” Capp said. “It’s kind of a once-in-a-lifetime thing.”
A plaque on the cenotaph notes the war memorial was funded by contributions from residents of the village, along with stone donated by the Central Canadian Stone Company.
Lord Byng was commander of the Canadian Army Corps on the Western Front during the First World War at the time of the Canadian victory at Vimy Ridge in April 1917.
After being appointed governor general, Lord and Lady Byng became hockey fans and in 1925 she presented a trophy to the National Hockey League that continues to be awarded recognizing sportsmanship and excellence in play.
The association will celebrate its centennial in 2026, Capp said.
“We didn’t even think we were going to get out of COVID with money constantly going out and no money coming back in,” he said about the impact the pandemic and restrictions had on the association which operates a hall on Michigan Avenue.
“We were in fear of losing our charter and actually losing the whole ex-servicemen’s association,” Capp said. “But we managed through it and I think things are looking up now.”
There are currently about 200 active members and the association hosts events, including card games, pool leagues and golf tournaments, he said.
Social memberships are $25 a year and “open to anybody,” Capp said.