On June 25 1916 the 91st Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, numbering over 900 men, mostly from Elgin County and St. Thomas, marched to the MCR station on Talbot Street and departed for Halifax to fight overseas. On the weekend of June 24th to 26th, 100 years later the citizens of St. Thomas, the County of Elgin and the descendants of the original Battalion commemorated the departure.
Events included a historic encampment at the Armoury with re-enactors and a “Soldier’s Canteen” and displays on Battalion members; an after-dark roll call projection on the armoury of the men who answered the call to duty 100 years ago; a re-enactment of the battalion march past City Hall to the CASO Station and the unveiling of a memorial plaque; picnic at Pinafore Park and memorial Church Parade and Remembrance Service at Trinity Anglican Church.
The video below shows events which took place on the Saturday of the commemoration.
Events included a historic encampment at the Armoury with re-enactors and a “Soldier’s Canteen” and displays on Battalion members; an after-dark roll call projection on the armoury of the men who answered the call to duty 100 years ago; a re-enactment of the battalion march past City Hall to the CASO Station and the unveiling of a memorial plaque; picnic at Pinafore Park and memorial Church Parade and Remembrance Service at Trinity Anglican Church.
The video below shows events which took place on the Saturday of the commemoration.
For photos of the weekend by Mark Girdauskas here ...