100 years ago during the First World War, a battle occurred at Vimy Ridge in France that has become a significant part of Canadian history. Over three days from 9 – 12 April 1917, four Canadian divisions fought together for the first time – and won the battle but at a cost of 3,598 dead and 7,004 wounded. Hill 145 was the highest and most tactically important part of the Ridge and was captured by Canadians using a bayonet charge against German machine-gun positions. Hill 145 is the location of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial.

The Vimy Memorial was created by Walter Seymour Allward who lived at 43 Amelia St. in Cabbagetown. He is known for many sculptures in Toronto and beyond, but the Vimy Memorial took 14 years to complete and is his most well-known work.

Read more about Walter Seymour Allward on the Cabbagetown People website (cabbagetownpeople.ca).

Walter Seymour Allward

Image: Wikimedia Commons and Archives of Ontario

Canadian National Vimy Memorial

Image: Wikipedia

Cabbagetown Soldiers
Many residents of Cabbagetown fought in what was then known as the Great War. On Remembrance Day 2016, we posted this map showing the home addresses of many of the soldiers who died and a link to an interactive map where you can learn more about the people who lived here before us.

Grief’s geography: Interactive map of Toronto’s First World War dead (globalnews.ca)