Canada Memorial
Canada Memorial | |
---|---|
Canada | |
![]() Canada Memorial | |
For 113,663 members of theCanadian Forceskilled during the First and Second World Wars.[1] | |
Unveiled | 1994 |
Location | 51°30′10″N0°08′33″W/ 51.5029°N 0.1426°W |
Designed by | Pierre Granche |
TheCanada MemorialinGreen Park,London,United Kingdom,commemorates members of theCanadian Forceskilled during the First and Second World Wars. It was designed by the Canadian sculptorPierre Granche,erected in 1992 and unveiled by QueenElizabeth IIin 1994.[2]The memorial was the result of lobbying and fund raising, much of it in Canada, by the former Canadian media tycoonConrad Black.[3]
History and description
[edit]Pierre Granche, one of Canada's foremost sculptors, won the commission as the result of a competition, sculpted the memorial from redgranite;it is divided by a walkway into two distinct halves, representing Britain and Canada's joint participation in World Wars I and II. The inclined sculpture is inset with 506 bronze maple leaves (the Canadian emblem) and the country's coat of arms. Water flows across the sloping surface and creates an illusion of floating leaves.[4]An inscription at the centre of the memorial reads:
"In two world wars one million Canadians came to Britain and joined the fight for freedom. From danger shared, our friendship prospers."
From 2004, following a change in fortunes of the memorial's patron, Conrad Black, the memorial fell into disrepair and became subject to debate concerning its maintenance.[5]In 2008, the Canadian Government assumed responsibility for the upkeep of the memorial: announcing "Our Government will ensure that the Canada Memorial in London, England, has the long-term care and upkeep it deserves as a lasting and fitting tribute to our nation's truest heroes."[6]As of October 2011, the memorial was fenced off and not operational, despite £50,000 spent byVeterans Affairs Canadain renovations and upkeep.[7]After refurbishment of corroded pipes and fittings, the memorial has now reopened.
Canada Memorial Foundation
[edit]At the same time as the Memorial was being built and unveiled, the same group of people behind it raised an endowment called the Canada Memorial Foundation. Since the early 1990s that endowment has been sending British students to do post-graduate studies at Canadian universities. It is managed by volunteer trustees and is completely separate from the Green Park Memorial. However, the Foundation shares similar aims of encouraging the connections and cooperation between Britain and Canada.[8]
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^Casualty figure taken from Canada at War, First World War: 66,665. Second World War: 46,998
- ^Veterans Affairs Canada
- ^Potter
- ^Veterans Affairs Canada
- ^CBC
- ^International Business Times
- ^"Tear down the wall around London's Canada Memorial - The Globe and Mail".Archived fromthe originalon 20 October 2011.
- ^"Canada Memorial Foundation".
References
[edit]- Veterans Affairs Canadaaccessed 28 October 2011.
- Canada at Waraccessed 11 February 2010.
- CBC Newsaccessed 2 February 2010.
- Internnation Business Timesaccessed 11 February 2010.
- Edwardian Londonaccessed 11 February 2010.
- Robinson, John Martin (1999).Buckingham Palace.Published by TheRoyal Collection,St. James's Palace, LondonISBN1-902163-36-2.
- The Royal Parks, St. James'saccessed 2 February 2010.
- The Toronto StarArticle by Mitch Potter August 2007. accessed 11 February 2010.
- Worcestershire County Council[permanent dead link]accessed 2 February 2010.
External links
[edit]- Interactive map showing location of Canada Gate and the Canada Memorialaccessed 2 February 2010.
- Canada–United Kingdom relations
- Canadian military memorials and cemeteries
- Tourist attractions in the City of Westminster
- Buildings and structures in Green Park
- World War I memorials in London
- World War II memorials in London
- Buildings and structures completed in 1992
- 1994 establishments in England
- Canada in the World Wars and Interwar Years