The New Toronto Soldiers’ Comforts Association sent thousands of parcels overseas containing: electric fans, scrim curtains, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shaving materials, playing cards, cigarettes, chocolate, and socks. At war’s end, the association used $800 left over cash to construct a fountain as a permanent memorial to 19 New Toronto soldiers of the Great War who died on active service. The fountain is about seven feet high and weighs 626 pounds.
Recollections of the subsequent moves provided by Sharon Kettlewell Stewart of Mimico, and Martha Jackson, of Etobicoke:
On June 3, 1920, the fountain was unveiled at its first location at the southwest corner of Lake Shore Road and Eighth Street outside the Brown Building. Eight hundred people attended the unveiling by Mrs. Edward Janes, president of the local association. Rev. A.S. Madill of St. Margaret’s Anglican Church said of the men, “They proved themselves worthy of the great British stock from which they sprang.” Rev. Harold Toye of Century Methodist Church offered a prayer of dedication. A.E. Boyer, president of the local branch of the G.W.V.A. thanked the women. Wives and relatives of the fallen were given a place of honour at the gathering; two New Toronto Boy Scout troops formed a cordon around the fountain. The New Toronto Brass Band played national and martial airs, and “God Save the King.”
It is believed the fountain then moved to Rotary Park, at the bottom of the hill between Eleventh and Tenth streets on the Lake Ontario shoreline. The fountain was moved again or possibly stored at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 3, Seventh Street. In the 1960s, this was the marshalling area for Remembrance Day parades and poppy distribution. The fountain and cenotaph next appeared at the new site of Branch 3 Legion on the southwest corner of Birmingham and Eighth streets, when the Seventh Street building was torn down.
Since 2016, the fountain has been at is current location. The cenotaph was refurbished and installed at its current location in early 2018.
