Sgt. Aubrey Cosens V.C. Memorial Bridge

Latchford, Ontario

Type

Other

Aubrey Cosens was born in Latchford and killed during the Second World War. The Sgt. Aubrey Cosens V.C. Memorial Bridge was opened in October 1960. Members of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada, Cosens' original regiment, were present at the official unveiling. The Regimental Cadet Corps formed a guard of honor and the Argyll Pipes & Drums provided musical support.

The bridge is maintained by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. On January 14, 2003, the deck of the Sergeant Aubrey Cosens V.C. Memorial Bridge was put out of service until after the deck was reconstructed in 2005.

In 1986, the plaque commemorating Cosens was installed and dedicated in Veteran's Park, located next to the Latchfod Municipal Office.

Inscription

[bridge sign/panneau du pont]
SGT. AUBREY COSENS V.C.
MEMORIAL BRIDGE

[highway sign for plaque/panneau routier indiquant la plaque]
HISTORICAL PLAQUE
PLAQUE HISTORIQUE
SGT. AUBREY
COSENS V.C.

[plaque]
A MAGNIFICENT CANADIAN
SERGEANT AUBREY COSENS, V.C.
1921 - 1945
BORN IN LATCHFORD AND RAISED NEAR PORQUIS JUNCTION, COSENS
ENLISTED IN THE ARGYLL AND SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS OF CANADA,
CANADIAN ACTIVE SERVICE FORCE, 1940 AND TRANSFERRED TO THE
QUEEN’S OWN RIFLES OF CANADA IN 1944. EARLY ON FEBRUARY 26,
1945, HIS UNIT ATTACKED ENEMY FORCES AT MOOSHOT, GERMANY.
A STRATEGIC POSITION VITAL TO THE SUCCESS OF FUTURE
OPERATIONS. HIS PLATOON SUFFERED HEAVY CASUALTIES AND COSENS
ASSUMED COMMAND. SUPPORTED BY A TANK, HE LED ANOTHER
ATTACK AGAINST THREE ENEMY STRONGPOINTS, WHICH HE CAPTURED
SINGLE-HANDED. HE LATER WAS KILLED BY A SNIPER. FOR HIS
"OUTSTANDING GALLANTRY, INITIATIVE, AND DETERMINED LEADERSHIP."
HE WAS POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED THE COMMONWEALTH’S HIGHEST
DECLARATION FOR VALOR, THE VICTORIA CROSS.