This road commemorates the Battle of Coronel. It is a part of the National Field of Honour cemetery.
The First World War naval Battle of Coronel took place on November 1, 1914, off the coast of central Chile near the city of Coronel. Forces led by Vice-Admiral Graf von Spee defeated a Royal Navy squadron commanded by Rear-Admiral Sir Cradock. The engagement probably took place as a result of a series of misunderstandings. Neither admiral expected to meet the other in full force. Once the two met, Cradock understood his orders were to fight to the end, despite the odds heavily against him. Although Spee had an easy victory, destroying two enemy armoured cruises for just three men injured, the engagement also cost him half his supply of ammunition, which was impossible to replace. Shock at the British losses led to an immediate reaction and the sending of more ships which in turn destroyed Spee and the majority of his squadron at the Battle of the Falkland Islands.
The Battle of Coronel marks Canada’s first causalities of the First World War. Midshipmen M. Cann, J.V.W. Hatheway, W.A. Palmer and A.W. Silver had been seconded to the RN and were killed when their ship, HMS Good HOPE, was sunk during the battle.
