Maple trees planted in 1913 by the Tower Road School’s young principal, George Macdonald Sylvester, were dedicated as a memorial to him following his death on the Thiepval battlefield in September 1916. The trees came down in late 2015 or early 2016.
By assigning a tree to a fallen soldier, usually by means of a small plaque, an additional depth of symbolism is imparted. In some cases, the next-of-kin was involved in purchasing the tree and/or plaque for the deceased soldier. Trees of Remembrance are based on the symbol-like image of a living memorial: trees represented the victory of life over death. Memorial trees became living symbols of the sacrifices made in France and Belgium.
