Parkdale Collegiate Institute’s war memorials were originally in two separate places. In 1968, a combined memorial for both World Wars was designed and placed on the second floor.
(WWI): Bronze plaque headed: Faithful (PCI) unto death. Under the list of names: In Memory / of the boys of this / school who gave their / lives in the Great War / Their name liveth for evermore. Three columns; given names followed by surnames. Originally installed in the entranceway of the “old” school in 1921. Moved to the front hallway of the “new” school in 1929.
(WWII): Illuminated list designed by A. J. Casson. “For King and Country / 1939 Members of 1945 / Parkdale Collegiate Institute / who have volunteered for active service / with / Canada’s fighting forces.” Six columns. Surnames followed by given names. This memorial begins with Abbot, Frances and ends with Langford. Alan. Key: (red ink cross) “Marks the names of those who were killed in the war.” In 1989, the PCI Centennial Committee restored this memorial.
(WWII): Illuminated list designed by A. J. Casson. “For King and Country / 1939 Members of 1945 / Parkdale Collegiate Institute / who have volunteered for active service / with / Canada’s fighting forces.” Six columns. Surnames followed by given names. This memorial begins with Laphen, John and ends with Young, Florence, and Webster, Lester. Key: (red ink cross) “Marks the names of those who were killed in the war.” In 1989, the PCI Centennial Committee restored this memorial.
(WWII): Bronze plaque: 1939 (maple leaf) 1945. One column. Surnames followed by given names (Adams, Wilbert to Knight, Alan). Parkdale crest and motto: Let Knowledge Grow from More to More. Although this memorial does not specify death in words, its placement on the left side of the memorial to WWI dead, indicates death. Also, the names listed here appear on the A.J. Casson memorial with a red cross indicating “The names of those who were killed in the war.” Originally installed in front of the assembly hall (the auditorium) in 1948.
(WWII): Bronze plaque: 1939 (maple leaf) 1945. One column. Surnames followed by given names (Lewis, Edward to Yeats, Lionel). “So Long as / Parkdale / Shall / Endure / These / Shall Be Revered.” Although this memorial does not specify death, its placement on the right side of the memorial to WWI dead, indicates death. Also, the names listed here appear on the A.J. Casson memorial with a red cross indicating “the names of those who were killed in the war.” Originally installed in front of the assembly hall (the auditorium) in 1948.
(WWI): Copy of recommendation. Hand-written in ink: Canadian Infantry Brigade 4th Canadian Division Frank’s Force Sep. 18th, 1916, Unit 75 Canadian Inf. Bn. Name and rank Lieut. Alan Barrie Duncan. Action for which commended: For conspicuous gallantry at St. Eloi on 17-9-16. When a raid on the enemy trenches being proposed and a gap in the enemy wire having been supposedly cut during the day, by our artillery fire, he undertook to examine the enemy’s wire and locate the gap. He was absent in No Man’s Land from dusk until midnight, most of the time skirting the enemy wire in bright moonlight, and finally succeeded in locating the break, and returned to advise the raiders. He guided the raiding party successfully to the break in the wire and, although not called upon to do so, took part in the raid on the German trenches, and performed conspicuous work in encouraging and directing the men. (Signed) Lt. Col. S. G. Beckett. Below the copy of the recommendation is a photograph of Captain Duncan.
(WWI): Framed obituary: Duncan, Capt. Alan Barrie, M. C., 75th Bn. Canadian Inf. (1st Central Ontario Regt.) 29th Sept., 1918, Age 20. Son of the Rev. George Petrie Duncan, of St. Andrew’s Manse, Port Credit, Ontario, and the late Helena Vivia Duncan (nee Goodwin). His brother, Captain George Gordon Duncan, had died on active service in 1915.
(WWI): Framed photographs: (a) Gravestone: Captain / Alan Barrie Duncan, M. C. / 75th Bn. Canadian Inf. / 29th September 1918. Age 20; (b) view of three rows of gravestones; (c) large memorial cross. Caption below these photographs reads: Cantimpre Canadian Cemetery (Sailly, France) / Burial place of Captain Alan Barrie Duncan, M. C. 75th Bn. C. E. F. / Alan attended Parkdale Collegiate Institute from 1911 to 1916 / (photos by J. Maize, July 2010).
(WWI): Framed display of five World War I medallions, including two examples of a “dead man’s penny.” These were issued to the next-of-kin of all British and Empire service personnel who died in the war.
(all veterans): Framed commercial “For Valour” poster: Commemorating the sixteen Canadian servicemen awarded the Victoria Cross for conspicuous bravery during World War Two 1939-1945. A brass plaque at the bottom reads: Presented to / W. Magee and J. Murray / in honour of all P.C.I. veterans / 2001-2002.
