Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Soldiers' Tower Memorial – The Soldiers’ Tower was built by the University of Toronto Alumni Association in 1924 as a memorial to the Great War of 1914-1918. The names of those who died in that conflict are carved on the Memorial Screen at photo left. After the Second World War, more names were carved in the Memorial Arch at the Tower’s base. In total, almost 1200 names are inscribed. A Memorial Room inside the Tower contains mementoes and artifacts, and a 51-bell carillon serves as the audio element of the living memorial to the alumni, students, faculty and staff who died in the World Wars. The Soldiers’ Tower is the site of an annual Service of Remembrance. Photo: Kathy Parks, Alumni Relations.

Memorial Arch – The names of those who died in the Second World War were added to the archway beneath the Soldiers’ Tower in 1949. The name of “Lt E. V. POLLEY R.C.E.” is among the names inscribed. Photo: Cody Gagnon, courtesy of Alumni Relations.

Memorial Room – Soldiers’ Tower, University of Toronto. Photo: David Pike, courtesy of Alumni Relations.

Memorial Book – University of Toronto Memorial Book, Second World War 1939-1945. Published by the Soldiers’ Tower Committee, 1993. Entry on page 54 reads: “Lt Edward Victor POLLEY Royal Canadian Engineers. BASc 1942. Accidentally killed while on active service in England, 3 March 1943. Buried in City Cemetery, Belfast, Northern Ireland.”

Photo of Edward Victor Polley – Photograph of Polley from Torontonensis, University of Toronto's yearbook in 1942. The acronym C.O.T.C. refers to the Canadian Officers Training Corps.

Newspaper Clipping – Memorialized on the pages of the Globe and Mail. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Star April 1942. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Star April 1942. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Star March 1943. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Telegram March 1943. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me