Nova Scotia

Admiralty House is the former official residence of the Commander-in-Chief of the North American Station of the Royal Navy. Construction of this Georgian-style home overlooking Halifax’s historic dockyard commenced in 1814 and was completed in 1818. The first resident was Admiral David Milne, followed by many notable residents such as Admiral Thomas Cochrane, Earl of Dundonald. On the grounds of the Admiralty House is the Admiralty Garden which was created c. 1814 and has plaques and monuments displayed to honour Admirals and other military personnel.

The Canadian Government took possession of the house in 1905. It served as a hospital during the First World War, until the roof was badly damaged in the 1917 Halifax Explosion. Once repaired, the house was lent to the Massachusetts Halifax Relief Commission who used it to assist the people of the North End community that were still recovering from the devastation of the explosion. From 1925-1954, Admiralty House was home to the Wardroom, and contained offices and living quarters. Eventually, the home became a library, school, and now is home to the Naval Museum of Halifax.

A granite Cairn with a bronze plaque commemorating the death of the Duke of Annville who after being shipwrecked in the Autumn of 1746 died.

In addition to the monument at its head office in Toronto, the Canadian Bank of Commerce honoured employees from each branch who served in the First World War. In 1920, the bank published a record of the part played by officers of the bank in the Great War. This two-volume commemorative set began as a series of eleven pamphlets, published between August 1915 and January 1919, which included letters from bank employees on active duty.

These letters from trench, billet, prison camp, captured objective, and hospital ward, provide first-hand impressions of the fields on which Canada fought. Included are photographs, biographical information and excerpts from staff letters. The letters cover a wide range of subjects - from the hell of living in the trenches, to longing for a pair of good Canadian boots, to thanking those at home for rum and chocolate. They serve as poignant reminders of what these young people endured during the Great War.

This memorial is dedicated to the staff who gave their lives and their services in the Armed Forces of Canada or its Allies during the Second World War 1939-1945.

November 9, 2000 11:30 AM - The province announced today that Highway 102 between Miller Lake and Truro will be designated as Veterans Memorial Highway.

Premier John Hamm and Ronald Russell, Minister of Transportation and Public Works, said the designation will commemorate the effort and sacrifice of veterans who served Canada at home and abroad. "I am pleased that the province is passing along an ongoing tribute to veterans," said Premier Hamm. "I hope this commemoration serves daily as a reminder of the toil and sacrifice of our veterans and contributes to the lasting memory of those who served our country." "I am proud that my province and department have played a role in bringing forward this tribute," said Mr. Russell. "It is important that everyone remember the role veterans have played in protecting rights and freedoms for Canadians."

The sign unveiling ceremony was held in the Red Chamber of Province House. Royal Canadian Legion members, veterans, Males and members of the public attended. Premier Hamm and Mr. Russell were joined at the unveiling by Clarence Daw, president of the Royal Canadian Legion -- Nova Scotia Command and Rev. Wren Fred Bryant. Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Tourism and Culture, and MLA Bill Longville, chair of the House standing committee on veterans affairs, also participated. "I want to thank all veterans for their role in preserving democracy in Canada and abroad," said Mr. Longville. "Thousands upon thousands of veterans have fought and sacrificed for this great country and this is one way we can pay our respect," said Mr. Daw. "This is the crowning glory in the Legion's millennium-year celebrations, and it comes at the appropriate time, two days before Remembrance Day."

Two large highway signs, each about 10 feet tall by 17 feet wide, will be placed next to the highway on the northbound lanes near Miller lake and on the southbound lanes by Exit 14 near Truro. The signs will read Veterans Memorial Highway with the words Lest We Forget underneath. A poppy and the provincial road symbol will grace the top corners. Four smaller signs, each about four feet tall by two-and-half feet wide, will be placed midway along the highway, near Skewback and Brookfield. The smaller signs will read memorial Highway with the provincial highway symbol separating the words. In the interest of safety, the road will continue to be referred to as Highway 102 by emergency personnel. Up to 40,000 vehicles travel on Highway 102 every day.

After considerable lobbying by Black Canadians and white supporters, Canada fielded one Black battalion during the First World War — but they had to fight with shovels, not rifles. No. 2 Construction Battalion was authorized on 5 July 1916 in Pictou, Nova Scotia and was composed of Black men from across Canada, the United States and the British West Indies. Its officers were white, with the exception of the unit’s chaplain, Honorary Captain The Reverend William Andrew White. The unit moved to nearby Truro after two months in Pictou. 

On 9 July 2022 the Government of Canada officially apologized for the appalling way these patriots were treated.

Starting its active service in October 2013, the Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) Corporal McLaren, M.M.V. is a mid-shore patrol vessel. It is one of nine Hero-class patrol vessels ordered by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans/Canadian Coast Guard, in September 2009. Each of the nine Hero-class patrol vessels will be named for personnel from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP Officers), Canadian Coast Guard (sailors, aircrew), Department of Fisheries and Oceans (fisheries officers) and Canadian Forces (soldiers, sailors, and aircrew) who are credited with performing exceptional or heroic acts during their service.

CCGS Corporal McLaren, M.M.V. is named in honour of Corporal Mark Robert McLaren, M.M.V., of Peterborough, Ontario. Corporal McLaren was killed on December 5, 2008, in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, when his Canadian-Afghan patrol was ambushed. During the attack, Corporal McLaren crawled through enemy fire to aid his team's seriously injured interpreter. He was awarded the Medal of Military Valour.

Starting its active service in 1986, the Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) Edward Cornwallis is a High-Endurance Multi-Tasked Vessel. CCGS Edward Cornwallis is named in honour of The Honourable Lieutenant General Edward Cornwallis. Edward Cornwallis (1713-1776) was born in London, England and at age 18, was commissioned into the 47th Regiment of Foot. Cornwallis participated in the Battle of Fontenoy during the War of the Austrian Succession and played an important role in suppressing the Jacobite Rising of 1745. The British Government appointed Cornwallis as Governor of Nova Scotia with the task of establishing a new British settlement. He sailed from England in May 1749, arriving in Chebucto Harbour in June. His arrival was followed by a settlement expedition of 15 vessels and about 2500 settlers. He left Nova Scotia in 1752 and saw further military service in Gibraltar and France before serving as Governor of Gibraltar from June 1761 to January 1776, when he died at the age of 63.

To commemorate HMCS Skeena, sunk during the Second World War.

To commemorate HMCS Athabaskan, sunk during the Second World War.