Ontario

This plaque commemorates Major General Sir Henry Mill Pellatt, CVO, DCL, VD, The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada’s longest serving Commanding Officer and builder of Casa Loma, home of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum and Archive which occupies a major part of the third floor of Casa Loma. Henry was born in Kingston, Ontario, on January 6, 1859. After high school, he joined his father’s firm and volunteered in The Queen’s Own Rifles enlisting 2 November 1876 as a rifleman.

He was a remarkable runner and by the age of 20, was the fastest ‘miler’ in all of North America. In his 20s he founded the Toronto Electric Light Company, appointed himself secretary and negotiated a deal to install arc lights in a small section of Toronto. Six years later, he held the contract to install all the street lighting for the entire city of Toronto! By 1892, Henry was in control of ‘Pellatt and Osler’ (his father having retired) and made a number of shrewd, very profitable investments. Henry had the means to see his dreams of owning a castle come true.

Henry rose through the ranks to command The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada from 1901-1920. At the time an extremely rich man, he was very generous to the regiment. In 1910, he personally financed a five-week trip for over 600 Queen’s Own personnel, plus officers’ horses, to sail to England to mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada in 1860. The military exercises lasted from 13 August to 3 October. In 1910, he created the Companion of the Victorian Order (CVO). 

Henry’s younger brother Mill Pellatt served with the regiment as a private in the late 1890’s and early 1900’s. His son Reginald also served in the Queen’s Own Rifles, becoming Commanding Officer (1925-1930) and Honorary Colonel (1951-1956). Henry was promoted to Major-General upon his retirement in 1921 from The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada. 

The First World War had serious effects on Henry’s businesses. By 1924, many of his business ventures had collapsed. He was $1.7 million in debt and his wife’s health was quickly fading, (she died the following year). Broken and penniless, Henry turned over his beloved Casa Loma to the City of Toronto.

His service of fifty years with The Queen’s Own Rifles was celebrated on 27 June 27 1926 with a march past 500 men complete with the circling overhead of three military planes. When he died on 8 March 1939, thousands lined Toronto streets for his funeral procession. He was buried with full military honours befitting a soldier who had given so much to his country.

Since 1970, Casa Loma has been the home of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum and Archive.

This plaque was erected in memory of Edwin Patrick O’Reilly who gave his life in the South African War. It is thought that the plaque was likely erected in the original Trinity College chapel on Queen Street West in Toronto. The college moved from that location in 1925. After a new chapel was built in 1955 at the current location, all of the early plaques from the original location were moved to the narthex.

The Afghanistan Repatriation Memorial was paid for by donations through the Give to Honour Those Who Gave campaign and unveiled on November 10, 2012. It features two large granite maple leaves. The red maple leaf is inscribed with the Canadian Forces emblem and provincial shields. The black maple leaf is inscribed with the names of the 158 soldiers who have died in Afghanistan. A granite silhouette of a soldier stands in front. The maple leaves are flanked by two Canadian flags and two granite benches.

It was created by Campbell Monument Company and the granite pieces were made from Indian Red and Jet Black which were quarried and shaped in India.

The memorial is close to 8 Wing/CFB Trenton where repatriation ceremonies were held for those who died on the mission and its location marks the beginning of the Highway of Heroes – the path that extends from Quinte West to Toronto.

The North Toronto Memorial Arena was dedicated on December 4, 1965, in memory of those who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars. It was rededicated on November 11, 2017.

The Air Force Window is the fourth window in the Soldiers' Tower Staircase of Honour. It depicts ground crew, including an Indigenous member, servicing an aircraft. The contributions of Indigenous peoples were significant in both world wars.

The Staircase of Honour features a series of eight stained glass windows honouring the Canadian Armed Forces in action during wartime. The windows were officially dedicated on May 26, 2005, by the Honourable James K. Bartleman, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.

The three stained glass windows along the first flight of stairs, on the north wall, commemorate women’s service in the Second World War: Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRCNS), commonly known as Wrens, Canadian Women's Army Corps, and the Royal Canadian Air Force (Women's Division).

Turning and mounting the next flight, one passes three larger windows on the south wall honouring all those who served in the Armed Forces during both World Wars: Air Force, Navy, and Vimy Ridge. Ascending the third and final flight of stairs, two small windows are on the north wall: Canadian Merchant Navy and the Auxiliary Services of The Royal Canadian Legion, Canadian Red Cross, Knights of Columbus, Salvation Army and the Young Men’s Christian Association.

All eight windows in the Staircase of Honour were designed and installed by the Goodman Zissoff Stained Glass Studio of Kelowna, British Columbia — formerly the Russell C. Goodman Stained Glass Studios of Parry Sound, Ontario, which created the Memorial Window in the Memorial Room of the Tower.

The Royal Canadian Navy Window is the fifth window in the Soldiers' Tower Staircase of Honour. It depicts sailors making a rescue at sea during the Battle of the Atlantic.

The Staircase of Honour features a series of eight stained glass windows honouring the Canadian Armed Forces in action during wartime. The windows were officially dedicated on May 26, 2005, by the Honourable James K. Bartleman, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.

The three stained glass windows along the first flight of stairs, on the north wall, commemorate women’s service in the Second World War: Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRCNS), commonly known as Wrens, Canadian Women's Army Corps, and the Royal Canadian Air Force (Women's Division).

Turning and mounting the next flight, one passes three larger windows on the south wall honouring all those who served in the Armed Forces during both World Wars: Air Force, Navy, and Vimy Ridge. Ascending the third and final flight of stairs, two small windows are on the north wall: Canadian Merchant Navy and the Auxiliary Services of The Royal Canadian Legion, Canadian Red Cross, Knights of Columbus, Salvation Army and the Young Men’s Christian Association.

All eight windows in the Staircase of Honour were designed and installed by the Goodman Zissoff Stained Glass Studio of Kelowna, British Columbia — formerly the Russell C. Goodman Stained Glass Studios of Parry Sound, Ontario, which created the Memorial Window in the Memorial Room of the Tower.

The Vimy Ridge Window is the sixth window in the Soldiers' Tower Staircase of Honour. It depicts a Private from the First World War, wearing a steel helmet and with his hands on rifle reversed. He pays tribute to the fallen, who are portrayed in ghostly images. In the background looms the Canadian National Vimy Memorial. 

The Staircase of Honour features a series of eight stained glass windows honouring the Canadian Armed Forces in action during wartime. The windows were officially dedicated on May 26, 2005, by the Honourable James K. Bartleman, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.

The three stained glass windows along the first flight of stairs, on the north wall, commemorate women’s service in the Second World War: Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRCNS), commonly known as Wrens, Canadian Women's Army Corps, and the Royal Canadian Air Force (Women's Division).

Turning and mounting the next flight, one passes three larger windows on the south wall honouring all those who served in the Armed Forces during both World Wars: Air Force, Navy, and Vimy Ridge. Ascending the third and final flight of stairs, two small windows are on the north wall: Canadian Merchant Navy and the Auxiliary Services of The Royal Canadian Legion, Canadian Red Cross, Knights of Columbus, Salvation Army and the Young Men’s Christian Association.

All eight windows in the Staircase of Honour were designed and installed by the Goodman Zissoff Stained Glass Studio of Kelowna, British Columbia — formerly the Russell C. Goodman Stained Glass Studios of Parry Sound, Ontario, which created the Memorial Window in the Memorial Room of the Tower.

The Auxiliary Services Window is the eighth window in the Soldiers' Tower Staircase of Honour. It depicts emblems as used during the Second World War for Auxiliary Services of: The Royal Canadian Legion, Canadian Red Cross, Knights of Columbus, Salvation Army and the Young Men’s Christian Association. The Auxiliary Services brought support and comfort to men and women in the forces.

The Staircase of Honour features a series of eight stained glass windows honouring the Canadian Armed Forces in action during wartime. The windows were officially dedicated on May 26, 2005, by the Honourable James K. Bartleman, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.

The three stained glass windows along the first flight of stairs, on the north wall, commemorate women’s service in the Second World War: Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRCNS), commonly known as Wrens, Canadian Women's Army Corps, and the Royal Canadian Air Force (Women's Division).

Turning and mounting the next flight, one passes three larger windows on the south wall honouring all those who served in the Armed Forces during both World Wars: Air Force, Navy, and Vimy Ridge. Ascending the third and final flight of stairs, two small windows are on the north wall: Canadian Merchant Navy and the Auxiliary Services of The Royal Canadian Legion, Canadian Red Cross, Knights of Columbus, Salvation Army and the Young Men’s Christian Association.

All eight windows in the Staircase of Honour were designed and installed by the Goodman Zissoff Stained Glass Studio of Kelowna, British Columbia — formerly the Russell C. Goodman Stained Glass Studios of Parry Sound, Ontario, which created the Memorial Window in the Memorial Room of the Tower.

Canadian Merchant Navy Window is the seventh window in the Soldiers' Tower Staircase of Honour. It depicts a seaman aboard ship in rough seas.

The Staircase of Honour features a series of eight stained glass windows honouring the Canadian Armed Forces in action during wartime. The windows were officially dedicated on May 26, 2005, by the Honourable James K. Bartleman, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.

The three stained glass windows along the first flight of stairs, on the north wall, commemorate women’s service in the Second World War: Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRCNS), commonly known as Wrens, Canadian Women's Army Corps, and the Royal Canadian Air Force (Women's Division).

Turning and mounting the next flight, one passes three larger windows on the south wall honouring all those who served in the Armed Forces during both World Wars: Air Force, Navy, and Vimy Ridge. Ascending the third and final flight of stairs, two small windows are on the north wall: Canadian Merchant Navy and the Auxiliary Services of The Royal Canadian Legion, Canadian Red Cross, Knights of Columbus, Salvation Army and the Young Men’s Christian Association.

All eight windows in the Staircase of Honour were designed and installed by the Goodman Zissoff Stained Glass Studio of Kelowna, British Columbia — formerly the Russell C. Goodman Stained Glass Studios of Parry Sound, Ontario, which created the Memorial Window in the Memorial Room of the Tower.

The Royal Canadian Air Force (Women’s Division) Window is the third window in the Soldiers' Tower Staircase of Honour. It depicts a woman wartime radio operator.

The Staircase of Honour features a series of eight stained glass windows honouring the Canadian Armed Forces in action during wartime. The windows were officially dedicated on May 26, 2005, by the Honourable James K. Bartleman, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.

The three stained glass windows along the first flight of stairs, on the north wall, commemorate women’s service in the Second World War: Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRCNS), commonly known as Wrens, Canadian Women's Army Corps, and the Royal Canadian Air Force (Women's Division).

Turning and mounting the next flight, one passes three larger windows on the south wall honouring all those who served in the Armed Forces during both World Wars: Air Force, Navy, and Vimy Ridge. Ascending the third and final flight of stairs, two small windows are on the north wall: Canadian Merchant Navy and the Auxiliary Services of The Royal Canadian Legion, Canadian Red Cross, Knights of Columbus, Salvation Army and the Young Men’s Christian Association.

All eight windows in the Staircase of Honour were designed and installed by the Goodman Zissoff Stained Glass Studio of Kelowna, British Columbia — formerly the Russell C. Goodman Stained Glass Studios of Parry Sound, Ontario, which created the Memorial Window in the Memorial Room of the Tower.