Ontario

This memorial is dedicated to the veterans of the Second World War who attended the University of Toronto. It is also dedicated to the H.M.S. Ajax after which the town of Ajax was named.

The Long Branch Cenotaph stands in a small park on Long Branch Avenue, south of Lakeshore Blvd. The Wright Family, extensive land owners in the community, donated this small parcel of land to the Village of Long Branch to be held in perpetuity. It was also indicated at that time that a cenotaph was to be erected on the site. The Cenotaph was constructed in 1933 by Royal Canadian Legion Branch 101 members and Long Branch residents. Local merchants donated materials. The Village of Long Branch was amalgamated by the Borough of Etobicoke and records show that in 1972 the Cenotaph was placed under the care and control of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 101. Bruce Robertson, veteran of the R.C.A.F., Past President of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 101 and Life Member was the custodian in 1997. The Cenotaph stands in memory of those who gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War. The little park and Cenotaph received a face lift with restoration work done on the Cenotaph and a new pathway of paving stone. This was jointly funded by the Borough of Etobicoke and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 101. Memorial Services are held there annually on the appropriate occasions. November 11th, Remembrance Day, draws the largest crowd with the community, cadets, and school children participating.

Following the First World War, the Union Jack Chapter of the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire planned a Memorial Park in Mimico to honour those who had served and those who had lost their lives in the war. In 1921, the voters of Mimico approved expenditures to add to the funds raised by the Union Jack Chapter to purchase land for the park and around the same time, plaques listing the names of those who had served and those that had died were placed in the park.

The war memorial construction began in 1930 at a park on Lake Shore Road and on October 12, 1930, the Mimico Cenotaph was unveiled. Discussions to move the plaques to the memorial site created controversy and the plaques remained in Mimico Memorial Park. After 1967, when the Town of Mimico amalgamated with the Borough of Etobicoke, the plaques were moved to the cenotaph in the present day Vimy Ridge Parkette.

David Ernest Hornell was born in Toronto, Ontario on 26 January 1910. In 1941 he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force, qualified as a pilot and was commissioned in 1942. Flight Lieutenant Hornell was the first member of the Royal Canadian Air Force to be awarded the Victoria Cross.

The David Hornell Gallery was dedicated on 11 November 1999.

On the right wall of the gallery:
1. Photo of Avro Lancaster aircraft.
2. Photo of school coat-of-arms with Victoria Cross and an eagle representing the Royal Canadian Air Force.
3. Stamp Plate Proof – in 2004, Canada Post created two postage stamps in honour the Canadian recipients of the Victoria Cross. The 49¢ stamps mark the 150th anniversary of the award and its first Canadian recipient. The center of the commemorative stamp plate proof lists all Canadians who have been awarded the Victoria Cross and is surrounded by images of the original Victoria Cross stamp and the new Canadian version of the Victoria Cross stamp.)
4. Painting of David Hornell in uniform by Dunsmore Saint, 1999.
5. Victoria Cross.
6. David Hornell Gallery Plaque.
7. Photo of Avro Lancaster aircraft.
8. “VC Attack” painting, by Graham Wragg in 1984 - illustrates Flight Lieutenant David Hornell’s valiant attack on a U-Boat during the Battle of the Atlantic.
9. History of Avro Lancaster aircraft.
10. Citation for David Hornell's Victoria Cross.
11. Royal Canadian Air Cadets Badge.

On the left wall of the gallery:
1. Painting of Flight of Mary K - 1944 by artist Robert (last name illegible).
2. The London Gazette article dated 25 July 1944 recounting actions for which David Hornell received a Victoria Cross, charcoal sketch of David Hornell by Malina in 1988.
3. Painting of David Hornell in uniform by
4. Consolidated Canso article on David Hornell.
5. Toronto Daily Star article dated 28 July 1944 announcing David Hornell's posthumous Victoria Cross.

William and Mary Jane Millard donated the altar cross in honour of their two sons William and Arthur who, at ages 22 and 20, signed up to the 15th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment) on the same day in September of 1914. 

The Wesley Mimico United Church building at 47 Station Road was sold in 2016. The First World War Honour Roll was kept in the church office on Lake Shore Boulevard West.

David Ernest Hornell was born in Toronto, Ontario on 26 January 1910. In 1941 he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force, qualified as a pilot and was commissioned in 1942. Flight Lieutenant Hornell was the first member of the Royal Canadian Air Force to be awarded the Victoria Cross.

David Hornell Public School was named in his honour when the school opened in 1961.

The Memorial Windows were dedicated on April 19, 1964, to pay tribute to Wesley Mimico United Church men and women, who served, were wounded, or died in both World Wars. 

During the morning service the Memorial Windows were dedicated: "In grateful remembrance of those of this congregation who in the time of conflict counted not the cost and laid down their lives that freedom may not perish from the earth.” And “In thankfulness to all who willingly served their King and country within the Armed Forces."

The Wesley Mimico United Church building at 47 Station Road was sold in 2016. The windows are currently in storage.

On May 14, 1967, the Memorial Organ was presented by the congregation in loving memory of those who paid the supreme sacrifice in the First and Second World Wars.

The 1966 organ was replaced in 1996 and it is suspected that the organ no longer exists.

The David E. Hornell VC Pulpit was presented by his sister, Mrs. Douglas Coombs and family on May 14, 1967. The Hornell family transferred to the new Wesley United Church, at two Station Road in Mimico, around 1927. David became an active and devoted Sunday school pupil and then a Sunday school teacher. After a few years, he accepted the responsibilities of Sunday school Superintendent and held the office until he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in January of 1941.

At the time of the action for which he received the Victoria Cross posthumously, Flight Lieutenant Hornell was flying as aircraft captain on Consolidated Canso amphibians with No. 162 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, RCAF from Royal Air Force (RAF) Station Wick in Northern Scotland.

The Wesley Mimico United Church building at 47 Station Road was sold in 2016. The pulpit is currently in storage.