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The whole school is a memorial to the York citizens who died in the Great War. Built of Don Valley brick and smooth faded stone. The towers on either side of the main entrance have a military appearance. The terraced steps lead to a broad landing, followed by 11 steps symbolizing the 11th hour; the 11th day; the11th month when peace was declared after World War I. Four solid oak and plate-glass entrance doors. The school name is carved in script over the main entrance. Other carved symbols include torches of remembrance, shields of honour, grapes, acorns, oak leaves, pine cones, and ferns. There are four World War II memorials to the dead in the main hall: two oak panels of names; two framed sets of individual photos. There is also a memorial to a student who died while still attending the school, and a photo and copy of the citation of a former York Memorial student awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Names of the dead are read at Remembrance Day services. Inside the auditorium are stained-glass windows, including one of the World War I battle of Ypres; the other of the death of Wolfe in the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, 1759. The inscription reads “For God and country.”

A stained glass window honouring Howard Park United Church parishioners who gave their lives in both World Wars was donated by the War Memorial Committee and unveiled on November 6, 1960. The window was manufactured by Robert McCausland Stained Glass Co. Limited.

The theme of the window is The Resurrection, the triumph of life over death, truth over falsehood, love over hate. In the center is the Risen Christ standing in front of the tomb, symbolized by the mound of rocks in the background. On either side are Roman soldiers in dismay as they behold Christ. On the outside panels are Torches of Peace as found on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial. The names of those who made the supreme sacrifice in the war are inscribed under the torches. Above and on either side are garlands of maple leaves with the inscription in between - "I am the Resurrection and the Life".

At the top of the window, the two Greek letters X P, signify Christ. Next is the burning bush, which is the emblem of the former Presbyterian Church. The descending dove is the emblem of the Methodist Church, signifying the Holy Spirit. The open Bible is the symbol used by the Congregational Church. The Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, signify God. The I.H.S. stands for the Latin words "Iesus Hormonorum Salvitor" which translates to Jesus the Saviour of Men.  

At the bottom on the outside panels are the symbols of Valour and Justice. In between, from left to right, are the crests of the Navy, Army, Airforce and Medical Service Corps.

In 1910, the Howard Park Methodist Church moved to a new, partially finished building located at the corner of Sunnyside Avenue and Marmaduke Avenue. In 1925, the church became Howard Park United Church. The congregation remained at this location until 1969, at which time Howard Park united with Emmanuel United Church to form Emmanuel-Howard Park United Church in the Emmanuel building at 240 Roncesvalles Avenue.

The War Memorial Window at Sunnyside Avenue and Marmaduke Avenue was moved to the new building in 1970 by Robert McCausland Limited, Toronto. Panes from the one large stained glass window were made into three smaller windows. In January 2016, the church was renamed Roncesvalles United Church. 

A memorial wall of headstones to commemorate soldiers, their wives and children.

The Great War memorial window at St. Barnabas, Chester Anglican Church was created by Toronto's Luxfer studio. It was dedicated to parishioner Sapper James McWatters, Canadian Engineers who was the son of Sarah Jane Gordon McWatters and William McWatters. The window depicts a Great War Canadian soldier.

J. Lisney Banks (Canadian 1850-1934) sculpted the Canadian Corps Memorial of bronze and granite for the Canadian Corps Association. The sculpture was erected at 201 Niagara St, in front of the Canadian Corps legion hall in the Bathurst and King St. West neighbourhood.

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William George Barker was born in Dauphin, Manitoba on 3 November 1894. During the First World War, Barker enlisted as an infantryman, but later transferred to the Royal Flying Corps (from 1 April 1918, the Royal Air Force).

A superb fighter pilot, he was responsible for the destruction of 50 enemy aircraft.

On 27 October 1918, while flying alone over the Forêt de Mormal in France on his way back to England, Major Barker engaged successive formations of German aircraft. After shooting down an enemy two-seater, he was attacked by a fighter and suffered a wound in his thigh. Barker then found himself surrounded by enemy fighters and was again severely wounded. Nevertheless, despite his wounds, he succeeded in bringing down three more German aircraft before crashing behind his own lines. For his conduct on this occasion, Major Barker was awarded the Victoria Cross.

Barker was killed in a flying accident at Rockcliffe airport, near Ottawa, on 12 March 1930. In addition to the Victoria Cross, for his wartime service Barker received the Distinguished Service Order with one bar, and the Military Cross with two bars.

The National Chapter of Canada Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire initiated War Memorial Doctoral Scholarships in 1918 to commemorate Canadians who sacrificed their lives for peace and freedom. Initially, bursaries were granted to children of men and women who lost their lives or who were permanently disabled while fighting for Canada. After the First World War ended, the National Chapter of Canada initiated a living memorial to 60,000 Canadians whose lives were sacrificed. This War Memorial, approved at the 1918 Annual Meeting in Montreal, provided bursaries for university studies in Canada.

A campaign to raise $500,000 began and by 1920 the first bursaries were awarded. Each province was assigned one award of $250 a year for four years (later increased to $300). In 1929, the War Memorial Fund of the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire was enacted by special act (Bill 8) of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario. Both principal and interest of the Fund provided these bursaries until 1937. No awards were offered during the war years and bursaries ended in 1965. Scholarships based on academic excellence continued to be offered.

The War Memorial Post Graduate Scholarships began in 1921 for one college graduate from each province to spend one year at a British University. The value of a scholarship was $1,400 until 1930 when it was raised to $1,600. Post Graduate Scholarship used only the Fund’s income. No awards were offered during the war years and in 1946, the members established a Second War Memorial to honour the memory of forty some thousand men and women who lost their lives in defense of freedom. The Post Graduate Scholarships from the two War Memorials Funds were originally offered in specific fields of study.

Since the first scholarships were awarded in 1921, Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire War Memorial Scholars have made important contributions to Canada.

Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire was founded in 1900 by Margaret Polson Murray of Montreal who recognized a need for loyal support for Canadians departing to fight with the Empire forces in South Africa. The first chapter was formed in Fredericton, New Brunswick on January 15, 1900.

The next month in Montreal, the name Federation of the Daughters of the Empire was chosen. Primary chapters were formed across Canada, as were children’s (later called junior) chapters. In 1901, the head office moved to Toronto, the federation was incorporated as Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire and Children of the Empire Junior Branch. The name Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire was officially adopted in the ‘70’s. 

The Faculty of Forestry Second World War Plaque honours the Graduates and Undergraduates of the Faculty of Forestry who were killed in action. This plaque and framed composite photo, are part of a multi-component display in honour of the men from Forestry who died in the First and Second World Wars. Included with the display is a flag and the Faculty of Forestry First World War Plaque.

This print of Graduates and Undergraduates of the Faculty of Forestry that were killed during their service in the First World War, was given to the University of Toronto Archives by the Forestry department in 1972. The composite photo print portrays the men who are listed on the Faculty of Forestry First World War Plaque located at the University of Toronto, Department of Forestry at the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design.

Ronald MacKenzie Richards was the first student of the University to fall in the war. When the war was declared he was at home in England and enlisted in the London Scottish. He took part in the first battle of Ypres and was killed a few days later. (Source: University of Toronto Roll of Service 1914-1918).

The World Wars Tablet was erected in 1963 to honour St. John's Anglican Church parishioners who gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars. A long sword is in the center of the tablet.