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 placed 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 “P/O R. J. BARBER R.C.A.F.” 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 3 reads: P/O Robert John BARBER RCAF, 44 Sqn RAF. University College, BA 1942. Killed in an air operation over France, 19 May 1944. Buried in the Communal Cemetery Extension, Abbeville, France.

Photo of Robert John Barber – Image of Barber from Torontonensis, University of Toronto yearbook, 1942.

Fraternity List – Barber listed as member of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity, Alpha Beta chapter. From Torontonensis 1942

Fraternity Photo – Photo showing Barber with fraternity brothers. From Torontonensis 1942

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

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

Photo of ROBERT JOHN BARBER – In memory of the students from the Vaughan Road Collegiate Institute (Toronto) who went away to war and did not come home. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Memorial – In memory of the students from the Vaughan Road Collegiate Institute (Toronto) who went away to war and did not come home. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Memorial – In memory of the students from the Vaughan Road Collegiate Institute (Toronto) who went away to war and did not come home. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Badge – In memory of the students from the Vaughan Road Collegiate Institute (Toronto) who went away to war and did not come home. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Book of Remembrance – In memory of the students from the Vaughan Road Collegiate Institute (Toronto) who went away to war and did not come home. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Book of Remembrance – In memory of the students from the Vaughan Road Collegiate Institute (Toronto) who went away to war and did not come home. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Memorial – Flying Officer Robert John Barber is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

Memorial – Flying Officer Robert John Barber is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

Memorial – Father J P Lardie's comments as inscribed on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

Photo of ROBERT JOHN BARBER – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Photo description – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Document – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Document – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Document – 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 April 1945. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Star April 1945. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me