Individuals, organizations, and governments created numerous permanent memorials recognizing
the sacrifice of those Canadian men and women who served in each of the two world wars. These
commemorations of service range from rolls of honour and plaques to statue and structures. In
some instances participants in toto are honoured - all who serviced in the country's
armed forces overseas or on the home front. Others commemorate a specific platoon or
regiment.
The Memorial Gates at the University of Saskatchewan, c. 1929.
[159]
The Memorial Tablet which records the names of students and faculty
who perished in World War I, c. 1930.
[160]
Program for the Memorial Service for former University of Saskatchewan
English professor, R.J.G. Bateman, 1918.
[168]
Click for larger image.
Display memorializing Bernie Adilman, son of the Saskatoon store owner,
1975.
[169]
The Star-Phoenix clock erected by W. Herman in honour of T. Lawson,
his partner, who made the ultimate sacrifice in World War I, c. 1950.
[170]
William Allen, Professor of Farm Management at the University of
Saskatchewan, 1938.
[171]
Item on the unveiling of a plaque at the federal Department of Agriculture building in Ottawa, honouring William Allen, 1942.
[172]
Click for larger image.
Booklet identifying and commemorating Saskatchewan's Victoria Cross
recipients, 1995.
[173]
Perhaps Saskatchewan's most commemorated soldier is Sergeant Hugh Cairns, the soldier who
has come to symbolize the Great War for the inhabitants of Saskatoon. A member of the Christ
Church choir - and football (soccer) team - Cairns enlisted in the 65th Infantry Battalion of the
Canadian Expeditionary Force at Saskatoon on August 2, 1915. He subsequently was transferred
to the 46th Infantry Battalion prior to his departure from England for France. Private Cairns was
awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty" in a
battle near Avion in June 1917. He also saw action at Passchendaele in November and Amiens in
August 1918. He was shot by a captive German officer after Valenciennes and died of his
wounds the following day, November 2, 1918 - nine days before the armistice. Cairns was
posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his "most conspicuous bravery." He was also made
a chevalier of the Legion of Honour by the French government and had an avenue in Valenciennes
named for him. At home he is commemorated by a statue honouring footballers who were killed
during the war, a school bearing his name, and the Hugh Cairns V. C. Armoury.
This site has been made possible by financial support from the federal government through the National Archives of Canada and the Canadian Council of Archives.
