Names added to Brant War Memorial

The Brant War Memorial was photographed in this undated image. (Courtesy: City of Brantford)

People attending the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Brant War Memorial in Brantford may notice something different this year.

The city put out a public appeal for information about war casualties who were missing from the memorial in late 2024. Staff worked with the Great War Centenary Association, Six Nations Veterans Organization and the Canadian Military Heritage Museum to identify almost two dozen people. The city and the organizations worked together to learn their stories and then inscribed their names on the large stone structure at the corner of Dalhousie Street and Brant Avenue.

Twenty-three names were confirmed, including 22 people who served in the Second World War and one person from the First World War. Those names were added to the memorial last month, ensuring their sacrifice would be recognized during this year’s Remembrance Day commemoration.

Throughout the weeks leading up to the ceremony, the city shared stories of the previously unsung heroes on social media, including Stoker First Class Sydney Avey, Private Frederick Arthur Barnes, Leading Aircraftman Theodore S. Bates, Ordinary Coder Joseph (Joe) G. Bell, Gunner Frank Adolphus Biggs, Private Preston Cawley, Private Edward Bruce Coleman, Warrant Officer Second Class Norman Corken, Flight Lieutenant George Garrett Davidson, Private Rex Eric Douglas, Leading Airman James F. Elson, Leading Aircraftman Mervin J. Ferrier, Corporal Clarence Foster, Sergeant Harry Gore, Corporal Robert George Hine, Private Philip Trafford Laborde, Sergeant Cyril Webster Lawson, Wireless operator William Kenneth Marks, Sergeant Navigator William Reid, Private Willard Norman Shaw, Private Roy James Telfer, Flight Sergeant David Urquhart and Private Charles Henry Wallace.

Residents were encouraged to gather at the Brant War Memorial on Tuesday at 10:50 a.m. to pay tribute to the people who lost their lives while serving their country. An overnight lighting display will start at 6 p.m. Monday.