“In two world wars one million Canadians came to Britain and joined the fight for freedom. From danger shared, our friendship prospers.“
This important War Memorial dates from 1994 – and is now under the direct control of the Canadian Government (having started life as a private project). Canadians volunteered, fought and died (alongside soldiers of Great Britain) during both WWI (1918-1921) and WWII (1939-1945). One such hero was James Doohan (1920-2005) – who is famous for portraying the character of ‘Montgomery “Scotty” Scott’ in the ‘Original Series’ of James Roddenberry’s ‘Star Trek’! In real life he served as an ‘Officer’ in the Infantry section of a Canadian Artillery Regiment – landing during the Second Wave of Canadian troops on Juno Beach during D-Day (June 6th – 1944) and the ‘Liberation of France’! As a ‘Lieutenant’ – James Doohan was required to lead his men from the front and at one-point during the battle – he was struck by so-called ‘friendly-fire’ suffering wounds to his torso and legs whilst losing a finger! As warfare (and history) are often inconvenient bed-fellows – another incident concerning Canadian soldiers living in the UK involves the ‘Epsom Riot‘ of 1919 (an unfortunate combination of frustration, alcohol and sport which cost a local Police Officer his life)!
This sculptured memorial is constructed of red granite which forms a ‘walkway’ divided into two distinct halves. One half represents Britain whilst the other half represents Canada and the two country’s joint participation in WWI and WWII. The inclined sculpture is inset with 506 bronze maple leaves (the Canadian emblem) and the country’s coat of arms. Water flows across the sloping surface and creates an illusion of floating leaves. The Canada Memorial is situated to the North-East of Buckingham Palace – within the environs of Green Park.
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 