Street Banners Recall Wartime Sacrifice

Street banners with images of Victoria Cross recipients are flying in Canada’s capital cities, as part of a national project commemorating Canada’s wartime sacrifices during the First and Second World Wars.

The Gregg Centre for the Study of War and Society at the University of New Brunswick received a contribution from the Government of Canada to fund the initiative, which sees street banners developed and hung in Canada’s capital cities and helps Canadians recognize Canada’s diverse and exceptional figures, their place of origin and their accomplishments in the world wars. Capital cities will receive a collection of banners representing each of Canada’s provinces and territories.

The banners recognize Canadian recipients of the Victoria Cross - the highest medal awarded by the British Commonwealth. The medal reads “For Valour” and was commissioned by Queen Victoria during the Crimean War. There were more than 80 Canadian recipients of the Victoria Cross during the First and Second World Wars.  

Banners were raised in time for Remembrance Day in four cities: Victoria, Regina, Charlottetown and St. John’s. Other cities across the country will follow suit in the coming weeks and months. The project also features a website where Canadians can learn more about the individuals on the banners and all Canadian recipients of the Victoria Cross at www.canadavc.ca.

“These banners will allow Canadians in every capital city to recognize these individuals as representatives of all wartime sacrifice and to learn more about Canada’s wartime experience,” said Dr. Marc Milner, Director of the Gregg Centre. “We are very grateful to the Government of Canada for the project funding and to the participation and partnership of Canada’s capital cities in the initiative.”

Sandy Hickman, president of the Canadian Capital Cities Organization added, “This initiative allows all capital cities to work together during this time of national commemoration and provides all Canadians with the opportunity to learn more about this period in our collective history.”