A Beechwood History of Canals
The first Canadian canal was built at Lachine, toward the western end of the island of Montreal. It opened in 1825, bypassing the Lachine rapids, long a barrier to navigation…
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Category: History
The Casualty Identification Program
On June 27 2022, three unknown soldiers associated with the Battle of Hill 70 were laid to rest with military honours at Loos British Cemetery, Loos-en-Gohelle, France. We cannot put…
The first Canadian-born woman mountaineer – HENRIETTA LOETITIA TUZO WILSON
Henrietta Tuzo was born in Victoria in 1873 and was educated there and in England. She was a pioneering woman, but not in the traditional sense. Wilson was known for…
The History of the Beechwood Mausoleum
This stately structure opposite Beechwood’s reception centre was constructed in 1930 to serve as a mausoleum but has had the added functions of crematorium (no longer) and columbarium. Praised as…
Prolific Inventor and Father of Carbide: Thomas Leopold (Carbide) Willson
Thomas Leopold (Carbide) Willson – Section 53, Lot 17 NW Born in Princeton, Ontario on March 14, 1860, Thomas Leopold Willson was an inventor, electrical engineer and entrepreneur. While in…
Osgood and Rogers – the first casualties
The Governor General’s Foot Guards (GGFG) is the senior reserve infantry regiment in the Canadian Army located in Ottawa, our National Capital. The GGFG are infantry reserve soldiers whose domestic…
A soldier all through – MARIA HILL
MARIA HILL Section 37, Plot 59 & 60 Throughout her long life of service to king and country, Maria Hill always thought of herself as “a soldier all through.” Even…
An extensive and outstanding career as an exemplary officer and policeman – SIR JAMES HOWDEN MacBRIEN
SIR JAMES HOWDEN MacBRIEN Section 63, Lot 1 James Howden MacBrien was born in Port Perry on June 30, 1878. In 1896 he joined the 34th Ontario Regiment, then went…
Royal tribute for Teesside born Canadian general who received the Nazi surrender in Holland
A royal tribute has been unveiled in honour of a Teesside born World War 2 general who received the Nazi surrender in Holland. Lt Gen Charles Foulkes, who was born…
149th anniversary of the founding of the RCMP
On May 23 1873, the RCMP (then North West Mounted Police) was founded in Ottawa. The next summer, the NWMP set out on the Great March West and helped shape…