Sarnia, like thousands of other communities across Canada, had many of its sons and daughters answer the call of duty to serve their country during times of war. They left the comforts of their homes, as well as their schools, farms, jobs, trades and careers. They left their loved ones–grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters, husbands and wives, children and friends–in response to a call by this nation to fight in far off lands to defend freedom.
The men and women of Canada’s military served, and continue to serve, with pride, valour and honour, sometimes making the supreme sacrifice to secure for others the peace and freedoms that we enjoy in this great country. For the fallen soldiers of Sarnia-Lambton, the courage, fortitude and the sacrifices that they and their families made deserve to be remembered.
The following project is a comprehensive record of Sarnia’s many contributions during times of war and the sacrifices made by its citizens. It covers, in detail, the Boer War, World War I (The Great War), World War II, the Korean War and the Peacekeeping Mission in Afghanistan. The project is also a comprehensive record of all those soldiers from Sarnia who lost their lives while serving in these wars.
For the men profiled in this project, being linked to Sarnia means one of the following:
they were born and raised here; they or their families moved here; or they married someone from Sarnia
and resided here. A number of the men included in this project are also linked to surrounding communities within Lambton County.
Though this project is a record of Sarnia’s fallen soldiers from the aforementioned wars,
it is dedicated to all the young men and women who served, as well as to their families, who all sacrificed so much.
“LEST WE FORGET”
This project is a completely volunteer, non-profit endeavour by its author and contributors.
Many people graciously donated their time, efforts and information to ensure its successful completion.
Their support and generosity ensured that The City of Sarnia War Remembrance Project is
an accurate, comprehensive and enduring tribute to these local heroes and their families,
so that their sacrifices will be forever commemorated and remembered.
Project Author/Researcher: Tom Slater
Additional WWI Research: Randy Evans
Project Editors: Lou Giancarlo and Tom St.Amand
Cover design and illustration: Bennett Slater
Back cover photograph courtesy: Glenn Ogilvie Photography
The City of Sarnia War Remembrance Project – 2nd Print: November 2014
To The Dead Soldiers
No more shall you see mountains, woods, earth,
Handsome eyes of my soldiers, just twenty years old,
Who fell last spring
When light was at its softest.
We dared not remember the golden fields
That dawn covered with iridescent glory;
Only the sadness of war was in our thoughts
When, behind the hamlets, came news of your death
Since your departure, at the angle of the mirror,
Your image attracted both heart and eyes;
No one sat on the rickety stool
Where each night, by the fireplace, you took your place.
Alas! Where are your young, strong and wild bodies?
Where are your arms, your hands and the superb gestures
You made with the big scythes in the fields?
Alas, the immense night has descended upon you.
Your mothers have wept in their closed thatched cottages,
Your lovers have spoken their sorrow to the villagers,
Every day you have been mentioned, sadly,
But, one evening in June, talk turned to something else.
By Emile Verhaeren