By Tyler Kula for the Sarnia Observer

(2015) A piece of Sarnia’s military history could be headed back to its former resting place, thanks to a group of local historians.

The ‘Big Tom’ cannon, long a landmark and meeting place in Canatara Park, is more than just a ceremonial centrepiece, said Randy Evans, Tom Slater, Tom St. Amand and Lou Giancarlo, who recently discovered historical photos of the cannon in what’s now Veteran’s Park.

They researchers have linked the 68-pounder-class weapon to its Crimean-War-era roots and time aboard the British colonial gunboat, Prince Alfred — outfitted to guard then-Port Sarnia against mid-19th century Fenian raids.

The ship’s gun — almost nine feet in length and designed to fire 68-pound shells — spent 102 years in Port Sarnia’s south ward market, now Veteran’s Park, after its tour of duty, the researchers said.

It was a memorial piece in the square where militia mustered for war and citizens gathered to hope for their loved ones’ safe return, they said.

In 1961, the group theorizes, it was moved to make room for construction crews building the Sarnia Library.

“They moved it here temporarily,” said Giancarlo recently, at the weighty weapon’s current home in Canatara Park.

“But temporarily ended up being a long time,” he said.

Now, he and the others are trying to bring the cannon back to Veteran’s Park.

At the group’s behest, and with Sarnia city council’s blessing, the city recently sent out letters to military associations and historical groups, asking for their input on a plan to bring ‘Big Tom’ back to Veteran’s Park.

With no objections, and with council’s OK, the group hopes to have the cannon back near the park sign, just west of the cenotaph, before this year’s Remembrance Day.

“I’m excited about what they’re doing,” said Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley.

“It’s been good, in the last couple of years, there’s been this real renaissance of people wanting to capture our history,” he said.

A separate request for a piece of decommissioned military equipment from Afghanistan, to serve as a memorial for Sarnia soldiers in that war, is also currently in a similar vetting period, he said.

Veteran’s Park is one of the potential sites, said Bradley.

Giancarlo, St. Amand, Evans and Slater, comprising the Relocation of ‘Big Tom’ Committee, said they intend to move the cannon and its concrete stand themselves, with help from friends.

Plans are also to erect a memorial plaque when the war-veteran cannon is re-stationed at Veteran’s Park, St. Amand said.

“So that people understand its history,” he said. “It’s not just a cannon; it’s integral to Sarnia’s history.”