Over the last year and more I have brought you the latest news about the first ever road of remembrance in all of Canada. One that would serve for generations to remind those traveling along its route that some 600 or more citizens from the greater Victoria BC area lost their lives during the Great War.
Proposed back in 1918, it officially opened in 1921. Plans of that time called for the planting of over 600 Londonplane trees along the entire route. Hundreds got planted but never the numbers originally called for. Some of those planted died off, and others had to be removed for street widening etc.
Proposed back in 1918, it officially opened in 1921. Plans of that time called for the planting of over 600 Londonplane trees along the entire route. Hundreds got planted but never the numbers originally called for. Some of those planted died off, and others had to be removed for street widening etc.
This map shows the area in greater Victoria where the Memorial Avenue, as it was to be called, is located. It is in the eastern part of Victoria towards the bottom 1/4 of the map and the Gordon Head area of Saanich in the upper 3/4's. The avenue runs from Mount Doug Park southbound to Bay street in the south, as shown by the red line above.
Rather than becoming known as Memorial Avenue, over the years it has adopted the name Shelbourne Avenue.
Rather than becoming known as Memorial Avenue, over the years it has adopted the name Shelbourne Avenue.
Either this tree, or one of many within a few hundred feet of this one, located at San Juan Avenue and Shelbourne, is possibly the first of all those planted almost 100 years ago. Many of the trees had little wire fences around them protecting the plaques within, containing the names of the deceased service members. (Note other Londonplane trees along the eastern side of the street as well)
The above plaque evidences that France's Field Marshall Joffre was in the city on other business in 1922 and actually planted a tree in this area. It is unknown if the above tree was the one he planted.
A blog search on this site should bring up some information about PEI born nurse Beatrice MacDonald, and in that you will read of General Joffre and that nurse, who has been recognized as the nurse in WW 1 who was awarded more medals than any other of the war... from any country.
In the 1960's some school students located the Joffre plaque laying in the grass and took it to their school. They in turn presented it to the Saanich Archives where it is safely secured. It is often dusted off and put on temporary display.
The above plaque evidences that France's Field Marshall Joffre was in the city on other business in 1922 and actually planted a tree in this area. It is unknown if the above tree was the one he planted.
A blog search on this site should bring up some information about PEI born nurse Beatrice MacDonald, and in that you will read of General Joffre and that nurse, who has been recognized as the nurse in WW 1 who was awarded more medals than any other of the war... from any country.
In the 1960's some school students located the Joffre plaque laying in the grass and took it to their school. They in turn presented it to the Saanich Archives where it is safely secured. It is often dusted off and put on temporary display.
This is a second image of the above... possibly first tree on the Avenue. The lower image was taken around Remembrance Day last year. Above this is a plaque mounted on a small monument located in front of this tree. It evidences three famous generals and the dates each came to Victoria and whilst here, planted one of these trees. Note the line up of similar trees behind it, and again across the street.
A few weeks back I mentioned in a blog that on Remembrance Day last month I drove by this memorial en-route to a military service and noted 2 young girls appearing to place something on the marker. On return, I took this picture showing that they had placed two poppies giving thanks to those who served and lost their lives in WWl.
I believe that when original plans for the creation of Memorial Avenue were on the table for discussion about a century ago, some thought went into creating some sort of marker at both ends of the avenue indicated the significance of the road. Such was certainly on the table over recent years when a new group formed to rectify what they were calling... the Street of Unfinished Dreams.
Something similar to this image has been put on the table and further developments in this regard await fruition.
I believe that when original plans for the creation of Memorial Avenue were on the table for discussion about a century ago, some thought went into creating some sort of marker at both ends of the avenue indicated the significance of the road. Such was certainly on the table over recent years when a new group formed to rectify what they were calling... the Street of Unfinished Dreams.
Something similar to this image has been put on the table and further developments in this regard await fruition.
Gate posts would obviously be without the gate itself.
After much discussion over the past year and more, this is the design that had been adopted for the road signs, some 30 or more being planned for placement along both sides of the avenue in the area shown in the above map.
I am told the Londonplane leaf is actually yellow in color, but red was adopted to represent the massive loss of blood on the battlefields of the Great War. The Maple Leaf image was also chosen for obvious reasons. With permission from the Royal Canadian Legion, two poppies also are incorporated into the design.
The lower image shows what the signs along the route would look like. And in fact they do. There are many already mounted and I see them almost daily as I travel this road. Many of my friends have shared very positive comments as well when seeing them displayed, and being reminded daily of the importance of our military back then... and to this day.
I am told the Londonplane leaf is actually yellow in color, but red was adopted to represent the massive loss of blood on the battlefields of the Great War. The Maple Leaf image was also chosen for obvious reasons. With permission from the Royal Canadian Legion, two poppies also are incorporated into the design.
The lower image shows what the signs along the route would look like. And in fact they do. There are many already mounted and I see them almost daily as I travel this road. Many of my friends have shared very positive comments as well when seeing them displayed, and being reminded daily of the importance of our military back then... and to this day.
Last year, on September 29th a most impressive ceremony was conducted at San Juan Avenue and Shelbourne, near the north end of the Memorial Avenue. Past blogs have brought you that story. Above is the back of the first interpretive sign to be unveiled along the route. The center line in red, lays out the route with some of the road emblems shown but not necessarily where they would ultimately be located. The actual length of the road, both on top and bottom can be slightly adjusted to show its true length.
So far there have been 5 locations where interpretive signs have been mounted. Presumably more are to come.
So far there have been 5 locations where interpretive signs have been mounted. Presumably more are to come.
Shown above is the reverse of the first sign unveiled. It may be difficult to read so I have tried to take close up images of the various parts of this and 4 other interpretive signs so that those from far away can see what local residents can see on visiting the area.
I should note that the gathering of images and the trying to piece them together has been a challenge as has also been the case with the weather of late. I should also add that a great friend and follower of these blogs assisted with the gathering, several times, of these images, and so a big shout out to someone I shall just call RC. They know who they are.
I should note that the gathering of images and the trying to piece them together has been a challenge as has also been the case with the weather of late. I should also add that a great friend and follower of these blogs assisted with the gathering, several times, of these images, and so a big shout out to someone I shall just call RC. They know who they are.
I have created a map to show you exactly where each of the five sites of Interpretive panels are located. Here it is... in 2 pages...
Going from top to bottom, the first arrow points to the
above panels located at the N/E corner of San Juan and Shelbourne. The second interpretative sign is along the western side of Shelbourne and just north of Cedarglen Road. The third, on the same side of the street, is just north of Blair Avenue. The fourth is at the North East corner Mortimer and Shelbourne. The fifth is on west side of Shelbourne and within the very small park called Gore Peace Memorial Park and located to the north of Church Street.
I shall return on Sunday to tell you about the remaining four signs.
Hope to see you then.
Bart
above panels located at the N/E corner of San Juan and Shelbourne. The second interpretative sign is along the western side of Shelbourne and just north of Cedarglen Road. The third, on the same side of the street, is just north of Blair Avenue. The fourth is at the North East corner Mortimer and Shelbourne. The fifth is on west side of Shelbourne and within the very small park called Gore Peace Memorial Park and located to the north of Church Street.
I shall return on Sunday to tell you about the remaining four signs.
Hope to see you then.
Bart
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