Over the last year and more, I have brought you news, as it developed, regarding the Shelbourne Street Memorial Avenue project.
Several years in the making, the project picked up where others left off, dating back a century. The greater Victoria major roadway had been selected by the authorities of the day as a place of remembrance. One that honoured the several hundred service members who lost their lives in the Great War, now known as WW1. Plans calling for well over 600 trees fell aside when less numbers were planted. Some of those later died and others had to be removed through disease, roadway expansion etc.
The recent plans called for the correct numbers to be replanted, and signage along the street. This would not only identify it as being a Memorial Avenue, but also signage would bring details of the price the community paid back during the war.
Two blogs ago I mentioned that now there are about 30 street signs mounted along both sides of the road. About 3/4's of these being in the Municipality of Saanich with the rest in the city of Victoria. That blog showed a map of the area and five locations where the Interpretive Signs have also now been installed. Perhaps more at the south end, in the city of Victoria, will appear at a later day.
That blog also gave you a picture of the first Interpretive Sign installed. It is near the north end of Shelbourne Street, where it intersects with San Juan. Today I bring you images of the remaining 4. These are not in the order they were erected, but simply in the order that they appear heading south from San Juan and Shelbourne.
So we start today's tour with the 2nd sign, which is located on the west side of Shelbourne, just north of Cedarglen.
Several years in the making, the project picked up where others left off, dating back a century. The greater Victoria major roadway had been selected by the authorities of the day as a place of remembrance. One that honoured the several hundred service members who lost their lives in the Great War, now known as WW1. Plans calling for well over 600 trees fell aside when less numbers were planted. Some of those later died and others had to be removed through disease, roadway expansion etc.
The recent plans called for the correct numbers to be replanted, and signage along the street. This would not only identify it as being a Memorial Avenue, but also signage would bring details of the price the community paid back during the war.
Two blogs ago I mentioned that now there are about 30 street signs mounted along both sides of the road. About 3/4's of these being in the Municipality of Saanich with the rest in the city of Victoria. That blog showed a map of the area and five locations where the Interpretive Signs have also now been installed. Perhaps more at the south end, in the city of Victoria, will appear at a later day.
That blog also gave you a picture of the first Interpretive Sign installed. It is near the north end of Shelbourne Street, where it intersects with San Juan. Today I bring you images of the remaining 4. These are not in the order they were erected, but simply in the order that they appear heading south from San Juan and Shelbourne.
So we start today's tour with the 2nd sign, which is located on the west side of Shelbourne, just north of Cedarglen.
These may make the reading a little easier.
Traveling a few blocks further south, you will find the third sign, also on the west side on Shelbourne, and just north of Blair. Here is that sign...
and enlarged...
I should note that while my photography leaves much to be desired, that of the Saanich Archives, BC Archives, Ottawa and those of Alan Livingstone MacLeod are far superior to mine.
Note above the partial credits, being cut off... for Alan, an acquaintance of mine and great supporter of the work of this blog site. Alan is one of the leaders and strong supporters of the Pacific Branch of the Western Front Association and when he gives talks, I assure you the audience is most attentive.
His grasp on Canadian military history bulges forth in the 200 plus page book... Remembered in Bronze and Stone. This important historical work brings forth the stories and images of some 130 monuments, from coast to coast in Canada, honouring some of those who lost their lives in the Great War. More recently he continues to preserve our Canadian history with his book ... From Rinks to Regiments, Hockey Hall of Famers, and the Great War.
Both books should be on your shelves at home!
Returning back to Shelbourne Street, we travel further south to the north/east corner of Mortimer to find the 4th Interpretive Sign. Here it is...
Note above the partial credits, being cut off... for Alan, an acquaintance of mine and great supporter of the work of this blog site. Alan is one of the leaders and strong supporters of the Pacific Branch of the Western Front Association and when he gives talks, I assure you the audience is most attentive.
His grasp on Canadian military history bulges forth in the 200 plus page book... Remembered in Bronze and Stone. This important historical work brings forth the stories and images of some 130 monuments, from coast to coast in Canada, honouring some of those who lost their lives in the Great War. More recently he continues to preserve our Canadian history with his book ... From Rinks to Regiments, Hockey Hall of Famers, and the Great War.
Both books should be on your shelves at home!
Returning back to Shelbourne Street, we travel further south to the north/east corner of Mortimer to find the 4th Interpretive Sign. Here it is...
This is the reverse of the sign and repeat of that found at the North end of Shelbourne location of the 1st sign.
And here is the front of this sign....
And here is the front of this sign....
And close ups...
and....
and another...
and yet another...
The final location of an Interpretive Sign is on the west side of Shelbourne, just north of Church street. Rather than just one sign, there are two. Here we see both, and the first being enlarged...
and further enlarged...
and more...
and another...
and finally...
Here is the last Interpretive Sign, also at the Church Street location....
Here are some enlarged images of this sign as well...
and another...
and still another...
and almost the last one ...
and the last one...
A drive along the north end of Shelbourne is worth it for all greater Victoria residents, and those who visit us.
The trees still in place are quite majestic to look at and will soon be joined by others properly spaced along Shelbourne. In the summer the trees will be in full bloom. They will stretch across the street giving you a canopy to stroll under. Each representing one brother reaching out to another brother...or sister... in arms.
You will be able to reflect on those who have gone before us, and you may be lucky and catch a stream of light shining through. Don't be alarmed. It is our forefathers and mothers greeting us and thanking us for remembering them.
Let's not forget!
As noted in the last blog, I will be away from this site for the month of January and look forward to meeting you again in early February.
Thanks all for hanging out with me for the last 500 blogs,
Bart
The trees still in place are quite majestic to look at and will soon be joined by others properly spaced along Shelbourne. In the summer the trees will be in full bloom. They will stretch across the street giving you a canopy to stroll under. Each representing one brother reaching out to another brother...or sister... in arms.
You will be able to reflect on those who have gone before us, and you may be lucky and catch a stream of light shining through. Don't be alarmed. It is our forefathers and mothers greeting us and thanking us for remembering them.
Let's not forget!
As noted in the last blog, I will be away from this site for the month of January and look forward to meeting you again in early February.
Thanks all for hanging out with me for the last 500 blogs,
Bart
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