The legends appearing below are a
transcript of the inscriptions found on the Valiants site.
Introduction
Canada, from its
colonial beginnings in the 16th century to its emergence as a
modern state in the first half of the 20th century, has passed
through five major periods of war. Each was marked a decisive
turning point in the country's history. The Valiants Memorial
commemorates fourteen men and women of remarkable courage and
honours all Canadians who have served their country in war.
The
French Regime (1534-1763)
In the many wars
between France and Britain during these years, the courage and
tenacity displayed by inhabitants of Acadia and New France
ensured the permanency of French speaking societies in North
America
The most
renowned of the Governors of New France, he successfully defended Québec
from English attack in 1690. Asked to surrender, he memorably
exclaimed: "I have no reply to make other than from the mouths of my
cannon"
As a
great commander, born in Montreal, Iberville fought the English
boldly, often against great odds. In 1697, when three English
vessels attacked his ship Pélican in Hudson Bay, he sank one,
boarded another and captured their outpost at York Fort.
American Revolution (1775-1783)
This ruthless, bloody
conflict, fought along an extended frontier , divided the continent
into two entities: the United States of America and British North
America
A
notable Mohawk warrior and statesman, and principal war chief of the
Six Nations, he led his people in support of the British. After the
war, he brought his people to Canada to settle near where Brantford now
stands.
John
Butler gathered backwoods intelligence, led aboriginal troops, and
raised a force of Loyalist refugees - Butler's Rangers - to fight
for Britain. Under his command, the Rangers fought from Kentucky to
Niagara, where many settled.
War of 1812 (1812-1814)
Fought mainly to
resolve Anglo-American quarrels, this war marked the successful
resistance of British North America to American expansion. It was
followed by lasting peace.
Commanding the forces of a deeply defeatist Upper Canada, he turned
the tide of the American invasion when he captured Detroit in 1812.
Later killed in the battle of Queenston Heights, it was his
inspiration, energy and skill that saved Upper Canada.
A
skillful professional soldier, Salaberry formed the celebrated
Voltigeurs canadiens. In 1813, he outwitted and defeated a vastly
superior American force at the Battle of
Châteauguay, helping to
save Lower Canada from invasion.
Thanks
to Laura Secord, nearly 500 Americans surrendered at Beaver
Dams in 1813, and a British defeat was averted. She had overheard
plans for a surprise attack and struggled alone through miles of
dense bush to warn the commander of the British outpost.
First World War (1914-1918)
Canada made huge
human and economic sacrifices to support Britain and France in
this terrible war. The achievements of her national army - the
Canadian Corps - won Canada representation at the Paris Peace
Conference and recognition of the international stage.
A pioneering army nurse, she was the first Canadian
awarded the Royal Red Cross for conspicuous services in the field
and, in 1908, became the first matron in the Canadian Army Medical
Corps. She later returned to the battlefield in 1917 in France.
A
courageous and innovative officer, he helped plan the great victory
at Vimy Ridge. Then, as the first Canadian commander of the Canadian
Corps, his brilliant leadership produced the sweeping Canadian
victories of the war's Last Hundred Days.
Near Arras, France, with the 22nd (French Canadian) Battalion in
June 1918, the only one of his section unwounded, he leapt to the
parapet with his machine gun and single-handedly repulsed some 50
attacking Germans. He was fatally wounded and posthumously awarded the
Victoria Cross for his courage.
Second World War (1939-1945)
In this epic
struggle against fascism, Canada mobilized her economy, and sent
large land, sea and air forces into battle. With customary
bravery, they contributed to victory in every theatre of war.
These efforts earned Canada a strong, independent voice in the
world.
A Canadian pilot
serving with the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm, and previously
decorated for heroism both in Norway and in the Pacific, he earned a
posthumous Victoria Cross in August 1945. Despite intense enemy
fire, he attacked and sank a Japanese destroyer before his aircraft
went
down in flames.
This Newfoundlander
demonstrated heroism during his service in the Merchant Navy in two
world wars. In 1940, as Captain of the Empress of Scotland, he
manoeuvered brilliantly under an air attack off Ireland, saving the
ship and the troops on board.
Triquet won the
Victoria Cross in 1943 for capturing Casa Berardi in Italy, a
position of great tactical importance. Surrounded, he told his men:
"there is only one safe place - that is on the objective". When he
dashed forward, the men followed.
An air gunner
on a burning Lancaster bomber, he made heroic but unsuccessful
efforts to save his trapped comrade, the rear gunner. The latter,
who finally told Mynarski to save himself and bail out, miraculously
survived the crash. Mynarski died of his burns. He was posthumously
awarded the Victoria Cross.
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