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Brantford, ON – The City of Brantford Economic Development and Tourism Department is pleased to announce that the City has received $12,250 in funding from the Commemorative Partnership Program (Community War Memorials) through Veterans Affairs Canada to offset the costs of fully restoring, and securely reinstalling, the bronze torch holders of the Brant War Memorial.
During an inspection of the Brant War Memorial in the City’s downtown on March 23, 2021, City staff discovered that 6 bronze torch holders (shaped like gun shells) had been forcibly removed from the Memorial. The holders, made of solid bronze, were installed on the backside of the monument on the “Memorial Gallery” wall, which features the names of fallen soldiers from Brantford who gave their lives in service of our country. Staff immediately contacted Brantford Police Services and local salvage yards, issued a public release to appeal for information, and were able to recover two of the torch holders, one that had been damaged. The bronze plates and four other torches were not recovered.
The full restoration and secured reinstallation will be completed in time for the 2021 annual Remembrance Day ceremonies to maintain the event’s significance in paying respect to those among our community who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The restoration will reflect the original intent of the monument, and will have additional physical security measures in place to deter future vandalism and/or theft. The full cost of this project is $25,500.
"We are tremendously grateful to receive funding from the Commemorative Partnership Program (Community War Memorials) through Veterans Affairs Canada,” says Sara Munroe, Manager of Tourism Culture & Sport for the City of Brantford. “This funding will help the City offset the cost of restoring and reinstalling this important monument in our community.”
The Brant War Memorial (cenotaph) pays tribute to the courage and sacrifice of those who served, and continue to serve, our country during times of war, military conflict and peace. It was originally dedicated in 1933 in honour of those men and women who gave their lives in the service of their country during the First World War, and later updated to commemorate and honour the fallen in WWII and the Korean War. The Brant War Memorial is the community gathering space for annual community Remembrance Day ceremonies, as well as a Valour Day ceremony to honour the history and legacy of those who served in the 56th Field Regiment or its many ancestral units from which they draw their lineage.
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