The Hall of Honour
The museum has a large collection of military decorations which are proudly displayed in the Hall of Honour. The collection is mainly focused on Canadian, British Empire and Commonwealth awards dating from the 18th century to the present day. The highest award currently on display is the Order of the British Empire which was awarded to Col. Galloway. The room also contains the colours of one of the oldest cadet corps in Canada - from the St. Thomas Collegiate Institute. Ribbons will be Refurbished Visitors may view all sets of medals that have been entrusted to the Museum by veterans or their families. The Museum would be honoured to add the medals of any veteran to the Hall of Honour. If you have a set of medals that you would like to donate, please contact us for more information. |
The Silver Cross
Many are aware of the Silver Cross medal officially known as the Canadian Memorial Cross. It is awarded to mothers and widows (and now spouses) of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country. Fewer are aware of the connection with Elgin County. William Alexander Fraser was born about 1859 in River John, Nova Scotia and spent his teenage years with an uncle here in Elgin County, eventually graduating with a degree in engineering. In an article in the Toronto Star on September of 23, 1916, Fraser suggested: "...that Canada might pay a beautiful and deserved tribute to the mothers of slain Canadian soldiers by having struck a medal named the Silver Cross." … "The mothers are the heroines of the bitter home trenches. They suffer in silence with no reward but the sense that they have answered the call with their heart's blood-their sons." He followed this up with a letter to Prime Minister Borden. The Great War over, the government turned its attention to the matter and the Memorial (Silver) Cross was instituted by an Order-in-Council in December 1919.
As with the medals donated by local veterans, those of local Silver Cross mothers are proudly displayed in our Hall of Honour area. |
Silver Cross Mothers
Local women were not exempt from the pain and anguish of war. The Elgin Military Museum is deeply honoured to acknowledge the sacrifice of the following women who have entrusted these treasured Silver Cross medals to the Museum. They are displayed in the Hall of Honour.