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30 Talbot Street
St. Thomas, Ontario
Canada N5P 1A3
1-519-633-7641
curator@elginmilitarymuseum.ca

The Silver Cross


The Canadian Memorial 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.

The following Silver Cross medals are currently mounted in the Hall of Honour and several more await mounting.

RECIPIENT	HONOURING	THE FALLEN
Mrs. W.A. Couse	in Honour of	Sgt. A/G G.F. Couse
Mrs. N. Williamson	in Honour of	F/Sgt. G.N. Williamson
Mrs. A. Matthews	in Honour of	Tpr. A.V. Matthews
Mrs. H. O'Brien	in Honour of	Pvt. H.T. O'Brien
Mrs. S. Keillor	in Honour of	Pvt. S.J. Keillor
Mrs. A. Micks	in Honour of	Cpl. A.W. Micks
Mrs. G. Marr	in Honour of	Pvt. G.G. Marr
Mrs. J. Gates	in Honour of	Pvt. J. Gates
Mrs. G.R. Turner	in Honour of	Pvt. G.R. Turner
Mrs. T.J. Brown	in Honour of	Pvt. T.J. Brown
Mrs. B.G. Thurston	in Honour of	F/Lt. E.G. Thurston
Mrs. B.G. Thurston	in Honour of	Sgt. M. Thurston
Mrs. A.R. Booth	in Honour of	F/Lt. A.R. Booth
Mrs. G. Jennings	in Honour of	Pvt. G. Jennings
Mrs. J. Lumley	in Honour of	Pvt. K.A. Lumley
Mrs. L.G. Yeo	in Honour of	Pvt. L.G. Yeo
Mrs. G. Udell	in Honour of	Sgt. D.J. Udell

News & Updates

Project Ojibwa Full Speed AheadFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MAY 16, 2012 After more than three years of discussions between the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Elgin Military Museum (EMM), Ian Raven, Museum Executive Director, signed the official Donation Agreement to transfer ownership of the decommissioned submarine HMCS Ojibwa to the Elgin Military Museum in St. Thomas, Ontario.....05/17/2012
DND Announces HMCS Ojibwa Donated to the EMMOTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - May 16, 2012) - The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, has signed an agreement that will allow the Elgin Military Museum in St. Thomas, Ontario ....05/16/2012
Project Ojibwa Announces Golf TournamentThe Elgin Military Museum is pleased to announce the 1st Annual Project Ojibwa Golf Tournament to be held on Saturday, June 16, 2012.05/16/2012
SubMissions First Annual FundraiserWho are the SubMissions? They are a wonderful group of Bayham residents who have joined together to raise funds for Project Ojibwa.04/14/2012
Museum Receives Grant from St. ThomasDuring recent budget meetings, the St. Thomas City Council approved a grant of $8,422 to the Elgin Military Museum for operating expenses. This grant represents a $1,000 increase over last year to match the funds received from the Province. The…04/13/2012
Giant Book SaleThe Elgin Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society and the Elgin Military Museum will be holding a Giant Book Sale at the Museum April 28, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.03/31/2012
Bayham Backs Ojibwa!The tension level was high Thursday night as Bayham Council prepared to vote on whether to act as guarantor for Project Ojibwa. In the end, Council voted 3 to 2 to provide the guarantee pushing Project Ojibwa one step closer to its goal. 03/23/2012
Successful Open Meeting in BayhamA very successful open meeting of Bayham Council was held March 6th in the Vienna Community Hall to discuss Project Ojibwa. 03/08/2012
Open Letter to Bayham CouncilWe appreciate being able to comment to Council on the details relating to the special meeting, upcoming on March 6, 2012, concerning Project Ojibwa. For the following reasons, we believe that Council should support the project by agreeing to act as guarantor of the Elgin Military Museum's .....03/06/2012
Special Council Meeting Regarding Project OjibwaTuesday, March 6 will be an important day for Project Ojibwa. All supporters of the project are urged to attend the public meeting at 7:00 pm at the Vienna Community Hall. More....03/02/2012
Elgin Book of Remembrance on Royal TrainA faded photo, a newspaper clipping from the past; faces of those for whom Lest We Forget was ...02/24/2012
Ojibwa Set to Arrive September 8On your mark!02/24/2012
Aussies Request Info About HolzmindenRecently, we were approached to assist with background information for a screen play regarding the notorious prisoner of war camp at Holzminden ...02/24/2012
Old Elgin Band Donates2011 marked the end of over a century of military music in Elgin County ...02/24/2012
Have You Heard the One About the Kangaroo?And you thought our connection to elephants was unusual, 'well, wait till I tell you'!02/24/2012
Well Known American Artist Offers SupportMargaret Wilson Kipp, a well known American artist who visits this area regularly, has approached the Museum with an offer we could not refuse - after all, there may be a good reason why she was commissioned by the American Gangster Museum to do several paintings…01/02/2012
An Elephant, Kangaroos and Now Dolphins!Exotic creatures are no strangers to the Elgin Military Museum; however the elephant and the kangaroo must make room for the dolphin.12/10/2011
Independent Report Confirms Viability of Project OjibwaThe IBI Group report for the Municipality of Bayham indicates an 'estimate of $14.4 million in impact on Elgin County (direct, indirect and induced) was generated using the Ontario Ministry of Tourism's TREIM model.'…08/03/2011
Museum Wins Community Service AwardThe Elgin Military Museum's booth won the Community Service Award at the recent St. Thomas Home Show.04/07/2011
Model Ships Works of ArtThe Museum has a fine collection of model ships that have been handmade by exceptionally talented craftsmen. 04/04/2011

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The Silver Cross

News & Updates