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Prospect WWI Virtual Museum


Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Great War

The First World War is referred to as the “coming of age” for Canada – a time when it evolved from a British colony to an independent nation. At the start of the war in 1914, the country entered the field of battle as a collection of citizen soldiers. By 1918, Canada’s military was recognised as an elite fighting force as can be seen in the following short documentary film (our thanks to Victor Taboika for granting permission to use this film).



Prospect Cemetery and The Great War

As veterans returned home from the Great War, the Government of Canada identified the need to recognise their valour and patriotic service to our country. No military burial ground existed at the time. Representatives from the government, together with City of Toronto officials and the board of directors of the Trustees of the Toronto General Burying Grounds (now the Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries), met to develop a plan. Prospect Cemetery was chosen as the preferred location to create a “field of honour,” and Canada’s first veterans’ section was established. Today, Prospect Cemetery is the final resting place of more than 5,300 Canadian and Allied forces veterans, making it the largest First World War veterans’ section in Canada.


Canada and the First World War - key Canadian Battles

To mark the 100th anniversary of the First World War, we are proud to commemorate its history, and those who served, through a series of plaques located in the Veterans' section at Prospect Cemetery. The stories told by those plaques depicting key developments made by the Canadian Expeditionary Force and the battles they fought can be found in the links below. Click on the images for more information and links to documentary videos:

  • Map showing Key Canadian Battles of WWI
  • The Conflict Begins - bronze plaque detailing the start of World War I.
  • Canada Enters the War - bronze plaqye detailing Canadas entry into World War I.
  • The Second Battle of Ypres - bronze plaque detailing the second battle of Ypres.
  • The Battle of Somme - bronze plaque detailing the Battle of the Somme.
  • The Battle of Beaumont-Hamel - bronze plaque detailing the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel.
  • The Battle of Vimy Ridge - bronze plaque detailing the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
  • Passchendale - bronze plaque detailing the Battle of Passchendale.
  • Canada's Hundred Days - Bronze plaque detailing Canada's part in the successful march to Mons.
  • Canada's Nationhood - bronze plaque detailing Canada's coming of age.
  • Honouring Earlscourt - Bronze plaque commemorating the service of the citizens of Earlscourt during World War I.