The Norfolk Remembers Committee has established the following Memorial Plaques to highlight the significant sacrifices made by so many throughout Norfolk County.
The first Memorial Plaque was unveiled in Delhi, Ontario in 2017. It is located in front of the town cenotaph (N 42 51.269 W 80 29.710 – South side of King Street, Delhi) and, with the aid of the NRC, was financially supported by the Delhi Kinsmen Club. The Memorial Plaque depicts 80 soldiers from the town and surrounding area who were killed in both world wars.
~
In the summer of 2019, the NRC with Royal Canadian Legion, Waterford Br.123, and the Norfolk County Heritage & Culture Department unveiled the Waterford Memorial Plaque along the Heritage Trail System off Alice Street (N 42.9336, -80.2956). This project was fully funded by the Waterford Legion and the Waterford Legion Ladies Auxiliary. The Plaque depicts the 80 soldiers (46 WWI and 34 WWII) from Waterford and area who were killed in both wars.
Memorial Plaques for Port Rowan (including South Walsingham) and Vittoria (including Charlotteville) are currently in the works.
~
THE ROCKFORD ROAD OF HEROES
The first major project for the NRC, outside of publishing, was the establishment of the Rockford Road of Heroes – a 3.2km stretch of Concession 11, Townsend, Ontario – with permission officially granted by Norfolk County Council on September 24, 2016.
Along this small stretch of road, through the hamlet of Rockford, an incredible 28 men answered the call during the First and Second World Wars. 11 of them paying the supreme sacrifice. NRC Author and Historian Grant Smith wrote that “you could write a history of Canada at war from the exploits of the Rockford men. Many of the soldiers enlisted in the 133rd Norfolk Battalion in 1916. From there, they were transferred to Battalions in the Royal Montreal Regiment, the Central Ontario Regiment, and the 123rd Pioneer Battalion. Others were members of the famed Black Watch, and the Royal Canadian Dragoons, – and in WWII – The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry and the Governor General’s Horse Guard. Among them were men who fought and died in Canada’s greatest battles: Vimy Ridge, Hill 70, Passchendaele, Amiens, Canal du Nord, The Battle of the Atlantic, and the Liberation of Holland.”
The Norfolk Remembers Committee commemorated the Rockford Heroes on September 24, 2016 with the assistance and generosity of the Lemery family who donated a portion of land on the Rockford Road for the installation of a 30 foot flag pole and later (2019) a memorial plaque depicting each of the soldiers. During the official flag raising ceremony on September 24, 2016, attendees were presented with a brochure highlighting the significance of the Rockford Road of Heroes and map showing the placement of metal poppy tag signs which were affixed to each 911 address pole on the properties where the 28 men lived. Gateway signs announcing the Rockford Road of Heroes were also installed.
“In this simple act of dedication, we have the opportunity to remember each and every one of the “Rockford Boys”, and in so doing remember every Norfolk woman and man who served and died for our Country.”
On November 10, 2019, the Rockford Road of Heroes plaque was official unveiled and dedication by the NRC, Waterford Legion Colour Party and a large crowd, many of whom were related to the 28 Heroes.
