Peterborough in Peterborough County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
The Citizens' War Memorial
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 1, 2024
1. The Citizens' War Memorial Marker
The Citizens' War Memorial, in memory of those who fell in three wars, was designed by Toronto architect and sculptor Walter Seymour Allward (1876-1955), with the help of the English sculptor Gilbert Bayes (1872-1953). It was commissioned in 1921 and dedicated by General Sir Arthur Currie in 1929. It was restored in 1979-1980. The standing figure, the Knight of Chivalry, represents the victors, his outstretched arm warning the recoiling figure, the defeated enemies, that all aggression must cease.
Preeminent among Allwards other creations is the famed Vimy Memorial in France commemorating the historic Canadian victory at Vimy Ridge in 1917.
Marilyn Huels
President
Peterborough Historical Society
Sylvia Sutherland
Mayor
City of Peterborough
Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Patriots & Patriotism • War, World I. A significant historical year for this entry is 1929.
Location. 44° 18.538′ N, 78° 19.228′ W. Marker is in Peterborough, Ontario, in Peterborough County. It is on George Street North just south of McDonnel Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is located beside the center walkway on the east side of the park, about 40 meters east of the subject memorial. Touch for map
this page online
Regionally, this marker and memorial is in the Kawarthas Northumberland Area and in Eastern Ontario. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Civic Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Pioneer Burial Ground (within shouting distance of this marker); Capt. Edward T. Brown (within shouting distance of this marker); Military (within shouting distance of this marker); Agricultural Fair (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Peterborough Armoury / Le manθge militaire de Peterborough (about 120 meters away); The Robinson Settlement (about 150 meters away); The Brock Street Burial (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Peterborough.
Also see . . .
1. Peterborough Citizens' War Memorial.
Excerpt: The Peterborough Citizens' War Memorial was officially unveiled in 1929 to honour those from Peterborough City and County who gave their lives during the First World War. The memorial was designed by renowned Canadian sculptor Walter Seymour Allward who designed a number of important war memorials, including the Canadian National Vimy Memorial. By the 1970s, the granite base had eroded badly and the names originally inscribed on the memorial were nearly illegible. In(Submitted on November 16, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)1978, bronze plaques were installed with the names of the First World War dead as well as those who died in the Second World War and the Korean War.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 1, 20242. The Citizens' War Memorial MarkerLooking east from George Street North; the marker is in the left foreground. The Citizens' War Memorial is in the background at the center of Confederation Square.
2. Walter Seymour Allward (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: Walter Seymour Allward was a Canadian monumental sculptor best known for the Canadian National Vimy Memorial. Featuring expressive classical figures within modern compositions, Allward's monuments evoke themes of memory, sacrifice, and redemption. He has been widely praised for his "original sense of spatial composition, his mastery of the classical form and his brilliant craftsmanship". In addition to his sculptural works, Allward produced a series of approximately one hundred allegorical drawings exploring the subject of war at the onset of the Second World War. Allward has been described as "probably Canada's most important monumental sculptor in the first third of [the 20th] century".(Submitted on November 16, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 1, 2024
3. Book of Remembrance
Visitors to our War Memorial
are invited to inspect
the book of remembrance
in the City Hall lobby
Dedicated June 18, 1967
Erected by the ex-service women,
Branch 452, Royal Canadian Legion
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 1, 2024
4. The Citizens' War Memorial Inscription
In memory of the chivalry of our men and women who fought and died defending humanity against aggression.Their name liveth forevermore
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 1, 2024
5. The Citizens' War Memorial
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 1, 2024
6. The Citizens' War Memorial
Looking east through Confederation Square from George Street North.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 171 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 16, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
