Barrie in Simcoe County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Vimy Oaks
World War I
| | Barrie Waterfront Heritage Trail | |
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 5, 2024
1. Vimy Oaks Marker
Acorns Sent to Canada In 1917
Lieutenant Leslie H. Miller, a soldier with the Canadian Expeditionary Force (1914-1919), sent acorns home to Canada that he had gathered after the Battle of Vimy Ridge in April 1917. These acorns are now large majestic trees, known as the Vimy Oaks, growing on his former farm, today the home of the Scarborough Chinese Baptist Church, in Ontario.
Back to France a Century Later
The First World War wiped out all but one native oak, known to survive on Vimy Ridge today. A group of volunteers formed The Vimy Oaks Legacy Corporation, which is helping to repatriate 100 Vimy Oak descendants in The Vimy Foundation Centennial Park adjacent to the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France. This landscaped project will be completed by the 100th anniversary of the end of the War.
Vimy Oaks Planted in Barrie
The Vimy Oaks Legacy has provided the Oak trees, planted in this park in 2017 and at other commemorative sites across Canada. All are direct descendants of the Vimy Oaks. The trees being planted in both countries will serve as living memorials honouring Canadians who fought in the First World War.
The Vimy Oak tree plantings in this park were made possible through a donation from the Rotary Club of Barrie.
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this page online
Erected by Barrie Waterfront Heritage Trail.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Patriots & Patriotism • War, World I. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1917.
Location. 44° 22.442′ N, 79° 40.709′ W. Marker is in Barrie, Ontario, in Simcoe County. It can be reached from Lakeshore Drive 0.9 kilometers west of Minet's Point Road, on the right when traveling west. The marker is on the Barrie Waterfront Heritage Trail at Station #2 (Military Heritage) in Military Heritage Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 225 Lakeshore Drive, Barrie ON L4N 7Y9, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Ontario Cottage Country and specifically in Georgian Bay Country. 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: Canadian Victoria Cross Recipients / B้n้ficiaires de la Croix Victoria canadien (a few steps from this marker); Tulips (a few steps from this marker); Trench Warfare (a few steps from this marker); Francis Pegahmagabow (a few steps from this marker); South African War (within shouting distance of this marker); Northwest Rebellion (within shouting distance of this marker); Fenian Raids (within shouting distance of this marker); Juno Beach (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Barrie.
Related markers.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 5, 2024
2. Vimy Oaks Marker
Military Heritage Park is in the background.
Also see . . .
1. Canadas Vimy Oaks Soldier (Vimy Oaks Legacy).
Excerpt: Although present at many of the horrifying battles of World War One, Leslie Millers war diary is largely devoted to the friendships he cultivated with local French families, his fellow soldiers, his interaction with German prisoners and the nature he discovered around him. Upon returning to Canada, for health reasons, Lieutenant Miller was unable to resume his teaching career. His father gave him 24 acres of the family farm where his Vimy Oaks were growing. He replanted the oaks as part of his woodlot that also included sugar maples, black walnut and other hardwoods. Leslie named his land The Vimy Oaks.(Submitted on June 11, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Ten of the original oaks soar into the sky today. Descendants of these great symbolic trees were repatriated to Vimy Ridge in November 2018 to create living memorials to honour those who fought in the Great War, connecting modern Canada and modern France and reaffirming our comradeship with France and her people.
2. Battle of Vimy Ridge (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: The Battle of Vimy Ridge was part of the Battle of Arras, in the Pas-de-Calais department of France, during the First World War. The main combatants were the four divisions of the Canadian Corps in the First Army, against three divisions of the German 6th Army. The battle occurred from 9 to 12 April 1917, marking the commencement of the Battle of Arras and serving as the inaugural assault of the Nivelle Offensive. The objective was to draw German reserves away from the French forces, preparing for a crucial offensive along the Aisne and the Chemin des Dames ridge several days later.(Submitted on June 11, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 113 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 11, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
