Milton’s Commemorative Cenotaph

Milton’s Commemorative Cenotaph. . The Town of Milton's Cenotaph commemorates the people of Milton and surrounding area who sacrificed their lives in World War I, World War II and the Korean War. , Canada, as a nation, owes an everlasting debt of gratitude to the young men and women who, in the prime of their youth have served and continue to serve their country to preserve global peace and protect fundamental human rights., Please refer to the Milton Historical Society and the Veterans Affairs Canada websites for more information on Milton and Canada's contribution to the world's peacekeeping efforts in the wars that this Cenotaph commemorates. , World War I , (1914 - 1918), Referred to on the Cenotaph as "The Great War" , World War I (world war one), commonly called The Great War or The War to End All Wars, started out as a local European war and then became a global war that involved nations from around the world. The war divided Europe into two armed camps; on one side was the Triple Alliance made up of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy, and their enemy was the Triple Entente of France, Russia and Great Britain. As other countries began to join sides, the Triple Alliance became known as the Central Powers and the Triple Entente became the Allied Forces. Military operations began in three major areas in Europe - the western front (France/Belgium), the eastern front (Russia) and the southern front (Serbia). Intense heavy fighting occurred during world war one, including Ypres, The Somme, Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele, Amiens, and Arras., world war one was different from previous wars because soldiers used efficient weapons like machine guns, artillery, tanks and air force; however most of the action took place in trenches dug deep into the ground. Soldiers spent many days in the trench, where they were constantly under threat of attack from shellfire, snipers and disease., In 1914, Canada was a nation of eight million people and more than 650,000 men and women from Canada and Newfoundland served , over 66,000 gave their lives and more than 172,000 were wounded. It was this immense sacrifice that led to Canada's separate signature on the Peace Treaty as they were no longer viewed as just a colony of England. Canada had truly achieved nation status. , World War II (1939 - 1945) , World War II was the largest armed conflict in history, spanning the entire world and involving more countries than any other war. Nazi Germany in its conquest for European domination had an ideology of racial superiority, nationalism, and destruction of all people they felt were inferior or who opposed them. When the Nazis invaded Poland in September 1939, France and Britain declared war on Germany. World War II was fought between the Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, Japan) and the Allied Powers (Britain, United States, Soviet Union, France)., The battles of World War II were fought throughout the world at sea, in the air, and on land, and ended with the first use of nuclear weapons. Much of the fighting took place in Europe and in Southeast Asia (Pacific). Some of the most well-known battles include the Battle of Britain (1940), Stalingrad (1942-43), El Alamein (1942-43), Iwo Jima (1945), and the Battle of the Bulge (1944-45). The D-Day landings in June 1944 are also some of the most famous events from the war, since many people consider it a turning point in the course of the war. The war in Europe ended with Germany's surrender on May 7, 1945. The war in the Pacific ended when Japan surrendered on September 2, 1945. Over 50 million people are thought to have died during the conflict, including soldiers and civilians. The economic repercussions were felt across the participating countries for decades after peace was declared., Canada's great efforts in the Second World War involved virtually the whole country whether by serving in the military or by serving on the home front in industry or agriculture. More than one million Canadians and Newfoundlanders served in the military - more than 45,000 gave their lives and another 55,000 were wounded. Canada had grown significantly through the ordeal of war and assumed new responsibilities as a leading member of the world community., Korean War , (1950 - 1953) , In 1950 after the end of World War II, the United Nations (UN) had been in place for just five years, and was working to promote global peace and security. Canadians were looking forward to a prosperous and peaceful second half of the 20th century; however, an international crisis was brewing in the Korean peninsula. The UN, created to resolve conflict between member nations primarily through dialogue and negotiation, also had the flexibility to use force in the pursuit of peace. The situation in Korea would require armed intervention, and 16 member nations, including Canada, would contribute military forces under United States command.