With a special commemorative bench in the foreground, the 100th anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge is observed Apr. 2, 2017 (Photo by Dave Dentinger)With a special commemorative bench in the foreground, the 100th anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge is observed Apr. 2, 2017 (Photo by Dave Dentinger)
Sarnia

100th Anniversary of Vimy Ridge Commemorated (GALLERY)

The 100th anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge was commemorated under mainly sunny skies at a solemn service at the Sarnia cenotaph Sunday afternoon.

Retired Major Gene Smith told dignitaries and members of the public on hand that "the 9th of April 1917 is the bloodiest single day in Canadian military history to this very day. The overall Canadian casualty rate for four days was 10,602, of those 3,598 were dead. They were buried in mass graves, 25 men per grave."

Smith says the battle is now viewed as a key event in the evolution of Canada into an independent, united country. "Nations choose symbols and Vimy Ridge is an important one for Canada."

Wreaths were laid at the ceremony including one from family members representing the four local men killed in the battle; Frederick Johnson, David Kerr, Roy Lumley and David Montgomery.

A special commemorative bench showing the silhouettes of four soldiers was on display at the foot of the cenotaph.

The Sarnia Historical Society’s Phil Egan says Vimy Ridge was a 7 km ridge in northern France that had been captured in the war, fairly early, by the Germans.

“They turned it into what they thought was an impenetrable fortress, says Egan. "There had been 150,000 casualties among the British and French, trying to retake Vimy Ridge, but nothing worked, until they sent in the Canadians.” The 100th anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge is observed in Sarnia Apr. 2, 2017 (Photo by Dave Dentinger)The 100th anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge is observed in Sarnia Apr. 2, 2017 (Photo by Dave Dentinger)

A wreath is laid Apr. 2, 2017 in Sarnia in memory of four local men killed in the battle of Vimy Ridge (Photo by Dave Dentinger)A wreath is laid Apr. 2, 2017 in Sarnia in memory of four local men killed in the battle of Vimy Ridge (Photo by Dave Dentinger)

Retired Major Gene Smith at 100th anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge in Sarnia Apr. 2, 2017 (Photo by Dave Dentinger)Retired Major Gene Smith at 100th anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge in Sarnia Apr. 2, 2017 (Photo by Dave Dentinger)

Special Commemorative bench at ceremony in Sarnia marking 100th anniversary of  the battle of Vimy Ridge Apr. 2, 2017 (Photo by Dave Dentinger)Special Commemorative bench at ceremony in Sarnia marking 100th anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge Apr. 2, 2017 (Photo by Dave Dentinger)

-With files from Melanie Irwin

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