November: A time for remembrance - w(ar)t

Sometimes war art statues honour an entire population - like all Canadians who served and died; or all aboriginals who served and died; or all women who served and died; or specific populations, like all the merchant marine seamen who died trying to move goods and people across the Atlantic Ocean to support the war effort.  Other times, statues honour specific people who somehow, someway, demonstrated a significant contribution to recorded history.    Sometimes they are military leaders and senior ranking officials, other times they are prominent citizen personalities.    Today's war art blog features one specific person:  Mr. Andrew Hamilton Gault (1882-1958). 

A plaque nearby reads, "this statue is dedicated to the memory of Andrew Hamilton Gault, Canadian War Hero, Philanthropist, Industrialist, and Public Servant.   His life was an example of devoted service to Canada in war and peace".

After taking this photo I learned that Mr. Gault, on the eve of the First World War, "offered the Canadian government $100,000 to help raise and equip an infantry battalion for overseas duty, leading to the formation in 1914 of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry regiment."    WOW.   According to Statistics Canada, and their consumer price index which goes as far back as 1915, that sum of money would be equivalent to about $2.1 million in 2020 dollars!     

The plaque further notes, "over two thousand Patricia's have given their lives for Canada's Freedom.   Their legacy of selflessness, heroism and devotion to duty continue to inspire their successors who proudly serve Canada in the quest for peace."     Sculptor unknown. Dedicated in 1992.   Composite image by Jeffrey Meyer.