CANADA’S WAR DEAD

Evening Star, Issue 22351, 29 May 1936, Page 9

CANADA’S WAR DEAD

MEMORIAL ON VIMY RIDGE KING EDWARD TO UNVEIL STRUCTURE (British Official Wireless.) Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright RUGBY, May 27. In accordance with a promise made while he was Prince of Wales, King Edward, at the request of the Canadian Government, will unveil on July 26 a memorial on Vimy Ridge to Canadians who fell in the Great War. At the King’s own desire this announcement was made by the Canadian Prime Minister (Mr Mackenzie King) in Ottawa. It will be the first time the King of England has left his own country for several years. His visit to France for the ceremony will be of only short duration and it is possible he may proceed by air. The memorial is dedicated to 12,000 Canadians who fell in the war but who have no known grave. Their names are engraved around the base of the memorial. This measures 237 ft long, with two main pylons each 138 ft high. The structure weighs 30,000 tons and it stands on Vimy Ridge, the capture of which was achieved by Canadian forces, in 240 acres of ground which the French Government presented to Canada. This area has been cleared ami planted with trees, which gives the memorial a beautiful sotting. During the night time it will bo floodlit. The President and many other distinguished Frenchmen will meet there for the ceremony, , and several thousands of Canadian ox-servicemen are to cross the Atlantic to be present at the unveil-