Windsor re-dedicates Boer War Memorial in Jackson Park
The City of Windsor, in partnership with members of local military organizations, hosted a re-dedication ceremony on Wednesday for the historic Boer War Memorial in Jackson Park.
The special commemoration served to re-dedicate the significant piece while showcasing the recent work that took place to restore the monument that honours the Boer War in South Africa.
"It's important to remember those who served, whether they came back or not. That's the most important thing," said Army veteran and Lieutenant-Colonel (retired) Hardy Wheeler. "This memorial being refurbished by the city is a recognition that it's important."
According to the city, the Boer War Memorial was built as a memorial fountain in honour of the Canadian volunteers who served as soldiers of the British Empire during the war in South Africa. It was dedicated by the local military community in 1906 and meant to support “the Windsor boys who lost their lives in South Africa”.
The memorial fountain was originally situated outside a post office in downtown Windsor and later moved to Jackson Park in 1932.
When Ouellette Avenue was extended in 1961, the memorial was moved and re-dedicated again at its current location on the south edge of the Queen Elizabeth II Sunken Gardens.
The community gathers for a re-dedication service for the Boer War Memorial in Windsor, Ont. on Oct. 2, 2024. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)
In a news release, Wheeler explained, “as soldiers, we are called to serve when and where asked by our government. The South African War, 1899 to 1902, also called the Boer War, was the first overseas deployment of the Canadian military. It was a nasty conflict. This memorial is Windsor’s first ‘war memorial’, dedicated in 1906 and refurbished several times since, including this year. The memorial is important, so we remember the 48 local citizens who served in South Africa and especially those who died or were wounded in service to Canada.”
"It was designed to be a watering hole for horses, and they put cups out on the edge of the fountain for people that they wanted to drink. So, times have changed," said Rev. Gene Lotz, author of Canadians in a Forgotten War – Boer War, 1899 to 1902.
"When it was dedicated, Windsor had a population of 10,000. 5,000 people showed up and they were renting out windows across the street for $1 a window so you could stand and see... So, it was a really big deal.”
“The last veteran that served from Windsor Essex County, he died in1977,” Lotz continued. “That's when this legacy stopped being their legacy and became our legacy. It's just wonderful that it's been restored, rejuvenated and remembered."
Work to restore the memorial began in April 2024 through Clifford Restoration Limited. Mayor Drew Dilkens said the entire project cost $675,000 and included restoration work to the memorial, the pathway leading up to it and the surrounding areas.
The Boer War Memorial re-dedication service in Windsor, Ont. on Oct. 2, 2024. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)
"It's something that's been on the books since 2020," Dilkens stated.
"Today we actually got the job done and taking care of our heritage is expensive. It doesn't matter what it is we're taking care of. This was a heritage monument, something the community really rallied behind to fund back in 1906 and today's commitment and re-dedication is just an affirming commitment that this community continues to care and remembers those who made the ultimate sacrifice."
Dilkens said Windsor has a proud tradition of honouring local veterans and remembering their bravery and sacrifices, noting the Boer War Memorial is an important commemorative marker in Jackson Park and a special focal point for Windsor’s military history.
"We will not forget our veterans who served in our military," Dilkens added.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
W5 Investigates Car security investigation: How W5 'stole' a car using a device we ordered online
In part two of a three-part series into how thieves are able to drive off with modern vehicles so easily, CTV W5 correspondent Jon Woodward uses a device flagged by police to easily clone a car key.
Satire slinger The Onion buys Alex Jones' Infowars at auction with help from Sandy Hook families
The satirical news publication The Onion won the bidding for Alex Jones' Infowars at a bankruptcy auction, backed by families of Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims whom Jones owes more than $1 billion in defamation judgments for calling the massacre a hoax, the families announced Thursday.
South African government says it won't help 4,000 illegal miners inside a closed mine
South Africa's government says it will not help an estimated 4,000 illegal miners inside a closed mine in the country's North West province who have been denied access to basic supplies as part of an official strategy against illegal mining.
Some Scotiabank users facing 'intermittent' access to banking days after scheduled maintenance
Scotiabank users say they are having issues using their bank’s services following a scheduled maintenance period that ended days ago.
B.C. Realtors fined $200K for failure to disclose relevant information to clients
Two B.C. real estate agents have been fined a combined total of more than $200,000 for professional misconduct they committed during the sale of a waterfront property on the Sunshine Coast in 2017.
Trump's defence secretary pick said women shouldn't be in combat roles. These female veterans fear what comes next
Female veterans fear the progress made for women in combat since then will be reversed after U.S. president-elect Donald Trump announced Pete Hegseth this week as his pick for secretary of defense – a Fox News host and Army veteran who has criticized efforts to allow women into combat roles.
Only 8 monkeys remain free after more than a week outside a South Carolina compound
Just eight monkeys remain free from the group who more than a week ago broke out of a South Carolina compound that breeds the primates for medical research, authorities said.
B.C. midwives' college issues warnings about 4 unregistered women
The B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives has issued nearly identical warnings about four women, each of whom it says 'may be offering midwifery services' without being permitted to do so.
A look at how much mail Canada Post delivers, amid a strike notice
Amid a potential postal worker strike, here’s a look at how many letters and parcels the corporation delivers and how those numbers have changed in the internet age.