It’s Labour Day in Canada and the US … a day to celebrate workers.
The entrance to the Bell Canada Building at 1050, Côte du Beaver-Hall, Montréal (between rue Belmont and rue de la Gauchetière O) is flanked by the bell logo of the Bell Telephone Company of Canada. Completed in 1929, it was once the company headquarters. Enter the brass doors into the entry staircase, flanked by bronze plaques to Bell’s Montreal employees who served and died in two world wars.
The WW1 plaque is topped by a crowned bell surrounded by flags and maple leaves, over In Memoriam 1914 – 1919.
Dedicated by the Montreal employees of the Bell Canada Telephone Company of Canada in honour of their comrades who gave their lives, and the 200 who served in the Great War.
Twenty-one names are listed. Ionic columns separate the central dedication from battle honours: Ypres, St Julien, Sanctuary Wood, La Somme, Vimy, Courcelette, Arras, Amiens, Passchendaele, Bourlon Wood. John McCrae’s poem, In Flanders Fields, is cited at the bottom. The plaque was made by Birks.
Great War 100 Reads 