Monday Monuments and Memorials – John Hewitt Laird, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Quebec City

Memorial plaque to John Hewitt Laird, Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Quebec City

Every soldier tells a story.

John Hewitt Laird was the son of John and Julia Grace Irvine Laird, born in Quebec City. He attended Appleby College in Oakville, Ontario. When he attested in August 1916, he listed his profession as bank clerk. He was killed at Hill 70 on 15 August 1917, weeks before his 20^th birthday.

Monday Monuments and Memorials – Battle of Hill 70 Memorial, Mountain, ON

Hill 70 Memorial, Mountain, Ontario

Dedication stone, Hill 70 Memorial, Mountain, Ontario

Mountain Memorial Park is in use year round

Between 15 and 25 August 1917, the divisions of the Canadian corps captured and held Hill 70, a defensive position near Lens that had been held by the German Army since October 1914. While the April 1917 offensive at Vimy Ridge was the first time the Canadians fought together, Hill 70 was the first time they did so under Canadian command, that of Lt-Gen Arthur Currie.

The victory came at a high price. Over 9,000 Canadians were killed or wounded, as were an estimated 25,000 Germans. Six Canadians were awarded the Victoria Cross.

Yet the battle remains in the shadow of Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele, little known in Canada. Until the dedication of Hill 70 Memorial Park near Lens in 2017, a memorial in a park at 10480 Clark Rd in the village of Mountain (near Ottawa) was the only monument to the battle.

Monday Monuments and Memorials – Hill 70 Monument, Loos-en-Gohelle, France

Obelisk centrepiece of Hill 70 Memorial Park, France

Between 15 and 25 August 1917, the divisions of the Canadian corps captured and held Hill 70, a defensive position near Lens that had been held by the German Army since October 1914. While the April 1917 offensive at Vimy Ridge was the first time the Canadians fought together, Hill 70 was the first time they did so under Canadian command. Lt-Gen Arthur Currie has just assumed command.