Lancaster, ON

Community Application Name:

Township of South Glengarry (Lancaster), ON

Location :

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 544, 119 Military Road Lancaster

Community Website :

Unveiling Date:

September 16, 2018

National Inventory of Canadian Military Memorials # :

Community Description:

The Township of South Glengarry has a population of 14,000+ people and is located 115 km from Ottawa. The community’s military history began in 1794 with the Royal Canadian Volunteer Regiment of Foot (Upper Canada Battalion) and later, in 1812, the Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles Regiment. In 1868 the 59th Stormont and Glengarry Battalion was organized with seven companies – No. 4 at Lancaster and No. 5 in Williamstown. In 1915 the 154th Battalion was authorized. A total of 166 Glengarrians were killed in WW I and their names are listed on the War Memorial in Lancaster. Claude Nunney who lived in North Lancaster (serving with the 38th Battalion C.E.F.) was awarded the V. C., the DCM and the MM during this war – RCL Branch 544 is named in his memory.

After WW I the 154th became the SD&G Highlanders of Canada Regiment and remains today as a reserve unit of 33 Brigade. An additional 42 Glengarrians made the supreme sacrifice during WW II and their names are also listed on the Lancaster War Memorial. Most recently Glengarry contributed soldiers to the conflict in Afghanistan. One of these soldiers, Sgt. Marc Leger, 3rd Battalion PPCLI, became one of the first Canadian casualties on April 18, 2002. The new LAV III Monument has been dedicated in his honour and displays a separate plaque bearing his name.

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