WWI Memorial Plaque

[James P]

That is an amazing memorial plaque and I heartily applaud that you have taken it into safe care and custody for all these years. There are endless "right things" that can been done with it beyond mounting on a back wall, and it would to great to see it used as a learning/teaching vehicle for students, track down relatives of the fallen, remount in a armoury or rededicated by a unit that has the most persons listed on it. Have Veterans Affairs recognize the plaque of HISTORIC significance and set it in the CWM alongside the huge (and similar) T. Eaton Memorial plaque in the Lebreton Gallery (my favourite suggestion). Anyways I once more thank you for "doing the right thing" in the past by saving it and hope it is given a fitting and respectful place for display into the future.

[Grant Bowker]

Dominion Express seems to have been in the freight/courier business. Founded 1873, independent until 1882 when they were bought by Canadian Pacific Railway. Operated as Canadian Pacific Express from 1926. Later merged with Smith Transport, then converted to Interlink Transport about 1994 and seems to have ceased operation about 1997.
Canadian Pacific’s Dominion Express had a building put up on the northwest corner of Simcoe and Wellington streets (Toronto) in 1914. Given that the OP is Toronto based this might be the source building. They also built in Montreal about the same time. Dominion Express probably had buildings in other major Canadian cities as well as offices in many train stations (particularly those served by CP?).
Sources: http://www.dardpi.ca/wiki/index.php?...xpress_Company
http://www.trha.ca/trha/exploring-th...-express-sign/
https://spectrum.library.concordia.ca/492/
http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrain...s/history.html
http://www.imtl.org/montreal/buildin...on_Express.php

[David Dunlop]

Might be worth taking a close look around all the edges and back, as there might be foundry markings on it from the company that cast the plaque. If so, they might lead you somewhere regarding the history behind it.

David

[benamucke]

Originally Posted by James P

That is an amazing memorial plaque and I heartily applaud that you have taken it into safe care and custody for all these years. There are endless "right things" that can been done with it beyond mounting on a back wall, and it would to great to see it used as a learning/teaching vehicle for students, track down relatives of the fallen, remount in a armoury or rededicated by a unit that has the most persons listed on it. Have Veterans Affairs recognize the plaque of HISTORIC significance and set it in the CWM alongside the huge (and similar) T. Eaton Memorial plaque in the Lebreton Gallery (my favourite suggestion). Anyways I once more thank you for "doing the right thing" in the past by saving it and hope it is given a fitting and respectful place for display into the future.

James, I've thought of giving it to the ROM but for now I will hang on to it. The Ottawa one is to far for me, although it probably is the best place for this plaque.
Ben

[James P]

If it is a question of getting the Dominion Express Plaque from your location to Ottawa I would gladly drive down and deliver it to the CWM, the offer is open and unconditional. It is like it (and all other "orphaned" plaques like your plaque) is meant to be on display alongside the T.Eaton Memorial plaque, it just looks right on so many levels.

http://www.warmuseum.ca/collections/artifact/1369276/

[maple_leaf_eh]

Send an email to Carol Reid at the CWM. You may use my name. She will send you a description and offer form. Like everything in Ottawa, there is a committee that accepts or declines donations. Be as articulate as you can and give their classification people as much research as you can. Not calling them lazy, but doing the leg work will ease the decision.

The current management doesn't accept everything people offer. For instance, she has nearly a hundred of the Feb 1917 Vimy Ridge map sheets. Most were carried by ordinary soldiers, with little to distinguish one sheet from the next. You might have good luck if (as I jest) it was carried in LtCol Smythe-Biteme's left breast pocket next to the picture frame of his sweetheart in Moose Lick, Manitoba. And, his battalion valiantly was the first over the top, the first to their objectives and the last to be relieved, thanks to his impressive leadership ... (cough) (cough)

[benamucke]

Terry I think I will hang on to this WWI plaque for now. I have some plans of what to do.
Ben

[Brian Gough]

Veteran Affairs Canada has a National Inventory of Canadian Military Memorials numbering more than 7500. The database is searchable.

http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/rememb...dian-memorials

Ben, I didn't find your Dominion Express Company plaque listed. It might be worthwhile to register it there.

Cheers,

Brian

[benamucke]

Thanks for the link, will post information there.
Ben