Service Members Join in Acts of Remembrance

Toronto Police members took part in acts of Remembrance leading up to November 11.

Chief Superintendent Mandeep Mann laid a wreath on behalf Toronto Police Service at the 18th annual Sikh Remembrance Day ceremony on November 2 at Mount Hope Cemetery in Kitchener.

“Events like these are vital in preserving and celebrating the diverse stories that shape our Canadian identity, and they remind us of the shared sacrifices that unite all who have served our country, regardless of background or faith,” he said. “It was heartening to see such an excellent turnout in remembrance of those who have paved the way for future generations through their courage and service.”

Sergeant Manny Chahal, of 23 Division, attended the ceremony.

“It was a meaningful opportunity to stand alongside community members and leaders in remembrance of those who paved the way for future generations through their courage and service,” he said.

The ceremony began to honour Private Buckam Singh, who was one of nine Sikh soldiers who served in the Canadian Army during the First World War.

Buckam Singh, who served with the 20th Canadian Infantry Battalion that comprised 4,300 officers, succumbed to tuberculosis in 1919 in a Kitchener hospital at age 25.

His grave is the only known one for a Sikh soldier in Canada.

Over 83,000 turban-wearing Sikh ally soldiers were killed and about 109,000 wounded in the two World Wars.

“These soldiers gave their lives to uphold core values in society such a peace, democracy, human rights, justice, the rule of law and, above all, freedom,” said Sandeep Singh Brar who is the Sikh Remembrance Day Chief Organizer.

A new Canada Post stamp paying tribute to Sikh Canadian soldiers was unveiled at the ceremony.

It features an illustration of a Canadian Sikh soldier paying his respects in remembrance of those who have served.

On November 8, three Toronto Police Service members joined a group of volunteers who were recast as World War I soldiers as part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force Remembrance Day event.

The group silently appeared at war memorials in the city dressed as WWI soldiers, and handed out information cards on some of the Canadians who gave their lives in service to their country to passersby. Beyond TPS members, the small group of reenactors, were made up of Toronto Fire Services, Army Reservists and community volunteers.

“We thought it was very unique to do some community engagement on that day,” said Toronto Police Military Veterans Association historian Constable Matthew Scarlino. “They showed up at the monuments with information cards from the TPS museum. We were creating awareness and personalizing those officers who died in World War 1.”

The Canadian Great War Society, that focuses on World War I history, organized the event in which TPS members represented soldiers from their service who died in the Great War.

Three Toronto officers who lost their lives in WWI were represented:

• James Gammack of No. 9 police station was killed in action in October 1915 during the Battle of Loos.
• William Arnold of No. 6 police station died in March 1916, nine days after being hit by a sniper’s bullet while serving on the frontline near Dickebusch, Belgium.
• Joseph Walden of No. 9 station, died in April 1915 of wounds suffered at Polygon Wood in Belgium.