The Calgary Soldiers’ Memorial is a war monument honouring the efforts and sacrifices of Calgary soldiers who gave their lives for their nation. It is located on Memorial Drive, east of Poppy Plaza, between 10 St NW and 14 St NW, adjacent to the Bow River. Learn more about its history below. More on icalgary.net
Inception and Dedication
Planning for the memorial began in 2008, initially as a project to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Calgary Highlanders, a Canadian Army Primary Reserve infantry regiment. The original completion date was set for Remembrance Day in 2010.
By January 2010, over $700,000 had been raised through contributions from government, private sectors, and individual donors, alongside funds from the Enmax Legacy Parks program. A $5,000 donation came from the local Dutch-Canadian community, marking the 65th anniversary of Canada’s liberation of the Netherlands. Additional funds were raised through charitable runs like Loops for the Troops, established by Michael Hornburg (father of Nathan Hornburg, who died in Afghanistan in 2007), and a charity walk in 2009. Ultimately, over $1 million was collected for the project.
The memorial was officially unveiled on April 9, 2011, coinciding with the 94th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. This British offensive against German forces took place from April 9 to April 12, 1917, near the French town of Vimy.
The Canadian Corps successfully captured Vimy Ridge through technical and tactical innovations, meticulous planning, and extensive training. The battle marked the first time all four divisions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force fought together, becoming a symbol of Canada’s military achievement.
Design and Features
The sculpture, designed by Marc Boutin Architectural Collaborative, honours the sacrifices of Calgary soldiers who served in reserve regiments during the two World Wars and in Afghanistan. Six vertical marble tablets bear the names of over 3,000 fallen soldiers.
The memorial specifically commemorates the Calgary Regiment, the 41 Combat Engineer Regiment, the Calgary Highlanders, the 746 Communications Squadron, the 15 Field Ambulance, and the 10th and 50th Battalions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force.
LED architectural and accent lighting enhances safety and draws attention to the memorial. The marble tablets, illuminated by engraved names and the inscription “We Will Remember Them,” become even more striking at night.
Dates etched on a steel plate in front of the tablets highlight the battle honours of the regiments. Weather-resistant steel, which deepens to a rich brown over time, complements the memorial’s natural surroundings. The Bow River, Alberta’s expansive sky, and the seasonal hues of the river valley frame the memorial, creating a serene environment for reflection and remembrance.
One marble slab facing the river features a line from Canadian poet and Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae’s poem “In Flanders Fields”:
“We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow.”
Despite its positive reception, the design faced some criticism for inadequate contextual information about the sacrifices of the soldiers it commemorates.
In November 2011, Canada launched a program placing QR codes at war-themed public spaces. The Calgary Soldiers’ Memorial was chosen for this initiative, allowing visitors to scan a QR code and view videos of Lieutenant Colonel Russell Lambert Boyle and Private John George Pattison, whose names are engraved on the tablets.
A Component of the Memorial Drive Project
The Calgary Soldiers’ Memorial is part of the broader “Memorial Drive – Landscape of Memory” project, initiated in 2004 to rejuvenate a nine-kilometre stretch of Memorial Drive.
As part of the project, aging poplar trees planted along Memorial Drive in 1922 to honour fallen soldiers of the First World War were replaced with new saplings. Enhancements included updated lighting and the addition of metal sculptures at the intersection of Memorial Drive and 10 St NW.
The memorial is adjacent to Poppy Plaza, which honours Canadians who served to protect freedom and security. As the first major public gathering site in the Memorial Drive revitalization plan, Poppy Plaza features steel panels etched with illuminated quotes from global leaders and Canadian citizens, reflecting themes of honour, hope, and sacrifice during wartime.
The plaza serves as both a commemorative site and a public space, with rust-coloured steel panels lining its riverside pathways. The entire Memorial Drive – Landscape of Memory project cost $9.2 million.
The Calgary Soldiers’ Memorial is accessible to drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. Across the Bow River, the Mewata Armoury—once a recruitment point for many Canadian soldiers—stands as a testament to Calgary’s military history.
Community Events
On April 8, 2017, a parade marked the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Over 300 soldiers from Calgary’s reserve units, alongside British troops from the Suffield Army Training Unit, marched from the Mewata Armoury to the memorial. Lieutenant Governor Lois Mitchell highlighted the contributions of Canadian soldiers and acknowledged the often-overlooked role of the British Army at Vimy Ridge.
In 2020, the British Consulate hosted a 24-hour global relay marathon to raise funds for COVID-19-related organizations. The Calgary Soldiers’ Memorial served as the starting point for this event.