Canada’s Commemorative Map
Many places throughout our country are named to remember the actions of Canadians in the defence of freedom and democracy. This interactive map shows how we remember them – eternally tying them to the lands, lakes, rivers and towns for which they made the ultimate sacrifice.
The map commemorates Canada’s participation in armed conflicts at home and abroad by highlighting a sample of the many geographical features and places named for those that served our country. The map represents ongoing efforts to memorialize Canadians that have played notable roles in Canada’s war and peacekeeping efforts.
The federal, provincial and territorial members of the Geographical Names Board of Canada are committed to remembering and commemorating Canada’s participation in conflicts, and the sacrifice of the men and women involved. We would like to invite Canadians to add to this representative sample of names by highlighting names that do not yet appear on the map, as well as by nominating new place names for loved ones that passed in service. This evergreen map will bring together in ongoing remembrance past and current contributions in the service of Canada.
Remembering with Geographical Names
Canada’s Commemorative Map
Geographical names provide a visible and enduring way to remember the stories associated with Canada’s participation in conflicts and battles, and as a way to recognize personal sacrifice and heroism of armed forces personnel and civilians involved in these conflicts.
This map is important in two broad yet connected ways. First, place names are ubiquitous, they hide in plain sight. They surround us, but we rarely take a second look at their meaning or significance. Second, most of the names on this map are war dead from the First and Second World Wars. There is no one alive from the Great War, and those who fought in World War II are in their mid-nineties. We are losing our living links to the past; the task of commemoration and remembrance is being put on the shoulders of the living: us. This project is a reminder of our role.
Combining geographical names with remembrance is a reflection of the way in which Canadians honour our war dead. Our geography, lands and waters are part of the Canadian psyche. Naming these places after heroes, battles, military units and warships honours the fallen in respectful and enduring remembrance, and links their actions to the land and country for which they fought.
Confederation to 1914
Conflicts at home such as the Red River Rebellion (1869) and the North-West Rebellion (1885) in present-day Saskatchewan and Alberta, and abroad during the South African War (1899-1902) claimed the lives of numerous Canadians. Canada has commemorated some of these people by naming geographical features after them, and by recognizing many historically significant battles sites.
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First World War
Over 650,000 men and women from Canada and Newfoundland served during the First World War (1914-1918). More than 66,000 gave their lives, and over 172,000 were wounded. Canadians and Newfoundlanders participated in many significant battles, such as Ypres, Beaumont Hamel, the Somme, and Vimy Ridge. Remembrance of these gallant actions is reflected and commemorated in the names of hundreds of geographical features across Canada. The year 2018 marked the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice to end the First World War.
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Remembrance Moments: Canada Remembers The Battle of the Somme
Second World War
More than one million Canadians and Newfoundlanders served during the Second World War (1939-1945). Over 45,000 people lost their lives, and another 55,000 were wounded. In 1947, the federal government established a program to honour Canadians killed in action by officially naming geographic locations and features in their memory. Thousands of features are named after Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy, and Royal Canadian Air Force service members killed in battles such as Dieppe, Normandy, Ortona, Calais, the Battle of Britain, and the Battle of the Atlantic. 2020 marked the 75 th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Visit Veterans Affairs Canada for a wealth of resources on key milestones and battles that led to the war’s conclusion, such as the Battle of the Atlantic in 1939 and the Dieppe Raid in 1942.
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Remembrance Moments: Canada Remembers The Dieppe Raid
Korean War
More than 26,000 people from the Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian Army participated in the Korean War (1950-1953) as part of a United Nations force. Canada's contributions in Korea demonstrated our willingness to take up arms in support of peace and freedom. In all, 516 Canadians lost their lives during the conflict. The year 2018 marked the 65 th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended active fighting in Korea.
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Remembrance Moments: Canada Remembers The Korean War
Peacekeeping Operations
The Canadian military has participated in many United Nations (UN) missions to support peace and stability around the world. One of the longest-running international commitments ever undertaken by Canada is in Golan Heights of Syria . More than 12,000 Canadians have served there since the UN peace mission began in 1974. Four Canadian peacekeepers have lost their lives in Syria.
In the 1990’s to the early 2000’s, Canada participated in a large UN peacekeeping force to deter the violence in the Balkans , particularly in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. In the Balkans, 23 Canadian peacekeeping troops lost their lives in various missions, and many more were injured.
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Afghanistan
In Afghanistan , between 2001 and 2014, more than 40,000 Canadian Armed Forces members served - the largest overseas deployment since the Second World War. Canadians participated in actions in Kabul, the country’s capital, and in the volatile Kandahar province. Sadly, 158 Canadian Armed Forces members died in the cause of peace and freedom in Afghanistan.
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Remembering with Geographical Names
It has long been a practice in Canada to name geographical features in honour of the men and women of the Canadian military who have died in service of their country. These commemorative geographical names help us remember war casualties, soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen, military leaders, and civilians recognized or decorated for outstanding acts of bravery and sacrifice in battle. These names also commemorate notable battles in which Canada participated, and Canadian military units, regiments, squadrons, and ships in which Canadians served.
