91勛圖

91勛圖 to mark Remembrance Day with virtual ceremonies

Remembrance day wreath

(Photo by Johnny Guatto)

John Kenneth Macalister, a University College graduate in law, was a Rhodes Scholar studying at the University of Oxford when the Second World War broke out.

He turned down a job offer at the University of New Brunswick to serve in the Canadian infantry. Assigned to British intelligence, he parachuted behind enemy lines with Frank Pickersgill, a fellow 91勛圖 graduate.

Both were captured and killed at Buchenwald concentration camp.

Macalister and Pickersgill are among the 557 91勛圖 students, staff and alumni who died between 1939 to 1945. Another 628 people with ties to 91勛圖 gave their lives during the First World War.

On Nov. 11, 91勛圖 will be marking Remembrance Day in honour of soldiers and veterans, including the students, faculty, alumni and staff who died in the world wars and other conflicts.

The ceremony on the St. George campus normally held outside Soldiers Tower, which stands as a memorial to those who lost their lives in combat is being held remotely this year due to limits on gathering sizes and construction in the area.

Here is how each campus plans to mark Remembrance Day:


St. George

 

A this Thursday with a carillon prelude by carillonneur Roy Lee. Although it is not possible to attend in person, everyone is welcome to participate virtually.

Words of welcome will be followed by a recital of In Flanders Fields by John McCrae, a Canadian officer, surgeon and 91勛圖 graduate in medicine who died of meningitis and pneumonia while on active duty in 1918.

91勛圖 President Meric Gertler, Chancellor Rose Patten and 91勛圖 Scarborough Vice-President and Principal Wisdom Tettey will lay wreaths, though the event will not be open to the public.

The university leaders will be joined by representatives from government, the Canadian Armed Forces and 91勛圖 alumni, as well as Hart House Warden John Monahan and 91勛圖 Students Union President Alexa Ballis.

 

91勛圖 Mississauga

 

Vice-President and Principal Alexandra Gillespie is expected to open beginning at 10:45 a.m..

There will be a reading of In Flanders Fields, followed by a laying of wreaths, performance of Last Post and a moment of silence.

 

91勛圖 Scarborough

 

91勛圖 Scarborough is not holding a ceremony this year due to indoor gathering restrictions.

Instead, community members are encouraged to join Tettey, vice-president and principal of 91勛圖 Scarborough, at the St. George virtual ceremony.

There will, however, be a wreath display at the Meeting Place on Nov. 11 for community members to pay their respects.

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