'Highway for Peace' commemorates famous Bruce County battalion
With a flourish, Bruce County officials unveiled the renaming of the highway connecting Walkerton and Chesley as the Highway for Peace on Friday.
“It's a fantastic commemoration put together by local historian Bill Streeter and great collaboration with the Bruce County Museum. And now we have these commemorative signs on County Road 19 every eight kilometers,” said Bruce County Warden, Chris Peabody.
Southampton military historian Bill Streeter was the driving force behind the renaming of Bruce County Road 19 in honour of the brave men who made up the 160th Bruce County Battalion, and fought in the First World War.
“The 160th was so special because it involved men all the way from Tobermory to Lucknow. Every hamlet, every village, every township - they are represented in that group,” said Streeter.
Streeter’s uncle was part of the 1,200 men who made up the 160th Battalion who marched from Walkerton to Chesley in June 1916 to receive their battalion colours and commemoration from then Ontario Premier, William Hearst. He said he petitioned for the renaming of the highway they walked to “Highway for Peace” because the Bruce County Battalion helped end the First World War.
County Road 19 between Chesley and Walkerton has been renamed the “Highway for Peace” in honour of the 160th Bruce County Battalion, November 8, 2024 (Scott Miller/CTV News London)
“When they got to England, they became part of the 100-day offensive… they were a big part of that, and that did bring about peace,” he said.
The new name means something to Ken Irwin as well, whose great uncle served in the 160th.
“Hopefully that inspires other people to think about history a little bit. And the thing about history is if we don't remember it, we'll repeat it. So we don't we never want that again,” said the Lucknow native.
“Unfortunately, the world is full of conflict right now, and it's very disheartening - and we don't hear the word peace very often. So, I think the Highway for Peace is actually perfect, because we need to think more on peace then actual conflict,” said Provincial Legion President Derek Moore, who was in Walkerton for Friday’s unveiling.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Former B.C. premier John Horgan dies at 65
Former B.C. premier John Horgan, who helped the provincial NDP return to power after 16 years on the sidelines, has died.
Body found in Montreal park identified as cryptocurrency influencer
The body of a man that was found in a park in the Ahunstic-Cartierville borough last month has been identified as cryptocurrency influencer Kevin Mirshahi.
What consumers need to know if Canada Post workers strike ahead of a busy holiday season
Canada's postal workers could walk off the job or the company could lock them out as soon as 12:01 a.m. ET Friday if the union and the company don't reach an agreement. Here are tips for shoppers and businesses.
B.C. teen with Canada's first human case of avian flu in critical condition, Dr. Bonnie Henry says
The teenager who contracted Canada’s first-ever human case of avian influenza is in hospital in critical condition, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Tuesday.
Bev Priestman out at Canada Soccer in wake of Olympic drone-spying scandal
Bev Priestman is out as coach of the Canadian women's soccer team in the wake of an independent report into the Olympic drone-spying scandal.
Ottawa high school principal apologizes for song played during Remembrance Day assembly
The principal of an Ottawa high school is apologizing to students, parents and guardians after an Arabic-language song was played during the school's Remembrance Day service. The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board is conducting a "thorough investigation" to ensure it "is addressed appropriately and meaningfully."
Black market butter: What's behind the recent string of dairy thefts?
The case of the missing butter remains a mystery, but some have ideas on what's behind the unusual crimes.
Feds move to end work stoppages at ports, order binding arbitration
Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon says he is intervening to end the work stoppages at ports in both British Columbia and Montreal.
23 arrested after at least 100 shots fired in exchange of gunfire outside Toronto recording studio: police
Police say 23 people are in custody after at least 100 shots were fired in an exchange of gunfire outside a West Queen West recording studio on Monday night.