Ottawa Memorial facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ottawa Memorial |
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| Commonwealth War Graves Commission | |
The Ottawa Memorial (Ottawa, Canada)
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| For missing World War II Canadian air personnel | |
| Unveiled | 1 July 1959 |
| Location | 45°26′27.08″N 075°41′45.90″W / 45.4408556°N 75.6960833°W near |
The Ottawa Memorial is a special monument located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It remembers nearly 800 brave men and women who served in the Air Forces of the Commonwealth. These service members sadly lost their lives during World War II while training or serving in Canada, the West Indies, and the United States. The memorial is especially for those whose graves are unknown.
This important monument stands on Sussex Drive, looking over the Ottawa River near the Rideau Falls. Queen Elizabeth II, who was the Queen of Canada at the time, officially opened it on July 1, 1959. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission takes care of the memorial today.
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Remembering Air Force Heroes
The Ottawa Memorial lists the names of 798 men and women. These individuals were part of Commonwealth air forces and died in or over Canadian territory during World War II.
What the Memorial Looks Like
The memorial has two curved walls that form a semi-circle. These walls surround a small pool of water. In the middle of the pool, there is a sculpture of the world with an eagle sitting on top. The names, ranks, and home countries of almost 800 service members are carved onto these walls. Their names are listed by the year they died.
Why This Memorial Matters
During World War II, air power became very important for both attacking and defending. At the start of the war, there weren't enough planes or trained pilots. The United Kingdom was thought to be too risky for training because of attacks. So, training centers were set up in safer places like North America.
Over 137,000 air crew members from Commonwealth countries were trained at bases in North America. This training was a huge help for the Allied victory. Also, important planes and supplies were sent from the United States and Canada to the United Kingdom. Both civilians and air force members helped with this effort.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is a group that looks after graves and memorials. They care for about 1.7 million Commonwealth service members who died in the two world wars. These memorials are found in about 150 countries around the world. The people remembered at the Ottawa Memorial, and other places, came from many different faiths and backgrounds.
