Remembrance Day Ceremonies and Armouries Tour

The John W. Foote VC Armoury building is 100 years old this year. To commemorate Remembrance Day as well as the Armoury's anniversary, here is a photo tour of the parade and the building.

By Trey Shaughnessy
Nov. 23, 2006

Suburban Bureau: See more articles from this section

Remembrance Day Parade marching past Lister Block.
Remembrance Day Parade marching past Lister Block.

The crowd gathers to pay respect at the Gore Park Cenotaph.
The crowd gathers to pay respect at the Gore Park Cenotaph.

John W. Foote VC Armouries in Hamilton, Ontario on James Street North. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the building. Built in 1906 by Pigott Construction, it was the company's first non-residential building. An extensive tunnel system linked the building to Dundurn Castle. Some of the tunnel network still exists.
John W. Foote VC Armouries in Hamilton, Ontario on James Street North. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the building. Built in 1906 by Pigott Construction, it was the company's first non-residential building. An extensive tunnel system linked the building to Dundurn Castle. Some of the tunnel network still exists.

John Weir Foote VC Armoury, 200 James Street North

John Weir Foote VC Armoury, 200 James Street North

Building medallion
Building medallion

Inner courtyard
Inner courtyard

This corner detail looks very much like Pigott construction work.
This corner detail looks very much like Pigott construction work.

The caption reads:

Their name liveth for evermore
To the Glorious memory of the Officers, Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and men of the 91st Regiment Canadian Highlanders who in the path of duty died for the cause of humanity in the Great War.
1914 - 1918

The enormous front-gabled wooden roof with steel lattice covers the largest room in the building - 100 years old and no leaks. This room is used for training and large gatherings. In a time of crisis this room could be used to temporarily house many people with cots.
The enormous front-gabled wooden roof with steel lattice covers the largest room in the building - 100 years old and no leaks. This room is used for training and large gatherings. In a time of crisis this room could be used to temporarily house many people with cots.

Training floor
Training floor

Interesting stair detail
Interesting stair detail

Corporal Bill Mallinson, Aryll and Sutherland Highlanders
Corporal Bill Mallinson, Aryll and Sutherland Highlanders

Since 1862 Hamilton has had a military regiment. Hamilton's 13th Battalion was one of Canada's first armed forces. The Highland Rifle Company was one of the three rifle companies that comprised the 13th Battalion. In 1865 this Battalion was deployed to Fort Erie to defend the British Dominion from Irish Nationalist Fenians. It later became known as 13th Royal Regiment and then the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry.

Albainn Gu-Brath (Scotland forever – Gaelic). The crest motto of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders reflects the proud Scottish heritage of Scots-Canadians.
Albainn Gu-Brath (Scotland forever – Gaelic). The crest motto of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders reflects the proud Scottish heritage of Scots-Canadians.

Trey lives with his family in Hamilton and works as a graphic designer.

Discuss this Article

Read Comments

By MattM
Posted 11/25/2006 4:14:38 PM

I attended the ceremony. It was beautiful. Sadly I missed the march up James North. It would have been powerful to see them marching in front of Lister Block... a building that saw the victory parades after World War 2.

(Permalink)

By REMEMBER ME?
Posted 10/30/2007 6:24:38 PM

Take a look at National Steel Car's website tribute for Remembrance Day.
Go to: www.steelcar.com
Click on "Heritage" then click on "Remembrance Day, 2007".
It's really awesome. Web address below.

www.steelcar.com

(Permalink)

By Former Argyll
Posted 2/11/2008 12:10:56 AM

As someone who was once in the Argylls, I enjoyed this article immensely. The John V. Foote armory certainly is an architectural marvel even to this day. Until now, I had always thought that the rumor of the tunnel to Dundurn Castle was an urban legend. Now I know differently.

(Permalink)

Post a Comment

To post a comment:

Log into RTH Account
Username
Password
Post Anonymously
Screen Name
What do you get if you divide twelve by three? (type the numeral)
Leave this field blank
Comments
SP@M TEST (Please Leave Blank)

Account Management

This Issue
Nov. 23, 2006

Accidental Activist

Commentary

Cover

Digital Kayak

Downtown Bureau

Editorial

Entertainment and Sports

Ideas

Letters

Photo Essay

Reviews

Special Report: Peak Oil

Suburban Bureau

US Politics

Site Tools

Archive

RSS Feed Newsfeeds

ISSN: 1715-1554