Written By Jan Sims
MIDDLESEX CENTRE - Remembrance Day is traditionally marked in Middlesex Centre with ceremonies in Ilderton, Poplar Hill, and Delaware.
Since 2019, the Ilderton Lions Club has been putting up special banners along Ilderton Rd. to recognize the contributions of the men and women who have served their country. “The banners are primarily composed of local area veterans with some of the banners placed near where there is a personal attachment to the individual veteran,” says Murray McDonald with Ilderton Lions Club. “For example, Jack Paisley was one of the first banners to go up. It is located on Ilderton Road in front of the house he lived in at one time. Similarly, the banner honouring Glenn Reeve is placed on the road by the “Red Star” service station that Glenn once owned many years ago,” adds McDonald.
The initiative began with 19 banners, and it’s grown to include 31 banners in 2024. The Ilderton Lions Club began the project with the support of the local chapter of the Royal Canadian Legion.
“The banners are for the most part sponsored and funded by family members of the veterans. Our club procures, installs and maintains the banners,” says McDonald. One resident of Ilderton has sponsored as many as five banners, one of which, honours the memory of Thomas E. Robson who served with the 135th Battalion Middlesex Light Infantry. His service was prior to the First World War. We have banners honouring veterans who have served in both World Wars, Korea and peacekeeping,” adds McDonald.
