Highway For Peace Unveiled in Bruce County

On Friday, November 8, 2024, community members joined local historians and officials in Walkerton for the unveiling of the designation of Bruce County Road 19 as the "Highway for Peace", in tribute to the 160th Bruce Battalion that fought in the First World War.

The 160th Bruce Battalion, part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, featured close to 1,200 young men from across Bruce County. On June 3, 1916, the Battalion marched 16 miles from Walkerton to Chesley, on Bruce Road 19, to receive the Battalion Colours and Banner in a ceremonial presentation by then-Ontario Premier William Hearst. On June 5, 1916, the young soldiers again marched along Bruce Road 19 to return to Walkerton. The Battalion would depart Walkerton on June 12, 1916 for training in England and then an eventual arrival at the war front in Belgium and France.

More than 100 of these young soldiers are named on cenotaphs throughout Bruce County and hundreds more returned with lives changed by the burden of war.

Following a recent presentation and proposal by local Southampton historian G. William (Bill) Streeter, Bruce County Council approved the designation of Bruce County Road 19 as the "Highway for Peace". In time for Remembrance Day on Monday, November 11, Bruce County has installed commemorative signage approximately every 8 kilometres in both directions along Bruce Road 19, marking the historic journey of the 160th Bruce Battalion.

"Thank you to our local historians and heritage experts who work with such passion and community-spirit to preserve the significant history and culture of Bruce County," said Bruce County Warden Chris Peabody. "With this memorial designation, we honour the sacrifices and contributions of the 1,200 young soldiers of the 160th Bruce Battalion, who helped shape Bruce County into what it is today."

For more information about Bruce County Veterans, please visit www.bruceremembers.org.

For more information about Remembrance Day services with your local Royal Canadian Legion, please visit www.legion.ca.