St. Paul’s Cathedral has a long and honoured tradition of remembering and celebrating the service and sacrifice of those from the London community who answered the call in times of war and conflict.
At the front of the Nave, beside the Lady Chapel, rests the Book of Remembrance — a treasured, hand-lettered, leather-bound volume dedicated in 1950 to beloved parishioners who made the ultimate sacrifice in the First and Second World Wars. This memorial book preserves photographs, biographical details, and personal stories so that future generations may know the lives of those who gave their lives for peace and freedom.
As the Garrison Church of the 4th Battalion of The Royal Canadian Regiment (4RCR), St. Paul’s continues to be a spiritual home for serving and retired members of the Canadian Armed Forces and their families. The Cathedral is also the custodian of historic military colours belonging to several former London regiments, including units such as the 7th Battalion Fusiliers, Middlesex Light Infantry, and multiple battalions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force from the First World War. These colours, laid up within the Cathedral, are honoured as enduring symbols of loyalty, duty, and remembrance.
The Cathedral’s commitment to remembrance extends beyond books and colours: its architecture and memorial spaces reflect a deep reverence for service and sacrifice, bearing witness to the ways both world wars shaped families and communities throughout Canada and abroad.
St. Paul’s remains a place where the memory of military service is held with dignity and gratitude — ensuring that those who served are remembered with honour and prayer.
An article mentioned in the Lent and Easter 2019 Chimes
Written by Greg T. Childs, CD, Major (Retired)
Regimental Major of The Essex and Kent Scottish
Member of the St. Paul’s Cathedral’s Wardens’ Team