Picture courtesy of Government of Canada
Commemoration
Born in Ireland, Nunney was brought up in Lancaster Township, Glengarry. He enlisted in the 38th Battalion, C.E.F. in 1915 and in 1916 was sent to France where he won the Military Medal and Distinguished Conduct Medal. On September 1, 1918, his unit was heavily counter-attacked near Vis-en-Artois. On his own initiative Private Nunney went through the German barrage to the forward posts, where, by his fearless example, he encouraged his companions to repulse the enemy. During the Canadian attack on the following day, he was continually in the forefront, and "displayed throughout the highest degree of valour". Severely wounded, he died on September 18, and was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously.
Background
Claude Nunney was born on Christmas Eve, 1892. Although the plaque says he was born in Ireland, other sources trace his origin to Hastings, England. After his mother died in 1899, he was sent to Canada as a home child. This was a plan to send orphans and children who could not be cared for to various Dominions of the British Empire. Nunney was placed with Mrs Donald Roy McDonald in North Lancaster.
He is buried in the Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, a Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in France.
All his medals, including the VC, can be seen at the armoury in Cornwall, Ont.
This shows us how a community like Lancaster, carved from the wilderness in the late 18th century ,was thriving in the 20th century. The plaque also reminds us that immigration and war, the forces that created Ontario, continued to act on the community over a century later.