Stratford cannons have historical significance by Nancy Musselman
Ever wonder about the two cannons at the cenotaph, or in Upper Queens Park?
In Nov 14, 1864 the City Council moved that the clerk ask the lieutenant governor for one or more of the guns captured from the Russians in the Crimean War and given to the province for distribution.Dec 5 1864: Government advised Council that the town would be allowed one cannon
Feb 7 1865: Account of William Easson for removing cannon from station to Market Square $5 paid. Was moved later to Shakespeare Square.
Mar 5 1866: William Easson paid $21 for maintaining cannon
Dec 12, 1864: Russian cannon arrived at the station, weighs 12,000 pounds. Came from Montreal free of rail charges, due to the kindness of CJ Brydges general manager of GTR.
Dec 23 1864: Cannon was placed in front of the town hall. Accompanied from the train station by red coats and green coats.
Russian trophy cannons were allocated to Canada in the 1860s. Specifics of the Russian Gun from the Crimean War: Year of fabrication 1845. The deep gouge on the left side of the muzzle was probably inflicted by a direct hit by Allied (British/French) artillery fire.
Cannon Upper Queens Park GR3 George third from War of 1812 or Napoleonic War.
Cannon by War Memorial GR3 from War of 1812 or Napoleonic war Markings.
Two First World War cannons in front of the armoury were scrapped at the beginning of the Second World War for the metal to be used for the war.
Information from the Beacon Herald 1982 printed that one of our former mayors, Peter Robinson Jarvis, was asked how he got the cannon through the Canadian
government as a symbol to inspire patriotism in Stratford youth. It had been captured by the British from the Russians in the Crimean War.
What is the significance of the double-headed eagle symbol that is cast into the body of the cannon? It was the symbol of Imperial Russia from around 1474 to 1918. The double-headed eagle had actually first been developed by the Roman Empire in the 4th Century. At that time, the Roman Empire had split, and the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) adopted the symbol to indicate its presence was covering two parts of the world.
In 1453, the Russian, Ivan III, married Sophia, the only niece of the last Byzantine Emperor, and because of this marriage, Moscow became known as the Third Rome; the last remaining Christian empire in Europe. Not long after this marriage, the double-headed eagle became the Imperial Russian symbol and remained so until the Bolshevik Revolution in 1918. The crest on the cannon shows St. Peter slaying a dragon. The Crimean War should have a slightly familiar ring to it; Russia was on one side of the conflict, and Britain, France, Turkey, and Sardinia were on the other.
There are also symbolic reasons why cities may want war souvenirs. For example, owning artifacts from a particular war can serve as a symbol of victory or defeat, depending on the outcome of the conflict. In some cases, cities may seek to acquire souvenirs from defeated enemies as a way of asserting their won power and dominance. In other cases, acquiring souvenirs from victorious battles may be seen as a way of celebrating the city's role in achieving its own power and dominance. In other cases, acquiring souvenirs from victorious battles may be seen as a way of celebrating the city's role in achieving victory.
Finally, there is a sense of nostalgia associated with war souvenirs. Even in times of peace, people are often drawn to artifacts from past conflicts, whether as a way of connecting with the past or as a reminder of the sacrifices made by previous generations. For cities, acquiring war souvenirs can be a way of tapping into this sense o nostalgia and using it to build a sense of community and shared identity.
In conclusion, there are many reasons why cities may want war souvenirs, including commemoration, historical significance, civic pride, tourism, symbolism, and nostalgia. While the desire to acquire these artifacts may be motivated by a variety of factors, their value as tangible connections to the past cannot be denied. For cities like Stratford, possessing souvenirs can serve as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by previous generations and the important role that the city has played in shaping the course of history.
This information is from Stratford City Council 1864: