FOCUS - SEPTEMBER 2016 49 FOCUS - NOVEMBER 2018 49 16210 Island Rd., Port Perry • 905-985-8698 x 103 museum@scugog.ca • www.scugog.ca/museum In honour of those who served, In memory of those who fell, THANK YOU VETERANS. The whole town of Port Perry came out on May 24, 1935 to celebrate the opening of the new War Memorial Library, and pay homage to the town’s brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the first world war. How to honour them became one of the most important discussions after the war came to a close in 1918. One of the early considerations was to erect a memo- rial for war veterans near the GTR railway station. The memorial would feature a small wall with the big German gun mounted on a concrete base, and tablets with the names of those who died and served during the war. This idea never did come to fruition, although German guns were put on display in front of the post office and in the park near the station. Another idea to memorialize the areas young men who lost their lives during World War I, began about 1919 when a delegation approached Port Perry council suggesting the town purchase the former post office site (corner of Queen and John St.) to build a public library. Five years later, in June 1922 council purchased the corner property and tore down the old post office build- ing to build the communities War Memorial Library. Years went by with many delays, but finally on October 15, 1934, the cornerstone for the new War Memorial Library was placed by Mrs. W.H. Harris, Chairman of the War Memorial Library Committee. Port Perry Honours its World War I Veterans Crowds pack Queen and John Streets and areas surrounding the new War Memorial Library for the official opening on Friday May 24, 1935. ...................... Please turn to page 51