Mount Forest Legion unveils new mural

Mount Forest Legion Branch 134 unveiled a  mural depicting the story of Canadian war efforts, intertwined with local history,  at a dedication ceremony last  Saturday.

The mural, the latest completed by local artist Cliff Smith, features scenes from the First and Second World Wars right up to the conflict in Afghanistan. It is comprised of 14 large panels and includes large portraits of two local Victoria Cross recipients.

Other panels feature battle scenes, tanks and planes made in Canada, battleships and a ship made in Newfoundland before it joined Confederation.

In the final panel a solider is seemingly stepping right out of the mural.

“I decided to break it into sections,” Smith said, “using piping as black lines to ‘flow’ the piece together.”

He began the mural in January, completing it just last month. It completely fills the wall of the Legion on King Street West.

Smith explained a little background on each of the panels to those gathered in the sweltering sun for the June 4 unveiling.

He  said he was “extremely happy to finally get a commission and have one of my murals in Mount Forest.”

Smith has done several murals currently displayed in Arthur, dubbed Canada’s most patriotic village, and has another one in the works for that community.

The Mount Forest mural features the Victoria Cross and portraits of Captain Frederick William Campbell and Samuel Lewis Honey, Wellington North natives who were posthumously awarded the highest military honour that can be awarded to soldiers of the Commonwealth. Only 71 Canadians were honoured with the award during WWI.

And though he is well-known for his portrayal of war in the Arthur murals and now in Mount Forest, Smith said “hopefully we can get past this atrocious way of solving differences.”

Legion branch president Kathleen MacRobbie said,  “We are very excited to showcase this piece of work to tell our local story on our building.”

The Mount Forest Legion received a $2,500 Public Art Grant from the Community Improvement Program offered through the township to help beautify businesses and downtowns of Wellington North.

Wellington North Mayor Andy Lennox talked about the sacrifices of those in previous conflicts as well as those involved in recent conflicts.

“It’s important we have tools, like this mural, to help people remember those sacrifices,” Lennox said.

The Mount Forest Legion Colour Party and Air Cadets Cynthia Comeau, Noah Benn and Shane Peters took part in the June 4 unveiling and dedication ceremony.

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