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Efforts to Preserve War Memorials at Hudson’s Bay Stores
A Toronto attorney is advocating for the preservation of war memorials located at two Hudson’s Bay stores. E. Patrick Shea, who is also a member of the senate for the 48th Highlanders of Canada and the secretary for the RCAF Foundation, aims to ensure that tributes honoring Bay and Simpsons employees who lost their lives in the Second World War are protected and maintained.
The Toronto Hudson’s Bay store features a memorial dedicated to staff members of Simpsons, a historic department store acquired by the Bay in 1978. This memorial, situated near a set of elevators, displays a list of individuals who made the “supreme sacrifice,” accompanied by two Canadian flags and a wreath of poppies, highlighted with a banner reading, “lest we forget.”
Similarly, at the Calgary location set to close by June 15, a bronze plaque lists the names of many Hudson’s Bay employees who died during the war. Shea emphasizes the importance of these memorials, stating, “Most people just see names on a wall, but behind every one of those names is a story.”
Reflecting on the individuals remembered in these plaques, Shea noted that nearly 100 names appear across both memorials, with many of these soldiers having been just 18 or 19 years old when they enlisted. Given the passage of time, most of the contemporaries who knew them are also long gone. “Some may have had children, but even their children would be well into their 80s now,” he added. He believes that these memorials represent the last remnants of their memory and deserve to be displayed prominently.
As Hudson’s Bay prepares to close a significant number of its locations and divest from various assets, Shea is concerned that these memorials could be neglected or forgotten. He has underscored that the downtown Toronto store is not scheduled for closure, allowing for continued visibility for the Toronto memorial. The company is expected to return to court soon to request permission for an auction of approximately 1,700 art pieces and over 2,700 artifacts.
When asked about the future of the memorials, Hudson’s Bay spokesperson Tiffany Bourré stated that the company is “deeply mindful” of the cultural significance of its artifacts. The company is currently consulting with advisors to ensure that any memorials will be handled in a manner that respects all stakeholders’ interests.
RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust, which manages the Calgary site through a joint venture with Hudson’s Bay, did not comment on the matter. Similarly, the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board, whose subsidiary Ontrea Inc. is the landlord for the downtown Toronto store, did not respond to inquiries regarding the memorials. However, Cadillac Fairview, a subsidiary that operates a range of properties including the Hudson’s Bay headquarters, expressed a commitment to supporting the preservation of any artifacts that come under its control.
Shea, whose remarkable connection to Hudson’s Bay includes a mother who spent four decades with the company, stressed his desire to keep these memorials within the communities where they currently reside. He envisions the Simpsons tower at 401 Bay Street as a fitting location for the Toronto memorial, while the Military Museums in Calgary could be an appropriate home for the Alberta memorial. Curator Alison Mercer confirmed that the Military Museums could be a suitable venue for such artifacts.
If Shea’s initiative succeeds, it would not mark the first time he has preserved a memorial; he previously ensured the safety of a commemoration at a decommissioned mill in Thorold, Ontario, dedicated to Ontario Paper Company employees who fell during the First World War.
Source
globalnews.ca