U of T marks Remembrance Day 2023 across its three campuses

Remembrance Day services were held across the University of Toronto’s three campuses on Friday – one day ahead of Nov. 11 – to honour those who served and fell in the First and Second World Wars, as well as other conflicts.

On the St. George campus, members of the U of T community gathered at Soldiers’ Tower for a service that began with the playing of the tower’s 51-bell carillon. It was followed by an Indigenous land acknowledgement by Rev. Richard Ruggle and words of welcome by Daniel Hendrickson, chair of the Soldiers’ Tower committee.

The event included a performance of the Naval Hymn, a historical reading, a memorial day prayer by Imam Abdul Hai Patel, a reading of In Flanders Fields – written by U of T alumnus Lt.-Col. John McCrae – and a reflection by Rabbi Jonathan Jaffit.

U of T President Meric Gertler, Chancellor Rose Patten and Chair of Governing Council Anna Kennedy joined Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s deputy prime minister and finance minister, and other representatives from government, the Canadian Armed Forces, U of T alumni, students, staff and faculty in laying wreaths in honour of the fallen in the archway of Soldiers’ Tower.

A moment of silence was observed after the placing of the wreaths.

At U of T Mississauga, a ceremony was held in front of the Davis Building with Alexandra Gillespie, U of T Mississauga principal and U of T vice-president, in attendance.

The service at U of T Scarborough was held in the Meeting Place. It was attended by Wisdom Tettey, U of T Scarborough principal and U of T vice-president, and featured performances by the concert band, concert choir and string orchestra.

Here is how the Remembrance Day services were captured through the lenses of photographers at U of T: 

Members of the Canadian Armed Forces attended the Service of Remembrance on the St. George campus.

Chancellor Rose Patten, Vice-Chair of Governing Council Anna Kennedy and U of T President Meric Gertler attended the Remembrance Day ceremony on the St. George campus. The ceremony was also attended by Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s deputy prime minister and finance minister (second row). 

Members of the university community joined Alexandra Gillespie, U of T Mississauga principal and U of T vice-president (second from right), in placing wreaths during a Service of Remembrance in front of the Davis Building.

The Hart House choir performed near Soldiers’ Tower on the St. George campus.

Wreaths were laid near Soldiers’ Tower by representatives of U of T, government, the Canadian Armed Forces and other members of the university community.

Piper Rory Sinclair performed following the wreath laying near Soldiers’ Tower on the St. George campus.

Wisdom Tettey, U of T Scarborough principal and U of T vice-president, delivered remarks at the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Meeting Place at U of T Scarborough.

Capt. Angela Lam of the 25 Field Ambulance medical unit of the Canadian Armed Forces delivered a historical reading about a U of T alumnus who perished in the Italian campaign during the Second World War. 

Cpl. Steven Abra played the Reveille near the end of the ceremony on the St. George campus.