The public are welcome to participate in a special event to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the nation-defining World War I battle that saw Canadian troops seize an enemy held ridge. The battle claimed the lives of 3,598 Canadian troops and wounded 7,000.
A delegation from France will arrive at Sydney City Hall on Thursday, March 23. They are marking the 100th anniversary by visiting several Cape Breton communities including Cheticamp, Sydney, Glace Bay, Port Morien and Louisbourg, following in the footsteps of Canadian solider John Arsenault, killed at Vimy in 1917. Their visit also recognizes the contribution of Percival Anderson of Big Baddeck, who served as Commanding Officer of Companies C and D of the 85th Battalion of Overseas Nova Scotia Highlanders who took Hill 145, where the Canadian Vimy Memorial now stands.
The public are invited to Sydney City Hall beginning at 11 a.m. on March 23. A proclamation will be made to twin Cape Breton Regional Municipality’s District 8 with Givenchy-en-Gohelle, the municipality that is home to Canada’s Vimy Memorial.