“As to our duty, all are agreed,” declared Sir Robert Borden, Prime Minister of Canada, on August 14, 1914, as he announced Canada’s intentions to enter World War I (WWI). Even though Canada had been its own country since 1867, its external affairs were still governed by the United Kingdom. This meant that once Britain declared war, Canada automatically followed, with Canadians enlisting from across the country, eager to “do their bit.” At that time, however, the United States did not immediately share this commitment and remained neutral until 1917.
During that same period, President Woodrow Wilson delivered a message to Congress on August 19, 1914, declaring the neutrality of the United States in WWI, until he later asked Congress to declare war against Germany on April 2, 1917, citing “a war against mankind; it is a war against all nations.” Twenty-two years later, in 1939, the United States remained neutral until the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor in December 1941, when it declared war on Japan and became fully engaged in World War II (WWII) a few days later.
Despite periods of U.S. neutrality, many Americans personally sympathized with Britain, France and their allies, and some chose to join the fight alongside their neighbours to the north. In the early years of WWI, more than 2,200 Americans from New England states volunteered for service in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). In fact, some battalions were formed entirely of American volunteers, including the 97th Battalion, CEF, famously nicknamed “The American Legion”. These volunteers served on both the western and Siberian fronts as soldiers, nurses, engineers, and stretcher bearers. During WWII, approximately 35,000 Americans volunteered, serving in all branches of the Canadian Armed Forces.
But how many New Englanders remember this history?
A grassroots organisation based in Massachusetts—the British and Commonwealth Remembrance Project (BCRP)–is committed to honouring this legacy by preserving and caring for the war graves of British and Commonwealth forces buried in the United States. In partnership with the Consulate General of Canada in Boston, BCRP has developed a plaque to honour American soldiers who served in the Canadian Armed Forces in both World Wars, symbolizing the longstanding defence relationship between the United States and Canada.
The plaque found its home at Old North Church in Boston’s North End, an Episcopal (Anglican) mission church built in 1723. Best known for its role in Paul Revere’s midnight ride, the church has long held strong ties to Britain. Some members of the congregation have familial ties to Britain and Canada, including the current vicar of Old North Church, Revd. Matthew Cadwell, whose uncle served with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in WWII.
On October 29, 2024, a public dedication ceremony for the plaque was held in the church’s memorial garden, which was created in 2006 as the first public memorial in the United States honouring American lives lost in the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Canada’s Consul General, Bernadette Jordan, delivered remarks honouring the many Americans who died serving with Canadian Armed Forces, highlighting our enduring bilateral defence and security partnership. The Consul General was joined by Robert Santiago, Commissioner of Veteran Services for the City of Boston, and James Normington, President of the British and Commonwealth Remembrance Project.
We Remember.