It is situated on Vimy Ridge (Hill 145) about eight kilometres north of Arras, France. The monument was designed and created by Toronto sculptor Walter S. Allward. On the “Wall of Defence” are inscribed the names of 11,285 Canadians killed in France during the First World War, whose last resting places were unknown.
One of the thousands of veterans who attended the unveiling was Abner Barnett Belyea. He was born in Gagetown, Queens County, New Brunswick, on 19 June 1898, son of Abner M. Belyea and Annie J. Wilson. Belyea enlisted on 24 September 1914 at Valcartier Camp and was assigned to the 1st Canadian Division Ammunition Column. His unit sailed overseas in October 1914 and served in France for the next four years including participation in the taking of Vimy Ridge in 1917.
The recent acquisition of Abner B. Belyea’s fonds included material related to the 1936 Pilgrimage including the Official Programme, photo album and other documents in part, due to his role as part of the Advance Pilgrimage Staff “A”.
