Each Remembrance Day, we pause not just for names on a stone, but for lives changed and futures built. In Burlington and across Canada, the legacy of WWII heroes continues to shape our freedom and future. Here are three stories worth knowing.
Garth Webb (1918–2012)
A D-Day veteran with the 14th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, Webb landed on Juno Beach at Bernières-sur-Mer. Upon returning to Canada, he spearheaded the creation of the Juno Beach Centre in Normandy — a Canadian memorial and education centre honouring those who served. His legacy reminds us that global events are rooted in everyday communities.
John MacMillan Stevenson Patton GC (1915–1996)
Raised in the Burlington–Hamilton region, Patton was an engineer in the Canadian Army during the Battle of Britain who bravely handled unexploded bombs in urban areas. Awarded the George Cross for his actions, his story illustrates the quiet courage that helps safeguard home and community.
Alex Polowin (1924–2022)
Joined the Royal Canadian Navy at age 17, protected Atlantic convoys and participated in the D-Day effort. After the war he became a passionate educator, sharing his story with generations of students and ensuring that Canada’s contributions—and sacrifices—remain alive in our history and memory.
Why These Stories Matter Here
In Burlington, the names of local service-people from WWII are etched into our cenotaphs and memorials. Their sacrifices built the freedom and community we enjoy today. The stories above help bring those names and sacrifices to life—they’re not just distant history—they’re part of our shared heritage.
A Call to Remember
This Remembrance Day, let’s honour more than the past. Let’s live our gratitude in the present, community by community, story by story.
Lest we forget.
