Cairn reads: "Sir William Osler, Baronet, was born here on July 12, 1849 - A Great Physician - Erected by the Medical Historical Club of Toronto"

"Won Military Medal
The following letter gives details of Corporal Wm G. Spence's death and burial:
France Oct 8th, 1918
Mr. James Spence, Bradford, Ontario Canada
Dear Mr. Spence - it is my very painful duty to have to inform you that your son, No. 345884, Corp. W.G. Spence, was killed in action on the 28th Sept., 1918. He was killed while leading his gun crew forward taking part in the attack on enemy positions close to Bourlou Wood.
At a time like this one almost feels that words are useless, but I would like to express to you my sincere sympathy for you in your bereavement, and it is always nice to know that someone, other than oneself, has known and appreciated he who has gone. Corpl. Spence has been with this Company for quite a lone time now, and will be greatly missed by everyone. He was always well liked by the man, and as a N.C.O. [non-commissioned officer], I always found him all that could be desired.
I am glad to be able to tell you that since I commence to write you I have received notice that Corpl. Spence has been awarded the Military Medal for good work in a previous operation. I might tell you that he won this for very good work while taking part in the attack close to Arras on the 2nd Sept. 1918.
I am enclosing herewith a ring which Corpl. Spence left out of the line with one of the other men. He wished it to be sent to you.
It will doubtless be a consolation for you to know that he was buried in the British military cemetery at Quarry Wood, close to the Canal du Nord.
Again assuring you of my sincere sympathy, believe me to remain,
Yours very truly,
F.J. Burke,
Captain, O.C. "D" [Company], 38th [Canadian Infantry Battalion]."

Commemorative spoon head detail.

Description : The response to our book, Governor Simcoe Slept Here, has been overwhelming. It was never expected that our print run of 1,000 copies would be so well received. While there are still copies available, they are getting few in number. A sincere thank you to all who purchased a copy, or in many cases, more than 1 copy. Our appreciation also to those who have been in touch with us, to compliment us on the format and content of our book. This four-year project started in October of 2001, and culminated in our book launch on December 15th, 2005. Our publisher, Friesens and their representative Orland French provided assistance and guidance as we progressed along the path.

"Someone would like to thank you, Dr. Gilbert Blackwell of Bradford. Her name is Helen Michalowski, she lives in Toronto now, and she's almost 60. Twenty-two years ago, Helen was a recent immigrant from Poland and she brought her seven-month-old daughter, Mary, to your 72 Barrie Street office. Helen said her child was dying and you spotted a malignant cyst behind the baby's ear. You grabbed your coat and left the regular patients in the office to drive Helen and Mary to Sick Children's Hospital in Toronto, where an operation saved the young life. Helen was poor in those days and she couldn't afford to pay you. You said that was OK. But she never forgot. Helen went through a broken marriage, six major operations of her own, and now she's married a second time. Mary just graduated from the University of Toronto and she is working as a public health nurse. After all these years, Helen dropped into your office last week to pay you - but you wouldn't hear of it. You told her you were just pleased she had come to thank you and to hear that Mary is now in the business of helping people through medicine. You said money could not make you as happy. In broken English, Helen thanks you, Doctor: 'I'd like from the bottom of my heart to thank Dr. Blackwell. My girl has brought me so much happiness.This is priceless, what he did for me. God bless Dr. Blackwell forever.'"

"Lavish was the praise Monday night as approximately 200 Bradford residents gathered at the community centre to pay tribute to nine firefighters who have each given more than 30 years of service to the town..."

"While dignitaries gather at the war memorials in Normandy on Monday, June 6th a short but emotion-filled ceremony was held at the Cenotaph in Bradford. Between 50 and 60 veterans, their families, and members of the Royal Canadian Legion gathered for a Memorial Service led by Padre O. Hopkins, commemorating the 50th Anniversary of D-day. Among the dignitaries present was Mayor Pat Storey, who laid a wreath at the Cenotaph, in honor of the "boys who never came home." The Mayor was also on hand to confirm that the municipality, as part of the 50th Anniversary activities, will be following the recommendations of Chief of Police John Harrison, and renaming a number of streets after Bradford veterans. "It's something we've been trying to get on with for five years," commented Storey, noting that the proposed names have historical significance, as "the names of people that have contributed to our country and our community." Chief Harrison, who with Special Constable Les Bluestein, carried out the archival background research, told those gathered that following amalgamation, there were a number of duplicate street names in the town of Bradford West Gwillimbury. "Because of confusion in emergency situations, those street names have to be changed," the Police Chief said. Changing the names to honor veterans, living and dead, was an appropriate step, added. Councillors, in Committee of the Whole last night, voted to recommend the renaming of several streets after the veterans, "to honor those individuals while they are still living, and commemorate in part the 50th anniversary of D-Day." Barrie Street in West Gwillimbury will be known as Woolven Rd.; Centre Street in the marsh will be Noble St.; Church St. in Bond ...
(Page 2) ...Head - Booth St.; Simcoe Place i Bradford - Kneeshaw Place; Simcoe Road in Bond Head - Hopkins Rd.; Simcoe Street (the bend from Luxury to the canal) - Walker Avenue; Turner Rd in West Gwillimbury - Breeze Drive; and the Service Road on the north side of Highway 88 - McKinstry Road. For biographies of the veterans see pages 18 and 19."

"Innisfil township's first historical plaque was unveiled Sunday afternoon at the farm of Harold Webb on the 13th concession. The plaque commemorates Innisfil's part in 1853, of supplying the tree that would be the mast for the largest ship in the world -- the 693-foot Great Eastern. This 120 foot log was hauled to the water by ten teams of horses. The plaque was unveiled by Hilton and Judy Webb, fourth and fifth generation members of the Webb family."

"He was a special kind of man. A ready smile, a razor-sharp wit and a concern for his fellow man.... these were the engaging qualities of Frederick Christopher Cook, town councillor, churchman and fraternal brother. Fred Cook was an unassuming man, who reached out and touched the lives of thousands of people. His dedication to public service as a town councillor will be remembered by the many Bradford ratepayers who came to know him and trust him as a man of honesty and directness. Fred was a warm man, who understood people's problems and did all he could to solve them. Besides his open humbleness, he was a man who was concerned about the future of his community."

Lieutenant Governor Onley's wife Ruth Ann looking at a former Lieutenant Governor's wife; Elizabeth Gwillim Simcoe in the form of her commemorative statue at the official unveiling in Bradford West Gwillimbury.