Description : It was a magnificent effort: for 4 years, volunteers with the Bradford West Gwillimbury Local History Association and the community at large worked together as the "WEGWHIST" team, putting together a History of West Gwillimbury. The result was a 2-volume set, Governor Simcoe Slept Here: The Legacy of West Gwillimbury, containing the stories, records and photographs of the families that settled the Township. MP Peter Van Loan flew in to attend, and praised the book as a "remarkable and strong community project - a gift from older generations to younger generations. I commend you all, and I congratulate you all." The book was published by Friesens Corporation of Altona, Manitoba, thanks to seed money provided by the Municipal council, an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant, and contributions from Patrons. George Jackson, who chaired, co-ordinated and drove the process from the beginning thanked a long list of those involved.

"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..."

Description of the annual outdoor service held at Auld Kirk, celebrating the 180th year since it's founding. Also has a brief history on the Scotch Settlement.

"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."

Hilliard Fennell, son of James Fennell, served in the infantry during the First World War.

"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]."

Plaque displayed at the Elizabeth Gwillim Statue, on the corner of John and Barrie Streets in Bradford, giving recognition to all those who helped to fund the project.

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.

This commemorative plaque stands beside the Elizabeth Simcoe Statue, erected by the Gwillim Group with help from sculptor Brenda Wainman Goulet on the corner of John and Barrie Streets in Bradford.