Stouffville clock tower bell to toll 100 times Nov. 11

Bell will start tolling at 4:55 p.m. to mark anniversary of the end of First World War

Yorkregion.com
November 6, 2018
Simon Martin

In memory of the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, the Royal Canadian Legion Stouffville Branch 459, in partnership with the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, will ring the Clock Tower bell 100 times beginning at sunset on Sunday, Nov. 11.

The tribute is part of the Royal Canadian Legion’s “Bells of Peace -- A Remembrance of Those Who Served in the First World War” tribute happening across the country by all legion branches.

“On Nov. 11, 2018, 100 years will have passed since the end of the Great War,” Bernie Bourgeois, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 459 Poppy Campaign Chairman said. “Ringing the Clock Tower bell will allow residents to stop, if only for a moment, to remember and feel the joy that peace brought after so many years of war.”

The bell will begin to toll at sunset, 4:55 p.m., next Sunday; they will toll five seconds apart. A small ceremony will accompany the tribute at the Clock Tower.

“On Nov. 11, 1918, bells spontaneously erupted all across Britain and the Commonwealth as an outpouring of relief when the war ended,” Bourgeois said. “The Bells of Peace initiative is designed to emulate that moment of remembrance in honour of veterans who served in [the First World War].”

The Bells of Peace initiative is supported by Veterans Affairs Canada, the Canadian Armed Forces, Parks Canada and the Canadian Cadet Organizations.

All are welcome to attend.