​Bruce County Road 19 designated the “Highway for Peace”

Community members joined local historians and officials in Walkerton, Friday, for the unveiling of the designation of Bruce County Road 19 as the “Highway for Peace,” in tribute to the 160th Bruce Battalion that fought in the First World War.

This battalion, part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, featured close to 1,200 young men from across Bruce County.

June 3, 1916, the battalion marched 16 miles from Walkerton to Chesley, on Bruce County Road 19, to receive the battalion colours and banner in a ceremonial presentation by then-Ontario premier William Hearst. June 5, 1916, the young soldiers again marched along Bruce County Road 19 to return to Walkerton. The battalion departed Walkerton, June 12, 1916, for training in England and then an eventual arrival at the war front in Belgium and France.

More than 100 of these young soldiers are named on cenotaphs throughout Bruce County and hundreds more returned with lives changed by the burden of war.

Following a recent presentation and proposal by Southampton historian G. William (Bill) Streeter, Bruce County council approved the designation of Bruce County Road 19 as the “Highway for Peace.”

In time for Remembrance Day, the county has installed commemorative signage approximately every eight kilometres in both directions along Bruce County Road 19, marking the historic journey of the 160th Bruce Battalion.

“Thank you to our local historians and heritage experts who work with such passion and community spirit to preserve the significant history and culture of Bruce County,” said warden Chris Peabody. “With this memorial designation, we honour the sacrifices and contributions of the 1,200 young soldiers of the 160th Bruce Battalion, who helped shape Bruce County into what it is today.”

For more information about Bruce County veterans, visit www.bruceremembers.org.



Gathered for the designation of Bruce County Road 19 as the "Highway for Peace," are chief Gregory Nadjiwon (left) of the Chippewas of Nawawh Unceded First Nation, Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson, Southampton historian G. William (Bill) Streeter, Bruce County warden Chris Peabody, and Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb, Friday, in Walkerton