A new monument honouring veterans has been unveiled at Springbank Park and will serve as the new location for Remembrance Day ceremonies in Byron, while also providing a year-round resource for education about Canada’s military history.
Since 2007, legions, local businesses, service clubs and individual citizens in London have worked together to create the Springbank Park monument. The new Remembrance Day site offers a peaceful environment with more space for people to attend the annual Byron-Springbank Legion’s ceremony.
When it came time to raise funds for the monument, the group established the Byron Springbank Veterans Monument Fund with London Community Foundation to create a central place for donations.
Former Mayor of London Ed Holder chaired the group, and said the monument is “the culmination of many years of planning in the mind and heart of one man, and to whom is owed sincerest thanks and gratitude, Padre Frank Mantz – for his vision, his dogged determination and his love for Veterans,” adding that “the Monument Committee was comprised of local folks who understood Frank’s dream and got on board.”
Hundreds of people gathered on October 3, 2026, to unveil the monument. The event included remarks from veterans, local politicians, and the monument’s designer, Kyunghee Jang – all of whom have been involved in making the monument a reality.
The monument represents Canadian veterans and is surrounded by six kiosks, each with a QR code giving more information about the Boer War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the War in Afghanistan, and Canadian Peacekeepers.
“The Byron Springbank Veterans Monument is a powerful tribute to those who have served Canada through wars and peacekeeping missions,” says Diane Silva, President and CEO, London Community Foundation. “We are grateful to all the Londoners whose dedication has made the monument a reality.”
More information about the monument and photos of the October 3 ceremony are available online courtesy of Timothy S. Johnston – a London-based author involved in the monument’s creation.
