We are proud to support the Sarnia’s War Fallen project. For further information on the project please, or to ask questions, please email wheretheycalledhome@gmail.com
Visit the Sarnia’s War Fallen Website at https://www.sarniaswarfallenwheretheycalledhome.ca/
October 14, 2025 – Sarnia, like thousands of communities across Canada, had many of its sons and daughters answer the call of duty to serve their country during times of war. Sadly, several never returned to their homes and families. Most fallen soldiers either lay in war cemeteries overseas or have their names inscribed on war memorials far from home.
In 2024, a group of volunteers in Sarnia commemorated the sacrifices that local fallen soldiers and their families had made through the “Sarnia’s War Fallen: Where They Called Home” project. Volunteers arranged to have signs made, like the one above, to commemorate 250 fallen soldiers for 12 days during
the period leading up to Remembrance Day. On November 1, volunteers placed signs on the lawns and boulevards of the homes where these soldiers once lived and collected the signs on November 12.
The soldiers honoured lost their lives while serving in the Boer War, the First World War, the Second World War, the Korean War, the War in Afghanistan, and In the Service of Canada.
The project has expanded this year to include a sign for every fallen soldier from Sarnia. On Saturday, November 1, volunteers will be placing 315 signs throughout the city. The majority will be placed at the former homes of fallen soldiers. Since a number of their houses no longer exist, approximately 120 signs
will be placed on a berm in Centennial Park overlooking the St. Clair River. Last these signs were arranged in rows to replicate a war cemetery similar to the ones in which so many of our fallen lay at rest. All signs will be collected on Wednesday, November 12.
Each sign features the soldier’s name and address; the date that he fell; his age at the time of his passing; the soldier’s photo if one is available; the war in which he served; the cemetery in which he is buried or the memorial on which his name is inscribed; and a QR code. The QR code is linked to a domain which provides readers easy access to an extensive biography on each fallen soldier, a digital map of Sarnia detailing where each soldier lived, and a brief video of some of Sarnia’s war heroes who lost their lives serving our country.
The background of each sign features a painted image of the “Tommy” soldier that stands atop the Sarnia Cenotaph at Veterans Park.
The project was developed by Sarnians Tom St. Amand, Doug Woods and Tom Slater. You can view the project in its entirety at https://www.sarniaswarfallenwheretheycalledhome.ca/
Tom, Doug, and Tom are hoping that other communities throughout Canada might be inspired to create a similar sign project to honour their local fallen.
For further information or enquiries, please contact Tom, Doug, and Tom at wheretheycalledhome@gmail.com.
Supporters of the project include The City of Sarnia, The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 62, generous donors who funded the project, and community volunteers who deliver and pick up the signs.
Teresa Iacobelli, Historian, Canadian War Museum:
“Sarnia’s War Fallen: Where They Called Home” is an important project that honours Sarnia’s fallen soldiers and brings to life their sacrifices in a meaningful way for present day residents of the city. By identifying the names, ages, and former homes of fallen service personnel, the organizers of this project are making history personal and relevant across generations. In sharing the stories of the fallen – we honour them. “Sarnia’s War Fallen: Where They Called Home” is a
model of what communities across Canada can do to foster remembrance. As someone who grew up in this city, I couldn’t be prouder of this project.”
Jennie Kapteyn, sister of George Esser who fell in action in October 1944 during the Battle of the Scheldt:
“I was very honoured to be part of this wonderful project. I am the youngest of ten children and, given our age difference, I did not know George that well when he enlisted in 1942. When he passed away, my parents and my siblings rarely talked about him. Perhaps this was how they handled their grief. So I grew up not really knowing much about George. “Sarnia’s War Fallen” has allowed my family and me to get to know George much better and to understand the sacrifice he made. Last November, my friends and neighbours saw George’s sign on our front lawn when they visited us or strolled through the neighbourhood. For my extended
family members living out of town, they received a photo of George’s sign via email. Everyone I met or spoke to thought this community project was terrific. It was an honour for me to be associated with it.”
John Pathouski, son of Mike Paithouski (November 1944) and nephew of Jay Johnston (October 1943):
“The memories of soldiers like my dad and my Uncle Jay would have been forgotten and inevitably lost over time if not for projects like “Sarnia’s War Fallen: Where They Called Home”. Seeing the memorial signs of all these fallen heroes at homes throughout Sarnia and in Centennial Park awakened people to the sacrifices they made. “Where They Called Home” ensures their legacy is not lost. For that I am very grateful.”
Vanessa and Matt Pevec, homeowners:
“My husband and I were thrilled when we found out our home was a part of this project. When the signs for Arthur and James Allan [brothers who died in action in The Great War] arrived last November, I immediately wanted to do more. I decorated our picket fence with poppies and had two candles lit to represent their spirits. It was the least we could do for the Allan family. I wanted to honour these men and all who fought side by side for us so we would have a better life in our beautiful country. This project not only fostered awareness of our local fallen but also brought the community together. During the couple of weeks the signs were on the boulevard, I noticed people pulling over in front of our home to scan the signs and to take a few photos. I spoke with a handful of families as well. We have a beautiful community here in Sarnia-Lambton. It’s important that we
learn from history by honouring individuals like Arthur and James Allan.”
Gary and Paula Vanderburg, financial supporters:
“We are honoured to support “Sarnia’s War Fallen: Where They Called Home”, a meaningful community initiative dedicated to recognizing and remembering the brave men and women from Sarnia who gave their lives in service to our country.
This important project pays tribute to local veterans by sharing their stories and marking the places they once called home, ensuring that their legacy continues to inspire future generations. We are deeply proud to stand behind this effort to honour our fallen heroes and to help preserve their memory within our community. Projects like this remind us that freedom and peace are built on the courage and sacrifice of others.”
George Mathewson, area resident:
“Walking back to my car after today’s Cenotaph service, I happened to pass three Remembrance lawn signs—two for the McLure brothers and one for David Burke. In terms of their impact, I can tell you these signs affected me more profoundly than the service did itself. Seeing their actual homes and how far they travelled to a final place of rest takes it out of the conjectural and makes
their loss all too real.”
Melissa Chong, local business owner:
“My family had the opportunity to walk to the waterfront, and we found it very moving. On our way back home, we walked past several homes with signs. Our son, who’s in grade five, was taking it all in—reading their names, seeing their age, and looking at the house they called home. This is important work that truly honours their memory and has made such an impact on the community.”
Carol Eagles, local educator:
“I teach groups of children in various capacities. I just told Bill Cameron’s story [RCAF pilot who was killed in action in September 1943] at a Nov. 15th PA Day event in the county. I used it as a powerful example of a serviceman’s heroism and sacrifice and displayed a picture of the Remembrance Day sign in front of 206 Maria St.”
Juanita Kuiack, area resident:
“What a moving tribute! The concrete aspect of the soldiers’ homes / neighbourhooods makes the losses so real, in yet another way. I found it more emotional than I had anticipated. A great way to reach people – young and old.”
Donna Stewart, retired educator:
“I can’t tell you how humbling it was to experience the Sarnia War Remembrance Sign Project. Imagining the fallen soldiers walking through the front doors of those homes really made me appreciate the sacrifices they made for our freedom.”