Amid the series of statutes included in the Valiants Memorial, rests the bust of Georgina Pope. While neither grandiose nor flashy, the metal bust appropriately commemorates the achievements of this relatively unknown war-time hero.
Born in 1862 on Prince Edward Island, Pope was a nurse throughout her life. While born in what one day would become Canada, Pope studied nursing in New York City. After returning to Canada, she volunteered to serve in the Boer War.
Pope experienced both physical and emotional hardship while in South Africa, serving for more than a year as the commander of the first group of Canadian nurses to go overseas. She was responsible for the co-ordination and safety of her fellow nurses. For her accomplishments abroad, Pope became the first Canadian to be awarded the Royal Red Cross for her conspicuous service in the field.
While Pope's role in Canadian history is relatively small, she belongs to a memorial that reflects Canada’s diverse history. The other war heroes that are celebrated in the Valiants Memorial are a Mohawk War Chief, a governor of New France and a Manitoban fighter pilot.
From a distance each bust looks the same. It is only when you take the time to investigate each statue separately, can you learn anything about who they represent.
This appears to be too much effort for most Ottawans. Pope and the other busts appear to get lost in the hustle and bustle of the downtown core.
As shoppers from the nearby Rideau Centre or staffers from Parliament walk by, no one takes the time to get to know Pope or the others' stories. As these people rush by, little do they know of the pieces of Canada's past they are ignoring.