It is on the corner of Elgin and Wellington where we see the story of Major Paul Triquet, one of the last Canadian recipients of the Victoria Cross. The award represents “an act of valour or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in the face of the enemy.”
Triquet served in the Second World War with the Royal 22nd Regiment, also known as the Van Doos. He led a company during the intense campaign in Italy. His company’s orders were to take Casa Berardi, which was pivotal to overtaking Ortona, a crucial port town.
In the midst of heavy fire from all sides, Triquet told his men: “There is only one safe place, the objective.” They met heavy opposition and out of the original 50, only 15 made it. He then shouted “They will not suceed!”
The 15 remaining men then managed to withstand German counterattacks to hold their objective overnight, when support arrived. Triquet died in 1980.