Canada: Artillery Monuments in Europe

(Library and Archives Canada Photo)

The Canadian Corps Artillery Memorial also known as the Canadian Artillery Memorial. During the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the following units represented the Canadian Corps Artillery – Canadian Field Artillery, Royal Field Artillery, Canadian Garrison Artillery, Royal Garrison Artillery and South African Heavy Artillery.

The cross was inaugurated by General Sir Julian Byng, but the memorial was unveiled by General Sir Arthur Currie at 3:00 pm on 19 February 1918.

It carries the emblem of the artillery — a canon supporting the crown — and the motto of the gunners

Artillery consists of ranged weapons that launch munitions far beyond the range and power of infantry firearms. Early artillery development focused on the ability to breach defensive walls and fortifications during sieges, and led to heavy, fairly immobile siege engines. As technology improved, lighter, more mobile field artillery cannons were developed for battlefield use. This development continues today; modern self-propelled artillery vehicles are highly mobile weapons of great versatility generally providing the largest share of an army’s total firepower.