Summerside honours WWI soldiers with public display

The City of Summerside unveiled a public display Sunday commemorating the city's role in training hundreds of soldiers for the First World War.

• Summerside's out-sized role in First World War remembered

In 1916, Summerside hosted C Company of the 105th Battalion. Over a six-month period, 500 soldiers were trained in Summerside, which was a town of just 3,000 people at the time.

"It was a very emotional afternoon. It was steeped in history and the regiment band played," said Marlene Campbell, cultural programming coordinator with Culture Summerside.

"It really brought people into the time period and the realization of what those men experienced on the front in World War One."

The display consists of 15 panels 14 along Water Street and one in Memorial Park.

Using contemporary images, the panels describe various aspects of C Company's time in the city, including how the men were recruited, the establishment of a barracks on short notice, and the role of community groups and churches in the effort.

The display will remain up until at least Remembrance Day.

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