Provincial plaque memorializes Admiral Sir Charles Edmund Kingsmill

PORTLAND, ON, May 15 /CNW/ - Today, the Ontario Heritage Trust and the Canadian Navy unveiled a provincial plaque to commemorate Canadian Navy founder Admiral Sir Charles Edmund Kingsmill.

"Throughout his long and distinguished career, Admiral Kingsmill was well respected for his technical expertise and outstanding service," said Dr. Thomas H.B. Symons, Chairman of the Ontario Heritage Trust. "We are delighted to honour his contribution to our military history with this plaque."

The plaque reads as follows:

    
                     ADMIRAL SIR CHARLES EDMUND KINGSMILL
                                  1855-1935

     Admiral Sir Charles Edmund Kingsmill was the founder of the Canadian
     Navy. Born in Guelph, Ontario, he attended Upper Canada College and in
     1869, entered the Royal Navy in Britain. In 1908, he returned to Canada
     to advise Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier on the creation of a
     Canadian navy. He served as the first director of the naval service from
     1910-1920 and saw the new navy safely through a period of limited
     resources and political controversy, and the demands of the First World
     War. During the War, Kingsmill strengthened the command and intelligence
     gathering organizations, essential foundations for the future growth of
     the Canadian Navy. Throughout his service he encouraged and supported
     the training of young Canadian officers who would eventually lead
     Canada's great naval efforts of the Second World War and early Cold War.
     Kingsmill was knighted by King George V in 1918. He died at his summer
     home near Portland and is buried here in Emmanuel Anglican Cemetery.
    

"Admiral Sir Charles Edmund Kingsmill's early vision led to greater maritime presence and security during a critical period in Canada's history," said Minister of Tourism and Culture Michael Chan. "His legacy is a Canadian Navy that continues to grow and thrive to this day."

The unveiling ceremony took place at the Emmanuel Anglican Cemetery, where the provincial plaque will be permanently installed. The Ontario Heritage Trust's Provincial Plaque Program commemorates significant people, places and events in Ontario's history.

"It is fitting that as we celebrate the Canadian Naval Centennial, the tremendous contributions of Admiral Kingsmill are honoured by the Ontario Heritage Trust. As the first director of the naval service in Canada, Admiral Kingsmill worked to develop and strengthen training for Canadian officers that paved the way for those who followed," said Vice-Admiral Dean McFadden, Chief of the Maritime Staff. "As we commemorate 100 years of naval history in Canada, it is important to recognize Admiral Kingsmill and all those who proudly serve for making the Canadian Navy the outstanding institution it is today."

The Ontario Heritage Trust is an agency of the Government of Ontario, dedicated to identifying, preserving, protecting and promoting Ontario's heritage.

Quick Facts:

    
    -   Since 1953, over 1,200 provincial plaques have been unveiled.

    -   There are 212 provincial plaques across Ontario that commemorate
        military history.
    

Learn More:

For more information on the Provincial Plaque Program, visit www.heritagetrust.on.ca.

    
                         Aussi disponible en français
    

For further information: Liane Nowosielski, Marketing and Communications Specialist, Ontario Heritage Trust, Telephone: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]