Special new street signs to commemorate Richmond’s war heroes will soon be installed at a lamppost near you.
The new signs, bearing a poppy emblem, will be installed at some point in 2017 now that Richmond city council approved the $45,000 project, which serves to celebrate and remember at least 55 fallen soldiers from two world wars.
The idea was initially suggested by school trustee Ken Hamaguchi in a conversation he had with members of the Friends of the Richmond Archives last Remembrance Day.
The volunteer group had put up a display at city hall about the history behind the names of some Richmond roads. Hamaguchi noted the idea has taken hold in many other Canadian cities, including Vancouver, where poppies are found nearby the downtown cenotaph.
Barbara Williams, president of the Friends of the Richmond Archives, said the new signs will add clarity to the honour bestowed upon the men.
“We were constantly reminded many of our residents had no idea why their street’s name was chosen,” Williams told city council Monday.
City staff suggested the new street signs to councillors last week at a committee meeting. Council voted unanimously to draw money from next year’s capital budget to fund the estimated 275 new street signs for the 54 existing roads that honour the soldiers.
Staff had looked at the possibility of adding a poppy to the existing signs, but found it wasn’t feasible.
“These signs would be consistent with council’s goals to reflect the rich history and sacrifice made by Richmond residents,” noted a staff report to council.
Notably, the city will soon have a 55th road named after a fallen soldier, after Mayor Malcolm Brodie announced in February that a new road between General Currie Road and Granville Avenue, connecting to No. 4 Road, will be named Edgington Road.
According to the Friends, Pte. Ernest Edward Edgington was killed in December 1943 in Italy.
He had a road named after him in the old Cora Brown subdivision on Sea Island; however, when the area was redeveloped, the road name had not been reassigned — until now.
City council has directed staff to look into adding special street signs for streets named after Richmond pioneers, such as those who founded social, commercial and industrial organizations and establishments.
Friends of the Richmond Archives is a registered charity seeking members on its Facebook page. Anyone can be a member for $5 and sign up for frequent online updates.
