An open-air service to commemorate the Canadian Corner’s centenary was held at All Saints Parish Church in Bark Hart Road, Orpington, last Saturday (30 April).

The service -- at the burial ground within All Saint’s cemetery for Canadian servicemen who died during WW1 -- was led by the Right Reverend James Langstaff, Bishop of Rochester. Over 50 people attended.

Also taking part were:

  • Reverend Brian McHenry, vicar of All Saints
  • The Venerable Dr. Paul Wright, Archdeacon of Bromley and Bexley
  • Mayor of Bromley Kim Botting who unveiled a new information board sited at the Canadian Corner entrance
  • Brigadier-General Matthew Overton, from the Canadian High Commission, who gave an address
  • Representatives from the British Legion.

The service concluded with the Bishop blessing of a newly planted Maple tree, near the site of a 1000 year old yew which was blown down on Christmas Eve 2013. He also blessed the wooden carving of Ontario’s Coat of Arms which once hung in the lobby at Orpington Hospital and is now in the care of All Saints Church.

Afterwards the Bishop invited everyone to view an exhibition of documents, photographs, a film, poems and other artefacts relating to Orpington’s connection with the Canadians, The exhibition, located in All Saint’s Old Church nave, was organised by John Pentlow, the church historian.

It was in June 1916 during WW1 that the Church gave permission for a section of its new burial ground, called Newells Meadow, to be given to the Canadians for the burial of their troops. Known locally as The Canadians Corner, it was originally called The Ontario Cemetery. Only later was it renamed Canadian Corner.