collection Fonds 64 - Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Regimental Guard Statue Project fonds

In 1988, Leslie Gault, nephew of BGen Hamilton Gault, the founder of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI), approached the Regiment with the idea of erecting a heroic-size bronze statue of his uncle in the Parliamentary precinct of Ottawa. The Regimental Guard, at its meeting of 19 March, 1989, agreed that the project was a worthy one, and committed to its realization. A sculptor, Don Begg, was commissioned, and fundraising initiatives were undertaken. The project was coordinated by Col. J.D. Joly, and later by Col. G.A.P. Lachapelle. The statue was unveiled on May 9, 1992 at Confederation Square near the National War Memorial. Additional castings of it were erected at the Museum of the Regiments (later known as The Military Museums) in Calgary and at the Frezenberg Memorial near Ypres, Belgium. The project was considered completed on October 19, 1992 when its records were transferred to the Regimental Museum and Archives.