On Saturday September 6, 2025 there will be a dedication of a replacement memorial plaque at the recently rebuilt St. James Church, 21 Church Road, Roseneath at 2pm.
Grafton Legion Br 580, will be providing a colour party for this event and the dedication of a restored Memorial Plaque for Sergeant Heber Clinton Nichol, WW I.
ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.
Some information on the Ceremony:
A concert by the North Lakeshore Chorus, a community-based choir, (https://northlakeshorechorus.ca), and memorial plaque dedication will be held to honour the memory of Sergeant Heber Clinton Nichol, Saturday, September 6 at 2:00 pm at St James Church, 21 Church Road, Roseneath with a reception following the service. The choir has over 30 members and have just returned from a concert tour in Europe. THIS WILL BE AN EXCEPTIONAL CONCERT. COME AND ENJOY.
The new plaque to be dedicated is a replica of the original historic plaque of 1919 that was destroyed in the tragic fire that burned the St James pioneer church in 2019.
The Nichol family was one of the pioneer families in the Roseneath area and some were members of St James for many years encompassing 1919. Doreen Degn is a niece of Sgt. Nicol. Doreen was the volunteer organist/pianist at St James for decades.
Sergeant Heber C. Nichol, the son of Francis and Lottie Nichol, was born in Roseneath Dec 30th, 1895. He enlisted in 1915 in the 80th Battalion, an infantry battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force during World War I. The 80th Battalion embarked for Great Britain on 20 May 1916. It, subsequently, became part of the 4th Canadian Division in September 1916.
Sergeant Nichol served for one year in the Pay and Record Office, London, England, and he was, then, transferred to the 38th Battalion and crossed into France in the spring of 1917. He was chosen in July as a commissioned officer.
On August 31, 1918, his parents received a letter from Heber stating that his Battalion would be taking part in another “push” before many hours.
Word was officially received on September 17th that their son, Sgt. Heber C. Nichol, Roseneath, was killed in action on Sept. 2nd, 1918.
He is buried in the Dury Mill British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.
The following information was taken from “The Little Church on the Hill, Visions of St. James’s Anglican Church, Roseneath, Ontario, 1999, (Aureen Richardson, Compiler).
“Memorial Service for Heber Nichol
On September 2nd, 1919 a capacity crowd gathered in St. James’ Anglican Church for a memorial to the late Sgt. Heber C. Nichol. At 21-years, he was killed in France.
Col. N. F. MacNachtan CVO of Cobourg and Col. Boggs of Cobourg unveiled the 33-inch x 25-inch handsome bronze plague with a wide oak frame. When the beautiful silk Union Jack, provided by Edward Weir, was removed, the plaque reads as follows:
1914 – 1918
To the Glory of God
And In Proud And Honoured Memory of
Son of Francis and Lottie Nichol
Born in Roseneath Dec 30th, 1895
Killed in Action in France Sept. 2nd, 1918
“Faithful Even Unto Death”
On September 6, 2025, a reproduction of the original memorial plaque will be presented to St James at the CHORAL CONCERT and DEDICATION CEREMONY. The reproduction, donation and presentation of the memorial plaque has been arranged by Michael Korn, a regional historian.
Michael is the founding member of the North Lakeshore Chorus, which sings at various domestic and international events, such as the dedication of the Roseneath War Memorial.
Come to St James Church Saturday, September 6. Hear the beautiful sounds of the Lakeshore Chorus and witness the presentation of the reproduced memorial plaque for Sergeant Heber C. Nichol.
On September 6, it would be good if each of us could pause for 2 minutes and thoughtfully reflect on the challenging conditions, extreme risk situations, excruciating pain, and for some loss of life experienced by members of the Canadian Armed Services in the great wars.
They fought and were victorious. It was through their victory that we have the freedoms we enjoy and allowed the gradual development of our lifestyle of today.