Chateauguay Valley Vets Commemoration Project

The project

TThe Châteauguay Valley has a proud history of service. From the men and women who enlisted in the First World War to those who served in the Second World War, Korea, Afghanistan, and more than fifty peacekeeping missions since 1956, our region has always answered the call. This project — a collaboration between the Châteauguay Valley Historical Society and the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 81 (Huntingdon, Quebec) — aims to create a Book of Remembrance that tells their stories.

We want to honour not just those who gave their lives, but also those who came home and continued to serve their communities in quiet, lasting ways.

What We’re Working Toward

Our goal is to gather and share:

1. Biographies and photos of those who lost their lives in service
2. Stories and profiles of those who returned home
3. Articles and features about the Valley during wartime — its people, places, and contributions

Together, these pieces will form both a commemorative book and an online collection, ensuring that the stories of our veterans are preserved for generations to come.

Our Challenges

Finding and piecing together the records is not easy..

1. First World War files are publicly available through Library and Archives Canada, but identifying everyone with ties to our region takes careful research.
2. For the Second World War, only the records of those who died are public; access to others requires a lengthy Freedom of Information process.
3. For later conflicts, very few official records are available.

And the area we’re covering is large — about 2,500 square kilometres with roughly 50 towns, villages, and hamlets appearing in service records.

Timeframe

We hope to complete the Book of Remembrance by November 11, 2028, marking the 110th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

How You Can Help

This is truly a community project. We need volunteers to:

1. Research and collect information
2. Write or edit biographies
3. Help with translation, proofreading, and organization

If you have stories, photos, family records, or just a willingness to help, we’d love to hear from you.

Every contribution brings us closer to honouring all who served from the Châteauguay Valley.

To get involved or share information, please contact us — your participation will make history come alive.

Please contact us using the contact form at the top of the page