Guy Simonds
Plot H, Lot 573
Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto
Born in Surrey, England in April 1903, Simonds came to Canada with his parents when he was nine years old. In 1925, he graduated from Royal Military College, first in his class. During the Second World War, Simonds became Canada’s youngest General and led the 2nd Canadian Corps drive through north-western Europe. On May 5, 1945, the First Canadian Army under Simonds’ command marched into Holland where the unconditional surrender of the German forces was accepted. The “Liberator of Holland,” as Simonds was called, was also described by Field Marshall Viscount Montgomery as “the best product of the allied side.”
Following the end of hostilities, Simonds took command of the Canadian Defence College and the Staff College. He was then appointed Chief of the General Staff and became Colonel-in-Chief of the Toronto-based Royal Regiment of Canada. In the business world, Simonds was President of United Ceramics, Frontenac Floor and Tile, and the Toronto Brick Company. He was also Vice-President and a Director of Commercial Life and Halifax Insurance. Following a long illness, General Guy Simonds, C.C., C.B., C.B.E, D.S.O, died on May 15, 1974. Three days later a funeral service was held at Grace Church-on-the-Hill followed by a procession, during which the body was borne to Mount Pleasant Cemetery on a flag-draped gun carriage. At the cemetery there was a full military burial service, complete with rifle salute.
Mike Filey
Mount Pleasant Cemetery: An Illustrated Guide
Second Edition Revised and Expanded