LCol Samuel Sharpe relief
The LCol Samuel Sharpe relief sculpture was mounted on a special base and originally displayed in the Centre Block of Parliament Hill, in November 2018. It was recently relocated to the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre Operational Stress Injury (OSI) Clinic, while the Centre Block undergoes extensive renovations, possibly lasting until 2029. The Royal Ottawa Health Care Group partnered with Veterans Affairs Canada to establish an OSI Centre of Excellence.
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The piece was commissioned by Durham MP Erin O’Toole and created by Scugog artist, Tyler Briley, in an attempt to restore the legacy of Sharpe, who led a battalion of local men overseas while a sitting MP, and fought in some of the most famous battles of the First World War. He was repatriated to Canada for treatment after suffering “shell shock” as a result of heavy losses to his battalion, and died of suicide at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, in May 1918. Due to the manner of his death, and the lack of understanding of mental injuries at the time, Sharpe’s name was virtually erased from history. The story has been revived in recent years as a cautionary tale around the past treatment of mental injuries suffered by soldiers.
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Inscription
Lieutenant- Colonel Samuel S. Sharpe, DSO, MP
March 13 1873 – May 25 1918
Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel S. Sharpe was a
lawyer, parliamentarian and soldier. He practised
law in Uxbridge, Ontario, before being elected to
Parliament in 1908 and re-elected in 1991, as the
member for Ontario North.
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When war broke out in 1914, LCol Sharpe helped
raise a new Battalion from Ontario County. Under
his command, the 116th Battalion, Canadian
Expeditionary Force, was stood up in December
1915. The 116th Battalion fought in the battles of
Vimy Ridge, Avion and Passchendaele. The
Ontario Regiment (RCAC) perpetuates the 116th
Battalion and the honours it earned in the field.
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LCol Sharpe was re-elected in the general election
of 1917, while fighting in France with the 116th
Battalion.
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LCol Sharpe was awarded the Distinguished
Service Order for gallantry, but his service came at
a severe personal cost. The stress of war took its
toll on his mental health. He was hospitalized in
England for general debility (commonly called
“shell shock”), returned to Canada and died by suicide
on May 25, 1918. LCol Samuel Sharpe’s
story stands as a reminder that not all injuries are
visible.
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Lest we forget.
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Le lieutenant-colonel Samuel S. Sharpe était un avocat,
un parlementaire et un soldat. Il a pratiqué le droit à
Uxbridge, en Ontario, avant d’être élu au Parlement en
1908 et réélu en 1911, comme député d’Ontario-Nord.
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Lorsque la guerre éclate en 1914, lcol Sharpe aide à former
un nouveau bataillon dans le comté d’Ontario. Sous son
commandement, le 116e bataillon, le Corps expéditionnaire
canadien, est créé en décembre de 1915. Le 116e Bataillon
s’est battu dans les batailles de la crête de Vimy, d’Avion et
de Passchendaele. The Ontario Regiment (RCAC) perpétue la
lignée du bataillon et les honneurs reçus sur le champ de bataille.
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Le lcol Sharpe e été réélu lors de l’élection générale de 1917,
pendant qu’il était au combat en France avec le 116e Bataillon.
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Le lcol Sharpe a reçu l’Ordre du service distingué pour bravoure,
mais il a payé un lourd tribut pour son service. Le stress de la
guerre a eu de lourdes répercussions sur sa santé mentale.
Le lcol a été hospitalisé en Angleterre pour débilité générale
(communément appelé «traumatisme dû au bombardement»).
Il est ensuite retourné au Canada où il s’est enlevé la vie le 25 mai 1918.
L’histoire du lcol Samuel Sharpe nous rappelle que ce ne sont pas
toutes les blessures qui sont visibles.
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N’oublions jamais.
Lieutenant-colonel Samuel S. Sharpe, DSO, depute
13 mars 1873 – 25 mai 1918
LCol Samuel Sharpe relief
The LCol Samuel Sharpe relief sculpture was mounted on a special base and originally displayed in the Centre Block of Parliament Hill, in November 2018. It was recently relocated to the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre Operational Stress Injury (OSI) Clinic, while the Centre Block undergoes extensive renovations, possibly lasting until 2029. The Royal Ottawa Health Care Group partnered with Veterans Affairs Canada to establish an OSI Centre of Excellence.
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The piece was commissioned by Durham MP Erin O’Toole and created by Scugog artist, Tyler Briley, in an attempt to restore the legacy of Sharpe, who led a battalion of local men overseas while a sitting MP, and fought in some of the most famous battles of the First World War. He was repatriated to Canada for treatment after suffering “shell shock” as a result of heavy losses to his battalion, and died of suicide at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, in May 1918. Due to the manner of his death, and the lack of understanding of mental injuries at the time, Sharpe’s name was virtually erased from history. The story has been revived in recent years as a cautionary tale around the past treatment of mental injuries suffered by soldiers.
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Le texte de l’inscription figure dans la section anglaise.