Framed image of the Memorial Gates with a student walking through a gate; winter scene.

Two images of detail of metal work on Memorial Gates. Trees in background.
Photo A: One open gate facing west.
Photo B: Two closed gates facing north.

Sketch by David R. Brown, Architect, of proposed Memorial Gates and Tablet.

Bio/Historical Note: The Memorial Gates are a military memorial that is part of the University campus. Sixty-seven University students and faculty lost their lives while on service during World War I. The impact of the war on the University was immense: 330 students and faculty served during the War, a number equivalent to nearly all of the students who had registered the year prior to the beginning of the conflict. The desire to honor the staff and students who had fallen during the Great War was strong within the University community. As early as August 1918, 3 months prior to the formal Armistice, University President Walter C. Murray began making enquiries into the cost of a suitable memorial. What was settled upon were gates made of solid bronze, imported from England; the remainder, made of local greystone. Architect David R. Brown estimated the cost of what would come to be known as the Memorial Gates to be $30,000, with an additional $10,000 required for the memorial. The cement work was done by Richard J. Arrand in 1927-1928. A concerted fundraising effort among students and alumni helped cover the costs. The Memorial Gates were unveiled by President Murray and dedicated by the Bishop of Saskatchewan on 3 May 1928. A stone tablet, positioned between the bronze gates, bears the inscription: "These are they who went forth from this University to the Great War and gave their lives that we might live in freedom." For many years after, the site was used for the university’s Remembrance Day services at which wreaths are still laid every November 11th. These Gates were originally the entrance gates to campus and flanked University Drive. In the 1980s, due to increased traffic to the southwest portion of the campus, primarily Royal University Hospital, a new road entrance was built to the west. The gates remain, with the remnant of University Drive passing through them renamed Memorial Crescent. The gates are now primarily used by pedestrians, though the roadway is open to vehicles.

Elevated view of ceremony dedicating the Memorial Gates. Dignitaries, military, band and crowd in foreground. Union Jack draped over Memorial Tablet. St. Andrew's College behind dais, and Little Stone School in background.

Wreaths and cross lay in front of the Memorial Tablet listing the names of those who lost their lives in World War I. Union Jack rests on top of tablet.

George Exton Lloyd, Anglican Bishop, Diocese of Saskatchewan, standing to the right of the Memorial Tablet that lists the names of those who lost their lives in World War I. Attendees standing on platform at right.

View of Memorial Gates on winter day with hoar frost in trees

View of memorial gates half hidden by leaves changing color

Stone pillar that forms part of the Memorial Gates with flower bed in front.

Memorial Gates focusing on inscribed stone memorial, flower bed in front.

Close-up of inscribed stone memorial that forms part of the Memorial Gates.

Memorial gates in summer, dappled with shadow

Memorial gates in summer, dappled with shadow

Image of dedication service of Memorial Gates. Unidentified University and civic officials standing at centre of image, with audience standing in foreground. Union Jack draped over the tablet that commemorates those killed in World War I. University buildings from l to r: Qu'Appelle Hall, Stone School House, Emmanuel College. St. Andrew's College visible directly behind Gates.