Note: This video was researched and recorded before the recent escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including the joint United States and Israeli military strikes on Iran that began in late February 2026 and the subsequent broader conflict that has continued into March 2026.

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More than a century ago, soldiers from across the British Empire were buried in the sand outside Gaza after the battles of the First World War. Among them were 23 Canadians, laid to rest in what is now known as Gaza War Cemetery (22 peacekeepers and one airman from WWII).

Today that cemetery sits in the middle of one of the most contested places on earth.

In this episode of Dead Canadians, Stephanie Allen explores the history of the cemetery, the Canadians buried there, and the principles that govern the protection of war graves during armed conflict. Under the Geneva Conventions, burial sites and cemeteries are protected locations even in wartime. The dead are to be treated with dignity, their graves preserved and marked wherever possible.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission was created after the First World War to ensure exactly that — that those who died in service would remain buried together near the place where they fell, their graves maintained in perpetuity.

But what happens when war returns to a war cemetery?

Recent reporting has raised troubling questions about possible damage to Gaza War Cemetery, leaving uncertainty for families and historians alike. Were the graves disturbed? Can the site be restored? And what does it mean when a place meant for remembrance becomes part of a modern battlefield?

War graves are meant to provide a fixed place for mourning — an anchor for grief far from home. When that stability is shaken, the sense of loss can feel newly reopened.This episode looks at the history of the cemetery, the Canadians buried there, and the enduring promise that the fallen would never be forgotten.

Sources:

Canadian Virtual War Memorial: https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorialCommonwealth War Graves Commission. Gaza War Cemetery.https://www.cwgc.org/our-work/news/update-on-cwgc-gaza-cemeteries/https://www.cwgc.org/visit-us/find-cemeteries-memorials/cemetery-details/71701/gaza-war-cemetery/CBC News. Coverage of Gaza War Cemetery and CWGC concerns, 2024–2025.Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols on protection of graves and cultural sites.Longworth, Philip. The Unending Vigil: The History of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Jean Wilson (speed skating) and Barbara Ann Scott (figure skating) didn’t just win medals — they shifted culture.At the 1932 Winter Olympics, Jean Wilson helped prove Canadian women could compete internationally, even before women’s sport was fully recognized. Sixteen years later, Barbara Ann Scott’s Olympic gold in 1948 gave a post-war country something it deeply needed: joy.

From Mount Hope Cemetery in Toronto to Lake Placid (1932), St. Moritz (1948) and beyond, this episode explores how women’s athletic excellence moved from novelty to national pride.

Time Stamps:

0:00 Introduction

0:52 *Jean Wilson*

1:16 Biography

1:43 1932 Olympic Games in Lake Placid

2:40 Death and legacy

3:50 On-location at Jean Wilson's grave at Mount Hope Catholic Cemetery, Toronto

5:10 *Transition* WWII

5:40 *Barbara Ann Scott*

6:02 Biography

6:45 1948 Winter Olympics at St, Moritz, Switzerland

7:55 Turning Professional, Legacy and Death

8:40 *Interview* with Eleanor Scott who recalls the social impact of Barbara Ann Scott in 1947

12:52 "Barbara Ann Scott came along at the right time"

13:13 *Conclusion* One expanded what was possible and one carried it forward

Keywords: Jean Wilson, 1932 Winter Olympics, Lake Placid, Barbara Ann Scott, 1948 Winter Olympics, St. Moritz, Canadian Olympic history, Women in Canadian sport, Mount Hope Cemetery Toronto, Canadian speed skating history, Canadian figure skating history, Women in sport history, Rawdon Quebec history, Dead Canadians podcast, Stephanie Allen, Canadian cemetery history, Women and the Olympics, Canadian athletes, Canadian sports history

Exploring the Islington Burial Ground: A Journey Through Toronto's Forgotten HistoryThis episode delves into the history of the Islington Burial Ground in Etobicoke, Toronto. Established in the 1830s, this small cemetery is often overlooked amidst the busy city life. The episode covers its origins, the Mississaugas of the Credit’s connection to the land, and its evolution through the centuries. Notable figures such as John Graves Simcoe, Thomas Montgomery, and Reverend Dr. Stewart East are highlighted, showcasing their contributions to the community. The cemetery's preservation efforts and its significance in Toronto's cultural heritage are also discussed, reminding viewers that history is closer than they think.

00:00 Introduction to Islington Burial Ground (Pioneer Cemetery)

01:17 Historical Background of the Land

03:08 Development of Islington Village

03:59 The Mystery of Early Burials

04:28 Cemetery Management and Preservation Efforts

07:30 Notable Figures and Families

10:11 Modern Recognition and Heritage Conservation

10:48 Conclusion: Reflecting on the Past

#TorontoHistory

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