In 1917, the Tadeusz Kościuszko Polish Army Training Camp, commonly known as Camp Kościuszko, was established in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada. A total of 22,395 volunteers enlisted for military training.
Following their training, 20,720 soldiers were deployed to France. Like other troops equipped by the French Army, they wore distinctive blue uniforms and became part of the renowned Blue Army under the command of General Józef Haller.
With the arrival of winter, however, the Spanish influenza epidemic swept through the Niagara region. In 1918, the epidemic claimed the lives of 41 recruits. With the approval of local authorities, 26 of them were buried on a parcel of land specially designated by the pastor of St. Vincent’s Parish. This became the first Polish military cemetery in Canada, commonly known as the Haller Veterans’ Cemetery.
Camp Kościuszko officially closed on March 11, 1919.
Since the cemetery’s restoration in 2000, it has become the site of an annual pilgrimage by the Polish Canadian community. The commemorations are attended by representatives of the Polish and Canadian governments, as well as officials from the Embassy of the Republic of Poland and Polish Consulates.
This year, following the laying of wreaths and flowers at the cemetery, participants gathered for Holy Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in St. Catharines. The official commemorative program then continued at the headquarters of the Polish Canadian Society.
The Polish Canadian Women’s Federation was represented by Grażyna Lach and Jolanta Nowakowska, who laid a wreath and participated in the commemorative ceremonies, paying tribute to the Polish volunteers whose service and sacrifice remain an enduring part of Canada’s and Poland’s shared history.
