BACKGROUND
Grandview Heights in northeast Vancouver was developed as a sub-division in 1948 to provide low rental housing for veterans. The streets were designated to be named after Canadian wildlife. However, this was changed and the streets were named after personalities, Battles and events of the two World Wars. The Chair of the Street Naming Sub-Committee was Alderman Halford Hal Wilson, who served as a Major during the Second World War and was a long time member of Legion Branch #5.
Mons Drive - named to commemorate a Belgium city that suffered German occupation in both World Wars.
Vimy Crescent - named to commemorate Canadian sacrifice during the Battle of Vimy Ridge in France, Easter Monday 1917, during the First World War. Canadian valour proved a defining moment in our military history, as no other Allied Force could secure the ridge. It was the first time all four divisions of the Canadian Corps fought together in battle. Four Canadians were awarded the Victoria Cross and Canada became recognized as a Nation when granted the stature of being a signatory on the Treat of Versailles, the Armistice.
Matapan Crescent - named to commemorate the March 28, 1941 Battle of Cape Matapan during the Second World War. Control over the Mediterranean Sea was critical and in this Battle, the Royal Navy massacred the Italian Navy.
Malta Avenue and Malta Place - named to honour the Island of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea that withstood extensive bombing from the Italians and Germans in the Second World War.
Dieppe Drive and Dieppe Place - named to commemorate Canadian Fallen on the French seaside of Dieppe. On August 19, 1942 Operation Jubilee, a raid on the empty-held port of Dieppe, became one of the bloodiest Battles of the Second World War. Almost 5,000 Canadians landed and following the Battle, Canada suffered 3,300 casualties, 913 Fallen and 1,946 became prisoners of War. Lt. Col.Cecil Merritt of the Seaforth Highlanders, was recognized for his valour as the first recipient of the Victoria Cross.
Anzio Drive - named to commemorate the Anzio Operation on the western coast of Italy. On January 22, 1944 during the Second World War a daring seaborne operation began to outflank the German strength leading to the capture of Rome in late May.
Normandy Drive - named to commemorate the Normandy Campaign of the Second World War, the British, Canadian and American invasion of "Fortress Europe". Operation Overlord began with the air, sea and land invasion of Normandy on D-Day June 6, 1944. Canadian airmen and sailirs were first called into action followed by the army's storming of Juno Beach.
Falaise Avenue and Falaise Place - named to commemorate the closing of the Falaise Gap in France from August 12-22, 1944 during the Second World War. Operation Totalize brought together the Allied Forces, encircling the retreating Germans from the north. The closing of the Gap ended the Normandy Campaign, the defining Battles of the Western Front.
Worthington Drive and Worthington Place - named to commemorate Lt. Colonel Douglas Grant Worthington and his brother Major John Robert Worthington of the British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own). Both were killed in the Battle for Hill159 when a mix up in communications brought their tanks into a fatal battle with German Panzers.
Seaforth Drive - named to commemorate the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. The second recipient of the Victoria Cross during the Second World War was awarded to Pvt. Ernest Smoky Smith, of this Regiment.
Haida Drive - named in honour of one of the eight Tribal destroyers of The Royal Canadian Navy commissioned during the Second World War. HMCS Haida sank more enemy vessels than any other Canadian ship during the Second World War.
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