St. Lawrence Starch, like many businesses of its time, made important contributions to the war efforts of both World Wars. Several of the sons of company founder John Gray served overseas with the Canadian Expeditionary force in World War 1. One son, Douglas Gray, was wounded in action and later died in 1918.

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Board of Directors meeting minutes
excerpt, January 31, 1916
St. Lawrence Starch Company fonds
Reference Code: F 4392-20
Archives of Ontario

The Company purchased an armoured vehicle for the Peel Battalion of the C.E.F. After the war John Gray was President of the Port Credit War Memorial. During the Second World War, corn syrup was among products subject to federal wartime rationing.

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Soldiers crossing bridge in
Port Credit, Ontario, 1919
St. Lawrence Starch Company fonds
Reference Code: F 4392-7-2-0-3
Archives of Ontario

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Port Credit and Vicinity, Soldiers Memorial,
Ceremony of Dedication programme, 1925
St. Lawrence Starch Company fonds
Reference Code: F 4392-30, Box 4C
Archives of Ontario

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Memorial to World War Two soldiers and employees
of St. Lawrence Starch, illuminated honour roll
by A. J. Casson, [ca. 1945]
St. Lawrence Starch Company fonds
Reference Code: F 4392-7-2-0-4
Archives of Ontario

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Correspondence from Alexander Fraser, Official
Secretary of Lieutenant Governor (and also the
first Archivist of Ontario), to W. T. Gray regarding
dedication ceremony for Soldiers Memorial
in Port Credit, 1925
St. Lawrence Starch Company fonds
Reference Code: F 4392-30, Box 4C
Archives of Ontario