In 1885 Sir Casimir Gzowski donated the first recorded Canadian Engineer trophies, two silver cups for annual competition among companies of engineers of the Canadian Militia. Originally, the Gzowski Cups were awarded as first and second prizes based on the execution of a significant sized task. The cups were withdrawn from competition on the outbreak of WW I and not competed for again until 1949, when they were awarded to the best engineer unit in each of the East and West Militia summer camps. In October 1998 the Gzowski No. 1 Cup was assigned to the Land Forces Atlantic Area Engineer's Evaluation, while the other one was designated for the Land Forces Central Area Engineer's Evaluation.

In 1999 the Gzowski #1 Cup was awarded to 56 Field Engineering Squadron (FES). A 'keeper' plaque was presented to the unit during their 50th anniversary celebrations. The Area Engineer's evaluation was based on assessment of 45 FES and 56 FES while performing engineering tasks in a tactical advance

Sir Casimir Stanislaus Gzowski

A Polish engineer, Casimir Stanislaus Gzowski immigrated into Canada in 1841 and initially worked in Ontario as a government construction superintendent on highways, roads and bridges. He then formed his own company that built the Grand Trunk Railway from Toronto to Sarnia (1853-57) and the International Bridge across the Niagara River at Fort Erie.

He took an active interest in military affairs and in 1872 was appointed "Staff Officer of the Militia of Canada" as a lieutenant colonel and Staff Officer to the Engineer Force of the Dominion two years later. In 1879, he was promoted to colonel and appointed Honorary Aide-de-Camp to Queen Victoria. He was knighted in 1890.

Among his other accomplishments, Colonel Gzowski was the first chairman of the Niagara Parks Commission (1885-93), was a founder of the Canadian Society of Civil Engineers in 1887, and served as Administrator of Ontario (1896-97).

Sir Casimir Gzowski is remembered in a park in Toronto bearing his name and by a plaque at the International Bridge across the Niagara River at Fort Erie.