Kitchener Cenotaph

Kitchener, Ontario

Type

Other

On May 24, 1929, the Kitchener Cenotaph was unveiled by Honourable W.D. Ross, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario in memory of those who died in the World War. This replica of the British Empire in Whitehall, London, was designed by architect William H.E. Schmalz of Kitchener. It first stood on a small traffic island on Frederick Street, near King Street and was moved in front of the former City Hall and rededicated on November 11, 1949.

In 1973, the cenotaph was moved to its present location and inscriptions were added to honour those who died in the Second World War and Korean War. The cenotaph was rededicated on June 28, 1973 in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.

The 19 feet high, nine feet wide and five feet thick granite cenotaph lists some of the greatest battles that Canadians participated in.

Inscription

[front/devant]

AIR FORCE

TO OUR
GLORIOUS
DEAD

AFGHANISTAN
2001-2011

UNITED NATIONS
PEACEKKEPING
1947

GREAT WARS
1914-1918 1939-1945

KOREA 1950-1953

[right side/côté droit]

NAVY
YPRES
SOMME
MOUNT. SORREL
VIMY
ZEEBRUGGE

[back/arrière]

MERCHANT MARINE

1939 - 1945

BATTLE OF
BRITAIN - ATLANTIC

HONG KONG
DIEPPE

SICILY - NORMANDY

[left side/côté gauche]

ARMY
PASSCHENDAELE
AMIENS
ARRAS
CAMBRAI

[plaque]

On May 24, 1929, the Cenotaph was unveiled by Honourable W.D. Ross, Lieutenant
Governor of Ontario in memory of those who died in World War I. This replica of
the British Empire in Whitehall, London, first stood in Frederick
Street and was moved in front of the former City Hall and rededicated on November 11, 1949.

In 1973 the Cenotaph was moved to its present location and inscriptions were
added to honour those who died in World War II and in Korea.
The Cenotaph was reconsecrated on June 28, 1973 in the presence of Her
Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.
The flags on the Cenotaph are donated annually by the Imperial Order Daughters
of the Empire.
This plaque was unveiled November 11, 1978, on the Sixtieth Anniversary of
Armistice Day.