Barrhaven Cenotaph

Ottawa (Nepean), Ontario

Type

Monuments

This grey granite monument commemorates the poem “In Flanders Fields” by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae. On the monument are two metal plaques, on which is inscribed “In Flanders Fields” and “Au Champ d’Honneur”, the French adaptation of “In Flanders Fields”, affixed to two granite stelæ. The monument also includes a replica headstone typically used in Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries.

The Barrhaven Cenotaph is located in front of the John McCrae Secondary School.

Inscription

[headstone/pierre tombale]

A soldier
Of the Great War
A Canadian Regiment

Known unto God

[English plaque/plaque anglais]

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The Larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep though poppies grow
In Flanders fields

-John McCrae

[French plaque/Français plaque]

Au Champ d’Honneur

Au champ d’honneur, les coquelicots
Sont parsemés de lot en lot
Auprès des croix; et dans l’espace
Les alouettes devenues lasses
Mêlent leurs chants au sifflement
Des obusiers.
Nous sommes morts
Nous qui songions la veille encor’
À nos parents, à nos amis,
C’est nous qui reposons ici
Au champ d’honneur.
À vous jeunes désabusés
À vous de porter l’oriflamme
Et de garder au fond de l’âme
Le goût de vivre en liberté.
Acceptez le défi, sinon
Les coquelicots se faneront
Au champ d’honneur.