The Great War Veterans Association was formed in 1920 for the purpose of constructing a Cranbrook and District War Memorial. On July 16, 1920, a city-wide canvas was conducted to raise funds. In February of 1921, the memorial committee turned over the funds to the City. By September, 1921, the City Council and the Great War Veterans' Association had agreed upon a plan for a war monument.
By mid-month, Mr. R.C. Eakin, superintendent of the city light plant, ordered a stone memorial monument out of Calgary, Alberta. The cost was to be approximately $1,800, of which two-thirds had already been raised by public subscription. At the Council meeting it was approved that the monument be placed on the Great War Veterans Association grounds which adjoined the Great War Veterans Association building (currently the Byng Hotel).
The cenotaph was unveiled April 9, 1922 on the fifth anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Initially the Cenotaph was installed just alongside the Great War Veteran’s Association Hall, a few meters away from Baker Street. In 1926, the cenotaph was moved from its original location and placed in a small park at the East end of Baker Street, in front of the Government building of the time. In 1969, during the construction of the Cranbrook Mall, the cenotaph was moved again, this time to its present location in Rotary Park next to City Hall.
