Constructed in 1998 in memory of all the Volunteers of Port Kells in the First and Second World Wars.
PORT KELLS CENOTAPH - History: The idea for building a cenotaph in Port Kells occurred to Mr. V. (Wally) Sandvoss, President of the Port Kells Community Association in 1997 when he sat in the meetings of the Port Kells Community Association. These are always held in the Seniors’ Room of the Port Kells Centennial Community Hall. On one wall hangs a framed hand-lettered plaque of all the volunteers from Port Kells who had gone to serve King and Country during the Second World War. Since this room is always locked, the existence of this plaque is not known. He approached the Council of Surrey requesting permission to erect a cenotaph in the community of Port Kells. Permission was granted and together with Surrey’s Parks - Recreation and Culture Department the Port Kells Community Association erected the cenotaph. What is so unusual about this cenotaph is the fact that the Port Kells Community Association honoured all volunteers from this community on the plaque. Since most of them are gone now, the Association wanted to have their names commemorated for future generations. Measurements of the cenotaph: The height of the structure is 7 feet and width is 4 feet. The top beam with LEST WE FORGET in recessed letters projects 3 inches beyond the total width on each side. The two upright beams are decorated with recessed maple leaves. Of these six are on the left beam as well as right one. The protruding base for the plaque is 4 feet high at the wall and 3 feet high at the front. It has a width of 2 feet. Also on the front of the plaque table are two bars which identify the dates of the Second World War. The front and back walls between the outside upright beams are fluted as another decorative element. Here, Mr. Sandvoss’ brother Monte is thanked for his advice and his great help in building the form. Dedication: The dedication, which was a joyous occasion, was held at 10:00 a.m. on September 19, 1998. Besides local MLA and the local MP, Pacific Command of the Royal Canadian Legion, Cloverdale Legion and the Pipe Band from the Langley Legion participated. In the dedication Surrey City Council was also represented and the Commissioner of Surrey’s Park, Recreation and Culture represented that Department. Remembrance Day Services: The Remembrance Day services are improving from year to year. Last year they were able to include cadets from Surrey and Scout groups. Very meaningful is the inclusion of the Port Kells Elementary School in the Service. For the past two years students have volunteered to lay a wreath for the school. It is a great honour for them to be chosen. In this way they do connect the memory of the past with the present. SOME CONCLUDING REMARKS: However untimely the construction of the cenotaph was, it was built 53 years after the end of the Second World War - it gave this community the chance to honour all the volunteers and through the cenotaph to keep the memory of their names alive for posterity. Sincerest thanks to Mrs. Elsie Preedy whose knowledge of all the Second World War volunteers helped tremendously with adding names which were missing on the hand-lettered plaque in the Community Hall in Port Kells. Her research into the names of the volunteers from the First World War had added a number of names which would otherwise have been missed. Design of the cenotaph: V. (Wally) Sandvoss
