Centreville Cenotaph

This memorial wall was erected by a war memorial committee composed of citizens from Centreville, Wareham, Trinity and Indian Bay and is dedicated to Canada's war dead. It was constructed between the years of 1996-1998 in memory of those who gave their lives for our country. The memorial is located in the Village Green Memorial Park. Work began on the site in 1995 as part of a student summer project, working in conjunction with the Centreville Wareham Trinity Town Council. Early in 1996 a volunteer group of residents decided to make the park the focal point for a war memorial. The War Memorial Committee has been active since that time in turning a vacant piece of shrub land into a beautiful park dedicated to our veterans. The first Cenotaph was a simple stand holding a rugged wooden cross borrowed from St. Barnabas Anglican Church. In 1997-98 a concrete platform was poured and a brick Cenotaph was constructed. The Cenotaph has two attached wings with a fibreglass white cross hanging in the middle of the back wall. Two white stone angels adorn the top of the centre structure. The walkway leading to the cenotaph is of patio stones, with grassed areas on either side of the cross. All work has been done by the Committee and other interested parties. Abbie Norris, one of the founding members, designed the Cenotaph and made the cross. Four remembrance day services have been held to date. Clergy from Anglican, Salvation Army and the Pentecostal churches have participated in these services. In 1997, a ship's anchor was added as part of the memorial. The War Memorial Committee raises money each year, to upkeep and enhance the Memorial Park by spearheading a festival. Each year the town tries to add a new feature to their Remembrance Day Service. One year the Cubs, Brownies, and Beavers placed small wooden crosses, with a poppy in the centre, in the ground around the cenotaph while the poem "In Flanders Fields" was being read. Two maple trees are planted on one side of the grassed area to the memorial. The Scouting movement, represented by the Beavers, planted six pine trees at the rear of the memorial. The Anglican Church Women's Association and the Seniors Club have planted flowers and shrubs in various areas of the park.