History of the Kemptville Cenotaph - Author Roy Brown - ''The Kemptville Cenotaph honours local military personnel who paid the supreme sacrifice, and those that served, during (the First and Second World Wars), Korea and most recently, Afghanistan. The Kemptville Cenotaph was fabricated in 1921, using seven separate blocks of Stanstead grey granite from the Beebe, Quebec quarry and includes the statute of a young soldier, bases and shafts.
In June 1922, the Cenotaph was erected on the north side lot of the old Kemptville Post Office, through the combined efforts of the Town of Kemptville, Oxford-on-Rideau and South Gower Councils. The Cenotaph was relocated to the front lawn of the North Grenville District High School in November 1961, due to the cramped quarters at the Post Office. In 1988, at the request of Legionnaire Lawson Arcand, Royal Canadian legion, Kemptville Branch #212, the inscription "Korea 1950 - 1953" was added to the lower centre part of the centre base of the Cenotaph, in recognition of soldiers that served in that Military Combat Zone.
On a dark October 1992 day in the history of this silent sentinel, the Cenotaph was attacked and damaged by vandals who decapitated the statue of the soldier and chipped off parts of the rifle and rifle sling. The head of the statue was later located as the result of a highly praised follow-up investigation by members of the former Kemptville Police Department. That saved an estimated cost that was said to be in excess of $25,000.00 to have a professional stone carver create a matching replacement. Still, the resulting repair costs were close to $3,000.00.
In June 2006, the Veterans Affairs Canada Cenotaph/Monument Restoration Program, Corporation of the Municipality of North Grenville and the Royal Canadian Legion, Kemptville Branch #212, provided joint funding to refurbish the Cenotaph. During the restoration process, the name of Private Blake Williamson (Afghanistan - 2006) was added to the names listed on the Cenotaph, the first name to be added to the monument since the Second World War. A re-dedication service was held on Saturday, June 16, 2007.
It is interesting to note there are three other Ontario Cenotaphs having very similar designs to the Kemptville Cenotaph - Cape Croker Cenotaph, Sunderland Cenotaph and Wiarton Cenotaph.''
Excerpt from: The Weekly Advance - Thursday, June 1, 1922 Unveiling Ceremony:
The unveiling of the war memorial, erected by the municipalities of Kemptville, Oxford and South Gower, in memory of the men from these municipalities who laid down their lives in the great war, will take place on Saturday, June 3. The band, guard of honour, children with flowers, veterans, and cadets will assemble at the armouries at one o'clock and parade to the post office lawn, where the unveiling ceremony will take place.
The following is the program: Singing two verses of the "Maple Leaf Forever." Hymn - "Abide With Me." Prayer. Address of presentation. Unveiling - General salute by Guard of Honor. Hymn - "Lead Kindly Light." Reading names of the fallen and placing of flowers. Singing of two verses of "O Canada" by the children. Addresses. Last Post. Prayer. "God Save The King." Members of the municipal councils and invited guests are requested to be at the post office lawn by one o'clock, where seats will be reserved for members of the families of deceased soldiers. All business places in the village are requested to close from noon until five o'clock.
Excerpt from: The Weekly Advance - Thursday, November 5, 1961 Church parade Sun. at St. Paul's :
The long-awaited move of the Cenotaph from the cramped quarters next to the Post Office to the grounds in front of North Grenville District High School has started, and it is expected work will finish Thursday or Friday. Cost of the moving of the large war memorial has been borne by the Kemptville Legion and the municipal councils of Kemptville, South Gower and Oxford-on-Rideau. Moving operations are being done by Kincaid Monuments, Smiths Falls.
Official re-dedication of the Cenotaph will take place Sunday afternoon at 2.30. Members of the Kemptville Legion, Legion Pipe Band and Ladies Auxiliary will be present, and the public is invited to attend. Members of the Legion will form up at the Legion Hall at 2 p.m. and move off at 2.05. They will parade to the Post Office, South on Prescott to Asa, and along Asa to Jack Street. The parade will continue along Jack to Van Buren and follow Van Buren to Prescott Street again, and then turn north to the school and Cenotaph site.
