Nova Scotia

When local doctor Karen Ewing returned home after seeing WWI and WWII battlefields and memorials in Europe, she felt strongly that, since many people would not be travelling to Europe, there should be a memorial in Bass River. Dr. Ewing began with a letter campaign to all levels of government, as well as companies, organizations, and individuals that might be willing to donate funds or materials for such a park. She then approached Dominion Chair Co, a local company to ask for a piece of land that had remained vacant for years in the heart of Bass River. The memorial park is dedicated to remembering, honouring, and celebrating all men and women who served of are serving in Canada's military in conflicts past and present.

The Veterans Memorial Park (VMP) was designed by Dr. Karen Ewing in the form of a Celtic flower. The three gardens enfold eight black granite monuments set on red gravel. On the left is the Garden of Sorrows, formed as a mock WWI trench with no flowers and only black mulch and white sandbags. Behind the monuments is the Garden of Remembrance, with old-fashioned white and green shrubs, bulbs, perennials, and grasses. To the right is the Garden of Hope, in full colour, again filled with shrubs, bulbs and perennials from all around the world to inspire the visitors to look forward to the day when we will all live in peace with each other. The park is ringed by native trees with lawns and red gravel paths.

In addition to the black granite monuments, there are three stone benches dedicated to the families, the parents and the children who give so much when a family member goes away to serve. Behind the garden sits a sculpture, created and donated by a local welder, of the world surrounded by barbed wire. As the wire circles upward, it changes to olive branches and, at the tip, a peace dove takes flight. It is a symbol of our continued hope for peace.

Finally, there is a Forgotten Heroes monument, conceived of and donated by a local student. It is dedicated to the sacrifice of all the animals that have been used during war time and peace time.

The North Nova Scotia Highlanders Mural was painted by Jennifer Kathleen Morris Cormier for the Year of the Veteran. It was dedicated on 20 August 2005. It is dedicated to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders of the Second World War.

Needs further research

Needs further research

This memorial is dedicated to the local war dead of the First and Second World Wars.

This memorial to the memory of former students of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College killed during the First World War was erected by their fellow students.

Jeremiah A. (Jerry) Jones - Private, Royal Canadian Regiment, First World War (1858-1950) Jerry Jones volunteered for military service on June 16, 1916. He lied about his age to be eligible for enlistment, stating that he was 39 years old when in fact he was 58 years of age. This at a time when much of the military brass, as well as many politicians felt "...Coloreds would not make good soldiers...". Mr. Jones would soon prove wrong those who doubted the bravery, courage, and devotion to duty of African-Canadians serving in the military. During the Battle of Vimy Ridge, an action for which the valour of Canadian soldiers in general is famous, Jerry Jones' actions would stand out from the rest. During the battle, Canadian troops were pinned down by German machine gun fire. Private Jones volunteered to attempt to silence the German gun emplacement; he was able to approach the machine gun nest and toss a hand grenade into the German position, killing several of the enemy soldiers. The remaining Germans then surrendered to Private Jones, who then forced his captives to carry their machine gun back across the battlefield to the Canadian lines and deposit it at his command officer's feet. For this act of heroism Jones was recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal, an award for valour, second only to the Victoria Cross. Private Jones was wounded during this action and he returned to Truro, where he lived until his passing in 1950. Unfortunately, due to the military, political and social attitudes of the time, Mr. Jones was never awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for which he was recommended and so rightfully deserved. This statue was sculpted out of a tree by Bruce Wood.

Jeremiah A. (Jerry) Jones - Private, Royal Canadian Regiment, First World War (1858-1950) Jerry Jones volunteered for military service on June 16, 1916. He lied about his age to be eligible for enlistment, stating that he was 35 years old when in fact he was 58 years of age. This at a time when much of the military brass, as well as many politicians felt "...Coloreds would not make good soldiers...". Mr. Jones would soon prove wrong those who doubted the bravery, courage, and devotion to duty of African-Canadians serving in the military. During the Battle of Vimy Ridge, an action for which the valour of Canadian soldiers in general is famous, Jerry Jones' actions would stand out from the rest. During the battle, Canadian troops were pinned down by German machine gun fire. Private Jones volunteered to attempt to silence the German gun emplacement; he was able to approach the machine gun nest and toss a hand grenade into the German position, killing several of the enemy soldiers. The remaining Germans then surrendered to Private Jones, who then forced his captives to carry their machine gun back across the battlefield to the Canadian lines and deposit it at his command officer's feet. For this act of heroism Jones was recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal, an award for valour, second only to the Victoria Cross. Private Jones was wounded during this action and wounded again at the battle of Passchendale, after which he returned to Truro where he lived until his passing in 1950. Unfortunately, due to the military, political and social attitudes of the time, Mr. Jones was never awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for which he was recommended and so rightfully deserved. This statue was sculpted out of a tree by Bruce Wood.

The Richmond Cenotaph was erected after the First World War, to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the conflict. Each November 11 a wreath is placed in remembrance for those who served and for those who gave the supreme sacrifice, that we in this great Country could enjoy peace.

An article that appeared in the Oxford Journal, October 25, 1925:

MONUMENT UNVEILED October 15, 1925 - A large number from this place attended the unveiling of the soldiers' monument at Wallace Grant on Tuesday afternoon. The citizens of Wallace Grant deserve credit for the Loyalty and Patriotism they have shown for those boys who made the supreme sacrifice for King and Country.

The memorial was commissioned by William Adams, the caretaker of the Eagle Hill Cemetery in Westchester Station. It was designed and built by Donald Reid and was dedicated to the village of Westchester Station in September 1971 in memory and tribute to those men who fought and gave their ultimate sacrifice in the First and Second World Wars, and the Korean Conflict.