Ontario

The Alderville First Nation Cenotaph was unveiled on September 25, 1927, to some 3,000 people to commemorate those who gave so much in the First World War. It was the first structure erected in Canada to commemorate Indigenous service in the First World War. A war in which the Alderville band had one of the highest per capita enlistments in Canada.

The cenotaph was constructed in 1927 by Alf McKeel and Son of Campbellford who supplied the design and donated the materials for the project, while the hard physical labour was supplied by many volunteers. The Indigenous men of Alderville used hand shovels and a lot of muscle power to stir the cement which makes up the cenotaph. Four hundred and sixty-eight tons of concrete was poured raising this unique design to almost 50 feet. The women spent hours cooking and supplying meals for these hardworking volunteers.

McKeel had already constructed a smaller monument in 1923 at Trent River and this basic design followed on a larger scale at Alderville. A description of the design elements of the monument are described on a plaque beside it. 

The cube on the very top symbolizes the four corners of the earth. The three globes beneath the cube symbolize the holy trinity. The three large pillars supporting the above symbolize the three holy virtues - faith, hope and charity. The square base on which the cenotaph stands, symbolizes the four freedoms - freedom of speech; freedom of religion; freedom from fear and freedom of the press. The nine large cubes situated around the cenotaph represent the nine men who were killed in the First World War. The chain that is comprised of 35 links that encloses the cenotaph and is fastened to the nine cubes represents the 35 residents who served in that war and at the same time represents eternity.  

Originally built to honour the 33 Alderville men who enlisted in the First World War, including the nine who gave their lives, it now commemorates the contributions made by Alderville during the Second World War, Korean War, Vietnam War and peacetime. Restoration of the cenotaph was completed in May 1992 as a  co-operative project of the Alderville First Nation and the Rotary Club of Cobourg. A further restoration was completed in 2000 as part of a Millennium Project.

This monument is dedicated to the sons and daughters of the Hope Township who served their country. It was erected by the Hope Township Cenotaph Remembrance Day Committee on September 18, 1988. The slash in the top of the stone represents a balance between war and peace and a movement towards heaven. Every Remembrance Day rocks are added to the stone wall behind the monument which represents the deaths from armed conflict.

This memorial is dedicated to those seamen who lost their lives in HMCS Skeena on October 25, 1944. It was erected by the Skeena survivors, their families and Northumberland Branch, Navy League of Canada. A Skeena Reunion and Dedication was held in Port Hope, October 20 to 23, 2000. Most veterans of Skeena I-59, Skeena 2nd and some from Port Hope and Cobourg attended. Ted Maidman, the veterans' representative on the Reunion Committee, enrolled a number of veterans to march with the Cadet Corps on the Saturday. The weather was warm and sunny with cloudless skies and lovely autumn colours. The last of the chinook salmon were working their up the Ganaraska River. It runs right through the middle of Port Hope. On its west side are the Town Hall and Cenotaph, and a four minute stroll via a footbridge takes you to the Skeena Building on the east. All gathered at the Town Hall on the Saturday to look at photographs and memorabilia that attendees brought. Mayor Ron Smith joined the reunion. RAdm David Morse arrived from RMC, where he is Commandant. He had very fond memories of his time in command of Skeena 2nd. At 11:00 the Cadet Corps with band and colour party marched over to the Town Hall via a road bridge. The CO hammered thrice on the door with the hilt of her sword. The Mayor emerged and inspected the Corps. All gathered at the Cenotaph where old Skeenas Don German and Ted Maidman laid a wreath. Then the approximately 30 veterans fell in with the Corps for a rousing march through the centre of Town, to the Skeena Building. After lunch, the Town blocked off the street and seating was arranged for three hundred on the roadway for the Dedication Ceremony. Among Skeena veterans the earliest was David Freeman of Victoria who served her in 1934, the most recent was Chief Petty Officer David Brennan, the last Cox'n of Skeena 2nd (1993) and still in the Navy, who came from Halifax. The Band of the Royal Marine Association of Ontario from Cobourg played splendidly through the afternoon. The Admiral, exchanging his brass hat for his CO Skeena 207 peaked cap, spoke exceptionally well. The senior Cadet made a presentation to him from the Corps. He responded by giving his cap and a copy of the ship's commissioning booklet. Then Max Ferguson continued as master of ceremonies. O Canada was sung and the Memorials were dedicated. The first, a family memorial to Commander F.W.R. Angus OBE RCNVR, was dedicated by his son Ian Angus. Next came the two large front windows which the towns of Port Hope and Cobourg had restored in memory of the Bangor 'sweeper and the corvette of the same names. Mayors Joan Chalovich and Ron Smith, unveiled plaques secured to the brick beneath each window. Then the Skeena Memorial Plaque, covered by the White Ensign which had flown in the ship in 1944, was unveiled by Dorothy Watson French, sister of Leonard Watson, and Ritchie Seath brother of Andrew Seath, who were among those lost. Their shipmate, Ed Parsons read out the inscription with each name marked by the toll of the Corps' bell. The Last Post sounded, a long silence, and Reveille. Reverend Richard Davidson then led the prayers. As the Chaplain of 162 Squadron RCAF stationed in Iceland he had buried Skeena's dead in Fossvogur Cemetery on 28th October 1944. He recalled that time, evoking the scene with profound personal emotion and he then led the prayers concluding with the Naval Prayer and Eternal Father. Presentation to the Corps of significant items from the ship by those who had retrieved them 56 years ago followed: the White Ensign from Al Lake of Edmonton; the commissioning pennant from Ted Maidman which he had beautifully framed; and the ship's wheel from Bill McPhillips of London, Ontario. Bill Brown of Ottawa, who commanded Skeena 2nd in 1967-69 and had taken her to Iceland for a memorial service, unveiled the stained glass window over the entrance depicting RCSCC Skeena's badge and the motto "Go Forth". It was created by Port Hope stained glass artist Chris Montgomery. It is identical to Skeena's 2nd badge and motto except, in accordance with the sealed pattern, the maple leaves are red versus green and the name Skeena is black on gold rather than in the ship's colours which were blue on white.

Needs further research.

The Champlain's War Party Plaque was erected in 1960.

St. Peter’s was the regimental church for the 40th Northumberland Regiment and their Colours were deposited in the church on November 25, 1923. The 40th Northumberland Battalion of Infantry was authorized to be formed in Cobourg, Ontario on 5 October 1866 and re-designated 40th Northumberland Regiment on 8 May 1900.

In earlier times, Colours played a prominent part in many battles. They served to identify units in battle, often marking the focal point of a struggle. Captured Colours were a prized trophy and attracted enemy attention and inspired much gallantry. By the late 19^th and 20^th Century, however, they were no longer carried in battle, but their status as the heart and soul of a Regiment continued, and the laying up of Colours signifies and helps keep holy the memories of the men who sacrificed their lives.

The Bewdley Cenotaph is dedicated to those who served in the First and Second World Wars. It was erected by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 577 of Bewdley.

In the 1920s, the tower at St. Peter's was dedicated to the men of the parish who served in the First World War. St. Peter’s was the regimental church for the 40th Northumberland Regiment and the Canadian Garrison Artillery and the Colours for both are framed inside the sanctuary. 

The First World War had a profound effect on the life of St. Peter’s. In August 1914, just three weeks from the outbreak of war, St. Peter’s hosted a special service for the 40th Northumberland Regiment who were about to go overseas. In March 1915, the 139th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force Colours were deposited in St. Peter’s. By 1917, the church’s Honour Roll contained 111 names, of which eight had paid the supreme sacrifice. The final count was 14 men of the parish that died and their names are commemorated on a memorial tablet on the back wall of the church. The Lieutenant Douglas Denton Window is also located in the church.

On November 7, 1976, a service was held in this church for Victoria Cross and George Cross recipients in Canada - the highest awards for gallantry in the Commonwealth. A Belgium glass chalice was gifted to St. Peter's by the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association to commemorate the service. One of the two First World War Veterans attending was Victoria Cross recipient Charles Rutherford who lived in Cobourg at that time. As a 26-year-old Lieutenant in 1918, Rutherford persuaded 50 German soldiers to surrender while armed with only a revolver. 

The outbreak of the Second World War created a number of challenges for St. Peter's. In June of 1940, Rector Canon Phillip Dykes was appointed Chaplain of the 14th Artillery Battery in Petawawa. This led to a succession of priests coming in to take services at the church. In September 1941, Reverend Robert Seaborn was inducted as rector, but in July of the following year was appointed Chaplain of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada. Seaborn had a distinguished career as chaplain and received the Croix de Guerre by the French government in recognition of his heroic service on D-Day. Upon his return to the parish in November 1945, he was given a hero’s welcome. The Cobourg Second World War Honour Roll is located in the nave of the church.

The Fraser Park Gates were constructed after the First World War in memory of the First World War fallen. The Gates were the original war monuments for those lost. They have been moved at least once. The Fraser Park Gates are now used as a back-up Cenotaph. They are situated near the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 110.

All local cemeteries in Trenton, Ontario possess a Cemetery Cairn. This particular cairn was constructed in 1972 in memory of all veterans laying in the cemetery. The monument was designed by Walter Gregory. The main worker on the project was Ken Wannamaker who also thought of a large wreath rack for the cairn. Cairns replaced the impractical grave markers which were often lost or relocated by gardeners. A dedication service is held on the first Sunday in June of each year. Canadian and British flags are flown and a wreath is laid. This design is also used in Thunder Bay.