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Erected by the local branch of the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire (I.O.D.E.), this memorial is dedicated to the local war dead of the First and Second World Wars.

After the Second World War, a Roll of Honour inscribed on bronze plaques was erected on a small monument next to the cenotaph in Veterans Park. It lists the names of all Veterans of the Second World War. These plaques were removed and relocated to the municipal building of Rural Municipality of Thompson in June of 2020.

Memorial Hall was built by the Town of Carman and Rural Municipality of Dufferin Councils as a meeting place for those that returned from the Frist World War and in memory of those from the community that had fallen in the war. It was the first war memorial of its kind in Western Canada and still remains as a monument of community remembrance. In 1919, it was estimated the area had a combined population of less than 3,500 citizens with a total of 500 young men that went overseas, 83 made the supreme sacrifice.

Construction began in October 1919 and a large crowd attended the laying of the cornerstone ceremony that fall. Mr. A.W. Badger read the list of the contents of the cornerstone box. Dufferin Reeve Thomas Harrison was the chairman for the event, while Carman Mayor J. A. Munn addressed the crowd and offered details on the construction and equipment of the hall. The building was constructed of red brick and Manitoba limestone. On the front of the building, two stone blocks were engraved with VIMY and MONS to pay tribute to the Canadian soldiers who fought so valiantly in those two battles. When these blocks were being installed, Dr. H.C. Cunningham was passing by and noticed the MONS block was placed upside down, thus spelling SNOW. The contractor was advised and the block was correctly installed.

The grand opening of Memorial Hall was held on 24 May 1920. The Memorial Room designed in the front northwest corner of the building remains intact to this day. For many years the basement served as a gathering point for the community and jail cells were located in the rear. Over the years, offices were built in this space and used by a number of different groups and organizations.

The main hall was used for weekend dances, community teas and luncheons. The bell tower, at the rear of the building, ran from the basement to the roof and housed the fire hoses. The fire bell was located in this tower until the 2015 renovation when it was removed and displayed in front of the Carman Dufferin Fire Hall. During a renovation, the bell tower was capped off at the third floor. The main hall became a temporary home for a clothing store in the late 1970s and in the 1990s served as temporary housing for the two municipal offices. During the 2015 renovations, a board room and offices were constructed in the main hall. 

Originally, the third floor of Memorial Hall was developed into a theatre and auditorium that held many plays, graduations, motion pictures, and community events. Over the decades, actors in the productions autographed their names and character on the south wall. By the 1960s, the theatre required upgrades and was closed to the general public. It became a storage area for municipal document retention until the 2015 renovation, when the old theatre was developed into meeting rooms, offices and council chambers.

Through the generosity of the late Mr. Frederick W. Tonkin, a monument was erected to the fallen soldiers of the Great War from this district. The monument is a tall shaft of grey granite after the style of “Cleopatra’s Needle”. It was unveiled in November, 1930 before a large crowd from the community. Roland, Carman, Morden and Winnipeg were also represented.

After the Second World War, the names of those who lost their lives during this war were added to the memorial. Next to the cenotaph a Second World War Roll of Honour was inscribed on bronze plaques and erected on a small monument listing all Veterans of the Second World War. These plaques were removed and relocated to the municipal building of Rural Municipality of Thompson.

Gilbert Plains Second World War Roll of Honour

The Commemorative Wall was dedicated in 2016. It was a joint project of Hamiota Municipality, Hamiota Lions Club and the Royal Canadian Legion Hamiota Branch. With assistance from Betty Gregory, a Hamiota & District Archives volunteer, a complete list was created for all those who served in the First and Second World Wars. The Commemorative Wall is located behind the War Memorial; it was funded by donations of present and former Hamiota District residents, Hamiota Lions Club and a grant from Veterans Affairs Canada.

The Binscarth War Service Plaque lists the names of men and women from the Binscarth area who served in the First World War and Second World War. It was unveiled in 2020 with financial support from local residents, Binscarth Bloomers, and the Russell Royal Legion Branch No. 159.

The cenotaph commemorates local citizens of Minnedora who died during military service.

This style of an Honour Roll was designed by A.J. Casson when he worked at Sampson-Matthews, a prominent midtown Toronto lithography and commercial art company.

See inscription