Constructed in memory of WWI, WWII and Korea.

Researched by Ray Keane.

Commission from Victory Bond salesmen paid for the cenotaph. The contractors were Fox and Grant.

The cenotaph has been in three locations: first, south side of Columbia Avenue on Queen Street; second, north side of Columbia, east side of Queen Street; and, third, Esling Park.

"Rossland Miner", Saturday, August 21, 1920

AN IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY

The unveiling of the Rossland War Memorial yesterday, erected in honour of the heroes of the World War I who gave their lives that the civilized nations of the world might remain free of the iron heel of the Prussians and their allies, was one of the most impressive ceremonies ever witnessed in Rossland and will long be remembered by those present.

Over five hundred pupils from the High and MacLean schools were in the procession and it was quite noticeable that even the smallest tot present was impressed by the ceremonies in honouring those who, in the part they played in the struggle for freedom, made the future brighter for them.

All credit is due the Rossland Branch of the Great War Veterans’ Association of Canada for the successful manner in which they carried the work of completing the handsome memorial to the successful conclusion attained, a lasting tribute to those who fell in the great war.

Credit must also be given all who co-operated with the veterans in the huge task, for it was, as stated by a member of the organization last evening, "that unity of co-operation in all undertaken that won the day."

Rosslanders, one and all, can feel justly proud of the lasting memento of the World’s Greatest War.

ROSSLAND HONOURS MEMORY
OF HEROES WHO FELL IN WAR

PEOPLE TURN OUT EN MASSE
AT UNVEILING OF WAR MEMORIAL

MANY VETERANS IN LINE;
SCHOOL PUPILS PARTICIPATE

BUSINESS GENERALLY SUSPENDED IN ORDER
TO PAY RESPECTS TO THOSE WHO
GAVE THEIR LIVES IN STRUGGLE

Our Fallen Heroes.

E.V. Bloomfield, E.H.V. Wilder, M. Janich, J. Mellach, J. Kearney, A. Campbell, H. Bowers, A.G. Leeson, G. Wallace, T. Talbot, J. Trewhella, T. Cross, J. Inches, J. Cocking, T. Wallace, A. McLean, J.A. Paull, C.E. Adams, R. Rakovich, H. Holmes, J. Paul, A. Lindsey, Z. Nikitovich, J. Dawson, H. Packer, R. Bowie, R. Gun, E.J. Lee, and F.S. Oliver.

One of the most impressive ceremonies witnessed in the history of Rossland took place yesterday, when, under the auspices of the local branch of the Great War Veterans of Canada, the beautiful War Memorial, erected by the veterans and citizens in honour of the fallen heroes in the late World War, was unveiled.

To the credit of the veterans and all who assisted them, it must be said that the arrangements were, in every detail, perfection.

Long before the hour set for the unveiling ceremonies to begin, the space at the intersection of south side of Columbia Avenue and Queen was well-filled with those who wished, as a last tribute to the dead, to pay their respects in participating in the unveiling ceremonies.

Promptly at 1:30, the Great War Veterans’ Band left the armoury for the scene of the unveiling ceremonies, followed by the returned men, about 40 in number, the veterans being followed by the children of the MacLean school and pupils from the High School, the procession, when the band reached the monument extending back to Spokane Street, was the largest turnout of those attending the schools ever seen in the city.

The procession was headed by Lt.-Col. C. Hungerford Pollen, O.C., the 1st Battalion Kootenay Regiment (formerly of the 54th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Forces; Sergeant Semmens and Capt. D.E.D. Robertson; late Chaplain 7th Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Forces; Sergeant William Turner commanding the returned men in line.

Teachers of the various classes of the schools were in charge of the pupils in the procession, Principal J.C. Robson generally supervising.

Upon arriving at the memorial, the speakers took their places in front of the structure housing the trophies captured by the Canadians from the Germans and immediately back of the shaft erected in honour of the fallen heroes. At the right and facing the huge throng had been erected a small platform from which the speakers delivered their addresses, a flag pole immediately to the right of the speakers’ stand bearing a huge Union Jack and being draped in the National colours.

In the procession, were members of the Canadian Mounted Police, the members of the Rossland Board of School Trustees and Rossland City Council.

The veterans were formed along the east on Queen Street and East to West on Columbia Avenue, the school children and pupils of the High School being assembled inside of the line and around the monument, with the Boy Scouts taking up a position immediately in front of the veterans.

"Retreat" was sounded by the Gordon brothers of Trail, in true military style, and "O, Canada" was sung by all present, with the Great War Veterans’ Association Band leading.

His Worship, Mayor Pitot, then introduced Lt.-Col. Pollen, who unveiled the shaft which was draped in a Union Jack, releasing the covering at the close of his address.

Major Pitot, in introducing Lt.-Col. Pollen, said all had gathered to honour those brave Rosslanders who fell in the war.

Lt.-Col. Pollen paid high tribute to the honoured dead. He said all the Allied nations were, on this occasion, paying tribute, in some form or other, to those brave men who had fought and died in the war; the shaft was addressed more to the living than the dead, and the magnificent achievements of the fallen heroes would live forever. He then declared the monument officially unveiled, releasing the fastening holding the Union Jack in place.

Lt.-Col. Pollen then placed a most beautiful wreath, presented by the Kootenay Battalion, at the base of the shaft, with Misses Helen Townsend, Violet Swanson and Florence McKenzie offering a magnificent wreath on a pedestal on behalf of the pupils of the High School, which was also placed at the base of the monument.

Capt. the Rev. D.E.D. Robertson was next introduced by His Worship, Mayor Pitot, and offered the following prayer: "O, most Glorious Lord God, whose radiant service is peace that passeth all understanding to the submission of the yoke and burden of the cross of the Son. Accept, we pray Thee, the dedication of this monument, erected to the glory and the undying memory of our brethren whose life, taken from Thee, was given again for Thy service in this world, who liveth and rulest in the unity of the Holy World without end. Amen."

The assembly then sang the Hymn, "O, God Our Help in Ages Past", with the band leading, after which His Worship, Mayor Pitot, introduced Rev. K. McIntyre of the Sacred Heart Church.

Rev. Father McIntyre said that November 11 would be a day that would live forever in the history of man: it marked the end of the terrible struggle of bloodshed; our young men had been watched going to war; and, on November 11, the world received the message of victory won; Armistice Day would live in our memory and all would recall the occasion of the unveiling of the tablet in honour of our glorious dead; it seemed but a short time since they went away; they lived among us and many were his friends; their memory was carved in granite which should not be looked upon as cold granite but a shaft in honour of deeds well done; their names would live forever. Rev. McIntyre said that Rossland felt highly honoured because of the presence of Lt.-Col. Pollen who had the honour of serving with distinction along with the men.

Rev. Scott of the United Church, who was in line with the veterans, was next introduced by His Worship, Mayor Pitot, and said that all were present on the occasion to pay their respects to the fallen heroes and in gratitude for the work they had done in blocking the pathway of the greatest tyrant the world had ever known. He said it might be appropriate to refer to some of the past history of the Roman Empire and the desire of some of the rulers to dominate the people of the world; he spoke of Napoleon’s ambitions and the conquest of Spain - but Divine Providence had ruled against them; Germany had similar ambitions; and of the gallant work of those who had stood by and fought so valiantly for King and Country. Rev. Scott, in closing, said he took great pleasure in seconding the vote of thanks tendered Lt.-Col. Pollen by the previous speaker.

His Worship, Mayor Pitot, introduced, as the next speaker, Ensign Houghton of the Salvation Army who said he felt it a great privilege to stand before those present on the occasion of the unveiling of so beautiful a memorial to the gallant men who fought and died in the war. The shaft would, in his opinion, stand, in future, more for the living than for the dead and that "We will fight again against those things that would hinder and for the things that would help us." He spoke of the presence in the audience of Brig. Coombes of the Salvation Army who was also introduced by Mayor Pitot.

Brigadier Coombes also expressed great pleasure at being privileged to be present on so memorable an occasion and said, if it had not been for the men who volunteered and went to the front, conditions would be vastly different with us today. He referred to the loyalty to those who were compelled to remain at home and work for the cause of four years of war. An old lady, quite feeble, had told him of her desire to do something. She had gone to a rag bag and, from its contents, made small mats from which she realized $1.00. With this dollar, she made more and accumulated $54.00; $50.00 was sent to the starving children in Belgium and, with the four dollars remaining, she went to work again and, in time, was able to send along another $50.00, making another $100.00 in all! This noble work was only one of the many hundreds. In closing, he paid a glowing tribute to the great accomplishments of the valour of those who made the supreme sacrifice.

The "Last Post" was sounded, the National Anthem was sung with the accompaniment of the band, and the curtain was rung down on an event in Rossland’s history that will long be remembered by all present. Appropriately designed programs were supplied to all in attendance.

Veterans in Line: Trail Veterans G.F. Reiman, C.A. Phillips, H. Adair, J.P. Schofield, F. Dean, W.J. Williams, J.W. McKay, Cor. H.J.E. Williams, Ray Jones, J.H. Harrison, Sergeant Taylor, Buglers S. and R. Gordon.

Rossland Veterans: C.E. Head, Wm. Turner, Edw. W. Hall, Samuel Hanna, Lt. Semmens, Rev. W.M. Scott, M. Nikitovich, E.E. Hunt, Warren Crowe, Gerald Ham, W.E. Jewell, R. Kirk, M. Hampton, Louis Rowe, Alonzo Rowe, J.G. Hadfield, A. Ogg, Rev. D.E.D. Robertson, A. McLaren, A. Ingram, A.G. Cleeton, F. Warburton, E. Malcolm, P. Bloomer, W. Laughton, T. Johnson, T. Cohen.

THE MEMORIAL SHAFT

Rossland’s Memorial Shaft to our fallen heroes in the Great War was originally erected from funds derived from the commissions of the Victory Bond Campaign Committee, aided by the City of Rossland but, later, when captured German trophies were presented to Rossland by Dominion War Department, the veterans decided upon a plan to enlarge the memorial and held a celebration on May 24th last, realizing sufficient funds to go on with the work, which was completed during the autumn months.

Aside from the building housing the trophies, a marble shaft, about seven feet high on a massive granite base, makes up the lasting testimonial of Rossland’s appreciation of the gallant deeds of her war heroes.

The shaft is surrounded by four ornamental standards of metal, adorned on top of each with frosted electric light globes. When illuminated at night, it presents a very attractive appearance.

Inscribed on the shaft is the following:

"In Memory of Those Who Gave Their Lives for Humanity"

1914 - Great War - 1918

"He That Giveth His Life for a Principle deemed by Him to be Just, is a Hero"

Notes of the Occasion

All the service men wore their service uniforms.

The manner in which the school children (especially the little tots) sang "O, Canada" made all present feel the thrill of patriotism.

The Boy Scouts presented a most pleasing appearance.

Few were in the gathering that did not have a "poppy".

All flags on public buildings were at half mast.

City Foreman Hanna did his part well in preparing the grounds surrounding the grounds for the occasion.

The mines closed for the day in order to give all those who desired to attend the ceremonies an opportunity to do so.

Lt.-Col. Pollen, while here, was a guest at the home of Mr. and Mrs. E.E.L. Dewney while in the city, departing for his home in Cranbrook on Friday evening's train.

Immediately in front of the staff at its base could be seen a pure white cross with clusters of "poppies" at its base - a replica of the graves of our fallen heroes in Flanders.

Rossland’s War Memorial is admitted by all who have seen other memorials throughout the province in the smaller cities to be the most appropriate in design of any yet erected.

The fact that Rossland possesses such a good musical organization in the Great War Veterans' Association Band is appreciated the more, for, without the band, the unveiling ceremonies would not have attained the success noted.

The weather looked threatening for a time but the heavy clouds overhanging the city withheld any moisture they might have contained during the ceremonial exercises.

Many present, especially strangers in the city, took advantage of the occasion to view the German trophies housed in the place erected for their preservation adjoining the tablet, the trophies consisting of a large German field piece, two machine guns, cartridge belts, ammunition boxes and other equipment.

P.S. Mr. Ernie Glover, who was a painter, kept the lettering on the cenotaph, which was in goldleaf, in good repair until he passed away in the early thirties.

The cenotaph was moved from the northeast corner of Columbia Avenue and Queen Street to Esling park in October 1948. Alderman Cyril Bacon was in charge of the committee which arranged the transfer of the cenotaph. He praised the Royal Canadian Legion for their help.

As a point of interest, November 11 was declared a National of Remembrance by the Canadian Parliament in 1931.

ROSSLAND CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS
REDEDICATION OF CENOTAPH
JULY 1, 1997

Crowds huddled together in the light rain of Tuesday morning for the rededication of the Cenotaph Memorial by Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 14.

President Vernon Schneider of Rossland Br. 14 Royal Canadian Legion introduced Rev. Bob McDowell who offered a scripture reading and prayer of dedication at the unveiling, and Zone Commander, Allan Stinson, addressed those gathered.

Mayor Bill Profili extended the best wishes from the City of Rossland and thanked the Legion for their co-operation in changing the location of the cenotaph.

Address by Zone Commander, Allan Stinson:

It gives me a great deal of pleasure, not only as the representative of Pacific Command of the Royal Canadian Legion but having a great Grandfather Keating who came to Rossland in 1987, and a wonderful mother, Dorothy Stinson, and myself, who were both born in Rossland, to speak to you today.

The cenotaph was first dedicated on November 11, 1921, at its original location on Queen Street south of Columbia Avenue. It has since been moved to the north side of Columbia Avenue on Queen and, again, to the location most familiar to you, in Esling Park. Now, thanks to the City of Rossland and our hard-working chairman of the legion cenotaph committee, Bernie Fourt, it rests here at Library Square.

This cenotaph serves as a symbol, not only of those World War I and II soldiers, sailors and airmen who died and are listed on it but also as a symbol that should act as a reminder of those other veterans who served their country in its time of need and then came home. We can honour and respect their sacrifices simply by remembering.

We hope it will never be necessary to add any names to this cenotaph but it is a fact of life that Canadian Forces personnel continue to serve, and some die doing Peacekeeping duty in places like Bosnia, Haiti, Somalia and Cyprus. This cenotaph should act as a reminder that peace does not come without a price and that our present-day Armed Forces personnel still need our support and respect.

In closing, I would simply use the last line of the Legion Act of Remembrance: "We will remember them."

Wreaths were placed on the cenotaph by the West Kootenay Zone Commander, Ladies’ Auxiliary, Donna Price; Vernon Schneider for Rossland Branch of Royal Canadian Legion; Gary Moulton Junior Vice District 9 Veterans of Foreign Wars; and Opal Moulton, Ladies’ Auxiliary President, Post 3067, of Deer Park, Wa.

William Richardson was the Parade Marshall, and the Trail Pipe Band provided the music when the Legion members marched from the Rossland Legion to the cenotaph and, after the service, returned to the Rossland Legion.

"Rossland Miner", Saturday, November 12, 1921