Abernethy Cenotaph

Constructed in 1960, in memory of Veterans, Civilians Who Lost Their Lives In Defence Of Freedom During World War I, World War II and Korean Conflicts.

The Cenotaph is located near the village of Abernethy. It is maintained and cared for by the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, #026.

On October 1916, the council of the Rural Municipality made plans to look after returned soldiers. H.T. Smith and H.H. Turner were a committee with authority to provide for their needs or to offer friendship. The villages of Abernethy and Balcarres, and the residents of Lolie, each had a committee of the Returned Soldiers' League. In May 1917, the Rural Committee suggested an amalgamation of all units thereby providing a better welcome home for the boys. These became two Leagues, and the Abernethy League eventually became the Great War Veteran's Association in 1920. Six years later the G.W.V.A. joined the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League. In 1961, it became the Royal Canadian Legion.

The Decoration Day service at the cemetery was started by the Abernethy Branch in 1926, and has continued to the present, with the exception of 1942-1945.

Decoration Services are held during the month of July. The last service was held 1997. The future of the decoration service is now in doubt, because of the age of local veterans and declining membership due to death.