The Sparwood cenotaph is not only unique in its design and presentation; this is the first that we have visited that has a plaque giving the history of the cenotaph. The plaque is mounted on a square pillar in front of the cenotaph. Also behind the cenotaph is an open book with the following inscription.
They Shall Grow Not Old,
As We That Are Left Grow Old,
Age Shall Not Weary Them,
Nor The Years Condemn,
At The Going Down Of The
Sun And In The Morning,
“We Will Remember Them.”
The cenotaph has two granite pillars, inscribed with the names of veterans from World War I, supporting an arch and there is a fountain in the center of the arch.
We honour all veterans and to those brave men whose names are inscribed on this cenotaph.
Transcription from sign:
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CENOTAPH
After World War I (1914 -1918) Canadian Veterans banded together to form Royal Canadian Legion. The Michel-Natal Branch (081) of the Royal Canadian Legion was formed in 1924.
Several members of the Michel-Natal branch purchased the cenotaph shortly after World War I in memory of their fallen comrades and in recognition of their sacrifice. The three BASE STONES recognize the three main battles of 1914 - 1918, which were YPRES, PASSCHENDALE and VIMY RIDGE. The cenotaph also pays tribute to veterans of the Second World War (1939 - 1945) and the Korean War (1950 - 1953).
The Cenotaph originally erected on Public School property in Michel-Natal was moved to its current location in the 1960s shortly after the District of Sparwood was incorporated.
In 1955 the torch was added to commemorate the 50 years of the ending of World War II. In 2005, in memory of those who served and marking the 60th anniversary of the ending of World War II, the District of Sparwood undertook the revitalization of the cenotaph. Using colored concrete the base of the cenotaph was formed in the shape of a poppy. The five spokes radiating from the poppy symbolize the five major campaigns in which local veterans have participated.
REMEMBRANCE DAY ceremonies are held annually at the Cenotaph on November 11th.
It is fitting that the revitalization of the cenotaph is completed in 2005,”THE YEAR OF THE VETERAN.”
In Honoured Memory Of
The Men Of Michel And
Natal Who Died
In The
1914 Great War 1918
| 1914 Great War 1918 |
Honour Roll
J. Adamsky
W. Archer
R. Barruzini
J. Billy
W. Blaney
F. Carpenter
F. Dickey
J. Dixon
R. Caskell
G. Gregory
|
Honour Roll
H. Gullett
P. Handley
T. Harris
A. Hopwood
H. Lewis
H. Littler
M. Lyons
P. Mc Rae
H. Mercer
E. Partridge
|
Honour Roll
P. Phillips
L. Pontoni
E. Porter
W. Savage
E. Stacey
S. Swanson
J. Travis
J. Waddington
A. Yates
|
World War II
1939-1945 |
Honour Roll
L. Borsato
S. Haycock
L. Jenkinson
S. Kuleski
|
Honour Roll
J. Lancaster
J. Lowe
F. Lyne
R. Mitchell
|
Honour Roll
W. Payne
C. Robinson
B. Smith
J. Terrion
|
Korea
Honour Roll
A.B. Vince Liska
Royal Canadian Navy
Dec 4, 1950
Lest We Forget
They Shall Grow Not Old,
As We That Are Left Grow Old,
Age Shall Not Weary Them,
Nor The Years Condemn,
At The Going Down Of The
Sun And In The Morning,
“We Will Remember Them.”