War Memorials of Manitoba
A Beginning Inventory
Compiled by Patrick Morican, B.A., M.A.
On the Cover: The Dauphin Cenotaph, c. 1930, with the sculptural figure entitled “Miss Canada.” (Photo from Dogtown to Dauphin, page 123.)
A Note to Readers
This version of Patrick Morican’s 1996 report, “War Memorials of Manitoba: A Beginning Inventory” has retained its essential content. All original texts have been reprised. Some of the images have been updated with colour versions, and some of the original detailed photographs, which focused on text features, have not been included here. There have been a few additions since the original inventory, and where there have been relocations of some memorials that information has been updated.
2014
War Memorials of Manitoba A Beginning Inventory
Monuments, buildings, plaques, parks, chapels, crosses, cairns, lakes, plinths, statues, streets, gardens, windows, and walls, define the many and varied Manitoba war memorials. They are testaments to individuals and communities at historic moments in the province’s history.
There are many more. Buildings have been destroyed. Others are inside buildings, barracks, churches, legions, schools, places of employment. Some are in remote places, a few may have been moved, temporarily out of sight. A program of the Department of Natural Resources naming lakes after war casualties is not covered in this first draft.
Memories furnished by veterans and their descendants fade, and some memorials languish for want of attention. Written and photographic records, therefore, assume greater significance for succeeding generations.
This “beginning inventory” was made possible by a grant from the Heritage Grants Program of Manitoba Culture, Heritage and Citizenship.
Bruce Donaldson and his staff of the History Section of the Historic Resources Branch of Manitoba Culture, Heritage and Citizenship provided encouragement, information and advice.
The Manitoba and Northwestern Command of the Royal Canadian Legion helped by distributing the questionnaire to its branches. Legion members who filled in the questionnaire provided valuable information.
This beginning inventory, of more than 200 memorial sites, attempts to bring together information in one place, prompted by sentiments of the memorial message, “Lest We Forget.”
It is but a beginning.
Patrick Morican December 1996
1
War Memorials of Manitoba
The following inventory of Manitoba war memorial sites is mostly organized alphabetically. Because there is a preference for double-page spreads to focus on certain sites, some single-page entries might be presented slightly out of alphabetical order – these are noted by slight indentations in the entry list.
Alexander Dominion City Alonsa Douglas (1) Arborg Douglas (2) Altona Dropmore Amaranth Arden Elgin Ashern Elkhorn Argyle Elm Creek Emerson (1) Baldur Emerson (2) Balmoral Erickson Basswood Beausejour Flin Flon Birch River Forrest Benito Fort Alexander First Nation Binscarth Foxwarren Birds Hill/East St. Paul Franklin Birtle Boissevain Garson Bowsman Gilbert Plains Brandon (1) Gimli Brandon (2) Gimli/Camp Morton Brandon (3) Gladstone Brokenhead First Nation Glenboro Grandview Camperville Griswold Carberry Carman (1) Hamiota Carman (2) Harding Cartwright Eriksdale Clanwilliam Hartney Clearwater Kaleida Edrans Holland Crandall Crystal City Kelwood Killarney Darlingford Lac du Bonnet Dauphin Kenton Deloraine
2
Russell (1) Langruth Russell (2) Lundar Sandy Lake MacGregor San Clara Mafeking Sanford Manitou Selkirk (1) Margaret Selkirk (2) McCreary Shellmouth Melita Shoal Lake Miami Shilo Miniota Snowflake Minnedosa Snow Lake Minitonas Souris Minto St. Adolphe Morden Sperling Morris St. Andrews-on-the-Red Ste. Anne Neepawa St. Claude Newdale St. Lazare Ninette St. Laurent St. Pierre-Jolys Oak Bank/Dugald Ste Rose du Lac Moosehorn Steinbach (1) Oak Lake Steinbach (2) Oak River Stonewall Oakville Stony Mountain Strathclair Pierson Swan Lake Pilot Mound Swan River Pine Falls Pipestone Teulon Plumas Treesbank Portage la Prairie Treherne Tyndall Rapid City Rathwell Virden Reston Rivers Waskada Roblin Wawanesa Roland Westbourne Rorketon Winkler Roseau River First Nation Thornhill Riding Mountain Winnipeg Beach Roseisle Winnipegosis Rossburn Woodlands
3
Winnipeg
Bank of Montreal Rivercrest Brooklands and Weston Legion Brookside Cemetery Winnipeg Rifles Volunteer Monument
Canadian Pacific Railway Seven Oaks Memorial Charleswood Shaarey Zedek Cemetery St. Augustine United Church Deer Lodge Centre (1) St. Boniface Belgian Monument Deer Lodge Centre (2) St. Boniface Cathedral Women’s Tribute Memorial Lodge St. Boniface Coronation Park St. Philip’s Anglican Church Elmwood Legion St. James Navy and Air Force Veterans St. James Bruce Park Canadian Pacific Weston Yards St. John’s Park East Kildonan and Transcona St. Vital Fort Garry Fort Rouge Legion Transcona Park Circle
Kildonan Park (1) University of Manitoba Ag College Kildonan Park (2) St. James Legion Kildonan Park (3) University of Manitoba Admin Building University of Manitoba Engineering Bldg Legislative Building Grounds (1) University of Manitoba Medical College Legislative Building Grounds (2) Legislative Building Interior Valour Road (1) Valour Road (2) Memorial Boulevard (1) Vimy Ridge Memorial Park (1) Memorial Boulevard (2) Vimy Ridge Memorial Park (2) Memorial Boulevard (3) Memorial Boulevard (4) Memorials Reported Inside Buildings Manitoba Government Liquor Control
Police Department Monte Cassino Legion
4
ALEXANDER Highway 1
Opposite the railway tracks at Clyde Street, beside the Alexander United Church, an OBELISK of four granite STONES mounted on top of each other.
It is in a groomed landscaped lot with flag pole.
Inscriptions. On a metal plaque:
OUR GLORIOUS DEAD
1914 - 1919
(Two columns of names)
1939 - 1945
(Two names)
"LET THOSE WHO COME AFTER SEE TO IT THAT THEIR NAMES BE NOT FORGOTTEN"
Carved in stone:
1914 - 1919
On the base:
ERECTED BY THE IMPERIAL ORDER DAUGHTERS OF THE EMPIRE ALEXANDER
5
(Photo Courtesy Manitoba Historical Society)
6
ALONSA Highway 50
Housed inside the Alex Robertson Museum are FRAMED ROLLS OF HONOUR for the communities of Alonsa, Leifur, Kinosota, and a PLAQUE for the Community of Rockwood.
7
ARBORG Highway 7
Memorial is located at the Legion on Main Street, on a treed lawn, screened from the street.
It is a TABLET to the left of the building.
Inscription on Plaque:
LEST WE FORGET IN MEMORY OF OUR COMRADES WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY. WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.
No names.
(Photo Courtesy Manitoba Historical Society)
8
ALTONA Highway 30 at Provincial Road 201
Downtown at 2nd St. NE and 4th Ave. NE, a MEMORIAL PARK with OBELISK, flower beds, benches, 2 flagpoles.
Inscriptions.
DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF CANADIANS WHO DIED IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY AND SO PRESERVED OUR HERITAGE
W.W. 1 KILLED IN ACTION (4 names)
W.W. II (14 names)
On other side, complete reproduction of "In Flanders Fields", John McCrae.
DEDICATED JULY 29 1995
9
(Photo Courtesy Manitoba Historical Society)
10
AMARANTH Highway 50
Memorial located just north of the community on Highway 50 at the Cemetery.
A PLAQUE dedicated to veterans is posted on a CAIRN shared with similar dedications to schools, churches and cemeteries. 3 Flagpoles. Dedication from Amaranth History Book Committee, 1994.
Inscription.
HONOUR ROLL
A DEDICATION TO THE MEN AND WOMEN FROM AMARANTH AND SURROUNDING DISTRICTS WHO SERVED IN ALL WARS. THEY FOUGHT FOR HONOUR AND FREEDOM FOR OUR COUNTRY.
WORLD WAR I (Four columns, 74 names)
WORLD WAR II (Four columns 91 names)
TO THOSE WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE OUR HONOURED FEW WE'LL NE'ER FORGET WHO FOUGHT FOR FREEDOM, LOST, AND YET GAVE US THE PEACE THAT WE ENJOY. DO REST IN PEACE OUR DISTRICT "BOYS."
We apologize for any names missed
11
12
ARDEN Provincial Road 362, north off Highway 16
Rural Municipality of Lansdowne
Memorial is on main street, Lansdowne Ave., opposite grain elevator, set in a grassy area, with flower bed, paved path, flag pole.
It is a STATUE OF A SOLDIER, hands on rifle, in front atop stone tablet with names. Additional tablet below on step in front for 2nd World War.
Inscriptions.
1914 1918
SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF THE MEN OF LANSDOWNE MUNICIPALITY WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR
(Two columns names)
MEMORABLE BATTLES
AMIENS VIMY RIDGE ARRAS YPRES
Additional tablet added below reads:
TO THE MEN OF ARDEN & DISTRICT WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE 2ND WORLD WAR
1939 1945
( names)
13
(Photo Courtesy Manitoba Historical Society)
14
ASHERN Highway 6
At Ashern Centennial Hall beside Highway 6, a CAIRN.
Inscription.
IN HONOUR OF THE VETERANS OF THE WARS OF THE WORLD
Lower plaque reads
“PIONEERS WHO SETTLED THIS DISTRICT
15
16
ARGYLE Provincial Road 322 at Provincial Road 323
Located at Brant-Argyle Cemetery, half mile north of Argyle, an OBELISK with flagpole.
Inscriptions
Front, on background of crossed rifles.
IN MEMORY OF OUR OUR HONOURED DEAD ( names) THEIR NAMES LIVETH FOR EVERMORE 1914 - 1918 Side. 1939 - 1945 (names)
17
(Photo Courtesy Manitoba Historical Society)
18
BALDUR R.M. of Argyle Highway 23
The Memorial is on the main route Highway 23 next to the CNR tracks, near the grain elevator. It is a CAIRN and PLAQUE, with a lantern mounted on top, and flag pole. The small landscaped park with shrubs, flowers and grass is maintained by Legion No. 108.
Inscription.
ARGYLE WAR MEMORIAL
"LEST WE FORGET"
WORLD WAR I
(Two Columns 26 Names including a nurse)
WORLD WAR II
(Two columns 15 Names)
WORLD WAR I
(3 more Names)
19
(Photo Courtesy Manitoba Historical Society)
20
BALMORAL Provincial Road 236, west of Highway 7
Rural Municipality of Rockwood
Memorial at the Elementary School, main route 236.
It is a STONE CAIRN with plaques and flag pole.
Inscriptions:
TO THE GLORIOUS MEMORY OF THE FOLLOWING MEN WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR
(11 names)
THEIR MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. OURS BUT BEGUN
(Similar plaque to the First World War, with Maple Leaf at top and torches either side, 6 names).
21
22
BASSWOOD Highway 16
UPRIGHT STONE with engraved sword and bird, flanked by two stones with battle names, Ypres, Mons, Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele. Additional tablet in front for World War II.
Inscriptions.
Tall Monument
TO OUR HEROES 1914 1918
(17 Names)
FOR PEACE EVERLASTING
Front stone
1939 - 1945 HEROES OF WORLD WAR II
(6 Names)
23
(Photo Courtesy Manitoba Historical Society)
24
BEAUSEJOUR
Town of Beausejour Highways 44 and 12
On Park Ave. in front of the Post Office, a TABLET with flagpole.
Inscriptions over an engraved sword.
LEST WE FORGET
1914 - 1939 1939 - 1945 1950 - 1953
ERECTED 1981 BY THE TOWN OF BEAUSEJOUR AND THE R.M.OF BROKENHEAD
25
BIRCH RIVER Highway 10 at Provincial Road 268
A MARBLE STONE with flagpole stands at the Legion Hall.
Inscription.
W.W.I W.W.II 1914 1939 1918 1945 KOREA 1950 - 1953
TO THE MEMORY OF THOSE WHO SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES OF CANADA
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
(Photo Courtesy Manitoba Historical Society)
26
BENITO Village of Benito Highway 83
1st Ave. at 1st. St. in front of the old school.
It is n TABLET on a concrete platform, flanked by shrubs, near a children's playground. The slab has decorations of maple leafs, poppies and military headwear.
Inscriptions:
1914 - 1918 1939-1945
1950 - 1953
IN MEMORY OF VETERANS WORLD WAR I WORLD WAR II KOREA
ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION BENITO BRANCH 228
LEST WE FORGET
27
(Photo Courtesy Manitoba Historical Society)
28
BINSCARTH
Highway 16 at Provincial Road 478 Russell Street at 4th Avenue.
The STATUE of a SOLDIER stands on top of a stone platform within a fenced, mature PARK, flagpole to the side.
Inscriptions. The pedestal has several inscriptions and is adorned by a Manitoba Bison.
ERECTED BY BINSCARTH AND DISTRICT IN MEMORY OF OUR HEROES WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 - 1918 (19 Names, the top one a nurse) "GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS"
Below, another plaque:
1939 - 1945 HONOUR ROLL (6 Names) "THEY SERVED THEIR COUNTRY WELL"
One side lists First World War battles:
THEY GAVE THEIR TODAY FOR OUR TOMORROW IN NEUVE CHAPELLE YPRES FESTUBERT GIVENCHY ST. ELOI SANCTUARY WOOD SOMME VIMY HILL 70 PASSECHENDAELE AMIENS ARRAS CANAL DU NORD CAMBRAI VALENCIENNE MONS
29
(Photo Courtesy Manitoba Historical Society)
30
BIRDS HILL / EAST ST. PAUL Highway 59, north of Winnipeg
Sperling St. and Agar Ave.,at top of hill, opposite St. Catherine's Church, an OBELISK, within a PARK, with flagpole.
Inscriptions: Original stone surface
THE GLORIOUS DEAD IN MEMORY OF (Names weathered, difficult to read)
Two plaques
IN MEMORY OF THE BOYS OF EAST ST. PAUL WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 - 1918 (17 Names) LEST WE FORGET
IN MEMORY OF THE BOYS OF EAST ST. PAUL WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR 1939 - 1945 (6 Names) LEST WE FORGET
31
(Photo Courtesy Manitoba Historical Society)
32