Mount Forest began plans for their cenotaph after World War One. In 1928, the plans to construct the memorial began after an anonymous donor put forth $1,000 for the project. The town council decided to match the donation so that they could move forward with the proposed memorial plans. The monument is made of grey granite and was unveiled to the public on October 15, 1928.
Alice Cook of Mount Forest is the only woman recognized on a cenotaph not only the Mount Forest, but in all of Wellington County. Alice was a nurse who treated soldiers during the influenza epidemic before she succumbed to the illness herself in 1919. Her name can be seen on the plaque below.
Whent the monument was unveiled, a special dedication was given to Captain Fredrick W. Campbell. He was the first Canadian to receive the honour of a Victoria Cross award in World War One. He was killed in action overseas in 1915.
The cenotaph was re-dedicated in 1946 during a Remembrance Day ceremony. Names of the young men from the area who died in World War 2 were added to the moneument. A parade and a wreath-laying ceremony were also held during the re-dedication. The park where the Cenotaph resides was once called Riverview Park, though has since be renamed Veteran's Memorial Park to honour the veterans of the Great Wars.
Research Credit to:
- Wellington County Remembers: Our Cenotaphs Unveiled
- simplyexploreculture.ca
- wellingtonadvertiser.com