Ontario War Memorials: Almonte

Thursday, 27 December 2018

Almonte

Location: Lanark County

N 45.225831 - W 76.194228

Corner of Bridge Street and Little Bridge Street, on the left of Almonte Old Town Hall.

This beautiful bronze statue, representing Lt. Alexander Rosamond, could also be of any volunteer in WWI, on the look out or maybe just waiting to be on the ready to hop on a train, or ship to take them to their final destination in a foreign land. Ready to serve his country. For a war to end all wars. For freedom and democracy.

This cenotaph was erected and dedicated Sept 11 1923 to honour those who fell in WWI and later included WWII and the Korean War. It was restored in 2013 just before the Remembrance day ceremony.

The sculpture, known as "The Volunteer", represents the image of Lt. Alex Rosamond and requested by his widow, was designed by the noted Dr. R. Tait McKenzie. Rosamond was a lieutenant in the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry who had taken over leadership of the Rosamond Woollen Company from Bennett Rosamond. He noted that, if he did not return, he hoped a memorial could be built in a central place in Almonte, "to the men of Almonte who fell for freedom." Apparently, it was too much of a likeness of Rosamond, that his widow had it redone.

Lt. Alexander Rosamond (1873-1916) fell at Courcelette in the Battle of the Somme. He has no known grave.

*Thank you to Louise Bellec for the photos and info.