Ontario War Memorials: Maynard

Saturday 20 June 2020

Maynard

Location: United Counties of Leeds and Grenville

GPS: N 44.726110 W 75. 574180

Address: 3567 County Road 26, at the cemetery entrance.

Maynard is a small community part of Augusta Township in the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville and is situated about 5km northwest from Prescott along County Rd 26.

The cenotaph lies just beside the historical Maynard Cemetery on CR 26 between Merwyn Ln and Charleville Rd. I came across this beautiful monument by chance, as I by-passed the Trans-Canada Highway 401 West trying to avoid congestion. It reminded me of the North Gower cenotaph, situated in an area where there is not much traffic and that maybe only locals know about it. I also noted the similarities with the Toledo cenotaph. Cenotaph was dedicated in 1920.

Flanked by the Canadian flag and the Union Jack, the cenotaph lies on a floor of tiled stones with two benches placed at an angle behind it. Leading to it, as you climb the four steps, you will notice a few trees and potted plants that adds a nice touch to this memorial. Also surrounded by some trees, it offers a quiet resting time to think of the hardship these soldiers went through and to the unselfish act of bravery of laying their lives for future generations, so we could live in peace and freedom.

Placed at an angle, originally, the cenotaph was erected for the fallen local soldiers of WWI of Augusta township, which later on plaques commemorating soldiers of WWII were added in September 1948. Once stood behind the memorial, an oak tree from the Royal Kew Gardens to mark the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1937 but was removed in 1980 due to disease.