This attractive cenotaph is located in the centre of Burk's Falls, on Ontario Street, in front of the post office. Originally placed to honour those who died in the Great War, names have also been added for those from the Second World War as well.
A tall marble slab with the names engraved is adorned by the statue of a First World War soldier.
Across the road in Stan Darling Village park, can be found a World War 1 German Spandau machine gun on display, with a small plaque. This was donated by the Legion in 1983.
Text is as follows:
Front:
Sgt S. Alexander, L. Corp. Albert Alexander, Pte. Thomas C. Bridgewater, Corp. E. Stewart Bradley, Sig. John K. Chalmers, Pte. Claude C. Duke, Lieut. J. Howard Fawcett, Pte. T. Kenneth Ford, Pte. C. Leonard Ford, Pte. Alfred C. Myers, Pte. Douglas Wiseman, Pte. John A. Young, Sapr. Wilmot York.
"THEIR NAMES SHALL LIVETH FOREVER"
ERECTED BY
ARMOUR, RYERSON AND BURK'S FALLS
IN LASTING MEMORY OF THOSE WHO MADE
THE SUPREME SACRIFICE FOR HUMAN LIBERTY
IN THE GREAT WAR, 1914-1918
AND IN GRATEFUL RECOGNITION OF THOSE WHO
HAVING DARED TO DIE, WERE SPARED TO RETURN
Left Side:
WE WILL REMEMBER
Flt/Sgt Daniel Crosthwaite, Pte. Stanley Moore, Pte. Theodore O'Connor, Pte. Cameron Smith, Pte. Carl Smith, Cpl. Wallace Millar, Pte. Melvin Budreau, F/O Reginald Gibbs, Pte. Harvey Bell, Pte. Leslie Blackmore, Sgt. Clive Gerow, Gnr Alvin Harkness
FOREVER HONOURED AND MOURNED
1939-1945
While I was photographing this cenotaph, a wonderful older lady stopped to tell me all about the town's Remembrance Day ceremony, how the whole town comes out, school children, bands, cadets, soldiers from bases in North Bay and Petawawa, a truly grand affair. So next year, I must make a point of heading to Burk's Falls on November 11th.
On Remembrance Day, 2013. Pte. Claude C. Duke was my great uncle. I think of him often. He died of his wounds in France; so young. I visited this cenotaph in the mid 1980s and will always feel a special connection to Uncle Claude. O Canada! Glorious and free.
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