Location: Oxford County N 43 17.660 W 80 40.120
In the churchyard at the corner of County Road 22 and Township Road 13.
"Chesterfield was an early farming hamlet in Oxford County, first
settled in the 1830s. By the 1840s, it has a store and Presbyterian
church. A post office was added in 1851. It later grew to include a
blacksmith, wagon-maker and school.
During the 1880s and 90s, Chesterfield was a thriving little hamlet
with a population of around 150. Most of its businesses were farm-based
and included a number of live stock breeders and dealers and of course a
veterinarian.
Like many farming hamlets, Chesterfield began to decline in the early
part of the 20th century. Improved roads and the advent of the
automobile, enabled farmers to travel to larger centres that offered a
wider range of services. As time marched on, Chesterfield slowly began
to revert back to farmland.
One institution that remained active was the former Presbyterian
church, now known as the Chesterfield United Church. The church
continues to hold regular services and maintains an exceptionally large
and elaborate cemetery. The cemetery contains a number of World War I
veterans as well as a striking cenotaph, built during the 1920s. In
recognition of those who died while in service to their country,
Remembrance Day services are held annually at the site."
*Thanks to http://www.ghosttownpix.com
This memorial was constructed of granite imported from Scotland and the
soldier imported from Italy in 1920.
Memorial services are held annually in November. Wreaths are laid along
with 25 small white crosses, one for each name on the Monument, as well
as one at a distance for the unknown soldier. The white crosses are made
and presented by Rev. Earl Millson who is a Second World War veteran
and minister of the church.
Listed on the front of the memorial are the names of those who died in
the First World War while the name of those who died in the Second World
War are listed on the side. *Thanks to http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/national-inventory-canadian-memorials/details/5289
Marker text:
Front:
CORP. JAMES L. HASTINGS PRIN. PAT.
PTE. JOHN S. CRERAR B.A. 133rd NOR. OWN
SGT. GORDON H. STAUFFER 118th BATT.
SGT. WM. A. BROWN 168th BATT.
PTE. JOHN B. WILLSON 1st CAN. DIV. M.M.G.B.
PTE. ALLAN D. HAMACHER 73rd BATT. R.H.G.
PTE. CLIFFORD BROWN 42nd CAN. HIGH.
SGT. FRANK McKIE 1st CAN. L'T. I.M. BAT'Y.
PTE. FRED J. ALLAN 58th BATT.
PTE. ROY C. ELLIS 168th BATT.
CORP. WILLIAM E. HENSON 125th BATT.
PTE. WALTER NEWMAN 168th BATT.
PTE. DAVID G. FOREMAN 4th INF. BATT.
PTE. WILLIAM ROPER 21st BATT.
PTE. OSCAR CHURCH 2nd C.O.R.
PTE GEORGE F. STEEDMAN 168th BATT.
F'T. L.'T. GEORGE O. MacKENZIE R.A.F.
PTE. BENJAMIN WRIGHT 71st BATT.
PTE. HAROLD W. MILBURN 75th BATT. CAN.
SGT. DOUGLAS E. BRISTOW 84th BATT.
ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF
OUR HEROES
1914 - 1918
Right side:
PTE. FRED W. VEITCH 51st BATT.
Left side:
IN
LOVING MEMORY
OF
W/O ROY E. FULCHER
R.C.A.F.
FLT.SGT. JOHN S. RENNICK
R.C.A.F.
W/O NORMAN W. PEAT
R.C.A.F.
PTE. JOHN R. VANCE
LINCOLN & WELLAND REGT.
GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN
AFGHANISTAN
PTE. TYLER W. WOOD PPCLI
1939 - 1945