Scott's Bay War Memorial by Clayton Tupper:
The community of Scott's Bay, Kings County, Nova Scotia, has always sent its men to war, with losses sustained in both World Wars. In the small community, every 'lost' or 'wounded' touched every home... of course, some more than others due to kinship. Carey Judson Tupper (38 years) and William H. Legge (31 years) died in the First World War. Oscar W. Shaw (22 years) was lost in the Second World War. In 1977, Carey Tupper's son, Wellesley, retired to the area. With Stanley Huntley of Scott's Bay and Lawrence Bennett of Kentville, the three men undertook to build a modest war 'memorial' to place in front of the Union Church cemetery. A wrought-iron fence, looking much like a grave enclosure, was designed and built, the iron-work done by Mr. Bennett. Three simple, white wooden crosses were born under the skilled hands of Mr. Huntley. Name-plates for the crosses were contracted and installed. In its life, it served as a reminder to all who passed that the community had paid dearly in the name of freedom. On annual Remembrance Days, services were held by the community through the Royal Canadian Legion: wreaths and flags placed at the modest memorial, as were placed elsewhere in Canada. Eventually, changing seasons and continual salt-laden on-shore winds took their toll. The enamel blistered and the iron rusted, the name-plates became discoloured and the painted crosses lost their clean, white image. The name-plates were replaced at least once and the iron received scaling and repainting several times, along with fresh paint to the crosses. In the spring of 2002, Carey Tupper's grandson, Clayton, of Fredericton, New Brunswick, replaced the wooden crosses but noted the ironwork had further deteriorated. Feeling that perhaps it was a fitting time to think of a replacement, possibly a permanent memorial, Clayton contacted Gwen Huntley, Chairperson of the Scott's Bay Union Church Cemetery Committee... offering to assist should the community agree with the proposal. As a result, on August 4th, 2002, a permanent memorial on the same site was unveiled and dedicated... Black granite memorial stone on a grey base. A large turnout enjoyed sunshine and breezes at the ceremony, presided over by Gwen Huntley. Dignitaries present were the County Warden (Fred Whalen), County Councillor (Bert Greene) and MLA, Mark Parent, who addressed the gathering as member of the Standing Committee on Veteran's Affairs for Nova Scotia. A veteran's widow, Irene Huntley, read the names on the memorial... those who died and those who served and survived. Surviving Second World War veterans, Theordore and Dexter Dykens, respectively unveiled the memorial and placed a wreath. Clayton Tupper spoke of his love of the community, a touchstone in his life although he had not lived in Scott's Bay since a small child. Gwen Huntley spoke for herself, and all in attendance to remember why the wars were fought... closing with "We seek and pray for justice for both women and men, young and old, for the poor, ill and lonely. Remember to hope, care and share." God Save the Queen was sung, and the Church's clergy led the gathering in prayer.
