On a hot November 1953 day, Major J. A. McNeil, of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders, was master of ceremonies for the unveiling of the Williamstown Cenotaph. Major McNeil was a native son of Williamstown who served his country with distinction. He called on a lady who sent five sons to war (four returned) and a padre recently returned from active service to unveil the impressive monument. It was erected by the Williamstown Community Club.
The observance began with a parade from the high school to the square led by four veterans carrying the colours of Williamstown and Claude Nunney, V.C., Lancaster and branches of the Canadian Legion. The members of both branches in their blue berets and wearing their medals, under command of Legionnaire John McLaren of Lancaster, followed. The high school cadets and the Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry pipe band walked behind the Legion members. The cadets, both boys and girls, Legionnaires and Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Highlanders officers snapped to the salute as a new Union Jack was broken out from the staff, over the square for the first time, by war veteran, Parade Marshall Rene Rozon.
A choir from Williamstown Public School sang "Canada Proudly We Hail Thee". As the staff flag moved slowly to half-mast, Major McNeill called for two minutes of silence. It was broken by the Last Post and Reveille from the bugle of Percy Smith, bandmaster Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron 325 Kiwanis of Cornwall. Pipe Major Bert Sutherland piped a lament. A wreath for the Silver Cross Mothers of Canada was laid at the foot of the cenotaph by Mrs. Helen Daoust of Williamstown; by Dennis Lynch of Lancaster for the Legion; and by Capt. D. J. Coshman, another Williamstown native, for the Highlanders. Following the wreath-laying the school children sang the hymn "Now Thank We All Our God".
