The Morewood Cenotaph Committee honored their fallen on the 100th anniversary of the original unveiling of the cenotaph - July 6, 2021, by installing 21 mini-monuments - ten along each side - one for each of those who had given their lives, and one by itself at the back representing all who returned. A portrait of Emmerson Swerdfeger is etched into his memorial. He stood 5 foot four and three quarter inches, had dark hair, dark eyes and three depressed circular scars in the lower part of his back.
Emmerson was a livery assistant before the war. A medical document dated 28 November 1916 stated the military believed him to be under age. He sailed from Halifax on the SS Mauretania on 25 October 1916 and arrived in England on 31 October. His will was witnessed by Captain Glasgow. Emmerson had shrapnel wounds to his left arm on 6 April 1918 and with shrapnel was hospitalized for scabies from 9 to 20 April 1918. He was reported as killed in action on 8 August 1918.
A letter sent to his parents was shared with the Chesterville Record:
“A young man who had trained with him in England and in France was only two feet from him when he fell. The chum was severely wounded at the same time.”
The family added “Had Emerson lived two days more he would have reached the age of 19 years.” This provided his actual birth date.
The 20 pillars representing individual soldiers are in alphabetic order. The 21st pillar sits in the shadow of the cenotaph and between the two rows.
