The Soldiers Memorial Monument was erected by the citizens of Dundas in loving and grateful memory of their brave boys who gave their lives for Freedom in the Great War and for the Empire in the South African War. It was unveiled December 11, 1921, at its original location on the south side of the King and Sydenham intersection by his Honour Lieutenant-Governor Cockshutt. The spot became known as Memorial Square.
In 1920, a committee was formed to raise funds for the project. Canvassers went door-to-door collecting money to make it a community-wide effort. As costs grew beyond the planned $6,500, more donations were needed. Postcards of the memorial were sold to raise money owed on construction, which eventually cost the town more than $7,000. Ottawa sculptor Hamilton MacCarthy was commissioned to create the bronze statue atop the monument. Initial plans were to place it in the Dundas Driving Park, but it was decided King and Sydenham provided greater visibility. A planned November 11, 1921, unveiling was postponed due to delays finishing the statue.
A time capsule was placed inside the pedestal, including a list of Dundas soldiers, a 1921 voter’s list, town pictures and uniform buttons. A plaque was attached listing names of Dundas men who died in the First World War and Boer War. More plaques were added recognizing those who served in the Second World War, Korean War and in Afghanistan. In November 1963, to widen the street and provide access to the fire hall, the monument was moved to its current location outside the Dundas Lions Memorial Community Centre.
