Abernethy Cenotaph

Mr. Wellington Behrns, a local stone mason, constructed this memorial, which was first used in 1927. The plaque was added in 1961. This memorial is located near the village of Abernethy Cemetery. The Decoration Day service at the cemetery was started by the Abernethy Branch in 1926, and has continued to the present, with the exception of 1942-1945. These services are held during the month of July. It was constructed in 1960, in memory of the veterans and civilians who lost their lives in defense of freedom during the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War. The cenotaph is maintained and cared for by of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch No. 26. On October 1916, the council of the Rural Municipality made plans to look after returned soldiers. H.T. Smith and H.H. Turner were a committee with authority to provide for their needs or to offer friendship. The villages of Abernethy and Balcarres, and the residents of Lolie, each had a committee of the Returned Soldiers' League. In May 1917, the Rural Committee suggested an amalgamation of all units thereby providing a better welcome home for the boys. These became two Leagues, and the Abernethy League eventually became the Great War Veteran's Association in 1920. Six years later the G.W.V.A. joined the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League. In 1961, it became the Royal Canadian Legion. The Decoration Day service at the cemetery was started by the Abernethy Branch in 1926, and has continued to the present, with the exception of 1942-1945. Decoration Services are held during the month of July. The last service was held 1997. The future of the decoration service is now in doubt, because of the age of local veterans and declining membership due to death.