Cochrane Cenotaph was unveiled on 14 October 1995 through the efforts of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 15 and citizens of Cochrane. It was dedicated to the local war dead of the First and Second World Wars. Later inscriptions were added to honour the United Nations and Korean War. Then with the 2017 refurbishment, these latter inscriptions were changed to Korean War, peacekeepers and Afghanistan.
Cochrane Legion member Todd Puzey officially kicked off his vision in early 2017 to revitalize Cenotaph Park with the help of Legion members and project organizers first vice-president Dave Usherwood and Sergeant-at-Arms Steve Merritt.
The existing cenotaph was re-engineered and flawlessly reconfigured by Terry Norman, of OnGrowing Works, with matching granite from Quebec to hold the 800 lb. statue. The bronze statue is a seven-foot portrayal of a First World War soldier in a memorial stance created by renowned bronze sculptor Don Begg of Studio West Bronze Foundry Ltd.
It was rededicated on October 26, 2017. Lieutenant Governor Lois Mitchell, aided by Cochrane Mayor Jeff Genung, unveiled the bronze that stands high on a revitalized granite below, complemented by new flag stands on either side.
