Alert Bay Cenotaph

Erected by Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 198, this memorial is dedicated to the men and women killed during war. In the early years of the Legion Branch Activities, from 1948 to 1960, Remembrance Day Parades were held outside the Branch Building and if the weather was inclement, the actual service was held inside the neighbouring Community Hall Building where a white plywood Cenotaph was used. On June 23, 1961, at the Cenotaph Park, his Honour the Lt. Governor of B.C. George Pearkes unveiled the recently constructed rock cenotaph. In November 1980 a dedication of the newly reconstructed cenotaph was held. It was dedicated by Gov. General Edward Shryer around this time. On March 14, 1984 there was a motion passed to put the cenotaph in Village Square. There is no mention in the minutes of a dedication ceremony being held but there was a visit of the Lt. Governor to the Village on May 14, 1985 so it may have taken place then. The Municipal Engineer of that era, Dennis Smith, states that he, with his backhoe, and Art Granger with his forklift, moved the cenotaph from the Legion grounds and placed it in the Village Square in July 1984. The cenotaph is in a beautiful setting, right by the ocean with flags flying. And now there is also a fountain there in memory of the late Mayor Gilbert Popovich, who was also a dedicated Legion member. He was the Mayor for 27 years. Now, Mr. John Rowell, the Legion's bookkeeper, is the Mayor.