Erected in 1925, this memorial was originally dedicated to the memory of the local war dead of the First World War. Dedications to the memory of the Second World War and the Korean War were added later. The Cenotaph is 17 feet 6 inches high. The text below was taken from the book Historic Canso ("Issued Under the Auspices of The Town Council of Canso and the Canso Board of Trade"). Published 1928, in honour of "the erection of a Cairn and Tables by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada" on July 2, 1928.
"1925. The unveiling of the 'War Memorial,' erected by the I.O.D.E. in memory of the boys from Canso and Hazel Hill who lost their lives in the Great War, took place on Sept. 7th. The day was beautifully fine and a great concourse of people gathered from all parts of the county. A procession was formed at the Hesperus Hall and, led by a brass band, officers and sailors from the C. G. S. Patriot, war veterans, boy scouts and school children, marched to the memorial grounds (donated by the late E. C. Whitman) where, near the platform, an enclosure was provided with seats for the wives and mothers of the fallen heroes. The Choir and people sang the hymn: 'O God Our Help in Ages Past.' Mrs. Emma Swaine, who lost three sons in the war, performed the unveiling ceremony. 'Last Post' was sounded and the school children sang 'O Canada.' Mayor H. F. Robinson was Chairman, and the following speakers addressed the assembly: Bishop MacDonald, H. A. Rice, M. P. P., S. O. Giffin, M. P. P., Hon. E, M. MacDonald, Minister of National Defence, Colin F. McIsaac, Federal Member for the Constituency, and John A. Morrison, Warden."
