This memorial is dedicated to those from Knox Presbyterian Church who served and those who died in the First World War. The Honour Rolls were erected by the Knox Presbyterian Church.
Excerpt from a local newspaper article:
An Impressive Ceremony Bronze Memorial Tablet Erected in Honour of Seventeen Members of Knox Church Congregation Who Fell in the War, Unveiled on Sunday Morning Last. One of the most impressive ceremonies ever witnessed in Walkerton was the unveiling on Sunday morning last of the handsome bronze Memorial Tablet erected by Knox Church in honour of the seventeen members of the congregation who fell in the late war. Knox, Walkerton, had a most worthy war record, its honour roll showing no fewer than 127 enlistments, of whom many were decorated for valour on the field, scores were wounded in action and seventeen made the supreme sacrifice for the cause. In this connection the pastor, Rev. Mr. Burgess, truly stated at the opening of the services on Sunday last that few churches of its size in Canada had more names listed on its honour roll than Knox, Walkerton, and fewer, alas, had more who paid the supreme price in the struggle. Capt. The Reverend F.W. Anderson of Port Hope, who had been an Army Chaplain at the front and had personally met some of the men overseas whose names were on the memorial tablet, officiated at the unveiling. In coming up here on Saturday he was hailed on the train by an old army acquaintance, Col. Roy Robertson, whom he had last met in a dugout in France. Capt. Anderson stated that though he had been in Walkerton before this was his first appearance in Knox Church. In the earlier part of the war one member of his congregation in Orillia who felt it his duty to enlist was Col. Douglas, commander of the old 32nd Bruce Battalion, and who later took the 34th Battalion overseas. While he was at Bramshott, his neighbours just over the way were the 160th (Bruce) Battalion. As a consolation to the bereaved relatives of the men who fell, the speaker said that each soldier as far as possible was given a Christian burial, and that each grave was not only carefully registered and recorded, but that Britain had just completed the purchase of the cemeteries where they laid and would see that these burial grounds were amply protected and greatly beautified. Capt. Anderson then proceeded with the unveiling ceremony, and in doing so said he felt he was representing the comrades in the army of these fallen heroes. As the large Union Jack, with which the tablet had been draped, was removed, three buglers blew the Royal Salute, after which the pastor Rev. Mr. Burgess, read the inscription and names on the tablet. The "Last Post" was then sounded by the Buglers, with the congregation standing, followed by the "Dead March in Saul", played by the organist, Mr. E.H. Leeson. An appeal for a special collection to help defray the cost of the tablet which amounted to $600, resulted in about $450 being contributed at the service. Amongst the immense throng that crowded the church were many from outside points who had come to be present at the ceremony. The War Veterans of Walkerton also turned out en masse and were accorded seats directly in front of the Memorial Tablet.
