This memorial was built in 1919 with St. Joe Island stone and erected in the new park which the residents of Richards Landing acquired. It was the property of the old Lakeside Hotel which the Women Auxiliary beautified. It was an imposing sight to passengers on vessels in the river.
The base of the monument is 12 feet square by four feet high and a stone measuring six feet by four feet was set next and finally, the top square measured two feet six inches square. A bronze statue of a Canadian soldier was planned, but eventually a stone one was created. A marble slab three feet six inches by one foot six inches wide was planned to be set into the second square to bear the names of each soldier from the Island who gave his life for his country.
The greater part of the work was completed locally, in consultation with Mr. James Pollard of Sault Ste. Marie. In addition to the memorial in memory of the dead soldiers, those who have returned, about fifty in number, were presented with a gold watch. (Source: Sault Star, Monday, May 26, 1919, Monument To Be Put Up at Richards Landing for Fallen).
The memorial was dedicated July 1, 1919 in front of a large gathering and on a very hot day. The Rev. M.J. McDonald opened the proceeding with prayer and was followed by Judge Stone, who as chairman, introduced the principal speaker Dr. Robb M.P. of Blind River. Rev. McDonald eulogized the boys who now rest in Flanders Fields having answered their king and country's call to arms, but paid the supreme sacrifice. Captain H.L. Cocks (Emmanuel Church Minister) M.C. who was in charge of the detachment of uniformed veterans who attended, had the honour of presenting to each man from the Landing, a gold watch.
The following were recipients of gifts from the people of St. Joseph: L.C. Julian Smedley, Pte John Cruickshanks, Cpl. Dan McNabb, Cpl. Wm. Logan, Fred Hadden, Will Caulfield, Sgt. Archie McNabb, Pte Percy Adams, Pte Fred McNabb, Douglas Currie, Ephriam Pollock, John Peters, William Cooper, George Hewitt, Earl Kent (Earle), Pte Iran Holmes, Pte Hans Paterson, Oscar Honsberger, Will Hadden, Alex McKinnon, Sgt. Robert Morton, Capt H.B. Trout, Pte Bob Fyfe, Pte John Burnside, Pte Russel Harrison, Pte M.N. Ples, Cpl. Ed Springay, George Girard, Fred B. Kent, Sgt. George B. Trout, Sgt. Anthony Dingle, Charlie Owen, Arthur Witley, J. MacGowan, Earl Wilson, J. D. Mcleod, Cpl. Norman Robinson, Nursing Sister M. Ferguson, Rya Kent (Roy), Henry Wigmore, Stanley Chester, Cpl. James Harten, Pte Alec McArthur.
The cost of the memorial was defrayed by local subscription and grant from the council. (Source: Sault Star, July 2, 1919, Dedication of War Memorial at Richards Landing.)
The park where the memorial was erected was seeded with grass and all the trees were planted. The monument was ready for the tablet and statue, the coping stone being placed on it. (Source: Sault Star, Wednesday, April 28, 1920).
A life-like sculptured figure of a Canadian soldier, similar to those who went overseas will be placed on the monument. The figure has arrived in Sault Ste. Marie and is in the possession of Mr. James Pollard. It was imported from Italy. The model for the statue was Harold Young of St. Joseph Island. (Source: Sault Star, Wednesday, July 21, 1920).
Richards Landing has received two machine guns from the government which will be installed in the Memorial Park. (Source: Sault Star, November 19, 1920). Note: According to Harold Armstrong, one of the machine guns was later placed in Hilton Beach.
