(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Sept. 25

Parade to mark 100th anniversary of Red Deer Cenotaph

Sep 16, 2022 | 11:26 AM

On September 15, 1922, a monument was unveiled in Red Deer that has stood the test of time.

The Red Deer Cenotaph, carved from Tyndall limestone by Major Frank H. Norbury, The City says, is situated on Ross Street just off 49 Avenue.

It’s base, The City adds, was designed by local architect C.A. Julian Sharman, and built by Lachlan MacLean of MacLean Granite. That company lives on today in the form of Remco Memorials.

A ceremony to unveil the Cenotaph involved Lord Byng of Vimy (husband to Lady Byng of NHL award fame), then Governor General of Canada.

On Sunday, Sept. 25, a special parade and ceremony will be held in downtown Red Deer to mark its centennial anniversary.

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The Unknown Soldier before installation in Red Deer. (City of Red Deer Archives – P2759)

Giving a speech that day is Rob Porkka, a historian in his own right, and retired director of international education with Red Deer Public Schools.

“I’m born and raised here, and I had watched many ceremonies at the Cenotaph from my father’s second storey law office,” recalls Porkka.

“When I watched these, I saw veterans from the Boer War, WWI and WWII marching by, and I was always very impressed by the reverence and camaraderie shown as they marched toward the train station. That train station is of course where so many of them left from when they enlisted to go to a couple of these wars.”

The train station is now office space.

As for the cenotaph, another unique feature, Porkka notes, is that it contains a copper tube with two scrolls bearing the names of those from the city who served during WWI and another with the names of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

In 1949, The City notes, the Cenotaph was rededicated to include those who served in WWII. A plaque was added in 1988 to honour those who served and passed away during the Korean War.

Decoration Day (June 2), 1955, at the Red Deer Cenotaph. (City of Red Deer Archives – N5992)

In recent years, the Cenotaph has been home to a Remembrance Day ceremony hosted by the Korean War Veterans group, while a larger ceremony takes place elsewhere.

Bev Hanes, executive director at the Red Deer Legion Branch #35, is part of the group organizing the ceremony later this month.

“On September 25, I see a beautiful autumn day, with Red Deerians at Veterans’ Park, contemplating the Cenotaph standing guard and reminding us of important events in our community’s history. It’s a history that includes the past, present and future. As such, it will remind us, with the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and the start of King Charles III’s reign, how fragile the world of today is – just as it was in 1922 between the two World Wars,” says Hanes.

“Hopefully it will be one of the memorable events that brings all central Albertans together, remembering those who came before us and of course of those who served our country in the worst of times, away from home.”

Part of the ceremony, Hanes adds, will be dedicated to the memory of Queen Elizabeth II.

Various groups, such as RCMP, reserves from the Cormack Armories, and St. John’s Ambulance, will also be taking part.

If you’d like to volunteer behind the scenes for the event, contact Bev Hanes at the Red Deer Legion (403-342-0035).