A small park on the corner of Church and Willow Street in...
Pictou County War Memorial Cenotaph – Lest We Forget
A small park on the corner of Church and Willow Street in Pictou, is home to the Pictou County War Memorial Cenotaph which was first erected during World War I. It originally contained the names of all the soldiers from Pictou County who died in the first World War.
The cenotaph consists of a massive granite shaft with a stepped and beveled base, atop a concrete pad. Surmounting the shaft is a life-sized bronze sculpture of a family - the husband and father in uniform going off to war with his rifle over his shoulder; his wife, tearfully bidding him goodbye, and between them their son. It’s so difficult to imagine what they must have felt like. So many unknowns.
Following World War II, a second inscription and a second large bronze plaque were added containing the names of the Second World War dead. After the Korean War, a third inscription was made and the names of the two who died in the Korean War were added on a third bronze plaque. The cenotaph now contains 406 names of fallen comrades from these wars who were from Pictou County.
On the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, we come together as a community to remember those who served – in the First and Second World Wars, in the Korean War, and in various conflicts and peacekeeping missions.
We owe them all our deepest and unending gratitude. Laurence Binyon captured sentiment best in his quote, “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them”.