The Cenotaph Project

The Cenotaph Project was initiated as a project to commemorate Canada’s 150th year as a confederation. Great nations like Canada have been built by the contributions of men and women both within Canada, and in service to our nation overseas. All that serve our nation in time of armed conflict take on risks that few of us ever experience.

The first phase of the Cenotaph Project is to recognize those that were killed while serving our nation in World War 1. Our vision is that additional phases will be undertaken to achieve our goal of recognizing the individuals that gave their lives and the men and women who served and returned home to Canada. The project can continue to expand to include all past conflicts and the stories of the men and women that served our great nation.

The project starts with one cenotaph with the goal of developing a more complete understanding of the stories behind the names engraved in stone. Using the QR code that will be placed at each cenotaph participating in the project, the stories behind the names in stone will come to life.

Each name will be linked to on-line records and existing web sites like the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Family members and communities that have additional information can scan and upload this information to provide additional details. Many families have mementos like letters written home by a family member, pictures, war medals and even clothing artifacts. Surviving family members can upload video stories that were passed down through the family, or visit a war grave site uploading pictures of the grave stone and video of their experience.

Cenotaph Men started with the extensive research by dedicated volunteers of Ogema’s Deep South Pioneer Museum. The on-line platform to house this information was developed in 2017 and the opportunity now exits for Ogema, and communities across Canada, to honour great Canadians who helped build a great nation.