Waseca War Memorial

The Waseca War Memorial was built by stone mason, John Evans in 1930. It was originally constructed in memory of those who lost their lives in the First World War. Many years later the dedication was extended to those who paid the Supreme Sacrifice in the Second World War. The Waseca Branch of the Great War Veterans’ Association was formed on February 14, 1920. The first recorded activity was to build a Memorial Hall dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives in the First World War. The official opening was held on November 19, 1921. As Veterans aged they realized that management of the Hall would have to be taken over by a board elected from members of the public. The Hall was sold to the community for one dollar with the stipulation that the word Memorial would be included in the name of the Hall forever. The Veterans felt that a lasting Memorial would have to be erected, so John Evans was hired to build a Cairn. This Memorial was dedicated on November 11th, 1932. . Following the Second World War, the Cairn was rededicated with a second inscription added. The Waseca Legion disbanded in the early 1990’s but until that time Remembrance Day Service was held on November 11th each year with a dedication and wreath’s laid at the Cairn. A wreath is still laid at the Cairn each November 11th.

Inscription

In Memoriam

1914-1918

Honour Roll 1914-1918
J.W. Freeston
M.H. Hill
F.J. Tallant
W. Smellie
H.W. Wilson
J. Bogard
A.E. Manton
R.E. McGee
J.C. Wilson
G.A. Addison
R.J.M. Power
O.H. Dennis
E. Shannon

1939-1945

They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old

Ce mémorial a été construit en 1930 par John Evans, maçon, en hommage à ceux qui ont péri durant la Première Guerre mondiale. La filiale Waseca de la Great War Veterans’ Association a pris naissance le 14 février 1920. Sa première activité a été de construire un monument commémoratif dédié aux morts de la Première Guerre mondiale dont l’inauguration a eu lieu le 19 novembre 1921. Enfin, désireux d’ériger un mémorial durable, les anciens combattants firent construire un tumulus et ce dernier fut dévoilé le 11 novembre 1931. On y ajouta plus tard les noms des pertes de la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Arrivés à un âge avancé, les anciens combattants ont confié son entretien à un comité élu par les membres du public. Le hall fut vendu pour la somme de un dollar avec la condition que le mot Memorial soit inclus à jamais dans le nom du hall. La Waseca Legion a été dissoute en 1990 mais les cérémonies du Jour du Souvenir sont toujours respectées.

Le texte de l’inscription figure dans la section anglaise.