Remembering Revelstoke's Fallen Soldiers

On May 23, 1917, the Women’s Canadian Club planted several maple trees on the courthouse grounds as a living memorial to all of the men who were serving overseas and those who had already paid the supreme sacrifice. After the war ended on November 11, 1918, the Women’s Canadian Club decided that they would create an honor roll for the approximately 100 war casualties from Revelstoke and the surrounding area. The Club started a fundraising campaign, and on September 20, 1919, Edward, Prince of Wales officially unveiled the plaque on the Revelstoke Court House.

According to the Revelstoke Review of September 25, 1919, “The Prince was surprised at the large number of names recorded, and while he regretted so many noble lives had been thus sacrificed, he said he was proud of this patriotism and loyalty.”

By 1922, Revelstoke had a branch of the Great War Veterans’ Association, the organization that later became the Royal Canadian Legion. The War Memorial Committee of the GWVA felt that there should be a permanent cenotaph in the city, and they set about raising funds for the project. The original plan was to place the courthouse plaque on the cenotaph, but it was decided that a new plaque would be made, as the courthouse one contained some errors.

There was some controversy regarding the building of the cenotaph. Some people felt that the memorial at the court house was sufficient, and that the Great War Veterans Association should instead fundraise for a public facility such as a library or a children’s playground. The project did have a lot of local support, however, and many organizations and individuals contributed to the cost. The War Committee also raised funds through a benefit play and by running a refreshment stand at the Ski Festival. The total cost for the Cenotaph project was $3,370, including $2,600 for the cenotaph itself and $475 for the bronze tablet. The Monument was made of white hammered granite by the B.C. Monumental Works of New Westminster, and the bronze tablet was made by O.B. Allan, Jeweler of Vancouver. The tablet listed the names of 92 men from Revelstoke and Arrowhead who had died during the war.

The new cenotaph was unveiled on September 2, 1923 by Brigadier General Victor W. Odlum. After World War II, another memorial tablet was added with the names of 32 men who died during that conflict. Another plaque was added after the Korean War, although there were no Revelstoke casualties from that conflict.