Ten years ago, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), National Defence (DND), and Beechwood Cemetery, came together to amalgamate the four veterans sections within Beechwood Cemetery to create the National Military Cemetery. These sections include the Last Post Field of Honour (sec. #19), Commonwealth War Graves (sec. #29), the Field of Honour (sec. #27), and the National Military Cemetery (sec. #103), and are now collectively known as the National Military Cemetery. It is that amalgamation that was celebrated today, 13th Sept., 2017, at the Beechwood Cemetery Sacred Space.
The ceremony was divided into two parts: the first being addresses and a concert in the Sacred Space and the second a walking tour of the four sections with stops at notable graves along the way. BGen. (ret’d) Gerald Peddle hosted the event and introduced LGen. Charles Lamarre, Commander – Military Personnel Command, MP (Ottawa-Vanier) Mona Fortier, and BGen. (ret’d) David Kettle, Secretary General – Commonwealth War Graves Commission Canadian Agency, all who addressed the small audience. Following the addresses, a 40 minutes concert of music and song from the wars and interwar years was given by Andrew Ager (pianist/composer), Joan Fearnley (soprano) and Ian MacPherson (tenor).
The tour portion of the event was a bit of a walk but it was a beautiful day so no-one really minded. In section 103 it was noted that it had been opened in 2001 and that the central monument was unveiled by Governor-General Clarkson on 28th June, 2001, and is open to any Canadian Military personnel whether the individual died in uniform or natural causes. Also in sec. 103 is the Tri-Service monument with a poem inscribed on each of the three sides, one for each service.
Interestingly, there is no separate area for officers or generals as plots are assigned as they are needed and all headstones are the same except for crests and religious symbols. All the headstones also face east so they may be kissed by the first light of the day.
The Field of Honour (sec. #27) is reserved for veterans from the 20th and 21st century conflicts and was purchased from the Crown in 1944 but is now overseen by VAC and the CWGC. It contains over 2400 graves and is designed to be a hollow square: a military formation in which four sides of a square are formed, guns facing outward, so that every soldier knows that his back is covered by a mate, and the general and colours are protected in the center.
In the center of this section stands the Cross of Sacrifice, one of 26 such crosses in Canadian military cemeteries and designated in 1918 to stand in cemeteries hosting 40 or more graves. In one corner stands a Sherman Tank and in two other corners are cannons.
The other two sections, although small, did have notable people resting there. BGen. Kettle did note that some of the headstones differed from others in that those killed in battle had their service emblem (i.e. fouled anchor, CAF Maple Leaf) as the top element of the headstone whereas those who died of natural causes had a religious symbol (i.e. cross, Star of David) as their top element.
Following the tour, and stops for BGen. Cruikshank, Gen. Foulkes, Gen. Crerar, and Gen. McNaughton, everyone went back to the main building for a look at the Hall of Colours and then on to the reception.
to see all the pictures, CLICK HERE
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