Caledon East Cenotaph to be temporarily relocated

By Riley Murphy

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Due to construction, the Caledon East Cenotaph located at Caledon Town Hall will be temporarily relocated on Wednesday, April 30.

Landscape improvements will occur at 6311 Old Church Road from May to September 2025; therefore, the Cenotaph must be removed and temporarily stored.

As part of the renewed landscaping, the Cenotaph will also receive a new footing to ensure the ongoing stability of the monument and enhanced lighting.

The brass plaques on the Caledon East Cenotaph were originally part of the concrete Cenotaphs in front of the Caledon East Branch 292 Legion Hall.

When the Caledon East Legion Hall fire occurred in 1959, the original Venotaphs, due to rebuilding, were demolished, but the plaques were preserved.

In June 2004, the Town of Caledon moved the memorial to the front of the Town of Caledon Administration Centre. A formal rededication ceremony took place on November 11, 2004.

In a statement to the Caledon Citizen, the Town said, “The Cenotaph located at the Caledon Town Hall (6311 Old Church Road) will be temporarily removed as part of an upcoming landscape project. The temporary relocation work is being carried out with the guidance of Veterans Affairs, the Royal Canadian Legion – Ontario Command, and the Department of National Defense. The Cenotaph will be carefully stored by a qualified monument company.

“Upon completion of the landscape work, the Cenotaph will be returned to the same location and reinstalled with new, reinforced footings to ensure long-term stability. In addition, upgraded lighting will also be installed to enhance visibility and appropriately honour the significance of the site.”

In a statement to the Caledon Citizen, Mayor Annette Groves reiterated the importance of the safekeeping of the cenotaph.

“The Caledon East Cenotaph is very important to us and holds great significance,” said Mayor Groves. “Along with renewed landscaping the cenotaph will receive new footings to ensure ongoing stability of the monument and enhanced lighting. During the work, the Town is ensuring it is safely stored. 

“Staff connected with Veteran's Affairs and The Royal Canadian Legion, Ontario Command as well as Branch 449, Alton and Department of National Defense on this matter. The monument is being entrusted to a qualified monument company, and will be returned the same location. The work is being done now to be ready for Remembrance Day.”