Princeton Cenotaph, c.1927 (Princeton Museum PRIN_01_PRI_533)
– The following is reprinted from The Princeton Star, Thursday, November 11, 1926, page 1, describing the unveiling of the Princeton War Memorial –
Unveiling Memorial Was Very Impressive
LARGE CROWD GATHERS TO DO HONOR TO THE MEMORY OF PRINCETON’S FALLEN WAR HEROES
Precisely at the time appointed this forenoon, Mrs. S.L. Allison, Princeton’s oldest and most venerable citizen, withdrew the flag that draped the memorial which has been erected by the citizens of Princeton and district in memory of its heroic dead. The people of Princeton turned out en mass and the ceremony proved to be of a very impressive nature.
The veterans, school children and Wolf Cub Pack, attended in bodies – the latter in their natty uniforms giving a pleasing touch to the assemblage. Mrs. Levack, Mrs. Pott and Mrs. Lucey, who had performed nursing duties overseas attended on the left of the veterans’ ranks. Major Pott, who appeared in uniform, took command of the veterans.
The ceremony opened with the singing of ‘Nearer My God to Thee’ and after the unveiling by Mrs. Allison, the Reverend Mr. Elkington pronounced the dedication. He also made a brief but very impressive address which was directed chiefly to the children present impressing upon them the importance of love for one’s country, and how each should strive to accomplish something toward making the country better.
W.A. McKenzie, M.L.A., Penticton, who had accepted the committee’s invitation to attend and address the gathering, dwelt upon the significance of ‘Armistice Day’ and all that the heroism and sacrifice of the Canadian boys meant to their country.
The ceremony was concluded by the singing of ‘O Canada’ and ‘God Save the King,” in which was pleasing to note the prominent part taken by the school children. Every one of them appeared perfectly familiar with the words as well as the tune, which is perhaps more than could be said for many of their elders.
The only discordant note in the whole ceremony was during the two-minute silent interval, a resident of the town selecting that particular time in which to drive a noisy wagon around the triangle on which the memorial is located.
The granite pyramid and the heavy brass tablet on which the names of the heroic dead are inscribed forms and enduring and fitting memorial to the boys from our midst who made the supreme sacrifice for their fellow countrymen. Following is the list of names inscribed on the tablet:
H. Allison A. Bryant
A.P. Cole J. Cooke
C.F. Croly B. Cunningham
N.L. Dickie A.P. Howe
W.H. Lyall J. McDonnell
D.G. McCurdy M. McLeod
S. McEwen R.W. Moeran
L. Spooner F. Stanchel
During the ceremony floral tributes were placed on the base of the memorial by relatives of boys who were killed overseas, as well as a wreath from the Princeton board of trade.
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Princeton World War I Casualties
(Please reach out the the Princeton Museum [email protected] if you have additions, corrections, photographs or memories to share!)
Private Henry Allison, son of Robert Wilson and Rachel Allison, September 20, 1894 – October 2, 1918.
Sapper Aubry Bryant, son of William and Constance Bryant, December 14, 1895- unknown.
Sub-Lieutenant Alfred P. Cole, left Princeton in December 1915 and enlisted in London.
Private Joseph “Joe” Cooke, son of Henry and Amadine Cooke, March 4, 1872 – July 20, 1917.
Gunner George Franklin Croly, son of John and Adeline Croly, August 2, 1890-March 5, 1917. Brief biography here.
“Blondie” Cunningham
Private Norman Leslie Dickie, son of James and Elizabeth Dickie, April 18, 1890-1956.
Allen (Adrien) Price Howe, son of Alexander and Amanda Howe, October 16, 1887-January 20, 1919.
Private William Herbert “Jack” Lyall, son of William and Emily Lyall, c.1897-September 29, 1918.
John MacDonnell
Corporal Daniel George McCurdy, son of Daniela and Louisa McCurdy, February 3, 1888 – September 30, 1918.
Malcolm McLeod
Private Samuel Kennedy McEwen, son of George and Margaret McEwen, May 3, 1889 – August 13, 1916.
Robert Warner Moeran, son of Edward and Isabella Moeran, August 14, 1868-July 1, 1916.
Corporal Launcelot George Spooner, son of Francis and Clara Spooner, September 22, 1898 – November 15, 1918.
Frank Stanchel
(Missing names of men killed: T.C. Beames, R. McKee)
See also: a full list of World War I Recruits from Princeton, published in The Princeton Star, December 1, 1922.
References:
The Princeton Star, Thursday, November 11, 1926, page 1; Similkameen Star, December 3, 1915, page 2; Princeton Museum; The Canadian Virtual War Memorial; Commonwealth War Graves Commission; The Princeton Star, December 1, 1922, page 6.
Special thanks to the Keremeos Legion’s webpage, Soldiers of the South Similkameen.