Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 1 Chester War Memorial This magnificent statue of a Nova Scotia Highland soldier was unveiled on August 4, 1922. Constructed in memory of 54 men who laid down their lives from this area in World War I. The design and cast were the gift of the famous Scottish sculptor, J. Massey Rhind. The plaque and bronze figure, costing $2,050, were cast in New York. The base and steps of the monument were cut from one granite boulder, the work having been done by Wakefield Zinck. The names of the Memorial Committee who were instrumental in securing the tribute to the memory of the fallen heroes are: Cottnam Smith, Chairman; Mrs Franklyn Freda, Secretary; J.H. Strong, Treasurer; Rev. N.C. McCarthy; Dr. Clara Olding Hebb; Dr. A.M. Hebb; Grover Cole; Owen Evans; J. Roy Hennigar; Carroll Manning; Orvil Redden; Mrs. Douglas Mills; Mrs. Frank Mitchell; Miss Hattie Brown and Miss Emma Mason. The proceeding commenced at 2:30pm. Following the band selection, “The Maple Leaf”, and the invocation pronounced in feeling terms by Rev. Clarence Mackinnon. Mr. A.S. Barnstead, Deputy Provincial Secretary, acting for Premier Murray who was unavoidably absent, thanked the committee for the honour they had done him in asking him to speak on this occasion. The monument, while it would be a thing of beauty, and pleasing to the eye, was more than mere stone and bronze. It would be a symbol to the present and to the future generations– a symbol of the sacrifice which those whose names were inscribed thereon, had made in order that their kinfolk might retain their liberty. The world would never forget their sacrifice, yet it was well that in each community there should be some outward and visible sign to reawaken incoming generations that homage was their just due. The actual ceremony of unveiling was brief but, by its briefness, dramatic in its intensity. The flags which had hid the figure were drawn away by two returning soldiers, both of whom bore on their bodies honourable scars, inflicted in battle. They were Ralph E. Hennigar and Karl Mills, the latter the possessor of the 1915 Star and one of the first to enlist. Following the unveiling Dr. A.L Anderson, rendered a vocal solo “O Canada,” in the chorus of which the concourse of people joined. After the unveiling of the statue, the speeches were made by Mr. J. Massey Rhind, the sculptor and benefactor; Mr. William Duff, M.P. Lunenburg; and Rev. Clarence Mackinnon of Halifax. The formal presentation of the statue to the Municipality by Chairman Cottman Smith took place. He briefly reviewed the history of the committee and names some of those who had taken a particularly prominent part in the realization of the memorial. In a few brief words, Councillor C. A. Cole, on behalf of the Municipality, accepted the statue. The benediction was then pronounced by Rev. Clarence Mackinnon, after which followed “God Save the King,” and the sounding of the Last Post, by Bugler Basketfield, of the R.C.G.A. This impressive feature concluded the proceedings. Editor’s note: The following is an article published in the local Chester newspaper from 1922 relating the unveiling of the WWI War Memorial. The Memorial (see cover photo) celebrated its 100th anniversary this past August, 2022. Also note that J. Massey Rhind, is the sculptor of the Cenotaph located at the Grand Parade in Halifax.
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