The memorial cenotaph is a granite plinth that features a clock face. It is 28 feet high and located in the south plaza of Saskatoon City Hall Square. The cenotaph was officially unveiled on November 11, 1929 in the middle of 21st street at 2nd Ave. (see next picture). Due to concerns about the monument’s effect on traffic flow (some described it as a “traffic hazard”) in August 1957 the cenotaph was dismantled and moved to its present location in front of City Hall.
There are numerous war memorials in downtown Saskatoon, but this was the first that was publicly funded. It is interesting to note that there was at least a 10-year time lag between the end of WWI and the creation of most of the war memorials in the city.
As "cenotaph" means "empty tomb," they are usually reserved for people who have died elsewhere and are not part of any cemetery. This cenotaph, like many others built in Commonwealth countries resembles the Cenotaph in Whitehall. London, put up after WWI. The words " THE GLORIOUS DEAD," which were chosen by Rudyard Kipling, are inscribed on each end.
The Cenotaph is intended to be simple and somber and is not intended as a triumphal memorial. Unlike many previous military statues and memorials intended to commemorate the victory of war, the Cenotaph is a memorial for those who died.
Similar to the experience in Saskatoon cenotaphs were erected in cities across Canada in the 1920s (including all major prairie cities).
Now we will walk East about 30 meters until we come to 4th Ave and then walk North 1 block to the corner of 24th St E and 4th Ave, to the HMCS Unicorn building.
