Fernie & Elk Valley Culture Guide Fernie Cultural Guide FALL 2018 | Page 38

BUILT HERITAGe
Commemorating the end of WW1 –
The Fernie Cenotaph
2018 marks the 100th anniversary of
the end of the Great War of 1914-1918.
At the eleventh hour of the eleventh
day of the eleventh month of 1918, the
Allies and Germany signed armistices at
Compiègne, France, bringing an official
end to four years of war.
Around the world, November 11th
has been a day of remembrance ever
since; a time to pause and reflect on
the sacrifices of our forebears and give
thanks for our freedoms. In Fernie,
the annual service of remembrance is
centred around the Fernie Cenotaph,
a gently imposing granite likeness
of a soldier bowed in sorrow over a
cross inscribed with ‘Flanders Fields’
and gently strewn with poppies. The
plinth raises our soldier aloft, placing
him in in stark contrast against the
snowclad mountains that surround on
every side. The setting in the gardens
of the beautiful chateau-style Fernie
Courthouse lends additional weight and
significance to the importance of
the piece.
Built as part of a national memorial
initiative in the 1920’s that cost in excess
of $3M, the Fernie cenotaph is one of
several of a singular design. Others can
be found in Nova Scotia, Ontario and
Saskatchewan. Although the designer
was fired after it was found that he was
of German descent, he was allowed to
keep the prize money from the design
competition and a century later, his
vision remains as our main memorial to
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WWI. The construction amounted to
$10,000 in 1922, a staggering sum by
today’s standards.
Take a moment to visit this calm oasis
in the centre of Fernie and soak in the
reverence of the site. Now more than
ever, it is important to remember the
lessons learned and honour the fallen.
Read more about the Fernie Cenotaph
at edwardianfernie.ca.