Around two dozen headstones commemorating Canada's war dead lay flat in the grass at Nanaimo Cemetery on Bowen Rd., instead of upright. It's caused them to be damaged and deteriorate faster than normal. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

lest we forget

War memorial headstones poised for replacement after Nanaimo bylaw change

Nov 5, 2024 | 4:19 PM

NANAIMO — Red tape is being cleared to allow for the replacement and restoration of nearly two dozen Commonwealth War Graves Commission memorial headstones.

City Councillors unanimously moved through three readings of bylaw changes on Monday, Nov. 4 which, among other housekeeping items, would allow for headstones honouring local servicemen and women to be replaced in an upright fashion.

Local researcher and retired Canadian Armed Forces member Kevin Hills told councillors renovations to City-managed cemeteries in the 1960s saw some headstones placed flat on the ground, including those installed by the Commission.

“Here in Nanaimo, we have 26 Commonwealth War Grave Burials from both wars, with 23 in the Nanaimo Cemetary on Bowen Rd. The fallen here in Nanaimo include personnel that died from wounds in battle, training accidents and natural causes. All are considered to have died in service.”

He added having the headstones lay flush with the ground is causing them to decay.

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“I’ve visited their graves many times now and it can be seen how the markers are wearing and staining prematurely with water pooling in the engraved names, moss growing, littered with leaves and grass clippings.”

The Commission handles all maintenance and cleaning of the headstones, however Hills said they haven’t come to Nanaimo in around seven or eight years.

Hills said he expects, with the bylaw changed to allow for upright headstones, the Commission would be able to replace the 23 memorials in the next year.

Several grave markers, including this one of Private John Tanner “Jack” Porter who died in Nanaimo after the First World War at the age of 22, have fallen into disrepair thanks, in part, to a City bylaw. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

He added standing the headstones back up would “honour a social contract” made when service members made the ultimate sacrifice.

“These 23 fallen include Nanaimo sons and husbands from both wars, soldiers who fought at Vimy Ridge, parachuted into France on D-Day. Airmen who flew Spitfires and bombers, patrolled our coasts and trained pilots for the Commonwealth.”

The Commission is also responsible for memorials around the world featuring the raised, white headstones, including those in France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Mayor Leonard Krog said making a long-overdue change was appropriate to properly honour those who served.

“I think that most of us Canadians take great pride in the fact that this nation made a contribution far above the population would warrant in the normal case, and a corresponding sacrifice as well. By bringing this to our attention, we recognize that sacrifice.”

The final adoption of the bylaw changes will be put to a vote at a future Council meeting.

Upright is the preferred orientation by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for their headstones, made to honour Canadians who made the ultimate sacrifice during war. (submitted image)

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