The Manotick Virtual War Memorial
(MVWM)
Manotick Remembers
For a small village, Manotick has many examples of Remembrance.
Manotick Cenotaph
Standing at the heart of the village, the Manotick Cenotaph is a place of quiet reflection and remembrance.
Erected around 1962 by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 314 and the former Rideau Township, it honours the men and women of the Canadian and Allied Forces who made the supreme sacrifice for their country - in times of war, peace, and peacekeeping.
Surrounding the cenotaph are pieces of Manotick’s own history. The wrought iron fence once stood at the residence of Sir Robert Borden, Canada’s Prime Minister from 1911 to 1920. Beyond that, the outer railings trace back even further, forming part of the original bridge that spanned the back channel from 1872 until 1957.
Together, these elements connect the site not only to national history, but to the story of the village itself.
For those who gather here, whether during ceremonies or in quiet moments, the cenotaph serves as a lasting reminder of sacrifice, service and the importance of remembrance.
We will remember them
Veteran's Way
Veteran's Way is a walkway that connects the Manotick Cenotaph to Watson’s Mill, linking two of the community’s most important places of remembrance.
Dedicated to those who served in times of war, peace and peacekeeping, the pathway is made up of interlocking bricks - close to 200 of them engraved with the names of individual Veterans and military units. Each name represents a life of service and for many, a direct connection to families within the community.
As visitors walk along Veterans’ Way, they move not only through a physical space but through a collective memory. The names set into the pathway reflect generations of service - some well known, others quietly remembered by those who knew them.
At the entrance to the walkway, a plaque sets the tone:
"This walkway is dedicated to those men and women who served their countries in times of war, peace and peacekeeping. Their names are engraved with loving memories, respect and gratitude.”
Veteran's Way offers a different kind of remembrance - one that is experienced step by step. It invites visitors to slow down, to read the names and to reflect on the individuals behind them. In doing so, it creates a lasting connection between the cenotaph, the mill and the people whose service continues to be remembered within the community.
The Manotick Remembrance Park
Opened in July 2017, Remembrance Park sits beside the Manotick Cenotaph as a place created for reflection, recognition and quiet connection.
Designed with six distinct gardens, the park honours the many forms of service that have shaped Canada’s history - the Army, Navy, Air Force, Merchant Navy, Peacekeeping under a United Nations mandate, and the Homefront. Each garden offers its own space to pause and consider the contributions made in times of war and peace.
Gently laid out and accessible to all, the park invites visitors to move at their own pace, taking in each element of remembrance along the way toward the cenotaph.
Cared for through ongoing community effort, the park remains a place of remembrance for all who visit.
Manotick's Remembrance Park Sculpture by Nathan Scott
The life-sized bronze sculpture in Manotick Remembrance Park is officially known as “Legionnaire and Granddaughter.” It was created by Canadian sculptor Nathan Scott and installed in 2017.
It depicts an elderly veteran holding the hand of his young granddaughter as they walk toward the Manotick Cenotaph. The figures have a particularly personal origin: Scott modeled the veteran on his own father, who was a veteran, and the girl on his youngest daughter.
The sculpture is intended to represent both remembrance and the passing of remembrance from one generation to the next. The grandfather looks toward the cenotaph while the granddaughter looks toward him, creating a connection between the veteran's memories and the younger generation. It serves as a warm, evocative tribute to family bonds, generational connections, and the legacy of military veterans.
The sculpture, placed in the middle of a square without a visible base (it’s below the bricks), invites you to come closer to admire the details in the bronze work, or to interact with the figures. Often young children can be seen closely approaching the life-size figure of the young girl.
Footnote to this photo: This photo was taken on Dickinson Day 2026. The young girl Faye (4 years old) was seen spontaneously reaching out to the sculpture girl. Faye does not know it yet, but it turns out Faye's great-great-uncle was killed in action in WW2. And her great-great-great-uncle was killed in action in The Great War,
The sculpture is a loving tribute to both the aging veteran and all he stands for, and the power of family ties. It provokes memories and conversations about the importance of remembering for generations to come.
The project was a collaboration involving Royal Canadian Legion Branch 314 (Manotick) and the local community. The sculpture was installed on July 1, 2017, with Veterans Affairs recording its unveiling on November 11, 2017. The surrounding Remembrance Park officially opened on July 2, 2017.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 314 Manotick
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 314 in Manotick, Ontario, received its charter in 1942. Founded by Great War veterans from South Carleton, it serves as a cornerstone for local remembrance, veteran support, and community engagement. Despite losing its original building to a fire in 2005, the branch remains a deeply resilient and active local hub.
Key History and Background
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Founding & Early Days: Branch 314 was officially established in 1942, bringing together veterans from surrounding rural communities. For years, it operated out of Harmony Hall, which previously hosted early community events such as the Manotick Orchestra.
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The 2005 Fire: A devastating fire in 2005 destroyed the branch's long-time building. The community and veterans persevered, rebuilding and continuing their mission on 55 Ann Street.
Community and Veteran Initiatives
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Manotick Remembrance Park: The branch partnered with the City of Ottawa to open this dedicated reflection space in 2017. It features floral gardens dedicated to the Army, Navy, Air Force, Merchant Navy, UN Peacekeepers, and the Homefront, as well as an accessible audio tour.
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The Cenotaph: The local monument was erected around 1962 by the Legion and Rideau Township. It features unique historical details, including a wrought-iron fence from the residence of former Prime Minister Sir Robert Borden.
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Operational Support: Branch 314 is highly active in offering vital programming for veterans, including biweekly "Buddy Check Coffee" meetups and Canadian military history presentations hosted by the Ottawa Military History Club.
Buddy Check Coffee and Better Halves Club
Manotick continues to support Veterans and Serving Members of the Canadian Armed Forces, RCMP and Allied Forces.
This support is provided through Buddy Check Coffee bi-weekly meetings at the Manotick Legion.
Support is also provided to spouses through bi-weekly Better Halves Club meetings at the Manotick Legion.
These exclusive morning meetings provide great opportunities to share experiences and comradeship in a private, safe and non-judgemental environment. Free coffee, doughnuts or scones are generously provided by Morning Owl Manotick and Bites on Bridge.
Further information can be found on the Manotick Legion website.
Manotick Remembrance Day Celebrations
Manotick's First National Indigenous Remembrance Day Commemoration
On November 8, 2025, members of the Manotick community gathered at the cenotaph to mark the village’s First National Indigenous Veterans Day, honouring the service and sacrifice of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Veterans.
Held in this familiar place of remembrance, the gathering provided an opportunity to recognize the contributions of Indigenous Veterans and to acknowledge their place within Canada’s military history. For many in attendance, it was a chance to reflect on service from a broader perspective and to ensure that these stories are included alongside those already remembered within the community.
The ceremony included a smudging, the sharing of natural plant materials among those present, and the sound of a drum carried through the space. These elements created a quiet and respectful setting, allowing those gathered to pause, reflect and take part in the commemoration in a more personal way.
As the first event of its kind in Manotick, it represents a meaningful addition to the community’s ongoing acts of remembrance. It reflects a continued commitment to honouring all who have served and ensuring their contributions are recognized and remembered.
Manotick Veteran Memorial Banners
In late September, as the Manotick Veteran Memorial Banners begin to appear along the streets of Manotick, the village takes on a different feeling.
Hung from posts throughout the community, each banner honours a local Veteran - a name, a face and a story remembered. Together, they create a powerful and visible tribute, woven into the everyday rhythm of the village.
For those driving or walking through, it is difficult not to notice. The banners draw the eye in a quiet but meaningful way, offering a moment to pause and reflect on the individuals behind them and the lives they represent.
The Veteran Memorial Banner Program provides families, friends and sponsors with the opportunity to honour those who have served. Each banner reflects a personal connection ensuring that these stories remain present within the community.
Displayed for a limited time each year, the banners create a shared experience of remembrance - one that brings history into view and connects past and present in a simple, powerful way.
In those moments, moving through the village becomes something more than routine. It becomes an act of remembrance.
The Ottawa Military History Club (OMHC)
The Ottawa Military History Club is an Eastern Ontario group of Canadian historians and Canadian military history enthusiasts dedicated to the preservation and sharing of Canadian military history through public events, historical discussions, presentations, and artifact displays.
The club has monthly Sunday afternoon history event meetings, and monthly History on Film Nights, all held at the Manotick Legion.
They are the only Legion in Ottawa, possibly Ontario and maybe even all of Canada doing something of this nature keeping Canadian Military History alive.
The best way to see what the club is all about is to visit it's website. The website tends to be quite dynamic, so come back often.
Attendees have ranged from military veterans to high school students.
They have included Canadian historians with expertise on Canadians in both world wars, who have published books and documentaries on Canadian battlefields, Military Units and cemeteries.
Attendees have also included some who have had family who were involved in the Canadian military in the wars, and have come to share their stories, and to learn more from others.
One regular attendee lived in the Netherlands during The Second World War, and recalls what it was like as a young child living there during the war years.
And some attendees have brought some really interesting specific information and/or artifacts to share.
Many just come to listen and learn about Canadian Military History. “We will remember them.”
You do not need to be a member of the Legion to attend these history events.
Mayhem Over Manotick
The Ottawa Military History Club Meeting - February 2026 - Andrew King
"Mayhem Over Manotick" - Tragic Crash of B-25 Mitchell Bomber
In February 2026, local historian Andrew King presented “Mayhem Over Manotick” about the tragic crash of a B-25 Mitchell Bomber across the road of the present location of the Manotick Rona on Bankfield Road in 1957 which killed seven passengers and aircrew.
The crash involved a military aircraft, as well as military casualties. During the meeting, there was interest in looking into creating a memorial in Manotick to highlight the historical event and to honour the crew.
Here is a pdf copy of Andrew's Mayhem Over Manotick presentation.