When Canada went to war during the two world wars of the last century, Springhill answered the call with one of the highest rates of military service on a per-capita basis.
Many of the young men who enlisted to serve King and Country never returned. Today, their names are etched on the cenotaph at the corner of Main Street and Junction Road, standing as a lasting reminder of their sacrifice.
For several years, the Springhill Veterans Banner Committee has worked to ensure local veterans are remembered through banners displayed on utility poles along Main Street. Now, that tribute has been expanded with the unveiling of a memorial bench beside the cenotaph and a permanent display featuring photographs of every veteran honoured through the banner program.
"The committee started in 2020 through the vision and determination of Allison Rolfe, who believed our veterans should be recognized in a visible and lasting way," committee member Beth Adams said during the unveiling ceremony.
"We started with a committee of eight people and today we have seven following Allison's passing. Her dedication and friendship remain deeply missed. Like so many volunteers in our communities, everyone's contributions have helped build something that will continue for generations."
Springhill Veterans Banner Committee member Gus Hunter (left) helps veteran Ralph Good unveil a memorial bench next to the cenotaph in Springhill.
The committee includes Helen Mae Legere, Brenda Pyke, Roberta Bell, Gus Hunter, Ethan Adams and Audrey Marshall.
Adams said committee members recognized that, as they grow older, there may not always be volunteers available to continue the annual work of preparing the banners for installation by Springhill Public Works and the Municipality of Cumberland.
"We decided to create a plaque featuring the names and photographs of everyone we've honoured," she said.
The new bench provides visitors with a place to pause, reflect and remember the names inscribed on the cenotaph and the sacrifices made for the freedoms Canadians enjoy today.
Municipality of Cumberland Mayor Rod Gilroy speaks during the unveiling ceremony.
Together, the banners, bench and commemorative display tell the story of Springhill's extraordinary contribution to military service. They represent sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, parents, grandparents and friends—people who lived, attended school and worked in the community before answering the call to serve.
Beyond honouring veterans, the memorials create opportunities for conversation, reflection and education, helping future generations understand the community's proud military history.
"For generations, the people of Springhill have answered the call to serve whenever our country has asked," Adams said. "During the First World War, approximately 500 residents from this small town enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force."
To put that in perspective, Springhill's population in 1914 was approximately 3,868, meaning a remarkable proportion of the community volunteered to serve overseas.
During the Second World War, more than 1,300 residents enlisted—nearly 17 per cent of the town's population.
"Nearly one in every six people from this community wore the uniform, and of those who served, 54 made the ultimate sacrifice," Adams said. She noted that three more Springhill service members were killed during the Korean War between 1950 and 1953.
Adams said the banners, bench and commemorative display are lasting reminders that the cost of peace and freedom has been high. They will also help educate today's residents and future generations that courage, sacrifice, duty and service are values worth preserving.
"It is about ensuring the names on the banners never become just names," Adams said. "They remain stories, lives, families and legacies."
Veteran Ralph Good looks at a commemorative plaque prepared by the Springhill Veterans Banner Committee featuring the photos of all the veterans recognized to date by the banner program.