By Jenny Holly Hansen | WBN News | April 30, 2025

One of Fort Langley’s oldest and most cherished memorials—the Fort Langley cenotaph—is in urgent need of attention. Built in 1920, just after the First World War, this solemn monument has stood for 105 years in the Fort Langley Cemetery, serving as a place of remembrance for local soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice overseas.

Earlier this month, a report was presented to Langley Township council outlining the significant deterioration of the cenotaph. Originally constructed alongside an identical marker in Murrayville Cemetery, these memorials were erected at a time when families across Canada and Britain were grieving loved ones buried in distant European fields. Cenotaphs like Fort Langley’s became sacred places of mourning and honor throughout the British Commonwealth after peace treaties were signed in 1919.

But time and the elements have taken their toll. Experts brought in by the Township discovered major issues during a careful inspection. The cenotaph is no longer level and is settling unevenly, putting added pressure on fractures found within the cross at its top—some of which had been hastily coated in epoxy as a temporary measure.

“To ensure long-term preservation, the Township must consider comprehensive restoration efforts, including stabilization, potential reconstruction, and long-term maintenance planning," stated the Township's staff report presented on April 7.

The proposed plan includes disassembling the monument, properly levelling the ground underneath, and conducting a detailed assessment to determine whether full restoration is even possible. Sadly, there is a real chance that the cenotaph may be beyond repair. If that proves to be the case, the Township plans to replace it with an exact replica, preserving its original design and spirit.

The estimated cost for a full replacement would be around $50,000, but there is optimism that Veterans Affairs Canada funding could cover half of that amount. However, before any decisions are finalized, council has wisely chosen to engage the community through consultations with the Township's heritage advisory committee, the Fort Langley Community Association (FLCA), the Fort Langley Remembrance Day Committee, and the Royal Canadian Legion’s Aldergrove branch.

“I think the report is pretty clear that something has to be done,” remarked Mayor Eric Woodward, stressing the importance of community input before moving forward. His fellow councillors agreed, emphasizing that these conversations must happen before committing to a final plan.

Andy Schildhorn, chair of the Remembrance Day Committee, voiced what I think many of us feel when he said he hopes the original cenotaph can be preserved if possible. "I really do hope we can save it, maintain it," Schildhorn shared, noting his appreciation for the Township’s respectful approach to community consultation.

For many, the cenotaph is more than just stone and mortar; it’s a living piece of Fort Langley’s heart. Built through the determined efforts of locals like Archie Payne and Dr. Benjamin Marr, it took just one week of community fundraising to see the project through. It was unveiled on September 12, 1920, by two young sons of Alfred Trattle, a local soldier who fell at Vimy Ridge.

As the Township monitors the cenotaph’s condition during the consultation process, it is clear that whatever happens next will be shaped by a profound respect for the generations it commemorates—and the generations who continue to honor them.

I’ll be following this story closely, and like many others in our community, I sincerely hope we can find a path forward that honours both our past and our future.

Let’s Keep Talking:

Jenny is a business insurance broker with Waypoint Insurance.

She is also a business development consultant with Impresario Partners, helping Canadian Business expand overseas.

She can be reached at 604-317-6755 or jholly-hansen@wbnn.news. Connect with Jenny on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-holly-hansen-365b691b/.  Connect with Jenny at BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/jennyhollyhansen.bsky.social

Let’s Meet Up:

Jenny Holly Hansen is a cohost with Chris Sturges of the Langley Impact Networking Group. You are welcome to join us on Thursday’s from 4pm to 6pm at: Sidebar Bar and Grill: 100b - 20018 83A Avenue, Langley, BC V2Y 3R4

TAGS:  #Jenny Holly Hansen #WWII Cenotaph #Veterans Affairs Canada #Fort Langley Community Association (FLCA) #Fort Langley Remembrance Day Committee #Royal Canadian Legion’s Aldergrove branch

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