A recommendation to apply for funding and amend the 2026 Capital Budget for new work on the Belleville Cenotaph was approved by city council at their meeting on Monday.
A report from Belleville city staff noted they were contacted by Dr. Don Brearley and the late Don Kellaway, who had completed significant research into Unlisted Fallen Soldiers on the Cenotaph Memorial.
In total, the list had 23 names from World War I and seven names from World War II, all residents of Belleville or formerly Thurlow Township residents.
For the World War I monument, it is recommended that the left side be replaced entirely with a new base identical in size to the existing one, along with a wider upper tablet that maintains the same height and profile while providing additional space for new names.
The recommendation for the World War II monument is simply to add the seven new names to the existing monument.
The report recommends that council authorize an application to the Commemorative Partnership Program as well as approve an amendment to the 2026 Capital Budget in the amount of $35,000 to complete the project.
Funding would be broken down as follows:
- $10,000 from the Municipal Accommodation Tax Reserve Fund
- $10,000 from the Community War Memorials Fund
- $15,000 from the Asset Management Reserve Fund
The application to the Commemorative Partnership Program, through Veterans Affairs Canada, would be for funding to the tune of $10,000.
Discussing the motion with council, Director of Transportation and Operations Joe Reid noted that the city was working with Campbell Monuments on a design for the new monument.
