Ownership Transfer, Chelsea Pioneer Cemetery and Cenotaph to the Municipality of Chelsea

Press Release from the Gatineau Valley Historical Society

A ceremony was held on October 7, 2019 to mark the transfer of ownership of the Chelsea Pioneer Cemetery and Cenotaph, located at 587 Route 105, from the Gatineau Valley Historical Society (GVHS) to the Municipality of Chelsea.   

The GVHS, a non-profit organization run by volunteers, approached the Municipality of Chelsea in 2017 to propose the transfer in order to ensure the continued maintenance and care of this provincially designated historic cemetery.  

GVHS President Marc Cockburn, on behalf of he GVHS, noted : “We are pleased to give this historic property to the community of Chelsea, to see it incorporated as part of Chelsea's heritage vision and to ensure it is managed and maintained by the Municipality.” 

Chelsea Mayor Caryl Green declared : “I would like to acknowledge the dedication of the members of the GVHS and thank them for their care of the Chelsea Pioneer Cemetery and Cenotaph for these past years. We look forward to working together to ensure that this important historical site is preserved for generations to come.” 

The October 7th ceremony also highlighted the recent completion of a $30,000 renovation project funded in part by a generous $25,000 gift from Carol Martin, the late past President of the GVHS, with the balance from the GVHS and the Municipality. The project was led by Mr. André Renaud, with assistance and expert advice from the community and GVHS board members. Major work included the installation of a classical design steel fence, landscaping and drainage work, the rebuilding of the two pillars at the entrance and the repointing of the cenotaph.  

The GVHS will continue its tradition of hosting the annual Remembrance Day ceremony at the Cenotaph and will play an advisory role with the Municipality on matters related to the cemetery, as it currently does for the Old Chelsea Protestant Burial Ground.  

Background  

In 1965 the GVHS (then known as the Historical Society of The Gatineau) acquired this property from Mr. Cecil Meredith, a descendant of the original Church family who had established a private cemetery on this land. The GVHS’s objective was to preserve it as a historic site and make known its local historical value to the community. The cemetery is notable for being the final resting place of Private Richard Rowland Thompson, the only Canadian to receive the prestigious “Queen's Scarf” from Queen Victoria for his heroism during the Boer War.  

In 1968, the Cenotaph and matching entrance pillars were constructed with the Municipality’ assistance, and in 2010 the late Allan Richens collaborated to install a set of brass plaques on the Cenotaph to commemorate those who died in the war.  

In 2010, Chelsea Council approved a resolution to officially designate the Pioneer Cemetery as a historical site. It was added to Québec’s “Répertoire du patrimoine culturel du Québec” in 2012 and is now officially known as the “Site patrimonial du Cimetière-des-Pionniers-de-Chelsea”.   

The Municipality also owns a second historic cemetery identified in the Québec register as the "Site patrimonial du Cimetière-Protestant Old Chelsea" (the Old Chelsea Protestant Burial Ground) located at 245, chemin Old Chelsea.  

Every year since 1985, the GVHS has hosted a public Remembrance Day ceremony, and welcomed military personnel, including members of Private Thompson’s regiment, the Royal Canadian Regiment from Petawawa, as well as personnel from the Canadian Forces Medical Services. 

The Gatineau Valley Historical Society, founded in 1962, promotes matters of historical or heritage significance in the general area of the Gatineau Valley and works closely with many local and community organizations to carry out its mandate.