Virtual Tour of Ross Bay Cemetery
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10. Cross of Sacrifice

In 1917 the Imperial War Graves Commission was founded to ensure that bodies of military personnel from the British Empire who died during the war were found, identified where possible and properly buried. Military personnel who were killed in overseas wars were buried in the countries where they died.

The Cross of Sacrifice was designed in England by Sir Reginald Blomfield. The same design has been used in war memorials around the British Commonwealth.

The Cross of Sacrifice symbolizes the Biblical passage of turning swords into ploughshares, and commemorates the thousands of Canadians buried in France, Flanders, and other places. On Remembrance Day each year the Cross of Sacrifice is the focal point for the laying of wreaths.

There are about 150 military graves in Ross Bay.