Section 27 – The Field of Honour at Beechwood Cemetery
Section 27, known as the Field of Honour, is one of the most profound expressions of military remembrance at Beechwood Cemetery. Reserved for Canadian Forces veterans and war dead from conflicts ranging from the Northwest Rebellion to United Nations campaigns and humanitarian missions, this section embodies respect, duty, and collective memory.
This land was purchased by the Crown in 1944, and until its amalgamation into the National Military Cemetery of Canada, it was overseen by Veterans Affairs Canada and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, affirming its role as a dedicated military burial ground.
Section 27’s layout reflects the military hollow square defensive formation. In battle, soldiers faced outward with their backs protected by their comrades, allowing mutual trust and shared vigilance. At Beechwood, this concept is translated into a thoughtful arrangement of graves that symbolically enacts that same protective strength and collective resolve.
The Cross of Sacrifice: Centrepiece of Remembrance
The heart of Section 27 is the Cross of Sacrifice, a defining feature of Commonwealth war cemeteries that contain 40 or more graves. Designed in 1918 by Sir Reginald Blomfield, the Cross unites military service and spiritual reflection in a single, restrained form. The Cross was installed at the centre of Section 27 in 1957 and was formally dedicated, alongside the nearby Ottawa Cremation Memorial in May 1959.
The bronze sword affixed to the Cross, with its blade pointing downward, is a deliberate symbol of peace rather than conflict, underscoring that remembrance follows the end of battle.
The Ottawa Cremation Memorial
Adjacent to the Cross stands the Ottawa Cremation Memorial, built by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in 1958. The memorial bears bronze panels commemorating 31 war dead from the First and Second World Wars whose remains were cremated in Canada and the United States and who have no known grave. In 1971, additional plaques were added to honour 28 Dutch war dead whose graves in Canada are maintained on behalf of the Netherlands.
Beyond its formal monuments, Section 27 includes powerful living and sculptural symbols that deepen its meaning:
- The Vimy Oaks - Grown from acorns gathered near Vimy Ridge, these trees create a direct, living connection between Canada’s most defining First World War battle and the soldiers commemorated at Beechwood. They symbolize continuity, renewal, and the lasting legacy of sacrifice.
- The Highway of Heroes Tree - This tree honours the modern era of military service and the solemn repatriation of fallen Canadian service members along the Highway of Heroes. It links contemporary remembrance with the historic foundations of the Field of Honour.
- The 100th Anniversary of Armistice Tree - It has three maple leaves, each one representing a branch of the Canadian Armed Forces, fifty-eight poppies representing each a battle honour received by our forces during WW1 and a stack of Brodie helmets, the only head protection for our brave soldiers. This carving will stand tall for years, quietly reminding the cost and sacrifice of WW1.
Section 27 is more than a burial ground, it is a narrative landscape. It holds graves of veterans and war dead from multiple conflicts and includes artillery pieces and memorial elements that speak to Canada’s military heritage.
This Field of Honour invites visitors to walk thoughtfully, reflect on service and sacrifice, and connect with Canada’s broader history of military engagement. Its design, features, and ceremonies reinforce shared national values and the solemn duty to remember those who gave so much.
Section 27 continues to be cared for in accordance with international Commonwealth standards, ensuring that its stories of service and sacrifice remain visible, accessible, and respectfully preserved. As both a historic site and an active place of commemoration, the Field of Honour stands as a bridge between generations, preserving memory with precision, dignity, and purpose.