A Final Honour: The Last Post Fund Field of Honour at Beechwood Cemetery

Tucked within the quiet grounds of Beechwood Cemetery, Canada’s National Cemetery, lies a section of solemn dignity and enduring gratitude - The Last Post Fund Field of Honour, Section 19. This sacred space bears testament to a promise made over a century ago: that no Veteran should be denied a proper burial due to financial means. This commitment began with one man - Arthur Hair (1873–1947)  -a British immigrant and veteran of the South African War.

In 1909, while living in Montreal, Hair was confronted with a harsh reality: many former soldiers and sailors of the Empire, despite once being held in high esteem, died penniless and forgotten. Moved by their plight, Hair devoted the rest of his life to ensuring they would receive dignity in death. He founded the Last Post Fund with a clear mission:

“To honour and protect in death seems but a small return to those who have protected their country in life.”

A National Effort to Protect Honour

Following the Great War, Hair’s vision expanded. In partnership with Veterans Affairs Canada, the Last Post Fund began administering the Funeral and Burial Program, providing financial support to ensure Veterans received proper funerals, burials, and grave markings. The first burials outside Quebec took place in Toronto in November 1922, setting the stage for a truly national program that today reaches across every province and territory.

The Field of Honour at Beechwood

At Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa, Section 19 stands apart. It is the only space specifically designated as the Last Post Fund Field of Honour, featuring a distinctive layout of flat granite military markers. Unlike the upright stones commonly found in the National Military Cemetery, these understated markers capture a poignant simplicity—engraved with the Veteran’s name, rank, unit, birth and death year, and often the inscription “LEST WE FORGET.”

Here rest Veterans of remarkable diversity: members of the Canadian and British Expeditionary Forces, including those who served in the Canadian Railway Troops, 4th Pioneer Battalion, and Imperial units like the Cheshire and Welsh Regiments. Each headstone represents a life once dedicated to service—many of whom had few resources or family at life’s end.

Remembering Two Forces That Shaped History

The Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) was the overseas fighting force created by Canada during the First World War. With more than 600,000 Canadians enlisted, the CEF’s most renowned formation, the Canadian Corps, played a pivotal role in major battles across the Western Front, particularly in France and Belgium.

Meanwhile, the British Expeditionary Force (BEF)—a professional army of six divisions—was deployed to the Western Front in the earliest days of the war. The BEF’s actions at Mons, Le Cateau, the Aisne, and especially Ypres, were instrumental in halting the German advance in 1914. Though nearly wiped out during these opening battles, the BEF was reorganized into multiple armies, but its name remained synonymous with British involvement throughout the war.

A Place for Reflection

Section 19 of Beechwood Cemetery is more than a burial ground. It is a living legacy of Arthur Hair’s vision and a physical embodiment of Canada’s enduring gratitude. Every marker tells a story not only of military service, but of a commitment that transcends time—to remember, to honour, and to provide dignity to those who once served.

As we walk through the Field of Honour, we are reminded of a simple truth: Remembrance does not end with life. It continues in the way we care for those who came before us. The Last Post Fund ensures we do just that.