The Monument aux Braves-de-Sherbrooke is a First World War memorial at the intersection of rue King Ouest and rue Gordon in Sherbrooke, Québec. Its granite and bronze figures honour local residents who fought in the war, and its inscriptions preserve the names of people and battle sites associated with the memorial.
- Location: the central median of rue King Ouest at rue Gordon.
- Setting: near the top of a steep slope in Sherbrooke’s historic centre.
- From Lennoxville: about an 8-minute drive from a one-star motel in Lennoxville.
- What to look for: bronze figures, plaques and inscriptions on the memorial.
What does the Monument aux Braves-de-Sherbrooke commemorate?
The monument commemorates Sherbrooke residents who fought in the First World War. A citizens’ committee requested it in 1923, and Mayor James Keith Edwards inaugurated it on November 7, 1926. Sculptor George William Hill designed the memorial; its commission was recorded in 1924 and it was installed in 1926.
The memorial is made of pale grey granite and bronze, and measures 7.96 metres high, 4.60 metres wide and 2.12 metres deep. On the east face, three bronze figures represent Canadian soldiers in First World War trenches. Above them, a winged female figure representing the Angel of Victory holds a laurel wreath.
The Québec Cultural Heritage Directory records two bronze plaques on the west face bearing 334 names in total. Inscriptions on the sides name Ypres, Festubert, St.
Julien, Courcelette, La Somme, Arras, Vimy, Cote 70, Cambrai and Mons. The monument was restored from 2009 to 2011 and classified as a heritage building in 2017; that classification applies to the monument, not the land.
Where is the monument, and how do you find it?
The Monument aux Braves location is the central median of rue King Ouest at rue Gordon, in Sherbrooke’s Mont-Bellevue borough. It stands near the top of a steep slope in the city’s historic centre, so the surrounding streetscape is a useful landmark as you approach.
For a first look, take in the memorial from its street setting, then note the figures and inscriptions from the public approach. Its location also puts it in the context of central Sherbrooke; the guide to Sherbrooke city centre covers the area more broadly.
How can you make a respectful visit?
This is a war memorial, so treat the site as a place of remembrance. The figures and plaques are part of the monument’s commemorative purpose; give other people room to view them, and avoid climbing on or touching the memorial.
The monument stands in a street median. Keep to the public approach and be mindful of traffic as you view it. The memorial itself is classified as a heritage building, while the land is not covered by that classification. For more on Sherbrooke’s local history, the Société d'histoire de Sherbrooke is another subject to explore.
How do you get to the monument from Lennoxville?
From Lennoxville, the monument is about 4.8 km away and the drive takes about 8 minutes. On foot, the trip takes about 63 minutes from the motel. If you’re planning around a particular route or form of transport, check current directions before setting out.
Before you go
The memorial’s street-median setting and the slope nearby are worth keeping in mind when planning your approach. For current information about access and local conditions, check the official site before you go.
FAQs
Who created the Monument aux Braves-de-Sherbrooke?
Sculptor George William Hill designed the memorial. Its commission was recorded in 1924 and it was installed in 1926.
What do the figures on the monument represent?
The three bronze figures on the east face represent Canadian soldiers in First World War trenches. The winged figure above them represents the Angel of Victory.
What is written on the monument?
The side inscriptions name battle sites including Vimy, Arras and Mons. The west face has two bronze plaques bearing 334 names in total, according to the Québec Cultural Heritage Directory.