Lest we forget: A journey through Brookside’s Field of Honour

Military grave stones in Brookside Cemetery's Field of Honour
More than 10,000 veterans, service members and war heroes are buried in Brookside Cemetery's Field of Honour.

Veterans’ Week holds special significance at Brookside Cemetery. It’s Field of Honour is one of the largest and oldest in Canada. More than 10,000 veterans, service members and war heroes have been laid to rest there.

Land for the Field of Honour was set aside in 1915 and at the heart of it is the Stone of Remembrance. The monument was put there in 1960 to remember those who died in the First and Second World Wars.

The Stone of Remembrance was unveiled at the Field of Honour in Brookside Cemetery in 1960.
The Stone of Remembrance was unveiled at the Field of Honour in Brookside Cemetery in 1960.

“It’s probably the most significant monument in the cemetery and the only one of its kind in Canada,” said Brett Shenback, Cemeteries Administrator with the City of Winnipeg.

Brookside was chosen for it because of the high number of war dead in the cemetery and its location near the geographic centre of Canada.

Our second Field of Honour is in Transcona Cemetery. More than 300 veterans and service members are buried there.

Notable Field of Honour graves

Shenback said visitors often ask for directions to help find certain graves so they can pay their respects. The two most asked about are both in Brookside’s Field of Honour.

Sergeant Tommy Prince is one of Canada’s most decorated Indigenous soldiers.
Harry Colebourn served in the First World War. His bear, Winnie, was the inspiration for Winnie the Pooh.

Sergeant Tommy Prince is one of Canada’s most decorated Indigenous soldiers. He served in both the Second World War and the Korean War.

Before Harry Colebourn served in the First World War, he bought a small female black bear cub and named in Winnie. He ended up putting it in the London Zoo during the war.

“Apparently the author A.A. Milne and his son Christopher Robin took a liking to Winnie, wrote Winnie the Pooh and the rest is history,” said Shenback.

You’ll often see little bear stuffies at his grave left by some of the younger visitors.

Charlotte Wood is buried in Brookside Cemetery, close to the Field of Honour. She was the first National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother.

Visiting our cemeteries

The Field of Honour in Brookside Cemetery.
Field of Honour in Transcona Cemetery.

Everyone is welcome to explore our cemeteries. You can locate a grave using our online search tool. You can also visit our offices on site for help or directions.

Our City, Our Podcast

Shenback shares more history and stories from our cemeteries on Our City, Our Podcast. This episode was released in November, 2025.

Other City information

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