In 1904 the E&N Railway donated 5 acres of land just north of Ladysmith for a cemetery.  It was divided into 4 sections, representing the 4 church denominations in the area.  They were Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian and Anglican. 

In 1925 the Methodist Church joined with the Presbyterian Church to become the United Church of Canada.  The old Methodist Church on Roberts Street was sold and the congregation moved to the Presbyterian Church.  United Church members are now buried in the Methodist Section.

We have 2 valuable sources of information.  Mike Armstrong of Vancouver Island College has a Power Point presentation and Kit Willmot has prepared a spread sheet listing of who is buried there and where they are.  Both these links are clickable.  Closing them will return you back here.

Future plans are to commemorate the victims of the mine disasters associated with Ladysmith and District.  This will coincide with the anniversary of the big explosion of 1909 in Extension.  Most of the 32 men killed there are buried in the cemetery.  Unfortunately a lot of the headstones have suffered the ravages of time.  But, here are 3 that can still be read from the 1909 explosion.

 

From our records, and name searches we have been able to confirm the names and locations of 22 of the 32 miners killed in the 1909 explosion.

There are many languages on the headstones.  A true indication of the varied ethnicity of Ladysmith.  A few memorials have also been placed to remember groups of individuals.

This page is in the first stages of creation and will be expanded as time allows.  Specific details and photograph contributions would be gratefully accepted.  Check back often, and as always use your Reload/Refresh Icon often to make sure you have the latest version.

Over the years the condition of some areas and headstones has deteriorated.  A number of initiatives are under way to improve the over all condition.  Like the rest of the town, our cemetery is a true heritage site and must be maintained as such.

As mentioned earlier,  plans are already under way to commemorate the 1909 explosion at the Extension Mine.  A suitable memorial is in the works.  We will have details here as the plans progress.

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We expect that the highly popular Cemetery Tours will be continued.  Dates for the tour will be posted in our events page as plans  are made. 

If you have any information or photographs you want to pass along we invite you to contact us.  Any information used will be copied and the originals returned to you.  Suitable credit will be given if desired.

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