Visit the 4th floor of our Central Library to see 3 commemorative books containing the names of local people whose lives were lost at war. You can also view the books here online.
Every month, a new page is turned in each book. If you'd like us to display a specific name or page, submit your request through the form at the bottom of this page, or call us.
Book of Remembrance - World War 1, opens a new window
This book commemorates the 1,360 men and women from Halifax County who gave their lives in the Great War. It was officially dedicated to the City of Halifax along with the War Memorial in the Grand Parade on July 1, 1929.
The book is a work of art—bound in blue calf, with decorative gilt edging and lettering, surrounded by hand-marbled end papers. The red and black hand lettering was designed and executed by the Nova Scotian book illuminator, Henry Perley Bernasconi.
Book of Remembrance - World War 2 and the Korean War, opens a new window
The second Book of Remembrance commemorates the 705 men and women from Halifax County who gave their lives in World War II and the Korean War. It was presented to the Halifax Memorial Library on May 29, 1955 by the Halifax County Chapter of the Silver Cross Women of Canada.
This beautiful book is bound in royal purple Newfoundland seal with white silk end papers. Norman U. Anderson designed the silver book clasps and bookmark. Each page of vellum parchment contains lettering and miniature illuminated scenes from around Halifax County, executed by Henry Perley Bernasconi; as well as an embossed Silver Cross. The book also includes works by Will R. Bird, Laurence Binyon, John Gillispie Magee Jr., Alfred Lord Tennyson, hymns, and the Psalms of David.
Third Book of Remembrance, opens a new window
The third Book of Remembrance commemorates the members of Canada’s Armed Forces from Halifax Regional Municipality who have lost their lives while in service to Canada since 1953. The book was completed in February 2015, and given to our collection by the Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion.
The graphics, illumination, and calligraphy were designed and executed by Fran Ornstein of Chester Basin, applying the Zapf Renaissance Antiqua font family. The book was printed on 100lb Cougar Super White paper by Halcraft Printers of Halifax; digital printing was done by Bounty Print of Halifax. The book was hand bound by Ruth Legge of West Brooklyn in Chieftain goatskin with endpapers made from marbled paper, created by Lucie Lapierre of Chateauguay, Quebec. The slip case is made from Eskaboard and buckram, lined with Archivart paper.
