In the heart of Bridgetown, the hum of the city softens into reflection at The Cenotaph. Erected in 1925, this solemn obelisk stands as a national gesture of remembrance for Barbadians who gave their lives in World War I. Later, the monument was inscribed with the names of those lost in the second World War, expanding its silent testimony of sacrifice.

The Cenotaph is an obelisk - a tall, narrow four sided monument - however it does not have a pyramid-like shape at the top which is common to other famous obelisks located in Egypt, Rome and Washington DC. This architectural choice lends it a starkness, as though the absence itself speaks to lives cut short, stories unfinished.

Each year, on Remembrance Sunday (the Sunday nearest November 11th) Barbados joins the wider Commonwealth in a ritual of honour, with an inter-denominational service at the monument. Clergy from various faiths offer prayers, and wreaths are solemnly laid around the Cenotaph. The armed and unarmed forces, including the Barbados Defence Force, Barbados Police Service and the Barbados Legion, parade as a sign of respect for the fallen.

Those who served but never returned are not lost to time. Their names, their courage, and their stories remain inscribed not only in stone, but in the national conscience.

If you're exploring Bridgetown, the Cenotaph (located in National Heroes Square) is worth a quiet stop.