Second Lieutenant Marie Henry and
Corporal Joseph Lewis Headquarters, Jamaica Defence Force

In an effort to restore what is left of Jamaica’s rich military history, the Cannon Ball monument was relocated from Arnold Road, Kingston to the Cannon Ball Gate, Up Park Camp.

On Tuesday 13 April 2010, His Worship the Mayor of Kingston Desmond McKenzie joined the JDF in the induction of the Cannon Ball monument in its new location.  The ceremony was also attended by Assistant British Defence Attaché Steve Freeman, Executive Director, Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) Mrs Ariadne Collier, representatives from the Jamaica National heritage Trust and senior officers of the JDF.

The Mayor and the Chief of Defence Staff Major General Stewart Saunders unveiled the monument which revealed the rationale for its relocation:

 “The Cannon Ball Monument was originally located on Arnold Road in Kingston. The Monument had deteriorated significantly and was therefore relocated to its present site and refurbished by 1Engineer Regiment (JDF) in January 2010 with the authority of His Worship the Mayor of Kingston and the National Heritage Trust.”

In giving his remarks, the Mayor praised the JDF for showing interest and ensuring the rich military heritage is kept.  Highlighting the importance of resurrecting Jamaica’s heritage, the Mayor said that when he was approached by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to restore this historic site he did not hesitate.  He said that the City of Kingston has some history that the public knows nothing of and that if we could preserve all the sites then the city would be the richest in the world.

The pleased Mayor has already put in his request to the CDS for the JDF to maintain two monuments located in the May Pen Cemetery that were erected to honour the men who fought in World Wars I and II. 

The Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) also lauded the JDF for its continued effort in promoting and preserving Jamaica’s material heritage.  Public Relations Officer of the JNHT, Andrea Braham, expressed that the JDF and the JNHT have enjoyed a great working relationship and that the JDF shows an unquestionable commitment to saving aspects of the past.  The Heritage Trust hopes that this artifact can be a resource tool to educate young children of its significance.    

Significance of Relocation
           
It is very fitting that the Cannon Ball monument is actually relocated to its present site considering the history behind the naming of the Cannon Ball Gate. The naming of the Gate is linked to historic and legendary events associated with the British colonial regiment based in Jamaica and the placing of the Cannon Ball monument on Arnold Road in 1856.
The monument was placed at the intersection of Arnold Road and South Camp Road. South Camp Road runs adjacent to the westerly boundaries of Up Park Camp. Arnold Road was constructed by 3rd West India Regiment and led directly to Up Park Camp via Cannon Ball Gate. The following is the inscription on the monument:
“The Arnold Road opened and made by the 3rd West India Regiment” under the command of Maj Gen EW BELL in A.D. 1856.
The relocation of the monument became necessary as the path where it was erected is now home to various organizations and was somewhat derelict with missing blocks, plastered with posters of latest happenings and attracting parasitic plants.  It however marked an important occasion for the citizens of Arnold Road in that it memorializes the handing over of the land to them. And so the monument bears a second inscription:

“The Land for this Road presented to the public by W. Wellwood Anderson of Cooper Hill”

Since 2008, the JDF has embarked on the restoration of military heritage sites island wide. In his welcome address, Major General Stewart Saunders, committed to restoring a site once per year. As part of maintaining the oral tradition, the JDF will make the Cannon Ball Monument accessible to persons touring its facilities.

• Co-operative Solution Through Training
• Exercise Tradewinds 2010 Underway
• Mayor McKenzie Endorses Move to Restore Site
• More than Issuing Relief Items