Eight headstones were knocked over at Woodlawn Cemetary.

City staff at Woodlawn Cemetery has confirmed headstones were tipped over in an older part of the cemetery, containing graves from the 1940s. A statement from the City of Saskatoon says, “Of course, the City condemns such disrespectful behaviour.”

Cemetery staff continue to reset the headstones. Staff will contact any family members they have on file but the City says there may be challenges due to the age of the gravesites.

Woodlawn Cemetary is a burial place for the region’s war dead. Trees along Next-of-Kin Memorial Avenue leading into the cemetery continue to be dedicated to soldiers who have passed. Saskatoon’s annual Decoration Day Service coming up in June will be the 109th anniversary of this tradition. A plaque on Saskatoon’s Memorial Avenue says it is the only intact example of the “Roads of Remembrance” which were created in various Canadian cities after the First World War.

According to the City of Saskatoon website, Woodlawn Cemetery has seen approximately 63,000 burials since it was first opened.

City officials say additional security patrols have been put in place, including overnight patrols and extra daily patrols over the upcoming Easter long weekend.