In 1892 the pioneer Thomas Wishart family lost two young sons; James — twenty years of age and Robert at seventeen years. They gave land for a cemetery in Oak Bluff situated on pan of the NE-18-9-2-1E, where they were living at that time. In January 1893 Mary Wishart also passed away.



This land was surveyed by Robert McPhilips, a Dominion and provincial Land Surveyor; the survey and plan correct, dated in Winnipeg 17th day of July 1894. The cemetery was later surveyed under instruction from the reeve and council of the municipality of Macdonald.



According to municipal records, Mr James Wastle was appointed caretaker in March 1945; Mr George Sim in 1951; Fred Clerihew in 1967.



Through the financial support of the Oak Bluff United Church Women, a fence with cement gate pillars was constructed. The names of the First World War veterans who were killed in action are inscribed on a marble plaque on one of the cement gate posts. The dedication service for the unveiling of this plaque was held on a Sunday in May 1932. Rev Cecil Bygraves conducted the service. Mr Milo Black kindly took the church piano to the cemetery to enhance the singing. by Mr E Lloyd. The attendance was good despite the cool windy day.



During the years, trees were planted around the cemetery. At one time the Cemetery committee members were Wm. Cuthbertson. H. Nelson, George Sim. and Alfred Jensen. A few years later, in 1965 they were L. Fisher, E. Forbes, and L. Nelson. The grass cutting, spraying of weeds. etc., is taken care of by interested families in the community. (Source: Oak Leaves - A History of the Oak BLuff Area, p 101f [Adapted])



At the entrance is the memorial to soldiers from the Oak Bluff area who were killed during service in the First World War names: Jack Brian, Charles Bunch, William Bunch, George Heath, D A Jones, Charles Lewis, Thomas Lowe, John Patterson, William Robinson, Robert Wastle, and Albert Williams.



Dominion Land Survey coordinates: LSD16-18-09-02-E1

To find the cemetery, travel about 1/4 mile south of Oak Bluff on Provincial Highway 3; at the junction with Highway 2, turn east and travel on the service road about one and 1/4 miles, then turn south onto a gravel road. The cemetery is one mile further south.



WARNING: Do not travel this road when wet!!!!!



As noted above, part of the story of the town and its inhabitants from the early days of European settlement through roughly 19nn is told in the volume "Oak Leaves - A History of the Oak BLuff Area". A digital version of this and many other Manitoba local history books can be found online in the University of Manitoba Digital Collections. There is also a list of such books organized by district and town name on the Manitoba Historical Society's website on their page entitled "Finding Aid: Manitoba Local History Books".