In 1927, the Drayton Women’s Institute, led by then-president Isabel (Peggy) Henderson, took matters into their own hands to construct a soldiers' memorial for the Townships of Maryborough and Peel. They took the lead in planning, funding, and realizing Drayton’s Memorial Park, timed to coincide with the Old Boys’ and Girls’ Reunion that was to take place over three days in July. Land for the park was donated by shopkeeper O. B. Henry, who was also Secretary for the Reunion Committee.