In the 1920s, a Memorial Clock to honour the men who gave their lives in the First World War was sought for Southampton Town Hall. Half the cost of the clock was donated by November 3, 1921. The Memorial Clock was installed on October 5, 1922 and unveiled, along with a bell and First World War plaque, by C.M. Bowman during a ceremony held on December 15, 1922. When the Southampton Cenotaph was built in 1958, the First World War plaque was erected on the cenotaph's left side.
In April of 1978, repairs were made to the clock by Walter Mackowski. The clock is a rare electromechanical clock run by a master clock in the town office. At one time the clock struck the hours on a bell.
The bell has an interesting history. In 1865, the American steamship Pewchie, was claimed by Lake Huron. A Saugeen First Nation man found a body washed up on shore behind their village (now known as Saugeen First Nation). It was the body of a young woman wearing a Pewchie life-preserver. With letters also found, they were able to identify her and notified friends. A brother arrived to take his sister's body home. They were the family of the Troy Bell Company of Syracuse, New York.
In appreciation, the family sent the first bell to Southampton which became the all-purpose bell for the town. When the bell cracked, the Mayor A. E. Belcher and Council wrote to the Troy Bell Company requesting a replacement. The company agreed and Southampton paid for the bell to be shipped. Today, the bell still chimes every hour on the hour.
