Other

Following the First World War, members of the Alliston Branch of the Women’s Institute (WI) announced their interest in building a memorial library. The Alliston WI was constituted in June 1914 and had played a leading role in the local war effort through accomplishing what many within the community deemed impossible. Their resolve was often viewed by others as courageous.

In the fall of 1919, the WI opened a small library in temporary quarters on the second floor of a general store while reiterating their commitment to erect a permanent library building as a lasting memorial to Alliston’s fallen soldiers. As a show of support, a private citizen offered them a centrally located site at a reduced rate for the new building.

Despite a lack of municipal support, the women held steadfast in their belief that the town must remember the Alliston boys. Buoyed by their reputation of tenacity and driven by their continuing commitment to the boys, the women of the WI proceeded to fund-raise over the next three years.

During that time, the WI learned of a funding source available from Andrew Carnegie who was funding library construction throughout the United States and Canada. Grants from his foundation came with two provisos: building plans were to conform to designs approved by the Carnegie Foundation and any building erected under the grant program was to be known as a Carnegie Library. The WI members voiced serious concerns that the mandatory design would appear too grandiose and that any name without "memorial” defeated their original purpose. Despite their need for financial assistance, they announced that Alliston’s library was not to be a Carnegie Institute but a small building of chaste design, the outstanding feature of which would be a perpetuation of the memory of the boys of Alliston and District whose lives had been sacrificed overseas during the great war.

Alliston Memorial Library was officially opened at 17 Victoria Street East on February 14, 1924. As reported in the February 21 Alliston Herald, several hundred onlookers applauded as Alliston’s famous native son and First World War Veteran Dr. F.G. Banting inserted a golden key in the lock, turned the key, pulled open the door and announced that "it gives me very real pleasure to declare this memorial library open and ready for use. ”

By the 1970s, the aging building was unable to adequately serve the growing population. In August 1978, the WI regretfully sold the library to the Town. Unsuitable for renovation, the original structure was demolished and a new and expanded library opened on site in 1982. Alliston Memorial Library continues to serve the public as a lasting memorial to the boys.

This sculpture, “MILITARY POLICEWOMAN”, depicts a Canadian Military Policewoman with the uniform, weapons, and accoutrements c. 1990. The model chosen was Corporal L.M.M. Monette, a member of 2e Military Police Platoon, who was the first woman MP sent to a dangerous UN Peacekeeping mission: NAMIBIA, where assignments had been previously restricted to male MPs. The sculpture was unveiled in 1990, and is dedicated to current and past members of the Canadian Forces Military Police.

This sculpture, “IN GOOD HANDS”, depicts a Canadian Medical Assistant treating a wounded soldier on a stretcher. The Medical Assistant is taking the causality’s pulse and is seen holding the casualty’s left wrist. Copies of this work were acquired by the Canadian Forces Medical School in Borden, Ontario, and by several other medical units. It was unveiled in 1992, and is dedicated to current and past Canadian medical personnel.

This sculpture, “POINTSMAN”, depicts a Canadian Military Policeman with the uniform, weapons, and accoutrements circa 1965. The sculpture was created by Col (Ret’d) Andre Gauthier and erected by the Canadian Provost Company School in Camp Borden in 1965. It is dedicated to current and past members of the Canadian Forces Military Police/Canadian Provost Company.

This tree is dedicated to the memory of Lt. John Oliver Allison, MC. It is located near the Eugenia Cenotaph.

This memorial is dedicated to the Veterans of the First and Second World Wars. It was erected by the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 205. The Markdale Memorial Grove has a board about 9 feet high and 9 feet wide. On the plot behind the Memorial Board and flag are planted 30 Maple (Red) trees, now about 20 M high (2006) at locations related to the positions of Veterans' plaques on the Memorial Board. Size of the plot is 50 yds wide and 75 yds deep. Five wood and concrete benches on the site are dedicated to "all who served".

A bronze plaque, about three feet square and one inch thick, was created by the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire shortly after the First World War. This plaque was displayed on the wall of the Markdale Public Library for many years, but when a new library was built there was no place for it and it is now stored in the basement. It is possible that a suitable location may be found and the plaque returned to public view at a later date.

This memorial is dedicated to local Veterans from the First and Second World Wars. It was erected by the Eugenia Ladies' Community Group. Limestone base with life-sized statue of a soldier on guard above.

Names of the dead of the Great War appear on the front, those who survived on the back.  Names of the soldiers from the Second World War appear on the right side, on the bottom

This memorial is dedicated to the members of the RCEME who gave their lives in the service of their country. It was erected by the 4 Field Workshop RCEME. The window was originally mounted in the chapel in Soest Germany but was moved to Borden in 1993.

This memorial is dedicated to the members of the Corps of Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers who gave their lives in the service of their country. It was erected by the 4 Field Workshop Corps of Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. The window was originally mounted in the chapel in Soest Germany, but was moved to Borden in 1993.