Monday Monuments and Memorials – Eugenia Falls Conservation Area, ON

Autumn Day in Eugenia Falls Conservation Area

Until the day break and shadows flee away

Those who daring to die survived

Dedication

Garland of maple leaves

Lt John Allison, MC

UNTIL THE DAY BREAK AND SHADOWS FLEE AWAY (Song of Solomon)

Eugenia is a hamlet in Grey County, Ontario. Its key attraction is the Eugenia Falls Conservation Area, where the Beaver River falls 30 metres over the Niagara Escarpment. Nice place for a peaceful walk to see the falls and Eugenia’s war memorial.

Dedicated in 1921, the war memorial lists the men of the area who served (“those who daring to die survived”) and who died (“our gallant dead”). The young soldier is flanked by cannons. Crossed rifles and swords are under the names. The monument is decorated with maple leaves and palm laurels. A faded “S. Borland, Collingwood” on the base likely denotes the maker.  

A gingko tree next to the monument is dedicated to Lt John Allison, MC. Allison was a second year medical student at the University of Toronto when he enlisted. He was killed in 1918 while flying reconnaissance in Mesopotamia.