Volunteer fireman memorial

 

Location: 308 Prince Edward Drive South

Date photo taken: 11 November 2021

This memorial stone, which stands in front of Fire Station 431 in Etobicoke, is a reminder of the devastation and loss of life caused by Hurricane Hazel. While hurricane season usually doesn't trouble Toronto much, Hurricane Hazel was different. It hit Toronto on October 15,1954 and stalled over the city, bringing high winds and dropping copious amounts of rain. The region had been receiving above-average rainfall before the storm hit, so the ground was already saturated and much of the water ran off, flooding the city's waterways, washing out bridges and carrying houses and people away. This stone pays tribute to five of those people, volunteer fire fighters who lost their lives in the Humber River.

The full plaque text:

In proud memory of these men of the Kingsway-Lambton Volunteer Fire Department

Clarence (Tiny) Collins

Frank Mercer

Roy Oliver

David Palmateer

Angus Small

They lost their lives in the swollen Humber River while on rescue work during Hurricane Hazel, 16th October 1954.

Erected by members of the Kingsway-Lambton Volunteer Fire Dept. and Lakeshore District Firemen. 16th October 1955

Faithful unto death.