We Will Remember Them – Surnames D – L

The Men & Women of East Elgin
Who Served
in the First Great War
1914 – 1918

INTRODUCTION

Surnames D to L

by James L. McCallum

© Ontario Genealogical Society, Elgin County Branch – October 2010

Published by Ontario Genealogical Society, Elgin County Branch.

All rights reserved.  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopying, microform reproduction, recording, or otherwise – without the prior written permission of the publisher.

They shall grow not old, as we who are left grow olAge shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
We will remember them

Laurence Binyon

Charles Walter Davis

3132408

Charles Davis was born on July 30, 1891 in Aylmer, the son of Joseph L. Davis (1864-1947) & Mary Jessie Thompson (1860-1947).  Joseph was the son of Charles & Jane Davis, and living in Aylmer employed as a mason when he was married in Simcoe on April 24, 1883 to Mary Thompson, a native and resident of Simcoe, the daughter of Walter & Jessie Thompson. Joseph & Mary are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

Charles was living in Aylmer, a bricklayer, when he enlisted for service on March 15, 1918 in London.

He was a contractor living in Aylmer when he was married there on October 12, 1921 to Ethel Maude Trim (1894-1982), also of Aylmer, the daughter of George Trim & Louisa Chute. 

Charles died on April 16, 1952 and is buried in Aylmer cemetery.  His obituary, from an undated clipping, follows:

AYLMER MERCHANT, CHARLES DAVIS, DIED

Well Known Coal Merchant in Town For Many Years

Aylmer, April 16 – A well known coal merchant here for many years, Charles W. Davis, 54 South Street West, died Wednesday morning in the St. Thomas Memorial Hospital. He had been in ailing health for a number of years, but was only seriously ill for three weeks.

Born 60 years ago in Aylmer, he was the son of Mr and Mrs Joseph Davis, and was originally in the contracting business with his father. Twenty-two years ago father and son formed the coal business of J. Davis and Son.

He was an adherent of Trinity Anglican Church here, a member of Malahide Lodge, 140, A.F. and A.M.; Aylmer Lodge 94, I.O.O.F.; and Branch 81 of the Canadian Legion. He served overseas in World War I with the Royal Canadian Engineers.

He is survived by his wife, Ethel; two sons, Leonard and Douglas, of Aylmer; a brother, Victor, of London, Ont., and a sister, Mrs. Harry (Carrie) Ferris, of Jackson, Mich. Two grandchildren, Linda and Charles Davis, of Aylmer, and a number of nieces and nephews also survive.

The remains are resting at the Hughson Funeral Home, Aylmer, where a service will be conducted by Rev. F. C. McRitchie, of Trinity Anglican Church at 2:30 Friday afternoon. Interment will be in Aylmer Cemetery.

Donald Victor Guy Davis

92951 

Donald Davis was born on February 24, 1897 in Bristol, England, the son of James Henry Davis (1847-1923) & Alice Grove Smith Guy (1853-1921), who were married in 1887. Alice was the daughter of George Clarke Smith & Mary Hastings Page. Alice was the widow of George Guy, and had several children. The family is found on the 1901 census in Oldland, Gloucestershire, where James is a brewer.

They emigrated to Canada about 1907 and are found on the 1911 census in Malahide Township. They also lived in Bayham before moving to Oakville where Donald was living when he enlisted for service on November 12, 1915 in Quebec.  One brother, Noel H. Guy (1887-1961), remained in Bayham Township and is buried in Richmond Cemetery.

A letter from Don to his mother appeared in the East Elgin Tribune,  November 30, 1916:

LETTER FROM THE SOMME

Tootal Military Hospital

Manchester, Eng., October 14, 1916

“Dearest Mother –

I reached England last night and arrived here today. I am feeling pretty fair considering. Am able to move a little now with a stick. You see, this was how it happened. After I got better from the first attack of dysentry I was sent back to the Somme.  One of the signallers got killed and I was the only one who knew anything about it. I was sent down to the first Line Observation dugout. All went well until a bit “Fritz” came over. By the way it blew the parapet down. I thought it was a 12-incher, but I guess it wasn’t quite that big.  It blew the roof in and H. Garland and I were buried. The boys dug us out as fast as possible but a great big log had fallen on my leg and darned near broke it, – crushed it. Well, they shoved me into an ambulance and took me with others to the hospital train, where the accident you know, happened and it was the shock and wetting from the mud hole that brought on the dysentry again. I was taken to a hospital and from there removed to a base hospital at Vromen, where I got better, and from there to Blighty, for the winter I hope.

Believe me, I do not want to go back to the Somme again. I have been in the thick of it since July 1st to Sept. 19th. I was a month at Ypres before going to the Somme.  You heard how the Canadians took Courcilette. Well, I was in that – it was hot. Don’t worry mother dear, I will write again soon.

Your loving son, DON

The accident referred to was, the ambulance with Don and thirteen others in it being placed too close to the line, the train coming in caught the ambulance and tore the entire side off and flung the boys in all directions. Don was picked up many yards away, lying a large mud hole. None were killed but all severely bruised and suffered from shock, added to their previous injuries.” 

A photo of Donald with the following caption, was printed in the East Elgin Tribune, December 28, 1916: “Sig. Don-Guy Davis, better known in this vicinity as “Jack” Davis, is the son of Mr and Mrs Davis, of Oakville. They formerly lived near Richmond. Sig. Guy is with the 1st Canadian Heavy Battery and was recently wounded. His brother, N. H. Guy, lives at Richmond”

Donald returned from overseas in 1917, arriving in Halifax on November 30, being discharged as medically unfit due to his injuries.

Following the war, Donald returned to Oakville where he was working as a sales manager when he was married in Ottawa on September 16, 1924 to Marguerite Marion Kirk, of Ottawa.

No further information is known.

Herbert Davis

3135611

Herbert Davis was born on July 11, 1895 in Malahide, the son of John Davis (1863-1940) & Matilda Comary (or Camry) (1870-1963).  John, son of Henry & Hannah Davis, was a native and resident of Malahide when he was married in Middleton Township, Norfolk Co. on August 21, 1886 to Matilda Comary, also a resident and native of Malahide, daughter of Francis & Jennett. John & Matilda farmed in Malahide, and are buried in Luton cemetery.

Herbert was a farmer living at R. R. #1 Dunboyne when he enlisted for service on May 16, 1918 in London.  He was living in Malahide when he was married on September 7, 1921 in Port Burwell to Emmeline Hilda Pegg (1893-1924), a resident of Malahide, but native of London, England, the daughter of George & Margaret Pegg. Emmeline died on July 10, 1924 at lot 24, concession 4 Malahide. 

Herbert was remarried on December 29, 1927 to Harriet Georgina Pegg (1896-1972), daughter of George Pegg of Bayham.  

Herbert died on September 18, 1961 and is buried in Luton cemetery with his wives Emmeline & Georgina.

Herbert’s obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, September 20, 1961:

HERBERT J. DAVIS

A lifelong resident of the district, Herbert J. Davis, R.R. 1, Port Burwell, died Monday afternoon in St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital. He was 66 and had been in ailing health for five years.  Mr. Davis was born in Malahide Township, July 11, 1895, a son of Mrs. Matilda Davis and the late John Davis.  He had farmed on the 1st Concession since 1934.  Mr. Davis was an adherent of the United Church and a Past Master of Port Burwell Masonic Lodge.

Surviving are his wife, the former Matilda Georgina Pegg; his mother; a son, Joseph of R.R. 1, Port Burwell; two brothers, Frank of R.R. 6, Aylmer, and Ray, of Simcoe; one sister, Mrs. Elva Moore of St. Thomas; three grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

The Rev. W. Harkins of Port Burwell Baptist church will conduct the service at the Hughson Funeral Home in Aylmer at 2 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday) with burial in Luton cemetery. There will be a Masonic service at the funeral home at 8 o’clock Wednesday night.

Herbert James Davis, V.S.

Herbert James Davis was born on September 7, 1890 in Amaranth Township, near Shelburne in Dufferin County, the son of John Davis & Alice (Allie) E. Harris, who were farmers. The family moved to Woodstock, and Herbert entered the College of Veterinarians in 1913.  In 1914 he joined the Veterinarians Corps for service overseas, and in 1915 resigned and joined the 13th Battalion for active service in France and Belgium.  His attestation paper is dated May 16, 1915 in Toronto.

At the close of the war, he finished he finished his college course and set up a practice in Aylmer as a veterinary surgeon.  He was married on September 1, 1921 in Aylmer to Clara Aleta Lindsay (1896-1987), of Aylmer, the daughter of John Ervin Lindsay & Bertha Jane Jones. They had four children: John, Robert, Mary and William.

Herbert was elected mayor of Aylmer in 1927-1928 and 1937-1939.  From 1929 to 1934 he served in the Provincial Parliament as Conservative Member for East Elgin.  In 1944 he was appointed Registrar of Deeds for the County of Elgin.

Dr. Davis died on April 19, 1950 and is buried in Aylmer cemetery.  His obituary & photograph appeared in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, April 19, 1950:

H. J. DAVIS, REGISTRAR OF ELGIN COUNTY, DIES SUDDENLY

Dr. Herbert James Davis, M.M., Elgin County registrar, former representative for East Elgin in the Ontario Legislature and veterans of two World Wars, died unexpectedly at his home, Port Stanley Highway, just north of the village of Union, early Wednesday morning.

Word of Dr. Davis’ death came as a severe shock to his many friends in the city, the district, and throughout Western Ontario. He was around as usual Tuesday, and was busy Tuesday evening working on his new home and grounds. He had told friends Tuesday afternoon that he had a rush of spring work to do around his home.

Dr. Davis had been Elgin County registrar for more than five years, succeeding to the position late in 1944, following the death of E. Blake Miller of Aylmer.

During the Second World War, Dr. Davis served as captain adjutant of the 2nd Elgin Regiment under Lieut-Col. I. D. Cameron.

He was identified with the militia much of his life. He served throughout the First World War with distinction, joining the Canadian Expeditionary Force as a private in 1914. He won the Military Medal for valiant service on the field of battle and was recommended for a commission. He was a lieutenant in artillery when he received his honorable discharge in 1918. In the years that followed, he was closely identified with the Elgin Regiment, both in St. Thomas and in Aylmer.

As a resident of Aylmer, he served on the municipal council for some years and in other capacities. He was mayor of Aylmer for some years. He was East Elgin’s representative in the Ontario Legislature from 1929 to 1934, being elected as candidate of the Liberal-Progressive Party of Elgin at the general election in October, 1929.

Outstanding Service

Dr. Davis was probably best known to many of the people in Rural Elgin for his veterinary services. A graduate of the Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph, and the Ontario Veterinary College, Toronto, with the degrees of Veterinary Surgeon and Bachelor of Veterinary Science.

Dr. Davis established a practice in Aylmer as a young man and continued to follow his profession until his appointment to the county registrarship. Even after his appointment, his veterinarian knowledge and experience was in demand for consultations. He worked closely with the O.A.C. at Guelph. Previously to settling in Aylmer, Dr. Davis was in the dairying industry in the United States for four years.

Dr. Davis was born at Shelburne, Dufferin County, Ontario on September 7, 1890, of Scottish, English and Irish parentage. His father, John Davis, was Irish; his mother, English and Scottish. His ancestors came to Canada from Ireland.

Dr. Davis acquired his early education in Dufferin County schools; his secondary education in the Woodstock High School, and then entered the Ontario Agricultural College at Guelph.

Strong Legion Man

Dr. Davis was a valued and influential member of the Canadian Legion, helping to organize the Aylmer branch and being the president in 1929. He was Mayor of Aylmer for two different periods, first serving as first magistrate in 1927 and 1928, and again from 1937 to 1939 inclusive. He was also a member of the Aylmer Public Utilities Commission; was a director of the Aylmer and Malahide Telephone Company for three years; and was president of the Aylmer Chamber of Commerce in 1929. He was a member of the United Church of Canada in Aylmer and both the Masonic and Orange Orders.

Following his appointment to the registrarship, Dr and Mrs. Davis moved to St. Thomas and subsequently established their suburban home on the Port Stanley Highway south of the city.

Dr. Davis had planned to go to Guelph on Thursday to visit his son and also in connection with some Ontario Veterinary College business.

Dr. Davis was married on September 1, 1921 to Clara A. Lindsay, daughter of Mr and Mrs John Ervine Lindsay, Aylmer West.  Mrs. Davis survives, also their daughter, Mrs. (Dr.) John Duff, the former Mary Davis, Winnipeg, Manitoba; three sons, Lieutenant Jack Davis, Camp Borden, Ont.; Rob Davis, at home; and William Davis, taking veterinary science at the O.A.C., Guelph; a grandson, J. A. Duff, Winnipeg; four sisters, Mrs. Robert Ferguson, Woodstock; Mrs. Wilfred Hershy, Fort Erie; Mrs. Earnest Wheatley, Toronto; and Miss Winnifred Davis, Peterborough; and two brothers, Ray Davis, Woodstock, Ont., and Frank Davis, Seattle, Washington.

Resting at the P. R. Williams and Son Funeral Home. The funeral arrangements have not been completed as to the day and hour. Interment will be made in the Aylmer Cemetery.

Thomas Davis / Davies

189639 

photo courtesy of Elgin County Archives

Thomas Davis (or Davies) was born on June 20, 1895 in Montgomeryshire, Wales.  It is not known when he emigrated to Canada, but he was living at RR #1 Dunboyne when he enlisted for service with the 91st Battalion in St. Thomas on December 9, 1915.  He was a farmer and was single. He belonged to the 30th Battery, C.F.A.  He names his next of kin as his mother, Mary Davis of Elms Cottage, Llandyiles, Montgomeryshire, Wales.

It is not known if Thomas returned to Canada following the war.

Lt. Col. William Mahlon Davis

William Mahlon Davis was born in Malahide on May 26, 1857, the son of Joel Wallace Davis (1827-1893) & Catharine Adams (1830-1905).  Joel was the son of William Davis & Mary Sibley. Along with his four brothers, William Davis were among the first settlers in the Aylmer area of Malahide Township. Joel & Catharine are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

William Mahlon Davis attended the Canadian Literary Institute (later known as Woodstock College) from 1872 to 1874, and entered the Royal Military College in Kingston in 1876, where he graduated as a sergeant in 1880.  He was fourth in his class of what was later known as “The Old Eighteen”.  It was the first graduating class of that college.

From 1880 to 1883 he was employed with the Fort Madison and North Western Railway, and in 1883 he joined the North West Land Surveys.  In 1884 he articled with the City Engineer of St. Thomas, passing his final exam as a Provincial Land Surveyor in 1885. From 1885 to 1898 he was Consulting Engineer for Woodstock and Oxford County.

He was living in Woodstock where he married on October 15, 1889 Catherine Scobie McKay, also of Woodstock, the daughter of Alexander & Christina McKay.  He was a civil engineer and was living in Berlin (later Kitchener) on the 1901 census. They had two children: Katherine Scobie Davis (born Sept. 3, 1892) and Donald Davis  (born Sept. 2, 1895).

In 1898, William Mahlon Davis was appointed City Engineer for Kitchener, Guelph and Galt.  In 1908 while living in Kitchener, he organized the Grey’s Horse Regiment, becoming the first commanding officer.  In 1910 he moved to Prince Rupert, B.C. as City Engineer.  At the outbreak fo the war, he was head of the consulting engineering firm of Davis & Leslie of Vancouver. 

His military service included being a member of militia from 1876 to 1906, and he was later an officer in the Reserve of Cavalry.  He enlisted for service on December 3, 1915 in Quebec, and was a Lieutenant-Colonel in the 2nd Canadian Pioneers Battalion.  At the time of enlistment, he gave his address as 502 Duncan Building, 119 Pender St., Vancouver, British Columbia.  The address given for his wife as next of kin was “care of John A. McKay, Windsor”.

He raised the 54th Kootenay Battalion, but about the time it was ready for embarkation, he was asked by Sir Sam Hughes to raise a Pioneer Corps in the east. With the rank of Lt. Col., and his well known energy and ability, he raised what was known as the 2nd Pioneer Regiment, headquartered in Guelph.  He accompanied this regiment to England in December 1915, where it finished training.  About the time it was ready for the war front, Lt. Col. Davis met with a serious accident on January 25, 1916. He was thrown from his horse up against a stone wall, and the horse fell on his head. He was in hospital in England for many weeks, and then afterward took charge of part of the Canadian reserve forces at Bramshott Camp. Subsequently he took ill again and was invalided to Ottawa in July 1918.

William Davis died in an Ottawa hospital on October 8, 1918 at the age of 61 from carcinoma of the pancreas and cardiac failure.  His wife and daughter were with him at this death, but his son was overseas in France at the time. He was buried in Beechwood Cemetery, Ottawa with full military honors.

News of Lieut-Col. Davis’ illness was reported in the Aylmer Express, October 3, 1918:

Mrs. James Haggan, of Malahide, received a notification from an Ottawa hospital on Saturday night that Lieut-Col. Wm. M. Davis had undergone an operation last Friday at that institution and there were no hopes of his recovery. The gallant colonel will be remembered as the son of the late Mr and Mrs Joel Davis, of the 9th concession of Malahide, and was at one time town engineer of Aylmer. After leaving here he went to Prince Rupert and became interested in military pursuits, till he finally landed in England, and attained the command of a unit there. Some time ago he met with a bad accident in which he was thrown from his horse, struck heavily against a stone wall and laid in an unconscious state for a long time before being found. From this he never recovered. His son, Lieut. Donald Davis, together with Capt. Wilfrid Davis, his brother Edward’s son, are both in France.  Col. Davis has many friends here, who will deplore his state of health and will still hope for a recovery.

His death was reported in the Aylmer Express, October 17, 1918:

COL. DAVIS ONE OF “OLD EIGHTEEN”

Death of Commander of 2nd Pioneer Battalion

From the Ottawa Citizen of Oct. 9 – In the death of Lt. Col. William Mahlon Davis, late commander of the 2nd Pioneer Battalion, C.E.F., which took place in a local hospital on the 8th inst., Canada loses one of her most sterling and worthy sons.  He was born at Aylmer, Ont., of U.E. Loyalist stock, and was one of the original or foundation class at the Royal Military College, familiarly known as “The Old Eighteen”.  He graduated with honors in June, 1880, and immediately took up the profession of civil engineering, specializing in municipal drainage and waterworks, in which he was a recognized authority. At various time and for long periods he capably filled the position of city engineer of Woodstock and Kitchener, Ont., and Prince Rupert, B.C.  At the outbreak of the war, he was head of the consulting engineering firm of Davis and Leslie of Vancouver, B.C., but he at once volunteered for active service, for which his Military College training and subsequent continuous connection with the active militia peculiarly fitted him.  The first battalion he raised for overseas was the 54th Kootenay, but when it was about ready for embarkation he was selected to raise a Pioneer Corps, the need of which had become suddenly urgent.  With his well known energy and thoroughness, he threw himself into the new task and organized the 2nd Canadian Pioneer Battalion in about four weeks, which was considered record time. He took this corps to England and completed its training there, but when ready for the front he met with a most serious mishap being thrown from a mettlesome horse, frightened by a traction engine, against a stone wall, incurring serious injuries, which undoubtedly was the origin of the complications which led to his death.  His life was thus as truly and nobly given to his country as if he had fallen at the head of his regiment, which has distinguished itself in France.  Col. Davis is survived by his widow and daughter, who were with him at the end, also by his only son, now at the front, who early enlisted as a private, but soon won his commission. To know Mahlon Davis was to love him, and he is truly mourned by every one who had that privilege, but more especially by his comrades of the sadly diminishing “Old Eighteen” and graduates of the Royal Military College.  He was buried this afternoon with befitting military honors, and the funeral was largely attended by a number of his military and other friends.  He rests in peace in beautiful Beechwood, having nobly and strenuously “done his bit” in the great fight against ruthless might.

Winford Wallace Davis

75066

Winford W. Davis was born in Aylmer on July 14, 1895, the son of Edwin E. Davis (1863-1903) & Louise York (died 1910).   Edwin was the son of Joel W. Davis & Catherine Adams, and was a railroad agent in Malahide when he was married on July 16, 1889 in Aylmer to Louise York, of Aylmer, daughter of Winford & Elizabeth York.  The family is found on the 1901 census in Aylmer. Edward & Louise are buried in Aylmer cemetery.  Winford was a nephew of Lt.-Col. William Mahlon Davis.

Winford moved to British Columbia, where he entered the service of the Imperial Bank of Canada in 1910.  He enlisted for service overseas on November 7, 1914 in Vancouver. He names his next of kin as his sister, Evelyn York Davis, of Lethbridge, Alberta.  He enlisted with the 29th Battalion, and was transferred to the 2nd Canadian Pioneer Battalion in 1916, and then the Canadian Engineers. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on February 2, 1916.  He was wounded by a gun shot to the shoulder and breast on March 24, 1916.  He was discharged on July 31, 1919.

No further information is known.

Thomas Franklin Defoe

440325

Thomas Defoe was born at Avon on August 25, 1894, the son of Arthur Defoe (1872-1958) & Ada Ellen (Nellie) Cook.  Arthur was born in South Dorchester, the son of John & Adeline Defoe and was a farmer there when he was married on April 4, 1893 in Southwold to Nellie Cook, of Southwold, the daughter of Thomas Cook & Ann Clement.  Arthur & Nellie later moved to New Westminster, B.C.

The family moved to Vonda, Saskatchewan where Thomas was a student when he enlisted for service on May 11, 1915 at Sewell, Saskatchewan.

Thomas later moved to New Westminster, B.C., where he died on February 17, 1956, at the age of 59.

William Leonard Defoe

645857

William Defoe was born at Avon on January 11, 1895, the son of Arthur Defoe & Ada Ellen (Nellie) Cook.  Arthur was born in South Dorchester, the son of John & Adeline Defoe and was a farmer there when he was married on April 4, 1893 in Southwold to Nellie Cook, of Southwold, the daughter of Thomas Cook & Ann Clement.

The family moved to Vonda, Saskatchewan, but William was farming in Consort, Alberta when he enlisted with the Duke of Connaught’s Own 158th O.S. Battalion on February 21, 1916 in Vancouver.  He had belonged to the 35th Central Alberta Horse for one year.  He names his next of kin as his wife, Minnie.

William returned from overseas on August 23, 1919, arriving in Halifax.

William was married in 1912 to Minnie Josephine Hanson in Consort, Alberta.  He died on November 29, 1946 at the age of 51, in New Westminster, B.C.

George Ellery Deforest

210290

George Deforest was born on April 30, 1892 in Aylmer, the son of John Deforest (1849-1942)& Nancy Addley.  John was the son of Peter & Isabella Deforest, and was living in Nassagaweya Township when he was married on October 30, 1882 in Streetsville to Nancy Addley, also of Nassagaweya, the daughter of John & Susan Addley.  They moved to the Aylmer area in the early 1890’s, and are found in South Dorchester on the 1901 census. John & Nancy later moved to St. Catharines.

George Deforest was living in Grimsby when he was married there on November 26, 1913 to Ethel Yorke, also of Grimsby, the daughter of James Yorke & Mary Cowell.

George & Ethel made their home in Grimsby where he enlisted for service with the 98th Battalion on November 24, 1915.  He had served three months in the 7th Field Battery.

No further information is known, but cemetery indexes show an Ethel J. Deforest buried in Fulton Stone United Church cemetery, Grimsby.

Rolla Vernon Dennis

3109047

Rolla Dennis was born on November 8, 1890 in Bayham, the son of Thomas Dennis (1863-1941) & Barbara Kindy (1863-1917). Thomas was born in Straffordville, the son of Robert Dennis & Charlotte Ribble and was married on March 10, 1886 in Bayham to Barbara Kindy of Rainham Township, Haldimand County, the daughter of Samuel & Louise Kindy.  They are buried in Smuck cemetery.

Rolla was a farmer living at Straffordville when he enlisted for service on May 6, 1918 in Hamilton.

He was married on February 20, 1918 in Toronto to Marie Louise (Lilly) Biller, a native of France living in New York state, daughter of Franklin Biller & Annie Louisa Guilloux.

When his father died in 1941, Rolla was living in Niagara Falls. He died on November 30, 1968.

Reginald John Denton

84122

Reginald’s name appears in a list of recruits printed in the Aylmer Express, November 19, 1914.  He is listed as an unmarried farmer, of Aylmer.  Reginald was born in Buckinghamshire, England on July 10, 1894.  His parents’ names are unknown, and he is found on the 1901 England census in Banstead, Surrey at Castle House “Haven for Homeless Little Ones”, aged 6.  He emigrated to Canada at the age of 11, leaving Liverpool on the ship Empress of Britain on May 17, 1907, arriving in Quebec on May 24, 1907.  He was in a party from Fegan’s Home in London, England.

On the 1911 census, Reginald is a labourer living in East York Township, York County near Toronto.  He later settled in Aylmer where he was living when he enlisted for service on November 14, 1914.  He was a member of the 30th Battery, C.F.A. in Aylmer.

Following the war, Reginald returned to Canada, eventually settling in Port Rowan.  He died on October 4, 1975 and is buried in Bayview cemetery, Port Rowan with his wife Mary Bantam (1899-1967).  His obituary appeared in the Simcoe Reformer, October 6, 1975:

REGINALD J. DENTON

Port Rowan – Service for Reginald John Denton, 81, of Ellis street, who died Saturday at Norfolk General Hospital, was held today at 2 p.m. at the C. Leslie Clark Funeral Home. Rev. D. H. Herring officiated and burial was in the Bayview cemetery. Branch 379 Royal Canadian Legion held a graveside service at the cemetery.  Mr. Denton worked as a commercial fisherman and a guide until his retirement in 1955. He was a veteran of World War I, serving with the 16th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery. He was a member of Branch 279, Royal Canadian Legion, Port Rowan. He is survived by several nieces and nephews.  His wife Mary died in 1967.  Pallbearers were Charles Tulpin, Lee Olds, Arthur Ashcroft, Malcolm Ross, Allan Moffat and Harry Moore.

Earl Dewsbury

The name Earl Dewsbury appears on a Springfield Honor roll in the collection of the late Evelyn Hoshal.  No record of anyone by this name can be found in census records or in the Attestation papers

This may be the same man as Harold Duxbury (84123), on the next page:

Harold Duxbury

84123

Harold Duxbury is found in a list of recruits printed in the Aylmer Express, November 14, 1914.  He is described as a farmer, of Springfield.  The name Earl Dewsbury appears on a Springfield Honor roll, and since no one by this name can be found in records, it is believed that Earl and Harold are the same man.

Harold Duxbury was born on November 24, 1895 in Oldham, Lancashire, England. His parents’ names are unknown, and he appears on the 1901 England census in Oldham as an adopted son of George & Elizabeth Jones.  He emigrated to Canada at the age of 14, leaving London, England on October 1, 1910 on the ship Sicilian, arriving in Quebec on October 14, 1910.  He was in a party from Dr. Barnardo’s Home. He is found on the 1911 census in Malden, Essex County, Ontario living with Ellis & Ethel Harris, working as a farm labourer.

He was living in the Springfield area when he enlisted for service on November 14, 1914. He was a member of the 30th Battery, C.F.A. in Aylmer, and names his next of kin as his sister, Mrs. Bertha Ball, of Oldham, Lancashire.

Following the war, Harold returned to Canada, arriving in Halifax on January 18, 1919.  No further information is known.

Wallace McGarva Diehl

507332

Wallace Diehl was born on January 21, 1899 in Ailsa Craig, Middlesex County, the son of Rev. Louis William Diehl & Agnes McGarva.  Louis was born in Huron County, the son of Jacob & Isabella Diehl and was a minister in Clinton when he was married there on September 27, 1894 to Agnes McGarva, of Clinton, daughter of John & Maggie McGarva.  The family is found on the 1901 census in Ailsa Craig, but by 1911 had moved to Paisley in Bruce County.  Rev. Diehl was the rector at Trinity Anglican Church, Port Burwell from 1919 to 1929. Agnes died in 1925 while living in Port Burwell, and is buried in Clinton.

Wallace was a student living at 55 Alexander Street, Toronto, when he enlisted for service there on September 11, 1916.  He returned from the war on July 28, 1919, landing in Halifax.  He was a teacher living in Hamilton when he was  married there on April 11, 1925 to Margaret Hall, also of Hamilton, the daughter of Hugh Hall & Jennette McNee.

Wallace died in November 1987 and is buried in Woodland Cemetery, Flamborough East, Wentworth County.

Charles Dingle

84121

Charles Dingle was born on October 21, 1888 in Norwich, Norfolk, England, the son of Henry William Dingle & Abigail Rebecca Bishop, who were married in Norfolk in 1884. The family is found on the 1901 England census living at 61 Albany Road, East Wymer, Norwich, England. Charles emigrated to Canada, arriving in Quebec on May 20, 1910.  The passenger list states his destination is Ripley, Ontario. He eventually settled in Aylmer, where he was employed as a shoe cutter.  His name is found in a list of recruits for overseas service in the Aylmer Express, November 19, 1914.  

Charles’ attestation paper is dated November 14, 1914.  He names his next of kin as his father, Henry Dingle of 64 Angel Road, Norwich, England.  He was a member of the 30th Battery C.F.A. in Aylmer.

A photo of Charles with the following caption was printed in the East Elgin Tribune, December 28, 1916: “Gr. Chas. Dingle was born in England about twenty-five years ago and lived in Aylmer for three or four years and was employed at the Aylmer Shoe Co. He went overseas with the 16th Battery. His name appeared recently as having received a military medal for distinguished service”. Unfortunately, the photograph is too dark to reproduce.

No further information is known. It is possible that Charles returned to England following the war.

Albert Henry Ditchfield

505934

Albert Ditchfield was born on September 22, 1878 in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, the son of Samuel & Emma Ditchfield.  The family is found on the 1901 England census in Portsmouth, living at 16 Thomas Street.

Albert was married in 1901 in Hampshire, England to Florence J. Long, a native of the Isle of Wight.  Albert emigrated alone to Canada, at the age of 36, in 1914 sailing from Southampton on the ship Andania, and arriving in Quebec on July 18.  He states his occupation is a cook, but he intends to be a market gardener.  The passenger list records his destination as Aylmer.

Albert was a farmer living at Kingsmill when he enlisted for service on August 30, 1916 in St. Thomas.  He gives his address as “care of Mr. Gent, Kingsmill”.  He names his next of kin as his sister, Mrs. Violet Rooke, of Fratton Grove, Fratton, Portsmouth, England. He states he is married.

Passenger lists show a Florence J. Ditchfield, age 38, sailing from Liverpool and arriving in St. John, New Brunswick on April 5, 1919.  Accompanying her are children Wallace, Ethel, Violet and William.  Their destination is Guelph.  A notation on the record states her husband is in a military hospital.

Record cannot be located when Albert returned to Canada, but he and Florence, with another daughter Mabel made two trips to England, in 1927 and 1931.  On their return trip to Canada in 1931, the passenger list states they had been living at 176 Wharncliffe Road in London.

Albert was living at 20 Morris Street, Guelph when he died on June 15,  1957. He is buried with his wife Florence J. (1880-1972) in Woodland Cemetery, London. His obituary appeared in the London Free Press, June 15, 1957:

FATHER OF LONDON RESIDENTS DIES

Albert Ditchfield, 79, of Guelph, died today at Guelph General Hospital.  He was born in England and is survived by his wife and five children, four of whom live in London.  Surviving are Mrs. Ditchfield in Guelph; three daughters, Mrs. Earl (Ethel) McIntyre, Mrs. William (Mabel) Rae, both of London; and Mrs. Louis (Violet) Schwitzer, of Waterloo; two sons, Wallace and George, both of London. The body is at the A. Millard George Funeral Home pending funeral arrangements.

Thomas Frederick Doolittle

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Thomas Frederick Doolittle was born at Mount Salem in Malahide on October 22, 1896, the son of Frederick Lafayette Doolittle (1868-1941) and Mary Wiseman (1866-1927).  Frederick was born in Yarmouth, the son of Mary Doolittle, and living in Jaffa when he was married on June 29, 1892 in Malahide to Mary Wiseman, a native of West Nissouri living in Mount Salem, the daughter of James & Elizabeth Wiseman.  Frederick & Mary farmed in Malahide and are buried in Dunboyne cemetery.

Thomas was a farmer living at R. R. #1 Dunboyne when he enlisted for service on May 10, 1918 in London.  He was married in Luton on November 18, 1918 to Alice Irwin, a native of Carlyle living in St. Thomas, the daughter of James Irwin & Annie Foster.

Thomas lived at Mount Salem on the family homestead, lot 20, concession 2.  He died on July 3, 1972 and is buried in Luton cemetery. His obituary appeared in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, July 3, 1972:

THOMAS F. DOOLITTLE

Thomas Frederick Doolittle, of 35 Spruce Street, Aylmer, passed away this morning at the St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital, in his 76th year. Born in Malahide Township, the son of the late Mr and Mrs Frederick Doolittle, he farmed in Malahide Township until 1948. From then until his retirement in 1958, he was employed at the former RCAF station, Aylmer.

He was an adherent to St. Paul’s United Church, Aylmer. Surviving are his wife, the former Alice Irwin; and a sister, Mrs. James (Alma) Vail, of Galt.  Resting at the H. A. Kebbel Funeral Home, Aylmer, for service on Wednesday at 2 p.m., with Rev. Gordon Woodcock of the Aylmer Baptist Church, officiating. Interment in Luton Cemetery.

George Gordon Dorland

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Gordon  Dorland was born on June 21, 1897 in Malahide, the son of Alexander Dorland & Elizabeth Jane Rockey.  Alexander was born in 1859 in Malahide, the son of Henry & Louisa Dorland, and was married on February 5, 1882 in Aylmer to Elizabeth Rockey (1863-1931), a native of Mount Salem, the daughter of Emanuel Rockey & Jane Tremble. They lived near Mount Salem before moving to Prospect Valley, Alberta, and later Ribstone, Alberta.

Gordon was a farmer living at Ribstone, Alberta when he enlisted for service on May 21, 1918 in Calgary.  He names his next of kin as his father, Alexander Dorland of Prospect Valley, Alberta.

Gordon was married to Mary Edna Fraser and was living in Battle Valley in 1931.  They had at least one son, Allan Fraser Dorland, born in 1925 in Edgerton, Alberta.

Gordon died on October 31, 1977 in Vancouver, British Columbia, at the age of 80.

Clair Locksley Douglas

Clair Locksley Douglas was born on May 10, 1887 in Malahide,  the son of Hugh Douglas (1854-1931) & Jennie Middleton (1860-1953).  Hugh was born in Elgin County, the son of John Douglas & Annie McIntosh. The family appears on the 1901 census in Malahide, where Hugh is a farmer.  They later moved to St. Thomas where he is a carpenter on the 1911 census.  They returned to the Springfield area prior to 1916. They were living at lot 3, concession 9, South Dorchester when Hugh died in 1931. He and Jennie are buried in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, London.

Clair was a physician and surgeon living at 102 Avenue Road, Toronto, when he enlisted for service on June 6, 1916 in London. He was assigned to Unit #10 Stationary Hospital, C.E.F., and was given the rank of Captain.  He was not married at the time, and names his next of kin as his father, Hugh, of R.R. #1 Springfield.

Announcement of Dr. Douglas’ marriage appeared in the St. Thomas Daily Times, May 9, 1917:

CAPT. C. L. DOUGLAS MARRIED IN ENGLAND

Former St. Thomas Doctor Wed at Eastbourne, England, to Former London Girl

A war wedding of much interest to a large circle of friends of both bride and groom in this city, took place on Wednesday, April 11, at St. John’ church, Eastbourne, England, when Agnes Boyd, daughter of the late John Munnoch and Mrs. Munnoch of London, Ont., was united I marriage to Capt. C. L. Douglas, M.D., of Toronto, son of Mr and Mrs H. Douglas, Springfield, Ont., formerly of St. Thomas. The bride, who was given away by Mr. Murray, of Hartfield, Eng., in the absence of an immediate relative, wore a becoming suit costume of blue grey, of the material used for the uniform of French officers, and with it a hat to match. Mrs. Murray was matron of honor, and the groom was supported by a brother officer, Capt. Rice, of the Western University Hospital Unit (No. 19 Stationary), with which Capt. Douglas went overseas, and to which he is attached, Lieut. Col. Seaborn, O.C., and Capt. Moriarty, as well as by Capt. Bice. The church, in which the ceremony was performed by Rev. G. Salway, was beautifully adorned with flowers. After a wedding luncheon at the Queen’s Hotel, Eastbourne, the happy couple left to spend a honeymoon in Old London. The bride, a graduate of Victoria Hospital, Nursing Training School, went overseas a year ago, having obtained an appointment to the Imperial Nursing service. Several months ago, she was transferred to France, where she received a promotion to captaincy and held the position of sister-in-charge of No. 16 General Hosptial at Treport. Capt. Douglas is a graduate of the Western Medical College and was practicing in Toronto up to the time of his appointment to the staff of the No. 10 Stationary Hospital Unit.  The wedding is not the culmination of a war time romance in the strict sense of the term, owing to the fact the young couple were engaged for some years before their enlistment for overseas service. The bride is a sister of Corp. Alex. Munnoch, who served in the “Little Black Devils” of Winnipeg in the first division and was seriously wounded at Ypres, and of Pte. John Munnoch, now on active service in France.

Another article on Capt. Douglas appeared in the St. Thomas Daily Times, November 28, 1917:

CAPT. C. L. DOUGLAS HOME ON FURLOUGH

Captain C. L. Douglas, M.O., of No. 10 Stationary Hospital Corp., England, is home on furlough and is spending a few days with his aunt Mrs. F. L. Brinkman, Elgin Street. His wife, who was a nursing sister in France with the rank of captain, returned from the front last spring. His brother, Pte. Stanley Douglas, who was so seriously wounded at the Somme about a year ago, received his discharge papers a few weeks ago.

Dr. Douglas was married to Agnes Boyd Munnoch, who died on October 10, 1926.  His second wife was Mabel L. (1901-1972).  He practiced medicine in Detroit, but later returned to London where he died on August 2, 1973 in his 87th year.  He and his two wives are buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, London.  His obituary appeared in the London Free Press, August 4, 1973:

DOUGLAS – At Extendicare on Thursday, August 2, 1973, Dr. Clair Locksley Douglas, of London, in his 87th year.  Beloved husband of the late Mabel L. Douglas, and dear father of Dr. John Douglas, of London, and the late Dr. Alan Douglas. Also survived by 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.  Friends will be received at the George E. Logan and Sons Funeral Home, 371 Dundas Street. Funeral service in the chapel on Saturday at 12 noon. Officiating Archdeacon C. W. Foreman, assisted by the Reverend Dale R. Huston, of St. Paul’s Cathedral. Interment Mr. Pleasant Cemetery.

Stanley Hugh Douglas

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Stanley Hugh Douglas was born on December 27, 1891 [or December 28, 1895] in Aylmer, [or South Dorchester] the son of Hugh Douglas (1854-1931) & Jennie Middleton (1860-1953).  Hugh was born in Elgin County, the son of John Douglas & Ann McIntosh. The family appears on the 1901 census in Malahide, where Hugh is a farmer.  They later moved to St. Thomas where he is a carpenter on the 1911 census.  They returned to the Springfield area prior to 1916.  They were living at lot 3, concession 9, South Dorchester when Hugh died in 1931. He and Jennie are buried in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, London.

Stanley was a student, and gave his address as R.R. #1 Springfield  when he enlisted for service in Toronto on February 16, 1916. He had served three months in the C.O.T.C., and 2 months in the I.A.S.C.  He names his next of kin as his mother, Jennie, of R.R. #1 Springfield.

Stanley was seriously wounded at the Somme in 1916, and was invalided home in the fall of 1917. 

Stanley became a medical doctor, practicing in Detroit and Toronto. He was married to Dorothy Jane Petry (1902-1977). He died on July 10, 1937 in Port Credit, and is buried in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, London. The monument in the cemetery gives his date of birth as December 28, 1895. His obituary appeared in the London Free Press, July 10, 1937:

H. S. DOUGLAS DIES SUDDENLY

Toronto Physician Brother of London Man
Staying at Port Credit
Many Friends in London and Elgin

Dr. Hugh Stanley Douglas, of Toronto, died suddenly at his summer home in Port Credit this morning, according to information received by his brother, A. R. Douglas, of the law firm of Douglas & McCallum, city. Dr. Douglas resided at 235 St. Clair Avenue West, in Toronto.

Born on the family homestead near Springfield, in Elgin County, Dr. Douglas graduated in medicine from McGill University. He practised with his brother, Dr. C. L. Douglas, in Detroit, for some time. Later he moved to Toronto where he opened his own practice.  He was a specialist in anaesthetics.

Although he never resided here, Dr. Douglas had many friends in London and Elgin County. Surviving are his mother, Mrs. Jennie Douglas; his wife, Mrs. Dorothy J. Douglas, the former Miss Petry, of Toronto; two children; two brothers, A. R. Douglas, of London; and Dr. C. L. Douglas, Detroit.

Burial will take place here on Tuesday after services in Toronto.

James Henry Downs

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James Downs was born on November 22, 1894 in Corinth, the son of Rev. Thomas Henry Downs (1864-1941) & Addie Clark (1876-1948).  Thomas was born in England, the son of James & Maria Downs and was a Divinity student living in Bayham when he was married on December 23, 1892 in Tillsonburg to Addie Clark, of Bayham, daughter of James & Isabel Clark. Thomas was the minister at the Corinth Methodist Church in 1892. The family moved to the United States about 1895, where they are found on the 1900 census in Maple Valley, Oconto County, Wisconsin.  By the 1910 census, they had moved to North Junction, Lane County, Oregon where Thomas is a Methodist church minister. Both Thomas & Addie died in Portland County, Oregon.

James enlisted for service on June 24, 1915 in Calgary.  He originally listed his next of kin as his father, of Conbry, Oregon, but this information on his attestation paper was updated following his marriage in Devon, England in 1918 to Ophelia Maude Medland.  Her address is given care of Mr. S. Medland, Underdown, Haldon, North Exeter, England.

Following the war, James & Ophelia moved to the United States about 1919 where they are found on the 1920 census in Spitzenberg, Columbia County, Oregon.  James is working as a land clearer.

James died on March 2, 1959 in Multnoman County, Oregon.  His wife Ophelia died on September 2, 1970 in Clackamas County, Oregon at the age of 95.

Archibald Cameron Draper

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Archibald Draper was born on January 23, 1887 in Aylmer, the son of Elijah Nelson Draper (1860-1907) & Annie Eliza Light (1861-1927).  Elijah Draper was the son of Horatio N. & Eldora Draper and was a native and resident of Bayham when he was married there on April 3, 1879 to Annie Light, also of Bayham, daughter of William Light & Elizabeth Allen. Elijah was a manufacturer of leather goods, and died in Aylmer in 1907.  His widow moved to Windsor where she was living in 1915. She died in Windsor, and is buried in Aylmer cemetery with her husband.

Archibald Draper was employed as a machinist when he enlisted for service on January 19, 1915 in Amherstburg.  He names his next of kin as his mother, Annie Draper, of Windsor. He was invalided home from overseas in 1917, arriving in Halifax on November 14.

Following the war, Archibald moved to Florida, where his death was reported in error in 1926 in the Aylmer Express.  The next week the paper ran a correction. No further information is known.

Norman Samuel Draper

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Norman Draper was born on August 1, 1887 in Vienna, the son of Samuel Draper (1855-1900) & Alice Janetta (Nettie) Light.  They moved to Aylmer where Samuel died in 1900.  Nettie was the daughter of John Light & Eliza Blake, and was remarried on May 23, 1906 to Martin Harris.

Norman was a butcher living at Essex, Ontario when he enlisted for service on January 26, 1916 in Essex.  He names his next of kin as his mother, Nettie Harris, of Aylmer.

Norman died in Detroit at the age of 29 years, on October 14, 1917, from pulmonary tuberculosis.  He was not married, and was employed as a butcher in Detroit. His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, October 18, 1917:

Mr. Horton Draper received word on Sunday of the death of his brother, Norman, a former well known Aylmer young man, which occurred after an illness of some weeks in Detroit on that day. Deceased is survived by his mother, Mrs. S. Draper, 2 brothers, Horton Draper, of this place, and Fred of Detroit, and one sister, Mrs. Anguish of Atwood, Ont. The remains were buried in Detroit on Tuesday afternoon. On hearing the sad news Horton left at once for Detroit.

Harold Drinnan

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Harold Drinnan was born on September 24, 1885 at Little Lever, Lancashire, England, the son of Alexander & Emma Drinnan. The family is found on the 1901 census living at 32 Wolsey Street, Radcliffe, Lancashire, England.  It is believed Harold first emigrated to Canada in 1910 and returned to England.  A passenger list shows him returning to Canada in 1914 at the age of 28, with a destination of Woodstock.

Harold was living at 39 Walker Road, Walkerville, Ontario when he enlisted for service on April 30, 1917 in Amherstburg.  He was single, a labourer, and names his next of kin as his father, Alex Drinnan, of 19 Manor Cottage, Keursley, Bolton, Lancashire.

While overseas, Harold was married to Ethel Garvey (1888-1986) in 1918 in Lancashire. Ethel also served during the war as a nurse, and an article published in the Aylmer Express on her 90th birthday will also be given here.

Following the war, Harold & Ethel came to Windsor, and later moved to Malahide Township near Mount Salem.  Harold died on July 30, 1946 and is buried in Luton Cemetery.  Ethel was remarried to Lewis Brown, and lived to the age of 98 years. She is buried with Harold in Luton cemetery.

Harold’s obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, August 1, 1946:

HAROLD DRINNAN PASSES IN MALAHIDE

Has Lived in District About 25 Years

Mr. Harold Drinnan, a resident of Malahide, passed away at his home, one mile south of Luton, on the 3rd concession early Tuesday morning after an illness of two weeks, in his 62nd year. Born in England, he was a son of the late Mr and Mrs Alexander Drinnan. He resided for 23 years just south of Mount Salem and moved to the farm on which his death occurred about two years ago. He was a member of Mt. Salem United Church and Aylmer Branch Canadian Legion, Post 81.

Surviving are his wife, the former Ethel Garvey, and two daughters, Mrs. Harry Attfield, Malahide, and Miss Eunice Drinnan, on the staff of Fred R. Barnum’s law office, Aylmer. One brother, Robert Drinnan is in Lancashire, England, and a sister, Mrs. Susan Jagoe, resides in Windsor.  Resting at the Allen Funeral Home, where the service will be held on Thursday afternoon, August 1st, at 2:30 o’clock. Interment will be in the Luton cemetery.

The Aylmer Express, November 1, 1978:

FORMER SPRINGFIELD RESIDENT CELEBRATES 90TH BIRTHDAY

Mrs. Ethel Drinnan Brown of 211 Orchard Street, Port Stanley, celebrated her 90th birthday on Saturday, October 21.  She was born in Ratcliffe, England in 1888. She came to Windsor, Ontario as a World War I bride of Harold Drinnan. She later moved to Mount Salem. The couple had three children: Muriel, deceased; Mrs. William (Jennie) Edwards of Port Stanley with whom she resides, and Mrs. Joseph (Eunice) Toreki of Perry, Ohio.  After Mr. Drinnan died, she married Lewis Brown, residing in Springfield and Port Stanley.

Mrs. Brown enjoys reading, television and watching small animals. She also served in World War I as a Red Cross nurse.  About 45 friends and neighbours enjoyed a cup of tea, birthday cake and ice cream with her. Her daughter, Eunice Toreki and grandson Joe of Ohio were present and others from Windsor, St. Thomas, Tillsonburg, Eden, Aylmer and surrounding district.

William Duncan

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William James Duncan was born on October 19, 1897 at Brownsville, Dereham township, the son of Norman John Duncan & Sarah Jane Ball.  Norman was born in Sheffield, England, the son of John & Elizabeth Duncan, and was a labourer living in Bayham when he was married there on September 12, 1894 to Sarah Ball, of Bayham, the daughter of James & Catherine Ball.

William was a farmer living at Corinth when he enlisted for service on January 11, 1916 in Simcoe.  He was a member of the 39th Regiment. He named his next of kin as his mother, Sarah Jane, of Corinth. He gives his place of birth as Corinth.

Following the war, William was living in Tillsonburg employed as a railway section man when he was married there on May 4, 1921 to Fern Sylvia King, a native of Dunboyne in Malahide, living in Tillsonburg, the daughter of Joseph S. King & Mary B. Severns.

William & Sylvia later moved to Welland, where he died on June 14, 1981.  He and his wife are buried in Tillsonburg cemetery. His obituary appeared in the Tillsonburg News, June 17, 1981:

WILLIAM DUNCAN

William Duncan of 28 Church St. E., Welland, formerly of Tillsonburg, passed away at Welland on Sunday, June 14, 1981.  Surviving are his wife, Sylvia King Duncan; one daughter, Mrs. Lena Duly of Buffalo; a grandson, Kevin Pesant of St. Catharines; and a great grandson, Daniel.  Rested at the H. L. Cudney Funeral Chapel, 241 West Main St., Welland, where service was held Wednesday, June 17, at 12:30 p.m. Interment was made in Tillsonburg Cemetery at 3:30 p.m.

 

Lieutenant Harry Douglas Dunnett

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Harry Douglas Dunnett was born on March 30, 1891 in Simcoe, the son of John Dunnett (1849-1924) & Elizabeth Jane Hughes (1853-1942). He had a twin sister Charlotte Eliza.  John Dunnett was a marble cutter living on Kent Street, Simcoe.  By 1911, the family had moved to Aylmer, where they are found on the census there.  Douglas does not appear with them on the census.  He enlisted for service on October 22, 1914 in St. Thomas.  His address is not given, but his name appears in a letter printed in the Aylmer Express, November 26, 1914 from “the Aylmer Boys” while in London awaiting their journey overseas.  He names his next of kin as his father, John, of Aylmer.  He was a clerk, not married, and had served three years in the 25th Regiment.

Douglas’ mother Elizabeth died in 1942 in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, but is buried in Aylmer cemetery.

Douglas wrote many letters home that were published in Aylmer newspapers, and give a very interesting account of what the soldiers endured while overseas.  The first letter appeared in the East Elgin Reformer, October 28, 1915:

DOUGLAS DUNNETT IN THE TRENCHES

Sometimes a More Dangerous Job out of the Trenches

The Scout Corporal from Aylmer Writes His Mother, Mrs. John Dunnett

The letter from somewhere in Belgium tells between the lines of the dangers and duties of the Scout Corporal. From the billets to the trenches when the night is as black as Egypt – running his men into the shadows when the light rockets blaze from the enemy’s lines – plunk into a hole of mud, out again, not a word must be spoken – hardly a whisper no noise – or the alternative, a rain of bullets from the overhead bursting shrapnel, and a scout master is responsible. Cool men, men of resource, of keen observation, picked men from a picked corps  – such are the non-coms of the scout service. The letter reads:

Belgium, 1 – 9 – 15

Dearest Mother – We are still in the land of the living and so far have met with no mishap whatever. I have been in the trenches for a night, but my duties do not call me to live right in them all the time, though I often go in and hence keep in touch with my friends there. The trenches are really the safest place I believe. You see, there one is covered, but we are about in the open, subject to stray bullets all the time as well as bursting of large shells, but it is all in a lifetime. As regards our own battalion, you will get all that from the papers – that is official news regarding casualties, if any. There is really no news much to tell about. We are going along in the same old way, all looking forward to the time when peace shall be restored again in the world. I received your letter of Sept. 15th last. This war game is no fun, you can imagine, and the first day was quite sufficient for me. We are all living in hope, for it is “better to live in hope than die in despair”. Great will be the rejoicing when the right at last prevails. You may be sure I am taking no unnecessary chances because we have a dangerous enough job at all times. When I do have anything of extra danger, and especially if I have to lead others, I always feel the same: the one and only thought in my mind is hope there will be no mishap to the party. You ought to see the mud!  It is awful, and especially when it is nice and dark and you cannot see where you are going hardly. You plunk your foot down in a hole filled with water, or make a step and slip back three – more or less. Nevertheless the main thing is to get there, then all is happy. Well, must ring off for a little. With love to all, your loving son, H. Douglas Dunnett.

Another letter appeared in the same issue:

FIVE SHELLS FIRED; FIVE SHELLS MISSED

Rough Ride in Transport Wagon Under Fire
Doug. Dunnett and Harry Moody’s Wild Ride
Noise of a Bursting Shell as Loud as the Aylmer Electric Plant Explosion

Here’s another letter from Scout Corp. Doug. Dunnett to his mother, Mrs. John Dunnett, of Aylmer. He tells his mother of a fast ride under shell fire. “War is hell”, he says. The letter follows:

Belgium, 27 – 9 – 15

Dearest Mother – We are still in the land of the living, though at times one wonders for how long, especially when you hear those big shells tearing through the air like an express train and bursting like the Aylmer electric light plant explosion. I believe they make more noise than that when they light in the open. You ought to see the hole they put in the ground. One good thing, one would never know what struck him. Harry Moody and I had a really exciting ride the other day. We had been sent on a certain mission by Major Sales. When returning, being very tired, we got a lift from some of our fellows. We clammered into the wagon and suddenly they started off at the gallop, and it was all I could do to remain in the wagon, as I was sitting near the hind wheel. When at last we did come to a slow down, Harry said, “That was some exciting ride, wasn’t it?”  Of course I agreed and remarked “I guess they were trying to see how we liked a rough ride”, to which he replied, “I guess they didn’t, we were fired at five times; the five shells I counted, three on one side and two on the other”.  Well, you can imagine my astonishment. Here was I so busily employed that I didn’t see or hear them!  I almost doubted it in my mind, but looking back over the place we had come, I saw a shell burst in a field nearby. There was sure no doubt then. There are times when one thinks very rapidly. You suddenly hear the whiz of a bullet and invariable dick, though when you hear the it go there is no danger from it. Sometimes another comes after it, so by ducking from the first you miss the second, unless it happens to be in line with your head. The other day we had made up a shelter of a tent to keep out the rain, and were sitting huddled up to try and get some heat from our bodies, when a tremendous explosion occurred. A piece of the shell struck out happy little dwelling, but didn’t penetrate the canvas. I saw Lieut. Col. Brown the other night, and spoke to him for a few minutes. One begins to realize that “war is hell”, when you don’t get a wash or shave for a day or two and are wet, cold, tired and hungry. The other night I was so tired I didn’t care what happened. I often laugh to myself when I think, how, at home, if we were to sit on the grass of an evening we were afraid of taking cold. Here I have been out for two days at a time, lying down on a floor of earth without even a blanket or even a coat, and shivering like an aspen leaf. When you wake in the morning you are stiff and your shoulders sore. If it happens to be a fine day, well, then your clothes dry on you, if they are wet. But if we only manage to get through and are permitted to see our loved ones again, that alone will be reward enough. But we can only trust and pray for the best. So long as we do what we believe to be right it cannot matter which way it goes. Well, I guess there is not much more to tell. We are allowed to tell experiences but not movements of our troops. I do not get a great deal of time now to write. With love to all, your loving son, H. D. Dunnett.

The East Elgin Reformer, January 6, 1916:

DOUG DUNNETT WRITES

The Mud, the Mud of Belgium – Dick Smith, First Aylmer Boy to be Wounded
Back in the Trenches

Corp. Doug. Dunnett writes his mother, Mrs. John Dunnett, of Aylmer, as follows:

Belgium, Dec. 10, 1915

Dearest Mother – If you could only see me now, you would not, perhaps, recognize me for dirt. We are certainly in a fine plight. Imagine walking two and a half miles in mud indescribable, wet feet, and a pack that weighs nearly a ton; landing in a dugout, almost dilapidated, walls caving in and a probability of the roof coming down and burying one, mud again all over the place, and roof leaking. It has actually stopped raining, and some little wind and a wet moon constitute the night.  Harry Moody is trying to get the fire to burn and is fanning it with his hat. Yet, dearest, in the midst of all the seeming hardships, there are others worse off than we, and we have the Father to look after us, so we should not complain. Received your letter, all safe and sound; and seven others – how is that, eh?  Regarding the socks, I never heard of anyone finding a pair of socks before coming down here tonight, or I would be in a real nice pickle.  Thus, you see, I have managed dry feet, as I have secured the Lig boots again.

Dec. 13th, ‘15

You will see by this that my intentions were good, but somehow never finished that night. Next morning woke up in a puddle of water, and the bed, which I had suspended from the roof of the dugout and about one and a half feet from the ground, had lowered until it was on the ground; so you see the sinking was very gradual, and hence no casualties were caused therefrom. But we are happy again in another place, which may eventually come to grief, but we have hopes for several days to come. Such is life.  Dick Smith, the first Aylmer boy to be wounded, is back with us again. He is in the same company as I, and in fact was in training with me during our stay in Sandling. He says he is a little nervous yet, and I notice he jumps every time a cannon goes off. One cannot get altogether used to them, especially when “Fritz” is sending his projectiles our way and you are interested in watching the result of them, when suddenly one of ours opens out and you think he has come uncomfortably near. Many a time I have jumped on such occasions. Tonight is a beautiful moonlight night; and a little colder. I suppose at home the ground may be covered with snow. Here green grass and mud are the predominant features – and rats!  Oh, mother, if you knew how I hated a rat, you could sympathize with me in this respect. I have received so many parcels from friends that it seems as though I did not know just how to feel.  Out here there is so little to say, and one cannot write all the time. So I just try to do the best I can. I am still well and unharmed in any way whatever up to date. The stars are beautiful as ever, and that reminds me of days gone by, and you.  Your loving son, H. Douglas Dunnett.

An article regarding Douglas’ promotion was printed in the Aylmer Express, July 13, 1916:

It is good news to hear that Douglas Dunnett, son of Mr and Mrs John Dunnett, of this place, has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Douglas enlisted with the 18th Battalion as a private, and after almost a year of constant service on the field, is certainly to be congratulated on his promotion.  One thing obvious, there is no red tape in connection with his advancement; it has been earned by bravery and a full sense of his duty to his King and Country.  Lieutenant Dunnett is the first East Elgin man to made an officer on the field.

A letter from Douglas was printed in the same issue, July 13, 1916:

LIEUT. DOUGLAS DUNNETT HAS HAD MANY NARROW ESCAPES

Writes of a Few of His Experiences to His Father, Mr. John Dunnett, of This Place

Belgium, 24 / 6 / 1916

Dear Father:

I have been back up the line now three days, and have started my new era of life as an officer.  I was very fortunate in getting back to my own battalion, where I know the people, and they have not only been very kind in doing all they could to help me obtain my commission, and have all given me a hearty welcome back, from officers down to the men. At the school, we had plenty of hard studying to do, and lots of good exercise in the line of sport after lectures were over. So, I am now in the best of health and strength.  Nine months out here seems a long time, and it certainly seems ages since I left dear old Canada and home.  Nevertheless, I have had most extraordinary health, and have been so well protected that I have no reason to complain whatever, only praise to offer up. True, I have had many narrow breaks, as they say, and in some cases wondered if the end was not very near. On one occasion I was in the cellar of an old house during a fierce bombardment. The light shells were striking the debris overhead, and heavy shells on the road.  The moaning of wounded men could be heard on all sides. Every now and then one could feel the hot breath of bursting shells on the face, and the air thick and heavy with smoke, and smelling much of explosive.  Of course, with this was the deafening roar of the guns of both sides, mingled with bombs, rifle and machine gun fire. After that, the machine gun and rifle were like sweet music compared with the Krupp [illegible] of the big stuff.  Of course it is one of the extraordinary rifles, but it will give you a slight idea of what your son, who always was fond of making a noise, is up against.  Here there are plenty of unburied men kicking about or pieces of them, and so we have something to remind us that the war is still on.  Well, there is not a great deal in the line of news just yet.  It is raining again, for a change. While at school in France, we did have fine weather, but as soon as we arrive in Belgium it seems to rain.  I am feeling fine now in every way, and hope you all are the same. Love to the little family – Your loving son, H. D. Dunnett.

Another letter from Douglas was printed in the Aylmer Express, October 5, 1916:

LIEUT. DUNNETT IS WELL, BEEN AT FRONT A YEAR

Is Surprised That He Has Been Spared That Long.

Describes Visit to Ruined Cathedral. Is Not Afraid to Drink the Dark Cup if Necessary

Mrs. John Dunnett, of Aylmer, has received the following interesting letter from her son, Lieut. Douglas Dunnett.  Lieut. Dunnett enlisted with the 18th Battalion, C.E.F., and went overseas with the 2nd Canadian contingent. He was given his commission on the field in France, as he went overseas as a private.

France, September 10th, 1916

Dear Mother:

Time is slipping along at a very rapid rate, and no mistake. How much longer it will fly away in this land, for us, it is hard to say. Do you realize that I have been in the field a year?  I wonder if next year I shall be writing from here.  Yesterday and today I have received three parcels from the D.O.E. for the boys, and they certainly appreciate them.  The country is looking beautiful, but it won’t be long before the rainy season will be here. Electric light is somewhat scarce where I am at the present moment, but I have a candle rigged in a box to protect it from the wind.

Today being Sunday, we had service out in the open, after which we had communion.  It will seem funny to have service in a church again, but oh, so good!  This evening, after supper, I went with the parson to a place not far away, in which is a ruined church, considered, so the padre told me, to have been one of the most beautiful.  It must have been a beautiful edifice, with pure marble altars of various colors.  In one place in the vaulted roof, there is still a perfect picture, worked out in mosaic.  The marble statues of the virgin and Christ Child, have been destroyed, and lie upon the ground. In one spot the marble, I noticed, was pulverized, and I could sift it through my fingers like salt or sand. I hope, it we can see a few months more through, that “some sweet day” I shall be able to tell you all about this. I have met the “Angel of the darker drink” but I hope he will not present his cup yet, but I am not afraid to drink it, if need be.  I am much surprised to be here as long as I have, but if we can only help end this affair, we shall not have lived entirely in vain.  There seems to be a war on, by the sound of things tonight.  For days the guns have been firing incessantly, and I guess “Hiney” is getting all he bargained for, and more. Am in the best of health.

Your loving son, Douglas

Note – Lieut. Dunnett sent an interesting souvenir in the form of a piece of canvas moresco paper, taken from the wall of the ruined cathedral which he visited.

Another letter from Douglas was published in the Aylmer Express, November 16, 1916:

LIEUT. DOUGLAS DUNNETT IS GLAD TO BE ALIVE

A Vivid, but Gruesome Picture of The Battlefield After the Battle

France, October 20, 1916
Dear Mother –

You will no doubt be wondering why I have neglected writing home last week, as usual.  Well, it was in this wise.  I have been detailed for a course in “Lewis gun”, and proceeded with twenty men to the school and it being in a little out of the way place where the facilities for letter writing were not obtainable, naturally correspondence for the time being, came to a sudden standstill. So, as I have again regained my unit, I hope in future to be able to meet the “current demands” on me. I can assure you, we are all very thankful to be in the land of the living, though I myself have not had a very active part in the big doings, which was, no doubt Providential, and has been the preservation of my life, for a few weeks more, at least.  During the big show, where our Battalion made its name, on the 15th of September, we lost many good old originals, and Harry Moody was wounded, which was better than many a poor fellow, who made the supreme sacrifice. There was a special order to the commander of the Battalion that a certain percentage of officers, N.C.O’s and men, were to be left behind, and at the time we had two officers in the scout platoon, and the seniors, wishing to go, I was left behind.  I tell you it was pretty hard to see all the chaps go, and have to stay behind, especially as Harry went. We were joking before we said goodbye about “suppose Harry should get a nice Blighty and I would still be out here this winter”. Well, so it was!  Harry got his ‘Blighty’, and I have heard from him and he is doing finely. Many of my lads, some of whom I have been with ever since enlisting, went under and these things make one not only think, but leave their impression.

As to the sights one sees, after a battle, upon looking over the field, ‘desolation’ certainly is the word, and I remember that picture, ‘After the Battle’ but no artist, unless he had actually seen it, could paint it. Those pictures that I have seen of battle fields, were those of fresh blood, and heat of battle, where one is too excited to heed much the gruesome part. But go over it a week later, where still on account of shells, it is impossible to bury the dead of either side, then their black faces upturned, one would really think at a distance that they were negroes. Then perhaps, only the trunk of what was once a man. Bodies in every conceivable shape. Then jump into a trench, stumble over a pile of earth and you wonder whether it is a Hiney: an Englishman, or a Canadian. When we came out of the trench for the last time, which by the way, we were very glad to do, at the bottom of the communication trench, where all the traffic was, night and day, I noticed a hand protruding from a heap of earth. Such are some of the experiences one goes through, and truly, ‘War is Hell’.  Well enough of this. I am well as usual.  

Love to all the family, Douglas

An article about Douglas’ promotion to Captain was printed in the Aylmer Express, May 15, 1917:

AYLMER MAN IS NOW A CAPTAIN

Left Here a Private and has Earned His Rank on the Battle Field

It is gratifying to the many Aylmer friends of Douglas Dunnett to learn that he has now been promoted to the rank of Captain, and has earned every inch of his promotion on the battlefields of France. He enlisted as a private in the 18th Batt., and went overseas in April, 1915. Last summer he was promoted to Lieutenant. Although in many of the big battles, he has never yet been wounded, in a recent letter to his friend, G. R. Firth, St. Thomas, he says in part: ‘I have been very busy of late and hence most, if not all, of my correspondence has suffered. I am very pleased to inform you that my promotion for a captain has gone through and I am now a captain and wearing the badge of rank. I like France better than Belgium, mostly for the reason that it is not so muddy. We have been having regular Canadian weather over here in the line of cold with but very little snow. I often wonder just how much longer this old war will hang on. Well, time will tell; right is might, and judging from Germany’s actions and our ideas of humanity I think she will have to learn the lesson’.

Capt. Dunnett is a son of Mr and Mrs John Dunnett, of this place.

Another letter from Douglas was printed in the Aylmer Express, July 5, 1917:

CAPT. DUNNETT TELLS OF SOME HAIR BREADTH ESCAPES

In a Letter to his Mother, Mrs. John Dunnett, of this place, 

He Describes Some Experiences

France, June 4th, 1917
My Dear Mother –

Received your welcome letter safe and sound. I have had a pretty rough time of it, but thanks to the all-loving and kind Father, I have survived it, and am much better for it, no doubt, though in a physical sense it leaves my nerves more susceptible to shock (if that is possible) which by the way, it is. Nevertheless as soon as we get out we must live in hope to come through another, perhaps ten times as bad. If only you could see me at this moment sitting in a little French arbor, in which we had our supper, the birds singing and the trees and plants all green. Oh, the very joy of being alive is a blessing and well do I appreciate that very fact. I am getting so fat that even the colonel has to laugh, though I haven’t anything on him. We are going to have a much needed rest, for a little while. Well, of course, while out, there won’t be many hair raising experiences, unless it might be your son trying to ride a horse, which I am very anxious to learn. Have had the pleasure of being on the noble animal’s back twice, the last time, coming from the trenches, and never was I so glad to get out of a place in all my natural life. It was the first time for me as company commander, and old Fritz evidently wanted to make it a record trip for me, and, believe me, he did alright. We were in a particularly nasty piece of trench, and the enemy could land on us from both the front and side all at the same time. He did that, too, by the way. During the day we had to keep as mum as field mice, and the simile struck me as very applicable. Picture yours truly crouched in front of my little flunk hole, which when sitting up, my head was stopped round the curves of its roof, and when lying down at full length, my feet stuck outside of this, my eyes were generally looking after the ‘eagle eye’ of the Hun aeroplanes, and when I saw one I would dive into that place, for fear he might detect us, and hence cause shelling, which is anything but a pleasant sensation. One night though Fritz thought he would pay our people a visit, which I believe afterwards, he must have much regretted. The amount of iron that flew that night was enough to give one nightmare for the rest of his life. A shell (small one) landed right on top of a flunk hole in which I was, and the next moment I had the sensation of being partly buried, but fortunately very slightly, for I guess I jumped fast and far enough to escape. I have a horrible dread of being buried alive, though I guess if one gets it badly, they would never know what happened, which occurred to some of my poor chaps. Another shell filled the trench with chalk dust, dirt and smoke. I could not see anything for a little time and my ears were plugged up. Stones and small shrapnel were ‘tinging’ on my steel lid like rain, but mother, I came through without a scratch. So you see how I enjoy this quiet spot every minute of the day, free from strain and uncertainty which is the cause of all worry.

Your loving son, Douglas.

Douglas returned home from overseas in 1918, landing in Halifax on May 20. An announcement of Douglas’ return to Canada appeared in the Aylmer Express, May 23, 1918:

Mr and Mrs John Dunnett have received word that their son, Captain H. D. Dunnett arrived at Halifax this week, and he is expected home any day now. It is very welcome news to his parents as well as his many friends in town, and was unexpected, as no inkling that he was expected to return to Canada at this time had been received. It is thought he has been sent home on furlough, as he has been on active service now for more than three years. Captain Dunnett enlisted and went overseas with the 18th Battalion from London, and by faithful service and ability has risen in the ranks to Captain. During the past year he has acting Major and has been in many of the hardest battles in which the Canadians have engaged. His arrival in Aylmer is looked forward to with pleasure by the citizens of Aylmer, who are proud of the record of this young officer.

Douglas was married on December 26, 1918 in St. Thomas to Myrtle James (1888-1963), of St. Thomas, the daughter of William James & Mary Small.

Douglas died on June 22, 1959 and is buried with his wife in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, London. His obituary appeared in the London Free Press, June 23, 1959:

D. DUNNETT, 68, DIES IN HOSPITAL

Harry Douglas Dunnett, 68, of 38 Euclid Ave., London, died Monday in Westminster Hospital. Born in Simcoe, he had lived in London for the last 40 years, and was a member of Wesley United Church. He was an orderly at Westminster Hospital until his retirement in 1957.

Surviving are his wife, the former Myrtle James, and a sister, Mrs. Harold (Julia) Rudolph, of Wilkinsburg, Pa.

Service will be held Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, with the Rev. J. W. A. Stinson officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.

Julia Dunnett

The name “Julia Dunnett” is found in a list of names being prepared for the Elgin County Book of Remembrance, which was printed in the St. Thomas Times-Journal in 1927, under Aylmer. 

Julia Augusta Dunnett was born on March 1, 1888 in Ingersoll, the daughter of John Dunnett & Elizabeth Jane Hughes (1853-1942).  John was a marble cutter.  The family moved to Simcoe where they are found on the 1891 and 1901 census.  By 1911, John & Elizabeth had moved to Aylmer, but Julia does not appear with them on the census.

Julia Dunnett was married on April 10, 1919 to Harold Victor Rudolph, of Charlotteville, Virginia.  They are found on the 1930 census in Wilkinsburg, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania with two children, Francis (born ca 1921 in Virginia), and John (born ca 1925 in Maryland).  Julia emigrated to the United States about 1907. She is found on the 1910 census in Norfolk, Virginia, working as a nurse.  Although no record can be found, it is assumed she served as a nurse during the war from the United States.

She died in December 1972 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.

William Forsyth Dunning

333864 

William Dunning was born on March 26, 1899 in Aylmer, the son of James Thomas Dunning (1853-1929) and Victoria Adelaide Procunier (1860-1932).  They were married on April 18, 1883 in Straffordville, where James was a farmer for a number of years before moving to Aylmer. James was born in Vienna, the son of John Dunning & Nancy Cameron.  Victoria was the daughter of George Neil & Elizabeth Procunier.  James & Victoria are buried in Aylmer Cemetery.  Another son, John Cameron Dunning, was killed in action on April 16, 1917.

William was working as a processor in a condensed milk company when he enlisted for service on May 5, 1916 in Guelph.  He had served in the 30th Battery, C.F.A.

The Aylmer Express, of May 17, 1917 contained a photo of William with the following caption:

“Gunner William Dunning, brother of Pte. John Dunning, who was killed in action on April 16th, who is in Crother’s Hospital, Pennington, England, suffering from eczema.  Gunner Dunning was two months with his battery in France and expects to return to active service soon.  He enlisted and went overseas with the 63rd Battery, of London, Ont.”

William returned to Aylmer following the war and was employed at the Aylmer Shoe Company when he was married on April 3, 1920 in Aylmer to Mae Steele Gibson (1898-1981), of Aylmer, the daughter of Robert Gibson & Mary Bell Steele.  Mae was born in Grimsby, and was a stenographer.

Following their marriage, William & Mae lived on Water Street in Aylmer. They later moved to London, and Parkhill.  William died on February 11, 1975. He and his wife are buried in Parkhill Union Cemetery.

His obituary appeared in the London Free Press, February 12, 1975:

DUNNING – William F.;  At the University Hospital in London, Ont., on Tuesday, February 11, 1975, William F. Dunning, beloved husband of Mae E. (Gibson) Dunning. Dear father of Helen (Mrs. Douglas Ropp) of Chesley; Robert J. Dunning, of London. Foster father of Roy Peterson of London. Brother of Jean (Mrs. Walker Zimmerman) of Richmond Hill. Also survived by 13 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren, in his 76th year. Resting at the M. Box and Son Funeral Home, Parkhill, Ont., where the funeral service will be conducted by Rev. F. Dalton of the St. Paul’s United Church, Parkhill on Thursday, February 13 at 2 p.m. Interment in Parkhill Cemetery. A Legion Funeral Service will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 341 will officiate. Donations to the Heart Foundation would be appreciated.

John Eagan (Egan)

The name “John Egan” is found in a list of names being prepared for the Elgin County Book of Remembrance, which was printed in the St. Thomas Times-Journal in 1927, under Springfield. The Book of Remembrance does not give a service number for John, but states he was the son of Robert Eagan and served in France.  He was discharged in 1919.

There is an attestation paper for a John M. Eagan, #639679, but it is not available for viewing.

There is a John Egan, born August 22, 1882 in South Dorchester, the son of Robert Egan & Elizabeth O’Neil.  Robert was born in North Dorchester, the son of James & Mary Ann Egan, and was farming in Westminster township when he was married on September 12, 1877 in London township to Elizabeth O’Neil, of London township, daughter of John M. & Ellen O’Neil.  The family is found on the 1901 census in Springfield. Robert & Elizabeth are buried in Dorchester Union cemetery.  Their surname is spelled “Eagan”.

John was a carpenter living in Springfield when he was married on June 30, 1909 in Aylmer to Alma Minerva Hamilton (1888-1985), of Lyons, the daughter of George Hamilton & Catherine Clunas.  John & Alma are found on the 1911 census in Malahide, with two children, Laura & Irene.

Alma Eagan is buried in Aylmer cemetery with her parents, but John’s name does not appear on the monument.

No further information is known.

William George Eastman

334333

William Eastman was born on January 17, 1898 in Adelaide Township, Middlesex County, son of George Eastman & Caroline Humphreys.  He was a farmer living in Strathroy when he enlisted for service on April 21, 1917 in London.

He was married on October 9, 1928 to Pearl Eva White (1904-1969), daughter of Gordon White of Springwater, and they settled in the Springwater area. Following Pearl’s death in 1969, he was married to Dorothy Barbara Jones Whatmore. He died on December 6, 1990 at the age of 92, and is buried in Orwell cemetery with his wife Pearl.

William Eastman’s obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, December 12, 1990:

William “Bill” George Eastman

William “Bill” George Eastman, 92, of Springwater, an agent with Trans America Life Co. until last July, died at St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital on Thursday, December 6, 1990.  Doreen Soper, a sister-in-law, said Mr. Eastman was very well known, and well respected in the community. He always liked to keep busy at anything that produced something at the end, she said. “He was a great worker.”  She noted that he carried on his insurance business until July 1990.  “Anything he did wasn’t wasteful,” she said.  Mr. Eastman was a veteran of the First Great War. During the Second Great War, he and his brother-in-law Charles White operated Springwater Farms, producing food such as vegetables, watermelons and strawberries because there was a need for these items.  It was a patriotic endeavour.  Shortly after the war ended, Mr. Eastman went into the insurance business. “He made a real study of it,” said Mrs. Soper.  He was well known for giving sound advice on the type of insurance a person needed.  “Everybody liked Bill,” she added.  He was born in Adelaide Township on January 17, 1898, son of the late George and Caroline (Humphreys) Eastman.  He had lived at Springwater since 1932.  Mr. Eastman was a member of St. Paul’s United Church, and had served on the church board.  He was a member of Aylmer Rotary Club, and a graduate of the University of Guelph Ontario Agricultural College in Landscape Architecture.  He is survived by his second wife Dorothy Whatmore (Eastman); step-sons David Whatmore of Oakville; Michael Whatmore of London; Paul Whatmore of Stoney Creek; Phil Whatmore of London; Peter Whatmore of London; daughter Jane Eastman of North Bay; brother Kenneth Eastman of Hamilton; 11 grandchildren; one great grandchild, and a number of nieces.  He was predeceased by his first wife Pearl (White) Eastman.  The Reverend Norman Jones of St. Paul’s United Church, and Canon Robert A. C. Mills of Trinity Anglican Church, conducted the funeral service from H. A. Kebbel Funeral Home, Aylmer, on Saturday, December 8. Burial followed in Orwell cemetery.  Pallbearers were David, Mike, Paul, Peter, hil and Scott Whatmore. Damon Whatmore was an honourary pallbearer.  Flowers were carried by Susanne Whatmore, Sonja Whatmore, Michelle Intzant, Jennifer Whatmore, Debbie Whatmore and Jessica Whatmore.

Charles Edgar Ecker

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Charles Ecker was born on August 12, 1882 in Malahide, the son of David Ecker (1841-1931) & Agnes Ann Moffat.  David was the son of George Ecker & Sarah Weaver and was a native and resident of Binbrook Township, Wentworth County when he was married there on July 13, 1863 to Agnes Moffat, also of Binbrook, the daughter of William & Margaret. David & Agnes are buried in Marston Cemetery, Walsingham Township, Norfolk County. David & Agnes farmed in Malahide in the 1880’s, and later moved to Courtland, Ontario where they were living in 1916.

Charles was a teamster living at 105 McNabe Street South, Hamilton when he enlisted for service on March 11, 1916 in Dundas.  He had served one year with the 24th Grey’s Horse.

Charles returned from overseas in 1918, arriving in Halifax on December 20.

Charles died on January 10, 1943 and is buried in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, London.  A military marker there bears the following inscription: “Charles E. Ecker, Private, PPCLI – C.E.F. 10 Jan 1943″

His obituary appeared in the London Free Press, January 12, 1943:

ECKER – At Westminster Hospital, on Sunday, January 10, 1943, Charles Ecker, in his 61st year. Resting at Donohue and Weber’s Funeral Home (new location) 362 Waterloo Street, corner King street. Funeral service on Tuesday, Jan. 12 at 2 p.m. Interment in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

Samuel Eccles Edmonds

258049

Samuel Edmonds was born on May 16, 1861 in Vienna, the son of John Edmonds (1822-1905) & Caroline Draper ( 1827-1877), daughter of Isaac Draper.  John & Caroline are buried in Trinity Anglican Cemtery, Port Burwell.

Samuel was married to Isabel (Bella) Marple, daughter of James Marple, and was living in Woodstock in the 1890’s working as an organ builder.  He and Bella are found there on the 1901 and 1911 census.  Their children were: Gertrude Caroline (1893) and Mary Helen (1896).  

They moved to Calgary where they were living at 337 3rd Avenue North East when Samuel enlisted for service on March 20, 1916 in Calgary.  He was a salesman for a piano company, and had served three years in the militia in St. Thomas.  He incorrectly gave his date of birth as May 16, 1871, no doubt to be considered young enough to serve.  He joined the 211th Overseas Battalion, C.E.F.

No further information is known.

Bert Edwards

The name Bert Edwards appears on a Springfield Honor Roll.  There is a Robert Edwards found on the 1911 census in Yarmouth township, born March 1892 in England, employed as hired help, living with Arthur & Florence Graham, but it cannot be determined if this is the above Bert Edwards.  An attestation paper for “Bert” cannot be found.

A letter from Bert Edwards was printed in the Aylmer Express, February 3, 1916:

EVERYTHING SIMPLY A MUD HOLE AT THE FRONT

Mr. D. J. Chapman, of Malahide, has received the following interesting letter from Bert Edwards, formerly of Springfield, now at the front in Flanders.

Somewhere in Flanders, Jan. 6, 1916

Dear Mrs. Chapman and Family:

I hardly know how to express myself in thanking you for the parcel you so kindly sent, which arrived just before supper tonight.  It was indeed a treat to be able to sit down and eat a real Canadian apple. Your pastry is just as good as ever it was, even though it was four weeks in transit. I hope though, that by this time next year I shall be able to come and enjoy a good meal with you all.

The mitts and socks are also my welcome gifts. One cannot realize how a smoke will cheer a soldier up, especially when in the trenches, after doing his turn at sentry go. Pitch dark, except for the flares sent up by both sides, he stands on the firing step, looking over the parapet to watch for any trick that the Germans are liable to play on us such as cutting our barbed wire or coming between the lines and throwing bombs into our trenches. The weather just lately is cold and wet and after an hour’s duty as described, one is usually disconsolate. The first thing he thinks of is his pipe or cigarette and after puffing a few minutes at the weed he is more cheerful and keeps so until his turn comes again to mount the firing step and look across no man’s land and listen for any unusual noise.

There are five of us in this dugout, 2 sergeants, 2 corporals and myself.  I must remark that this is the best place I have struck since being over here.  Owing to it being Christmas time the walls and roof are decorated with ivy and holly. We gather in wood during the day and at night we sit around the fire and talk or write letters. We sat down to supper tonight at 6 p.m. Both ours and the German artillery were very busy. Shells were bursting very near us but it did not disturb our meal and we finished up by having the mince pies you so kindly sent.

I have been living like a prince this week. We each (5 of us) gave 20 francs each (four dollars) and bought a stock of tinned goods from the Y.M.C.A.  You can guess we could get quite a box full for $20.

Everyone seems to have a good appetite here; when out of the trenches we are doing some kind of work or other, building trenches, fixing barbed wire entanglements and such like work. When all is dark we carry food and supplies to the trenches.  Owing to having no communication trench we have to travel overland some 500 yards with bullets flying all around us. Some one usually gets hit.  One never knows when he may get a piece of lead through him, but we go on undaunted as though we were out for a stroll.  After being out here for a time the boys have no fear whatever and cross the fire-swept fields with impunity. At present everywhere is simply a mud hole. We often come home after being on some fatigue or other looking more like a clay model than a human being.  Brushing our clothes is out of the question. He just let it fall off itself.

Two weeks ago we had our first taste of gas. Fortunately we did not get very much of it as the wind changed and it blew back on the Germans, I hear doing considerable damage.  It’s peculiar stuff, gets in the throat and also makes the eyes water and smells something similar to ether, the drug given to anyone going under an operation.

I spent a very quiet Christmas about two miles behind the firing line.  New Years Eve I spent in the trenches and you can bet we let Fritz know when it was 12 o’clock. We opened rapid fire on their trenches. The artillery also sent them a reminder that the new year was about to start.  Then next night 3 of us crawled out into no man’s land and crawled on our stomachs to the German barbed wire and came back safely with a few pieces as souvenirs.  It is murderous looking stuff.  Of course we carried a few bombs in our pockets in case of trouble arising. One takes the chance of meeting a German on the same errand as ourselves. If I ever do, well, it will be him and me for it. Besides bombs I carry a short stick with a piece of iron on the end similar to a cog wheel. If I ever have to use it and get the first blow I’ll guarantee whoever gets it won’t crawl again.

As I sit here writing I can hear the bullets whizzing by the dugout. We have had quite a number of casualties but we are getting new men all the time to fill up the gaps. It is not only Germans we are fighting out here. We have rats, mice and lice in the thousands.  I used to dust my clothes every night but it only seems to make them grow fat.  I have tried nearly every supposed remedy without avail.  The only and best way I have discovered is to hunt for them daily. The other animals referred to seem to delight in running over one when he is asleep and eating our bread, cheese and biscuits.  We carry a linen bag with us for our bread, etc. The other night they chewed 6 holes in mine and got at some cake I had inside, and they got it too.

Everyone received a present on Christmas day from the ladies of Canada in the way of a wallet and 1 pound of candy; 50 cigarettes and a packet of tobacco, from the Overseas Club of Canada, besides ½ lb of Christmas pudding from the Toronto Daily News, so although on the firing line we were able to have the usual piece of pudding and hot at that. The boys are all praising the people of Canada for their kind thought.  It only goes to show that although we are far away, we are not forgotten by those we left behind.

This is a terrible war and one cannot realize the hardships some have to put up with unless they were here to see if with their own eyes. Even when going to the trenches, laboring under a heavy load, they are facing death al the way as one never knows whether they may see us and open a machine gun on the party and wipe them out. After having delivered his load and is well on the way back he does not feel relieved until he is in his dugout and then he never knows when a German shell may drop in it and put him out of action, as often occurs.

Often at nights I sit down and think of Springfield and district and wish at times I was back again. But there, I am here to do my duty until the Germans have been beaten back.

Of course you know by now that Tom is with me. He is standing it A1.  One of his brothers was out here in the West Yorks so when Tom got time he went to see him, only to find that he had been wounded the day previous and was on his way to “Blighty”, that is what the Tommies call England.  By the way, when a man gets wounded the news flies around so and so has got a Blighty, meaning he is hit badly enough to be sent back to England.

We are expecting to go on leave the end of this month.  I hope it is correct as I need a rest badly. We have been out here four months now without any rest whatever and it is beginning to tell on me.  I am losing weight fast and we have held two different parts of the line up to now.  We come straight from one to the other, resting overnight at a camp about half way.

Well, my eyes are getting dim and the candle nearly burnt out so will ring off. Trusting this will find you all in the best of health, as I am at present. With kind regards,

Yours sincerely, Bert
Regards from Tom.

Rev. Edwin Wesley Edwards

Edwin W. Edwards was born at Strathallan in East Zorra township, Oxford County on November 23, 1876, the son of A. S. Edwards & Elizabeth German.  He was a minister in Dawn Township, Lambton County when he was married on January 25, 1900 in Toronto to Eleanor Sarah Shepherd, of Toronto, the daughter of Nicholas Shepherd & Harriet E. Cheesborough.  They are found on the 1901 census in Dawn Township.  Rev. Edwards is listed as a Methodist minister in Malahide in 1895, and later he was minister at St. John’s Methodist church in Springfield, where he and his family are found on the 1911 census.  He and Eleanor had two children, Harold Baldwin Edwards (1902) and Eric Hilton Edwards (1906).

Rev. Edwards signed an Officer’s Declaration paper on May 1, 1916 in St. Thomas.  He was a Lieutenant with the 91st Battalion, and belonged to the 25th Regiment in St. Thomas for three months.  He was living in Highgate, Ontario when he enlisted.

Rev. Edwards left Halifax for England on June 29, 1916, and arrived in Liverpool on July 5.  He then proceeded to West Sandling Camp near Hythe.  On July 15, 1916, he was transferred to the 39th Battalion. On August 2, 1917, he was transferred to the 21st Battalion and proceeded to France on August 7. In October of that year he was attached to the 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade as Brigade Gas Officer. He rejoined the 21st Battalion on October 19, 1918.  He suffered a gas attack at Mons on November 9, 1918. In March 1919 he was admitted to hospital in London, England to recover from the effects of the gas attack. On April 2, 1919 he was awarded the Military Cross.  He was discharged from hospital on April 13, 1919, and left Liverpool on May 13, 1919 for Canada, arriving on May 22.  He was discharged from the army on May 26, 1919.  His British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to his last known address, Goderich Street, Seaforth.

An article in the London Gazette, December 10, 1919 reports the award of the Military Cross:

Awarded the Military Cross

Lt. Edward Wesley Edwards, 21st Ban., Can. Infy., E. Ont. R. – For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. After overcoming and disposing of numerous machine-gun nests, the advance of his company was held up by the fire of a field gun over open sights. He first got his men under cover, and then leading forward a party of Lewis gunners, skillfully maneuvered into a commanding position and brought such fire to bear that the gunners retreated, carrying away two wounded.  The advance was then resumed.

Rev. Edwards died on April 7, 1946. His obituary, from an untitled newspaper clipping is as follows:

Rev. E. W. Edwards

First War Veteran For Many Years Active in Ministry

For nearly 40 years active in the ministry of the Methodist and later United Church, Rev. Edwin Wesley Edwards, M.C., 70, who served the First Great War with the rank of captain, died yesterday at the Toronto General Hospital.

Since his retirement in 1937, he had resided in Toronto and had suffered a prolonged illness. Born at Strathallen, he graduated from Victoria College in 1899 and was ordained as a minister of the Methodist Church in the London Conference. He served pastorates in the Methodist Church in Rutherford, Tiverton, Thetford, Springfield, Highgate, and Seaforth, and in the United Church in Listowel, London and Tavistock, where he retired.

Mr. Edwards interrupted his pastorate at Highgate in 1915 to enlist in the First Great War and went overseas with the 91st Battalion from St. Thomas. He won his captaincy in the field and served as a combatant officer, being awarded the MC.  He returned to Canada with the 21st Battalion of Kingston.

Mr. Edwards had held office in the London Conference and for a number of years served on the board of Alma College. He was a member of Springfield Lodge, A.F and A.M., and Kew Beach United Church.

Surviving are his widow, the former Eleanor Shepherd, of 49 Benlamond Ave., and two sons, Dr. H. Edwards and Eric H. Edwards, of Toronto.

Horatio Roland Eggleton

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Roland Eggleton was born on June 15, 1896 in Aylmer, the son of Frederick Eggleton (1857-1939) & Amy M. Gostick (1868-1954).  Frederick was born in England, the son of John & Susan Eggleton, and was a miller living in Aylmer when he was married on July 16, 1891 in Malahide to Amy Gostick, a native of South Dorchester living in Malahide, the daughter of John & Priscilla Gostick. Frederick & Amy are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

Roland was a telegraph operator living in Aylmer when he enlisted for service on May 17, 1918 in London. He returned from overseas in 1919, arriving in Portland, Maine on March 7.

Roland was married on June 6, 1936 to Ora Ena Alward (1912-1996). Roland died on April 26, 1988 at the age of 91, and is buried in Aylmer cemetery.  His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, May 5, 1988:

Roland Eggleton

Roland Eggleton, 91, of 49 Water Street, Aylmer, died at his home on Tuesday, April 26, 1988.  He was born in Aylmer, Ontario on June 15, 1896 son of the late Frederick and Amy (Gostick) Eggleton.  He was a life-long resident of Aylmer and attended the Aylmer Baptist Church.  Mr. Eggleton was a retired CNR Telegrapher, working in that business from 1920 to 1952.  He was also a veteran of the First Great War.  He is survived by his wife Ora Eggleton.  He was predeceased by his son Donald in 1952.  The Reverend Das Sydney of Aylmer Baptist Church conducted the funeral service from H.A. Kebbel Funeral Home on Friday, April 29. Burial following in Aylmer cemetery. Pallbearers were John Vermey, Brian Wencel, Ken Williamson, H. J. Kenny, Jim Pearson, Earl Campbell and Marvin Ryder.

Frank Lee Eichenberg

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Frank Eichenberg was born on January 9, 1893 at Eden, the son of James D. Eichenberg (1854-1933) & Ida Boughner (1860-1932).  James was born at Straffordville, the son of John Eichenberg & Maria Matthews, and was a widower living in Tillsonburg when he was married on March 29, 1892 in Windsor to Ida Boughner, also a native of Straffordville living in Tillsonburg, the daughter of Peter Boughner & Sarah Healey.  They are buried in Claus cemetery, Bayham township.

Frank was working as an insurance agent when he enlisted for service on December 16, 1914 in Winnipeg. He returned from overseas in 1915, arriving in Quebec on November 14.

Frank moved to the United States where he is found on the 1930 census in Jennings Lodge, Clackamas County, Oregon.  He is married to Cecile M., a native of Michigan, and they have one son, Russell F., age 4, born in California.  Frank is working as a carpenter. The census states he emigrated to the United States in 1916. He died in February 1970 in Honolulu, Hawaii. His name appears on his parents’ monument in Claus cemetery.

Henry Eldred Eley

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Henry Eley was born on January 27, 1877 at Chelmsford, Essex, England. His father’s name is unknown, but he is found with his mother, Selina Jane and several siblings on the 1881 England census in Chelmsford.  By 1891, Selina was a widow still living in Chelmsford.  On that census, Henry is age 14, a clerk in a newspaper office.  By the 1901 census, Henry is a Private in a Rifle Brigade, and is working as a hospital attendant at the District Military Hospital in Alverstoke, Hampshire.

Henry first emigrated to Canada in 1907 on the ship Empress of Ireland, arriving at St. John, New Brunswick on March 20.  He moved to the Jaffa area where he is found on the 1911 census in Yarmouth township, living with William & Loretta Bailey, as a domestic servant.

After spending seven years in Canada, he went back to England. He returned to Canada in 1914 on the ship Empress of Britain, arriving in Halifax on March 14.  The passenger list states his destination is Aylmer. 

Henry was a farmer when he enlisted for service on September 3, 1915 in London.   He names his next of kin as his brother, Earnest Eley, of 5 Brookhill Road, Woolwich, Kent, England.  He had served 8 years and 5 months in the Rifle Brigade in Gosport, England.  

“Harry” Eley is listed in an article in the Aylmer Express in 1916 about men from the Jaffa area serving in the war.  It states he is in the 70th Battalion and is currently in the trenches in France.

Following the war, Henry returned to Elgin County.  He died on January 14, 1936 and is buried in Aylmer cemetery.  There are two monuments marking his resting place, one with the inscription: At rest Henry E. Eley, 1877-1936.  The other is a military marker with this inscription:

Private Henry E. Eley, 18th Battn. C.E.F.  14th January 1936 Rest in Peace.

Henry’s obituary appeared in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, January 20, 1936:

WAR VETERAN SPENT 10 YEARS IN HOSPITAL

Henry Eley Enlisted With Army in 1915; Funeral Thursday

Aylmer, Jan. 15 – Henry E. Eley, 50 year-old ex-service man, who died in Westminster Hospital Tuesday, had made his home with Mr and Mrs Stokes of Jaffa before he joined the army in 1915.  He was a patient at the hospital for ten years.  Mr. Eley served overseas for the duration of the war, returning in 1918. He was a member of Jaffa Baptist church.  He was born in England.  Surviving him are two sisters, Miss Ada Eley and Mrs. Alderton, of Southend, Essex County, England.  Funeral services will be held at the Atkinson funeral home, Aylmer, Thursday afternoon, at 2:30 o’clock.  Rev. W. D. Stenlake will officiate.  The Aylmer Canadian Legion will attend in a body.  Interment will be made in Aylmer cemetery.

John Elgie

John Elgie was born on April 3, 1890 in Yarmouth, the son of George Elgie (1849-1894) & Mary Ann Porter (1859-1919).  George was born in England, the son of Henry & Rachel Elgie, and was farming in Yarmouth when he was married on August 23, 1877 in Yarmouth to Mary Ann Porter, also of Yarmouth (Jaffa), the daughter of Joseph Porter & Almira Clements.  George & Mary are buried in Dunboyne cemetery. The family lived near Jaffa.

No attestation paper can be found for John, but a letter from him from overseas was published in the Aylmer Express, August 31, 1916.  He had been living in Saskatchewan prior to enlisting, and was formerly of Jaffa.

Following the war, John returned to the area and was farming in Yarmouth when he was married on December 19, 1923 in Aylmer to Claire E. Huffman (1889-1973), of Aylmer, the daughter of Merritt & Alma Huffman.

John died on February 21, 1939 in his 59th year, and is buried in Aylmer cemetery with his wife.

His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, February 23, 1939:

JOHN ELGIE DIED AT YARMOUTH CENTRE

Native of Jaffa. Has 3 Brothers and a Sister in Aylmer

John Elgie, well known farmer of Yarmouth township, died on Tuesday morning, February 21st, following an illness of some two years. He was in his 59th year and was born at Jaffa in Malahide Township and resided there for many years. Twenty years ago he moved to the farm where he died, on No. 3 Highway, east of Yarmouth Centre.

Surviving are his wife, formerly Clara Huffman; one son, Merritt Elgie; four brothers and two sisters: Joseph Elgie, Vancouver; Robert, Simeon and Willard Elgie, of Aylmer; Mrs. William Cole, Jaffa; and Mrs. Annie McTaggart, Aylmer.

The funeral will be held at his late residence, east of Yarmouth Centre, on Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Rev. Moorehouse of Yarmouth Centre United Church, will have charge. Interment will be made in the Aylmer Cemetery.

Simon Earl Elgie

333841 

Simon Elgie was born on August 27, 1891 in Yarmouth, the son of George Elgie (1849-1894) & Mary Ann Porter (1859-1919).  George was born in England, the son of Henry & Rachel Elgie, and was farming in Yarmouth when he was married on August 23, 1877 in Yarmouth to Mary Ann Porter, also of Yarmouth (Jaffa), the daughter of Joseph Porter & Almira Clements.  George & Mary are buried in Dunboyne cemetery. The family lived near Jaffa.

Simon was a machinist living at R. R. #5 Aylmer when he enlisted for service in Guelph on April 18, 1916.  He had served in the 30th Battery C. F.A. 

A letter from Simon was printed in the East Elgin Tribune, December 21, 1916:

Shorncliffe Camp, Sunday, Nov. 19, 1916:

I see a sign up on the wall from where I am sitting which says “Have you written home”, and it has put me in mind that I had not done it yet today, although I have not heard from you in two weeks. Harry Amoss and I came down to Folkestone this afternoon and went all through the library and museum. They sure have some stuff here; everything that you can think of. We had our supper here at the Y.M.C.A., and had my first taste of the new kind of bread which they are going to feed us on. It tastes a little like the graham bread but his has the bran and shorts both in it.  I don’t know how the rich bugs will do when they have to use it.

Everything is fine around camp the same as usual, only the weather is alright. It has been terribly cold all week and yesterday it snowed all day and today it has rained. I am might glad that we are in huts instead of tents. They can go over to Canada and tell the people there that it never gets cold in England, but I know better. I have been colder here than ever I was in Canada. The wind blows clean through you no matter how many clothes you put on and I have had on all that I could get on. We had another pay day last Tuesday and they only gave me a pound.  It seems as if they give you whatever they please. Some of the boys got the same as I, some one pound and a half and some two pounds. A person has to go pretty easy on five dollars to make it last fifteen days, especially when you want anything and have to pay twice as much as you should.  I have got to buy a pair of socks one of these days and they want sixty cents a pair. I have got down to two pairs and when you have one pair in the wash and got the others ones wet it is not very pleasant.

Will close with this, hoping it finds every person as well as it leaves me.

Pte. S. E. Elgie

Another letter from Simon was printed in the Aylmer Express, December 14, 1916:

AYLMER ARTILLERY MEN TO GO TO FRANCE SOON

Dick Wright, Mr. Beecroft, Norman Miller, Bill Bates and Frank Amoss Often Pay
Each Other Visits – Expect to go to France Any Time

Mrs. Elgie, of Jaffa, has received the following interesting letter from her son, Gunner S. Elgie:

Shorncliffe, Eng., Nov. 26, 1916:
Dear Mother –

Another Sunday has nearly gone and things are just the same as ever here. Received your letter this week and have forgotten whether I answered it or not. Glad to hear that there is a box coming and hope there are some socks in it, as I have only two pair left, and one of those is more holey than righteous.  The boys tell me that it may be a month before I get it as parcels are awful slow about coming.

I haven’t done much today. Went to church this morning and have not been out since. Mr. Beecroft and Norman Miller came in this afternoon and we had quite a chat. The Winders sent Dick Wright a bundle of St. Thomas papers so we have had a treat reading all the news. Bill Bates came over and had a visit with us on Wednesday night and Frank Amoss is down nearly every night, so we are not lacking for company. Dick and Harry Amoss are through their gun class and are going on a six day pass Tuesday noon.  I guess I will be done this week, and will go on leave as soon as they get back.  They pay our railroad fare to any place in England or Scotland, so a person would be foolish not to take the trip. As soon as we get back from our six-day leave we will be ready to go to France any time. So don’t be surprised to hear that I have gone. Hope this finds you all as well as it leaves me.  

Gunner S. E. Elgie

No. 333841, 5th Reserve, 45 Battery, Risboro Barracks, Shorncliffe, Eng.

Another letter from Simon was published in the Aylmer Express, January 4, 1917:

SAW SIGHTS OF ENGLAND

Gunner S. Elgie, of Jaffa, Writes of a few of the Sights he saw While on Leave in England

Is now in France with 63rd Battery

Shorncliffe, Dec. 15th, 1916
Dear Mother –

Received your letter yesterday noon just as I got back from my six days’ leave, and was sure glad to get it.  I certainly had a great time on my pass. Saw lots of sights never to be forgotten. I was out to Buckingham Palace, but could see nothing very imposing about it. The yards are the prettiest part. Regent’s Park is nice. They have a zoo there with all kinds of animals and fixed up as near like the places the animals came from as possible. Madame Tussaud’s wax works is simply great. It is full of wax figures of all the kings, queens, and the most noted men of the past, from France and England. They are so life-like that they look like living people. They have Mary Queen of Scots on her knees in front of the beheading block; the Bishop standing there with the open Bible in his hands, and the man with the axe raised ready to cut off her head. You would really think they were all real to see them. Another good one was the Duke of Wellington standing beside Napoleon’s bed. The best place of all was the Chamber of Horrors. They offer any person a hundred pounds to stay all night in there without going to sleep. I can’t see anything very dangerous about it, except that it looks kind of ghostly. That is where all the noted murderers are and the old torturing machines. They even have people in the machines undergoing torture. It’s the look on their faces that makes it so ghastly. They even have Dr. Crippen’s figure in wax.

Edinburgh is a dandy city, 365 miles from London. I was only there two days so did not see it all. Spent nearly one day in the museum. They have a room full of different kinds of engines, paper machines and cloth machines, and all you had to do was to press a button and they would run. It was all through Edinburgh castle. Took a bus out about twelve miles to the Firth of Forth bridge, and one of the fleets. It is a nice trip out through the country and one of the largest bridges I ever saw. It is a railway bridge and a good mile long. I certainly found a good place to stay, called King George and Queen Mary’s Overseas Soldier’s Club. No soldiers but Canadian, Australians or New Zealander’s are allowed. A bed cost us one and six, or thirty-six cents, in white man’s money, and meals one shilling each. The people that run it are Scotch who came over from Hamilton on purpose to look after the Canadian soldiers, and they are certainly nice people. He looks and acts just like Johnny Davis.

I suppose that by the time this letter reaches you I will be somewhere in France. I was put on draft yesterday and got all fixed up today ready to go any time. Might go tomorrow and am liable to stay a week yet. I skipped parade this afternoon to come and write some letters, and they have just sent up word that I am wanted at once, so I suppose I will have to go. Will finish this after awhile. Have just come back and found out it was to get two teeth filled, but it was too dark to get it done tonight. I had to make a will before leaving Canada. I am not much alarmed at what might happen to me but it is just as well to be prepared for the worst, and it will probably be two months yet before I see any fighting, and a lot can take place in that length of time.

They took us out of barracks last night and put us back in tents, ten men in each, so you can imagine how they are using us. Do you think it any wonder that we are anxious to get out of here to a place where they are all men?

I think I have written quite a lot for once, so will close, and will write every time I get a chance, and you do the same to the same address until I find out where I am going.

Hoping this finds you all well, Good-bye, S.E.E.

Another letter from Simon was printed in the Aylmer Express, March 22, 1917:

FRENCH FARMERS WAY BEHIND TIMES

Horse Tread to Run Thresher, S. Elgie, of Jaffa Writes His Mother That Weather

Has Been Very Cold in France; Does Not Get Mail Regularly

France, Feb. 10, 1917
Dear Mother –

Another week as passed and everything is O.K. There has been no change in the weather until this afternoon, and it has turned a little warmer. I suppose likely that it will rain about tomorrow. We have had just about a whole month of steady cold weather. Never one single warm day at all. My toes and fingers up as far as the first joint have got so there is no feeling in them on account of being cold so much.

It seems funny that I haven’t received any of the papers you sent. All I ever got was the two from Mary. Mr. Wright was sending Dick the Express weekly but it has not come for a long while.  I received a letter from Dick last Monday, and by the way he writes, he has struck a pretty good bunch of boys. I do not know how far he is from me. Maybe only a few miles. I haven’t had a bit of mail since last Monday and do not know what is the matter. You let me know if my letters get home weekly, as I have written every Saturday or Sunday since coming over here. I suppose I will get a whole armful when it does come. Tell John that I saw the Frenchmen threshing. They run the machine with a 1-horse tread power. A man feeds the grain into it and a girl and boy stand behind and catch the straw and bind it up in sheaves as it comes through. They are away behind times in farming in this part of the country. Will have to close this for tonight. Will write as soon as the parcel arrives.  S. Elgie

Simon wrote again reporting on his condition, and his letter was printed in the Aylmer Express, June 21, 1917:

GUNNER S. ELGIE IS RECOVERING NICELY

Was in Heat of Fight at Vimy When He was Wounded

Mrs. Elgie, Jaffa, has received the following letter from her son, who is in hospital in Glasgow, Scotland.

Sunday, May 27th
Dear Mother –

There is nothing much to tell you this week. Everything is going along fine. Doctor says I can get up tomorrow and I am glad. Am getting tired of laying in bed nearly five weeks now. Of course I suppose the bandages will have to stay on for a week or so yet. Did you read anything in the papers about the wonderful Canadians taking Vimy Ridge? Gee! The Englishmen are sore over what the papers said about it. They deserve the credit for it too. We lost a lot of men over it. That is where I got hit, east of Vimy. We were building new gun pits in front and I was just coming back from unloading ammunition. I was up the first day we started to build, and the first thing we did was to connect two big shell holes by a trench, so as to have a little protection from Fritz. We sure needed it too. Couldn’t do much work for dodging shells. When I came away our guns were in a town about the size of Aylmer, and there wasn’t one building left standing. Couldn’t even find a street. We knocked that to pieces ourselves, drove Fritz out and now he is turning it over, trying to drive us out. 

I have not received any mail yet, should get a nice bunch when it does come.  I suppose everything is doing fine around home. The way things are looking it will be some time yet before I will be home. S. Elgie

Simon returned from overseas in 1919, arriving in Halifax on January 25.  He was married in 1919 to Caroline Pearl Wright (1887-1981), of Aylmer, the daughter of Horace H. Wright & Lucy M. Winchester.

Simon died on January 13, 1957, and is buried in Aylmer cemetery.  A military footstone with the following inscription is found in addition to the monument in the family plot:

Simon E. Elgie  Gunner  C.F.A.C.E.F.  13 Jan. 1957, age 65 

Simon’s obituary from a newspaper clipping file:

SIMON E. ELGIE, 65, STRICKEN ON SUNDAY

Aylmer – Simon E. Elgie, 56 Sydenham street west, died Sunday afternoon in the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital.  He had been in ailing health for several years.  Born in Yarmouth Township 65 years ago, Mr. Elgie was a son of the late George Elgie and Mary A. Porter, of Yarmouth Township.  He was employed as a stationary engineer by the St. Thomas Metal Signs, but had lived all his life in the Aylmer district.  Mr. Elgie was a member of the Aylmer Baptist church and of the Colonel Talbot Branch 81 of the Canadian Legion.  He served overseas in World War 1 with the 63rd Battery.  He is survived by his wife, the former Caroline Wright; three sons, George H. and Richard J., both of Toronto; and David R., of Aylmer; one daughter, Mrs. Nelson (Mary) McConnell, of Aylmer; one brother, Willard Elgie, of Aylmer; two sisters, Mrs. Mary Cole, of Jaffa, and Mrs. Annie McTaggart, of Aylmer; ten grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews. A daughter, Mrs. Katherine (Mae) Smith, died in 1951. Resting at the Hughson funeral home, Aylmer, from where service will take place on Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock.  Rev. Fred M. Ward of the Aylmer Baptist church will officiate. Interment will be made in the family plot at the Aylmer cemetery.

Richard Elley

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Richard Elley was born on March 29, 1890 in Dunnville, Haldimand County, the son of Herbert Elley & Julia Catherine Gillap, who were married in Dunnville on September 18, 1882. Following Herbert’s death,  Julia was remarried in 1902 to Edward James Waltho.

Richard was a telephonist and had served in “C” Battery of the R.C.H.A. when he enlisted for service in Kingston on November 1, 1915.   He names his next of kin as Mrs. J. C. Waltho, of Dunnville. He served overseas and returned to Canada on July 2, 1919, arriving in Quebec.

 

In 1958, Richard was living at 130 Louise Street, St. Catharines, Ont. He moved to Aylmer about 1978, and died on February 2, 1982 at the age of 91.  His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, February 10, 1982:

RICHARD ELLEY

A funeral service was conducted Friday, February 5, 1982 for Richard Elley, 91, of 72 St. George Street from H. A. Kebbel Funeral Home by the Rev. John Bunner of Aylmer Baptist Church. Burial was in Victoria Lawn Cemetery, St. Catharines.  Mr. Elley, a resident of Aylmer for the past four years, died Tuesday, February 2, in Parkwood Hospital, Westminster Campus in London. He was born in Dunnville, March 29, 1890.

He was a member of Brock Chapter Pioneers of America Association in Bell Canada, veteran of the First Great War, a member of Aylmer Baptist Church and the Beamsville Masonic Lodge.

Mr. Elley is survived by sons Jack of Aylmer; Gordon, of Erie, Pennsylvania; a half brother John Waltho of Arkona; six grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Lillian (Reed) Elley and his parents Herbert and Lillian (Waltho) Elley.

Herbert Elliott

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Herbert Elliott was born on December 25, 1869 in Vienna, the son of Herbert Elliott.  He was a widower farming in Bosanquet Township, Lambton County when he was married on February 2, 1915 in Stephen Township, Huron County to Emma Jane Boshaw, of Thedford, the daughter of Henry Boshaw & Jane Otter.

Herbert gives his address as Thedford when he enlisted for service there on April 6, 1916. He joined the 149th Battalion.  He names his next of kin as his wife Emma of 607 Huron Ave., Port Huron.

No further information is known.

Elliott, T

The name “T. Elliott” is found on an Honor Roll unveiled at the Aylmer High School on May 23, 1918, listing students and former students who served overseas.

It is believed this man is Thomas S. Elliot, who was born on May 29, 1890 in Yarmouth, the son of Thomas Elliot (1842-1920) & Margaret Sinclair (1847-1933).  Thomas Elliot Sr. was born in Scotland, the son of William Elliot & Helen (Ellen) Ball, and was farming in Yarmouth when he was married on June 19, 1877 in London to Margaret Sinclair, of Yarmouth, daughter of Coll Sinclair & Jean McLarty.  Thomas & Margaret are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

The family is found on the 1901 and 1911 census in Bayham township.  Thomas’ attestation paper cannot be found, although there is one not available for viewing, bearing a service number of 11317.

The above Thomas Elliott died on March 20, 1980 and is buried in Aylmer cemetery with his parents. His obituary appeared in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, March 22, 1980:

THOMAS ELLIOT

Thomas Elliot, formerly of R.R. 1 Port Burwell, lately of the White Hall Residence, Port Bruce, passed away at the St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital Thursday in his 90th year.  Surviving are a sister, Margaret Elliot, St. Thomas; nieces Mrs. Jean Cameron and Mrs. Helen McKay, both of California; and nephews Jim Elliot, of Windsor, and George Cameron, of Straffordville.  Resting at the Ostrander Funeral Home, Tillsonburg, for service Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., with Rev. Susan Eagle officiating.  Interment in the Aylmer Cemetery. Visiting begins at the funeral home on Monday at 2 p.m.

George Alfred Ellis

190173 

George Ellis was born on December 20, 1884 in Lucan, Ontario, the son of George Ellis & Mary Jane Wilson. His father was a photographer.

George moved to Aylmer and was married there on January 11, 1912 to Margaret May Anderson, of Aylmer (1883-1963). Their marriage was reported in the Aylmer Express, January 18, 1912:

Mr. Geo. Ellis, one of our popular young business men and Miss Maggie Anderson, eldest daughter of Mr. J. F. Anderson were united in marriage by Rev. Fansher last Saturday. Both have a large circle of friends with whom they are very popular, and all of whom will join with us in wishing them a long and happy wedded life.

George was a plumber living in Aylmer when he enlisted with the 91st Battalion on March 31, 1916.  He belonged to the 30th Battery in Aylmer, and formerly served with the 26th Battery in North Middlesex.

A photo of George with the following caption was printed in the East Elgin Tribune, December 28, 1916: “Pte. G. A. Ellis was engaged in the plumbing and tinsmithing business previous to enlisting with the 91st Batt. The call was so strong that he gave up business and went overseas in June last. He was born in Lucan 31 years ago and had lived in Aylmer for the past 12 years. His wife and four small children are living on Victoria street. Recent letters state that all is well with him so far.”

George returned from overseas in 1917, and his return was reported in the Aylmer Express, December 6, 1917 with a photograph and the following caption:

“Pte. George Ellis, who on Monday returned home, after being overseas some eighteen months, the greater part of which time was spent in the trenches. Pte. Ellis enlisted and went across with the 91st Battalion. He was invalided home suffering from trench feet and rheumatism. His many friends hope he will enjoy better health here at home.”

George died on May 21, 1923 in Victoria Hospital, London where he had been a patient four months, suffering from heart disease.  He is buried in Aylmer cemetery. His name appears on a monument with his wife and other family members recording him as a veteran of the 91st Battalion, but there is also a military marker bearing the following inscription:

190173 Private George Alfred Ellis 18th Battn. C .E. F. 21st May 1923  After the victory sleep

His obituary, accompanied by a photograph, appeared in the Aylmer Express, May 24, 1923:

GEORGE ELLIS DIED IN VICTORIA HOSPITAL

Veteran of the Great War was Assistant Customs Officer

George Alfred Ellis, assistant customs officer here, died in Victoria Hospital, London, early on Monday morning, May 21st where he had been undergoing treatment since February last. Deceased who was in his 38th year was a veteran of the Great War, having enlisted and gone overseas with the Elgin Battalion, the 91st. He saw much service at the front, and his illness was caused from shell shock and the effect of being gassed in France. Mr. Ellis was invalided home in December 1917, and for the last three years has been assistant customs officer here, where he was a very popular official. He suffered a collapse in February and was sent by the Military authorities to Victoria Hospital, where he seemed to be improving steadily until Sunday last, when he suffered a stroke from which he never rallied. Besides his widow, he is survived by 7 young daughters, the eldest of whom is 11 and the youngest about a month old. Also by his step-mother, Mrs. Ellis, St. George street; one brother, Thomas J. Ellis, of Honolulu; and two sisters, Mrs. Dell Mollard, of Watrous, Sask.; and Mrs. Lorne Kilmer, of Battle Creek, Mich.. Deceased was a member of Aylmer Chapter, No. 81, G.R.C., and Malahide Lodge, No. 140, A.F.& A.M., and the funeral which was held yesterday at 2:30 p.m. was under Masonic auspices and was largely attended. Interment took place in the Aylmer cemetery.

Peter Ellison

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Peter Ellison was born on April 9, 1891 at Blyth in Morris Township, Huron County, the son of Philip Ellison (1839-1923) & Alma Eno (1853-1918). Philip was born in Nova Scotia, the son of Lawrence & Elizabeth Ellison, and was living in Morris Township when he was married in Ashfield, Huron County on January 11, 1870 to Amelia (Alma) Eno, a resident of Morris, but native of Quebec, the daughter of John & Rose Eno.  Philip & Alma were living in Aylmer in 1918, and are buried in Holy Angels Cemetery, St. Thomas.

Peter was a farmer living in Aylmer when he enlisted for service in London on February 18, 1918.

He later moved to Simcoe where he was living when married there on October 20, 1920 to Ina Brander, of Simcoe, daughter of Wallace Brander & Sylvia Kniffen.

Peter moved to Michigan, and died in 1969. He is buried in Holy Angels Cemetery beside his parents.

Stewart Emery Elvidge

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Stewart Emery Elvidge was born on September 29, 1897 in Houghton Township, Norfolk County, the son of George Elvidge (1858-1927) & Elizabeth McGregor (1869-1954).  George was born in Leeds, Quebec, the son of Henry & Ann Elvidge, and was farming in North Walsingham township, Norfolk county, when he was married on November 24, 1891 in Tillsonburg, to Lizzie McGregor, of North Walsingham, the daughter of James & Lizzie McGregor.  The family is found on the 1901 and 1911 census in Houghton, but later moved to Aylmer, where George & Elizabeth are buried.

Stewart was a cheesemaker living with his parents at Clear Creek, Houghton township, when he enlisted for service on May 20, 1918 in London.

He returned from overseas in 1919, arriving in Vancouver on May 30, after sailing from Hong Kong.  He was living in Aylmer, employed as a mechanic when he was married on January 24, 1923 in North Norwich township to Irene Durston (1902-1977), a native of Oxford county living in Aylmer, the daughter of Thomas Durston & Rose Rocket.

Stewart died on December 2, 1966 and is buried with his wife in Aylmer cemetery. His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, December 7, 1966:

STEWART E. ELVIDGE

Stewart E. Elvidge, of 15 South Street East, Aylmer, died suddenly on Friday. He was 69. Born in Houghton Township, he was a son of the late Mr and Mrs George Elvidge.  He moved to Aylmer where he was employed by the Carnation Company for 35 years before his retirement in 1965.  The veteran of World War I who served overseas, was a member of the Colonel Talbot Branch 81, of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Surviving are his wife, the former Irene Durston; two sons, Raymond Elvidge of 15 Oak Street, St. Thomas; Lawrence Elvidge, of RR 3 St. Thomas; four daughters, Mrs. Douglas (Viola) McLean of London; Mrs. Alvin (Bessie) Barr, Brantford; Miss Norma Frank (Marjorie) Tillotson, of London; one sister, Mrs. Mae Carter, Lambeth, and 12 grandchildren.

Service was held Monday afternoon at the Hughson Funeral Home, Aylmer. Rev. Allan Logan of St. Paul’s United Church conducted the service, assisted by Rev. Ronald Matthewman of Trinity Anglicn Church. During the service, Mrs. James Wright presided at the organ. The pallbearers were Harry Gunstone, Gordon Kiddie, Lawrence Ellsworth, Marshall Woolcox, Bert Hemphill and George Hunt. The many beautiful floral tributes were carried by Robert Sutherland, Archie Hare, Michael Koleada, Jack Harvey, Tom Pinch, Robert Aviss, Sid Varney and Reginald Wellwood.  Interment was in Aylmer Cemetery.

The funeral was largely attended with friends and relatives present from Brantford, London, Woodstock, St. Thomas, Lambeth, Tillsonburg, Springfield, Burgessville, Aylmer and district.

Albert Henry (Harry) Emery

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Harry Emery was born on January 20, 1890 at Mapleton in South Dorchester, the son of John Emery (1853-1913) & Melissa Jane Burgess (1854-1929).  John was born in South Dorchester, the son of Hamilton & Elizabeth Emery and was farming there when he was married on March 6, 1885 in St. Thomas to Melissa Burgess, a native of Walsingham township living in South Dorchester, the daughter of Thomas & Clara Burgess. They are buried in St. Thomas Cemetery, West Avenue.

Harry was employed as an automobile mechanic when he enlisted for service on September 29, 1915 at Niagara.  

Harry died on February 5, 1953 and is buried with his brother Frank in Union Cemetery.  In addition to the family monument, a miliary marker with the following inscription marks his resting place:

“Harry A. Emery, Private C.A.D.C. C.E.F.  February 5, 1953, age 63″

His obituary appeared in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, February 6, 1953:

HARRY A. EMERY, 63, PASSES IN LONDON

A veteran of World War I, Harry A. Emery died in Westminster Hospital, London, Ont., on Thursday evening, aged 63 years. The deceased had been ill for six weeks. He suffered a heart attack early this week and the second fatal attack on Thursday.  A son of the late Mr and Mrs John Emery, of New Sarum, the deceased resided in London for many years following his war service. He was employed as a carpenter and was well known in St. Thomas and district where he visited on many occasions. Surviving are two brothers, Edward E., 50 Walnut street, and Frank, 89 Flora street, St. Thomas; one sister, Mrs. S. Minard, of Belmont.  The remains are resting at the A. Millard George Funeral home, in London. Arrangements for the funeral are incomplete.

Franklin Hamilton Emery

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Frank Emery was born on January 19, 1896 at Mapleton in South Dorchester, the son of John Emery (1853-1913) & Melissa Jane Burgess (1854-1929).  John was born in South Dorchester, the son of Hamilton & Elizabeth Emery and was farming there when he was married on March 6, 1885 in St. Thomas to Melissa Burgess, a native of Walsingham township living in South Dorchester, the daughter of Thomas & Clara Burgess. They are buried in St. Thomas Cemetery, West Avenue.

Frank was a farmer living with his parents in the Belmont area when he enlisted for service on May 17, 1918 in London.

He was married on July 13, 1918 in Belmont to Leta Collinson (1898-1978), a native of St. Thomas living in London, the daughter of William Collinson & Etta Moody.  On the marriage record, Frank’s occupation is given as “soldier”.

Frank died on April 9, 1969 and is buried with his wife in Union Cemetery, Yarmouth Township. His obituary appeared in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, April 10, 1969:

DORCHESTER NATIVE FRANKLIN EMERY, 73, RETIRED CONDUCTOR

Franklin (Frank) Emery of 89 Flora Street died yesterday in St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital after a long illness. He was in his 73rd year.  He resided in St. Thomas for about 45 years and was a retired Penn Central conductor. He was an adherent of Grace United Church and a member of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen (United Transportation Union).

He was born in Dorchester, the son of the late Mr and Mrs John and Jane (Burgess) Emery. He is survived by his wife, the former Leta Collison, one son Glenn, presently a patient at Westminster Hospital; one daughter, Mrs. Howard (Helen) Kettlewell of RR 7 St. Thomas; one sister, Mrs. Mabel Bloye of 73 Forest Avenue; five grandchildren and one great grandchild; a number of nieces and nephews.

Resting at the L. B. Sifton Funeral Home where service will take place Saturday at 1:30 p.m. with Rev. L. J. Coates of Grace United Church officiating. Interment will be in Union Cemetery.

Charles Enos Emmett

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Charles Emmett was born on April 25, 1897 in Aylmer, the son of Charles A. Emmett (1870-1932) & Alice Marlow. Charles was a barber, and he and Alice are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

Charles was also a barber, and was living in Aylmer when he enlisted for service on July 15, 1918 in London.  

He was married in Aylmer on July 20, 1921 to Harriet Josephine Davis (1901-1984), of Aylmer, the daughter of Albert & Mary Davis.

Charles died on September 5, 1974 and is buried in Aylmer cemetery. His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, September 11, 1974:

CHARLES EMMETT

Charles Enos Emmett of 181 Sydenham Street East, Aylmer, died suddenly at his residence on Thursday, September 5th. He was 77 years of age.

Born in Aylmer on April 25, 1897, he was the son of the late Charles Emmett and the former Alfreda Marlowe.  A lifelong Aylmer resident, he was a barber in Aylmer for 60 years. He was a member of St. Paul’s United Church.

He is survived by his wife, the former Harriett Davis; two sons, Ray Emmett of London and Robert Emmett of St. Thomas; one sister, Miss Bernice Tighe of Toronto, and six grandchildren.

Funeral was held at H. A. Kebbel Funeral Home on Saturday, September 7th, conducted by the Rev. Norman Jones, of St. Paul’s United Church, Aylmer.

Pallbearers were David Emmett, Tim Emmett, Russell Hatch, Lloyd Jordan, Elgin Moore and Ronald White.  Burial was in Aylmer Cemetery.

Roy Campbell Empey

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Roy Empey was born on April 30, 1895 at Springfield in South Dorchester, the son of Adam Murray Empey (1853-1938) & Annie Campbell (1858-1931). Adam was the son of Adam & Mary Empey and was living in North Dorchester township when he was married there on January 12, 1887 to Annie Campbell, also of North Dorchester, the daughter of Daniel & Annie Campbell.  They lived at lot A & B, concession 12, South Dorchester, and are buried in Dorchester Union cemetery.

Roy was a farmer living at RR #3 Springfield when he enlisted for service on May 17, 1918 in London with the 1st Depot Battalion W.O.R.  He was transferred the same day to the 4th Canadian Reserve Battalion.  He mainly served as a peace keeper in England during his time of service.  He was discharged on July 12, 1919.

He was farming in South Dorchester when he was married on March 31, 1920 in North Dorchester to Mabel L. Couch (1902-1995), of North Dorchester, the daughter of William Couch & Helena Strobridge.

Roy died on June 29, 1953 and is buried with his wife in Aylmer cemetery, with three sons: Howard (1922-1971); Harry A. (1926-1999) and Melvin Roy (1939-1998). His obituary follows:

ROY C. EMPEY OF S. DORCHESTER, DIES

Father of Large Family Passes in His 58th Year

AYLMER – Roy Campbell Empey, life-long resident of South Dorchester township, where he was born 58 years ago, died at his home on the 12th concession (R.R. 3, Springfield) on Monday at noon.  He had been ailing for three years.  He was a son of the late Mr and Mrs Adam Empey.  He was a member of St. John’s United Church, Springfield.  Surviving are his wife, the former Mable Couch; seven sons, and six daughters: Howard, Harry, Kenneth, Keith, Jack, Melvin and Donald, all at home; Mrs. Harry (Helen) Esseltine, Brownsville; Mrs. Howard (Luella) Meatherall, Ingersoll; Norma, St. Thomas, and Dorothy, Shirley and Jean, at home; one brother, Murray, of Otterville, and one sister, Mrs. S. H. Binding, of Aylmer. There are two grandchildren, Margaret and John Esseltine.  At rest at the Hughson Funeral Home, Aylmer, where funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. with Rev. Milton Cook officiating.

 

Charles Henry Leroy Esseltine

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photo courtesy of Elgin County Archives

Charles Esseltine was born on January 25, 1894 in Houghton Township, Norfolk County, the son of George William Esseltine (1872-1945) & Effie Halbert (1873-1948).  George was born in Houghton, the son of Isaac Esseltine & Ellen Sharp, and was farming there when he was married on March 18, 1893 in Kinglake to Effie Halbert, a native of Yarmouth township living in Houghton, the daughter of Nancy Halbert.

Charles was a farmer living at Vienna when he enlisted for service on February 11, 1916 in St. Thomas.  He names his next of kin as his mother, Effie, of Vienna.  His attestation paper records that he was invalided to Canada for further medical treatment, but no date is given. A passenger list records Charles returning to Canada in 1917 on the hospital ship Letitia, arriving in Halifax on January 25.   “Tubercular” is the reason given for discharge.  

Charles moved to St. Thomas where he was working in a foundry when he was married there on October 28, 1918 to Florence Kew (1895-1961), a native of Fingal living in St. Thomas, the daughter of William Kew & Agnes Harkness Galbraith.

Charles died on January 24, 1954 and is buried with his wife in Elmdale cemetery, St. Thomas. His obituary appeared in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, January 25, 1954:

CHARLES HENRY ESSELTINE DIES UNEXPECTEDLY SUNDAY

Charles Henry Esseltine, well-known railroad engineer, who served the Chesapeake & Ohio and the Pere Marquette for the past 26 years, died suddenly at his home in 17 East Avenue on Sunday morning. He had not been well for several months, but his death was unexpected.

Mr. Esseltine was a World War I veteran who enlisted here with the 91st Battalion and who served overseas with the 2nd Battalion, C.E.F. He was a member of the 91st Battalion Association.

A native of Jaffa, where he was born 60 years ago, Mr. Esseltine was a son of William Esseltine and the late Effie Esseltine. He joined the 91st Battalion from the farm and, after the war when he had taken his discharge, he settled in St. Thomas and had been with the Pere Marquette and the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad most of the intervening years.  He was a member of Division 132 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and he attended the United Church.

Mr. Esseltine’s wife, Florence, survives with two daughters and one son, Mrs. Glenn (Ruby) Emery, Chatham; Mrs. Oliver (Marion) Leslie, Chelsea, Que.; and Ralph A. Esseltine, Chatham. There are also four sisters and two brothers, Mrs. Mickey (Lena) Atkinson, Detroit; Mrs. Orpha Kew and Mrs. A. J. (Hazel) Goddard, 58 Regent street, St. Thomas; Mrs. James (Winona) Montague, Port Rowan; Isaac Esseltine, Fort Erie, and Jack Esseltine, Glenmeyer, and 10 grandchildren.

The remains are resting at the P. R. Williams and Son Funeral Home and the funeral service there on Wednesday at two o’clock will be conducted by Rev. E. J. Roulston of Central United Church. Members of Division 132 B. of I.E. will assist and interment will be made in Elmdale Memorial Park.

Lorne Elgin Evans

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Lorne Evans was born on July 1, 1894 at Calton in Bayham, the son of Rev. John Aquila Evans (1863-1938) & Maria Jane Hunt (1865-1918).  J. Aquila Evans was born at Calton, the son of John Evans & Ann McFarland, and was a schoolteacher in Bayham when he was married on February 26, 1890 in Courtland to Maria Hunt, of Middleton, the daughter of William Hunt & Emelia Ann Cooper. They later moved to Rockwood, Troy and Erin. They are buried in Tillsonburg cemetery.

Lorne was a school teacher living at 36 Oxford Street, Guelph when he enlisted for service on March 27, 1916 in Guelph.    He names his next of kin as his father, of RR #3 Rockwood, Ontario.

Lorne was married to Mary Scott, and died on May 18, 1952.  They are buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Guelph.

Harley Edward Evert

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Harley Edward Evert was born on February 23, 1895 in Malahide, the son of Charles Frederick Evert (1864-1935) & Sarah Elizabeth Mabee (1865-1926).  Charles was the son of John Evert & Mary Briest, and was living in Jaffa when he was married there on October 31, 1887 to Lizzie Mabee, a native of Middleton Township, but living in Jaffa, the daughter of Jacob & Jane Mabee.  Charles & Lizzie farmed on the 3rd concession of Malahide and are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

Harley was a farmer living at R. R. #1 Dunboyne when he enlisted for service on May 16, 1918 in London.

Harley was married on April 29, 1926 to Hazel Mildred Bennett (1891-1963), daughter of Thomas Bennett & Emily Amelia Hiepleh.

Harley died on December 16, 1966 and is buried in Aylmer cemetery. His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, December 20, 1966:

HARLEY E. EVERT

Harley E. Evert, R.R. 6 Aylmer, died yesterday in St. Thomas Memorial Hospital.  He was 71.  Mr. Evert was born in Malahide Township.  A retired farmer, he lived all his life in the area.  He was a member of Fairview-Richmond United Church. He was the son of the late Mr and Mrs Charles Evert, R.R. 6 Aylmer. His wife, the former Hazel Mildred Bennett, died in 1963.  Surviving are one sister, Mrs. Yorke (Flossie) Phillimore, R.R. 6 Aylmer, and two nephews, Ross and Charles Phillimore, R.R. 6 Aylmer.

Service was held Monday afternoon at the Hughson Funeral Home, Aylmer. The Rev. Charles Forrest of Fairview-Richmond United Church conducted the service during which Mrs. James Wright presided at the organ.

The pallbearers were Dugald Campbell, Gilbert Heipleh, Don Monteith, Hugh Matthews, Glen Parker and Robert Kennedy. Interment was in Aylmer cemetery. The funeral was largely attended by friends and relatives from Tillsonburg, Courtland, St. Thomas, Belmont, Aylmer and surrounding district.

Thomas Harold Farrell

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Harold Farrell was born on October 9, 1893 at Marysville, Tyendinaga Township, Hastings County, Ontario, the son of James Farrell & Ellen Callaghan.  He was employed as a lineman at Campbellford, Ontario when he enlisted for service with the 147th Grey Battalion, on February 14, 1916 at Owen Sound.

Harold returned from overseas in 1918, arriving in Halifax on December 20. He returned to his former occupation as a lineman, and was living in Toronto when he was married there on February 5, 1919 to Edith Irene Walters (1897-1955), of Toronto, the daughter of Thomas Walters & Margaret McClelland.

Harold moved to Aylmer in the late 1920s, as a supervisor of the Aylmer Rural Hydro district.  He served as president of the Aylmer Canadian Legion branch in 1934.  He died on October 19, 1944 and is buried with his wife in Aylmer Cemetery. His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, October 26, 1944:

AYLMER LOSES HIGHLY VALUED CITIZEN

Harold Farrell Succumbs in London Hospital to Paralytic Stroke

Harold Farrell, superintendent of Rural Hydro in Aylmer and district, died in Victoria Hospital, London, Thursday morning, October 19th, following a few days illness.  Mr. Farrell suffered a severe paralytic stroke while working at his home Saturday afternoon, October 14th, from which he failed to recover.

Harold moved to Aylmer with Mrs. Farrell and two daughters about 18 years ago to supervise the Aylmer Rural Hydro district, covering the area from Port Burwell to Sparta, and north to Lyons.

He was of a retiring disposition, but one of our best known and popular citizens, always willing to do his part in civic enterprises. He was a veteran of World War I, and was a member of the Canadian Legion, being a past president. He was a valued member of Trinity Anglican Church, and an energetic member of the Rotary Club of Aylmer.

He is survived by his wife, and two daughters: Mrs. Chas. Fisher, of Toronto; and Miss Mona Farrell, of London. The funeral took place from his late residence, Talbot street west, on Saturday afternoon and was largely attended by former associates and many friends. Rev. Edwin E. West, of Trinity Anglican Church, had charge of the services at both the home and the grave.

The Ontario Hydro Commission was represented by Mr. McKenzie, of Toronto, Superintendent of the London district.  The pallbearers were Charles Haight, Capt. H. J. Davis, Harley Johnston, Frank Davenport, Dr. H. G. McLay and Roy Morris.  The flower bearers were C. B. Munn, Charles Horton, Charles R. Clark, Huron Sears, D. M. Halpenny, J. J. Campbell, Stuart McBrien, Morris Kennedy, Ray Lemon, Spencer McConnell, Thomas L. Barnecott, George Watson, Harry Gunstone, John Tuff Jr., Kenneth Christie, Dr. Charles Sinclair and Dr. J. B. Clark. Interment took place in the Aylmer Cemetery.

Eugene Douglas Fear

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Eugene Douglas Fear was born on April 14, 1895 in Aylmer, the son of Dr. Wesley James Fear (1860-1934) & Margaret Crinklaw Smith (1855-1940).  Dr. Fear was born in Elmira, Waterloo County, the son of Samuel Fear & Jane J. Moir.  He was living in Seaforth, Ontario when he was married to Margaret Smith, a native of Mitchell, living in Egmondville, Ontario, the daughter of Andrew Smith & Maria Crinklaw.  They were married in Egmondville (near Seaforth) on September 30, 1885.  Dr. Fear was a dentist in Aylmer. They are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

Eugene Douglas was a bank clerk living in Aylmer when he enlisted for service on June 8, 1917 in London. He returned from overseas in 1919, arriving in Halifax on May 25.

Following the war, he moved to Royal Oak, Michigan, where he was married about 1922 to Lena May Meriweather (1901 – 1990). They are found on the 1930 census in Royal Oak, where he is employed as a time keeper in sewer construction. They had one son, Robert D. Fear (1923 – 1943). 

Eugene died on January 14, 1981 in Orange City, Volusia County, Florida at the age of 85.

George Arthur Fergusson

George Fergusson was born on February 6, 1875 in Vienna, the son of Rev. George Fergusson & Sarah Ann Campbell.  Rev. Fergusson was a minister at the Methodist church in Richmond in 1873, and of the Vienna Circuit from 1874-1876.  They moved to Watford where the family is found on the 1881 census.  They later moved to Hamilton where Rev. Fergusson and his wife are buried.

George made an Officer’s Declaration on September 20, 1916 in Windsor.  He joined the 241st Overseas Battalion as a Lieutenant.  He was a teacher living at 156 Victoria Ave., Windsor, and named his next of kin as his sister, Mrs. D. B. Case of 120 Broadway, New York, New York.  He had served eight months in the C.O.T.E., and belonged to the 21st Essex Fusiliers.

George returned from overseas in 1918, arriving in Portland, Maine on December 13. No further information is known.

Albert Huron Ferris

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Albert Ferris was born on October 22, 1896 in Bayham, the son of Francis (Frank) Ferris (1867-1956) & Caroline (Carrie) Huffman (1861-1918). Frank was born in Middleton Township, Norfolk County, the son of John & Annie Ferris, but was farming in Bayham when he was married on December 17, 1890 in Tillsonburg to Carrie Huffman, a native of Houghton Township living in Bayham, the daughter of George & Jane Huffman.  They are found on the 1901 and 1911 census in Vienna, and are buried in St. Luke’s cemetery, Vienna.

Albert was living in Tillsonburg, employed as a clerk, when he enlisted for service there on March 11, 1916.  He returned from overseas in 1918, arriving in Halifax on October 1. 

Following the war, he moved to Campbellville in Halton County where he was an assistant agent for the Canadian Pacific Railway.  He was married on August 23, 1922 in Esquesing Township, Halton County to Eleanor Cameron Dredge, of Nassagaweya, Halton County, the daughter of Nathan Dredge & Margaret Lang.

No further information is known.

Frank Ferris

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Frank Ferris was born on January 31, 1897 in Bayham, the son of William Ferris (1869-1938) & Nettie Stratton (1870-1954). William was the son of William & Elizabeth Ferris, and was farming in Bayham when he was married there on April 4, 1894 to Nettie Stratton, also of Bayham, the daughter of Thomas & Hannah Stratton. They are buried in Straffordville cemetery.

Frank was farming at Straffordville when he enlisted for service on May 17, 1918 in London. He returned from overseas in 1919, arriving in Halifax on September 14.

He was married on May 16, 1923 in Tillsonburg to Mabel O. Dennis (1902-1953), of Bayham, the daughter of Thomas Dennis & Barbara Kindy.

Frank died in 1960 and is buried with his wife in Straffordville cemetery.

Joseph Gilbert Ferris

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Gilbert Ferris was born on September 4, 1879 (or 1878) near Granton in Biddulph Township, Middlesex County, the son of John Ferris & Martha Elizabeth Mossey, who were married on December 25, 1877 in Blanshard Township, Perth County.

Gilbert was a barber living in Dorchester when he was married on December 21, 1904 in South Dorchester to Erie Ethel Newell (1883-1955), of South Dorchester, the daughter of Robert Newell & Mary Stover.

They lived in Springfield following their marriage where he was barber when he enlisted for service on May 22, 1916 in St. Thomas.

They later moved to St. Marys where Gilbert died on February 7, 1985 at the age of 106 years.  He and his wife are buried in St. Marys cemetery. They had at least two children: Mary Elizabeth (1905) and Mildred (1912-1986).

Gilbert’s obituary appeared in the Stratford Beacon Herald, February 8, 1985:

GILBERT FERRIS

St. Marys – Gilbert Joseph Ferris, 106, of 37 Salina St., St. Marys, died Thursday at St. Marys Memorial Hospital.  Born on the Town Line of Blanshard and Biddulph Townships, he was a son of the late John Ferris and the former Martha Mossey.  He was predeceased by his wife, the former Ethel Newell. Surviving is one daughter, Mrs. Cecil (Mildred) Crandon, of St. Marys.  Friends will be received at the L. A. Ball Funeral Chapel, 95 Queen St., St. Marys, where a service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday. Rev. Robert Rahn will officiate. Burial will be in St. Marys cemetery.

Thomas George Field

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The name “T. G. Field” is found in a list of men overseas who were sent a box of Christmas cheer by the Aylmer Women’s Institute, printed in the Aylmer Express, November 8, 1917.

There is an attestation paper for a Thomas George Field, #123145, who was born on July 27, 1882 in London, England.  He was a labourer and was single.  He enlisted for service on September 6, 1915 in London, Ont., and names his next of kin as John Field, of 18 Eagle Street, St. Thomas.  He had served two years in the Navy aboard HMS Lion.

The 1901 England census shows a Thomas Field, age 17, in the Royal Navy. He was born in West Ham, Essex.

Thomas returned from overseas in 1918, arriving in Halifax on November 28. 

A marriage record was found for a Thomas George Field, of 27 Walton Street, Toronto, born 1882 in London, England, the son of Charles & Martha Field.  He was married on July 16, 1921 in Toronto to Elizabeth Lennon, of Toronto.

No further information is known.

Cecil Laverne Finch

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Cecil Finch was born on August 10, 1897 at Houghton Centre in Norfolk county, the son of David L. Finch (1869-1952) & Amelia Fox (1877-1957). They are buried in Tillsonburg cemetery.

Cecil was a farmer living at RR #2 Port Burwell when he enlisted for service on May 20, 1918 in Toronto.

He was farming in Houghton Township when he was married on December 27, 1922 to Erie Misner (1896-1986), of Windham township, daughter of A. F. Misner & Barbara McKenzie.  

Cecil died in 1964 and is buried with his wife in Otterville cemetery.

Frank Freeborn Fishleigh

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Frank Fishleigh was born at Port Bruce in Malahide on March 15, 1892, the son of Robert & Sarah Ann Fishleigh. He is found on the 1901 census in Malahide with his parents, but by 1911 had moved to London Township, Middlesex County.

Frank enlisted for service on February 20, 1917 in Weyburn, Saskatchewan.  He was living in Woodrow, Saskatchewan, employed as a cook.  He lists his next of kin as his father, Robert, at 117 Elm Street, London, Ontario.

A few months later, Frank was declared medically unfit for service and was discharged on May 15, 1917. No further information is known.

John William Fleming

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John Fleming was born on July 26, 1890 in South Dorchester, the son of Robert Fleming (1856-1920) & Lavina Meyers (1870-1930).  Robert was born in South Dorchester, the son of John & Jenette, and was farming there when he was married on December 20, 1888 in Walsingham Township to Lavina Meyers, of Walsingham, the daughter of William & Mary.  Following Robert’s death in 1920, Lavina was married to John Porter.  Robert & Lavina are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

John Fleming was farming in South Dorchester when he was married on January 5, 1911 in North Dorchester to Marguerite Halpin, of North Dorchester, the daughter of James Halpin & Sarah Jane Voakes.

He was living at 77 St. Catherine Street in St. Thomas with three children when he enlisted for service on June 26, 1916 in St. Thomas.

When his mother died in 1930, John was living in Ellsworth, Antrim County, Michigan. The 1930 census shows John W. Fleming and his wife Margaret living in South Arm Township, Charlevoix County, Michigan, where he is a farmer.  Their children were Robert, Anna, John, George and Thelma.

Earl Flueling

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Earl Flueling was born on June 17, 1897 at Port Burwell, the son of James Edward Flueling & Isabella Barnes (1870-1942).  James was born in Gainsborough, the son of Rice & Sarah Flueling and was farming in Bayham when he was married on December 25, 1888 in Houghton to Isabella Barnes, of Houghton, the daughter of William & Elizabeth Barnes.  They moved to Springfield where Isabella lived until her death in 1942.

Earl was employed as a machine hand and farmer in Springfield when he enlisted for service on March 15, 1918 in London.

When his mother died in 1942, Earl was living in Plymouth, Michigan. There is an Earl Fleuling found on the 1920 Michigan census in Detroit, age 22, born in Canada, emigrated to the US in 1919, employed as a builder.  On the 1930 census in Plymouth, Wayne County, there is an Earl Flueling, age 32, born Canada, emigrated to the US in 1927, proprietor of a garage, with his wife Marguerite M., age 23, born Michigan. They were married about 1928.

James Murray Forbes

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The name “James M. Forbes” is found in a list of names being prepared for the Elgin County Book of Remembrance, which was printed in the St. Thomas Times-Journal in 1927, under Bayham.

James Murray Forbes was born on October 12, 1897 in Melbourne, Australia, the son of Dr. Arthur Daniel Forbes and his wife Beatrice Agnes.

James emigrated to Canada at the age of 14 aboard the ship Empress of Ireland, leaving Liverpool, England and arriving at St. John, New Brunswick on February 17, 1912.  His destination was Corinth, to be a farm labourer.  His mother, Beatrice Agnes Forbes, also emigrated to Canada, leaving Avonmouth, England and arriving in Quebec on October 11, 1913. Her destination was also Corinth.

James’ brother, Charles Arthur Wellesley Forbes, was killed in action on June 23, 1916.

James was living on the 11th concession of Dereham township, Oxford County when he enlisted for service on January 12, 1916 in Tillsonburg.  He was a farm labourer and was not married.  He names his next of kin as his mother, Mrs. Beatrice Agnes Forbes, of Petrolia.

James died on October 29, 1966 and is buried in Tillsonburg cemetery with his wife, Inez Marie Ford. (1915-1966). His obituary appeared in the Tillsonburg News, November 2, 1966:

JAMES M. FORBES

James M. Forbes of 106 Baldwin St. W., Tillsonburg, passed away on Saturday, October 29, 1966, at his residence, in his 70th year.  His wife, the former Inez Marie Ford, predeceased him October 8, 1966.

He was a veteran of the First World War, going overseas with the 168th Battalion. He was a member of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church.

Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Conrad (Joan) George of Kinglake; Mrs. Arthur (Ruth Anne) Lonsbary of Tillsonburg, and Miss Bonnie Forbes at home; four sons, Daniel Forbes of Port Sydney; James Forbes Jr., of Hamilton; Donald Forbes and Alan Forbes of Tillsonburg; and two grandchildren.

Rested at the H. A. Ostrander and Son Funeral Home where service was held on Monday, October 31 at 2 p.m. conducted by Rev. R. D. MacDonald of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church.  Pallbearers were Raymond Pearce, Norm Moyer, R. M. Moir, Andrew Hutchison, Bill McGlynn and Bill Mackie. Interment in Tillsonburg Cemetery.

Earl Henson Ford

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Earl Ford was born on January 5, 1897 in Corinth, the son of William Mills Ford (1851-1924) & Elizabeth Hawley (1854-1934).  William was born in Bayham, the son of Thomas M. Ford & Mary Churman, and was a farming there when he was married on April 24, 1871 in Bayham to Elizabeth Hawley, a native of England living in Bayham, the daughter of James & Susan Hawley.  They are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

Earl was farming in Corinth when he was married on October 3, 1917 in Yarmouth to Hazel Olive Small, of St. Thomas, daughter of Samuel Small & Harriet Jerusha Partlow.

Earl and Hazel were living in Corinth when he enlisted for service on May 20, 1918 in London.

When his mother died in 1934, Earl was living in Calgary.

Harry Mills Ford

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Harry Mills Ford was born on April 27, 1889 at Corinth in Bayham township, the son of William Mills Ford (1851-1924) & Elizabeth Hawley (1854-1934). William was born in Bayham, the son of Thomas M. & Mary Ford, and was farming there when he was married on April 24, 1877 in Bayham to Elizabeth Hawley, a native of England living in Bayham, the daughter of James & Susan Hawley.  The family is found on the 1891, 1901 and 1911 census in Bayham.  William & Elizabeth are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

Harry was a student living at 117 Galley Ave., Toronto when he enlisted for service there on January 29, 1916.  He belonged to the Government’s Body Guard, and had served three months as a Private in the NCO class.

A photo of Harry with the following caption was printed in the East Elgin Tribune, December 28, 1916: “Sig. H. M. Ford, is a son of Mr. W. M. Ford, Corinth, and is well known to residents of this vicinity. He is a Victoria University graduate and enlisted with the 48th Highlanders. He took a course for artillery signallers on his arrival in England, and is now in France.”

Harry was discharged from service in 1917 as medically unfit and returned to Canada on November 30, arriving in Halifax. The passenger list bears the above service number, but it states his residence is Vancouver and that he is a farmer.

Harry was a barrister living in Toronto when he was married there on May 23, 1922 to Lulu Elsie Riddell, of 117 Jolly Ave., Toronto.

No further information is known.

William Orton Ford

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William Ford was born on September 11, 1891 at Griffin’s Corners in Bayham, the son of William H. Ford (1849-1942) & Livonia Orton (1849-1923).  William H. Ford was the son of James & Maria Ford, and was farming in Bayham when he was married there on April 26, 1876 to Livonia Orton, also of Bayham, daughter of William & Roxanna Orton. He was a cheesemaker at the time of his son William’s birth. They are buried in Eden cemetery.

William was living at Griffin’s Corners when he was married on November 27, 1912 in Woodhouse Township, Norfolk County to Alice Hammond, of Port Dover, the daughter of James Hammond & Annie Boulter.  

William was a farmer at Straffordville when he enlisted for service on October 12, 1915 in London with the Depot Regiment Canadian Mounted Rifles.

The East Elgin Tribune of October 5, 1916 reports that Pte. W. O. Ford has been taken prisoner of war.

Following the war, William moved to New York in 1919, where he is found on the 1920 census in the town of Ellicotville, Cattaragaus County with his wife Alice. He is a dairy farmer.  On the 1930 census, they are living in Buffalo where he is employed as an operator on the I.R.C. railway. They had two children, Robert J., and Gladys M.

William died on July 3, 1979 in Miami, Florida, at the age of 87.

Colin Forsyth

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Colin Forysth’s name appears on the cenotaph in Vienna.  His connection to Vienna is unknown, and the only Colin Forsyth found in the Attestation papers was born on October 29, 1892 at Muncey in Caradoc Township, Middlesex County, the son of John Forsyth and Margaret McGregor.  John was a native of Scotland, the son of Archibald & Mary Forsyth, and was a carpenter living in Caradoc when he was married on November 1, 1882 in Delaware to Margaret McGregor, of Caradoc, the daughter of John & Margaret McGregor.  John & Margaret are found on the 1901 census in Caradoc, and by the 1911 census, Colin was living in West Lorne, “lodging” with Charles & Jane Gardner.

Colin enlisted for service on June 17, 1915 in London.  He was a clerk, not married, and had served three years in the 39th Rifles.  He names his next of kin as his father, John, of 236 2nd Street, Detroit.

Colin returned from overseas in 1919, arriving in Montreal on May 22.

The 1930 US census shows a Colin Forsyth (single, born about 1893 in Canada) living in a boarding house in Jackson, Michigan, employed as a helper in a billiard hall. He emigrated to the United States in 1919. No further information is known.

Lloyd Foster

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The Aylmer Express of June 17, 1918 reports that Lloyd Foster was married to a nurse in England, after being a patient there for months.  A marriage registration was found for a Lloyd E. Foster to Flossie Blackwell in 1918 in Berkshire, England.

Lloyd Foster was born on November 9, 1885 at Port Rowan, Walsingham Township, Norfolk County, the son of J. Arthur Foster & Margaret J. Parks. They are buried in Port Royal Cemetery, Walsingham Township.

Lloyd was farming at Erie View when he was married on February 12, 1908 in Clear Creek to Etta Stephens (1885-1914), of Clear Creek, the daughter of William Stephens & Priscilla Davis.

Lloyd & Etta moved to Invermay, Saskatchewan where she died on October 25, 1914.

Lloyd was farming at Invermay when he enlisted for service there on February 16, 1916.  He names his next of kin as his father, Arthur, of Port Rowan. He returned from overseas in 1918, arriving in Quebec on October 7.

Thomas Herbert Foster

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Herbert  Foster was born on July 16, 1895 in Aylmer, the son of John Thomas Foster & Libbie Ford Prentice.  John Thomas Foster was born in England, the son of George & Mary Foster, but was living in Dereham Township, Oxford County when he was married in Brownsville on May 3, 1893 to Libbie Prentice, also of Dereham, the daughter of George & Sarah Prentice.

Herbert was a farmer living at R.R. #1 Aylmer when he enlisted for service on May 20, 1918 in London. He names his next of kin as this father, living in Los Angeles, California, who died in 1933 in San Francisco, California.  He is mentioned in an article in the Aylmer Express, June 6, 1918 with four other men from the Summers’ Corners area who were honored with a reception on the “eve of their departure to join the overseas forces”.

Herbert was living in Malahide when he was married on June 12, 1920 in Aylmer to Vera Lettie Learn (1898 – 2001), of Aylmer, the daughter of Philip H. Learn & Lettie H. Pick. Following their marriage, they lived at Summers Corners.

Herbert died on September 27,  1962 and is buried in Aylmer cemetery. His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, October 3, 1962:

THOS. H. FOSTER

A well-known retired Malahide Township farmer and a native of Aylmer, Thomas Herbert Foster, 177 Sydenham street east, died Thursday morning in the St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital. While he had been in hospital for three weeks, Mr. Foster had been in ailing health for two and a half years.

Mr. Foster rested at the Jas. H. Barnum Funeral Home where service was conducted Saturday afternoon by the Rev. Allan Logan of St. Paul’s Untied Church. During the service, Mrs. Ralph Stover sang “Good Night and Good Morning” accompanied at the piano by Mrs. Herbert Thompson.  Pallbearers were Kenneth Harper, Robert Learn, Morley Learn, Dane Learn, Bill Learn and Jack Learn, and the many beautiful floral tributes were carried by Allan Garnham, Elmer Mossey, Warren Davis, Raymond Light, Robert White, Myron Ashford, Clifford Pake and Martin Webber.  Interment was in Aylmer Cemetery.

Friends and relatives attended from Toronto, Mooretown, Windsor, Norwich, Tillsonburg, Ingersoll, Burgessville, Kingsmill, Mapleton, St. Thomas, Aylmer and district.

Born in Aylmer 67 years ago, Mr. Foster was the son of the late Thomas Foster and Libby Prentice. He had lived in Malahide Township for 46 years, moving to Aylmer last February.  In his earlier years he lived in California, Chicago and Saskatchewan. He was a member of St. Paul’s United Church.

Surviving are his wife, the former Vera Learn; one son, Donald Foster, R.R. 4 Aylmer; three daughters, Mrs. Robert (Pauline) Roberts, Aylmer; Mrs. William (Ruth) Nelson, Kingsmill; Mrs. Mac (Katharine) Howe, Kingston; one brother Robert Foster, Tacoma, Wash; three sisters, Mrs. Frank (Grace) Garnham; and Mrs. George (Marian) White, both of Tornoto; Mrs. Douglas (Roberta)  Moffatt, Edmonton. A sister, Mrs. Ethel Learn, of Aylmer, died in May, 1961.

William Andrew McIntosh Foy

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William Foy was born on July 28, 1866 in Springfield, the son of John Foy (1832-1883) & Adaliza Alvina McIntosh (1842-1887).  John was born in Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, Ireland, and was a shoemaker and tanner in Springfield.

The 1911 census shows a William Foy, born July 1866 in Ontario, living in Medicine Hat, Alberta.  He is a farmer and not married. This believed to be the same man.

William was not married and was a farmer when he enlisted for service on December 18, 1914 in Medicine Hat, Alberta.   He names his next of kin as his sister, Ethel Foy, of Penfield, Michigan. He gives his date of birth as July 28, 1873.

Another sister, Mrs. John (Bessie) Condon died in 1967 at Kingsmill in her 94th year.

William was married in 1918 to Annie Legge, in Hampshire, England. It appears they remained in England, where William died in 1942 at Folkestone, Kent, at the age of 76.

Laverne Lionel Franklin

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Laverne Franklin was born on June 14, 1894 at Port Bruce in Malahide, the son of John Isaac Franklin (1866-1943) & Mary Elizabeth Durdle.  John was born in Malahide, the son of Horatio Nelson Franklin & Ellen Griffin, and was living in Malahide when he was married on November 24, 1887 in South Dorchester to Mary Durdle, a native and resident of that township. She was the daughter of George & Mary Durdle.  They farmed in Malahide before moving to North Oxford Township, Oxford Co., where they appear on the 1911 census.

Laverne enlisted for service on January 14, 1916 in Ingersoll, where he was living.  He gives his father’s address as Port Bruce, so John may have returned to Malahide by that time.

Laverne was a farmer living in West Oxford Township, Oxford County when he was married on October 12, 1921 in Dereham Township to Flossie Lockey (1898 – 1978), a resident of Dereham, daughter of Edward Lockey & Emma Brookes.  When his father died in 1943, Laverne was residing at Ostrander.

Laverne died on August 8, 1966 and is buried in Mount Elgin cemetery, Dereham. In addition to the family monument, a military marker bears the following inscription: “Verne Franklin – Private – 168 Battn. C.E.F.  8 Aug 1966 – age 72″

His obituary appeared in the Tillsonburg News, August 10, 1966:

VERNE FRANKLIN

Verne Franklin of RR 2 Mount Elgin, passed away on Monday, August 8, 1966 at Westminster Hospital, London, in his 73rd year. Son of the late John Franklin and Mary Durdle, he was born at Port Bruce on June 14, 1894. He was married on October 12, 1921 at Dereham Centre to the former Flossie Lackey, who survives.

Surviving besides his wife are two cons, Cecil Franklin of Ostrander and Donald Franklin of RR 2 Mount Elgin; Mrs. Roy (Betty) Corbett of Woodstock; and Mrs. Phillip (Evelyn) Pearce of Cornell; one sister, Mrs. Olive Williams of London; 18 grandchildren and one great granddaughters. A daughter, Marjorie, predeceased him in 1953.

Resting at the G. A. Barrie Funeral Home where service will be held in the chapel on Wednesday, August 10 at 2 p.m. conducted by Rev. J. E. Burr. Interment in Mount Elgin Cemetery.

John Lyle Fraser

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John Fraser was born on March 21, 1897 in Bayham township, the son of James Fraser & Mary L. Jones.  James was born in Eden, the son of John & Laura Louisa Fraser and was farming there when he was married on July 18, 1895 in Aylmer to Mary Lovina Jones, a native of Drumbo living in Bayham, the daughter of John & Mary Jones.  They later moved to Brantford where they lived at 247 Nelson Street.

John first enlisted for service on June 26, 1915 at Niagara Camp.  He was a machinist living with his parents at 247 Nelson Street, Brantford. He states he was born at Corinth. It appears he did not serve at this time, as another attestation paper exists when he enlisted for service on April 29, 1918 in Toronto.  He was still living at the same address, and was a tool maker.  It states he had no previous military experience.  On this document, he gives his place of birth as Straffordville.

John moved to the United States in 1920, settling in Michigan.  He is found on the 1930 census in Ferndale, Oakland County, Michigan, with his wife Helen.  He is employed as a tool & die maker in an automobile factory.

United States Social Security death records show a John L. Fraser, born March 21, 1897, with a date of death of October 1950, the SSN being issued in Michigan.

Percy William Robert Freeman

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Percy Freeman was born on June 20, 1897 in Cork, Ireland.  He emigrated to Canada as a “Home Child”, departing from Liverpool, England on April 5, 1912 aboard the ship “Empress of Ireland”. He arrived in St. John April 13, 1912, and was with a party from Fegan’s Home.  Their destination was Toronto.

Percy was a farmer living in Aylmer when he enlisted for service there on November 15, 1915.  He was a member of the 30th Battery C.F.A.  He was not married, and names his next of kin as his grandmother, Mrs. Sarah Freeman, of 10 Winfield Street, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, England.

Percy’s grandparents, George & Sarah Freeman, both age 60, are found on the 1901 England census living at 10 Winfield Street, Dunstable, Bedfordshire. George was a mechanical engineer.

Percy went overseas with the 91st Battalion, and returned to Canada in 1919, arriving in Halifax on September 12.

No further information can be found.

Captain William Paul Freeman, M.D.

Dr. Freeman was born on April 5, 1887 in Ingersoll, Ontario, the son Frank Farish Freeman & Mary Charlotte Rowe.  Frank was the son of Thomas Freeman & Jane Campbell, and was living in Ingersoll when he was married on January 1, 1887 in London Township to Mary Rowe, of the Township of London, daughter of William Rowe & Mary Kennedy. The family moved to Lucknow, Ontario, where Dr. Freeman was living when he enlisted for service on January 28, 1916 in London with the Canadian Army Medical Corps.  He served overseas until he was invalided home due to an appendicitis operation.  He returned to Canada on December 28, 1917, arriving in St. John, New Brunswick.

Dr. Freeman was living in Listowel, Ontario when he was married on November 7, 1921 in Lucknow to Marion Adair (1885-1975), a native of Vancouver living in Listowel, the daughter of Edward Adair & Flora Laughlin. Dr. & Mrs. Freeman moved to Springfield where he was the village’s only physician from 1922 to 1963.  He died on December 31, 1964 and is buried in Springfield cemetery.  His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, January 6, 1965:

Dr. W. P. Freeman

SPRINGFIELD – A large number of friends and relatives from Lucknow, Orillia, Kitchener, Belmont, Aylmer and Springfield areas paid their last respects to Dr. William Paul Freeman, M.D., at the Ross Shaw Funeral Home here Saturday afternoon. The Rev. Ronald Matthewman of Trinity Anglican Church, Aylmer, conducted the service.  Interment was in the Springfield Cemetery.

Dr.  Freeman, 78, died in Westminster Hospital at London, Ont., on Thursday, Dec. 31. He had been ill for year.  The pallbearers were James Armstrong, Howard Ross, Leo Connor, Clayton Charlton, Ross Gracey and Jack Hodgson Jr., and the many floral tributes were carried by Kenneth Moore, Frank Walker, Earl Boughner, Clifford Summerhayes, Frank Lamb and Harry Barons.

The village’s only resident medical doctor, Dr. Freeman practiced until about a year ago when he entered hospital.  He was born in Ingersoll in 1887, and graduated from the University of Western Ontario Medical School in London, in 1914, and immediately enlisted in the Canadian Army Medical Corps. He served overseas until the Armistice in 1918 and returned with the rank of Captain. He came to Springfield to practice his profession in 1922.

Dr. Freeman was a member of Corinthian Lodge 330 A.F. & A.M. in Lambeth, Ont., a member of Trinity Anglican Church in Aylmer, and a member of Col. Talbot Branch 81 of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Surviving are his widow, the former Marion Adair and a son, Paul, both of Kitchener, and a sister, Mrs. Wesley (Edith) Jooynt of Lucknow.

Eldred Philip Frost

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Philip Frost was born on June 25, 1897 in St. Winnow, Cornwall, England, the son of John & Mary J. Frost. They are found on the 1901 England census living in St. Winnow, Cornwall, where John is a gardener.

Passenger lists show an Eldred Frost, age 16, emigrating to Canada in 1914 on the ship Tyrolia, sailing from Liverpool and arriving in St. John, New Brunswick on April 2.  It states his destination is what looks like is a misspelling of “Harrietsville” where he will work in a cheese factory.

Philip  was living at RR #2 Springfield, employed as a cheesemaker when he enlisted for service on May 20, 1918 in London. He gives his address as “care of J. W. Boyce”.  He names his next of kin as his father, John Frost, of Lostwithiel, St. Winnow, England.

A passenger list shows a Philip Frost returning to Canada on April 26, 1926 on the ship Montrose, sailing from Liverpool and arriving in Montreal.  It states he was born in Lostwithiel, England, and had lived at Harriestville from 1914 to 1925. He is 28 years old and not married.

No further information is known.

John Emery Fulkerson

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John Fulkerson was born on September 20, 1899 at Mabee’s Corners, Middleton Township, Norfolk County, the son of George Fulkerson & Mabel Birdsall.  George was born in Middleton Township, the son of David Fulkerson & Susan Dean, and was living at Guysborough when he was married on November 30, 1898 in Courtland to Mabel Birdsall, of Kinglake, the daughter of John Birdsall & Eliza Byer.

John was a farmer living in Bayham at RR #1 Corinth when he enlisted for service on May 30, 1917 in St. Thomas.  He names his next of kin as his mother, Mabel Innes Fulkerson, of the same address.  He joined the 25th Regiment Overseas Company, C.E.F.

John died on August 11, 1969, and is buried in New Delmer Cemetery, Delmer Ontario.  The inscription on his monument reads:

“John E. Fulkerson Lance Corporal Canadian Army 11 August 1969, age 69″

His obituary appeared in the Tillsonburg News, August 15, 1969:

JOHN EMERY FULKERSON

John Emery Fulkerson died at Elmvale, Ontario, on Monday, August 11. He was in his 70th year.  He was born at Mabee’s Corners on September 20, 1899. He was the husband of the late Gladys Freeman Fulkerson.

Surviving are two sisters, Mrs. John (Pearl) Smith of Brownsville, and Mrs. James (Bernice) Mead of Woodstock; one brother, James Fulkerson of London, and one niece and one nephew.

Rested at the Barrie Armstrong Funeral Home, where service was held in the chapel on Thursday, August 14 at 2 p.m., conducted by Rev. Roy Sidebottom of Delhi Baptist church. Interment in Delmer cemetery.

Thomas William Fuller

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photo courtesy of Elgin County Archives

Thomas Fuller was born on October 17, 1898 in Finsbury Park, London, England.  He was a farmer living at Springfield when he enlisted for service on April 3, 1916 in St. Thomas.  He names his next of kin as his mother, Mrs. Lettie Fuller, City Road, London, England. The Book of Remembrance states he was the son of William & Anna Fuller, and served with the 38th Battalion in France, and was wounded at the Somme.

There is record of a Thomas Fuller, born about 1899 who emigrated to Canada as a “Home Child” at the age of 14, leaving Liverpool on March 8, 1913 on the ship “Canada” and arriving at Halifax on March 17, 1913.  He was in Dr. Stephenson’s party whose destination was Hamilton.  This may be the above Thomas William Fuller.

An article about Thomas’ war experiences was printed in the Aylmer Express, June 7, 1917:

SPRINGFIELD MAN DRANK OWN BLOOD TO SAVE HIS LIFE

Went out to Rescue Comrade and Had Thrilling Experience in No Man’s Land

Lost his arm, but was Later Rescued

“It’s sure some experience, but I don’t think  it would be possible to describe it.  Marching for ten days with nothing but beans and hard tack for Christmas dinner is going some”, declared Pte. T. W. Fuller, a native of London, England, but who made his home at home at A. Lindsay’s farm near Springfield, where he had resided for nearly five years prior to going overseas with the 91st Battalion, as he arrived last week, minus his left arm, which he lost in trying to save a wounded comrade.

Pte. Fuller has a spirit for which it would be hard to find an equal, and the bravery shown by him during his experience at the front, although he takes it as a matter of course, and refuses to say much about it, must have been such that it would be difficult to describe it. When he enlisted, he had seen no previous service, but on arrival in England he took the next opportunity and was at the front in fourteen days after his arrival in an English camp. He went to Kemmel, near Ypres, where he was stationed for two days, after which he went into the trenches and received his baptism of fire. He was in the trenches for sixteen days and then went to a rest camp for a few days, afterwards marching to the Somme. He spent ten days on the road, arriving there in the middle of November.

He went over the trenches and took part in several engagements, returning somewhere about Christmas of last year to Vimy Ridge. On the way, the march taking nearly a week, he enjoyed his Christmas dinner, which consisted of beans and hardtack, to use his own expression. They had , he says, lost nearly two thirds of the battalion on November 18, and after reinforcements had arrived, they went into an attack on the Vimy Ridge. After two days in the trenches during which there had been some hard fighting and several men had been lost, he was asked by the officer commanding to go over the top of the trench about two o’clock in the afternoon to rescue one of his comrades, who was lying on the barbed wire entanglements. Not hesitating for one minute, he and another young fellow went out to what appeared to be certain death, for the German trenches were not many yards away, and between the two lay nothing but a barren plot of land, covered with barbed wire. They got about half way to their unfortunate comrade when the Germans saw them and opened fire. Both Pte. Fuller and his companion dropped the stretcher and lay flat on the ground, but after several shots the Germans finally located the range and fired again. This time an explosive bullet found its mark, for it struck his companion right between the eyes, and he died before he had time to finish exclaiming, “They’ve got me!”

The bullet travelled after striking the first young man, and struck Pte. Fuller in his left shoulder, blowing his arm off and causing other injuries to his shoulder. He at once rolled over into a shell hole near by and for nearly two hours he lay there drinking his own blood, mingled with muddy water which lay in the hole. Drinking the blood, the doctors afterwards told him, was the only thing that saved his life. He was, they said, drinking the blood just as fast as he was losing it and thereby saved himself from exhaustion.

He was rescued later in the afternoon by his commanding officer.

The St. Thomas Journal of June 16, 1917 contains a photograph of Pte. Fuller, but his first name is incorrectly given as “James”.  The headline reads “Springfield Soldier is Home From War”. The caption states: “Pte. James Fuller of Springfield, who returned from the front recently, minus his left arm, amputated as the result of a severe explosion while attempting to rescue a wounded comrade”.

Thomas returned from overseas on May 21, 1917, arriving in Halifax.  His address is given as St. Thomas, a farmer. His left arm had been amputated.

No further information is known.

William Peter Fyfe

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William Fyfe was born on November 19, 1894 at Harriston in Minto Township, Wellington County, the son of James Fyfe & Margaret Davidson.  The family moved to the Orwell area.

William was farming in the Orwell area when he was married in Harrietsville on February 28, 1918 to Harriett Ida Ann Lapham, of Mossley, the daughter of Achillias A. Lapham & Harriet H. Keast.

He was farming at R.R. #4 Aylmer when he enlisted for service on May 20, 1918 in London.  

He was living at lot 18, concession 9, Malahide in 1920, but moved to Pontiac, Michigan about 1924 where he and his family are found on the 1930 census.  He is employed as a motorman on a street car. They had four children at the time: Marjory, 11; Helen, 9; Gerald, 5; and Betty, 2.

William died in December 1982 in Pontiac, Michigan.

William & Ann Fyfe’s 50th anniversary was reported in the Aylmer Express, March 13, 1968:

FORMER AREA COUPLE MARRIED 50 YEARS

Former residents of this district, Mr and Mrs William Fyfe of 22 Lexington, Pontiac, Mich., were married 50 years on February 28 and the occasion was celebrated when they held a reception on Sunday, March 3.  There were 100 friends sign the register at the reception, which was held in the Federal Saving and Loan Building.  They came from Tillsonburg, Windsor, Aylmer, Hamilton, Guelph and Wingham.

Mr and Mrs Fyfe were married by the Rev. Mr. Veal at Harrietsville, the bride of half a century ago being Ann Lapham, daughter of Mr and Mrs Achilla Lapham at whose home the ceremony was performed.  At the time of their wedding, Mr. Fyfe was working for a dairy farmer and Holstein cattle breeder in the area.  He was born at Harriston, Ontario on November 19, 1894, his parents being Mr and Mrs James Fyfe. The family moved to Orwell where they operated the general store from 1900 to 1922.  Ill health forced retirement and the family moved to Windsor where Mr. Fyfe became a motorman on the Detroit Urban Railway, plying between Detroit and Pontiac. Eventually he went with Fisher Body Plant Protection and retired in 1959.

Mr and Mrs Fyfe have three daughters, Mrs. Marjorie James, Mrs. Helen McFarland and Mrs. Betty Cole, all in the Pontiac area, and a son, Gerald, in Royal Oak, Mich. They are proud of 12 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.  Both Mr and Mrs Fyfe are active in their lodges.  Mr. Fyfe is a member of Pontiac Masonic Lodge and also the Royal Arch Masons, Amaranth and Low 12 Lodges.  Mrs. Fyfe is a member of the Star Chapter, Rebekahs and Amaranth Lodges.

Frank Aberdeen Gardner

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Frank Gardner was born on June 23, 1893 in Tillsonburg, the son of George Herbert Gardner (1862-1926) & Nanna (Nancy) Ophelia Tricker (1862-1918).  George was the son of George & Mary Gardner and was a miller living in Dereham Township, Oxford County when he was married there on June 19, 1889 to Nanna (Nancy) Tricker, also of Dereham, the daughter of Robert & Frances Tricker.

George operated a flour & grist mill in Springfield and Aylmer in the late 1890s and early 1900s.  The family is found on the 1901 census in Aylmer. They moved to Hamilton where they are found on the 1911 census. Later, the family moved to Matheson in Bowman Township, Cochrane District.  George died in 1926 in Hamilton.

Frank was a farmer living at Matheson Station when he enlisted for service on February 20, 1918 in Toronto.  He lists his next of kin as his mother, Nancy Gardner of Box 14, Matheson, Ontario.  

A letter from Frank was published in the Aylmer Express, January 23, 1919:

FRANK GARDNER IS AT MONS

Former Aylmer and Bayham Boy Expects to March to the Rhine in Socks from Bayham Friend

Miss Mattie Moore has received the following interesting letter from Frank Gardner, son of G. H. Gardner, a former resident of Bayham, and who some years ago was an Aylmer miller.

Mons, Belgium, Dec. 5th, 1918

Dear Mattie:

Received your welcome letter and sure was pleased to hear from you. The “flu” must be taking quite a few from around that way. It has been raging in England, but I think it has abated there now.

We are located in the centre of the city of Mons. Our division has the honor of taking this famous place. It is quite quaint in its ways. They have a beautiful cathedral built in 1576. I was all through it. The carvings and paintings are most wonderful. We are located in good billets. Our battalion is in what was a German hospital, good beds, electric lights and nice and warm. It is a big change from dugouts, shell holes and trenches, and we certainly appreciate it too.

I suppose Solomon would not see any active service. It certainly is exciting at time, I was through some awful battles and witnessed some dreadful scenes. I got a few slight hits and scratches, and am real thankful to be whole.

We couldn’t believe it when we got orders to cease fire, but as time went on we began to realize it was true. You can imagine what it was like, when everything was a roar and then absolute quietness. We were after Fritz until the last moment.

I received the box you mentioned today; my goodness it is good, don’t know which I liked the best. It just made me feel as if I was home in mother’s pantry, after being starved for about a year. Really you can’t imagine how we boys appreciate a box of eats. We expect to march to the Rhine, so will wear the sox your mother knit. Will write to the Women’s Institute and acknowledge the box.

Will be only too pleased to make you a visit when I get back. Guess I’ll say bye bye for the present. Best regards to your mother and write soon, same as ever,

Your affectionate friend, Frank G.

Frank returned from overseas in 1919, arriving in Halifax on March 20.  Information posted on the Internet regarding the Gardner family states that Frank died in 1962.

Linus Cuthbert Garnham

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photo courtesy of Elgin County Archives

Linus Garnham was born on February 1, 1895 in Middleton Township, Norfolk County according to his birth registration, but his attestation paper and marriage record give his place of birth as Straffordville.  He was the son of William Fenn Garnham & Eva Isabella Cuthbertson.  William was born in Bayham township, the son of George Garnham & Mary Ann Fenn.  He and his wife Eva moved to Lambton County and are buried in Wyoming Cemetery in Plympton Township there.

Linus was a locomotive fireman living at Wanstead in Lambton County with his parents when he enlisted for service on February 17, 1916 in St. Thomas.

Linus returned from overseas in 1917, arriving in Quebec on August 24.  He later  moved to Luton in Malahide Township where he was farming when he was married on July 9, 1919 in Luton to Edna Hawley (1900-1996), the daughter of John Hawley & Bertha Boyd.  Their son Ray Hawley was killed in action in 1944.

Linus died on December 14,  1982 and is buried with his wife in Aylmer cemetery.  His obituary appeared in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, December 14, 1982:

LINUS GARNHAM SERVED WITH 91ST

Linus G. Garnham, one of the few surviving veterans of the 91st Battalion, passed away today, Tuesday, Dec. 14, 1982, at the Thomas Williams Home. Mr. Garnham, formerly of 84 Gladstone Avenue, was 87.

Born Feb. 1, 1895 in Bayham Township, the son of the late William and Eva (Cuthbertson) Garnham, the retired farmer had lived in St. Thomas from the mid 1940s. He previously lived in Mount Salem.

Mr. Garnham served overseas with the 91st Battalion during the First World War. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Lord Elgin Branch 41, St. Thomas.

He is survived by his wife, the former Edna Hawley, of Alma College Valleyview Home for the Aged satellite residence; two daughters, Mrs. Ivan (Hazel) Simpson, of 84 Gladstone Avenue, and Mrs. Ruby Robertson, of 31 Parkside Drive; a brother, Frederick, of Forest; two sisters, Mrs. Eva Culley, of Sarnia; and Mrs. Elmer (Janet) Gardner, of Crosswell, Mich.; five grandchildren and several great grandchildren.

A son, Ray, was killed overseas with the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. A brother, George, of St. Thomas, died Dec. 4.

Resting from 2 p.m. Wednesday at the L. B. Sifton Funeral Home, 118 Wellington Street, for services 1:30 on Thursday. Rev. Chris Vanderwater, of Edward Street Baptist Church, to officiate. Interment in the family plot at Aylmer cemetery.

Robert E. W. Garnham

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Robert Garnham was born on March 23, 1895 in Bayham, the son of John Garnham (1825-1899) & Celestia A. Conway (1857-1932).  John was born in England, the son of Robert & Mariah Garnham was a widower, farming in Bayham when he was married on September 22, 1892 in Port Burwell to Celestia Conway, a native of Warwick Township, Lambton County, living in Howard Township, Kent County. She was the daughter of David & Celestia Conway.  They are buried in Guysborough Cemetery.

Robert was a farmer living at Straffordville when he enlisted for service on May 14, 1918 in London.

He was married on December 26, 1930 to Florence Alta Grass (1904-1986), the daughter of John Grass of Vienna.

Robert died in 1974 and is buried with his wife in Guysborough Cemetery.

Levi Garton

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Levi Garton was born on October 9, 1896 in North Dorchester Township, Middlesex County, the son of William H. Garton & Hannah Wallace, according to his birth registration.  However, on his attestation paper he states he was born in South Dorchester township, date unknown.  The family is found on the 1901 census in Westminster Township, Middlesex County, and in 1911 in West Oxford Township, Oxford County.  His parents are buried in Dorchester Union Cemetery.

Levi was a farmer living with his parents at R.R. #2 Mount Elgin when he enlisted for service on October 1, 1918.  He was a carpenter living in Dereham Township when he was married on February 10, 1920 in Ingersoll to Ella Ada Corbett, also of Dereham, the daughter of Thomas Corbett & Mary Dorland.

Levi died on August 20, 1955, and is buried in Harris Street Cemetery, Ingersoll.  His obituary appeared in the Ingersoll Tribune, August 25, 1955:

TWO LOCAL MEN DIE FROM CAR-TRUCK CRASH SATURDAY

A well-known resident of Ingersoll in the person of Levi Garton, was pronounced dead on arrival at Alexandra Hospital, on Saturday afternoon, following a three-car collision at Centreville, on No. 2 Highway. A passenger in the Garton car, Jack Costin, 57, also of Ingersoll, suffered minor injuries in the accident, which demolished the westbound car driven by Garton. The car was in collision with an eastbound half-ton truck driven by James Sharpe, who succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday.

Mr. Garton, who was in his 59th year, was born in West Oxford, and had been a life-long resident of Ingersoll. His wife predeceased him two years ago. Surviving are one son, Stanley Jr., of Ingersoll; two daughters, Mrs. Rose Roberts, London, and Miss Violet Garton, Ingersoll; seven brothers, Stanley and Bert Garton, both of Ingersoll; William, Chatham; Herbert, Hamilton; Ray, Clarence and Henry, Burgessville; and six sisters: Mrs. Minnie Murphy, London; Mrs. Arthur Reeve, Mrs. Mabel Lennox, and Mrs. Pearl Knutt, all of Woodstorck; Mrs. Carl Mitchell, Simcoe and Mrs. Leslie Quant, of London.

The funeral was held from the Walker Funeral Home, King St. West, on Tuesday afternoon where service was conducted at 3:30 o’clock, with Rev. Murray MacDonald of Trinity United Church officiating. The service was largely attended and there were many floral offerings. Pallbearers who also acted as flower bearers were Clare Nutt, Jack Lennox, George Poyntz, John Minard, Tom Watmouth, John Moss. Interment was made in the Harris Street Cemetery.

Sgt. Gilbert Gaskell

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The name Gilbert Gaskell is found in a list of members of Trinity Anglican Church serving overseas, printed in the Aylmer Express, October 7, 1916. 

Gilbert was born on December 16, 1891 at Blackburn, Lancashire, England, the son of William Gaskell & Elizabeth Anna Swift (1854-1925) (daughter of Thomas Swift & Esther Pickup).  The family is found on the 1901 census at Witton, Blackburn, Lancashire, where William is a cotton mill manager.

Gilbert emigrated to Canada at the age of 18 on the ship Dominion, arriving in Quebec on October 17, 1910.  His occupation in England was a bookkeeper, and the passenger list indicates his destination is Tillsonburg, where he intends to be a machinist.

It appears his parents also emigrated at this time, as they are found on the 1911 census in Tillsonburg.  W. Gaskell is a foundry engineer, and the census indicates the family emigrated in 1910.

Gilbert was employed as a teller at the Royal Bank in Aylmer when he enlisted.

Gilbert enlisted for service on April 1, 1916 in Tillsonburg.  He was a bank clerk and was not married. He names his next of kin as his mother, Elizabeth A. Gaskell, of Tillsonburg.

Following the war, Sgt. Gilbert Gaskell of the 168th Battalion returned to Canada, arriving in Halifax on September 14, 1919.  His residence is given as Hamilton.

His name is found on two other passenger lists.  On August 24, 1926, he arrived in New York, sailing from Havana, Cuba.  He was 34 years old, single, and had previously lived between 1910 and 1916 in Tillsonburg and Aylmer.  Then, on July 27, 1930 he arrived in Montreal, having sailed from Southampton, England.  The passenger lists states he had lived at Tillsonburg between 1910 and 1916.

His mother Elizabeth, a native of Houghton, Lancashire, died on January 13, 1925 at 54 Roslyn Ave., Hamilton.

Gilbert died on July 31, 1969, and is buried in Woodland Cemetery, East Flamborough Township, Wentworth County. His obituary appeared in the Hamilton Spectator, August 1, 1969:

GASKELL, Gilbert – At the Henderson General Hospital on Thursday, July 31, 1969, Gilbert Gaskell, 54 Roslyn Avenue North, in his 78th year. Dear brother of Mrs. F. P. Gothard (Annie) of Hamilton and Percy Gaskell in Chicago. Mr. Gaskell was retired from the Royal Bank of Canada and was a member of Grace Anglican Church. Resting at Truscott Brothers Funeral Home, 1309 King Street East (at the Delta) until Saturday, Aug. 2 at 9 a.m. Funeral service at Grace Anglican Church at 10 a.m. Interment in Woodland Cemetery.

Clayton Gates

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Clayton Gates was born on January 10, 1897 in Bayham, the son of Peter Clark Gates (1869-1963) & Rosa Bell Gordon (1871-1941).  Peter was born in Houghton township, the son of George & Emily J. Gates, and was farming there when he was married on March 6 [or 16], 1892 in Bayham to Rosa Gordon, a native of Walsingham township living in Bayham, the daughter of David & Jane Gordon.  They are buried in St. Luke’s cemetery, Vienna.

Clayton was a farmer living with his parents at RR #2 Wilton Grove when he enlisted for service on May 20, 1918 in London.  He returned from overseas in 1919, arriving in Halifax on August 23. 

He was farming in Westminster township when he was married on November 19, 1919 in Belmont to Clara Luella Baker (1899-1973), a native of Lasalette living in Yarmouth, the daughter of Lewis & Sara Ann Baker.

Clayton died on May 10, 1970 and is buried with his wife in Pond Mills Cemetery, London. His obituary appeared in the London Free Press, May 11, 1970:

GATES – At Victoria Hospital on Sunday, May 10, 1970, Clayton, beloved husband of Clara (Baker) Gates, of 150 Ross St., Dorchester. Dear father of Lewis Kenneth, Mrs. Doreen Heroux all of London, and Mrs. Geraldine Corbiel of Burlington. Also survived by 10 grandchildren. In his 74th year. Funeral services in the Evans Funeral Home, 648 Hamilton Rd., on Wednesday, May 13 at 1:30 p.m. Interment in Pond Mills Cemetery. Auspices of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Cecil Carey Gavey

Cecil Gavey is found in a photograph printed in the Aylmer Express in 1972 honoring World War I veterans. 

Cecil C. Gavey was born on February 20, 1897 on the Isle of Guernsey, the son of Walter Gavey & Clara Naftel.  He served in the war prior to emigrating to Canada in 1922.  He served in the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry, and  received the Victory Medal. His service number was 1676. Prior to emigrating, he was married to Elsie Carroll (Carrel), also of Guernsey, the daughter of Joseph Edward Carrel & Mary Jane Norman.

Cecil & Elsie boarded the ship Saxonia at the port of Guernsey on February 15, 1922, and arrived in Halifax in March. Upon arriving in Canada, Mr. & Mrs. Gavey farmed on the 10th concession of South Dorchester Township. He later lived in Aylmer where he was employed at Canadian Canners Ltd.

He died on June 3, 1976 at the age of 79, and is buried in Aylmer Cemetery with his wife Elsie D. Carroll (1900 – 1993). His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, June 9, 1976:

CECIL GAVEY

Cecil Carey Gavey of 49 Chestnut Street West, Aylmer, died at St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital on Thursday, June 3. He was 79 years of age. Mr. Gavey was born on the Isle of Guersnsey on February 20, 1897. He was a son of the late Walter Gavey and Clara Naftel.  He came to Canada in 1922 and was a foreman with Canadian Canners Ltd., Aylmer, until his retirement in 1962.

Mr. Gavey lived in Aylmer for the past 35 years and formerly resided in Springfield. He was a World War One veteran and a member of Col. Talbot Branch 81, Royal Canadian Legion.

He is survived by his wife, the former Elsie Carroll; six sons, George Gavey of Aylmer; Stanley Gavey of Aylmer; Donald Gavey of Belleville; Raymond Gavey of Orono; Max Gavey of Kingston and James Gavey of Ottawa; one daughter, Mrs. William (Eunice) Chipchase of Aylmer; four brothers and two sisters on the Isle of Guernsey; 18 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

The funeral service was held at H. A. Kebbel Funeral Home, Aylmer, on Monday, June 7, conducted by the Rev. Gordon Woodcock of Aylmer Baptist church.  Pallbearers were Willard Plato, Frank Irish, John Bradford, Clinton Kipp, Percy Gordon and Bert Mills.  Flower bearers were Gary Gavey, Ralph Gavey, Tom Gavey, Tim Gavey, Jeff Gavey, David Chipchase and John Shelley.  Burial was in Aylmer cemetery.

Sidney Gibson

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Sidney Gibson was born on January 29, 1896 in Kenningham, Yorkshire, England.  He is found on the 1901 England census living with his uncle and aunt, George & Ann Tubb, in Oldham, Lancashire.

Sydney emigrated to Canada in 1911, sailing from Liverpool on the ship Virginian, and arriving in Halifax on March 11.  Accompanying him were Arthur, Emily and Eleanor Gibson. Their destination on the passenger list is Aylmer. 

Sidney was farming in Bayham when he enlisted for service on May 20, 1918 in London.  He names his next of kin as his uncle, Arthur Gibson, of RR #1 Aylmer. 

Arthur Gibson (1884-1931) was also born in Kenningham, Yorkshire,  the son of John Gibson.  Arthur emigrated to Canada in 1911 and first lived at lot 35, concession 6 on the Bayham-Malahide townline. He is buried in Richmond west cemetery.

Sidney returned from overseas in 1919, arriving in Halifax on September 10. He  was living at lot 31, concession 7, Malahide in 1943. He married Lily Portsmouth (1894-1983).

He died on October 30, 1960 and is buried in with his wife Richmond west cemetery. His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, November 2, 1960:

SYDNEY GIBSON

A resident of Bayham for 18 years and previously of Corinth, Sydney Gibson, 64, died in Tillsonburg Memorial Hospital Sunday evening. He had been ailing for three years.  Mr. Gibson was born in Yorkshire, England, January 29, 1896. He was employed by the Ontario Department of Highways. A veteran of World War I, Mr. Gibson served overseas with the 4th Battalion. He was an adherent of the Anglican Church. His parents were the late Mr and Mrs William Jibson who lived for some years in Malahide Township.

Surviving are his wife, the former Lily Portsmouth; one son, Frederick Gibson of Springfield; one daughter, Mrs. Howard (Marjorie) Burwell, RR 1 Port Burwell; three brothers, Percy Jibson, RR 1 Aylmer; Robert Jibson, RR 1 Sparta; Reginald Jibson, RR 2 Aylmer; two sisters, Mrs. Lee (Nellie) Putnam, Lyons; Mrs. Murray (Mary) Buckler, Port Bruce; eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Service was held this afternoon at the Hughson Funeral Home in Aylmer. Burial followed in Richmond Cemetery.

Edwin Stewart Gifford

Edwin Gifford was born in August 1884 at Griffin’s Corners in Bayham, the son of Alonzo Richard Gifford (1853-1895) & Rosa Reynolds Stewart (1852-1912).  Alonzo was the son of Edward & Mary Ann Gifford, and was farming in South Dorchester when he was married on April 24, 1877 in St. Thomas to Rosa Stewart, a widow, also of South Dorchester, the daughter of Simon & Ellen Reynolds.  Alonzo & Rosa are buried in Claus Cemetery, Bayham.

Edwin was a sailor when he enlisted for service on November 27, 1914 in Toronto.  He had served three years in the 39th Rifles and four years in the U.S. Navy.  He belonged to the 2nd Dragoons.  He names his next of kin as Ella Andrews, of 104 Crawford Ave., Windsor, but the relationship is not stated.  No regimental number is given on his attestation paper.

Very little information is known about Edwin following the war.  In the Oakland Cemetery in Mosa Township, Middlesex County, there is a Maude M. Wilson (1887-1929), wife of Edwin S. Gifford.  Edwin’s dates are not inscribed on the monument.

Sgt. John Kenneth Gifford

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John Gifford was born on November 18, 1893 in Bayham, the son of Alonzo Richard Gifford (1853-1895) & Rosa Reynolds (1853-1912).  Alonzo was the son of Edward & Mary Ann Gifford, and was living in South Dorchester township when he was married on April 24, 1878 in St. Thomas to Rosa Stewart, a widow, the daughter of Simon & Ellen Reynolds. Alonzo & Rosa are buried in Claus Cemetery, Bayham township.  

John moved to Windsor and was employed as a railroad switchman when he enlisted for service on November 27, 1914 in Toronto.  He returned from overseas on January 18, 1919, landing in Halifax.  His destination was to his sister’s in Windsor. He later moved to Buffalo, New York, where he lived was living at 42 Elk Street when he applied for a delayed birth registration in 1958.  He died in January 1974 in Buffalo, New York.

Albert Frederick Gill

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Albert Gill was born on November 25, 1889 in Aylmer,  the son of Joseph Gill & Jane Smithson.  Joseph was an upholsterer.  He and Jane were both born in England, and are found with their children on the 1891 census in Aylmer. They moved to Ingersoll, where they are found on the 1901 census. Prior to 1910, the family moved to Manitoba where Joseph & Jane are found on the 1911 census in Brandon.

Albert enlisted for service on February 10, 1917 in Winnipeg.  He names his next of kin as his mother, Mrs. J. Gill, of 148 13th Street, Brandon, Manitoba.  Albert was a carpenter and was single.  He belonged to the Permanent Force when he enlisted.

Albert returned from overseas in 1919, arriving in Halifax on May 29.  He may have moved to British Columbia following the war. There is a death record for an Albert Frederick Gill in Vancouver on January 14, 1975, aged 85.

Herbert Henry Gill

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Herbert Gill was born on March 11, 1883 in Aylmer, the son of Joseph Gill & Jane Smithson.  Joseph was an upholsterer.  He and Jane were both born in England, and are found with their children on the 1891 census in Aylmer. They moved to Ingersoll, where they are found on the 1901 census. Prior to 1910, the family moved to Manitoba where Joseph & Jane are found on the 1911 census in Brandon.

Herbert moved on to British Columbia where he was married on September 25, 1907 in Rossland, to Agnes Blanche Hobbs (1884-1957). Herbert is found on the 1911 census with his wife Agnes Blanche in Rossland City, Kootenay, British Columbia.  He is a salesman.

Herbert enlisted for service on May 18, 1915 at Vernon Camp, British Columbia.  He was married and was a salesman. He names his next of kin as Mrs. A. B. Gill, of 2316 Burns Street, Vancouver.  

Agnes Blanche died in Vancouver on January 15, 1957 at the age of 73.  Herbert also died in Vancouver, on October 14, 1965 at the age of 81.

William Henry Girvin

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William Girvin was born on November 12, 1896 at Marston in Walsingham Township, Norfolk County,  the son of John Ashley Girvin (1860 – 1934) & Caroline White (1871 – 1940).  John Girvin was born in Walsingham Township, the son of John & Jane, and was a blacksmith living in Middleton Township when he was married on December 19, 1888 in Courtland to Caroline White, also of Middleton, the daughter of William & Martha White.  They are buried in Bethel Methodist Episcopal Cemetery, Middleton Township.

William was a farmer living at Straffordville when he enlisted for service on May 20, 1918 in London. He names his next of kin as his father, of RR #1 Straffordville.  He returned from overseas in 1919, arriving in Halifax on August 23.

William died on December 17, 1957 and is buried in Straffordville cemetery with his wife Dora Irene Curtis (1912-1974).  His obituary appeared in the Tillsonburg News, December 19, 1957:

WILLIAM H. GIRVIN

Well-known throughout the district, William H. (Bill) Girvin passed away suddenly on Tuesday evening from a heart attack while in attendance at the Myrtle Rebekah Christmas party at the I.O.O.F. Hall.

Born in North Walsingham, the deceased was the son of the late John Ashley Girvin and Caroline White. For the past 45 years he has resided in Straffordville. He was a member of Guysboro Lodge, No. 556, L.O.L.

Surviving are his wife, the former Dora Curtis; two daughters, Mrs. Stanley (Frances) Sinden of Aylmer, and Bernice, at home; two sons, Murray of Colburg and Dale, at home; one sister, Mrs. Lance Clark of Straffordville, and one granddaughter, Cindy Lee, of Aylmer.

Resting at the H. A. Ostrander & Son Funeral Home where service will be conducted Friday, December 20, 1957 at 2 p.m. by Rev. D. M. Stinson of the United Church, Straffordville. 

Interment will be in the Straffordville Cemetery.

James Glover

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The name James Glover is found in a list of members of Trinity Anglican Church serving overseas, printed in the Aylmer Express, October 7, 1916. 

James Glover was born in Lancashire, England, the son of Henry & Ellen Glover.  It is not known when he emigrated to Canada, but he was living in Aylmer when he was married there on October 28, 1914 to Frances Ellen Darlington (1892 – 1984), daughter of Edward & Jane Darlington, of Malahide. 

James enlisted in September 1915 with the 91st Battalion, according to an article written on the occasion of his 50th wedding anniversary.  His attestation paper is not available for viewing.

Passenger lists show a Pte. James Glover (#123784), of the C.A.M.C., originally with the 91st Battalion, arriving in Quebec on August 8, 1919.  His address was Aylmer.

An article and photograph on the occasion of Mr & Mrs Glover’s 50th anniversary appeared in the Aylmer Express, October 21, 1964:

AYLMER COUPLE WED 50 YEARS

Mr and Mrs James Glover, 332 John Street South, will be married 50years next Wednesday, October 28, but they will celebrate the event on Sunday, Nov. 1, at the home of their son, Deputy Reeve Syd Glover and Mrs. Glover, 51 Victoria Street North, with a family dinner at four o’clock. They will also receive guests there from 7 to 9 o’clock in the evening.

The Glovers recalled that the weather on their wedding day was a bit cooler than it was last Sunday when they were interviewed.  It was a Wednesday in 1914 when the late Canon Charles Miles joined Frances Darlington, daughter of the late Edward and Jane Darlington who lived on the 8th concession of Malahide, and James Glover, son of Henry and Ellen Glover, of Lancashire, England. The wedding was in Trinity Anglican Church where Canon Miles was rector.

The couple stared their romance as members of the Anglican Young Peoples Association (AYPA) which met regularly in those days.  In September of 1915, Mr. Glover enlisted with the 91st Battalion of the Canadian Army.  He served six years. While he was overseas, his parents died in Lancashire. While he was away, Dominion Canners sold out to what is now Carnation Co. Ltd. Mr. Glover worked for these firms and also with Silverwoods in London, Hamilton and Chatham.

Mr. Glover mentioned that when he enlisted there were three others from the Carnation staff do likewise. They were Fred Roberts, Alf Grogan and Bert Richardson. They were all old countrymen.

It was in 1946 that Mr. Glover and his son Syd opened Glover’s Dairy here. It has since been sold but it continues to carry the founder’s name.  During their years in Aylmer, Mr and Mrs Glover have been devout members of Trinity Anglican church. They were both members of the choir for years. She belonged to the W.A.   He is past patron of Verdun Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.  Mrs. Glover also held office in that order and served with the Ladies Auxiliary to the Royal Canadian Legion. Their general activities have been curtailed in late years because they spend the winter months in the south. They plan to leave about Nov. 3.

There are four sons, Harry, of Alberni, B.C.; Sydney of Aylmer; Harold with the army at Petawawa; Lawrence in Paris, Ont., and one daughter, Irene, Mrs. Ray Emmett of London, Ont.  There are 14 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Mrs. Glover has a sister, Mrs. Jessie Elizabeth Swann of Walsall, Staffordshire and two brothers, Frank Darlington of St. Thomas and E. J. Darlington of Madison, N. J. Mr. Glover has a brother Thomas in London, Ont., and a sister, Miss Ellen Glover in Ormskirk, Lancashire.

James died on March 10, 1974 at the age of 86, and is buried in Orwell Cemetery.  His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, March 13, 1974:

JAMES GLOVER

James Glover of Elgin Manor, formerly of Aylmer, died at St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital on Sunday, March 10th, following a short illness. He was 86 years of age.

Born in Lamerhead Green, England, son of the late Mr and Mrs Henry Glover, he came to Canada about 70 years ago and worked for the Carnation Company before opening Glover’s Dairy in 1947. He continued in the dairy business until his retirement in 1954.

He was a life member of Acasia Masonic Lodge No. 80 A.F. and A.M., London; a Past Worthy Patron of the Eastern Star, and a member of Trinity Anglican Church, Aylmer.

He is survived by his wife, the former Frances Ellen Darlington; four sons, Sydney Glover of Aylmer; Harold Glover of Petewawa; Lawrence Glover of Paris, Ontario, and Henry Glover of Haney, Ontario; one daughter, Mrs. Ray (Irene) Emmett of London; a brother, Thomas Glover of London, England; and a sister, Miss Ellen Glover of Omskirk, Lancashire, England.

Funeral was held at H. A. Kebbel Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 13th (today) conducted by the Rev. R. A. C. Mills of Trinity Anglican Church. Burial was in Orwell Cemetery.

Rev. Charles Richard Gower

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Charles Gower was born on January 13, 1893 in West Lorne, the son of Richard Calvin Gower & Mary Ann Piott.  Richard was born in Saltfleet, Ontario and was farming in Paris, Michigan when he was married on September 2, 1891 in Toronto to Mary Piott, of Toronto.  They were  living in Embro in 1918.

Charles became a Methodist minister and was living in Bayham when he enlisted for service on May 28, 1918 in London.  He was the minister at the Richmond Methodist church in 1917. An article about his enlistment appeared in the Aylmer Express, June 6, 1918:

REV. C. R. GOWER HAS VOLUNTEERED

On Friday evening, May 21st, the Richmond Circuit tendered a farewell to their pastor, Rev. C. R. Gower, who has volunteered to serve his King and county on the firing line. Rev. W. K. Hager, of Aylmer, occupied the chair and out of his big heard voiced the sentiment of the large audience in praise of the noble work, and Christian character and earnest, fearless spirit of the young pastor. After a short program was carried out a shower of calling cards was tendered Mr. Gower, on which were written the hearty good wishes of his many friends. An address was read by Mr. Marchant, of Fairview, expressing the deep appreciation and love felt by those to whom he has rendered such faithful services during the past year. He was presented with a purse of money, and in making his reply he thanked one and all for their kindness and cooperation. He felt he could serve God just as faithfully in the trenches as in the pulpit and he is not leaving the ministry, but going on to minister to others. The audience rose to their feet and in silent, united prayer, pledged their loyalty tot heir pastor and to their God. The service was closed by singing “Blessed be the Tie that Binds”.

Charles was a minister in Oil City, Lambton County when he was married on July 31, 1919 in Aylmer to Pearl Stephens (1894-1977), of Aylmer, the daughter of James Stephens & Laurina Swartz.

Rev. Gower died in January 1961 and is buried with his wife in Dresden Cemetery.

Walter Graham

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The name “Waller Graham” is found in a list of names being prepared for the Elgin County Book of Remembrance, which was printed in the St. Thomas Times-Journal in 1927, under Lyons. This appears to be a printing error and should read “Walter”.

An attestation paper was found for Walter Thomas Graham, of R.R. #1 Belmont, who was born on September 20, 1897 in Stirlingshire, Scotland.  He was a farmer, not married, and living with his parents when he enlisted for service on November 12, 1917 in Guelph.

Walter was the son of Charles Graham(c1873-1950) & Christina Blair (1873-1933), and emigrated with his parents to Canada about 1907, settling in Dereham Township, Oxford county, where they appear on the 1911 census. They later moved to South Dorchester where they were living in 1917.  Christina was the daughter of Walter Blair & Christina McKerracher, and died in 1933 at Calton on Concession 3, Malahide.  She had lived there for six months.  

Walter T. B. Graham died on July 11, 1949 in London, and is buried with his mother in Aylmer cemetery.  Charles is also buried there, but his name is not on the monument. Walter’s obituary appeared in the London Free Press, July 12, 1949, and the funeral notice on July 13:

GRAHAM – Suddenly at 321 Hill St., on Monday, July 11, 1949, Walter T., beloved son of Charles and the late Christina Graham, in his 52nd year. Private funeral service in Geo. E. Logan and Sons funeral chapel, on Wednesday, July 13 at 1 p.m. Interment in Aylmer Cemetery.

WALTER T. GRAHAM

Funeral service was held today at the George E. Logan and Sons funeral home for Walter Thomas Graham, 51, of 321 Hill street, a native of Scotland, who was found dead Monday in his room.  Rev. J. W. Hunt, of Wellington Street United church, officiated, and burial was in Aylmer. Pallbearers were J. B. Shearer, Harold Johnson, John Magee, Mervin and Wallace McIntyre and Peter Jamieson.

Jack Grant

Jack Grant was born on December 27, 1894 in Aberdeen, Scotland, and came to reside in South Dorchester Township in 1926.  An attestation paper cannot be positively identified for Mr. Grant in Canadian records, and it is possible he served in the war prior to emigrating to Canada. He died on October 5, 1982 and is buried in Aylmer Cemetery with his wife Margaret McRobert (1897-1967), also a native of Scotland.  His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, October 13, 1982:

JACK GRANT SR.

Jack Grant Sr., 87, of RR 1 Belmont died in Westminster Hospital, London on Tuesday, October 5, 1982. He was born in Aberdeen Scotland on December 27, 1894 and was a retired farmer who had resided in South Dorchester Township since 1926. Mr. Grant was a veteran of the First Great War and was an adherent to Knox Presbyterian Church in Belmont.

Mr. Grant was predeceased by his wife Margaret (McRobert) Grant. He is survived by a son, Jack Grant Jr., of RR 1 Belmont; a brother Donald Grant of Scotland; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

The funeral was held from H. A. Kebbel Funeral Home, on Friday October 8, with the Rev. Gale Kay of Knox Presbyterian Church, Belmont with burial in Aylmer cemetery.  Pallbearers were John Drabick, Ray Miners, Bill Grant, Stan Drabick, Ernie Jenkins and Lou Helka. Flowers were carried by Melvin Pettit, Harold Manning, Harold Farquhar and Bev Finch.

Emerson Bristol Grass

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Emerson Grass was born on September 10, 1896 in Vienna, the son of Robert Nelson Grass (1859-1939) & Eva Jane Humphrey (1866-1923).  Robert was born in Port Bruce, the son of John Colborne Grass & Sarah Elizabeth Fulkerson, and was farming in Bayham when he was married on April 14, 1886 in Vienna to Eva Humphrey, of Bayham, the daughter of John Ralph Humphrey & Hannah Yokum.   Eva is buried in St. Luke’s cemetery, Vienna.

Emerson was living in Vienna employed as a clerk when he enlisted for service on February 11, 1916 in Toronto.  Emerson served with the 168th Battalion, and the 11th Battalion of Canadian Engineers in France.  He fought in the battles of Vimy Ridge, Hill 70, Passchendaele, Amiens, Drocourt, Canal du Nord, Cambrai, Valenciennes and Moss.  He was discharged in July 1919. He was a Corporal.

Emerson returned from overseas in 1919, arriving in Halifax on July 28.  He was living at 73 Ottawa Street, Hamilton when his mother died in 1923.  He was married to Ann Grinrod.

Emerson died on October 27, 1961 in Hamilton. He is buried in White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Hamilton. His obituary appeared in the Hamilton Spectator, October 28, 1961:

GRASS – At St. Joseph’s Hospital on Friday, October 27, 1961, Emerson Bristol Grass of 240 London St. S., beloved husband of Ann Grindrod. Dear father of Mrs. Howard Milthorpe (Shirley), St. Catharines, and Mrs. Donald Bailey (Beverley), Winona; brother of James, Port Edward; Edward, Elmer, Port Elgin; Miss Ethel Grass, Paris; and Mrs. R. Davis (Kathrine), Shelbourne; also surviving are five grandchildren. Resting at J. B. Marlatt Funeral Home, 613 Main St. E. (east of Sanford Ave.) until early Monday morning. Service in St. Augustine’s of Canterbury Anglican Church at 3 p.m. Interment White Chapel Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers donations to Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated.  Casket will remain closed in the church.

Harry Burton Grass

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Harry Grass was born on September 5, 1893 in Aylmer, the son of George Henry Grass (1857-1925) & Henrietta Grace.  George was the son of Francis & Martha Grass and was a mason / bricklayer living in Aylmer when he was married there on May 24, 1886 to Henrietta Grace, also of Aylmer, the daughter of John & Mary Grace.

Harry became a printer and was living in Aylmer when he was married on May 22, 1912 in Waterford to Pearl Violet Howie, of Waterford, daughter of John William Howie & Susanna Pettit.

They made their home in Aylmer where Harry followed his trade as a printer.  He enlisted for service on September 14, 1915 in Aylmer.  He had served one year in the 30th Battery.

It is not known if Harry served overseas.  His service in the war is not mentioned in his obituary, nor can his name be found on passenger lists of soldiers returning from overseas. 

Harry died on November 5, 1918 in Aylmer from influenza and pneumonia.  He is buried in Aylmer cemetery beside his father. Harry’s obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, November 7, 1918:

THE LATE HARRY GRASS

With a spirit of deep sadness, we record the death of Harry Grass, linotype operator of the Express, which occurred at his home on Talbot street east, Tuesday morning, after a two weeks’ illness from pneumonia. Harry was but 25 years of age and for ten years had been a member of the Express mechanical staff. He was faithful, competent and always cheerful at his work and we shall miss his pleasant companionship, as well as his expert services. Besides his young widow and two small children, Willie and Helen, he is survived by his parents, Mr and Mrs George Grass, of this place, four brothers and seven sisters. The funeral took place from his late residence on Wednesday at ten o’clock a.m. to the Aylmer cemetery.

His widow Pearl was remarried on October 31, 1921 to Harry Albert Weston of Simcoe.

Harry Rayburn Grass

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Harry Grass was born on October 16, 1895 in Port Burwell, the son of John Henry Grass (1855-1928) & Etta May Hunt (1862-1936).  John was born in Westminster Township, Middlesex County, the son of John Colborn Grass & Sarah Fulkerson, and was living in Bayham when he was married on April 9, 1884 at Luton to Etta Hunt, a native of Gainsborough Township, living in Malahide, the daughter of Peter Hunt & Lorinda Putnam.  John & Etta are buried in St. Luke’s Cemetery, Bayham.

Harry moved to Biggar, Saskatchewan where he was farming when he enlisted for service on November 1, 1917 in Regina.  He names his next of kin as his father, John Henry, of Vienna.

Following the war, Harry was married on June 28, 1922 in Regina to Lily Jernima Bredin, daughter of Thomas Bredin & Margaret Beattie. They had three children: Harold Reginald, Eileen Margaret and Viola May. Harry died on June 28, 1970.

Harry Edward Graves

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Harry Graves was born on November 18, 1897 in Yarmouth, the son of Henry Lewis Graves (1858-1915) & Lydia Coart (1863-1944). Henry was a native of Houghton Township, the son of John Graves. He died in Aylmer, and he and Lydia are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

Harry was living in Aylmer when he enlisted for service on May 25, 1918 in London.  He was employed as a bookkeeper, stenographer and chauffeur.  His next of kin was his mother, Lydia, of Aylmer.

When his mother died in 1944, Harry was with the American Army at Collidge, Arizona.

Grace Alicia Gray

Nursing Sister

Grace Alicia Gray was born on January 18, 1881 in Eden, the daughter of Abram Nelson Gray (1855-1945) & Ida Virginia Allemand (1854-1888).  Abram was born in Dereham Township, the son of Edwin & Hannah Gray, and was farming in Bayham when he was married there on December 31, 1879 to Ida Allemand, a native of Utica, New York living in Bayham, daughter of Frederick & Adeline Allemand.  They are buried in Eden cemetery, with a daughter Hope Alicia Gray, (1884-1918).

Grace was a professional nurse living at 112 Albany Ave., Toronto when she enlisted for service on April 7, 1915 in Toronto. She names her next of kin as her sister, Miss Hope A. Gray, of 34 Bloor Street East, Moulton College, Toronto. Information posted on the Internet shows that Grace was married to Alex Wilson.

Amasa Ray Green

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Ray Green was born on June 25, 1896 in Bayham, the son of Berton L. Green (1869-1952) & Leona E. Cook (1873-1950).  Burton was born in Bayham, the son of Amasa & Elizabeth Green, and was farming there when he was married on August 24, 1892 in Straffordville to Leona Cook, also of Bayham, the daughter of Calvin & Jennie Cook.  They are buried in Richmond West cemetery.

The family is found on the 1901 and 1911 census in Bayham Township.  Ray moved with his parents to Cupar, Saskatchewan where he was farming when he enlisted for service on May 23, 1918 in Regina.

Following the war, he moved to the St. Thomas area where he was employed with the C & O Railroad.  He was married to Margaret Hall.  He died on August 4, 1993 at the age of 97 and is buried in Elmdale Memorial Park Cemetery.  His obituary appeared in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, August 5, 1993:

AMASA RAY GREEN

Services are to held Friday for Amasa Ray Green, of 138 Wilson Ave., St. Thomas, who died Wednesday, Aug. 4, 1993 at St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital.  He was 97.

Born June 25, 1896, in Richmond, son of the late Berton and Leona (Cook) Green, he lived in St. Thomas and the surrounding area for most of his life. Mr. Green retired after several years with the C & O Railroad.

Survived by his wife, Margaret (Hall) Green; two sons, Garth Green, of Sarnia, Ont., and Larry Green, of St. Thomas; three daughters, Margaret and her husband Al Pimlatt, of St. Thomas; Carolle and friend John Roberts, of St. Thomas, and Sharon and her husband Russell Crosby of St. Thomas; two sisters-in-law, Geraldine Green, of Richmond, and Edith Green, of Tillsonburg, Ont. Also survived by seven grandchildren, Anne, Geoffrey, John, Steven, Kenny, Brian and Christopher, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Predeceased by three brothers, Frank, Berton and Percy Green.  Resting at Williams Funeral Home, 45 Elgin St., St. Thomas for visitation from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. today, and where funeral service is to be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday.  Father James Higgins, of St. Anne’s Church, to officiate.  Burial at Elmdale Memorial Park. Memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or the charity of one’s choice.

Howard Horatio Griffin

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Howard Griffin was born on July 3, 1897 at Frogmore in Houghton Township, Norfolk County, the son of Alberton Griffin (1872-1944) & Edith Marian Soper (1873-1946).  Alberton was born in Bayham township, the son of Madison & Barbara Griffin, and was an engineer living in Bayham when he was married there on April 17, 1895 to Edith Soper, also a native and resident of Bayham, the daughter of Leonard & Mary Ann Soper.  Alberton & Edith are buried in Straffordville cemetery.

Howard was a farmer living in Aylmer when he enlisted with the 91st Battalion on April 1, 1916. He returned from overseas in 1919, arriving in Quebec from Glasgow, Scotland on August 6.

When his mother died in 1946, Howard was living in Hamilton. He was married to Jean McNally.  No further information can be found.

Thomas Greig

The name Thomas Greig is found in a list of members of Trinity Anglican Church serving overseas, printed in the Aylmer Express, October 7, 1916. 

This man has been very difficult to identify.  However, a passenger list was found for a Thomas Grigg, age 22, a native of England, who left Liverpool on the ship Victorian, arriving in Quebec on May 7, 1913.  His occupation in England was a soldier, and his destination was Aylmer West, Ontario.

No attestation paper can be found for a Thomas Grigg or Greig with any connection to Aylmer, but one possibility is a Thomas Grigg, #42310, who was born on February 16, 1890 in Middlesex, England.  No address is given on the attestation paper, but he names his next of kin as Mrs. E. Danaby of 35 Somerset Ave., Hamilton.  No relationship is given.  He had served six years in the R.F.A. in England.  He enlisted on September 25, 1914 in Valcartier.

A letter from “Tom” to his brother Bert of Springfield, was printed in the Aylmer Express, July 15, 1915:

CANADIANS THE HEROES OF YPRES

A brother of Bert Grigg, of Springfield, formerly of Aylmer, sends an interesting account of the part the Canadians played in France. Tom Grigg was here with Bert until war broke out last August.  He is with the 11th Battery, 1st Contingent, and describes some of the sad sides of the fighting.

“Dear Bert – I was pleased to hear from you and I am glad that you are in the best of health, as for me, I am fine, and it seems that the Huns are making me gain weight.  So you would like to know a little about our doings from the night of April 23.  Well I will give you a short account of it, and I will tell you we are busy now, just on the last lap of 1,000 rounds of shrapnel for today for the Huns to make sausage.  April 22 our Battery was having a little game right up to 1:30p.m., when we noticed what seemed to us, a great volume of smoke which we soon found out was something more than smoke.  Our eyes were smarting and it was awful for us to do our work around the gun. We knew the Huns were going to make a big attack.  Our Battery was rather fortunate the few hours they were in position. Everyone of us set to do our best and give them as much hell as we could, anyway the Huns were setting their coal boxes along our lines, and I tell you our gun was the first to have these shells. If they had kept it up, which it wasn’t to be, for I thank God for that, those shells dropped a matter of 50 yards from us, and then they started to sweep back the line again. We were getting their other kind of shells within a few yards, but they were not on the map for our boys to set tight. The Algerians were retiring quite fast.  These boys got the first dose, the same as the Canadian infantry, but it was too much for the Algerians, who left our infantry to hold them, which they did.  Then our orders came down, that if we had to leave our guns, we were to disable them. So you can bet we had it all planned out what each man would do and we certainly knew our Battery were in a tight place.  At last we had the orders to prepare to retire with the guns.  This is where our drivers came into their place; they had the horses in, and they managed to come through safe, and we got our guns out and every shell too. Our Battery retired about a mile and took up another position in a field of mud. We had just got our lines of fire laid out when there came a heavy fire of rifle bullets, of course I could not tell you if they were meant for us or not, for it was getting dark. We had to beat it again without firing a shot, for the Huns were advancing fast; so we fell back to our right and read, and took up another position on the outskirts of a wood. We kept up fire until daybreak, then our guns took to the woods for the next position, to keep out of sight of the Taube airships. We had to keep up the firing till late the following daybreak, then we retired out of Ypres that day, until the afternoon, then the orders came down to pack up for another position, when we found ourselves going through Ypres.  Going through this city was nerve trying for there were dead lying on the sidewalks; the shells were crashing into the houses, horses and men were blown to pieces. It was a pitiable sight, young and old getting cut to pieces.  I do not want to see any more of it. I was choking with grief to see all this murderous work. But anyway revenge is sweet, and our time will come, if we haven’t had it already.  I shall come to a close, hoping to give you all in my future letters. I remain your loving brother, Tom.  June 13, 1915.

No further information can be found.

William George Grigg

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William Grigg was born on April 15, 1897 in Walsingham Township, Norfolk County, the son of Albert Henry Grigg & Henrietta Morick (1858-1953).  Albert was born in Exeter, the son of William & Kate Grigg, and was a tailor living in Walsingham when he was married on August 19, 1896 in Delhi to Henrietta Morick, a native of Simcoe living in Walsingham, the daughter of William & Annie Morick.  Henrietta is buried in St. Luke’s cemetery, Vienna.

William was a farmer living at Vienna when he enlisted for service on May 21, 1918 in London.

He was farming at Vienna when he was married on March 21, 1923 in Port Burwell to Edna F. Vaughan (1904-1992), of Vienna, the daughter of Charlie Vaughan & Bell Reid.

William died in 1979 and is buried with his wife in St. Luke’s cemetery, Vienna.

Alfred George Grogan

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Alfred was born in Rotherhithe, Surrey, England on May 1, 1868, the son of William & Elizabeth Grogan.  Alfred, his siblings, and widowed mother are found on the 1871 census at 21 Manor Road, Rotherhithe, Surrey.  Alfred left England at the age of 19, sailing from Liverpool on the ship Samaritan, arriving in Quebec on June 9, 1888.  He settled in Bayham where he was married on July 21, 1892 to Georgina Kilmer (1876-1949), the daughter of Edmond & Eliza Kilmer.  Alfred, Georgina and their family are found on the 1901 and 1911 Bayham census.  In 1911, Alfred was a section man on the railroad.  Their children were: Viola, Frances, Flossie, William, Thomas, Mabel, Laura, Bertha and Janie.  

They later moved to Aylmer, where they were living when Alfred enlisted for service there on September 18, 1915.  He had served one year with the 30th Battery C.F.A. in Aylmer. He incorrectly gave his date of birth as May 1, 1883.

Alfred returned from the war in 1918, arriving in Halifax on May 20.  The passenger list states he was originally with the 91st Battalion.

Alfred died on January 9, 1950 in his 82nd year, and is buried with his wife in Elmdale Cemetery, St. Thomas. His obituary, accompanied by a photograph, appeared in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, January 10, 1950:

ALFRED GROGAN, 81, WAR VETERAN, DIES

Was Member of the 91st Batt.; Leaves Large Family

Alfred Grogan, a veteran of World War I, died at his home, 29 Pearl Street, on Monday evening, after a short illness. He was in his 82nd year.  Mr. Grogan was born in Ratherhithe, Surrey, England, May 1, 1868.  He lived in Aylmer for many years, but when he joined the 91st Battalion in 1915 he and his family moved to St. Thomas and he had lived here since.

Mr. Grogan went overseas with the 91st Batt.  He was a member of the 91st Batt. Association and of St. Thomas Branch, No. 41, Canadian Legion.  He also was a member of the Pentecostal Assembly.  Surviving are two sons and seven daughters: William Grogan, Toronto; Thomas Grogan, Aylmer; Mrs. Cecil Best, Chatham; Mrs. Norm Canning, St. Thomas; Mrs. Norman Slotka, Detroit; Mrs. William Howard, St. Thomas; Mrs. Frank Worthington, St. Thomas; Mrs. John Van Der Heide, St. Thomas; Mrs. K. Burgess, St. Thomas.  Mrs. Grogan, the former Georgina Kilmer, of Glencolin, died Oct. 28 last.

At rest at the L. B. Sifton Funeral Home, where funeral services will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. with interment in Elmdale Memorial Park cemetery.  Rev. G. Johnstone, of Pentecostal Assembly, will conduct the services.

Albert Grossett

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photo courtesy of Elgin County Archives

Albert Grossett was born on July 28, 1883 in Woolwich, Kent, England, the son of Robert Grossett & Elizabeth Chambers. Albert emigrated to Canada in 1904, sailing from Liverpool on the ship Lake Erie, arriving in Montreal on July 22.  

Albert was living in Tillsonburg when he was married there on September 11, 1913 to Annie Maud Chesterman, of Tillsonburg, the daughter of Isaac T. Chesterman & Elizabeth Way.  Maud died on June 6, 1914 at Port Burwell.

He was living in Port Burwell, employed as a Canadian Pacific Railway shop man when he enlisted for service on February 18, 1916 in St. Thomas.  He names his next of kin as his sister, Mrs. Crawford, of Wilmington Hall, Yorkshire, England. 

Albert was discharged in 1916 due to deafness, and returned from overseas on October 18, arriving in Halifax.  The passenger list states he was serving with the 36th Reserves, and his residence is “Burwell, Ont.”.  His name on the passenger list is given as “Alfred Groussett”.

Following the war, Albert returned to Tillsonburg where he was married on July 20, 1929 to Rose Hockley, of Aylmer.

No further information is known.

Samuel Guilford

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The name Samuel Gilford appears on a Springfield Honor Roll.  Records indicate that his name was actually spelled Guilford.  Samuel emigrated to Canada as a “Home Boy”, leaving Liverpool on July 2, 1903 on the ship Bavarian, and arriving in Quebec on July 11, 1903.  He was 14 years old and was travelling with a party under the care of Mr. Marry, whose destination was Stratford.

Samuel Guilford is found on the 1911 Malahide township census, a labourer born Sept. 1889 in England, emigrating in 1903.  He is living with Joseph Newell.

Samuel moved to London where he was married on August 14, 1912 to Bertha Mabel Mathers, of London Township, but a native of Manitoba, the daughter of Henry Mathers & Caroline Ostrander.  On that record, Samuel states he was born in England, but his parents’ names are not known.

Samuel enlisted for service on July 8, 1915 in London. He states he was born in Essex, England on September 3, 1889. He was a teamster and names his next of kin as his wife Bertha, of 60 Front Street.  He had served with the 37th Haldimand Rifles, 7th Regiment.

No further information is known.

John Reginald Gundy

John Gundy was born on March 15, 1885 in Vienna, the son of Rev. James Gundy & Eliza Jane Eddy.  James was born in Portarlington, Queen’s County, Ireland, the son of William & Elizabeth Gundy, and was living in Strathroy when he was married on September 23, 1868 in York County to Eliza Eddy, of Bradford, the daughter of Abdell & Elizabeth Eddy.  Rev. Gundy was a Methodist minister on the Straffordville circuit from 1880 to 1885. They are buried in Scotland  Cemetery, Oakland Township, Brant County.

John Gundy was employed as a farm manager and made an Officer’s Declaration on April 22, 1916 in Brantford.  He was a Lieutenant in the 215th Overseas Battalion, and belonged to the 38th Dufferin Rifles.  He gives his address as the Y.M.C.A. in Brantford, and names his next of kin as his mother, Mrs. James Gundy of Scotland, Ontario.

John went overseas with the 215th Battalion and was later transferred to the 4th Battalion C.M.R. He was gassed twice.  He was discharged from the 38th Dufferin Rifles on April 10, 1919. He returned from overseas in 1919, arriving in Halifax on April 1.

Following the war, John moved to Provost, Ribstone District, Alberta where he was farming when he was married on June 16, 1920 in Brantford to Helen Francis Oldham, of Brantford, the daughter of James Henry Oldham & Carlotte Eugena Wisner.

John died on March 31, 1950 in Hamilton, and is buried in Scotland cemetery. His obituary appeared in the Hamilton Spectator, April 1, 1950:

JOHN R. GUNDY, 187 Robinson Street, died yesterday at the Hamilton General Hospital. A well-known bond salesman in the city, he was born in Scotland, Ont., and had been a resident of Hamilton for the last 25 years. He is survived by one daughter, Patricia Gundy Patterson, of Toronto, and one sister, Miss Laura Gundy, of Scotland, Ont. The remains were sent to Scotland, Ont., by Blatchford and Wray, for service there at the home of Miss Laura Gundy on Monday afternoon at 3 o’clock. Interment will be in Scotland Cemetery.

Benjamin Haggan

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Benjamin Haggan was born on September 23, 1857  in Malahide or Aylmer, the son of John Haggan (1822-1903) & Amelia Jane McConnell (1826-1903). John & Amelia lived at lot 32, concession 2, Malahide.  They are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

A marriage record was found that is possibly of the above Benjamin.  He was a merchant living in Springfield, born Port Burwell, son of John & Amelia Haggan, and he was married in Springfield on July 23, 1888 to Minnie Odell, a native of Halifax, living in Springfield, daughter of William & Caroline Odell.

Benjamin moved to the Canadian West and was living in Moosomin, Saskatchewan when his parents died.  He later moved to Alberta, where he is found in Medicine Hat on the 1911 census.

He enlisted for service on October 21, 1918 in Calgary at the age of 59.  He was a farmer living at 269 St. Mary’s Ave., Winnipeg.  He names his next of kin as his wife, Ermina Haggan.  He had served five months in the 175th Battalion, C.E.F.  He was discharged from the 13th S.S. Coy. after being found medically unfit.

Harold Haggan

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Harold Haggan was born on November 2, 1895 at Luton in Malahide Township, the son of James Craig Haggan (1857-1927) & Florence Hill (1861-1897).  James was born in Malahide, the son of William Haggan & Susan Hankinson, and was married in Aylmer on February 26, 1879 to Florence Hill, of Aylmer, daughter of Richard Hill & Margaret Garrett. James & Florence are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

Harold was employed as a railway mail clerk when he enlisted for service in Aylmer on September 18, 1915.   He returned from overseas in 1919, arriving in Halifax on February 5.  He had served with the 12th Battalion, but originally enlisted with the 91st Battalion.

Harold was wounded at the Somme, and an article about him appeared in the Aylmer Express, January 18, 1917:

Private Harold Haggan, an Aylmer boy who took part in the Battle of the Somme, and is now as a result of wounds received, which fortunately are not serious, recuperating in a hospital in Paisley, Scotland, has sent a box of curios home to his parents, Mr and Mrs J. C. Haggan. Among them is the wrist watch which he wore away from here, but now after going through a real battle, is a total wreck; a French watch in but little better condition, some German cartridges, a piece of the shrapnel with which he was struck, his identification tags as a member of the 75th Battalion, etc. Harold has a very warm spot in his heart for the Scotch, whom he says are most kind and considerate of the soldiers, and always ready to offer any courtesy and assistance possible.

A letter from Harold was printed in the Aylmer Express, October 10, 1918:

HAROLD AND HOMER HAGGAN WERE IN RECENT HEAVY FIGHTING

Harold is Now in England Suffering From Pleurisy

Mr. J. C. Haggan has received the following letter from his son, Harold:

Aldershot, Eng., Sept. 14, 1918
Dear Dad –

Here is yours truly in Blighty once more. Pleurisy this time, but am recovering nicely. Am sending a letter to Beth today asking her to cable you that I am here so all parcels will be stopped and you won’t worry so much.

I suppose you have all been wondering where Homer and I were during the heavy fighting. It does no harm to tell you that this little boy was right there in the front row with his little shooting iron and is lucky to be alive today. We didn’t have it too bad in the Amiens battle and captured a town full of quartermasters’ stores, canteens, etc., and a kitchen all ready for the Hun’s morning meal – but we spoiled it.

At Arras we had it harder and in three days fighting I lost all my section, two killed and the other four wounded. After it was over I had the good luck to get an attack of pleurisy and was sent to a base hospital at Bologne, then over here.  This seems like a fairly decent place, no town to speak of though, so I will not be sorry to leave here in a few days and go to a Canadian Hospital at Berwood. There will be lots of good things there because through the Canadian Red Cross the Canadian hospitals, both in France and England, are well supplied with home canned fruit, jam, etc.

I wonder how you all are at home. I received your letter of August 11th just before I left for the hospital and was sure glad to hear everyone was all right then. Yes, I received your letters all about the mail service.

Well, Dad, I guess this is about my limit for now. Love to all and I hope this finds everyone in the very best of health. I am enclosing a German Field Postcard I took from a German officer’s kit in a trench we captured.

Well, so long. Address mail in care of Beth, please.   Harold

P.S. I saw Homer a few days before I left and he was O.K.

Harold’s return from overseas was reported in the Aylmer Express, February 20, 1919 with the following caption under his photograph:

“Cpl. Harold Haggan, of Malahide, who returned home on Monday last, after being detained a week at the hospital in London, Ont., suffering from a strain he got on the boat coming over. Harold is a former 91st Battalion man. He went over the top eleven times and never received a scratch and took part in some of fifteen big battles. He, however, suffered greatly from trench feet and this put him over to Blighty several times. As soon as he receives his discharge he expects to resume his position as a railway mail clerk.”

Harold was living in Malahide when he was married on April 6, 1921 in St. Thomas to Harriet Elizabeth Walker, of Aylmer, daughter of John Henry & Minnie Walker.

Harold & Harriet moved to Detroit in 1923 and are found on the 1930 census there.  Harold is employed as a manager of a grocery chain. They had two children on the census: Elizabeth (born about 1923 in Canada), and Dorothy (born about 1929 in Michigan).  Dorothy Ruth (1929-1934) is buried with Harold’s parents in Aylmer cemetery.

Harold died in December 1973 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Homer Haggan

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Homer Haggan was born on July 11, 1890 in Malahide, the son of James Craig Haggan (1857-1927) & Florence Hill (1862-1897).  James Haggan was born in Malahide, the son of William Haggan & Susan Hankinson and was married on February 26, 1879 in Aylmer to Florence Hill, a Malahide native living in Aylmer, the daughter of Richard Hill & Margaret Garrett.  They are buried in Aylmer cemetery (no marker).

Homer was living in Aylmer employed as a locomotive fireman when he enlisted for service on January 11, 1915 in London.  Excerpts from a letter from Homer was printed in the St. Thomas Journal, September 2, 1916:

PTE. HOMER HAGGAN, OF AYLMER, SLIGHTLY WOUNDED

Aylmer, Sept. 2 – The following letter is written from the front by Private H. Haggan, 1st Battalion C.E.F., in France, to his brother, Charles, teller in the Molsons Bank here: “When I came away I came in rather a bit of a hurry. ‘Twas but a wee bit of shrapnel went through my shoulder badge and in a bit. I pulled it out and went and had my shoulder dressed and came down the line. It was some lovely scrap while it lasted; sorry I could not be there to see the finish of it.  That was one time when cigarettes came in very handy as we crouched there in the trench during the bombardment. If it had not been for them we would have all gone nuts.  There is one thing I notice here: the number of shells fired at us by Fritz and the small number of wounds caused by them. That night it rained, as it had for 48 hours furiously and it was rather dark, so the bursting shells made it look like a Fourth of July celebration. Occasionally, above the din, a machine gun could be heard firing in bursts as it searched for its target. It was very weird but wonderfully, and I would not have missed it for worlds. As it was getting daylight we could see the grenades flying through the air and the boys going on and on until the task was finished.  Can’t tell you the name or place of this event; perhaps you can guess?  Am going to send my badge home.  It will be a good souvenir.  Good-bye. “Homer”

Pte. H. Haggan, 400601, M.G.S., 1st Bn. C.E.F., France

Following the war, Homer moved to North Bend, British Columbia where he was living in 1927.  Homer died on April 27, 1959 in Hope, British Columbia, at the age of 67.

Horace Hague

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Horace Hague was born on September 20, 1896 in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, the son of Thomas & Mary Hague.  The family is found on the 1901 England census living at 41 Kenside Street, Bootle, Lancashire.

Horace emigrated to Canada and was a farmer living at RR #1 Straffordville when he enlisted for service on May 21, 1918 in London. He names his next of kin as his sister, Miss Edith Hague, of Leamington Street, Bootle, Liverpool.

He was married on February 24, 1923 in Aylmer to Jessie Dawson (1898-1964) also a native of England, living in Bayham.

Horace died on May 15, 1989 at the age of 92, and is buried with his wife in Straffordville Cemetery. His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, May 17, 1989:

HORACE HAGUE

Horace Hague, 92, of Aylmer Nursing Home, and formerly of RR 1 Straffordville, died at St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital on Monday, May 15, 1989.  He was born in England on September 20, 1896 and was a retired farmer who had lived most of his life in the Straffordville area.

He is survived by daughter Marion and her husband Willis Marr of RR 1 Straffordville; grandsons Robert Marr and his wife Mary Lou; David Marr and his wife Penny; great grandsons Jeffrey and Tory.  Mr. Hague was predeceased by his wife Jessie (Dawson) Hague in 1963.

Pastor Norman Hare of Richmond United Church is to conduct the funeral service from H. A. Kebbel Funeral Home on Thursday, May 18 at 1:30 p.m. Burial will follow in Straffordville cemetery.

Dennis Haight

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Dennis Haight was born on June 4, 1897 in Malahide, the son of Frank Harrison Haight (1870-1908) and Ida Augusta Dennis (1873-1951).  Frank was born in Yarmouth, the son of Henry & Mary Ann Haight, but was a farmer living in the Mount Salem area when he and Ida were married on November 16, 1892 in Luton. Ida was born in Norwich, the daughter of William & Clara Dennis, but was also living in Malahide when married. Frank & Ida are buried in Luton cemetery.

Clark Haight, who was killed in action on May 4, 1917, and William Haight, who gave his live on November 18, 1916, were brothers of Dennis.  Another brother, Harry, also served in the war.

Dennis became a shoemaker and was living at 169 Albert Road, Ford City, Ontario, when he enlisted for service on September 18, 1916 in Windsor.  He was single, and names his mother Ida, of 117 Wellington Street, Aylmer as his next of kin. He returned from overseas in 1919, arriving on March 1, in Halifax.

Dennis died on October 23, 1957, and is buried in Aylmer cemetery. His obituary appeared in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, October 24, 1957:

DENNIS HAIGHT FUNERAL SATURDAY

AYLMER – A former resident of Aylmer, Dennis Haight, 134 Maple street, London, Ont., died in London on Wednesday afternoon. He had been in ailing health for a number of years.  Born in Aylmer 60 years ago, he was a son of the late Mr and Mrs Frank Haight. He was a member of the Corps of Commissionaires, the Duchess of Kent Legion Branch, London, and the United Church.  Mr. Haight had resided in London for the past 25 years. During World War I,  he served overseas for two years with the 241st Battalion of Windsor.

He is survived by three brothers, G. Harry Haight, London; Clarence and Charles Haight, of Aylmer, and a number of nieces and nephews.

Resting at the Hughson Funeral Home, Aylmer, from where service will be held on Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Rev. T. Dale Jones, Aylmer Legion branch padre, will officiate. Interment will be made in the Aylmer Cemetery.

George Harrison (Harry) Haight

123548 

Harry Haight was born on July 4, 1895 at Mount Salem, in Malahide, the son of Frank Harrison Haight (1870-1908) and Ida Augusta Dennis (1873-1951).  Frank was born in Yarmouth, the son of Henry & Mary Ann Haight, but was a farmer living in the Mount Salem area when he and Ida were married on November 16, 1892 in Luton. Ida was born in Norwich, the daughter of William & Clara Dennis, but was also living in Malahide when married. Frank & Ida are buried in Luton cemetery.

Clark Haight, who was killed in action on May 4, 1917, and William Haight, who gave his life on November 18, 1916, were brothers of Harry.  Another brother, Dennis, also served in the war.

Harry’s attestation paper is not available on the website of the National Archives of Canada, so it is not known when he enlisted.  He is mentioned as being in service when his two brothers, Clark & William were killed.

The Aylmer Express of April 26, 1917 reports that Harry received a slight wound in the face, and was admitted to No. 7 Etaples Hospital, France, on April 10.

A letter from Harry was printed in the East Elgin Tribune, December 14, 1916:

Somewhere in France, October 28th, 1916

Dear Jim –

Just received your very welcome letter yesterday and am answering it now. I see you haven’t forgotten about my pipe. Well, I’ve just laid it down, as it has gone out, and I can’t smoke and write at the same time. Well, Jim, I have been into the trenches several times and am still on top and hope to stay there. We are having a short rest and it is very welcome indeed as the trenches are very wet and muddy at this time of year. You would laugh to see me, for I am simply a coat of mud from head to heels, with over a week’s growth on my face. I look like the traditional Robinson Crusoe all right. At present Will and I are occupying a small dugout and as we have only one small pencil between us I had to wait until he got through. Harold Haggan is the only Aylmer boy besides us two in this battalion, and we are all right and have the firm belief that old Fritz hasn’t got our number. The only thing we have to complain about is the mud and rain, and it rains about ten hours twice a day here, so it isn’t very pleasant at times.

Now, Jim, you can tell the people at home that we have it over Heinie now and hope it will soon be over with, so we can get back to God’s country once more.

I haven’t seen any of the Aylmer boys over here yet so I don’t know where any of them are. In your letter you were speaking about sending me papers. Well I sure would like to get one, but haven’t received any. Maybe they have got mixed up in the mails some way.  I wish to thank you for going over to see Mother, for I reckon it cheers her up a lot to have you people to go and see her, Say, Jim, is Mac still working for you?  If he is, give him my compliments, and also given them to all my friends, even “Old Bill” if you see him. Well, it’s supper time now, so guess I will ring off with best regards.

Pte. G. H. Haight

A letter from Harry to his mother was printed in the St. Thomas Journal, September 19, 1916:

PTE. HARRY HAIGHT, OF AYLMER, IS IN FRANCE

Well Known Young Man And His Two Brothers Are Serving the Empire – With 91st

Aylmer, Sept. 19 – The following letter was written by Private Harry (“Nig”) Haight, a 91st man who with his two brothers, William and Clark, left with that battalion. Mrs. Haight, their mother, is proud of her three soldier boys and well she may be. She believes they did right and only hopes that they come home all right, which thought is echoed by all of Aylmer’s people who knew them.

“Somewhere in France”

Dear Mother – This letter leaves me in the very best of health and I hope you and the kids are all Jake, as we say over here. As you will see by the address, I am getting nearer the trenches all the time and by the time you get this letter I may be there. But don’t worry, I’m not going to let old Fritz get me if I can help it, and I don’t think he will. Well mother, I like it fine here.  No buttons or shoes to shine and you can go about the camp any way you like, only they don’t let us go out of camp without a pass.  Say, talk about getting over quickly.  I guess we’ve got the record. We were warned on Thursday last and arrived here on Sunday. We expected to go to Bramshott Camp but instead of that took the boat for here. France is altogether different from England, in fact it reminds me of Canada quite a bit until I see their old-fashioned ways.  I went over to the Y.M.C.A. to write this but there was such a crowd there that I couldn’t so I just got some paper and sprawled out behind the tent and a rubber sheet, so don’t be surprised if you can’t make it out.  Oh, by the way, Clarke didn’t come with us, but Will did.  He is in the hospital a short ways from here.  I saw him today while out on a march. I don’t mind it a bit here, only our tent, in which there are twelve men, is on a slope and I generally find about half of my body outside of the tent in the morning. But I guess I’ll have worse than that before I get through, so I should worry. Say, mother, is it still hot over there, for if it is you have nothing on us, for we haven’t had any rain in seven weeks. Well this is the second letter tonight so I guess I’ll close.  Best wishes to all. Your son, Harry.

No. 123548.  Pte. G. H. Haight, 75th Batt. C.E.F., in care of Army Post Office, London, England.

Harry returned from overseas in 1918, arriving in Halifax on October 28. An article accompanied by a photo, appeared  in the St. Thomas Times Journal,  Nov. 2, 1918, telling of Harry’s return to Canada:

Private G. H. Haight is back to Aylmer and is greeted by his old friends in a way that must do his heart good. He enlisted and went overseas with the 91st Battalion, and received a face wound that incapacitated him from military duties, and was in hospital for months.  He received his wound by the rifle of a sniper at Vimy Ridge, is now on hospital leave, and will report at Guelph Military Hospital after fourteen days’ furlough. Mrs. Haight, of Wellington street, who is in bed with the influenza, will welcome back this son from the front.  She gave four sons for her county:  William, killed in action; Clark, missing for over eighteen months; Harry, at home, and Dennis, with a forestry brigade in France.

Following the war, Harry moved to London where he was working as a printer when he was married on April 22, 1920 in St. Thomas, to Dora Irene Brooks, of St. Thomas, the daughter of Robert Brooks & Clara Gertrude Hunter. 

Harry died on December 30, 1957, and is buried in Woodland Cemetery, London. 

Harry’s obituary appeared in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, January 2, 1958:

TWO AYLMER MEN BEREFT OF BROTHER

London, Ont – George H. (Harry) Haight, 62, London printer for 30 years and veteran of the First World War died here on Monday in Westminster Hospital.  His residence was at 105 Edward Street. He was a member and former president of Local 133, International Typographical Union, London, for many years.  He is survived by his wife, the former Dora Irene Brooks; one daughter and one son, Mrs. Perry (Helen) Burrell of California, and Donald H. Haight, of Stratford; two brothers, Charles Haight and Clarence Haight, both of Aylmer. Resting at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, Wortley Road at Elmwood Avenue, where funeral service will be held in the chapel on Friday at 2 p.m. Interment will be in Woodland cemetery.

His obituary also appeared in the London Free Press, December 31, 1957:

VETERAN PRINTER DIES, AGED 65

George Harrison (Harry) Haight, 62, of 105 Edward St., a printer with A. Talbot Ltd. for 30 years, died yesterday at Westminster Hospital after a short illness.

Mr. Haight was a London resident for 39 years and attended Wesley United Church, where he was an elder. He was secretary of the Elmwood Bowling Club. During the First World War, Mr. Haight served overseas with the army.

Surviving are his wife, the former Dora Irene Brooks; one daughter, Mrs. Perry (Helen) Burrell, of California; one son, Donald H. Haight of Stratford; two brothers Charles and Clarence Haight, both of Aylmer, and five grandchildren.

The body is at the A. Millard George Funeral Home where service will be held Friday at 2 p.m. by the Rev. John W. Stinson of Wesley United Church. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery.

Granville Morford Haight

The name Morford Haight is found on an Honor Roll unveiled at the Aylmer High School on May 23, 1918, listing students and former students who served overseas.

Granville Morford Haight was born on July 27, 1894 at Sparta in Yarmouth Township, the son of Granville Holmes Haight (1851-1910) & Agnes Watt (1862-1945).  Granville was born in Yarmouth, the son of Ephraim Haight & Elizabeth Morgan Chase, and was a widower living in Yarmouth when he was married on May 19, 1887 in St. Thomas to Agnes Watt, of St. Thomas, the daughter of Elias & Mary Elizabeth Watt.  Granville & Agnes are buried in Friends Cemetery, Sparta.

An attestation paper for Morford Haight cannot be located.

Morford moved to Toronto where he was a salesman living at 227 Oakland Ave., when he died on January 26, 1931 at the age of 35.  He was not married, and is buried with his parents in Friends Cemetery, Sparta.  His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, January 29, 1931:

MORFORD HAIGHT DIED SUDDENLY IN TORONTO

Had Been Ill But a Few Hours. Buried at Sparta

Granville Morford Haight, son of Mrs. Agnes Haight, of Aylmer, and the late Granville H. Haight, died suddenly in Toronto about noon on Monday, January 29th, aged 36 years.  He had not been feeling well for a week and had visited a doctor who did not think his condition was serious and Mr. Haight kept at his work.  After getting up on Monday morning he felt too ill to work and went back to bed, suddenly succumbing about noon with a stroke.

Morford, as he was known to his many Aylmer friends, was born at Sparta. When but a boy his parents moved to Aylmer where he attended both public and high school. For some years he was accountant in the office of the Carnation Company Limited, and later represented them as salesman in Northern Ontario. For the past two years he had been associated with W. F. Bates, also of Aylmer, in the Oakwood Dairy, Toronto.

He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Agnes Haight, librarian, Aylmer; one sister, Mrs. Harold Youell, and one niece, Miss Nora Youell, all of Aylmer, who have the sympathy of the community in their sudden bereavement.

The funeral service, which was private, was held at the home of Mrs. Haight, corner of Centre and Sydenham streets, yesterday at 2:30 and was conducted by Rev. F. G. Hardy, rector of Trinity Anglican Church. The pallbearers were H. M. Hambidge, J. P. Coyle, St. Clair Miller, J. A. Gillett, Dr. Herbert White, Herbert Bingham. Interment took place in the family plot in the Sparta cemetery.

Guy Haight

190083 

photo courtesy of Elgin County Archives

Guy Haight’s name is found in a list of men from Jaffa serving overseas, printed in the Aylmer Express, December 14, 1916.  He is described as a son of George Haight, and is serving with the 91st Battalion, now in France.

Guy was born on August 2, 1899 on Concession 4, Yarmouth Township, the son of George Haight (1870-1940) & Bertha Carpenter (1869-1933).  They are buried in Union Cemetery.

Guy enlisted for service with the 91st Battalion on March 18, 1916 in St. Thomas. His address is given as R.R. #2 St. Thomas, and names his next of kin as his father George, of the same address.  He was a farmer, and not married.

Guy was married in 1940 to Florence Mabel Gerrard.  He died on May 28, 1971 in Gravenhurst.

George Frederick Hainer

1066149

George Hainer was born on November 16, 1886 in Bayham, the son of George Hainer (1845-1911) & Sarah Singer.  George Hainer Sr. was born in Cayuga, the son of George & Mary Ann Hainer, and was living in Bayham when he was married on December 27, 1868 in Norfolk County to Sarah Singer, of Bayham, the daughter of Samuel & C. Ann Singer.

George Hainer Jr. was living in Holland Township, Grey County, employed as an engineer when he was married there on June 21, 1911 to Charlotte Young, of Holland Township, the daughter of Samuel Young & Margaret Quinn. Charlotte died in Holland Township on January 15, 1913.

George was farming at RR #1 Holland Centre when he enlisted for service on February 22, 1917 in Owen Sound. He was a widower, and names his next of kin as an aunt, Bella Hainer, of Eden.  He had served three years as a Private in the 39th Canada Regiment of Militia. He joined the 248th Battalion, C.E.F.

No further information is known.

Clayton Harold Haines

2010573

Clayton Harold Haines was born on October 18, 1897 at Corinth in Bayham Township, the son of Philip Benjamin Haines (1868-1937) & Ella Elizabeth McDonald (1873-1930).  Philip Benjamin was born in Michigan, the son of Benjamin & Mary Haines, but was living in Corinth when he was married on April 3, 1895 in Houghton Township to Ella McDonald, of Houghton, daughter of Alexander & Emma McDonald.  She was born in Waterford, Ontario. Philip Benjamin & Ella are buried in Richmond West Cemetery.

Clayton was a farmer living at R.R. #1 Aylmer with his parents when he enlisted for service on May 20, 1918 in London.  

A letter from Clayton was printed in the Aylmer Express, January 9, 1919:

INTERESTING LETTER FROM SAPPER HAINES

Seaford, 12 – 3 – 18

Dear Mother and All:
Arrived back in camp again last night feeling pretty near all in and ready to hit the boards any time. We sure had a great time up in Glasgow. Scotland is the place to go on leave, believe me, as the people can’t seem to do enough for the boys on leave. We didn’t get our trip to Loch Lomond because of my old failing laying abed too late mornings. Every night when we went to bed we would say now we will get up early in the morning and get that trip in but we were always too late. We were in the oldest building in Glasgow on Saturday morning, also a fine cathedral which is six or seven hundred years old. I will send you a picture of it in this letter. It is sure a great sight to see the inside. We saw several old stone coffins in it which begin to show their age very much too.

We also saw Westminster Abbey, the Parliament Buildings and White Hall, while we were in London. They are great buildings, also, but I was not inside them as we only saw them as we were going to Euston station. While we were in London yesterday we saw Foch, Lloyd George, Clemenceau, also an Italian big bug, but I have forgotten to say his name. Ha! Ha!

There was a big crowd to see them as they drove past and some great cheering too.  I was nearly swamped with mail today noon, got 6 letters and 2 parcels. Got the chestnuts all in good shape and they tasted like those of old, believe me.

Thanks for the tobacco. I also got the letter with the money in it. Give dad my thanks for the money. I am not very much in need of it at the present time, as I had 4 pounds, 10 shillings left from my leave, but it may come in good later on though. Tell him not to send any more money as I don’t know how soon we will be sent back. It may not be very long and it may be quite awhile.

We are not doing very much here in camp at present or for the past few weeks for that matter. All I did today was to carry 30 blankets over to the Q.M. stores, so you see we are not getting very much to do and I guess I am gaining weight too, as I weighed myself week ago yesterday and I balanced the scales at 180 lbs. I don’t know whether they were wrong or not. If they were right, I guess the army is agreeing with me so far, but I hope I am not over here very much longer. I almost believe I will be home for spring work, though, but am not sure of it.

Well, I believe I will close for this time as the lights have just gone out and I don’t like writing by candle light. Hoping you folks have escaped the “flu” and are all well as this leaves me the same. Thanking you again for the chestnuts and write soon, I remain,

Your loving son, Clayton Haines.

P.S. Peacock landed here last Wednesday looking a little pale but otherwise pretty good. Harold Cook, one of the fellows that was in my tent in London, Ont., has died with the “flu” over here a few weeks ago.

Clayton returned from overseas on July 1, 1919, arriving in Halifax. He moved to Michigan about 1927, where he was living in Flint on the 1930 census, working as a machine operator in an auto factory.  He was not married at the time. He died in Bradenton, Manatee County, Florida on January 18, 1979, at the age of 81 years.

Colbourne Earl Haines

636

Colbourne Haines was born on September 13, 1889 at Mapleton in Yarmouth Township, the son of Thomas Francis Haines (1859-1911) & Mary Jane Robinson. Thomas Haines was born in Hamilton, the son of James & Catherine Haines and was a mechanic living in Dorchester when he was married at Avon on August 28, 1881 to Mary Robinson, also of Dorchester, the daughter of John Robinson & Mary Elizabeth Preston.  They moved to London, where Thomas died at 410 Horton Street in 1911.  Following his death, Mary was married to Samuel Downey.

Colbourne was a labourer living in Mapleton when he enlisted for service on January 11, 1915 in London.  He had served four years in the 26th Regiment. He names his mother as next of kin, Mrs. Mary Downey of 495 Picadilly Street, London.

Colbourne died on January 1, 1946, and is buried in St. Peter’s cemetery, London.  The military marker there bears the following inscription: “Ord. Smn. Colbourne E. Haines.  R.C.N.V.R. 1 Jan 1946″.  His obituary states he is buried in Woodland Cemetery, London.

His obituary appeared in the London Free Press, January 2, 1946:

FIRST GREAT WAR VET DIES AT SANATORIUM

Colbourne Earl Haines, a lifelong resident of London and well-known war veteran, died at Queen Alexandra Sanatorium yesterday following a lengthy illness.

Mr. Haines was born in London 56 years ago, and was a veteran of the First Great War.  He served in the 33rd Battalion C.E.F. He was a member of Byron Branch No. 69, Canadian Legion.

His widow, Mrs. Ellen Haines, Chatham, is the only survivor.  Funeral service will be held at the Oatman and Bennett Funeral Home, Thursday at 2 p.m. Rev. A. L. Manley, padre of Westminster Hospital, will officiate.  Interment will be in the veterans’ plot at Woodland Cemetery.

Edward Wilfred Haines

334473 

Edward Wilfred Thompson Haines was born on January 7, 1895 in Aylmer, the son of Alfred Edward Haines, K.C. (1856-1934) & Phoebe Jane Thompson (1856-1942). Alfred was a barrister and attorney in Aylmer, and was born in London, Ontario, the son of Arthur Haines & Sarah Overall. He married Phoebe Thompson in Toronto on September 20, 1881. She was born in Hamilton, the daughter of Octavius & Phoebe Thompson. Alfred and Phoebe are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

Edward Wilfred Haines was a mechanical engineer living in Aylmer when he enlisted for service on May 30, 1917 in London.  He was stationed in St. John’s, Quebec when he made an officer’s declaration on August 8, 1918.  He was a lieutenant in the Canadian Engineers.

After the war, he continued to work as a mechanical engineer and was living at 295 Jarvis St., Toronto when he was married on December 4, 1920 in Hamilton to Hazel Mary Colborne (1893-1972), who was born at Smith’s Falls, daughter of Arthur Colborne & Mary Laura Chapman.  Hazel was living at 109 College St., Toronto when she was married.  Their marriage was reported in the Aylmer Express, December 9, 1920:

Mr. E. Wilfred Haines, of Toronto, son of Mr and Mrs. A. E. Haines, Aylmer, was married to Miss Hazel M. Colborne, daughter of the late Mr and Mrs F. Colborne, Toronto, on Saturday afternoon, December 4th, 1920, at St. Paul’s Church, Hamilton, by Rev. Dr. Drummond, a cousin of the bride, in the presence of near relatives only.

Wilfred later became a lawyer and died on January 15, 1969.  He and Hazel are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, January 22, 1969:

WILFRED E. HAINES, Q.C.

A prominent member of the legal fraternity and former crown attorney for Elgin County, Wilfred E. Haines, Q.C., B.A., B.Sc., died in Westminster Hospital at London last Wednesday afternoon.  He was 74.  Service was held at the H. A. Kebbel Funeral Home Saturday afternoon and was largely attended by members of the legal profession, friends and relatives. The service was conducted by the Rev. Ronald Matthewman of Trinity Anglican Church.  Mrs. James Wright played the organ. Pallbearers were Denby Breen, Norman Walters, Jack Carroll, Don Black, George King and William Anger, all of the Canadian Legion. Burial was in Aylmer Cemetery. Friends and relatives were present from Alfred, Maine; Signal Mountain, Tenn.; Montreal, London, St. Thomas, Aylmer and district.

Mr. Haines lived on Talbot Street West and had been ill for 18 months.  He was born here on Jan. 7, 1895 and lived his entire life in Aylmer. His parents were the late Alfred E. Haines, Q.C. and Jane Thompson.  A member of the Royal Canadian Engineers in World War I, Mr. Haines held the commission of a major in the Elgin Regiment. He was a past president of Col. Talbot Br. 81 of the Royal Canadian Legion and a member of Trinity Anglican Church.

Mr. Haines received his education in Aylmer public and high schools and graduated from the Armour Institute of Technology, Chicago, Ill., and from the University of Toronto in Engineering.  He graduated from Osgoode Hall in Toronto in 1924 and joined his father in the practice of law, continuing until his retirement in May of 1967. He served as Crown Attorney for Elgin County from 1933 to 1950.

Surviving are his wife, the former Hazel Colborne; one son, Arthur, of Aylmer; and two granddaughters, Sheila and Catherine.

Harold Maitland Hale

3132859 

Harold Maitland Hale was born on July 26, 1897 at Luton in Malahide, the son of John M. Hale (1857-1938) & Anna Elizabeth Sanders (1863-1929).  John was a resident of Aylmer, the son of William Hale & Mary Tozer, when he was married on November 18, 1885 in Malahide to Anna Elizabeth Sanders, a native of Lucan living in Aylmer, the daughter of Rev. Thomas E. & Agnes Sanders.  John Hale was a Lieutenant in the 25th Battalion and a farmer.  John served as clerk of Malahide Township. He  & Anna are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

Harry Hale was a farmer living at Dunboyne when he enlisted for service on April 25, 1918 in London.  He was farming in Malahide when he was married on November 11, 1921 in Lambeth to Gertrude May Whalls, a native and resident of Iona, the daughter of William H. Whalls & Nancy Jane Davis.

Harry moved to Detroit in the 1920s and died in Livonia, Michigan in 1961. His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, June 7, 1961:

HARRY HALE

LAVONIA, Mich. – Harry Hale, husband of Mrs. Gertrude Hale, 11360 Merriman, Lavonia, Mich., died suddenly in Mount Carmel Mercy Hospital on Monday of last week.  He was employed by the Michigan Consolidated Gas Co., and had been a Detroit area resident for 40 years.  He was a native of Aylmer, and member of Malahide Lodge No. 140 A.F. & A.M., Aylmer.

Survivors, besides his wife, include one son, Harold, of Detroit; three sisters, Mrs. Agnes Fox, Apollo Beach, Fla., Mrs. Marie Hage, Detroit; and Miss Mabel Hale, of St. Thomas.  Two grandchildren also survive.

The funeral, which was held Thursday from the Severance Funeral Home, 19621 West McNichols, was under the auspices of Mayne Memorial Lodge and interment was made in Acacia Park Cemetery.

Frank Hall

189269

Frank Hall was born on January 22, 1898 in Port Burwell, the son of Everett Edward Hall (1870-1928) & Nellie Butcher.  Everett was born in Springfield, the son of Charles Hall & Matilda Summers, and was living in Houghton when he was married on June 1, 1890 at Clear Creek to Nellie Butcher, a native of the United States living in Houghton, daughter of Joseph & Mary Ann Butcher.  By 1911, the family had moved to Yarmouth township where they appear on the census. Everett & Nellie are buried in St. Thomas Cemetery, West Avenue.

Frank was farming at RR #6 St. Thomas with his parents when he enlisted for service on October 12, 1915 in St. Thomas with the 70th Battalion.

Frank moved to the United States, and was married to Leona Voulster, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They are found on the 1920 census living in the village of Butler, Waukesha County, Wisconsin, where Frank is employed as a car inspector for the rail road.

Frank died on November 29, 1926 in Richmond, California. His obituary appeared in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, December 2, 1926:

FRANK HALL MEETS DEATH IN ACCIDENT

Former St. Thomas Man Victim of Sad Fatality at Los Angeles

Frank Hall, aged 28, son of Mr and Mrs Everett Hall, 173 Woodworth avenue, met death by drowning while at work on a tunnel in Richmond, California, according to word received by his parents here. The fatality, which claimed the lives of nine others, occurred Monday morning, November 29. The deceased had been working only a few days in Richmond, going there from New Butler, Wisconsin.

The deceased leaves besides his parents, his wife, formerly Leona Voulster, of Milwaukee; one son, Kenneth, aged 8 years; two sisters, Mrs. Jessie Reynolds, Toronto, and Mrs. Violet Trimble, Otterville; four brothers, Charles and Lewis, Detroit; Elgin, Davenport, Wash.; Kenneth, Vancouver, B.C.

The funeral takes place on Saturday in Milwaukee. Charles Hall, of Detroit, will be in attendance.  The deceased formerly lived on the 10th concession of Yarmouth and attended Locke’s school.  This is the third bereavement in the family within the past six months. Frank Hall left here for the United States about ten years ago.

George Elgin Hall

190106

George Hall was born on February 9, 1900 at Houghton Centre in Norfolk County, the son of Everett Edward Hall (1870-1928) & Nellie Butcher (1874-1947).  Everett was born in Springfield, the son of Charles Hall & Matilda Summers, and was farming in Houghton Township when he was married on June 1, 1890 in Clear Creek to Nellie Butcher, a native of the U.S. living in Houghton, the daughter of Joseph & Mary Ann Butcher.  They are buried in St. Thomas Cemetery, West Avenue.

George was farming at RR #6 St. Thomas when he enlisted for service underage on March 8, 1916.  He gives his date and place of birth as February 9, 1897 at Port Burwell.

George died on February 9, 1974 and is buried in the Soldiers’ Plot in South Park Cemetery, St. Thomas. His obituary appeared in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, February 11, 1974:

GEORGE E. HALL

George Elgin Hall, 14 Hamilton Street, died in Westminster Hospital, London on Saturday after a short illness.  Born in Houghton Township, he was 74 years of age. He lived in St. Thomas nearly all of his life and was of the United Church faith.

Mr. Hall served overseas in World War I in the 91st Battalion and was overseas in World War II in the Ordinance Corp.  He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 41.

Mr. Hall’s wife was the late Mrs. Roxena Montgomery Hall and his parents were the late Everitt Hall and the late Nellie Butcher Hall both of St. Thomas. Surviving are three step-daughters Mrs. Gordon (Shirley) Denning, 57 Longhurst Park Drive; Mrs. Gordon (Jean) Ponting, Ingersoll; and Mrs. Allen (Pauline) Fishleigh of RR 5 Fenwick; one sister, Mrs. Clive (Violet) Pickersgill, RR 4 St. Thomas. Four brothers and one sister died previously. Also surviving are three grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

Resting at the Williams Funeral Home, 45 Elgin Street, where funeral service will be held Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 1:30 p.m. Rev. J. L. Petrie, padre of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 41 will officiate at the service. Interment will be in South Park Cemetery. A Legion Memorial Service will be held at 7 p.m. this evening.

Harold Edward Hall

2627334 

Harold Hall was born on June 13, 1899 in Tillsonburg, the son of Charles Wesley Hall (1862-1953) & Emma Stimers (1869-1951).  Charles Hall was born in Dereham Township, Oxford County, the son of Edward Hall & Sarah Ann Boughner, and was married first to Alpha Prentice, who died in 1892.  He then married Emma Stimers. They are buried in Old Delmer Cemetery, Dereham Township.

Harold was a locomotive fireman living at Corinth with is parents when he enlisted for service on May 27, 1918 in London. He returned from overseas on December 25, 1918, arriving in St. John, New Brunswick.

He was living in St. Thomas, employed as a railway fireman when he was  married in Windsor on November 8, 1926 to Edna Hazel Burton, of Middlemarch, daughter of Edward Burton & Maria Stubbs.

Harold died on May 13, 1977 and is buried in Elmdale cemetery, St. Thomas. His obituary appeared in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, May 14, 1977:

HAROLD E. HALL

Harold E. Hall of 124 Myrtle Street, St. Thomas, passed away Friday at the St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital in his 79th year.  Born in Tillsonburg, June 13, 1899, the son of the late Mr and Mrs Charles Hall, he came to St. Thomas following the First World War having served overseas with the Canadian Army. He was a retired New York Central Locomotive engineer.

Surviving are his wife, the former Hazel E. Burton; a son, Jack L. Hall of Ottawa; a sister, Mrs. Wesley (Mildred) Matthews of Lupton, Mich.; and three grandchildren, Josephine, Diana and Heather Hall, all of Ottawa.  A brother, the late Clarence Hall of Windsor, died previously.

Resting at the L. B. Sifton Funeral Home, 118 Wellington Street, commencing Sunday afternoon and where the funeral will be conducted Monday at 1:30 p.m. by Rev. Donald Parsons of First United Church. Interment to be made in the family plot of Elmdale Memorial Park.

John Hall

The name John Hall is found on an Honor Roll unveiled at the Aylmer High School on May 23, 1918, listing students and former students who served overseas. This is likely the same J. W. Hall whose letter was published in the Aylmer Express, October 11, 1917:

FORMER AYLMER MAN SERVING IN U.S. ARMY

Pte. J. W. Hall, formerly of the Traders Bank, writes of Life in Training at Fort Douglas, Utah

Fort Douglas, Utah, Oct. 4, 1917

The Aylmer Express,
Aylmer, Ont., Canada

Dear Sirs –

The object of this letter is to have a portion of it printed in your paper for the information of the people at home, in the interests of the Y.M.C.A.  The Y.M.C.A. is certainly a very live wire in the life of the soldier boy. In this particular cantonment they have a fine building on the outskirts of the fort. It is open at any time furnished with a good library, reading room, writing room and amusement room. Large cards on the wall put such questions as “when did you write to your mother?” to the boys. The books in the library are clean, interesting and selected with care for the particular use of the soldier.

In the amusement room almost every evening they have moving pictures. Last Monday evening they showed “Fighting in France”. It was wonderfully instructive. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays they have classes in “French”. Every Sunday they have church. Need I say that all this is highly appreciated by “the boys”.

There is absolutely no charge or fee connected with the Y.M.C.A., but there is considerable expense. I forgot to state that writing material is furnished free of charge. The Y.M.C.A. deserves the support of every patriotic person, and by publishing this in your paper you will help it along.

I remain, yours truly, Pte. J. W. Hall, 43 Infantry, K. Co.

Unfortunately, John Hall cannot be positively identified in Ontario records or any reference found to him living in Aylmer other than the above letter.

Kenneth Grant Hall

2691746

Kenneth Hall was born on November 17, 1902 in Houghton Township, Norfolk County, the son of Everett Edward Hall (1870-1928) & Nellie Butcher (1874-1947).  Everett was born in Springfield, the son of Charles Hall & Matilda Summers, and was farming in Houghton Township when he was married on June 1, 1890 in Clear Creek to Nellie Butcher, a native of the U.S. living in Houghton, the daughter of Joseph & Mary Ann Butcher.  They are buried in St. Thomas Cemetery, West Avenue.

Kenneth was farming at RR #6 St. Thomas when he enlisted for service following the Armistice on March 19, 1919.  He gives his date and place of birth as November 17, 1899 at Port Burwell.

Kenneth died on February 8, 1948 in a plane crash in Arkansas, and is buried in St. Thomas Cemetery, West Ave.  His obituary appeared in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, February 12, 1948:

KENNETH E. HALL FATALLY INJURED

Former Resident Killed in Air Crash in Arkansas

Kenneth Grant Hall, Garden City, Michigan, a former resident of St. Thomas and district and a native of Houghton Township, Norfolk County, died last Sunday afternoon in Arkansas, as the result of injuries sustained in an air accident.  Details of the accident have not been learned.

Born near Port Burwell 45 years ago, Mr. Hall came to St. Thomas as a child with his parents, the late Mr and Mrs Everett Hall. He spent his boyhood here, attending Locke’s School on the Edgeware Road, northeast of the city.  He was a member of the United Church of Canada.

He was an advertising salesman for the Continental Clock Company of Cleveland, Ohio, engaged in sales organization in the Western United States and in handling advertising displays.  He was on a business trip, traveling by airliner when the fatal accident occurred.  

Surviving Mr. Hall are two sisters, Mrs. Thomas Reynolds, Stroud, Ontario; and Mrs. C. C. Pickersgill, RR 4 St. Thomas; and three brothers, Charles Hall, Garden City, Mich.; Lewis E. Hall, Snover, Mich.; and George E. Hall, 46 Hughes Street, city.

On arrival in St. Thomas, the remains will rest at the P. R. Williams and Son Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements have not been completed.

Robert Murray Hamilton

796173

Robert Hamilton was born on August 23, 1889 in Bayham, the son of Robert Hamilton (1855-1911) & Margaret Ann McPherson (1862 – 1951).  Robert & Margaret moved to Ridgetown where they are found on the 1901 census.  On the 1911 census, the family is living in Simcoe.  Robert Hamilton Sr. was the son of Thomas Hamilton & Eliza McGill, and was an importer of horses. The family was living on Norfolk Street, Simcoe when he died in 1911. Margaret McPherson was the daughter of Duncan McPherson & Margaret Douglas.

Robert Murray Hamilton was living in Simcoe, an importer of horses when he was married there on April 29, 1914 to Olive Norma Beaupre (1889 – 1944), of Simcoe, the daughter of John Beaupre & Louise Culver. He was married in April 1945 to Elizabeth Griffin, daughter of Burwell Griffin.

He was living in Simcoe when he enlisted for service there on March 28, 1916.  He belonged to the 39th Regiment. 

Robert Murray Hamilton died in Simcoe on September 6, 1952 and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Simcoe. His obituary appeared in the Simcoe Reformer, September 8, 1952:

SHERIFF R. M. HAMILTON SUCCUMBS IN 64TH YEAR

Sheriff of Norfolk County and Supreme Court Registrar for past four years, Robert Murray Hamilton died on Saturday at his home, 251 Norfolk Street south, in his 64th year.  A son of the late Robert Hamilton and Margaret McPherson, deceased was a native of Port Burwell and was educated at Ridgetown. In earlier life a horse importer, he conducted an insurance business here until 1948 when he was appointed sheriff and registrar.

Mr. Hamilton, who came to Simcoe before the First Great War, had been active in the community. He was a former member of the Town Council, a member of the Simcoe Rotary Club, a past president of the Norfolk Conservative Association, a past president of the Simcoe Kinsmen Club, and a member of Norfolk Lodge No. 10, A.F. & A.M.; Unit 255 Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans; Branch 70 Canadian Legion; and St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church.

A veteran of two wars, deceased had a long military record. He went overseas with the 133rd Battalion in World War I and during the more recent conflict served on the staff of training centres at Brantford and Simcoe, retiring from military service with the rank of Major. In the period between wars, he was an officer in the Norfolk Regiment, local reserve unit.

Besides his wife, the former Elizabeth (Beth) Griffin, he is survived by two sons, Robert John Hamilton and William Murray Hamilton, both of Simcoe; two sisters, Mrs. Alan B. Jackson (Gertheal) of Simcoe, and Mrs. Leslie Jull (Margaret) of Detroit; also two grandchildren, James Douglas and Susan Hamilton. A son, James Douglas, lost his life on active service overseas in the Second Great War, and his first wife, the former Norma Beaupre, predeceased him in 1944.

Mr. Hamilton is resting at the Walsh Funeral Home for service on Tuesday at two o’clock with Rev. John B. Wright of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church officiating and interment in Oakwood Cemetery.

Stewart (Steward) Leonidas Hamilton

3136195

Stewart Hamilton was born on July 8, 1896 in Bayham Township, the son of George Milo Hamilton (1864-1940) & Catharine Susanna Clunas (1863-1923).  George was born in Bayham, the son of James & Jane Hamilton, and was farming there when he was married on March 16, 1888 in Bayham to Catharine Clunas, a native of South Dorchester living in Bayham, the daughter of Thomas Clunas & Mary Jane Gilbert.  They moved to South Dorchester where they lived at lot 16, concession 11.  They are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

Stewart was a farmer living in South Dorchester when he was married on May 14, 1918 at Dunboyne to Zelma Catherine Baldwin (1900-1962), of Bayham, the daughter of Ethelwyn Baldwin & Mary Neff.

Stewart was living at RR #2 Springfield when he enlisted for service on May 21, 1918 in London.

His wife Zelma is buried with her parents in Springfield cemetery.  Stewart died on April 16, 1976, but his name is not on the monument.  They had one son, a son Harry Arnold Hamilton.

Stewart’s obituary appeared in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, April 19, 1976:

STEWARD HAMILTON

Steward Leonidas Hamilton, 80, of Springfield, died at his home on Saturday.  Mr. Hamilton was born in Bayham township, and was formerly employed at the Aylmer Air Force Base. He retired in 1965.  He lived in Springfield for the past 54 years.  Mr. Hamilton served in the Second World War.  He was the son of the late Harry and Catherine Hamilton.  Mr. Hamilton’s wife, Zelma (Baldwin) Hamilton, died in 1962.  He is survived by a son, Harry, of Grand Bend; three sisters, Alma Eagan of Bothwell; Ollie Galley of Niagara Falls; Mary England of Niagara Falls; four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.  Resting at the H. A. Kebbel Funeral Home in Aylmer.  A service will be held at Springfield Baptist Church at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.  Interment at the Springfield cemetery.

 

George Egbert Haney

675600 

George Haney was born September 22, 1892 in Vienna, the son of Isaac Ebenezer Haney (1854-1933) & Nehushta Elizabeth Light (1855-1931).  Isaac was born in Malahide, the son of John Haney & Phoebe Chambers, and was farming in Bayham when he was married to Nehushta Light, of Bayham, the daughter of George Light & Anna Eliza Balcolm.  They are buried in Light Cemetery, Bayham township.

George was a miller living at Vienna when he enlisted for service on February 21, 1916 in Tillsonburg.  He joined the 168th Battalion.  George returned from overseas in 1918, arriving in Halifax on December 30.

Following the war, George was a mariner living at Vienna when he was married on September 25, 1921 at Port Burwell to Flora Dee MacDonald (1895-1972), of Vienna, daughter of Alexander MacDonald & Hannah Holmes.

George died on August 23, 1929 in the Memorial Hospital in Tillsonburg from a ruptured appendix.  He and his wife are buried in St. Luke’s cemetery, Vienna.  A military stone with the following inscription marks his resting place:

“675600 Sapper George F. Haney Canadian Engineers C. E. F. 23rd Aug. 1929″

His obituary appeared in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, August 24, 1929:

YOUNG VIENNA MAN DIES AT TILLSONBURG

George Haney Had Served Overseas During War
Succumbs to Appendicitis Friday

Vienna, August 24 – The sad death of George Haney occurred in the Memorial Hospital, Tillsonburg, Friday morning from appendicitis. Mr. Haney was a young man in the prime of his life and most of the time during the Great War was in active service overseas. For the past few years he had been employed on the government dredge but his home had always been in Vienna and he leaves many friends who regret his death and extend their sincere sympathy to his parents and sister, Mrs. Ball, his wife and his two little children, Jean and Rose. The funeral service will be held in the United Church, Sunday, at one o’clock, and will be conducted by Rev. Shultz of Port Burwell.

Earl Benson Hanna

Earl Hanna’s name appears on the cenotaph in Vienna.  He was born on December 21, 1889 in Humberstone Township, Welland County, the son of Albert Hanna (1844-1902) & Nancy Jane (Jennie) Skinner (1854-1936).  Albert was a native of Humberstone, the son of Richard Hanna & Ann Jane Johnston, and was married in Niagara Falls on September 19, 1883 to Nancy Jane Skinner, a native of Crowland Township living in Niagara Falls, the daughter of Hiram & Nancy Skinner.

By the 1901 census, Albert & “Jennie” had moved with their children to Bayham township where they were farming.  Albert died in 1902, and Jennie moved back to Niagara Falls with her two sons Earl & Leroy (Roy).

Earl enlisted for service on October 16, 1915 in Welland.  He was living with his mother at 288 Victoria Ave., Niagara Falls.  He was a Lieutenant in the 81st Battalion, and belonged to the 44th Regiment.  Earl returned from overseas in 1919, arriving in Halifax on October 20. 

Earl was married in 1939 to Florence May Miller in Niagara Falls.  He died on July 2, 1944 in Niagara Falls. His obituary appeared in the Niagara Falls Evening Review, July 3, 1944:

MAJOR E. B. HANNA, V.D.

The community will be shocked to learn of the death, yesterday, of Major Earl Benson Hanna, V.C., beloved husband of Florence Miller Hanna, which occurred at the family home, 493 John Street.

Major Hanna, active in military circles since 1910, was a veteran of World War I, former second in command of the Lincoln and Welland regiment for a number of years, and was a past president of the Canadian Legion, post No. 51.

Born in Humberstone Township, Major Hanna lived in this city practically all his life. He was the son fo the late Albert and Jennie Hanna, pioneer residents of Welland County.

In 1910, Major Hanna enlisted in the old 44th regiment. Following the outbreak of the Great War he volunteered for active service in August 1914 and went overseas with the 81st Battalion. He was wounded at the Battle of the Somme and received his Captaincy in the field. Returning to this city after the war, he was promoted to the rank of Major and subsequently was second in command of the Lincoln and Welland Regiment.

Major Hanna was employed by the Ontario Hydro Electric Power Commission during the construction of the Queenston-Chippawa power canal, and later entered the employ of the North American Cynamid Company where he remained until February of this year when he underwent a serious operation from which he failed to recover.

He was a member of the Morrison Street United Church. Besides his wife he is survived by one brother and one sister, Leroy J. Hanna of this city, and Mrs. John Gay of Ivanhoe, Ontario.  Resting at his late residence, 493 John Street, until Wednesday morning at eleven o’clock, afterwards at the Morse and Son Chapel, where Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock funeral services will be held.  Interment will be made in Fairview Cemetery and full military honors will be accorded.

Leroy (Roy) Johnson Hanna

Roy Hanna’s name appears on the cenotaph in Vienna.  He was born on January 10, 1888 in Humberstone Township, Welland County, the son of Albert Hanna (1844-1902) & Nancy Jane (Jennie) Skinner (1854-1936).  Albert was a native of Humberstone, the son of Richard Hanna & Ann Jane Johnston, and was married in Niagara Falls on September 19, 1883 to Nancy Jane Skinner, a native of Crowland Township living in Niagara Falls, the daughter of Hiram & Nancy Skinner.

By the 1901 census, Albert & “Jennie” had moved with their children to Bayham township where they were farming.  Albert died in 1902,  and Jennie moved back to Niagara Falls with her two sons Earl & Leroy (Roy).

Roy Hanna’s Officer’s Declaration Paper as a Lieutenant is dated May 29, 1918 in Niagara Falls.  He was living at 288 Victoria Ave., Niagara Falls with his mother.  He was employed with Canadian Customs.  He had served three years with the 44th Regiment and the Welland Canal Force.  He belonged to the 44th Regiment at the time. 

Following the war, Roy returned to Niagara Falls where he returned to his job as a customs officer.  He was married there on June 16, 1923 to Phyllis Spence Maitland Allan, a native of Kingston living in Niagara Falls, the daughter of James Allan & Elizabeth Spence.

Roy died on May 8, 1970 in Niagara Falls.

John Hanson

189464

John Hanson was born on November 27, 1888 in Stevensville, Bertie Township, Welland County, the son of John Hanson (1857-1931) & Annie Burge. John was born in Port Royal, Norfolk County, the son of William & Eleanor Hanson, and was a commercial traveller living in Aylmer when he was married on April 4, 1888 in Port Burwell to Annie Burge, of Port Burwell, the daughter of Edward & Mary Burge. John & Annie were living in Hamilton on the 1901 census, but by 1911 had moved to Port Rowan,  where John Jr. is a bookkeeper.  John Hanson Sr. died in Hamilton in 1931 where he as a hotel keeper, and is buried in Port Rowan cemetery.

John was a clerk living in Aylmer when he enlisted for service on November 25, 1915.  He names his next of kin as his mother Annie, also of Aylmer.

A letter from John was printed in the East Elgin Tribune, August 3, 1916:

PTE. J. HANSON HAS INTERESTING TIME

Private John Hanson, of the 91st Battalion, now in England, writes as follows to his parents here:

“Dear Mother and Father – As we are just about to land in Liverpool I thought it would be a good time to write and tell you of my trip. This letter will not be posted till four days after our arrival in England, so there would have been no use writing before. We were told this just after leaving Halifax.

This letter will be censored by the war department, so I will have to be careful what I write in it.  We left Halifax on June 29, and will dock tonight. That is a pretty quick trip for crossing the ocean. But this same boat did it in five days and four hours the last trip. I dare not write the name of the boat in this letter, but the card I sent you will explain that.  We have on board six thousand soldiers and one thousand officers, so you can imagine what size she is. It is quite a bit different from the Port Rowan Boy.

At four o’clock this afternoon four British cruisers met us and are with us now. They will escort us into Liverpool. I came down from the upper deck just before supper and it certainly was a great sight to see them go through the water. This boat we are on averages 25 miles an hour for the trip. We are right in the submarine zone, but nothing has happened yet.

Yesterday when I was on deck I saw five sea poise, all in a bunch. They are just like whales. It has been very cool all through the trip. I have not been the least bit sick.

Wednesday morning, July 5 – We did not land last night, but expect to some time today. I have just come from the upper deck, after seeing us pass the coast of Ireland. It was one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen.  I understand we leave the boat at two o’clock today and take the train to Shorncliffe camp, England.

I heard this morning that one captain offered to bet $1,000 that the war would end inside of three months. So by that there is a good chance that we will never see the firing line.

I suppose it will be hard to you to believe that where I slept it was thirty feet below the water line. There are about seventy-five of us here in the compartment. When this boat is used as a passenger boat this compartment is used as a store room. We sleep in hammocks hung to hooks in the ceiling. Right under us are our tables, where we eat. All we have to do is just fall out of our hammocks and we are at the table ready to eat.

Just before leaving Halifax they took two officers from the boat as German spies, one was a major and the other a captain. Maybe this part will be scratched out of this letter. They are awful particular about these things.

As I am writing this letter this morning there are about fifteen or twenty around me sea sick. It nearly makes me vomit to see them.  I met a fellow on the boat yesterday who used to work for Geo. Weston Limited, Winnipeg, the same time I traveled for them. He is with a battalion from Winnipeg, which is also on this boat.

It was rumored around the boat that it was reported in Canada that this boat had been sunk by a submarine and all hands lost. This was done as a blind to fool the Germans.

Sunday, July 9 – We arrived here in this camp this morning at 4 a.m. I dare not write the name of the camp, but can just say it is somewhere in England. This is our fourth day after arrival in England so could not post the letter before.  I have just come off picket duty, that is just the same as the military police. We are sent out to the different hotels to see that the soldiers do not get too much to drink. Some job for me, eh?  The hotels here are open on Sunday just the same as the week day. They are open from 12 o’clock noon to 2:30 in the afternoon and then from six to eight in the evening. We have not been allowed to leave the camp grounds as yet. Every battalion has to stay in for seven days before they can leave the camp, that is those who just come from Canada.

You will be surprised when I tell you are only between forty and fifty miles from the firing line. At night we can hear the roar of the guns all night. Today we were called out and distributed in small bunches to be prepared for an air raid. The Zeppelins, however, did not show up. They say just a year ago today the Germans made an air raid on this same camp and killed over fifty men.

Everything has gone up in price in England lately, and especially here in the camp. For instance, those little one cent boxes of matches we could buy in Canada cost us two cents here.

I am going to close now for this time, but will write you another one sometime this week. Remember me to all my friends. Bye, bye, best love, John

My address is: Pte. John Hanson, No. 189464, 91 Battalion C.E.F., Army Post Office, London, England.”

Another letter from John was published in the Aylmer Express, August 17, 1916:

CAN HEAR THE BIG GUNS IN ENGLAND

Boys of the 91st Are Having Lots of Hard Work – Are Treated Fine by the People

Mr and Mrs John Hanson, of the Central Hotel, have received the following letter from their son, Pte. Jack Hanson, who is attached to the 36th Battalion:

Sunday, July 23, 1916

Dear Mother and Dad:

Just a line to let you know I am well.  I have been expecting a letter every day from you, but have not received one as yet.  I wrote you on my arrival in camp here, that would be three weeks ago so you will likely have it by the time I am writing this.

This is some different country to Canada, also the military discipline. Every eligible man you see here is in khaki. The Army uses you like a dog, but the people are very fine. I was over to a place called Folkestone yesterday afternoon, that would be Saturday, 22nd July, and had a dandy time. It is six miles from here, on the ocean, and supposed to be one of the finest summer resorts in England. That is the first time I have been out of camp since I have been here.

You no doubt have heard by this time about the 91st Battalion being all split up. It made us all feel pretty blue over it, from the Colonel down. I am attached tot he 36th Battalion now; that means, where one of their men has been killed, I take his place.  I have put in my transfer tot he Mechanical Transport Corps, but don’t know whether I will get it or not.

As I sit here writing this letter, I can hear the reports of the big guns in France.  They say the firing line is only forty miles from here. When I was in Folkestone yesterday, I could see France very plainly across the English Channel. It is only twenty odd miles across.

I have just been talking to a returned soldier across the table from me. He says he would rather be right in the trenches in preference to drilling here in this camp.  So you can imagine how they drill us. For instance, last Thursday, after drilling from half-past five in the morning to twelve noon, they sent us on a fifteen-mile route march, with full packs on our shoulders. That is, just the same equipment as we marched with from the barracks tot he station the Sunday we left. But with all that, the only thing that bothered me was my feet.

I hear you are having very fine weather in Canada. This is the worst climate in the world; the sun shines about once a week, and there is what they call “a Scottish mist” pretty nearly all the time. So you can imagine what it is like. We sleep right on the ground; that makes it also much nicer. But when I see the wounded boys, with an arm or a leg off, walking around the camp, it makes me feel as though we were lucky. There are not only a few like that around here, but hundreds.

We were all supposed to have a six-day pass to see England, but only two or three have got them, so far as I know of. I have only received in pay one pound ten shillings (that is seven dollars and twenty cents in Canadian money), so I don’t think I will be able to see much of England at that rate. If it hadn’t been for the money you gave me when I left, I would have fared far worse than I have.  Things are as dear, if not dearer, as they are in Canada.

I am going to close for this time, hoping this letter will find you in as good health as myself. Good-bye. With best love, John

My address is: Pte. J. Hanson, 91st Batt., attached 36th Batt.; West Sandling, England

John returned from overseas in 1919, arriving in Halifax on May 15.  The passenger list states his mother lives in Hamilton.

John moved to Kent County where he lived at Highgate and later at Merlin in Raleigh Township where he died on October 4, 1931 at the age of 42 years.  He had lived at Merlin for four months prior to his death.  He is buried in Maple Leaf Cemetery, Chatham. His obituary appeared in the Chatham Daily News, October 5, 1931:

JOHN HANSEN OF MERLIN PASSES OUT SUDDENLY

His Body Was Found in Bedroom of His Home Sunday Morning

John Hansen, aged 34 years, was found dead in his home in Merlin on Sunday morning about eleven o’clock. The deceased had been out all night, returning to his home at five o’clock in the morning, and was seen by one of the neighbors at seven o’clock. Apparently when his family arose, Hansen went upstairs and played with the children until they rose from their night’s rest. At eleven o’clock his wife wondered why he had not come downstairs and she and her father Charles Hawley of Merlin telephone for Dr. Bell.When the doctor arrived he went upstairs and found Hansen lying in a corner of the bedroom fully dressed. He had apparently been seized by heart failure and had died in convulsions. Lying near the body was a partially consumed cigarette.

The family consisting of the husband and wife and their two sons, aged four and six slept in the same room. Mr. Hansen was alone in the room when he was seized with the attack, and it was not until eleven o’clock that the members of his family knew he was dead.

Constables Sheff and Peters were called to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death, but were unable to solve the mystery and Dr. Bell, who is coroner for Raleigh Township considered that an inquest would not be necessary.

Hansen is a former hotel-keeper of Highgate, but has been living in Merlin for some time. The funeral will be held tomorrow when interment will be made in the Maple Leaf Cemetery. His mother and sister of Hamilton were notified of the tragedy and arrived in Merlin this morning to attend the funeral.

Archie Scott Hare

2671256 

Archie Hare was born on December 14, 1897 in Aylmer, the son of William Thomas Hare (1863-1947) & Carrie Fuller (1873-1953).  William was the son of Thomas & Harriet Hare, and was a farmer living in Malahide when he was married there on December 20, 1893 to Carrie Fuller, a resident of Malahide, but native of Houghton Township, daughter of George W. & Jennie Fuller.  William & Carrie are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

Archie was a farmer living in Aylmer when he enlisted for service on May 27, 1918 in London. He enlisted with the 63rd Battery C.F.A. C.E.F.  He was married in 1927 to Edna Pearl Mahar (1902-1980).

Archie died on April 14, 1988 at the age of 90, and is buried in Aylmer cemetery.  His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, April 20, 1988:

Archie Scott Hare

Archie Scott Hare, 90, a retired farmer, of 430 Wellington St., St. Thomas, and formerly an Aylmer and East Elgin resident, died at the St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital on Thursday, April 14, 1988.  Mr. Hare farmed at R.R. 4 Aylmer for many years, lived in Aylmer for several years and moved to St. Thomas about 10 years ago.  He was a former member of the Ontario Milk Marketing Board, and was a field representative for the board.  He was chairman of the Ontario Conservative Party for Elgin County in 1940.  Mr. Hare was also a member of the Malahide Masonic Lodge for more than 50 years.  Roy Sinden of the Masonic Lodge said Mr. Hare first affiliated with the Malahide branch in 1933, coming from a branch in Brantford.  “He was a good member and worked hard,” Mr. Sinden said.  “A great farmer.”  Mr. Hare also had a very good sense of humour. “He could tell a joke and make you laugh where somebody else would fall flat”, Mr. Sinden said.  Mr. Hare was born to the late William and Carrie (Fuller) Hare on December 14, 1897.  He was predeceased by his wife Edna (Mahar) in 1980.  He is survived by his son William and his wife Joan of RR 4 Aylmer; daughter Alma McArthur and her husband Arnold of St. Thomas; six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Members of the Malahide Masonic Lodge No. 140 conducted a memorial service at the H.A. Kebbel Funeral Home in Aylmer on Saturday, April 16.  The Reverend Das Sydney of Aylmer Baptist Church conducted the funeral service from the funeral home on Monday, April 18, 1988.  Pallbearers included Tom Hare, James Hare, Bob Hare, Steve Weir and Ian Rendle.  Flower bearers were Gray Fuller, Pete McLay, Ed Chambers and Jim Kenny.

Joseph Bell Harkes

38863   

Joseph B. Harkes was born on September 22, 1887 at Bow, London, England, the son of Joseph Harkes & Melina Emma Brind (c1868 – 1899), who were married in London in 1885.  On the 1901 census, Joseph Sr., a widower, is found with his family living at 2 Wolesley House, London.  

Joseph B. Harkes was married in London in 1911 to Rosetta Purton (1887-1964).  He enlisted in England near the beginning of the war and served in the Royal Field Artillery, first as a gunner, and later as a Sergeant.  He was decorated with a medal in 1914.

He and his wife and family emigrated to Canada in 1926, departing Southampton, England on the ship Antonia, and arriving in Halifax on March 27.  The passenger list gives their destination as Tillsonburg. They eventually settled south of Jaffa.

Joseph died on March 8, 1949 and is buried in Aylmer cemetery with his wife.  His obituary appeared in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, March 9, 1949:

JOSEPH B. HARKES, JAFFA, DIES AT 61

Veteran of Imperial Army Was at Mons Retreat

AYLMER , March 9 – The death occurred Tuesday at the family residence, south of Jaffa, of Joseph Bell Harkes, R.R. 5 Aylmer, after a six months’ illness. He had been seriously ill for two months.  Mr. Harkes was born in London, England, Sept. 22, 1887. He served in the Imperial Army in World War I, being in the retreat at Mons. He came to Canada in 1926, settling in the Aylmer district. He was a son of the late Mr and Mrs Joseph Harkes.

He is survived by his wife, the former Rosetta Parton; three sons, Joseph, of Luton; Frank, of Aylmer; and Charles at home; two daughters, Mrs. Edwin (Millicent) Pearson, of Sparta; Mrs. Kenneth (Rosetta) Young, of Tillsonburg; a brother, Frank, Thamesford, and eight grandchildren.

At rest at the Hughson Funeral Home, Aylmer, with funeral services Friday at 2:30 p.m. Rev. F. C. McRitchie, of Trinity Anglican Church, with which Mr. Harkres was connected, will officiate. Interment will be in Aylmer Cemetery.

Robert William Harp

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Robert Harp was born on March 5, 1895 at Otterville in South Norwich Township, Oxford County, the son of Elijah Harp (1854-1937) & Margaret Scott (1853-1908). Elijah was born in Windham township, the son of Elijah Harp & Eunice Rebecca Chambers, and was living in Otterville when he was married on March 25, 1873 to Margaret Scott, also of Otterville, the daughter of Jacob Scott & Hannah Walker.  Elijah later moved to Aylmer where he was living in 1919 when he married Mary Haines.

Robert was living in Otterville, employed as a teamster, when he enlisted for service in Tillsonburg on January 17, 1916.

Prior to going overseas, he was married on May 3, 1916 in Aylmer to Ella Kern, a native of Straffordville, the daughter of Henry Kern & Alfretta Hilts.  He returned from overseas in 1919, arriving in Halifax on April 10.

Robert died on January 26, 1971 and is buried with Clara M. (1910-1973) in Aylmer cemetery.

His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, January 27, 1971:

ROBERT W. HARP

Robert William Harp, of 22 Centre Street, Aylmer, died Tuesday morning at the St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital following a lengthy illness.  He was 75. Born in Otterville, the son of the late Mr and Mrs Robert Harp, he served in the First World War.

Surviving are his wife, the former Clara Miller; a daughter, Mrs. Wilfred (Irene) Pennington, in Europe; a brother, Alfonso Harp of Simcoe; and a number of nieces and nephews. 

Resting at the H. A. Kebbel Funeral Home, Aylmer, for service at 2 p.m. Thursday. Interment in Aylmer Cemetery. The Rev. Gordon Woodcock of Aylmer Baptist Church will officiate.

Verne Lyons Harper

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Verne Harper was born on August 21, 1896 in Malahide, the son of James Andrew Harper (1856-1896) & Alice Viola Lyons (1861-1937).  James was born in Malahide, the son of Joseph & Margaret Harper, and was married in Malahide on December 17, 1878 to Alice Lyons, also of Malahide, daughter of Calvin & Margaret Lyons. James & Alice are buried in Burdick cemetery.

Verne was living in Aylmer employed as an auto mechanic and cook, when he enlisted for service on January 25, 1918 in Brantford.

Verne moved to Detroit about 1922, where he was married on June 12, 1926 to Grace Delight Blanchard.  They are found on the 1930 census in Detroit, where he is employed as an office clerk in an auto factory.  At the time, they had one daughter Sally M., age 2. He died in Detroit in July, 1972.

William Bruce Harper

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William Bruce Harper was born on November 17, 1889 in Malahide, the son of William Thomas Harper (1859-1932) & Sarah Ellen Bowen (1862-1953).  William was the son of Joseph J. & Margaret Harper, and was born and living in Malahide when he was married there on August 27, 1884 to Ellen Bowen, also of Malahide, the daughter of William & Lydia.

Bruce was a farmer living in Malahide when he was married there on September 15, 1909 to Stella Alma Learn (1891-1988), of Malahide, daughter of Phillip Learn & Lettie Pick.  

Bruce was living in Aylmer working as a mechanic when he enlisted for service on September 12, 1916 in Windsor.  He belonged to the 21st Regiment, having served fourteen months.  He returned from overseas on March 5, 1919, arriving in Halifax. His return was reported in the Aylmer Express, March 13, 1919 with the following caption under his photograph:

“Pte. Bruce Harper, who arrived home from overseas on Saturday. Pte. Harper enlisted with the 241st Kiltie Battalion at Windsor, and outside of a minor shrapnel would on his cheek, escaped injury. His family have been making their home in Aylmer during his absence. He is a son of Mr and Mrs. W. T. Harper, Talbot street east, Malahide, and we understand will make his home in Malahide.

Bruce died on October 15, 1967 and is buried in Aylmer cemetery.  His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, October 18, 1967:

WILLIAM B. HARPER

Windsor – William Bruce Harper, of 3171 Byng Road, Windsor, died Sunday in Metropolitan Hospital, Windsor, after a short illness.  He was 77.  Mr. Harper was born in Aylmer.  He had lived in Windsor for the past 52 years, and was a retired inspector for the Ford Motor Co.  A member of Grace United Church, Windsor, he had served in the 241st Regiment during World War I.

He is survived by his wife, the former Stella Learn; one daughter, Mrs. Evelyn Morris, Windsor; three sons, Learn, Windsor; Kenneth, Mooretown; Graeme, Bright, Ont.; two sisters, Mrs. Harry (Beatrice) Paupst, Aylmer; Mrs. Lela McFarlane, Halifax.

The body rested at the Walter D. Kelly Funeral Home, Windsor, for service Tuesday night, and at the H. A. Kebbel Funeral Home, Aylmer, where service was conducted by Rev. Thomas Redpath, of Grace United Church, Windsor, on Wednesday (today). Burial was in Aylmer Cemetery.

Lorne William Harrett

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Lorne William Harrett was born on September 1, 1894 in Malahide, the son of Roland F. Harrett (1868-1938) & Florence (Flora) Bowen (1868-1962). Roland was born in Malahide, the son of William Harrett & Emeline Soper.  He was married in Malahide on September 25, 1889 to Flora Bowen, daughter of William & Lydia Bowen.

Lorne Harrett was married on August 8, 1917 at Lakeview in Malahide Township to Edna Louise Chalk (1893-1984), also of Malahide, daughter of George Chalk & Eva Leeson.

Lorne was a farmer living at R.R. #1 Aylmer when he enlisted for service on May 31, 1918 in London.

He died on August 27, 1981 and is buried in Aylmer cemetery. His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, September 2, 1981:

LORNE HARRETT

Lorne William Harrett, 87, of RR 1 Aylmer, a life long resident of Malahide Township and a retired farmer died at Continuing Care Centre, St. Thomas Thursday, August 27.  He was born in Malahide Township September 1, 1893, the son of the late Roland and Flora (Bowen) Harrett.

Mr. Harrett is survived by his wife, the former Edna Chalk, a son Douglas of RR 1 Aylmer, and a daughter Mrs. Allan (Evelyn) Stewart of Hamilton and two grandchildren.

A funeral service was conducted from the H. A. Kebbel Funeral Home, Saturday, August 29, by the Rev. Norman Jones of St. Paul’s United Church. Burial was in Aylmer Cemetery. Pallbearers were Karl Bowen, Wray Bowen, Lloyd McQuiggan, Bernice Bowen, Gordon Paupst and Joe Kalman.

Arthur Elmo Harris

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Arthur Harris was born on December 19, 1888 at Eden, the son of Warren Harris (1862-1902) & Nellie Taylor (born 1864).  Warren was born in Forestville, Norfolk County, and was married on February 2, 1887 to Nellie Taylor, a native of Port Burwell.  They were living in Tillsonburg on the 1901 census, and the following year Warren died in an accident.  He is buried in Tillsonburg cemetery.  Arthur and his mother moved to Calgary where they were living at 831-13th Ave West when he enlisted for service on August 10, 1918.  He was single and employed as an advertising manager.

No further information is known.

Edwin Lee Harris

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Edwin Harris was born on March 17, 1895 in Aylmer, the son of John W. Harris (1870-1929) & Flora E. Cascadden (1875-1905).  John was born in Kent, England, the son of John & Sarah Harris, and was a barber living in Aylmer when he was married on July 17, 1894 in Bayham to Flora Cascadden, also of Aylmer, daughter of Lee & Minerva Cascadden.  John & Flora are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

Edwin was a farmer living in Aylmer when he enlisted for service on March 4, 1918 in London.

Edwin died on March 8, 1921 on concession 7, Malahide from tuberculosis, from which he had suffered two years.  He was 25 years old, and was a student.  He is buried in Aylmer cemetery with his parents.  His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, March 10, 1921:

A very sad death occurred on Tuesday, March 8th, at 1:30 a.m., when Edwin Lee Harris, son of Mr and Mrs. John Harris of Malahide, passed away in his 26th year. Deceased was one of Aylmer’s most popular young men, being a prominent figure in athletic circles. After graduating from the Aylmer High School, he spent one year at Woodstock College, later attending Dental College, in Toronto, his course there being interrupted by his enlistment in the Royal Air Force. About two years ago, he suffered from appendicitis.  After three operations, he was taken to the Mayo Brother’s clinic at Rochester, Minn., but to no avail, his health slowly giving way under the strain.  Besides his parents and grandparents, Mr and Mrs Lee Cascadden, of Malahide, he is survived by one sister, Iza, at home. The funeral, which will be in charge of the Masonic Order, of which deceased was a member, will take place from the home of his grandparents, east of Aylmer, this afternoon at 1:30. Service will be held in the Baptist church, Aylmer, at 2:30 p.m. Interment will be made in the Aylmer cemetery.

Kenneth James Alwin McPherson Harris

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Kenneth Harris was born on December 6, 1896 in Tillsonburg, the son of George Merrill Harris (1845-1913) & Isabella McPherson (1855-1929).  George was born in Oxford County, the son of William Harris & Emma Post, and was farming in Dereham township when he was married on August 19, 1874 in Warwick, Lambton County to Isabella McPherson, of Warwick, the daughter of John McPherson & Robina Dobbie. They are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

Kenneth was a miller living in Springfield when he enlisted for service on May 21, 1918 in London.

He died on May 5, 1958 and is buried in Aylmer cemetery. His obituary follows:

HEART ATTACK FATAL TO KENNETH HARRIS

SPRINGFIELD – A lifelong resident of the district, Kenneth Harris died suddenly on Monday afternoon following a heart attack. He was in his 63rd year.  Mr. Harris was stricken while at work at R.C.A.F. Station Aylmer, where he was employed as a cleaner.  He had not been well the past few months.  A resident of Springfield the past 60 years, he was born in Tillsonburg and was a son of the late Isabel and George Harris.  Mr. Harris operated a mill here with his brother, the late J. F. Harris, for a good many years. Following the death of his brother about ten years ago, he operated a feed supply business in Aylmer.  A bachelor, Mr. Harris is survived by his sister-in-law, Mrs. Ida Harris, of Springfield; two nephews Mack Harris, of Picton, and Douglas Harris, of Windsor, and a number of cousins. Resting at the Shaw Funeral Home, Springfield, from where the service will be held on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. Rev. George A. Shields, of St. John’s United Church here, will conduct the service. Interment will be made in the family plot in Aylmer cemetery.

Walter LeRoy Harris

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The name Walter Harris is found on an Honor Roll unveiled at the Aylmer High School on May 23, 1918, listing students and former students who served overseas.

It is believed this refers to Walter LeRoy Harris, who was born on July 10, 1883 at Springford in South Norwich Township, Oxford County, the son of Martin Harris (1839-1910) & Sarah A. Moyer (1840-1904).  Martin was born in South Norwich, the son of Sylvester Harris & Charlotte Quaterman, and was married on January 15, 1860 in Oxford County to Sarah Ann Moyer, also of South Norwich, daughter of Jacob & Mary Moyer.  Martin & Sarah moved to Aylmer where he was employed as a drayman.  The family is found on the 1891 and 1901 census in Aylmer.  Martin & Sarah are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

Walter moved to the United States and was living in New Jersey when he enlisted for service on September 10, 1917 in Toronto.  He was an agent, and gives his address as “care of G. B. Hitchcock, Bogota, New Jersey”.  He names his next of kin as his wife, Hattie Marie Harris, of the same address.  He had served six years as a sergeant in the 3rd Canadian Victoria Rifles.

Following the war, Walter & Hattie moved to Los Angeles, where they are found on the 1920 census.  That record indicates Walter emigrated to the United States in 1909.  Hattie was born in Massachusetts.  

No further information can be found.

Harry Jamieson Hart

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Harry J. Hart was born on April 5, 1895 in Omemee, Ontario, the son of Joseph Hart and Elizabeth Jamieson.  Harry enrolled in the University of Toronto to study medicine in September 1914. While at University he served as a Private for 18 months in the C.O.T.C., and enlisted for overseas service on April 1, 1916 in Toronto.  He gives his address as 22 Gloucester St., Toronto. He joined the 67th Overseas Depot Battery, C.F.A., and served in France as a Lieutenant.  Following the war, Harry returned to the University of Toronto and graduated in 1922.  He then studied in Edinburgh for a year and returned to Canada.  Dr. Hart came to Elgin County, and was married on November 11, 1925 to Mildred Irene Summers, daughter of Grant Summers of Aylmer.  Dr. Hart died in London on December 12, 1945 at the age of 50. He is buried in Aylmer Cemetery. 

 His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, December 20, 1945:

H. J. HART SUCCUMBS TO HEART ATTACK IN LONDON

Former Aylmer and Richmond Practitioner was Member of Westminster Hospital

Staff for Two Years

The death occurred in St. Joseph’s Hospital, London, on Wednesday evening, December 12th, of Dr. Harry Jemison Hart, practising physician in Bayham Township and Aylmer for many years, and for the past two years a member of the medical staff of Westminster Hospital, London.  Dr. Hart suffered a severe heart attack in December to which he succumbed after two weeks illness.

For a number of years Dr. Hart was Medical Officer of Health in Aylmer, Bayham and Malahide, where he initiated school health service, giving freely of his time and energy and had held this office until three months ago, when the service was taken over by the Elgin-St. Thomas Public Health Unit. The deceased did much pioneer work in the line of preventive medicine among school children and was widely known and highly respected in all fields of medical science.

Born in Omemee, Ontario, on April 5th, 1895, Dr. Hart was a son of Joseph and Eliza Hart. He was a veteran of the First World War, having served overseas from 1916 to 1918 with the Canadian Army Forces.  On his return he attended the medical school of the University of Toronto, and graduated in 1922. He purchased the practice of the late Dr. Riddell in Richmond, and practiced there for ten years before moving to Aylmer where he conducted a large general practice for another ten years before moving to London to join the staff of Westminster Hospital two years ago.

Dr. Hart was a valued member of the United Church and took a prominent part in Masonic work, being a member and Past Master of Malahide Lodge, No. 140 A.F. & A.M., a Past First Principal of the Aylmer Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and Past Grand Principal of London District Royal Arch Masons.  He was also a member of Mocha Temple Shrine, London.

Dr. Hart is survived by his wife, the former Mildred Summers, of Aylmer; two sons and one daughter, Grant, Teddy and Olive, all at home; three brothers, Percy Hart, Lakefield, Ont., Cyrus Hart, Omemee, Ont., and Elmer Hart, Janetville, Ont.

The funeral service was held on Saturday afternoon in St. Paul’s United Church, Aylmer.  Malahide Lodge No. 140 A.F. & A.M., and Masons from London, St. Thomas and Vienna attended in a body and the Masonic burial service at the grave in Aylmer Cemetery was conducted by the chaplain of the Malahide Lodge, W.M. Stewart Clarke. Rt. Rev. Jesse H. Arnup, Moderator of the United Church of Canada, and uncle of Dr. Hart, assisted Rev. L. C. Lawson, at the burial service. The attendance at the church was very large, and many relatives attended from Omemee, Janetville, Lakefield, Oshawa, Toronto, Niagara Falls, Brussels, Hespeler, Galt, Brantford, Owen Sound, Norwich, London, St. Thomas and Aylmer. Rev. L. C. Lawson, minister at St. Paul’s United Church, had charge of the service.  Rev. Hugh Wilson, of Brussels, read the Scripture lesson, and Rev. M. P. Smith, of Robinson Memorial church, London, gave the address. Both were stationed in Bayham when Dr. Hart practiced there. Rev. W. D. Stenlake was Dr. Hart’s minister in Aylmer for eight years. Rev. Duncan McTavish, of Calvary United Church, London, and president of the London Conference,  Dr. Hart’s minister in London, gave the closing prayer.  Rev. A. Manley, padre of Westminster Hospital, also attended the service.  The honorary pallbearers were Dr. S. O. Rogers, chief medical officer at Westminster Hospital; Drs. Russell Stevens, F.R.V. Bateman, W. McLean, J. A. Campbell, Armstrong Pilkey, and Jack Morley, representatives of the Dept. of Pensions; Dr. J. C. Curtis and Dr. Lee Elliott, of St. Thomas; Drs. H. G. McLay, C. W. Sinclair, J. W. Wickware, McLay Miller, J. B. Clark and Dr. Colquhoun, of Aylmer. The pallbearers were all members of the Masonic Order and were Harry Grant, S. W. Durckee, A. Hare, Charles Horton, Burtis Hardy and Walter Armstrong.  Members of the Order were also flower bearers. Great banks of flowers surrounded the pulpit platform, and the casket, consisting of pillows, wreaths, baskets and sprays. In his address Rev. M. P. Smith paid high tribute to the life of Dr. Hart as he brought relief and healing to the sick, and as a citizen of this community. His was a life devoted to the finest and the highest. The speaker pointed out that it was not the length of years, but rather to the causes to which one gives in his life that matters. Dr. Hart was medical officer of health in Aylmer and Malahide, and Bayham townships and Mayor T. L. Barnecott, Mayor-elect, George Brown, and members of the town council and townships councils, the Board of Health, the Board of Education, and the Public Utilities Commission, also attended the service in a body.  Mrs. M. D. Halpenny presided at the church organ.

An article about Dr. Hart and his service in the war was written by Pat Zimmer, Curator of the Aylmer and District Museum, and was printed in the Aylmer Express, November 12, 2003. 

Basil Roy Harvey

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Basil Harvey was born on January 27, 1896 at Mount Salem in Malahide, the son of Thomas Henry Harvey & Mary Eleanor Hollywood. Thomas was born in Houghton township, the son of James & Melissa Harvey, and was farming there when he was married on July 8, 1895 in Aylmer to Mary Hollywood, of Bayham, the daughter of Charles & Elizabeth Hollywood.

Basil was farming with his parents at RR #1 Curries Crossing when he enlisted for service on May 21, 1918.

He was farming in East Oxford Township, Oxford County when he was married there on September 22, 1920 to Hazel Marguerite Cook (1895-1987), a native of Walsingham township living in East Oxford, the daughter of Joseph Andrew Cook & Margaret Anna Jamieson.

Basil died in 1979 and is buried with his wife  in Pleasant View / Curries cemetery in East Oxford Township, Oxford County. The monument gives his year of birth as 1895.

George Francis Harvey

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George Francis Harvey was born in Aylmer on January 6, 1901, the son of Andrew Gavin Harvey (1861-1912) & Sarah Melinda  Silverthorn (1867-1943). Andrew was born in Tillsonburg, the son of Gavin & Elizabeth, and was a farmer living in Brownsville when he was married on November 16, 1887 in Tillsonburg to Sarah Silverthorn, a native of Dereham living in Corinth, daughter of Jonathan & Mary Jane Silverthorn.  Andrew & Sarah farmed in Malahide, but by 1911 had moved to South Dorchester.

George was a shoemaker living in Aylmer when he enlisted for service in St. Thomas on April 13, 1916.  He had served in the 30th Battery C.F.A.

Mention of George was made in the Aylmer Express, November 23, 1916:

One Aylmer man doing his “bit” in France, who has evidently been overlooked by the several societies in Aylmer who are sending parcels to our boys overseas, is Pte. George Harvey, of Aylmer, who enlisted with the 91st Battalion.  In a recent letter to his mother here, in which he acknowledged receiving a parcel of socks and other articles, etc., he said that this was the first parcel he had ever received since going overseas, although all the other Aylmer boys had received several.  He also stated that when he received his mother’s parcel, he did not have a sock to put on his feet.  No doubt one of the Christmas cheer parcels would be more than welcomed by Pte. Harvey.

A photo of George, with the following caption, was printed in the East Elgin Tribune, December 28, 1916: “Pte. G. F. Harvey, son of Mrs. S. Harvey, Aylmer, was born in Malahide fifteen years ago and enlisted with the 91st Batt.  He was drafted to France and after being in the trenches a few weeks received a bullet in his left foot and is now convalescing in a hospital in Aberdeen, Scotland”.

George returned from overseas in 1917, arriving in Halifax on August 27. His  return to Canada was reported in an article in the Aylmer Express, September 13, 1917, the largest portion dealing with Pte. G. W. Butler:

“Three Aylmer men were among those who reached London, Ont., from England last Friday and got home that night, Ptes. G. W. Butler, F. L. Procure and G. F. Harvey. They had a very rough voyage, taking 14 days to cross from Liverpool to Canada. Because his age would not permit him going to France, and Pte. Harvey was returned because he was too young, not being 18 years old yet, although he spent some months in the trenches in France, where he was wounded and has spent the past months in an English hospital”.

When his mother died in 1943, George was living in Thedford. He died on March 6, 1982.

Edwin Hatcher

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The name Edwin Hatcher is found in a list of members of Trinity Anglican Church serving overseas, printed in the Aylmer Express, October 7, 1916. 

Edwin was born on January 17, 1890 in Ticehurst, Sussex, England, the son of Thomas & Mary Hatcher.  The family is found on the 1901 census living at Steelands Cottage, Ticehurst.  Edwin was married in Sussex in 1913 to Ida Bull.

Passenger lists show an Edward Hatcher, 23, a butcher, leaving Avonmouth, England on the ship Royal George, arriving in Quebec on July 22, 1913.  Another list records Ida Hatcher, 19, arriving in Quebec on October 29, 1913 whose destination is to join her husband, a butcher, in Aylmer.

Edwin & Ida moved to St. Thomas where they were living at 2 Locust Street, St. Thomas when he enlisted for service on June 4, 1916 in London.  He had served six years in the Home County Field Artillery (probably in England).

Following the war, Edwin returned to St. Thomas.  Records show a daughter Jessie Hatcher, who was born August 27, 1920 in St. Thomas and died the same day, buried in St. Thomas cemetery.

No further information can be found.

John Henry Hawkins

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John Henry Hawkins was born on February 4, 1870,  the son of Charles Brock Hawkins (1829-1911) & Jane Walker (1845-1871).  Charles was born in Yarmouth, the son of Isaac & Rachel Hawkins, and was living in Yarmouth when he was married on February 3, 1862 to Jane Walker, a native of England living in Yarmouth, daughter of Henry & Sarah Walker.  By 1871 they were living in Vienna where Jane died at the age of 26.  Charles is found on the 1881 census in Vienna with his children, and on the 1901 census in Vienna with his son John.  Charles died in Ridgetown.  John states on his attestation paper that he was born in Aylmer, although his obituary says Bayham. His obituary does not state his burial place, and no marker can be found in cemetery indexes.

John Hawkins was a carpenter, and single when he enlisted for service on August 28, 1915 at Vernon Camp.  He had served 3 years with the 39th Oxford Rifles and nine years with the 25th Battalion C.M.  He names his sister, Mrs. Eliza Gloin of Yarmouth Centre, as his next of kin.

John died on May 14, 1945.  His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, May 17, 1945:

JOHN H. HAWKINS PASSES IN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Veteran of 1914-18 War

The death of John Henry Hawkins occurred early Monday morning in the Memorial Hospital, St. Thomas, after an illness of three weeks.  He was born in Bayham Township, a son of the late Charles and Jane Hawkins. He attended the United Church, and was a member of the Canadian Legion, having served overseas in 1916-1918.  The funeral service took place from the Atkinson Funeral Home on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock with Rev. L. C. Lawson, of St. Paul’s United Church, Aylmer, in charge. The Canadian Legion attended in a body. Surviving are two sisters, Mrs. J. Gloin, of Yarmouth Centre, and Mrs. Ed. Clark, of Springfield.

Samuel Horace Hawkins

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Samuel Hawkins appears in a list of recruits printed in the Aylmer Express, November 9, 1914.  He was a marble cutter in Aylmer, and belonged to the 30th Battery Canadian Field Artillery.

Samuel was born in Norwich, Norfolk, England on May 18, 1889, the son of Horace Hawkins & Ellen Boast (or Hutchinson), who were married in Norwich in 1887.  The family is found on the 1891 England census in Heigham, Norwich, Norfolk. Ellen died in 1898, and Horace and his children were living with his parents on Sussex Street, East Wynne, Norwich, Norfolk on the 1901 England census.  Horace was the son of George & Caroline Hawkins.

Samuel emigrated to Canada and was living in Aylmer employed as a stone mason when he was married there on November 16, 1914 to Beatrice Kate Butcher, also a native of England living in Aylmer, the daughter of Edward Butcher & Emily Leaker.

An attestation paper for Samuel in 1914 cannot be found, but it appears he moved to Watford where he enlisted for service on January 3, 1916.  He was a marble cutter and names his next of kin as his wife Beatrice.  He had served in the 4th Norfolk Regiment.

No further information is known.

William Hawkins

William Hawkins’ name  is found in a list of men from Jaffa serving overseas, printed in the Aylmer Express, December 14, 1916. He is described as “now serving with a British regiment at the front”.

Unfortunately, this man has been difficult to identify.  He does not appear on the 1911 census in Elgin County, nor can an attestation paper be found with a positive identification.  There are 39 attestation papers bearing the name “William Hawkins”, but none show any connection to Elgin County.

Bruce Hawley

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Bruce Hawley was born on August 2, 1896 at Mount Salem in Malahide, the son of John Harvey Hawley (1872-1930) & Bertha Boyd (1877-1936).  John was born in Malahide, the son of John Hawley & Phoebe Corporon, and was farming there when he was married on January 8, 1896 in Malahide to Bertha Boyd, also of Malahide, the daughter of Sewell Boyd & Ellen Sweet.  John & Bertha are buried in Luton cemetery.

Bruce was a farmer living with his parents at R.R. #1 Dunboyne when he enlisted for service with the 91st Battalion in St. Thomas on March 29, 1916.  

The Aylmer Express of April 26, 1917 reports that Bruce received a gunshot wound in the leg and was admitted to No. 8 Stationary Hospital, Bologne, France on April 14.

Bruce’s return from overseas was mentioned in the Aylmer Express, December 6, 1917:

“Pte. Bruce Hawley, son of Mr and Mrs John Hawley, Dunboyne, has also been invalided home, and came back with Pte. [George] Ellis. They were met at London on Monday by Mr. W. H. Finch and other Aylmer citizens and were motored home.”

Bruce was farming at Dunboyne when he was married on September 18, 1918 in Malahide to Hazel Winnifred Marr (1899 – 1975), a native of Yarmouth living in Port Burwell, the daughter of Edward Daniel Marr & Grace Ellsworth.  They farmed at lot 17, concession 4, Malahide but moved about 1937 to Belmont. 

Bruce died on September 26, 1978 and is buried in Dorchester Union Cemetery. His obituary appeared in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, September 27, 1978:

HAWLEY – At Victoria Hospital on Tuesday, September 26, 1978, Bruce Hawley, of Belmont, suddenly in his 83rd year; husband of the late former Hazel Marr (1975); father of Mrs. Verne (Blanche) Shackleton; Jack and Bill, all of Belmont; brother of Mrs. Linus (Edna) Garnham, and Blake Hawley, both of St. Thomas; grandfather of nine; great grandfather of four.  Friends may call at the Laird Logan Funeral Home, Dorchester, after 2 p.m. Wednesday, where funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. with Rev. Elgin Rintoul of Belmont United Church officiating. Interment in Dorchester Union Cemetery. Donations to the Heart Foundation of Ontario gratefully acknowledged.

Lemen Guy Hawley

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Lemen Guy Hawley was born June 5, 1884 in Malahide, the son of William Zedoc Hawley (1852-1915) & Minerva Jane Benner (1859-1945). William was the son of Daniel & Ann Hawley and was married on December 22, 1875 in Malahide to Minerva Benner, daughter of Jacob Benner & Mary Johnson.

Lemen was married on December 27, 1905 to Cora Margaret Carter (1887-1991), the daughter of Henry Carter & Anna Saxton.

Lemen was living at R. R. #1 Dunboyne when he enlisted for service in Aylmer on November 8, 1915. He was a farmer & thresher, and had five years experience serving with the 39th Norfolk Rifles.

A letter from Lemen was published in the Aylmer Express, August 24, 1916:

TWO AEROPLANES WERE CAPTURED IN AIR RAID

Pte. Leman Hawley, in a Letter to His Mother, Mrs. W. Z. Hawley, of This Place is Feeling Fine, but is Working Hard – Will Be Glad to Get Back to Canada

England, July 30, 1916
Dear Mother and Sister,
Will drop you a line just to let you know that I am well and in England yet, but I don’t know for how long, as a draft goes out of our brigade every week.  However, I don’t think I will go for some time yet. We have to work hard every day, but I am getting along all right. They are fighting hard over there now, and are making a good advance, but I don’t think the war will be over for some time yet, as progress is slow in trench fighting. We can hear the big guns plainly from here. They sound like thunder in the distance.

There was an air raid over London yesterday; no damage done, and two aeroplanes captured.  I don’t want you to worry about me, as I am all right, and if anything goes wrong I will let you know at once; so don’t worry.

Well, mother and sister, if you ever come to England, it is just four times further across the pond than you ever thought.  Believe me, if ever I get back, I will never go across again. I don’t expect to get home inside of a year, but if I do, so much the better.

I am in a hut with the Port Burwell boys, so am quite at home.  Wyn Christie is in the next hut and in the same platoon.  Well, try and write often if I write or not, as we have to steal time to write.

Your son, Pte. L. G. Hawley

No. 189345, 91st O.S. Batt., B. Coy, No. 6 Platoon, Army P.O., London, England.

A  letter from Lemen in hospital in France was published in the Aylmer Express, November 16, 1916:

THREE DAYS AND NIGHTS IN NO MAN’S LAND

Pte. L. G. Hawley, of Malahide, has had Many Narrow Escapes in France
Now in Hospital.  Has Learned that “Home is Heaven on Earth”
God Protected him Through Those Awful Days, and he intends to Stay by Him

No. 14 Stationery Hospital,

Boulougne, France, Oct. 5, 1916

My Dear Wife and Little Ones –
I will drop you a few lines just to let you know I am getting along very well.  I was up for an hour yesterday, so you see I am gaining, although I understand that it takes a long time to get the disease out of your blood, so I expect to be convalescing for some time.  The most of the boys that contract this disease get to England and I am living hopes that I will be one of them. It seems more like home over there, and perhaps I will be able to see some one I know.  I know no one over here at all, so you quite understand that I get very lonesome, although everyone is very kind to us, and we get the very best of attention.

I lost my note book with all the addresses of the boys in it, so I can write to no one here.  We sure had a rough time of it. To give you a little idea of what it was like: we got off the train at 4 o’clock p.m., marched 5 miles, rested that night and next day. The next night did 16 miles; 1 day’s rest, then 9 miles back. Then 5 miles again, rest over night in a hen house – some rest, with friends crawling over me by numbers. Next day 10 miles up the line, then under shell fire; rest over night and then up the trenches, working under shell fire that night, digging, and it was heavy fire too, but we lost no men. Next day up to the front line for an officer, who had been dead 8 days, and we carried him back 2 miles for burial. That night we took our place in the front line trench.  I was chosen for listening post, out in No Man’s Land. We were there 2 days and 3 nights and under all kinds of shell fire continuously. We had several casualties, but thank God I was spared, although I had some very narrow escapes. I had the barrel cover of my rifle shattered. It was hit twice, was partly buried by heavy shells and well, I will tell you no more about it until I see you, which I hope will be soon, but I am afraid that it will be some time. I was being made a full Corporal the morning I was taken sick, for being so cool under heavy fire. So now I do not know if I will get it or not.

Well, my dear, I will leave off war now, as I know it will worry you.  I don’t expect much mail for some time now, as it takes a long time for mail to find you, when you are on the go all the time. I have received one paper, tobacco, and a letter from you, since I came to France. I have not received a letter from mother since I came away, so tell her to write if she has not.  I wrote several cards the other day, to most of my relatives around home.

Now, my dear, I have learned that home is a heaven on earth, and if ever I get back, I sure will try and make it one, as I have found out that our Maker is a great friend, and I just gave myself to Him for protection in those awful days and He brought me through, and I intend to stay by him.  So rest assured that if we do not meet on earth, we will in Heaven, but I have the greatest faith I will come home to you, safe and happy.  I get so homesick to see our little ones, I don’t know what to do. May God bless you all, is the daily prayer of my heart. I suppose Grace is talking by this time. Does Mabel ever mention me?

Well my dear wife, I am getting too serious on this subject as it makes my heart bleed when I think of you, so I will close for this time, and may God bless you and protect you until I come. Your loving husband, Pte. L. G. Hawley

Another letter from Lemen to his family was printed in the Aylmer Express, January 18, 1917:

PTE. L. HAWLEY IS IN MILITARY HOSPITAL IN ENGLAND

Former 91st Man from Malahide, Sick With Pleurisy

Tells How He Spent His Christmas

Dear Wife and Children –
Just a few lines to let you know I am gaining, but not out of bed yet, but I think out of danger. You see by the date that it is the day after Christmas, so I will tell you how I spent Christmas. On Christmas eve I had the blues until I had to cover up my head and give way to my feelings, and had a good cry, then I felt better. You know three years ago yesterday Gordie was with us, then he went. Two years ago, father went, one year ago Geo. was with us, then he went. I know it must be awful lonesome for you, as I was also away, but I pray I will return to you some day.

I received a number of presents yesterday. I got a book from Queen Mary, which I will send to Alice, as soon as I can get out. She gave all the sick and wounded one, so I think it quite an honor to get one from the Queen. It is more than some of those tenderfoots will ever get.

I also got a pocket book, about 100 cigarettes, a cigar, pipe, tobacco pouch, pair of folding scissors, and other things, but they all do not give me what I want. But of course it cheers one a little. We had a fine dinner and tables were just grand. They took all bed cases into the room so we could have our dinner with the rest. We also had our photo taken and if they are good I will try and get one for you. I will have my picture taken when I get out too.

Do you hear from mother often. I have had two letters from her and one from Susie, but I don’t suppose I will get any Christmas boxes now as they very seldom send them back from France.  Give my regards to all and tell Walter’s that I will write them soon, and also Clint’s. I wrote to Burton’s and Wesley’s, but have received no answer as yet. By the way, I got the correct thing about Harley’s death.  It was in a machine gun section [illegible] the front line, and a large shell made a direct hit on them, and the whole section was blown to atoms. Poor boy, it made me feel awful bad. It is an awful thing when a shell hits direct. There is nothing left but shreds.

Pte. L. G. Hawley, 189345, 2nd Batt., Canadians

New End Military Hospital, Hampstead, N.W., England

A letter from Lemen announcing his return, was printed in the Aylmer Express, March 4, 1917:

PTE. LEMAN HAWLEY IS PROBABLY ON WAY HOME

In A Letter To His Family He Says He Expects To Leave As Soon As There Is Sailing Room

Is Physically Unfit For Further Active Service

Pinewood Sanitarium, Hastings, Eng., Jan. 25th, 1917

Dear wife and children –
Just a few lines to let you know that I am all O.K., and feeling fine considering that it is only six weeks since I left the front with such a serious illness.  I am gaining in weight and in health all the time. Took a walk yesterday of about 4 miles, so you see I am not down yet. Have not felt so well in three months, so you see you have nothing to worry about. The only thing I worry about is freezing to death. I am in a room, or hut, I should say, about the size of our old cellar, with one end all open.  It is on wheels, and I turn the open end from the wind. It is very cold here now, and it makes one turn up his toes to undress for bed, and on getting up, but it is doing me good. I have plenty of clothes, so do not suffer from cold.

I am here until there is sailing room for me. It may be a week or it may be several weeks.  I was to have gone yesterday, but did not. However, I did not worry, as it is a long ways to go and I will be all the stronger for the trip. I won’t be here any longer than three or four weeks at the longest, and by that time, if I have no drawback, I will be in the pink.

It is seven months today since I saw you, and it seems years, although if I get home safely, I will not be sorry I came, because I have done my duty to King and country and it is better than a year’s schooling. The only thing I don’t like is being away from my dear ones.

I got five letters the other day; three from you, one from Bessie Bearss and one from Aunt Alice. Give them my best regards as well as the rest of the folks.

It I had some money to buy stamps with I would write to them all, but I have just got a shilling and one stamp for this letter, so you see I am financially embarrassed, but what of that when I have a free passage to Aylmer and three meals a day guaranteed me.

I can sit here and look over the city of Hastings, and am near the old battlefield of Hastings. I have a friend with me from Toronto and he was raised near here, so he can interest me quite a lot about this part of the country. He is a fine young man, well up in society, and we were boarded at the same time and have been together ever since. We are hoping we will go home at the same time. He had some narrow escapes at the front. A bullet went through his pay book, his pocket book and nearly through his compass. Will close for this time,

Pte. L. G. Hawley

An article regarding Lemen’s return appeared in the Aylmer Express, March 15, 1917:

AYLMER SOLDIERS RECEIVE HEARTY WELCOME HOME

Ptes. Leman Hawley and Alex Campbell Returned Home Last Week

Both Sufferers from Rheumatism – Citizen’s Band, 30th Battery, Cadets and Hundreds of Citizens Welcome Returned Men

The homecoming if Aylmer and Malahide soldiers, who have done their “bit” has so far always been a pleasant occasion. But at the same time, there is a feeling of sadness when we think of the brave lads who will never return. Every returned man has received a warm reception here, with but one or two exceptions, of which no notice whatever was received of their return.

On Friday last Mayor Wright was notified by the military authorities that Pte. Leman Hawley, of Malahide, was on his way home and would arrive at noon that day. Arrangements were at once made to give him a Royal welcome, and the Citizen’s Band and 30th Battery headed a procession of hundreds of citizens of Aylmer and Malahide, marched to the train. On returning to town a genuine welcome home was given Pte. Hawley at the town hall. Addresses of welcome were given by Mayor Wright, D. Marshall, M.P., W. T. Hare, reeve of Malahide; O. McKenney, reeve of Aylmer; W. Harold Barnum and Dr. W. J. Fear, president of the Board of Trade. All spoke in feeling terms of the man who had just returned, disabled, from the trenches, and extended him a hearty welcome. Pte. Hawley made a very suitable reply, in which he thanked the people for the hearty and unexpected reception. He said he enlisted because he felt it his duty and was glad to do his bit for his country. He said the Canadians were making a name for themselves to be proud of. He said the Germans are a pretty tough bunch, and dirty fighters. He thinks thousands more men will be needed before the end of the war. 

Pte. Hawley enlisted with the 91st Battalion, with which unit he went overseas. He fought in the trenches until taken seriously ill and as soon as he was well enough, he was sent home. He is suffering from rheumatism and for some weeks was at Pinewood Sanitarium, Hastings, England. [the article goes on to tell about Pte. Campbell, which will be found under his listing]

Lemen returned from overseas in 1917, arriving at St. John, New Brunswick on February 28. 

Following the war, Lemen continued to live in Malahide, farming at lot 29 & 30, concession 4 and lot 30, concession 5.  In the 1930’s he and Cora moved to Ilderton, where he lived until his death on October 22, 1944 in his 61st year.  He and Cora, along with several of their children are buried in Luton cemetery. A military monument there marks his resting place with the following inscription: “Private Lemen G. Hawley, 2nd Battn. C.E.F.  22 Oct. 1944 Rest in Peace”.

Lemen & Cora had seven children: Zedoc Gordon (1906-1914); Alice Evelyn (1909-1999; married Irving Robinson); George Wesley (1910-1916); Mabel Anna (married Walter Charles LeCourtois); Leota Grace (married Harold Stanley Helka); Frederick A. (1922-1985), and Gladys (McIntosh).

Lemen’s obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, October 26, 1944:

FORMER AYLMER MAN PASSES IN WESTMINSTER HOSPITAL

Leaman G. Hawley, Veteran of First World War Buried in Luton Cemetery

Leaman Guy Hawley, R.R. 4 Ilderton, a veteran of the First Great War, died on Monday in Westminster Hospital, London, in his 61st year.  Mr. Hawley was born in Aylmer, son of Mrs. Thomas Lowe, Kains Street, St. Thomas, and the late Z. Hawley, and lived in Malahide Township until moving to Ilderton about 10 years ago. During the First Great War he went overseas with the 91st Battalion, St. Thomas, and served for four years.  He was a member of Vienna Lodge, No. 237 A.F. & A.M., and a member of Fairview United Church.

He is survived by his widow; a son, Frederick, at home; four daughters, Mrs. Irvin Robinson, Belmont; Mrs. Walter LeCourtois, St. Thomas; Mrs. Gladys McIntosh, Ilderton; Miss Grace Hawley, Garden City, Michigan; his mother Mrs. Lowe; a sister, Mrs. Susie Baldwin, St. Thomas.

The funeral was held from Allen & Son Funeral Home on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 24th, at 2:30 p.m. and was under the auspices of Vienna Masonic Lodge with Rev. F. J. Helps of the Aylmer Baptist Church in charge. There were many beautiful floral tributes from relatives and friends. The pallbearers were Harry Grant, Jack Hodgkiss, Basil Neville, Robert McLain, Archie Denniss and Dewey Vallee.  Interment was made in the family plot at Luton. Relatives and friends were present from Ilderton; Garden City, Mich.; St. Thomas, Belmont, London, Aylmer, Fairview and Malahide.

Harold Hoshal Hayes

491227 / 400654 

Harold Hayes was born on August 6, 1898 in Middleton Township, Norfolk County, the son of Franklin Edward Hayes (1868-1947) and Nellie Frances Hoshal (1877-1941). Franklin was a native of Dereham Township, Oxford County, the son of Daniel & Sarah Hayes, and was farming there when he was married on December 2, 1896 in Port Burwell to Nellie Hoshal, of Port Burwell, the daughter of James Harvey & Jane Hoshal. The family is found on the 1901 census in Bayham, but by 1911 had moved to London.  Harold’s parents are buried in Trinity Anglican cemetery, Port Burwell.

Harold was a carpenter living with his parents at 11 Guelph Street, London, when he enlisted for service there on February 2, 1915.  His attestation paper gives his service number as 491227, but the index on the National Archives of Canada website give an additional number as 400654. He enlisted with the 33rd Battalion and attained the rank of Lance-Corporal.

He sailed for England on March 20, 1916, arriving there on March 26 and was stationed at Shorncliffe. He was transferred to the Canadian Engineers Training Depot at Shorncliffe on April 20, 1916, and proceeded to France on January 5, 1917. He was posted to the 11th Field Company, Canadian Engineers as a “sapper”, and was engaged in the battle at Passchendaele building roads and other construction work. While building a communications support line near Arras, south of Passchendaele, Harry was slightly wounded with a gun shot wound in the neck, but returned to duty the same day.  He was given the rank of Lance-Coporal on May 24, 1918. While at the front line, he received a shot of gas on October 1, 1918 and was sent to the Base Hospital at Boulogne in France until November 8 when he was invalided to England to a convalescent home in Manchester. By January 25, 1919, he was at the Engineer Base in Seaford, ready for the voyage back to Canada. He was honourably discharged at London, Ontario on February 19, 1919.

Following the war, Harold worked briefly as a deckhand for a dredging operation at Port Burwell. He then returned to his parents’ home in London and got a job with his father on the street railway in the summer of 1919.  He was employed as a driver when he was married in London on January 4, 1922 to Doris Shaw, a native of England, living at 61 Duchess Ave., London, the daughter of Frank & Florence Shaw.

In 1926 he and his wife moved to Florida where he worked in sales and delivery for a bakery in Jacksonville.  After about year, they returned to London where he found employment with the city works department.

Harold died on March 20,  1976 and is buried in Woodland Cemetery, London. His obituary appeared in the London Free Press, March 22, 1976:

HAYES – At Westminster Hospital, on Saturday, March 20, 1976, Harold Hoshal Hayes, formerly of 822 Lovett Street. Beloved husband of Mrs. Doris (Shaw) Hayes, in his 79th year.  Dear father of Mrs. Gerald (Marie) Lovell, Mrs. Ronald (Vivian) Stacey, Mrs. Kumar (Gail) Konanur, all of London. Dear brother of Gerald Hayes of Calgary, Alberta; Mrs. Monty Gramlick of London. Also survived by 7 grandchildren. Funeral service in the Evans Funeral Home, 648 Hamilton Road on Tuesday, March 23, 1976 at 1:30 p.m. Interment in Woodland Cemetery. Padre Madill, Anglican Chaplain Westminster Hospital, officiating.

Maitland Lawrence Hayes

528925

Maitland Hayes was born on August 10, 1901 in Port Burwell, the son of Franklin E. Hayes (1868-1947) & Nellie Hoshal (1877-1941).  Franklin was born in Dereham Township, the son of Daniel & Sarah Hayes, and was farming there when he was married on December 2, 1896 in Port Burwell to Nellie F. Hoshal, of Port Burwell, the daughter of James Harvey & Jane Hoshal. They are buried in Trinity Anglican cemetery, Port Burwell.

Maitland was living at 11 Guelph Ave., London, employed as a driver when he enlisted for service underage on August 29, 1916 in London.  He gives his date of birth as August 10, 1898.  He names his mother, of the same address, as his next of kin.

Following the war, Maitland was living at 179 Briscoe Street, London, employed as a butcher, when he was married there on December 12, 1924 to Minnie Annie Grover, a native of England living in London, Ontario, the daughter of Alfred Grover & Marian Triggs.

Maitland died in 1974.

John Haysum

2458347

John Haysum was born on December 10, 1885 in Dilwyn, Herefordshire, England, the son of James Haysum & Mary Worthing. The family is found on the 1891 England census living at Whitehall, Webley Parish, Herefordshire.  On the 1901 England census, John is a servant living with William & Eliza Price in Dilwyn, Herefordshire.

John emigrated to Canada in 1911, sailing from Liverpool on the ship Dominion, and arriving on May 30 at Quebec. The passenger lists states his destination is Blenheim where he will be a farm hand.

John was a farmer living at R.R. #2 Kingsmill when he enlisted for service on August 31, 1917 in St. Thomas. He joined the 25th Regiment O.S. Company.

He was married on November 3, 1928 to Ada Myrtle Hughson (1895-1972), as reported in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, November 10, 1928:

The marriage of John Haysum and Miss Ada Myrtle Hughson, both of Harwich Township, was solemnized in Ridgetown at the United Church parsonage on Saturday, November 3, Rev. F. E. Clysdale officiating.

John died on January 24, 1971 and is buried with his wife in Evergreen Cemetery, Blenheim, Ontario.  His obituary appeared in the Chatham Daily News, January 25, 1971:

JOHN HAYSUM

BLENHEIM – John Haysum, of RR 6 Blenheim, died at Public General Hospital in Chatham on Sunday at age 85. Born in England, he was a son of the late James Haysum and Mary Worthing.

Mr. Haysum was a prominent farmer in the Guilds area for 50 years. A First World War veteran, he served with the First Canadian Machine-Gun Battalion. He was a member of Branch 185, Blenheim Royal Canadian Legion.

Surviving are his wife, the former Ada M. Hughson; two sons, John W. Haysum, Blenheim and Murray, at home; one sister, Mrs. Edith Baker in England.

The funeral service will be conducted on Thursday at two p.m. from the J. L. Ford Funeral Home, Blenheim, with Dr. J. H. Webster of the Blenheim Anglican Church officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Blenheim.  Friends will be received after three p.m. on Tuesday.

Delamore Deloss Healy

503117

Delamore Healy was born on December 3, 1881 in Simcoe, the son of Dawson Duncan Healy (1848-1934) & Permelia Abigail Ford (1854-1938).  Dawson was born in Nova Scotia, the son of Anderson & Mary Healy, and was a cheesemaker living in Dereham township when he was married on October 20, 1875 in St. Thomas to Permelia Ford, of Bayham, the daughter of James & Moriah Ford.  They are buried in Eden cemetery.

Delamore was a bookkeeper living in Eden when he was married on August 31, 1910 in Bayham to Mabel Meadows, also of Eden, the daughter of Alfred H. Meadows & Percelia Gilbert.

He was living in Eden when he enlisted for service on February 17, 1916 in London.

When his mother died in 1938, he was living in Toronto. According to information posted by researchers on the Internet, he died on November 4, 1948 and is buried in Eden Cemetery.  Since there is no marker in that cemetery for him, this information cannot be verified.

Pervical (Percy) Francis Heckford (or Percy Herford)

84244   

The name Percy Herford appears on an Honor Roll for Springfield, but no one by that name can be found in the Attestation papers.  It is believed that this name is an error for Percy Heckford.

Percy Heckford was born on July 17, 1894 in Poole, Dorset, England, the son of Edwin Heckford (1872-1933) & Annie Maria Burden (1872-1957).  The family is found on the 1901 census in Corfe Mullen, Dorset. Edwin is a dealer in poultry and fish.  Percy emigrated to Canada in 1914, leaving Southampton on the ship Ascania, and landing at Portland, Maine on April 15.  The passenger list states he is 19 years old and his destination is Springfield, where he intends to be a farmer.

His name is found in a list of recruits for the 16th Battery, C.F.A., printed in the Aylmer Express, February 25, 1915.  He is described as a farmer, single, living in Springfield.  He had previously served in the Dorset Territorials.

However, his attestation paper is not dated until July 17, 1917 when he enlisted for service in Woodstock.  He gives his address as Woodstock, and his date of birth as July 17, 1897.  He names his next of kin as his mother, Annie Heckford, of 24 Blandford Road, Lytchet Minster, Dorset.  He was not married and was a painter.  He had served two months in the 16th Regiment, C.E.F., and four years in the England Territorials. 

Percy did not return to Canada following the war. He remained in Poole, Dorset where he was married in 1921 to Emily Lavinia Hill.  He died in 1969 in Poole, Dorset at the age of 75.

William Eugene Hemstreet

2611973

William Eugene Hemstreet was born on December 16, 1897 in Malahide township, the son of Edmund Albert Hemstreet (1864-1952) & Minnie Minerva Moss (1863-1940).  Edmund lived in the Corinth area, on lots 32 & 33, concession 9, Malahide. He and Minnie are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

William enlisted for service on May 25, 1918 in London.  He was studying for the ministry in the Methodist church.  He was living in Hamilton when he was married on April 12, 1928 to Grace Elizabeth Alexander (1897-1988). 

William & Grace lived at 124 Cumberland Ave., Hamilton following their marriage.  He died on November 25, 1983, and is buried with his wife in Mount Hamilton Cemetery.  The inscription on his monument gives the following information: “William Eugene Hemstreet, U.E., B.A., B.P.A.E.D.” His obituary appeared in the Hamilton Spectator, November 26, 1983:

HEMSTREET, William Eugene, U.E., B. A., B. PAED – At the Henderson General Hospital, on Friday, November 25, 1983, William Eugene Hemstreet, dearly loved husband of Grace Elizabeth Alexander, loving father of William Alexander and his wife Joanne of Ancaster, loving grandfather of Tami and Lisa, also survived by two nieces and one nephew.  Mr. Hemstreet retired from the Hamilton Board of Education in 1962, after serving as principal, completing 42 years of service. He was a member of St. John’s Lodge #40 A.F. & A.M., and Murton Lodge of Perfection A. & A.S.R. Mr. Hemstreet was an active member of Trinity Baptist Church for many years, having served on the board of deacons and was an honorary deacon and was chairman of the board of Christian Education. Friends may call at the J. B. Marlatt Funeral Home, 615 Main Street East (east of Sanford Avenue), from Saturday at 7 p.m. Service in Marlatt Memorial Chapel on Monday at 2 p.m. Interment Mount Hamilton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to Visiting Homemakers Association and the V.O.N. would be appreciated by the family.

John Douglas Henderson

510838

John Douglas Henderson was born on May 16, 1893 in Toronto, the son of George Henderson & Catherine Campbell.  His obituary gives his parents’ names as Douglas & Ann, but George and Catherine appear on his birth registration.

John was a clerk living at 78 Delaware Ave., Toronto when he enlisted for service there on March 13, 1916.  Following the war, he was married in Toronto on April 19, 1921 to Edna Carlotta Lotz.

He died on April 28, 1971 and is buried in Park Lawn Cemetery, Islington. His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, May 5, 1971:

JOHN D. HENDERSON

John Douglas Henderson, a retired St. Thomas and district banker, died suddenly Wednesday, April 28, 1971 while visiting his son, J. Ross Henderson in East Brunswick, New Jersey. He was 77 years of age.

Born in Toronto and residing lately in Mount Brydges, Mr. Henderson spent 15 years with the east end branch of the Royal Bank of Canada in St. Thomas and served as manager in London and Mount Brydges. After his retirement as bank manager, he joined the Central Pipe Line in Aylmer as office manager.

He was a member of Knox Presbyterian Church, St. Thomas, and a former treasurer of the church. He was also a veteran of World War I, one of the original members of Branch 41, Royal Canadian Legion, St. Thomas, and a member of the St. John’s Lodge No. 81, A.F. & A.M.,  Mt. Brydges.

The son of the late Douglas Henderson and the late former Ann Campbell, he was also predeceased by his wife the former Edna Carlotta Lotz in 1961. Surviving, besides the son in New Jersey, are four grandchildren: Karen, Douglas, John and Gregory Henderson, all of East Brunswick, New Jersey.

The body was at the Towers Funeral Home, St. Thomas where a Masonic Memorial Service was held in the Marshall Memorial Chapel on Friday evening under the auspices of St. John’s Lodge No. 81, A.F. & A.M., of Mount Brydges. Dr. H. S. Rodney of Knox Presbyterian Church officiated at the service on Friday. Interment was in Park Lawn Cemetery, Islington, Ontario, on Saturday morning.

Relatives and friends were in attendance from East Brunswick, New Jersey; Mt. Brydges, Flint, Mich.; Birmingham, Mich.; as well as from St. Thomas and vicinity.

Murray H. Herries

226109

Murray Herries was born on June 3, 1897 at Calton, the son of James H. Herries (1868-1905) & Sarah Stella Haines (1867-1950).  James was born in Malahide, the son of Hugh Herries & Margaret Murray and was farming at Calton when he was married on December 30, 1891 at Lakeview to Stella Haines, a native of Malahide and resident of Lakeview, daughter of Caleb Haines & Mary Eliza White.  Following James’ death in 1905, Stella was married to J. R. Stephenson.  James & Stella are buried in Calton cemetery.

Murray enlisted for service on October 11, 1915 in Ingersoll.  He had served two months in the Marconi Guard at Port Burwell, and belonged to the 24th Regiment.  He enlisted with the Canadian Mounted Rifles.  He names his next of kin as his mother, Sarah Stephenson, of Port Burwell.

Following the war, Murray moved to Flint, Michigan where he was employed as an auto tire salesman and is found on the 1930 census there with his wife Esther (Storbeck).  Esther was the daughter of Peter Storbeck & Emma Bendry.  They had at least two children: Douglas (born about 1928) and Marguerite (born about 1929; married Raymond Spurr).

Murray died in March 1985 in Phoenix, Arizona.

George Francis Hibberd

797164

George Hibberd was born on January 13, 1890 in Port Burwell, the son of Silas Alfred Hibberd  (c1861-1937) & Jennie Elizabeth Visaw (1865-1928). Silas was a native of Vienna, the son of Silas & Loretta Hibberd and was living in Bayham when he was married there on November 9, 1886 to Jennie Visaw, a native of Houghton living in Bayham, daughter of Francis & Anna Visaw.  Silas & Jennie are buried in St. Luke’s cemetery, Vienna, but there is no marker.

George was living in Port Rowan when he enlisted for service there on February 11, 1916. He belonged to the 39th Regiment.  He was discharged from the service due to a disability and arrived home from overseas at Halifax on January 9, 1918.  He moved to Toronto where he was living when he was married on June 3, 1918 in Trenton to Ellen E. Beattie, a native of Ireland living in Toronto, the daughter of William G. Beattie & Margaret Johnstone.

George & Ellen lived at 40 Widmer Street, Toronto.

George died on July 20, 1926 in Detroit, and is buried in St. Luke’s cemetery, Vienna, but there is no marker. His obituary appeared in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, July 26, 1926:

PORT BURWELL WAR VETERAN PASSES AWAY

Death at Detroit of George Francis Hibberd
Funeral Was Held at Port Burwell on Thursday

Port Burwell, July 26 – The death occurred in Detroit on Tuesday, July 20th, of George Francis Hibberd. Deceased was a former resident and the only son of S. Hibberd. The remains were brought to Port Burwell where the funeral was held from the home of Mrs. J. Williams on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. to St. Luke’s cemetery in Vienna. Rev. Mr. Diehl having charge of the service. Surviving are his wife and small daughter, his parents, Mr and Mrs S. Hibberd, and one sister, Mrs. Maynard Vernon, of London. Deceased was a veteran of the World War.

Ernest George Higginbottom

400142 

The name “Ernest G. Higginbottom” is found in a list of names being prepared for the Elgin County Book of Remembrance, which was printed in the St. Thomas Times-Journal in 1927, under Aylmer.

Ernest Higginbottom was born on July 3, 1891 in Lambeth, Surrey, England, the son of Edward & Anna Higginbottom.  The family is found on the 1901 census living at Tredescart Road, Kennington First, Lambeth, London.  

Ernest first emigrated to Canada in 1910, leaving Liverpool on the ship Megantic, and arriving in Quebec on May 22. His destination was Western Manitoba.  Whether he ever settled there is unknown, as he is found on the 1911 Malahide census working as a labourer living with John & Sarah Caron.  He went back to England, but returned to Canada in 1913, leaving Liverpool on the ship Empress of Britain, and arriving in St. John’s, Newfoundland on February 16.  The passenger list states he had been in Canada before for three years, and his destination was Aylmer.

Ernest’s address is not given on his attestation paper, but he enlisted for service on April 22, 1915 in London. He was a farmer, and was not married.  He names his next of kin as his father, Edward Higginbottom, of 30 Tredescort, London, England.

A photo of Ernest, with the following caption, was printed in the East Elgin Tribune, December 28, 1916: “Pte. E. Higginbottom was born in England and came to this country about six years ago, and worked as a farm laborer until he felt it his duty to enlist with the 33rd Batt.  He has been with a machine gun section for several months and his letters to friends here are bright and cheerful”.

Ernest was married in 1918 in London, England to Lettie Emberson (1886-1965).  Ernest cannot be found on a passenger list returning from overseas, but his wife Lettie and one-year old son, Lionel left Liverpool on the ship Metagama and arrived in St. John, New Brunswick on January 16, 1919. Their destination was Aylmer.

Ernest died on March 12, 1976 and is buried with his wife in Elmdale Cemetery, St. Thomas. His obituary appeared in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, March 13, 1976:

ERNEST HIGGINBOTTOM

Ernest G. Higginbottom, formerly of 86 Chestnut Street, St. Thomas, passed away Friday at Westminster Hospital, London, following several months’ illness in his 85th year.  Born in London, England, July 3, 1891, the son of the late Mr and Mrs Edward Higginbottom, he came to Canada prior to the First World War. He lived in Aylmer from 1920 until 1926 when he moved to St. Thomas.

Having served overseas during the First World War with the 33rd Battalion and the First Canadian Machine Gun Battalion, he was a life member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 41, St. Thomas.

He was a retired superintendent of Pinafore Park, St. Thomas.  Mr. Higginbottom was the last of his own family. His wife, Lettie Emberson Higginbottom, died in 1965.

Surviving are two sons, Lionel E. Emberson, of Guelph, and Edward J. “Ted” Higginbottom of 86 Fifth Avenue, St. Thomas; one daughter, Mrs. Robert (Grace) Vincent of Guelph, several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Resting at the L. B. Sifton Funeral Home, 118 Wellington Street, where the funeral will be conducted Monday at 10:30 a.m. by Rev. John L. Petrie of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 41.  Interment to be made in the family plot in Elmdale Memorial Park.

Malcolm Hilborn

211150

Malcolm Hilborn was born in Aylmer or Sparta on August 26, 1885, the son of Joseph George Hilborn (1861-1913) & Sarah Jane Reid (born 1864).  Joseph was born in Uxbridge, Ontario about 1861, the son of George Hilborn & Sarah Gould, and was living in Sparta when he was married there on May 17, 1887 to Sarah Jane Reid, a native of Pickering living in Sparta, the daughter of Samuel Reid & Caroline Stotts.

Malcolm was living in Welland working as a carpenter when he was married there on September 25, 1907 to Stella May Marringer, of Welland, the daughter of Joseph Marringer & Mary Reilly.

On his marriage registration, Malcolm states he was born in Sparta; but on his attestation paper he gives his place of birth as Aylmer.  His birth was not registered.

Malcolm was living in Dain City, Welland when he enlisted for service on March 28, 1916 in Welland.  He had served three years with the 25th Dragoons, and belonged to the 44th Regiment.  He enlisted with the 98th Battalion C.E.F, and was transferred in England to the 12th Battalion. Due to foot problems, he was designated fit for base duty, but not for battle.  While in England, he was stationed at Otterpool, West Sandling, Crowborough, Bramshott, Witley and Ripon army camps during his three years of service.  He returned from overseas and was discharged on June 22, 1919.

 

“Mac” worked as a carpenter for the Timm’s Construction Company, and then as a pattern maker at the John Deere Welland Works.  Music was a great joy to Mac.  He played violin, drums and the french horn, and was a long-time member of the Port Colborne Citizens’ Band.  He was also a fine cabinet maker and constructed and installed the walnut panelling in the Dain City Public House.  He also worked on the intricately panelled and carved foyer and library in what was the Timm family home.  Staircases were a specialty of his, a talent he learned from apprenticing with his father Joseph. He worked until his death on December 28, 1950 in Welland.

His funeral notice appeared in a Welland newspaper:

MALCOLM HILBORN

The funeral of the late Malcolm Hilborn, who died at the Welland County General Hospital Thursday, was held Sunday, with services at the Sutherland-Thorpe Funeral Home, 152 Hellems Avenue, with Rev. E. H. Patterson and Rev. Kenneth Richardson officiating.

Flower bearers were Roy James, Thomas Watterson and Ernie Spray, and among the florals noted were those from the Welland Citizens band; employees of the John Deere Welland Works; management and odd fellow workers of the R. Timms Construction and Engineering Company, Ltd.; Friends and neighbours; Trustees of Dain City school; Dain City Home and School Club; Clemens and Miller; Mixed Couples Bowling League.

Casket bearers were George Ort, Thomas Mason, Sandy Morrison, Roland McDowell, Lloyd Marr and Ed Hailey. Interment took place in the Church of England Cemetery.

A letter written by Malcolm to his son Stanley was provided by the family:

West Sandling Camp, Dec. 28th 1916

Dear Stanley

This is a drawing I done this afternoon and I made it up out of my head, so go to school every day possible and some day you will be able to do the same.

Well Buster, I will send you a postcard with a flag on just as soon as I can get one. I suppose you have your books Daddy sent you for Christmas, and hope you liked the pictures in them.  Be sure and write and let Daddy know what Saunty Clause brought you for Christmas, and if you got your new sleigh allright.  

Well Buster I guess I will have to say Bye Bye for this time, and I don’t think it will be so very long before Daddy will be home once more.

From Daddy with lots of love to you and Mother      

Corporal Hugh Blacker Hill

307783 

The name Hugh B. Hill is found in a list of members of Trinity Anglican Church serving overseas, printed in the Aylmer Express, October 7, 1916. 

Hugh Blacker Hill was born on September 11, 1895 in Aylmer, the son of Edward William Eberts Hill (1859-1930) & Frances Ellen O’Callaghan (1856-1924). Edward was born in New Ross, Co. Galway, Ireland, the son of Hugh B. & Maria Hill. His wife Frances was born in Brandon, Co. Cork, Ireland, the daughter of Hezekiah O’Callaghan & Catherine Sullivan. They were married in Toronto on June 30, 1890. Edward was a banker, and later moved to Aylmer. They are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

Hugh’s attestation paper is not available for viewing. His obituary states he enlisted in Guelph with the 43rd Battery.  He served in France as a gunner, and lost a leg in battle. He returned home in 1919, arriving in Portland, Maine on May 30.

A letter from Hugh was published in the Aylmer Express, April 6, 1916:

A LETTER FROM CORPORAL HILL

Hugh Was Evidently So Anxious to Land and Get at the Germans That The Progress of the Boat Seemed Slow
The Other Aylmer Boys Seem to Have Had Their Share of Sea Sickness

Through the courtesy of Mr. E. W. R. Hill, we are able to give a report in diary form of the trip of the 43rd Guelph Battery. We congratulate Corporal Hugh on having escaped the unpleasantness of being sea sick in crossing, and trust the other boys are feeling all the better for their experience. The letter reads as follows:

S.S. Missanabie, 2nd March 1916

We started today at noon. The only other boat with us is the Scandinavian. Tonight all the port holes are blanketed; they won’t even let you smoke on deck on account of the light. We are following the Nova Scotia coast. I was up on deck just now, and could see four lighthouses at once. It looks as if we were going to call at Halifax. They don’t tell us anything of what they are going to do; in fact; if we try to guess anything about our movements, etc., they seem to do the very opposite.

March 3rd – We woke up this morning to find that the cruiser ______, is with us. She has four funnels, and looks to be an old type of boat.  We travel in line, the cruiser leading, we come next, and the Scandinavian behind us.  Harry and Maurice are both sea sick, and have not appeared in the dining room today.

March 4th – Struck bad weather today. The waves are breaking right over the hurricane deck. The wind is straight from the east, and we go right into the waves, so it really doesn’t give the boat much motion.  Of course, the propellers have been coming out of the water all day. A man was washed overboard the Scandinavian today, and we were delayed an hour, while they picked him up.  It was a miracle how they ever got him at all.  A lot of fellows are sick today, and the dining room is pretty empty. The table next to ours had only one person at it for dinner.  Our table was about half full, so we all had two dinners. Harry and Maurice both too sick to move out of their bunks. They are right over the propellers, so get the full benefit of all the rough weather.  Have been on board a week today. We went 284 knots the second day.

March 5th – The wind is changed to the south in the night, and the sea is catching us broadside. This morning we had service in the dining room. When the preacher was reading the lesson an exceptionally big wave came along, and we went sliding along the floor among some pails and the dishes on the table.  Maurice appeared on deck tonight; no sign of Harry yet. It beats me how it is that I am not sick.

March 6th – Harry is up on deck again, but not down in the dining room yet. He and Gerry are on guard today. They have guards all over the ship on the lookout for German spies on board. We have lifeboat drill about every second day, and we all know exactly what to do in case the Germans get us. Tell the girls that the money belt they gave me is the handiest thing I have got. I never take it off, only to take a bath.  Did 332 knots today, the fourth day out, the best yet.

March 7th – Today was the strongest wind I ever felt.  It was impossible to stand up against it. Big husky men who tried to walk across the deck were thrown off their feet and swept into the railings.  They did not get that man who was washed off the Scandinavian after all. Today after the wind went down a little, Eric and I went on deck and had lots of fun trying to walk against it.

March 8th – This morning we woke up to find that the cruiser _____, had left us and we were now being escorted by another cruiser, the _______, they say. We have been going against a head wind all day.  If it keeps up tonight there will certainly be some sea on tomorrow. Starting with this morning we have to wear our life belts wherever we go, down tot he dining room, up on deck, or anywhere.  They certainly are taking us on an indirect course. It seems to me that every time we pass another boat we change our course, so that the Germans could not located us from any information they might receive from these boats. Tonight we are heading straight south. That compass Bert gave me comes in mighty handy. It is two weeks today since we left Guelph.

March 9th – We stopped for quite a long time last night, as the Scandinavian’s engines broke down, and we had to wait for her. We have been going awfully slow all day. Going head first into the big seas, you would think the old boat was going to stand on end sometimes. It buries its nose right under the water, but always manages to come up again. Eric managed to buy a chicken from the baker today, so we are going to have a big feed tonight. There is a boxing tournament on this afternoon.

March 10th – Eric was sea sick today; the chicken we had last night was too much for him.  We are supposed to be directly south of Ireland now. They do not go near enough for us to see it, though.  The officers and sergeants put on a concert in our dining room last night, and it was very good, too.  Lieut. Crowe of the 43rd played the violin.  I don’t know what is wrong with this old boat. We only made 202 knots – the eighth day out. We stop nearly every night, and we seem to be going around in circles today.

March 12th – Today we are zigzagging all over the place. We never run half a mile in the same direction.  Our lifeboats are all swung out in readiness.  We are not allowed to say anything about our convoy, but we are well looked after. We are not supposed to post any letters until four days after we land, so I suppose this will have to wait.

Corporal Hugh B. Hill, 11th Howitzer Brigade, C.F.A., C.E.F.

The letter ends here. He evidently did not get time to write any more, or finish it off”

Hugh was living at 414 Huron Street, Toronto, employed as a bank clerk when he was married on September 26, 1923 in Ayr to Stella Magdalene Manson (1901-1987), of Ayr, the daughter of William Manson & Elizabeth Gourlay.  When his father E.W.R. Hill died in 1930, Hugh was living at 51 Woburn Ave., Toronto.

Hugh died on November 1, 1938 in Toronto and is buried in Aylmer cemetery.  In addition to he and his wife’s name on his parents’ monument, a military marker bearing the following inscription is found in the family plot:

“307783 Corporal Hugh B. Hill, 43rd Battery C.F.A.  C.E.F.  1st November 1938. Wounded at Canal-du-Nord, France  September 26th 1918″ 

Hugh’s obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, November 3, 1938, accompanied by a photograph on the same page:

HUGH B. HILL DIED IN TORONTO

Son of Late E. W. R. Hill Will Be Buried in Aylmer Cemetery Today

Hugh Blacker Hill, son of the late Mr and Mrs E. W. R. Hill, of Aylmer, died in the Christie Street Hospital, Toronto, on Tuesday afternoon, November 1st. He had been a sufferer from heart trouble for the past few years and had been in the hospital for six weeks.  Mr. Hill was born in Aylmer in 1895 and his late father was manager of the Molsons Bank and later the Bank of Montreal, here, for many years. Hugh was educated in the Aylmer schools and early in the Great War enlisted in Guelph with the 43rd Battery and went overseas as a gunner. He lost a leg in the conflict and has never since enjoyed good health. He was with the Bank of Montreal in Toronto. Surviving are his wife, formerly Stella Manson, of Ayr; one son, Ted, aged 12 years, of Toronto; two sisters, Kathleen, Mrs. J. B. Smith, of Toronto; and Betty, Mrs. (Rev.) Alfred Winnington-Ingram, of Midland. The body was brought to Aylmer on Thursday and the funeral service will be held in Trinity Anglican Church at 3 o’clock p.m. Rev. P. H. Streeter, the rector, will have charge and interment will take place in the family plot in Aylmer cemetery.

James Edward Hill

796656

James Hill was born on June 8, 1872 in Bayham, the son of Abraham & Phoebe Hill. James and his parents are found on the 1891 census in Bayham. Abraham & Phoebe are buried in Glenmeyer Baptist Cemetery, Walsingham Township, Norfolk County.

James was a farmer living in Bayham when he was married on December 11, 1892 in Tillsonburg to Mary House, also of Bayham, the daughter of Jeremiah & Charity House. James & Mary are found on the 1901 census in Simcoe, with children Clarence, Irene and James W.

James was a teamster living in Simcoe when he enlisted for service on February 19, 1916 in Simcoe.  He belonged to the 39th Regiment. No further information is known.

Lewis Earl Hoffman

16319

Lewis Hoffman was born on September 7, 1893 in Corinth, the son of James Albert Hoffman (1861-1944) & Sarah Eliza Best (1863-1928).  James was born in Clinton Township, Lincoln County, the son of Jacob & Jane Hoffman, and was living in Bayham when he was married on April 8, 1885 in Brownsville to Sarah Best, a native of Bayham, the daughter of John & Isabel Best.  They are buried in Best Cemetery, Corinth.

Lewis was a carpenter living at Corinth when he enlisted for service on September 19, 1914 in Valcartier with the 78th Battalion. He returned from overseas in 1919, arriving in Halifax on May 25.

He was married on June 29, 1946 to May Bell Futcher (1901-1979).  Lewis died on May 4, 1971 and is buried with his wife in St. Thomas cemetery, West Avenue. His obituary appeared in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, May 5, 1971:

EARL HOFFMAN, ARDENT FISHERMAN, GARDENER, DIES

Earl Hoffman, of 5 Margaret Street, a well-known local hardware merchant, died Tuesday at the St Thomas-Elgin General Hospital in his 78th year. Mr. Hoffman had been in failing health since February and in hospital for the past 10 days.

He was born at Corinth, the son of the late James A. Hoffman and the late former Sarah Best. The owner of Hoffman Hardware at 7 Hiawatha Street, he had been in business for 35 years and retired just last Saturday.

Mr. Hoffman was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 41, of St. Thomas, having served overseas with a Canadian Infantry Battalion during the First World War. He was also a member of the St. Thomas Naturalist Club and an ardent fisherman and gardener.

Surviving are his wife, the former Maybelle Futcher, and several nieces and nephews. He was the last of his own family.

Resting at the L. B. Sifton Funeral Home, 118 Wellington Street, where the funeral service will be conducted by Rev. J. L. Petrie, Padre of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 41, on Thursday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. Interment to be made in the family plot of the St. Thomas Cemetery.

Frederick Graham Holliday

838900

Frederick Holliday was born on January 19, 1889 in Aylmer, the son of William Samuel Holliday (1849-1901) & Catherine Courtice.  They were natives of England who emigrated to Canada in 1888.  No record of them living in Aylmer can be found, so it is possible they lived there briefly before moving to Simcoe where two more children were born in 1891 and 1893.  William died in Toronto on March 5, 1901, and his widow and children are found there on the 1901 census.  He was a marble cutter.

Frederick Holliday was living at 370 8th Avenue E., Vancouver when he enlisted for service there on May 10, 1916. He was a salesman, not married,  and names his next of kin as his brother, William C. Holliday of Leamington.

No further information can be found.

Wallace Hollywood

190157 

Wallace Hollywood was born on April 18, 1878 in Port Burwell, the son of Charles Augustus Hollywood & Elizabeth Brown Farrah (1852-1940).  Charles was born in Bayham, the son of William Hollywood, and was living there when he was married on April 14, 1867 in Elgin County to Elizabeth Farrah, a native of Toronto living in Houghton Township. She was the daughter of James & Mary Farrah, and is buried in Trinity Anglican cemetery, Port Burwell.  Charles Hollywood’s place of burial is unknown.

Wallace was farming in Bayham when he was married on October 23, 1905 to Cora Ribble, of Bayham, the daughter of Charles Arthur Ribble & Ella E. Anderson.

Wallace was farming at Port Burwell when he enlisted for service on March 30, 1916 in St. Thomas.  

Wallace returned from overseas after being declared medically unfit, arriving in Halifax on March 21, 1918.

Wallace died on August 30, 1946 and is buried with his mother in Trinity Anglican cemetery, Port Burwell. His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, September 5, 1946:

WALLACE HOLLYWOOD DIES IN LONDON HOSPITAL

Retired Railroadman Well Known Resident of Port Burwell

Wallace Hollywood, prominent resident of Port Burwell for many years died in Westminster Hospital, London, Friday, after a six weeks illness.  Mr. Hollywood was a retired railroad trainman, well known throughout the district. He was a member of Oriental Lodge No. 181 A.F. & A.M.

Surviving are his widow, Cora Ribble Hollywood; two sons, William of Port Burwell and Corporal Kenneth of the Canadian Army Medical Corps, Hagersville, Ont.; three daughters, Mrs. Grant Harvey, Mt. Elgin; Mrs. Reg Williams, Dunboyne, and Mrs Ross Miles, Riverside, Ont.; a brother, Clifford Hollywood, Fort Worth, Texas; and two sisters, Mrs. Thomas Harvey, Woodstock, and Miss Edith Hollywood, Windsor, Ont.

The funeral was held from Trinity Anglican Church, Port Burwell on Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 3rd at 2:30 o’clock, with Rev. A. W. Richardson and Rev. A. McKaye in charge. During the service James H. Barnum sang “Crossing the Bar”, accompanied at the organ by Miss Helen M. Barnum, and the friends sang two hymns, “Nearer My God to Thee”, and “Abide With Me”. The graveside service was conducted by members of Oriental Lodge No. 181 A.F. & A.M.

Pallbearers were all members of the Lodge: Jos. Emerson, John Melchior, Mario Melchior, Donald Emerson, Donald Drewry and Geo. Campbell. The flower bearers were Earl Woodworth, Burton McCord, David Brown, Harvey McKinnon and Herbert Everest.

Floral tributes consisting of wreaths, sprays, baskets and pillows were “Dad”, “Brother” from Clifford; “Brother” from sister Edith; “Brother” from sister Eleanor and family; “Wallace” from Cora; Reg, Pauline, Larry and Betty; “Grandpa”; Oriental Lodge No. 181 A.F. & A.M.; Canadian Association Railwaymen; The MacArthur family; Bert Everest; Mr and Mrs George Louch, Louise McIvor; Mr and Mrs Earl Woodworth; Mrs. George Woodworth; Mr and Mrs Charles Ribble; Mr and Mrs Fred Gomme; Ira, Carrie, Nettie, Murray and Mary Mitchell.

Friends and relatives were present from Hagersville, Windsor, Mt. Elgin, Fort Worth, Texas, Woodstock, Toronto, London, Vienna, Straffordville, Lakeview, Calton and Tillsonburg.

Norman Leslie Miller Honsinger

190398 

Norman Honsinger was born on March 18, 1890 in St. Thomas, the son of Benjamin Francis Honsinger (1858-1932) & Edith Ellen Urlin (1857-1905).  Benjamin was the son of Waite Honsinger & Margaret Drake, and was a cigar maker, and a merchant of wholesale & retail tobacco.  He and Edith  lived at 28 Roseberry Place, St. Thomas, and are buried in St. Thomas Cemetery, West Avenue.

Norman was living with his parents, and employed as a clerk, when he enlisted for service on June 20, 1916 in St. Thomas. He had four years of cadet training.

Norman returned from overseas on March 27, 1919, landing in Halifax. He returned to St. Thomas where he was married on March 23, 1922 to Ruby Theresa Ethel Carter (1896-1988), a native of Port Rowan living in Malahide, the daughter of Joseph Simms Carter & Theresa Victoria Moore.  Norman farmed near Mount Salem and later on the 9th concession of Malahide.

Norman died on August 19, 1963 and is buried with his wife in Springfield cemetery.  In addition to the family monument, a military marker is found in the plot bearing the following inscription:

“Norman L. Honsinger  Private 91 Battn C.E.F.  19 Aug. 1963 age 73″

His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, August 21, 1963:

NORMAN L. HONSINGER

The death of Norman Leslie (Pat) Honsinger, RR  5 Aylmer, occurred in Westminster Hospital, London, Ont., on Monday, August 19, following a lengthy illness.  He was 73. Born in St. Thomas, he was a son of the late Ellan (Urlin) Honsinger and the late B. F. Honsinger.  He had lived in the area all his life, where he was a salesman and worked with his father at Honsinger’s Cigar Store in St. Thomas, from 1943 to 1946. He was a member of Trinity Anglican Church in Aylmer, the Canadian Legion Branch 41 in St. Thomas, and the 91st Battalion.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Ruby (Carter) Honsinger; five sons, Peter, R.R. 5 Aylmer; Ben, Woodstock; Norman R.R. 5 Aylmer; Homer, R.R. 5 Aylmer; Joe, Sparta; two daughters, Mrs. Geo. (Theresa) Munn, 113 Manitoba Street, St. Thomas; Mrs. Gordon (Ada) Paupst, R.R. 5 Aylmer; one sister, Mrs. Fred (Margaret) Stott, Oakville; 14 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Resting at the L. B. Sifton Funeral Home, 118 Wellington Street, St. Thomas, until Thursday morning at 10:30 o’clock when removal will be made to the Trinity Anglican Church, Aylmer, for service conducted by Rev. R. Matthewman, at 2 p.m.  Interment will be made in Springfield cemetery.

Albert Carman Hoover

3132965  

The name “Carman A. Hoover” is found in a list of names being prepared for the Elgin County Book of Remembrance, which was printed in the St. Thomas Times-Journal in 1927, under Kingsmill.

Albert Carman Hoover was born on May 23, 1897 in South Dorchester, the son of Albert Sheldon Hoover (1858-1931) & Dressa Wood (1860-1924). Albert S. Hoover was born in South Dorchester, the son of Jesse Hoover & Amanda Wismer, and was living in South Dorchester when he was married on March 7, 1883 in Middleton township, Norfolk County, to Dressa Wood, a native of Walpole township, living in Middleton, the daughter of Rev. Hiel Wood & Almira Hodges.  Albert & Dressa are found on the 1901 and 1911 census in South Dorchester, and are buried in Mapleton cemetery.

Albert Carman Hoover was farming at Kingsmill when he enlisted for service on April 29, 1918 in London. He was transferred to the 63th Depot Battery on May 6, 1918.

He was married on November 13, 1918 in Springfield to Vera Mabel Norton, a native of New Sarum, living in Kingsmill, the daughter of Henry Norton & Amy Baker.  Albert’s occupation is given as “soldier”.

Albert and his wife separated, and he moved to Fort Erie where he was employed as an engineer with the New York Central railway.  He returned to the Aylmer area in his retirement, and died on December 13, 1963.  He is buried in Mapleton cemetery, but there is no marker.

John Henry Horn

3136366

John Horn was born on April 13, 1897 in England.  He emigrated to Canada with Dr. Barnardo’s party as a “Home Child”, leaving Liverpool on August 3, 1905 on the ship Dominion, arriving in Quebec on August 12, 1905.  He is found on the 1911 Bayham census living with Charles M. & Mary E. Moore as a domestic servant.

John was a farmer living at RR #1 Corinth when he enlisted for service on May 22, 1918 in London.  He lists his next of kin as Edwin Sulker Hatch of RR #1 Corinth, who was no relation.

No further information is known.

Robert Charles Hotton

189945

The name “Robert C. Holton” is found in a list of names being prepared for the Elgin County Book of Remembrance, which was printed in the St. Thomas Times-Journal in 1927, under Bayham. It is believed this is a misprint for Robert Charles Hotton, below.

Robert Hotton was born on October 13, 1876 in Westward, Devon, England, the son of Robert Charles Hotton & Hannah Roberts.  The family is found on the 1881 England census living in Georgeham, Devon.  Robert Hotton Sr. was a commercial boatman and was born in St. Petersport, Guernsey, Channel Islands. His wife, Hannah Roberts, was born in Lancashire, England They were married in 1875 in Lancashire.

Robert Charles Hotton emigrated to Canada and is found on the 1911 Malahide Township census living with William B. & Edith Firby as a domestic labourer.

He was farming in Bayham township when he enlisted for service on February 2, 1916 in Aylmer. He names his next of kin as his father, Robert Charles Hotton, of 29 Thorndale Road, Waterloo near Liverpool, England.  

Robert enlisted with the 91st Battalion, and served in England with the 12th Reserve, and in France with the 2nd Battalion, and in the Army of Occupation. He returned from overseas in 1919, arriving in Halifax on April 21.

Robert was not married, and died on July 24, 1929 in the Memorial Hospital in St. Thomas, at the age of 53, following an operation for a perforated gastric ulcer.  He had been employed by Arthur Gibson, of Malahide.  He is buried in Aylmer cemetery.  A military monument with the following inscription marks his resting place:

“91st Btn. CEF  Pte. R. C. Hottan 1877 – 1929″ 

His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, August 1, 1929:

ROBERT CHARLES HOTTON

Following an operation at the Memorial Hospital, St. Thomas, on Wednesday, July 24th, Mr. Robert Charles Hotton, of Malahide, suddenly passed away. Deceased was born in England and was in his 54th year. For eighteen years he had lived east of Aylmer, and for fourteen years was in the employ of Arthur Gibson. He was a veteran of the Great War and had intended to be at the Legion picnic on Wednesday when he was rushed to the hospital.  He had no relatives in Canada, but in England there survive him, besides his parents, two brothers and six sisters, and in Philadelphia, one brother.

The funeral was held on Friday afternoon last, from the home of Mr and Mrs Arthur Gibson. The Legion attended in a body. Interment was made in the Aylmer cemetery.

The Legion Bugler sounded the last post. The pallbearers were: John Tuff Sr., Harry Richardson, Archie Sitts, Geo. Warner, V. Brown and Mr. Whetstone.

Edward Howe

189851 

The name “Edward Howe” is found in a list of names being prepared for the Elgin County Book of Remembrance, which was printed in the St. Thomas Times-Journal in 1927, under Kingsmill.

A photograph of Edward Howe appeared in the Aylmer Express, July 26, 1917, with the following caption:

Sgt.-Major Ed. Howe, wounded at Vimy Ridge, now in convalescent hospital in England. In a recent letter he states he is recovering and expects to soon be in the trenches again. Sergt.-Major Howe enlisted with the 91st Battalion and has been promoted on the field. He has been recommended for the Military Medal. He was formerly M.C.R. operator at Kingsmill.

Edward was born on May 30, 1894 in Uffculme, Devonshire, England,  the son of James Howe & Alice Forward, who were married in Devon in 1892.  The family appears on the 1901 census in England living at 2 Cowley Moor Cottages, Tiverton, Devon.   The family emigrated to Canada on the ship Tunisian, and arrived in Halifax on April 23, 1904. They settled at Cromarty in Hibbert Township,  Perth County near Mitchell. James & Alice are buried in Staffa Cemetery, Perth County. Edward’s brother Sydney Howe was killed in action on October 29, 1917.

Edward moved to Kingsmill where he was employed as a telegraph operator.   He enlisted for service with the 91st Battalion in St. Thomas on January 10, 1916.  He arrived in England on August 21, 1916, and was transferred to the 38th Battalion.  He went to France in early 1917 and was wounded at Vimy Ridge. He was invalided back to England and rejoined his battalion on January 14, 1918 and was retained in England for an Officer’s Training Course.  He rejoined his battalion as a Lieutenant on June 23, 1918. He was seriously wounded in the legs on September 3, 1918 at Arras, and was invalided back to England. He spent almost the next year in various hospitals in England. He eventually sailed for Canada on June 30, 1919 and was sent to a Veteran’s Hospital in Toronto.  He was discharged from the C.E.F. as “medically unfit” on April 2, 1920 and had permanent medical disability.  

Edward moved to the United States in 1923 and eventually settled in Detroit where he was employed as a ticket clerk for the railroad. He married Elizabeth Rachel Ruble (1903-1989). They had one daughter Shirley Jane.  Edward died in April 1977 in Grand Ledge, Eaton County, Michigan at the age of 83.

Aleck Gray Howey

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Aleck Howey was born on April 23, 1899 in Eden, the son of Alexander J. Howey (1863-1952)  & Emma Jane Edgar (1872-1947).  Alexander was born in Bayham, the son of Martin & Margaret Howey, and was a cheesemaker living in Camden East, Lennox & Addington County, when he was married there on November 25, 1891 to Emma Edgar, of Camden East, the daughter of Ferdinand & Margaret Edgar.  They are buried in Woodland Cemetery, Flamborough East, Wentworth County.

Aleck was living in Eden employed as a clerk when he enlisted for service on June 5, 1917 in Hamilton.  He had served five months in the 13th Regiment in Hamilton. He enlisted with the Divisional Signal Company, C.E.F.

Aleck was living at 305 Main Street, Hamilton when he was married there on October 16, 1919 to Margaret Armstrong Aitken (1897-1963), a native of Glasgow, Scotland, the daughter of Andrew Aitken & Bridget Wilde.  She was a dressmaker living at 169 Cavell Street, Hamilton.

Aleck died in May 1994 and his buried with his wife  Margaret  in Woodland Cemetery, Flamborough East, Wentworth County.

Jacob Murray Howse

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Jacob Murray Howse was born on December 11, 1894 in Malahide, the son of Frederick Richard Howse (1853-1926) & Adeline Bagnall (1861-1948).  Frederick was the son of Thomas Howse & Phoebe Moot.  Adeline’s parents were Hosea & Sarah Bagnall.  Fred & Adeline are buried in Aylmer cemetery.  Jacob was raised on what had been his grandfather’s farm, north half lot 6, concession 4, Malahide, one mile east of Jaffa.

Jacob enlisted for service on September 25, 1915 in St. Thomas. He had served two years in the 1st Hussars, London. His attestation paper also bears the service number of 189193 (91st Battalion), but was crossed out and replaced with 123762.  Jacob trained at Carling Heights (now Wolesly Barracks, Oxford Street, London, Ont.).  He developed pneumonia during training and was discharged from the military in November 1916.

Mention of Jacob was made in the Aylmer Express, December 21, 1916:

“On page three of last weeks’ edition in an article under the heading of “Jaffa Well Represented”, there were two names omitted:

Jacob House, son of Mr and Mrs F. R. House, who enlisted at London with the 70th Battalion, later transferring to the 91st, at St. Thomas, where he suffered a severe attack of pleuro pneumonia. He was sent to London hospital and was unable to leave with the 91st.  He has been given an honorable discharge on account of never having recovered his strength.”

Jacob was married on September 20, 1917 to Dora Baker (1893-1983), the daughter of Jasper C. Baker & Nellie Goff, of Richford, Vermont. 

Jacob was farming at R.R. #5 Aylmer when he again enlisted for service on June 24, 1918.  He had fourteen months previous military experience with the 70th, 91st and 142nd Battalions. It would appear that despite enlisting again in 1918, he did not serve overseas (according to his obituary).

Jacob & Dora later farmed near Kingsmill on lot 9, concession 9, Malahide Township. They retired to St. Thomas where they lived at 3 Marlene Street.  He died on July 8, 1985 and is buried with Dora in Elmdale cemetery, St. Thomas

His obituary appeared in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, July 9, 1985:

JACOB M. (JAKE) HOWSE

Jacob M. (Jake) Howse, of 3 Marlene Street, St. Thomas, passed away suddenly, Monday, July 8, 1985, at his residence, He was 90. Born Dec. 11, 1894 in Malahide Township, the son of the late Mr and Mrs Frederick Howse, Mr. Howse lived on Malahide concession 9 from 1922 to 1964 where the family owned and operated a dairy farm.  

He was a member of the 91st Battalion (Elgin Regiment) during the First World War, but did not serve overseas.  He was a member of Central United Church in St. Thomas.

The widower of Mrs. Dora (Baker) Howse (1983), Mr. Howse is survived by a son, Douglas M. Howse, of Clinton, Ont.; a sister, Mrs. Claire Corner, of Tillsonburg, Ont.; seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.  A daughter, Mrs. Helen Louise MacDonald (1960) a brother and six sisters died previously.

Resting at Williams Funeral Home, 45 Elgin Street, St. Thomas, with visitation starting 7 p.m. today for services 1:30 p.m Wednesday with Rev. Lorne O’Neill, of Central United Church, officiating.  Interment Elmdale Memorial Park. Remembrances to charity.

Wilfred Clarence Howse

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Wilfred Howse was born on October 16, 1898 in Malahide, the son of Jacob Thomas Howse (1858-1935) & Mary Elizabeth Smuck (1868-1931).  Jacob was born near Jaffa, the son of Thomas Kindree Howse & Phoebe Moot, and was married in Aylmer on May 29, 1887 to Mary E. Smuck, daughter of Caleb Smuck & Elizabeth Williams.  Wilfred grew up on his parents’ farm near Jaffa.

Wilfred was a farmer living in the Aylmer area when he enlisted for service in St. Thomas on September 25, 1915.  His attestation paper also bears the service number 189192 (91st Battalion), but was crossed out and replaced with 123761.

A letter from Wilfred was printed in the East Elgin Tribune, September 7, 1916:

West Sandling Camp, Aug. 11, 1916:

We are now taking our course in musketry. We leave here mornings at six o’clock and walk five miles to the ranges and get back any time between 10 p.m. and the next morning in time to go back again.

Yesterday we went shooting on the ranges at Hythe. We are now trained soldiers, all but finishing our musketry course, which will take ten days. Then we are ready for France. We will there before you get this letter. Then the war will be over (you know of course why).

Hythe is situated about five miles from here. It is right along the coast. The road from the camp is all down hill so you know what it’s like coming back. We left here yesterday for the ranges at 1:30 and arrived there at 2:10.  We remained on the ranges until 7 p.m. We had two slices of bread without any butter for supper. We then poured boiling water through our rifles and then left at 7:30 for camp.  We had our full kit. The officers walked ahead with just their field glasses and went to beat the deuce and we had to keep up. Maybe I wasn’t sweating by the time I arrived at camp at nine o’clock. Well I went to bed as I didn’t feel much like going down town, got up at 5:30 this morning, drank my coffee and ate my dry bread to hear it splash. Some splash it was too, believe me.  Our meals are considerably all splashes to tell the truth.  Everything is lovely and food hangs high, mighty high too. I haven’t yet seen one potato as big as a pigeon egg. The apples which we buy for threepence I wouldn’t feed to the cows home. Cherries, pears and everything else are poor class – except the girls. They are handsome, except their talk.

It’s all English, believe me, and the funny part of it is they don’t understand what Canadian means when he says he is “tickled to death” and of course we don’t trouble to tell them.  The country is altogether different here. The roads are narrow but good. Hedges are used for fences. There are plenty of rose trees which I never saw before. Say, they are beautiful. Some people have archways over their gates made of them. The Englishmen, or women, I should say, should have credit for fixing up their houses and lawns for they are something grand. I have been down in that small city, London.  A fellow needs about 90 pounds and a month’s pass to see one corner, let alone the town, so you can see how big it is.

We are allowed out till ten o’clock every night to go to Hythe but if you want to go to Folkestone or some other big city you have to go on pass with lots of money, something we don’t get here.

Well I guess this is about all I can tell now. No doubt you will have to put on two pair of glasses to read it, but I will see that I can read all I get from home if I have to borrow the Sergt-Major’s glasses.

Wilfrid Howse, 12th Reserve Batt.

Wilfred was wounded by a shell at the Vimy Ridge front, and received 19 pieces of shrapnel in the calf of his left leg.  He was shipped back to England and convalesced in hospital there. He returned from overseas in 1917, arriving in Halifax on April 20. He had also been gassed and when he returned to Canada he claimed that he had difficulty breathing in the southern Ontario climate.  He was discharged in August 1918.

Following his discharge, Wilfred attended barbering school and moved to Regina, Saskatchewan, and later Detroit.  He later took up barbering on express trains running between New Orleans and San Francisco.  He is found on the 1930 US census in  Los Angeles, California, working as a barber. After Pearl Harbour was bombed and the United States entered the war in December 1941, he worked in the U.S. Medical Corps until the end of the war.  In 1947 he 

worked as a barber on the USS Phoenix on nine trips bringing military dependants back to the United States from the far east. He spent most of his life in San Francisco, and was married in 1946 to Ruth Frances Collins (1906-1990).  He died in San Mateo, California on April 29, 1986.

Thomas James Hume

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Thomas Hume was born on January 13, 1896 at Campbellford in Seymour Township, Northumberland County,  the son of Alex Hume & Jane Mather.  He was farming at RR 3 Campbellford when he enlisted there for service on June 23, 1916.  He had two years’ experience in the Cadet Corps.

He served overseas in France with the 48th Highlanders, a regiment out of Toronto.  They were nicknamed “The Ladies from Hades”, and led the charge into Cambrai, which has been called the last desperate great battle of the German army. There one of the largest machine gun battles took place.  Sgt. Hume was machine-gunned down as his crew led the charge in the outskirts of Cambrai just as he had pulled a fellow wounded mate into a shell hole for protection. The force of the bullet threw him flat on his back and he lay there all day in the hot sun bleeding. To move would have meant death.  He had to wait for the darkness of night to move. 

Sgt. Hume  returned to Canada on March 1, 1919, arriving in Halifax.  He was farming in Cobourg when he was married in Springfield on September 27, 1922 to Eva May Martin (1893-1976) of Springfield, the daughter of Giles Martin & Esther Hewer. They lived near Cobourg until moving to lot 10,con 12, South Dorchester Township in 1947.

The Aylmer Express of November 17, 1982 printed a photograph of the Remembrance Day service in Springfield with the following caption:

 “Tom Hume, right foreground, was one of the many war veterans in attendance at Remembrance Day ceremonies in Springfield last Thursday. He enlisted in the 48th Highlanders from Toronto in 1914 at the start of the First Great War and later transferred to the 3rd Machine Gun Battalion.  Mr. Hume resides on County Road 52 just west of Springfield.”

Thomas died on June 10, 1983 and is buried with his wife in Aylmer Cemetery.

His obituary, accompanied by a photograph,  appeared in the Aylmer Express, June 15, 1983:

TOM HUME WAS WAR VETERAN AND RETIRED DAIRY FARMER

Thomas James Hume, 87, retired dairy farmer of R.R. 2 Springfield, died at St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital, Friday June 10 after an illness of several weeks’ duration. Mr. Hume was a veteran of the First Great War and served in the trenches in France with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry under the late Col. Hamilton Gault who raised that regiment at his own expense.  After the war Mr. Hume spent several years with the Canadian department of agriculture establishing farmers’ clubs in western Canada.

He was born January 13, 1896, the son of Alex and Jane (Mather) Hume of Campbellford. In 1922 he married Eva May Martin of Springfield. She was the daughter of Giles and Esther (Hewer) Martin.  Mr and Mrs Hume farmed for 25 years near Cobourg where he helped establish Cobourg District Cooperative of which he was one of its early presidents.

They had three children, Giles and Donald Hume of R.R. 2 Springfield, and Mrs. S. A. (Phyllis) MacDonald of Thamesville, Ontario, who survive along with a grandson, A. H. MacDonald, Thamesville.

The family moved to Springfield in 1947 and Mr. Hume served several terms on South Dorchester Township Council. In addition, he maintained a strong interest in the Ontario and Canadian political scene and was prominently identified with the Conservative party and was for some time its township chairman.

He served for more than 20 years on Catfish Creek Conservation Authority as the representative of the Ontario Government. He was chairman for several years during the period that Springwater Park was under development.

Mr. Hume retired from dairy farming in 1967 and from the conservation authority last year. His wife died in 1976 and he lived with his two sons.  He was a past master of Springfield Masonic Lodge and in 1981 observed his 60th anniversary as a member of the Masons.  He was a member of St. John’s United Church, Springfield.

The funeral was arranged for Tuesday afternoon from the H. A. Kebbel Funeral Home, Aylmer, with Mrs. Heidi Sievert of St. John’s United Church, assisted by the Rev. Norman Jones of St. Paul’s United Church, Aylmer, and burial at Aylmer Cemetery.

The pallbearers were to be Gerald Newell, John Palmer, Peter Jamieson, Harold Jenkins, Douglas Oddie and Ron McNeil, MPP; and the flower bearers, Max Lamb, Leonard Simpson, Fred Schultz and John Newell.

Members of Springfield Masonic Lodge officiated at a memorial service at the funeral home Monday night.

Joseph Wilmot Hynes

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Joseph Hynes was born on November 14, 1891 at Exploits, Newfoundland, the son of Lionel Hynes.  He was living at the Queen’s Hotel in Calgary, employed as a bookkeeper and telegrapher when he enlisted for service there on February 14, 1917.  He names his next of kin as his father, Lionel, of Glen Wood, Newfoundland.

Joseph returned from overseas in 1919, arriving in Halifax on July 1, 1919.  He later moved to Port Burwell about 1943.  He died in 1960 and is buried in Trinity Anglican Cemetery, Port Burwell with his wife Hettie (1892-1980).  The monument gives his year of birth as 1889.

John William Ingram

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John Ingram was born on February 10, 1896 in Aylmer, the son of Edward Robert Ingram (ca 1867-1897) & Mary Victoria Adelaide Haggan (1867-1961).  Edward was born in Hensall, Huron County, the son of George & Sophia Ingram, and operated a grist mill in Aylmer. He was married in Aylmer on May 14, 1895 to Mary Haggan, a native of Malahide living in Aylmer, the daughter of John Haggan & Amelia Jane McConnell.  Following Edward’s death, Mary was married in 1903 to Charles William Hankinson.  Mary & Charles are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

John Ingram was a farmer living at R.R. #2 Aylmer in the Grovesend area, when he enlisted for service on May 22, 1918 in London.

He was married on November 12, 1925 to Gladys Muriel Stacey, daughter of James Stacey of Dunboyne.  He died on October 10, 1974 and is buried in Luton cemetery. His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, October 16, 1974:

W. INGRAM

John William Ingram of Valleyview Home for the Aged, St. Thomas, formerly of 23 Forest Street, Aylmer, died at St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital on Thursday, October 10th, following a long illness.  He was 78 years of age. Born in Aylmer, son of the late Edward R. Ingram and Adelade (Haggan) Ingram, he lived in Aylmer all his life and was a retired employee of the Carnation Company and a member of St. Paul’s United Church, Aylmer.

He is survived by three sons, John Ingram of Aylmer; Lewis Ingram of RR 2 Belmont and Clifton Ingram of London; two daughters, Mrs. Tom (Sandra) Brunton of Aylmer, and Mrs. Roger (Doreen) Dandurand of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; two brothers, Borden Hankinson and Edwin Hankinson, both of RR 2 Aylmer; two sisters, Eva Hankinson and Erie Hankinson, both of RR 2 Aylmer; and 14 grandchildren.

Funeral was held at H. A. Kebbel Funeral Home on Saturday, October 12th, conducted by the Rev. Gordon Woodcock of Aylmer Baptist church. Pallbearers were Chester Baughman, Harold Baughman, Martin Steinbacher, Sam Nesbitt, Ross Stafford and Frank Irish. Burial was in Luton cemetery.

William John Ingrey

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William Ingrey was born on January 15, 1890 (or 1891) in West Hartlepool, England, the son of Arthur Ingrey & Lavinia Mary Drage, who were married in 1882 in London, England.  The family is found on the 1901 England census living at 13 Penruth Road, Tottenham, Middlesex.  Arthur was a police constable, and was born at Royston, Cambridgeshire.  His wife Lavinia was born in Berkway, Hertfordshire. Their children’s places of birth are given as Tottenham, Middlesex.

William emigrated to Canada and was a butcher living at Corinth when he enlisted for service with the 74th Battalion on December 26, 1916 in Ottawa.  He was not married, and lists his next of kin as his father Arthur, of 13 Penruth Road, London, England. No further information is known.

John Clarence Inman

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John Inman was born on October 22, 1892 in Bayham,  the son of R. Milton Inman (1866-1943) & Ella Lowrie (1864-1924).  Milton Inman Sr. was the son of John & Julia Inman and was a salesman living in St. Thomas when he was married on July 18, 1888 in Hamilton to Ella Lowrie, of Hamilton, the daughter of David & Eliza Lowrie.  They are buried in Eden cemetery.

John was a farmer and automobile worker living at Eden with his parents when he enlisted for service on June 5, 1918 in London.

He moved to Windsor where he was employed as a commercial traveller.  He was living there when he was married on September 29, 1920 in Eden to Eva Winnifred Stilwell (1893-1976), of Eden, the daughter of Ira Stilwell & Annetta Myers.

John died in 1962 and is buried with his wife in Eden cemetery.

Milton Lee Wesley Inman

3136427

Milton Inman was born on April 13, 1896 at Eden, the son of R. Milton Inman (1866-1943) & Ella Lowrie (1864-1924).  Milton Inman Sr. was the son of John & Julia Inman and was a salesman living in St. Thomas when he was married on July 18, 1888 in Hamilton to Ella Lowrie, of Hamilton, the daughter of David & Eliza Lowrie.  They are buried in Eden cemetery.

Milton was a farmer living at Eden when he enlisted for service on May 22, 1918 in London.

He died in 1956 and is buried in Eden cemetery.

Henry Charles Benjamin Jackson

Charles Jackson was born on October 12, 1892 in Bayham (Vienna), the son of Henry Jackson (1868-1948) & Mary Matilda Roloson (1872-1937). Henry was the son of Henry Jackson & Margaret Haynes.  Mary was the daughter of Charles Roloson & Mary Milne. Henry & Mary and their children moved to Port Huron, Michigan about 1906. They are buried in Lakeside Cemetery, Port Huron.

It is believed Charles served with the United States Army during the war.  He died on December 23, 1919 in Coblenz, Germany while serving with the army of occupation.  He was buried on August 1, 1920 with his parents in Lakeside Cemetery, Port Huron.

Martin R. Jackson

Robert William Martin Jackson was born on February 17, 1895 in Vienna, the son of Henry Jackson (1868-1948) & Mary Matilda Roloson (1872-1937). Henry was the son of Henry Jackson & Margaret Haynes.  Mary was the daughter of Charles Roloson & Mary Milne. Henry & Mary and their children moved to Port Huron, Michigan about 1906. They are buried in Lakeside Cemetery, Port Huron.

Martin signed a U.S. Draft & Registration card for the war on May 28, 1917.  He was single, and living at 2319 12th Street, Port Huron. He was a sailor and employed by a company in Cleveland.  

He was married on September 5, 1918 in Port Huron to Mabel Lorena Walker (1899-1982), daughter of James Rederick Walker & Mary Mariah Armstrong of Bayham Township and later St. Thomas.

Martin & Mabel are found on the 1920 census in Port Huron, living with his parents.  He died in August 1964 and is buried with his wife in Lakeside Cemetery, Port Huron.

Robert Clarence Jackson

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Robert Jackson was born on June 15, 1895 in Bayham, the son of Joseph Ambrose Jackson (1861-1940) & Emma Amelia Wismer (1864-1949).  Joseph was born in Houghton Township, the son of Jacob & Jane Jackson and was a farmer living in Bayham when he was married on January 24, 1889 in Louth, Lincoln County to Emma Wismer, of Louth, the daughter of Eli & Catherine Wismer.  They are buried in Smuck Cemetery, Bayham township.

Robert was farming in Bayham when he was married on February 27, 1918 in Lakeview to Alice Isabel Saxton (1895-1985) of Bayham, the daughter of Frederick Saxton & Bertha Foster.

Robert was living at RR #1 Straffordville when he enlisted for service on May 22, 1918.

He died in 1978 and is buried with his wife in Smuck cemetery, Bayham Township.

Willie Jackson

The name Willie Jackson appears on a Springfield Honor Roll.  It is possible that this is the Willie Jackson, born July 14, 1892, found with his parents on the 1901 Yarmouth township census.  This man was William Emmanuel Jackson, born on the 9th concession of Yarmouth near New Sarum, on July 14, 1892, the son of John Robert Jackson (born in Bourne, Lincoln, England) & Lydia Emma Massendar (born in St. Thomas). John & Emma moved to St. Thomas where they are found on the 1911 census, but “Willie” is not listed with them.

There is an attestation paper for a William E. Jackson, #3512675, that is not available for viewing.

William Emmanuel Jackson was living in Galt, employed as a telegrapher when he was married there on August 9, 1917 to Hazel Evelyn Rogers, of Galt.

George Henry Jacobs

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George Jacobs was born at Stadhampton, Oxford, England on December 2, 1896, the son of John Jacobs (1869-1945) &  Annie Maria Wilson (1867-1943).  The family is found on the 1901 census living at #2 Haven Cottage, Speen, Berkshire.  John, Annie and their children: George, Edwin, Ellen & Rupert left Southampton on the ship Ausonia, and arrived in Quebec on May 26, 1912.  The passenger list states their destination is Toronto, but they eventually made their way to a farm at Lakeview.  John & Annie are buried in Elmdale cemetery, St. Thomas.

George was a farmer living with his parents at Lakeview (R.R. #1 Port Burwell) when he enlisted for service in London on July 12, 1915.

George was wounded and returned from overseas in 1917, arriving in Halifax on November 14.  His return was reported in the Aylmer Express, December 13, 1917 in the Lakeview news column:

“Mr. Geo. Jacobs, who enlisted and went overseas with the 33rd Batt. returned home Saturday night. He was wounded in the battle of Somme on September 15th, 1916, and lay four days and nights in a shell hole with two other wounded men, who both bled to death. Mr. Jacobs was severely wounded in both arms and one leg, and when found had about given up all hope of rescue. He has been in a hospital in England ever since, and is now invalided home.”

George died on September 29, 1965 and is buried in Elmdale cemetery with his wife Lois K. (1898-1987). His obituary appeared in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, September 29, 1965:

H. JACOBS DIES IN HOSPITAL

George H. Jacobs, retired market gardener, of RR 3 St. Thomas, died at the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital on Tuesday morning. He had not been in the best of health for some time.  Born in England 68 years ago, Mr. Jacobs came to this area in 1920, after coming to Canada in 1912. He resided at Guelph before coming to St. Thomas.

He was a member of St. Luke’s Anglican Church and served overseas in World War I with the 33rd Battalion.

He was a son of the late Annie Wilson Jacobs and John Jacobs. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Lois (Brown) Jacobs, of RR 3 St. Thomas; five sons, Alick Jacobs, 101 Redan Street; John W. Jacobs, Fort Myers, Fla.; Robert Jacobs, Aylmer East, Que.; Wilfred Jacobs, at home; Gerald Jacobs, 4 Pleasant Place; one daughter, Mrs. Frederick (Kathleen) Giles, Port Credit; one brother, Edwin Jacobs, Brantford; one sister, Mrs. Parry (Nellie) Sitts, of Tillsonburg. Eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren also survive.

At rest at the L. B. Sifton Funeral Home and the funeral will be held from there on Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Rev. Clifford Groh of St. Luke’s Anglican Church will officiate and interment will be in Elmdale Memorial Park.

Frederick Wilfred James

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Frederick Wilfred James was born on May 28, 1896 in Bayham, the son of Charles James (1862-1948) & Almeda Chalk (1863-1944) of Calton.  Charles was born in Malahide, the son of Robert James & Lorena Markle, and was married in Calton on February 29, 1888 to Almeda M. Chalk, also a native of Malahide, but living in Bayham, the daughter of John Chalk & Rachel Pettit.  They farmed in the Calton area in Bayham township, and are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

Frederick Wilfred James was a farmer living at Dunboyne in Malahide township when he was married on November 14, 1917 in Bayham to Edna Beatrice VanVelzer (1893-1986), also a resident of Dunboyne, but born in Bayham, the daughter of G. L. VanVelzer & Alice Wilson.

Frederick Wilfred James enlisted for service on May 22, 1918, while living at Dunboyne.  He gave his date of birth as June 29, 1896.

He died on June 14, 1977 and is buried in Aylmer cemetery. His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, June 22, 1977:

WILFRED “FRED” JAMES

Wilfred “Fred” James, of 74 Water Street, Aylmer, died on Tuesday, June 14, at the Memorial Continuing Care Unit, St. Thomas.  He was 80 years old.  Mr. James was born in Bayham Township, the son of the late Charles and Almeda Chalk James. He was a retired plumber and resided in Aylmer from 1951, residing previously in Calton.

He was a member of the Aylmer Baptist Church. Surviving is his wife, the former Edna VanVelzer; one son Murray of Mount Brydges and one daughter Mrs. Donald (Betty) Johnson of RR 4 Aylmer. Also surviving are eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Mr. James was predeceased by first brother Lorne, a son Byron and two grandsons. The funeral was held Friday, June 17 from H. A. Kebbel Funeral Home. Rev. Gordon Woodcock of the Aylmer Baptist Church officiated.

Pallbearers were Jessie Allen, Stuart Kinsey, Ken Chute, Stanley James, Orland Kinsey and Maurice James.  Flower bearers were Frank Irish and Frank Wiltsie.  Burial was in Aylmer Cemetery.

John Leslie James

551911

The name Leslie James is found on an Honor Roll unveiled at the Aylmer High School on May 23, 1918, listing students and former students who served overseas.

John Leslie James was born on April 4, 1896 in Dereham Township, Oxford County, the son of Joseph James & Eliza Ruckle.  Joseph was the son of John & Sarah James, and was farming in Dereham, when he was married on November 28, 1895 in Ingersoll to Eliza Ruckle, also of Dereham, daughter of John & Mary A. Ruckle.  The family is found on the 1911 census in South Dorchester.  Joseph & Eliza later moved to Carberry, Manitoba.

Leslie was a barber and not married when he enlisted for service on February 2, 1916 in Winnipeg.  He returned from the war in 1919, arriving in Halifax on May 22.  His address on the passenger list is given as Winnipeg.

No further information is known.

Lorne Gladstone James

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Lorne Gladstone James was born on November 18, 1893 in Aylmer, the son of Charles James (1862-1948) & Almeda Chalk (1863-1944) of Calton.  Charles was born in Malahide, the son of Robert James & Lorena Markle, and was married in Calton on February 29, 1888 to Almeda M. Chalk, also a native of Malahide, but living in Bayham, the daughter of John Chalk & Rachel Pettit.  They farmed in the Calton area in Bayham township, and are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

Lorne was living in Bayham township when he was married on February 12, 1918 to Lilly May Bearss (1888-1973), of Malahide, the daughter of Wilson Bearss & Mary Baker.

When Lorne enlisted for service on June 17, 1918 he was a farmer living at Dunboyne in Malahide township.

Lorne died on October 2, 1942 and is buried in Aylmer cemetery. His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, October 8, 1942:

LORNE G. JAMES

Lorne G. James, well-known farmer at Calton, died in the Memorial Hospital, St. Thomas, early this morning. He had been seriously ill for six weeks and was taken to the hospital three weeks ago.  Mr. James was in his 48th year and was born in Aylmer, being a son of Mr and Mrs Charles James, St. George street, Aylmer. He had farmed at Calton all his life and was a member of the Board of Deacons of the Calton Baptist church.

Surviving are his wife, two sons and one daughter: Stanley and Morris at home, and Mrs. Silas Lockey, of Calton. He is also survived by his parents in Aylmer; one brother, Fred James of Calton, and three grandchildren.

The funeral was held from the Allen & Son Funeral Home on Monday, at 2 o’clock, with interment in the Aylmer cemetery, and was largely attended by relatives and friends. Rev. Ernest Butcher, of Port Burwell, officiated, assisted by Rev. L. E. Mason. There were numerous flowers from friends, relatives and neighbours. During the service Bazil Learn sang a solo, “Softly and Tenderly”, accompanied at the piano by his wife.

Pallbearers were Murray Wilson, Robert Whaley, Glen Marr, Glen Parker, Fred Kennedy and Alec Bain. Flower bearers were Ralph Summers, Delbert Timpany, Norman Chalk and Russell McKibbon. Relatives and friends were in attendance from Calton, St. Thomas, Port Stanley, Woodstock, Aylmer and Malahide.

Amos Jeffery

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Amos Jeffery was born on November 30, 1891 in South Dorchester Township, the son of Thomas Richard Jeffery (1866-1950) & Rebecca Elmira Wood (1864-1891).  Thomas was born in Yarmouth, the son of John & Harriet Jeffery but was living in South Dorchester when he was married there on April 2, 1890.  Rebecca Wood a resident of South Dorchester, but a native of Walpole Township, Haldimand Co., the daughter of Rev. Hiel & Almira Wood.  Rebecca died on December 5, 1891, a few days after the birth of her son Amos. She is buried in Mapleton Cemetery beside her father.  Thomas Jeffery was remarried to Mary Jenkins and is buried with her in Elmdale Cemetery, St. Thomas.

According to Thomas’ obituary, he farmed in South Yarmouth and later in South Dorchester.  In 1900 he moved to Western Canada and farmed at High Bluff, Manitoba.  He remained in the west until his retirement about 1943 when he returned to Ontario, settling in Belmont.

Amos moved to Manitoba where he was living when he enlisted for service on June 24, 1915.  His occupation is given as “driver”, and he belonged to the 34th Fort Garry Horse regiment.  He names his next of kin as his wife Lottie, of 647 St. Matthews Ave., Winnipeg.

Amos was living in Winnipeg when his father died in 1950.

John Arthur Jenkins

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John Jenkins (also spelled Jenkin) was born on May 6, 1894 in Aylmer, the son of John Sampson Jenkins & Nancy Grundy.  John Jenkins Sr. was born about 1861 in Drybrook, Gloucestershire, England and emigrated to Canada about 1882.  On the 1881 England census, he is described as a Primitive Methodist minister. He married Nancy Grundy in 1881 in Lancashire, England, the daughter of Thomas & Nancy Grundy.  She was born about 1856 in Preston, Lancashire, England.  They lived for a few years in the late 1880’s and 1890’s in Aylmer and Malahide, where John was a teamster, farmer and evangelist. By 1901 they had moved to Brock Township, Ontario County, where John’s occupation is given as “artist”.  They then moved to Deloraine, Manitoba where they appear on the 1911 census, John being a photographer.

John Arthur Jenkins was a farmer living at Deloraine, Manitoba when he enlisted for service on January 8, 1916 at Deloraine.

No further information is known.

Delbert Johnson

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Delbert Johnson was born on August 21, 1896 in Malahide, the son of Lewis Lanson Johnson (1855-1918) & Elizabeth Ann Bradley (1860-1927).  Lewis was a native of Malahide, the son of William E. Johnson & Almira McIntosh, and was married in Malahide on December 20, 1876 to Elizabeth Bradley, also a Malahide native, daughter of Asa Burr Bradley & Eliza Whitesell.  Lewis & Elizabeth are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

Delbert was living in Aylmer working as a grocery clerk when he enlisted for service with the 241st Battalion in Windsor on August 26, 1916.

Delbert moved to Detroit, Michigan about 1919 where he was employed as a baggage agent on the railroad. He was married on February 5, 1920 to Emily Shulte, daughter of Frank Shulte of Warren, Michigan.

Guy Egbert Johnson

Guy Johnson’s name appears on the cenotaph in Vienna.  In an honour roll containing name of Aylmer High School students who served in the war, there is a G. E. Johnson listed.

Guy was born in 1893 in Bayham, the son of Leonard Layfayette Johnson (1854-1931) and Victoria Elizabeth Stratton (1856-1942).  Leonard was also born in Bayham, the son of Peter Johnson & Salina Thurston, and was a farmer there when he was married on January 8, 1877 in Malahide to Victoria Stratton, also of Bayham, the daughter of Henry & Elizabeth Stratton. When Leonard died, he was a lumber merchant. He and Victoria are buried in Straffordville cemetery.

Guy’s attestation paper could not be identified. Following the war, he was employed as school teacher and was living in Bayham when he was married on July 29, 1920 in Toronto to Kathleen A. Bryam, a native of Smith’s Falls.  She was also a teacher, living in Toronto, the daughter of Benjamin G. Bryam & Louisa M. Dean.

Guy and Kathleen were living in Welland when she passed away in Toronto General Hospital on June 19, 1926 at the age of 36.  Guy died in 1987 and is buried with his wife in Straffordville cemetery.

James Lambert Johnson

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James Johnson was born on November 2, 1888 in Clinton, Huron County, the son of Thomas D. Johnson & Eliza Cole, a tinsmith.  

James was a school teacher living in Clinton when he was married on June 19, 1918 in London to Edith Vera Poustie (1891-1922), a native of Aylmer living in Port Burwell, the daughter of James Poustie & Sarah Anger. Edith died in Niagara Falls General Hospital in 1922. She and James were living in Chippewa at the time. She is buried with her parents in Trinity Anglican cemetery, Port Burwell.

James was a school teacher in Port Burwell when he enlisted for service on August 1, 1918 in Woodstock.  He was an instructor with the Cadet Corps.

No further information is known.

John William Johnson

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John Johnson was born on March 19, 1890 at Straffordville, the son of James Henry Johnson & Margaret Berdan (1869-1952). James was born in Middleton Township, Norfolk County, the son of Stephen & Ellen Johnson, and was living in Bayham when he was married on October 23, 1886 in Middleton to Margaret Berdan, of Bayham, the daughter of David & Mary Berdan. Margaret is buried in Springfield cemetery, and although James’ name is not on the monument, it is presumed he is buried there also.

John was a farmer living at RR #2 Springfield when he enlisted with the 91st Battalion on November 24, 1915 in Springfield.  He names his next of kin as his father, James H. Johnson of RR #1 Belmont.

John died on March 2, 1938 at the age of 48, and is buried with his mother in Springfield cemetery.

An obituary for a John Johnson, believed to be the above man, appeared in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, March 2, 1938:

VIENNA MAN DIES IN FIT

John Johnson Passes on Way to Hospital from Jail

London, Ont., March 2 – After taking an epileptic attack in the cells at the city police station today, John Johnson, aged 48, died in the ambulance on the way to Victoria Hospital. Chief Coroner Dr. A. R. Routledge said no inquest would be held.  Johnson, a resident of London, had been working on a farm at R.R. 1 Vienna, when he was arrested on a bicycle theft charge. Shortly after he had been brought to London to face the charge, he took the attack in the police cells.  Officers on duty at the station heard a noise in the cells and ran to investigate.  They found the man lying on a cot and apparently suffering from an epileptic seizure.  Johnson asked them to help him to sit up. They did and he seemed to get better.  Police decided that he should be removed to the hospital.  He was placed in the ambulance and was on his way to Victoria Hospital when his heart seemed to give out and he died. Crown Attorney Norman Newton and the chief coroner, after receiving a report on the case, decided no inquest was necessary.

Lewis Cecil Johnson

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Lewis Cecil Johnson was born on January 16, 1880 in Malahide, the son of Albert Johnson (1849-1895) & Eliza Jane Hulbert (1851-1916).  Albert was the son of William & Sarah Johnson, and was living in Yarmouth when he was married on May 27, 1868 in Malahide to Eliza Hulbert, of Malahide, the daughter of White & Nancy Hulbert.  Albert & Eliza are buried in Orwell cemetery.

Lewis was a farmer living in Malahide when he was married on February 22, 1899 in Bayham to Margaret J. Murphy (1883-1975), the daughter of Edward & Sarah Murphy.

Lewis moved to Springfield and was a butcher there when he enlisted for service on March 14, 1916 in Tillsonburg.  He named his next of kin as his brother, Albert, of Concession 5, Malahide, but that entry was crossed out and his wife Maggie of Tillsonburg was entered as next of kin.

Lewis died on March 2, 1949 and is buried in Aylmer cemetery. His obituary appeared in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, March 3, 1949:

LEWIS C. JOHNSON DIES IN WOODSTOCK

Former Mapleton Resident To Be Buried in Aylmer

Woodstock, March 3 – Lewis Cecil Johnson, 69, of 86 Winnett street, who died Wednesday in Woodstock Hospital, was born in Malahide Township, near Aylmer, a son of the late Mr and Mrs Albert Johnson.  He lived in Detroit 25 years, and in 1930 moved to Mapleton, where he engaged in the butcher business.  He came to Woodstock seven years ago and was employed at Eureka Foundry. Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Margaret (Murphy) Johnson; four sons, Ralph, London; Leonard, Windsor; Alfred and Michael, Woodstock; one daughter, Mrs. Stanley Martin, Mapleton; a brother, Medford, Richmond; two sisters, Mrs. Alma Chute, Ingersoll; and Mrs. Ida Partlo, Tillsonburg.  The remains are resting in Smith’s Funeral Home, where services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m.  Interment will be made in Aylmer cemetery.

Morley Johnson

Morley Johnson is mentioned in an article in the Aylmer Express, June 6, 1918 with four other men from the Summers’ Corners area who were honored with a reception on the “eve of their departure to join the overseas forces”.

This man cannot be positively identified. There is a Morley Hall Johnston, #3208111, whose attestation paper is not available for viewing.  Birth records show that Morley Hall Johnston was born on May 18, 1896 in Hungerford Township, Hastings Co., the son of David C. Johnston & Sarah S. Gordon.  No connection to the Aylmer area can be found, but it is possible he was working in this area prior to enlisting.

Rubert Johnson

The name Rubert Johnson is found on an Honor Roll unveiled at the Aylmer High School on May 23, 1918, listing students and former students who served overseas. It is unclear if this is a printing error for “Robert” or “Rupert”.

A search in the 1901 and 1911 census for the Aylmer area failed to show a Robert or Rupert Johnson of the age to have served in the war.

Walter Johnson

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Walter Therold Johnson was born on August 28, 1897 in Malahide, the son of Alfred Johnson (1870-1922) & Elizabeth Ann Lanyon (1870-1957).  Alfred was born in Malahide, the son of Albert & Eliza Jane Johnson.  Elizabeth Lanyon was born in Cornwall, England, the daughter of Charles & Jane Lanyon.  They were married in Bayham on December 27, 1893, and are buried in Aylmer cemetery. Alfred was a butcher living at lot 26, concession 5, Malahide.  His widow Elizabeth later lived at 49 Redan St., St. Thomas.

Walter was farming at R. R. #1 Aylmer when he enlisted for service on May 22, 1918.

Walter was living in Malahide when he was married on June 30, 1920 to Ruby Beatrice Summers (1901-1977), also of Malahide, the daughter of Murray Summers & Ella May Woolley.  They continued to live on the 5th concession of Malahide in the Summers Corners area where they had six children: Gwendolyn (1923-1925); Jean Marguerite (1926); Audrey Eleanor (1927); Maggie Jane (stillborn 1932); a son (1935), and Grant Garfield (1939-1944).

.Walter died on November 24, 1973 and is buried with his wife and son Grant in Aylmer cemetery. His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, November 28, 1973:

WALTER T. JOHNSON

Funeral for Walter T. Johnson of 73 Arthur Avenue, St. Thomas, was held at the L. B. Sifton Funeral Home, St. Thomas on November 27th conducted by the Rev. Chauncey MacKay of Grace United Church.

Mr. Johnson, 76, died November 24th in St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital, after a one-month illness. Born in Malahide Township, Mr. Johnson moved from Aylmer to St. Thomas about 20 years ago. He was a retired butcher and a member of Grace United Church.  He was a son of the late Alfred and Bessie Lanyon Johnson and is survived by his wife Mrs. Ruby Summers Johnson, 73 Arthur Avenue; a son, Murray, of Bucyrus, Ohio and two daughters, Mrs. Fred (Jean) Balcom and Mrs. Stanley (Audrey) Savage, both of London.

Mr. Johnson is also survived by a brother, Harold, London; a sister-in-law Mrs. Maude Johnson, Aylmer; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.  Another son, Grant Johnson, died in 1944; a brother Charles Johnson, Aylmer and a sister Mrs. Ida Miller, St. Thomas, also died previously. Burial was in the family plot in the Aylmer cemetery.

Dr. Grant Johnston

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Grant Johnston was born on January 26, 1896 in Strathroy. He was a student living at 532 Church Street, Toronto when he enlisted for service on February 8, 1917 in Toronto. He names his next of kin as a friend, Colin McKeigan, of Strathroy.  He had served in the C.O.T.C.

Grant was a student living in Strathroy when he was married on May 26, 1920 in Mt. Brydges to Marie Victoria Browne (1901-1990), of Caradoc Township, the daughter of George Brown & Maud Kilbourne.  

Dr. Johnston became a dentist and moved to Aylmer from Strathroy in 1932. He was also a veteran of World War II, serving in the Canadian Dental Corps.  He died on April 16, 1985 and with his wife in Aylmer Cemetery. His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, April 24, 1985:

GRANT JOHNSTON

Dr. Grant Johnston, 89, of 274 Talbot St. E., a retired dentist and a past president of Aylmer branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, died at his home on Tuesday, April 16.  Dr. Johnston was a veteran of both First and Second Great Wars, and was president of the Aylmer Legion branch in 1950-51.  He served in the infantry in the first war and in the Canadian Dental Corps in the second war. He was a life member of Malahide Masonic Lodge No. 140, and a past patron of the Order of the Eastern Star. He was also very active in minor hockey and ball.

Mike Koleada, another past president of Aylmer Legion and a pallbearer at the funeral, said he had known Dr. Johnston since just after the Second Great War. 

Dr. Johnston was “very friendly and he was a good thinker”, Mr. Koleada said. “He never jumped into anything with investigating it thoroughly”. Roy Sinden, secretary of Malahide Lodge, said he had known Dr. Johnston since 1946.  “He was a very fine man, a gentleman in every way”, Mr. Sinden said.

Dr. Johnston came to Aylmer from Strathroy in 1932. He is survived by his wife, Marie Victoria (Browne) Johnston and one daughter, Mrs. Helen M. Black, of Aylmer.  Dr. Johnston is also survived by grandchildren David Black of Toronto, Grant Black of Brantford and Mrs. Marie Moffat of Simcoe; three great-grandchildren.

The Reverend Norman Jones of St. Paul’s United Church, Aylmer, conducted the funeral service from the H. A. Kebbel Funeral Home on Friday, April 19. Dr. Johnston was buried in Aylmer cemetery.  The pallbearers, all past Aylmer Legion presidents, were George Gavey, Donald Fick, Denby Breen, Mike Koleada, Norman Honsinger and Ben Cown.

Hugh Arthur Johnston

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Hugh Johnston was born on January 28, 1899 (or 1902) in Port Burwell, the son of Dr. Hugh Arthur Johnston, M.B., M.D. (1872-1940) & Minerva Isabel May Kinsman. Dr. Johnston was born in Montreal and was a physician in Vienna when he was married on September 26, 1894 in Toronto to Minnie Kinsman, of Toronto, the daughter of Daniel & Christina Kinsman.  He is buried in Trinity Anglican Cemetery, Port Burwell.

Hugh Johnston was living with his parents at 189 Grace Terrace, Toronto, employed as a clerk, when he enlisted for service on May 10, 1916 in Toronto.  He gives his date of birth as January 28, 1898.  However, an original birth registration gives his date of birth as January 28, 1902.  A delayed registration sworn by his mother in 1919 gives his date of birth as January 28, 1899.  Hugh joined the 69th Overseas Battery, C.F.A.

When his father died in 1940, Hugh was living in Toronto.

Huron Ray Johnston

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Huron Ray Johnston was born on August 22, 1896 in Port Burwell, the son of Cornelius Johnston (1846-1928) & Jane S. Smith (1846-1924).  Cornelius was born in Houghton Township, the son of Adamson & Elizabeth Johnston and was living there when he was married on June 3, 1897 in Port Burwell to Jane Smith, a native of Scotland living in Houghton, daughter of William & Agnes Smith. They are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

Ray was a machinist living in Port Burwell when he enlisted for service on October 13, 1917 in Windsor. 

He was married to May Loney, who was the widow of Laurence Stephen Hopwood.  Ray & May lived in London. He died on September 26, 1967, and is buried in Woodland Cemetery, London. His obituary appeared in the London Free Press, September 27, 1967:

JOHNSTON (JOHNSON) – At Victoria Hospital on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 1967, H. Ray, beloved husband of May Johnston, 25 Thornton Ave. Resting at the Geo. E. Logan and Sons Funeral Home, 371 Dundas St., for service in the chapel on Friday, at 3 p.m.

Lennox Johnston

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This man’s attestation paper states he was born in Aylmer, Ontario on September 21, 1897, and names his next of kin as his father, James Caswell Johnston of Edmonton.  However, a birth registration was found for a James C. Johnson, in Aylmer bearing the same date, son of James C. Johnston & Catherine Brooks. It is therefore possible that “Lennox” was another name given to him that was not recorded on the birth record.

It appears the family lived briefly in the Aylmer area.  James Caswell Johnston was born in Port Hope, the son of William & Margaret Johnston, and was a flour miller living in Pembroke when he was married on December 24, 1891 in North Bay to Catherine Brooks Hughes, of Pembroke, the daughter of Noble & Mary Hughes.  Besides their son James, another son Joseph Howard Johnston was born in Elgin County in 1899. By 1901, the family had moved to Merrickville in Leeds & Grenville County, where they appear on the census there. They then moved to Alberta where they are found on the 1911 census in Lloydminster.

Lennox Johnston was living in Seattle, Washington working as a waiter when he enlisted for service on August 29, 1918 in Victoria, B.C.

No further information is known.

David Emanuel Jones

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David Jones was born on October 11, 1887 at Minesing in Vespra Township, Simcoe County, the son of Edward (Edmund) Jones & Hannah Shrigley.  The family moved to Pearson in Casey Township, Temiskaming District where he was farming when he enlisted for service with the 159th Battalion on May 31, 1916 in New Liskeard.  He belonged to the 97th Regiment.

He was living in Casey Township, described as a soldier, when he was married on December 23, 1918 in New Liskeard to Gunhild E. Lundberg (1892-1973), a native of Sweden living in Casey Township, the daughter of Charles Lundberg & Anna Johnson.

David died on February 17, 1981 in his 94th year and is buried with his wife in Aylmer Cemetery. His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, February 25, 1981:

DEATHS

JONES – David Emanuel (Veteran WWI) at the Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, February 17, 1981, David Jones, beloved husband of the late Gunhild Lundberg of 103 Matchedesh St. N., Orillia, in his 94th year. Loving father of Eric of Toronto; Mildred (Midge) (Mrs. George McIntosh) of Bass Lake; Edith (Mrs. Douglas Belton) of Owen Sound; Amos of Meaford; Alice (Mrs. Bill Seymour) of Orillia; and Isabel (Mrs. Ray Wolstenholme) of Agincourt. Grandfather of 12 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren; dear brother of Mrs. Priscilla Reid of Tillsonburg and Lilian (Mrs. Allan Davidson) of New Liskeard; Dan, James, Rubin, Charles, Mahlon, Sarah, Elizabeth, Annie, Ed, Launce and Martha predeceased. The late Mr. David E. Jones rested at the Mundell Funeral Home, 79 West St. N. Orillia. Funeral service was held in the chapel on Friday, Feb. 20, 1981 at 1:30 p.m. Temporary interment, St. Andrew’s Cemetery Vault, Orillia with spring interment at Aylmer Cemetery. Memorial donations to the Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital Building Fund would be gratefully appreciated.

Ernest J. Jones

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Ernest was a reservist with the British military.  He was called back for service at the beginning of the war.  He received a Victory Medal for his service.  His date of enlistment on that record is September 20, 1914.   

Ernest was born in1889 in Slough, Berkshire, England,  the son of William Jones & Elizabeth Swabey, and was farming in South Dorchester when he was married on January 22, 1908 in Mapleton to Carrie Bell Williams (1890-1941), of Mapleton, the daughter of George Williams & Ethelda Bonser.

Ernest is found on the 1911 census in Yarmouth, with wife “Lena” with a son Ernest (born 1908). They are living near George & Ethel Williams. 

An article, with excerpts from a letter written by Ernest was printed in the East Elgin Tribune, October 12, 1916:

NEWS FROM A MAPLETON SOLDIER

Pte. Ernest Jones, who answered the call to the colors on Aug. 14, 1914, just fifteen days after war was declared, has been wounded twice since going into the trenches. On the last occasion he was in the hospital five months with a dislocated arm, but is now fully recovered and in a letter dated September 9, 1916, to his wife at Mapleton, he says he is about to leave to rejoin his regiment – this time in Mesopotamia.  He is not worrying over this long trip, because, he writes, “I have always had a feeling that I should pull through this war safe”. Going to Mesopotamia will mean three medals for Pte. Jones – the Belgian, French and Mesopotamian. Pte. Jones in his letter adds, “We had a fine sight here last Saturday, when the Zeppelin was brought down. We did not forget to cheer. It came down only one half mile from here and for a time we thought it was coming down on top of us.  It was a terrible death for the men but they deserved it, coming over here and killing women and children”.

An article in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, August 17, 1918 contains a photo of Corp. Ernest Jones, of Mapleton, and letter to his son, and wife, Carrie: (the son referred to in the letter below is William Earnest Stanley Jones, born February 20, 1908)

FORMER MAPLETON MAN IS FIGHTING AGAINST “SCUM OF GOD’S EARTH”

IN HOLY LAND

Corporal Ernest Jones Puts His Experiences in Verse Form;

Also Expresses Soldiers’ Views of Men at Home Who Talk Strike While Empire is at Stake

Corporal Ernest Jones, now with the British Expeditionary Forces in Mesopotamia, writing to his son at Mapleton, Ont., puts his experiences in verse form. The letter was written at Narhmur, Mesopotamia, on May 25.

My Dear Son –

What did you do in the Great War, Daddy?  Such was the posters appealing cry

That is the question I’ll have to answer, when I reach home, by and by

All that I did was my best, sonny. Not much to brag of when all said and done

But my little bit with the big bits of others, shall help us along till the war will be won.

When I set out on this great adventure, little I thought what it had in store

Or of the chums I should leave behind me, buried in graves on this foreign shore

Little I thought of the storm-swept gully, hail of shrapnel among the corn

Wild mad charges of men not human, pain at my side, failing, riddled and torn

Little I thought of the ice-filled trenches, of frozen-stiff sentries who died at their post

Torrents of inky-black thundering waters, flooding both friend and foe out to the coast

Torrents of flies and vermin that sicken, shortness of water, of food and of rest

Hole-riddled dugouts, and quagmiry pathways, through rain of snipe bullets from nullah and crest

Gentle-bred ladies with splendid devotion, facing unflinchingly scenes fit for hell

Hospital orderlies fresh from their home-land, risking their lives to fetch drinks from the well

King’s sons and the sons of the humblest road sweeper, fighting together ‘gainst the scum of God’s earth

Battling for freedom and honor so priceless, giving their lives for the land of their birth

These are the bits we are called to do, sonny; not much to brag of when all said and done

But my little bit – with the big bits of others, shall help us along ‘till the war will be won.

Your affectionate Dad, 21393 Corp. Ernest Jones

In letters to his wife, Carrie B. Jones, he writes: “If I live through this I shall fear no man. If I go “west” I shall go with the assurance that our children will be proud of their dad, for if our youngsters are worth living for they are worth dying for. But cheer up, God has been good to me, and I pray that with His grace I may pull through.  The weather is getting to be what you would call “some hot”.  I am hoping to get leave to India before the real hot spell comes.  I got back late last night, and had no sleep the night before, but if all goes well I shall get a sleep tonight, if the fleas will let me, then I go “up” again tomorrow. Gee, but this is one hell of a country, but we must not grumble. When they are going to pay any attention to us time expired men I don’t know.  I am now nearly two years over my time, and never a word is said about it. We must wait and see.  I could tell you lots of things if I only dared, but must obey orders, and not write about what is, or what will be.  But if all the people at home were as sure of winning the war as we are, they would not grumble half as much as they do. Some newspapers we get make us real angry with the people at home. Here we are out in the worst country in the world, trying our best to keep the dear old flag flying, and then we come across a paper telling us that they are striking for more pay.  I only wish that the men who won’t do their bit in England, unless they get more pay, would come out here on our pay for awhile – but the dirty dogs will not fight; they only growl.  Well, never mind, all will come right in the end, and with our Heavenly Father’s help we will win, and then home, sweet home.”

Caption under his photo – “Corp. Ernest Jones, of Mapleton, now in Mesopotamia, from a photo taken while he was in hospital in England. Corp. Jones is a reservist, who was called back to the service when war broke out”

Carrie died on January 27, 1941 and is buried in Aylmer cemetery. Ernest died on March 12, 1949 in the Memorial Hospital, St. Thomas.  He is buried with his wife in Aylmer cemetery.

Ernest’s obituary appeared in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, March 14, 1949:

ERNEST J. JONES, OF AYLMER, HAD FINE MILITARY RECORD

AYLMER, March 14 – A charter member of Branch 81 of the Canadian Legion in Aylmer, Ernest J. Jones died in the St. Thomas Memorial Hospital on Saturday.  He was 60 years of age and suffered a short illness which culminated an unusual military record.

A native of Slough, Berkshire, England, Mr. Jones joined the Imperial Army in 1903 when he was 14 years of age.  He went to South Africa in the Army of Occupation after the Boer War and came to Canada in 1909 to settle in Aylmer.  In 1914 Mr. Jones responded to the call for duty and again joined the Imperial Army for four years and eight months, serving in Belgium, France, India and South Africa and on his discharge Sergt. Jones returned to Aylmer and has been a continuous resident since that time.

A member of the Church of Christ, the departed veteran was an active member of Branch 81 of the Legion and for the past two years has been on the staff of the hall as caretaker.  Surviving are two sons, William and Arthur, of Aylmer; two daughters, Mrs. George Wicks,o f Aylmer; Mrs. Charles Williams, of Flint, Mich.; and one sister, Mrs. Norman Allen, of Sarnia.

The remains are resting at the George A. Allen Funeral Home where services will take place, under Canadian Legion auspices, Tuesday at 2:30 p.m.  Interment will be made in Aylmer cemetery. Rev. F. C. McRitchie, Legion padre, will conduct the services and all members of Branch 81 are asked to attend.

Leopold George William Plume Jones

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Leopold Jones was born on November 21, 1877 in St. Luke’s, London, England, the son of Charles & Elizabeth Jones.  On the 1891 census, they are living at 17 Elizabeth Road, East Ham, Essex, England.

Leopold was married in Essex, England in 1898 to Ada Green (1878-1912), and they were living at 64 Park Road in East Ham, Essex, on the 1901 census.  At this time, they had one son, Leopold, age 1, born in Forest Gate, Essex. A daughter Ada was born to them in 1906.

They emigrated to Canada bout 1908, and were living in St. Thomas on the 1911 census where he is a shoemaker.  Ada died in 1912 at the age of 33 and is buried in the Old English Cemetery on Walnut Street, St. Thomas.  She was born in Maidstone, Kent, England, the daughter of Alfred & Fannie Green.

Leopold and his two children moved to Aylmer where he was working as a shoemaker when he enlisted for service on August 8, 1916 in Windsor.   He had served five years in the 3rd Battalion of Essex Rifles (England), and one year in a London Scottish regiment, and also one year in the 30th Field Battery in Aylmer.  He enlisted with the 122nd Battalion, C.E.F.   

No further information can be found.

Frederick Joy

400533

Pte. Fred Joy is listed as being wounded in the October 19, 1916 issue of the East Elgin Tribune.  

Frederick Joy was born on June 24, 1896 in London, England.  He emigrated as a “home child” in a party of children destined for Stratford, Ontario in the care of Mr. Merry.  He sailed from Liverpool on the ship Tunisian, and arrived in Quebec on August 6, 1909.

He is found on the 1911 census in Downie Township, Perth County, as a domestic in the household of George & Ellen Tyler.  

He was living in the Lakeview area of Elgin County when he enlisted for service on January 18, 1915 in St. Thomas.  He states he is a farmer and not married. He names his next of kin as a cousin, Miss E. J. Gray, of London, England.

Passenger lists show Pte. Fred Joy returning from overseas in 1918, arriving in Halifax on March 26.  He had been wounded by a gun shot in the left arm.  His destination was St. Thomas.  The April 12, 1918 issue of the St. Thomas Times-Journal reports that Pte. Fred Joy of Lakeview has returned from overseas.

No further information is known.

Frederick Charles Kappheim

3106315

Frederick Kappheim was born on May 11, 1890 in Aylmer, the son of Charles Kappheim (ca 1859-1906) & Frances Regina Brown (ca 1862-1905).  Charles was born in Ruppen, Prussia, Germany, the son of Charles & Caroline Kappheim, and was a marble cutter who emigrated to Canada about 1875.  He was living in Dundas, Ontario when he was married there on September 18, 1883 to Regina Brown, a native of Hanover, Ontario living in Carrick Township, the daughter of Lewis & Minna Brown. They moved to Aylmer where they appear in the 1891 & 1901 census.  Regina died while living in Aylmer, and shortly afterwards Charles moved to Hamilton where he died in 1906 at 5 Chatham Street. 

Frederick was living at 379 Charlton Ave W., Hamilton, a machinist and tool maker, when he enlisted for service on January 5, 1918 in Hamilton. He names his next of kin as his brother, Arthur, of the same address.

No further information can be found.

Claude Kennedy

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Claude Kennedy was born on March 12, 1898 at Eden, the son of Carmi Kennedy (1867-1949) & Mary L. Wilson (1864-1944).  Carmi Kennedy was born in Bayham, the son of Wesley & Amelia Kennedy and was farming there when he was married on December 25, 1889 in Bayham to Mary Wilson, also of Bayham, the daughter of John & Hester Wilson. They are buried in Eden cemetery.

Claude was living in Tillsonburg working as an upholsterer when he enlisted for service on May 14, 1918 in Toronto.  He joined the Canadian Engineers, C.E.F.

Claude was an upholsterer living in Tillsonburg when he was married there on December 30, 1921 to Olive Halifax, a native of England living in Toronto.

Claude died on September 29, 1966 and is buried in Eden cemetery. His obituary, from an undated clipping:

CLAUDE KENNEDY

Claude Kennedy of Cottam passed away September 29, 1966 at St. Thomas in his 69th year. Formerly of Eden, he is survived by his wife, the former Olive Halifax, two sons, Allen Kennedy and Robert Kennedy, both of Windsor, one brother, Lorne Kennedy of Oshawa and one sister, Mrs. Olive Grisch of Hamilton. Burial at Eden Cemetery.

Harvey Lee Kennedy

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Harvey Kennedy was born on August 29, 1897 in Bayham, the son of Archibald M. Kennedy (1851-1935) & Laura Ann Phelps (1858-1933).  Archibald was born in Bayham, the son of William & Martha Kennedy, and was farming there when he was married on July 6, 1876 in Straffordville to Laura Phelps, of Middleton Township, the daughter of Clinton & Eliza Phelps.  They are buried in Eden Cemetery.

Harvey was a farmer living at Eden when he enlisted for service on May 23, 1918 in London.

He was married to Evelyn I. Davis (1898-1955).  Harvey died on September 29,  1973 and is buried with his wife in Eden cemetery. His obituary appeared in the Tillsonburg News:

HARVEY KENNEDY

Harvey Lee Kennedy of Maple Manor Nursing Home, formerly of RR 1, Eden, passed away September 29, 1973 in his 77th year. Born in Bayham Township August 29, 1897 he was the son of the late Archie Kennedy and the former Laura Phelps. His first wife, Evelyn Ida Davis, predeceased him in 1955 and his second wife, Winnifred Dagwell in 1972. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Ruth Blackman RR 7 Tillsonburg and Mrs. Peter (Doreen) Pybus of RR 3 Tillsonburg, two sisters, Mrs. John (Della) Howey of Straffordville, Mrs. Lloyd (Vera) Walker of Tillsonburg and two brothers Bruce of Tillsonburg and Clinton Kennedy of Eden. Burial at Eden Cemetery.

Harold Edwy Mervin Ketchabaw

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Harold Ketchabaw was born on October 26, 1898 in Eden, the son of Frank Edward Ketchabaw (1869-1954) & Lillian M. Rusling (1872-1902).  Frank was born in Bayham, the son of Jacob & Sarah Ketchabaw and was farming there when he was married on December 2, 1896 in Calton to Lillian Rusling, of Calton, the daughter of Joseph & Jane Rusling.  They are buried in Eden cemetery.

Harold was a farmer living at Eden when he enlisted for service on April 29, 1916 in Tillsonburg.  He joined the No. 2 Forestry Draft Co. “M”, Railway Construction & Forestry Department.

He was married to Grace E. Bowley (1900-1991).  Harold died on December 20, 1980 and is buried with his wife in Eden cemetery.  In addition to the family monument, a military marker is located in the plot with the following inscription:

“Harold Ketchabaw  Lance Corporal Canadian Army 20 Dec. 1980   age 82″

His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, Dec. 22, 1980:

HAROLD KETCHABAW

A funeral service is to be held Tuesday, December 23, for Harold Ketchabaw by the Rev. James Taylor of First Baptist Church, Tillsonburg and the Rev. Susan Eagle, Straffordville United Church. Burial will be in Eden Cemetery.

Mr. Ketchabaw, 82, of Straffordville, died Saturday, December 20 at Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital.  He is survived by his wife Grace (Bowley) Ketchabaw; daughters, Mrs. Lawrence (Ellen) Mitchell, Straffordville; Mrs. Julieus (Marie) Francia Jr., of RR 1 Vienna; Miss Joan Ketchabaw, Toronto; Mrs. Earl (Jean) Stewart, RR 4 Woodstock, and a son Earl Ketchabaw of RR 1 Vienna; sisters: Mrs. Leah Houghton of New Sarum; Mrs. Ross (Martha) Andrews, Straffordville; Mrs. Lucy Chrysler of Eden; brothers, Charles Ketchabaw, Eden; Donald and Glen both of Peterborough, 14 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

George Alfred Kilgour

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George Kilgour was born on April 6, 1873 in Dereham Township, Oxford County, the son of George Kilgour (1845-1894) & Ellen Boughner (1846-1934).  George was born in Dereham, the son of Alexander Kilgour & Isabella Gibson and was living there when he was married on February 4, 1867 in Ingersoll to Ellen Boughner of Bayham, the daughter of Alvin Boughner & Mary Pearson.  They are buried in the Old Delmer cemetery, Delmer, Ontario.

George was living in South Dorchester when he was married on May 24, 1902 in Oxford County to Sarah Jane Farrow (1877-1960), also of South Dorchester, the daughter of Richard Farrow & Sarah King.

George was farming at Springfield when he enlisted for service on April 1, 1916 at Tillsonburg.

He died in 1945 and is buried with his wife in the Old Delmer Cemetery, Delmer, Ont.,with two sons – Wilfred G. (1914-1959) and Alvin D. (1919-1967). His obituary appeared in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, January 12, 1945:

A. KILGOUR DIES AT DORCHESTER HOME

Prominent Farmer Widely Mourned in Distrist

DORCHESTER, Jan. 12 – The death of George Alfred Kilgour occurred at the residence, lot A, concession 7, South Dorchester Township. Mr. Kilgour was born on the 11th concession of Dereham, son of George and Ellen Kilgour, and was in his 72nd year. He was a well-known farmer and breeder of Holstein cattle and had served in the First Great War for two years. He is survived by his widow, formerly Sarah Jane Farron, and by five sons, Stanley, Detroit; Spence, Dereham Township; Ross, Ingersoll; Wilfred and Alvin at home; two daughters, Mrs. Maurice Fair, Verschoyle; and Mrs. Earl Alabastine, Culloden; four grandchildren. Mr. Kilgour was the fourth eldest child in a family of 13, and is survived by five brothers, William, South Dorchester; Charles, Saskatchwan; John, Tillsonburg; Delos, Detroit; James, Los Angeles, Cal.; six sisters, Mrs. George Williams and Mrs. Ed. Rutherford, Brownsville; Mrs. Thomas Farron and Mrs. Verne Farron, South Dorchester; Mrs. Howard Scott and Mrs. Ila Elliott, London.

Harry Gordon Kilmer

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Gordon  Kilmer was born on September 20, 1893 in Bayham, the son of Abram Kilmer (1873-1932) & Annie Jane Wall (1870-1935).  Abram was born in Malahide, the son of Abram & Mary Jane Kilmer, and was farming in Bayham when he was married on September 18, 1893 in Tillsonburg to Annie Wall, a native of Middleton Township living in Bayham, the daughter of Cornelius & Melissa Wall.  They are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

Gordon was a millwright and farmer living at 118 Regent Street, Welland when he enlisted for service on March 18, 1918 in Hamilton.

A letter describing his voyage overseas appeared in the Aylmer Express, July 18, 1918:

PTE. KILMER RELATES EXPERIENCES IN CROSSING TO ENGLAND

Had Convoy of Seven Destroyers and Observation Balloon

Dear Mother –

We arrived safe in England on June 21. Had a good time all the way over, was well fed and never in danger. We were glad to get here for we were on the water 18 days. As I wrote you a letter upon my arrival here I will now tell you about my trip.

We left Hamilton on May 27 and took up camp at Exhibition Grounds, Toronto, and were there until Sunday June 2nd, when we entrained for Montreal by C.P.R. We arrived there at 11 o’clock, June 3rd, and went aboard the Donaldson steamship Cassandrah at 5 o’clock. One hour later the boat was towed from her pier by tow small tugs. We then proceeded down the St. Lawrence river until dark and cast anchor for the night.

June 4 – Weather fine and scenery beautiful. We passed under the big Quebec bridge at noon and stopped in front of the city while a small steamship came out and took off our mail.

June 5 – Weather fine but chilly; scenery beautiful, and river is getting wider.

June 6 – Weather cloudy. We are out of sight of land, but towards evening some rocky islands show up off the northern coast of Nova Scotia. Saw two whales.

June 7 – We arrived in Halifax harbor at noon and cast anchor about 800 yds from shore. Saw many evidences of the big disaster, both of buildings and ships.

June 8 – We are still at anchor and spend the day at practicing to lower the life boats and rowing. They took off the sick and brought 100 more men on board, which brings the number of troops to about 2300.

June 9 – We had church service in the morning, and at 4:15 p.m. the great fleet which has been assembling in the harbor, moves out. Soon after leaving the harbor we strike stormy weather and a lot are sea sick, myself included.

June 10 – The sea is calm now. Our boats, which can all be seen, include 12 transports, 2 cruisers and 3 destroyers. It became foggy in the afternoon and fog horns blew all day.

June 11- Foggy and rained all day.

June 12 – Fine and clear weather, very mild. Destroyers have disappeared.

June 13 – Weather fine and clear. We are in mid-ocean

June 14 – We sighted a suspicious looking sail boat and one of our cruisers gave chase.

June 15 – Saw several whales and porpoises

June 16 – Church service in the morning. In the afternoon sighted three steamers at a distance

June 17 – Saw several sea gulls; have entered the danger zone; becomes very foggy at night

June 18 – Weather fine. Our convoy from England came during the night, and it includes 7 destroyers and one observation balloon. The sea is very rough and the water came right up on the deck once.

June 19 – Weather fine; ocean calm; saw a large fleet of small sail boats, which I suppose are used for fishing

June 20 – Very foggy and raining. Arrived in English channel; saw several steamers, both large and small; sighted land just dark

June 21 – We came on deck in the morning and found ourselves in the Thames river with land on both sides. Scenery was beautiful. At 8 o’clock we arrived in the outskirts of old London where we drop anchor. A small steamer starts taking us to the land where we were at once put on the train. The trains are very different here to what they are in Canada. The cars are divided off into six parts, and eight of us were put in each part. We left in a very short time for camp. We are at camp Frenshan, which is about 35 miles from London. The country around London is very pretty and a lot of very pretty gardens are here.

I saw a lot of German prisoners digging ditch under guard. Now I will wind off for this time. Hope to hear from you soon, as it has been a long time since I have seen a letter, so God be with you till we meet again.

My address is: Pte. H. G. Kilmer, No. 3108415, c/o Army Post Office, London, England.

A letter from Gordon was printed in the Aylmer Express, September 19, 1918:

PTE. KILMER HAS BEEN ON LEAVE TO SCOTLAND

The following letter was received by his parents, Mr and Mrs A. Kilmer, Malahide:

Edinburgh, August 12th, 1918

Dear Mother and All:

Just a few lines to say that I am well and hope this finds you all well at home. I am on my leave now and am in Edinburgh having a good time. I left camp Friday morning, arrived in London at noon, had my dinner at the Y.M.C.A., and there were busses to meet us there. They took us boys that were going to Scotland on a sight seeing trip through London. We saw the London tower and were all through St. Paul’s cathedral and through King George’s stables. We saw his horses, harness and stage coaches, etc. I tell you he has some fine horses and they are well taken care of. The harness is all trimmed with brass and it shines until it looks just like gold. We left London Friday night about 10 o’clock and we arrived in Edinburgh the next morning at 8 o’clock. I will tell you in my next letter what I have seen around Edinburgh. I am sending you souvenirs from Edinburgh. I hope you receive it all right.  Must close for now and hope to hear from you soon. Gordon. 

Gordon returned from overseas in 1919, arriving in Halifax on August 23. 

He was farming in Malahide when he was married on November 12, 1919 in Aylmer to Margaret Rutherford Hood (1889-1970) a native of Edinburgh, Scotland living in Malahide, the daughter to Richard Hood & Janet Summerville.

Harry Gordon Kilmer died on September 27, 1980 at the age of 87, and is buried with his wife in Aylmer cemetery.

His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, October 1, 1980:

GORDON KILMER

A funeral service was conducted for Gordon Kilmer on Tuesday, September 30. The Rev. Norman Jones of St. Paul’s United Church officiated. Burial was in Aylmer Cemetery.

Mr. Kilmer died at St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital on Saturday, September 27.  He was 87.

He was born in Bayham Township, Sept. 20, 1893 and was the son of the late Abram and Annie (Wall) Kilmer.  He had lived his life in the district and was a retired farmer. Mr. Kilmer was a veteran of WW I.

Mr. Kilmer is survived by a son Albert Kilmer, a daughter, Mrs. Harvey (Shirley) Aspden both of RR 1 Aylmer; a brother Kenneth of Aylmer; Emmery of London, and Mrs. Edith Walker of Port Stanley. Also survived by eight grandchildren.  He was predeceased by his wife Margaret Kilmer.

Pallbearers were Maurice and Fred Learn, Dennis Griffin, Leo, Ron and Randy Aspden.

Richard James King

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Richard King was born on November 1, 1885 in London (Woolwich District), England.  His parents names are unknown.  He is found on the 1901 census in St. George, London, England living in a residence for “Home Boys”.  He emigrated to Canada at the age of 16, leaving Liverpool on the ship Tunisian on September 19, 1901 and arriving at Quebec on September 27, 1901.  He was with a group of 19 children from the Canadian Catholic Emigration Society of London.

He was a labourer living in Simcoe when he was married there on April 20, 1908 to Nettie Melinda Gibbons (1889-1971), a native of Walsingham township living in Simcoe, the daughter of William Gibbons.  They later moved to Galt where they are found on the 1911 census with two children, Florence (1909) & William Albert (1911).

By 1916 they were living in Walsingham township when Richard enlisted for service on January 21, 1916 in Simcoe.  He was a farmer and belonged to the 39th Regiment.

Following the war, Richard & Nettie moved to Vienna, where they were living when their son George (1915-1921) was accidentally drowned.

Richard died in December 1962 and is buried in St. Luke’s cemetery, Vienna with his wife and son George.  In addition to the family monument, a military marker is found in the plot with the following inscription:

“Richard J. King Private 133 Battn C.E.F.  December 1962 age 78

The name James King appears on the cenotaph in Vienna and in all probability refers to the above Richard James King 

Charles Walter Kirby

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Charles Kirby was born on June 1, 1875 in Aylmer, the son of Joseph Kirby (1844-1937) & Sarah Coates (1847-1887).  Joseph & Sarah are found on the 1881 census in Aylmer where he is employed as a factory hand. By 1901, Joseph had moved to the Canadian West where he farmed at Fleming, Saskatchewan. He and his wife are buried in Aylmer cemetery.  Joseph was living in Alberta when he died at the age of 94.

Charles Kirby accompanied his father to Fleming, Saskatchewan where he also farmed.  He first enlisted for service on May 10, 1916 in Moosomin, Saskatchewan with the 217th Battalion, but was discharged after one year when he was found to be medically unfit.  He re-enlisted on December 12, 1917 in Regina. He was a merchant in Fleming, Saskatchewan, and named his wife Pearl as his next of kin.  

Charles was married on October 23, 1899 to  Pearl McConnell (1881 – 1975), a native of Napanee, Ontario. They are found on the 1911 census in Fleming, Saskatchewan.  Their children were: Evelyn Pearl, Merle Coates, Mervin Clark, Ellen Irene, Clarence Walter, Albert Roy and Hebert Damon.

When his father died in 1937, Charles was living in Viking, Alberta. Charles died on September 6, 1968 in Edmonton, Alberta.

Reuben Earl Kirkby

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Reuben Earl Kirkby was born on September 29, 1897 in Teeswater, Bruce County, the son of Reuben Frederick Kirkby & Cora Mary Brown (1869-1928).  Reuben Kirkby Sr.  was employed as a brakeman on the railroad, and had previously lived in Toronto Junction, at 4 Hoskin Avenue (1890), and 70 Queen’s Road (1892).  They lived in Teeswater from in the mid 1890’s, until returning to Toronto, where from at least 1902 to 1907 they were living at 148 Mulock Street, Toronto Junction.  Reuben was employed with the Canadian Pacific Railway, over the years as a fireman, brakeman and engineer. Cora died in 1928 in Port Burwell, and according to her obituary, she and her husband had moved there about 1917.

The family cannot be found on the 1901 census, but by 1911, they had returned to Bruce County where they were living in Walkerton (Div. 4, page 11).  By 1916, they had again moved to Toronto, where Earl’s address is given as 396 Quebec Street.

Earl was living in Toronto, employed as a cashier, when he enlisted for service there on April 24, 1916.  He names his next of kin as his mother, Cora, of 396 Quebec Ave., Toronto.

Earl returned from the war on April 5, 1919, landing in Halifax.  He moved to Toronto where he was living when his brother Fred died in 1944.

William George Kirkby

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William George Kirkby was born on June 30, 1890 in Toronto, the son of Reuben Frederick Kirkby & Cora Mary Brown (1869-1928).  Reuben was employed as a brakeman on the railroad, and had previously lived in Toronto Junction, at 4 Hoskin Avenue (1890), and 70 Queen’s Road (1892).  They lived in Teeswater from in the mid 1890’s, until returning to Toronto, where from at least 1902 to 1907 they were living at 148 Mulock Street, Toronto Junction.  Reuben was employed with the Canadian Pacific Railway, over the years as a fireman, brakeman and engineer. Cora died in 1928 in Port Burwell, and according to her obituary, she and her husband had moved there about 1917.

The family cannot be found on the 1901 census, but by 1911, they had returned to Bruce County where they were living in Walkerton (Div. 4, page 11).  William’s brother, John Brower Kirkby, was killed in action on September 27, 1918.

William was employed as a machinist and was living at 648 St. Clarens Avenue, Toronto, when he enlisted for service there on November 29, 1916.  He names his next of kin as his mother, Mary, of Port Burwell.  He had served six months as a private in the Q.O.R. 

No further information is known.

Stuart Cameron Kirkland

The Aylmer Express of May 24, 1917 printed a letter from Stuart Kirkland.

Stuart was born on May 18, 1883 in Dutton, the son of Robert A. Kirkland (a native of Sparta) & Annie Cameron.

Stuart signed an Officer’s Declaration on April 22, 1916 in St. Thomas. He was a Lieutenant in the 91st Battalion.  He gives his address as Dutton, and names his next of kin as his mother, Annie, of Dutton. He was a barrister, and belonged to the 25th Regiment.

Stuart was married on June 21, 1923 at Sandwich in Essex County to Elizabeth Gartlan (1889-1927), a native of Stayner living in Dutton, the daughter of Michael Gartlan & Elizabeth Hall.

Stuart died on May 12, 1936 in his 53rd year, and is buried in Fairview Cemetery, Dutton, with his wife.  His obituary appeared in the Dutton Advance, May 14, 1936:

C. KIRKLAND

It was with the most heartfelt sorrow this community learned of the death of Mr. Stuart C. Kirkland, which took place at his home Tuesday morning.  Mr. Kirkland had been suffering with a heart condition for some time, but was able to look after his practice.  On Saturday and Sunday morning he remained in his home, but on Monday evening was down town and the fatal seizure occurred during the night, he passing away at 5 o’clock the following morning.  Mr. Kirkland was in his 53rd year and was born in Dutton, eldest son of the late Mr and Mrs R. A. Kirkland. On graduating from Dutton High School, he took a course at Osgoode Hall and became associated with C. St. Clair Leitch, K.C., who then practiced in Dutton.   Shortly after the outbreak of the war, Mr. Kirkland took an officer’s course at London, and was made lieutenant. He went overseas and was wounded in the Battle of Vimy Ridge and invalided home. During the remainder of the war he served on one of the military boards set up in London, and following Armistice resumed his practice here.  Mr. Kirkland served the village on the council board for a number of years, as well as being chairman of the Public Library Board and was behind every movement for the improvement of the village.  He was a member of Cameron Lodge, A.F. & A.M., and a Past District Deputy Grand Master of the Oddfellows.  Mr. Kirkland was a member of St. John’s United Church.  A lover of flowers, he became a keen student of horticulture, and his garden was a veritable show place during the summer months.  The tragic passing of Mr. Kirkland is intensified by the fact that only three weeks ago his brother, D. F. Kirkland, passed away. Surviving are the widow, and one sister, Mrs. R. Kemp Panter, of Ayr. A private funeral service will be held today (Thursday) at 2:30 p.m., from the family home to Fairview cemetery. Rev. Clayton Searle, of St. John’s United Church will have charge of the service.

A letter following the battle of Vimy Ridge written by Stuart was printed in the Aylmer Express, May 24,1917:

GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION OF VIMY RIDGE

Some of the Sights Encountered

Lieut. Stuart C. Kirkland, who is now in England recovering from a wound in his arm received at the battle of Vimy Ridge, writes the following exceedingly interesting letter to his brother, John, Dutton:

Now that I am laid up in dry dock for repairs, I will have time to write more. Just a week ago yesterday morning I got mine. I had better try and tell you about it as well as I can without violating any of the censorship laws.

Well, we knew of course for some time before that we were going to take part in a big offensive. We had been practicing and rehearsing the details for several days, but didn’t know the hour it was to start till the very night before. Then the officers were informed of the zero hour (the zero hour is the hour at which the attack begins). All watches were synchronized, that is compared and set the same, so that there could be no mistake. Alt he battalions taking part were to be in the front line trenches ready by the appointed hour. Well our battalion moved off from billets early on Sunday evening and marched to our part of the line where we were to go over. It was one o’clock in the morning before I had my platoon in position in their jumping-off trench, and we stood there in mud to our waists all night waiting for the eventful hour. It can never describe my feelings as I stood there waiting for the moment to come. At a certain hour our artillery was all to open on Fritz’s front line and we were to jump out and advance near as possible, ready to rush his front line when our artillery fire raised. About fifteen minutes before the time set, I took two water bottles of rum and gave each of the men a good swallow, for it was bitter cold standing in the mud all night. Then I stood with watch in hand, waiting, waiting!

Precisely on the moment the most wonderful artillery barrage ever known in the history of the world started. Hundreds, thousands of big guns, from 18-pounders to 15-inch guns opened at the same second.  Imagine 15-inch guns firing from miles behind the line and throwing each of them about 1,100 pounds of explosives. The very earth rocked, and the noise and thunder was awful and maddening.  Then I jumped over the top and called to the boys to come on. I had gone about 15 yards when I felt a stinging sensation and looking down saw a trickle of blood on my left hand. A Heinie machine gun had got me. At the same time a sergeant just to my right crumpled up in a heap, riddled with machine gun bullets. How lucky I was!  I can never thank God enough for my escape.  It was miraculous. How I only got one instead of a dozen, I can never tell, and through the left arm of all places, when it might just as well as not have been through my head.

I dived into a shell hole and got my arm tied up a bit. A wounded man came along and I helped to bandage him up in return for his helping me to tie m own up. By that time our company was ahead of me, into Fritz’s front line and following our barrage on to the second line. Our men, you know, were going ahead on a frontage of 12 miles long. Thousands and thousands of men, imagine the scene if you can.

I got up and started ahead again bit I found my arm was going to be a bother, so I turned back to go to a dressing station. By this time the German artillery was throwing everything they had at our old front line and on No Man’s Land to harass our support coming up. It took me a long while to get back the few yards to our front liens. Heinie shells were dropping all around me. I got into a mine crater with a couple of other wounded men, but a big shell dropped on the other side and then one dropped right in the crater not far from us, and we thought it time to leave those parts. We finally got into a front line, but a long way from where I had gone out a while before. The first thing I saw when I got into the trench was an officer I knew lying badly wounded and his batman near him dead. Just then a Heinie came along on his way to the rear. Hundreds of prisoners go back that way without escort. Our boys, when they surrendered, gave them a kick and told them to keep moving toward our rear, where they gathered them in droves and put them in big wired enclosures. The Heinie who came along while I was examining the wounded officer happened to be a Red Cross fellow, so I got him to bandage the wounds. Then we got the officer into a deep dugout out of harm and I continued my way out.

In one place where the trench had been blown in and it was very narrow, I came on a poor fellow lengthwise of the trench and everyone had been tramping right over him till he was almost buried in the mud. Of course he was dead so I suppose it didn’t inconvenience him any. But imagine the sensation of having to tramp on dead bodies. In another place I came on one of my own company lying with both legs blown off at the knees, but still alive and conscious. I stopped and talked to him a few minutes. Scenes like this are not uncommon in war.

After dodging shells for some time and seeing more than one party of men blown to atoms, I finally found a dressing station. The doctor sent me down the line after dressing my arm, and after passing through the field ambulance and then to C.C.S., I was put on a hospital train for Boulogne, where I stayed just one night and was then packed into a hospital ship and ultimately arrived in Dover, thence by rail to Reading and here I am.

I will tell you more of my experiences in next letter. I may say just here that the Canadians “got there” anyway and showed they could fight as well as anyone and a little better than Heinie. We had him beat to a “farewell”.

Well, I must close. My arm is doing nicely and doesn’t pain much. It was a lucky scratch. The bullet went through clean as a dollar, making a nice clean wound.

Albert Edward Kneller

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photo courtesy of Elgin County Archives

Albert Edward Kneller was born on September 6, 1896 in London, England,  the son of Thomas Godfrey Kneller (1869-1960) & Sarah Kate Worster.  The family is found on the 1901 England census living at 170 Katherine Road, East Ham Parish, Essex County.  Thomas Kneller Sr. (born ca 1871) is a dock labourer, born in Stepney, London.  His wife Sarah Kate was born about 1873 in Hallans, Hertfordshire.  Kate is buried in Cultus Cemetery,

 Houghton Township. Thomas died in St. Catharines, Ontario.  Thomas also enlisted for service with the 91st Battalion in St. Thomas on February 11, 1916.  He was living at Walsingham Centre at the time. It is unknown if he ever lived in Elgin County, and therefore will not be included in this project.

The above photograph is identified only as “Kneller” in the Elgin County Archives database. The two men on each end resemble each other, so it is possible they are brothers Albert & Thomas. 

Albert is found on the 1911 census in Walsingham Township, Norfolk County living with Freeman & Harriet Cain.  He is described as a “home boy”, who emigrated in 1905.  A brother, Thomas Charles Kneller is found on the 1911 census in Woodhouse Township, Norfolk County, and the record states he emigrated in 1901.  Records of Home Children held by the National Archives of Canada do not list either Albert or Thomas in their database. Thomas Charles Kneller was killed in action on November 18, 1916.

The parents emigrated sometime after 1911 and lived at Walsingham Centre and Clear Creek.

Albert was living in Aylmer, employed in farming, when he enlisted with the 91st Battalion on December 1, 1915 in St. Thomas.  He names his next of kin as his mother, Sarah Kate Kneller of Walsingham Centre, Ontario.

Albert was living at 149 Richmond Street West, Toronto when he was married there on July 30, 1921 to Gertrude Josephine Gibson (1900-1983), a native of Brantford, living in Toronto, daughter of Joe Gibson & Lily Jamieson.

Albert died in 1981 and is buried with his wife Gertrude in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Binbrook Township, Wentworth County. The monument gives his year of birth as 1898.

Earl Francis Koyle

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Earl Koyle was born on December 26, 1894 in Springfield, the son of Jesse Weaver Koyle (1874-1955) & Isabella Ellen Wallace (1878-1951).  Jesse was a native of South Dorchester, the son of Francis Koyle & Melissa Kettle, and was living there when he was married on October 22, 1894 in Springfield to Isabella Wallace, a native of England living in Springfield.  Her parents’ names are unknown, but her guardians were Jonathan & Julia Ferrier.

Earl was a farmer living at Florence in Lambton County when he enlisted for service on February 5, 1916 in Florence.  He names his next of kin as his father, Jesse, of Springfield.

Earl later farmed at Port Rowan where he was living when he was married on October 1, 1918 in Frogmore to Edna May Dodds, of London, the daughter of James Dodds & Edith Emma Prince.  Earl & Edna were living at 59 Clarence Street, London in 1928.

Earl was later married to Beatrice Isabel Welsh (1918-1997).  He died in 1977 and is buried in Beatrice in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, London, Ontario.

Clinton Thomas Laidlaw

The name Clinton Laidlaw is found on an Honor Roll unveiled at the Aylmer High School on May 23, 1918, listing students and former students who served overseas.

Clinton Laidlaw was born at Copenhagen in Malahide Township on May 9, 1891, the son of Henry Laidlaw (1864-1940) & Mary Annabelle Brooks (1868-1921).  Henry was born in Malahide, the son of Thomas Laidlaw & Elizabeth Durdle, and was farming there when he was married on August 1, 1888 in Malahide to Mary Annabelle Brooks, also of Malahide, the daughter of Levi Brooks & Sarah Lane.  Henry lived at Copenhagen and Kingsmill before moving to Windsor in 1914. He retired in London and died there.  He and Mary are buried in Windsor Grove Cemetery, Windsor, Ont.

Clinton moved to Detroit and  was living at 41 Edmund Street when he signed a US Draft Registration Card for the war.  He was not married, and was a self-employed civil engineer.

Following the war, Clinton moved to Windsor where he was living when he was married on May 16, 1921 to Myrtle Irene Brown, of Windsor, the daughter of Wesley & Bertha Brown. They were married in Walkerville, Essex County. He lived in Windsor for several years and later moved to Sarnia where he was employed as a city engineer. 

Clinton died on May 27, 1960 and is buried in Lakeview Cemetery, Sarnia. His obituary and photo appeared in the Windsor Star, May 28, 1960:

ENGINEER DIES AT 69

CLINTON T. LAIDLAW SARNIA EMPLOYEE

SARNIA – A former city engineer for the City of Sarnia, Clinton T. Laidlaw, died Friday at Victoria Hospital, London, Ont., after a short illness. He was 69.

Mr. Laidlaw was born in Aylmer. He obtained his degree in civil engineering from Queens University and then came to Windsor where he lived for several years. While in Windsor he built many apartment buildings and houses. Mr. Laidlaw moved to Sarnia in 1940. He was city engineer until 1948 when he started his own contracting business.  He retired from this a few years ago.

Surviving are his widow, Myrtle; two daughters, Helen, at home; and Mrs. Joseph Brumton (Mitzie), of Sarnia; two brothers, Clarence O., of Birmingham, Mich.; and Henry Laverne of Windsor.  Funeral arrangements are incomplete. Services and burial will be in Sarnia.

Harley Laidlaw

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Harley Laidlaw was born on March 20, 1897 in Aylmer, the son of Arthur Adam Laidlaw (1863-1936) & Myrtle Ann Matthews (1869-1919).  Arthur was a carpenter living in Aylmer, the son of Adam Laidlaw & Mary A. Ryckman, and was married in Aylmer on July 22, 1891 to Myrtle Matthews, also of Aylmer, daughter of John & Lydia Matthews.  They are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

Harley was a farmer living in Aylmer when he enlisted for service on April 2, 1918 in London following a medical exam in St. Thomas on October 25, 1917.

When his father died in 1936, Harley was living in Flin Flon, Manitoba.

Henry Laverne Laidlaw

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Henry Laverne Laidlaw was born on January 30, 1893 in Malahide, the son of Henry Laidlaw (1864-1940) & Mary Annabelle Brooks (1868-1921). Henry was also born in Malahide, the son of Thomas & Elizabeth Laidlaw.  Mary Brooks, a native of Malahide, was the daughter of Levi & Sarah.  She and Henry were married in Malahide on August 1, 1888. They lived in the Copenhagen area before moving to Kingsmill, on lot 2, concession 8, and later lot 19, concession 9.  They moved to Windsor about 1914,  where Mary died in 1921.  Henry later moved to London where he died in 1940. They are buried in Grove Cemetery, Windsor.  

Henry Laverne Laidlaw enlisted for service on June 13, 1916 in London. He was a merchant living at 242 Windermere St., Walkerville, Essex Co., Ontario with his parents.  

Following the war, he returned to Windsor where he worked as a builder, and was married on May 2, 1921 in Walkerville to Clara Irene Wemp, a stenographer, living in Chatham, the daughter of John Wemp & Mary A. West.  “Vernie” and Clara had one son Donald (born Jan. 8, 1922; died May 22, 1922) .  Clara died on February 9, 1922 from influenza, and Laverne later married her half sister, Bertha Wemp.  They had one son, James Laverne, born 1930 in Windsor.

Laverne died on April 28,  1966 and is buried in Windsor Grove Cemetery.  His obituary appeared in the Windsor Star, April 30, 1966:

LAIDLAW – Henry, 73, of 1932 Tourangeau Rd., died Thursday at Metropolitan Hospital after a lengthy illness. Born in Aylmer, he came to Windsor 50 years ago. He was a former building contractor and a retired employee of General Motors. He was a First World War veteran.  Survivors are his wife, Bertha, a son James at home and a brother, Clarence, of Birmingham, Mich.  Funeral services Monday at 1:30 p.m. from the D. E. Morris Funeral Home with Rev. Mark Reeves officiating. Burial in Windsor Grove cemetery.

Cecil Freemont Lamoure

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Freemont Lamoure was born on March 26, 1891 in North Walsingham or Bayham, the son of Lodowick A. Lamoure (1861-1923) & Theresa (Tressa) Kelly (1864-1944).  Lodowick Lamoure was born in the United States, the son of William Lamoure & Margaret Hagell.  He came to Canada about 1865.  He and his wife and family were living at Armstrong, Temiskaming District on the 1911 census, where the was a farmer. He died in 1923 in East Oxford Township, Oxford County, and is buried with his wife in Springford cemetery, South Norwich Township.

Freemont was a real estate agent living in New Liskeard when he was married there on July 2, 1913 to Alice Eva Davis, of Hudson Township, the daughter of Albert Davis & Charlotte Perry.

He returned to southern Ontario and was a labourer living in Tillsonburg when he enlisted for service there on February 21, 1916.  He gives his place of birth as Bayham, but his birth registration states he was born in North Walsingham township.

No further information is known.

Walter Jessamer Land

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Walter J. Land was born on April 27, 1891 at Winterbourne in Woolwich Township, Waterloo County, the son of William Henry Land & Margaret Burnett.  William was born in Saltfleet Township, the son of William & Phoebe Land (who later lived in Aylmer), and was a shoemaker living in Woolwich when he was married on June 7, 1875 in West Montrose to Maggie F. Burnett, of Woolwich, the daughter of John & Anna Burnett.  They lived in Aylmer following their marriage, where two children, Phoebe (1877) and Henry Edwin (1880) were born. They apparently returned to Waterloo County where Walter was born. Walter is found on the 1901 census in St. Thomas living with his father, and in the 1911 census in Yarmouth, as a servant living with John P. & Clara Martyn.

He was living in Aylmer when he was married there on May 1, 1915 to Annie May Gustin, also of Aylmer, the daughter of Thomas Gustin & Annie Depeal.  Shortly after, Walter & Annie moved to South Norwich Township, Oxford County where they were living when he enlisted for service on March 13, 1916 in Tillsonburg.  He gives his address as Otterville, but his wife’s address as Hawtrey (a community in South Norwich township).

Passenger lists of returning Canadian soldiers show a Walter Land arriving back in Canada on March 17, 1918.

No further information is known.  A letter from W. J. Land was printed in the Aylmer Express, February 1, 1917:

APPRECIATES A LETTER FROM CANADA

Pte. W. J. Land, son of Wm. Land, of This Place, is Getting to be Some Shot in England
Writes of the Army Life to Mr. Arthur Caverly, of This Place

Dear Friend –

Just a few lines to let you know that I do not forget a friend wherever I am.  You will have to excuse this paper, because it is the best you can get over here this week.  I do not think that I will have a chance to kill a German.  I would like to do so if he did not get me first.  I would stick them like I did those hogs when I was with you.  I hope that mother, or Mrs. Caverly is in the best of health. How are the girls?  It is drawing very near Christmas, only one or two days more, and I was just thinking of what a good time I used to have at your place Christmas morning.  There is no good time over here, only work, and it is work too, not fun, like we had in Tillsonburg and London, or Camp Borden.  We are at the ranges this week. Have to get up at 4 a.m. and have breakfast at 4:30 and fall in at 5 a.m., and walk 5 ½ miles to the ranges, and get through there at 2:30 and walk that 5 ½ miles bac to get our dinner at camp.  Tell Helen I can beat her shooting now. There are 85 men at the ranges this week and I have them all trimmed. We have to fire five rounds in one minute and today we fired 25 rounds at 600 yds rapid fire. I made 20 bull eyes, 3 inners, 1 outer and 1 magpie in 8 minutes and 35 seconds.  They said that I would make a good sniper, and I said nothing doing. However, if they said go, I would have to. There is no “no” in the army. They mean it here and if you are wanted for anything you have to double to it.  They make us work, but feed us good too. Some days we run a little slim, but we look for that when there are men cooks.  They have huts for us to live in over here. They are about 60 ft long and 25 feet wide.  There is a coal stove in the centre of the hut, and cots to sleep on, with a straw tick and straw pillow, and 4 woolen blankets.  I can stand a little more straw in my tick too.  We get the war news over here, red hot, and by what I can see the Germans will not last much longer. In tonight’s paper it stated that it will not last 90 more days, so you see what they think over here. Of course the Germans have some good peace offers, but not good enough for England. They will have to come pretty soon and England will have to have her terms or fight it to a finish.  I dare not tell you much more, but hope you will get this safe, and kindly spare two or three minutes to answer it, for if you were over here you would like to hear from Canada, my old home country.

Good bye.  Walter Land

Pte. W. J. Land, 675754, 30th Batt. G. Co., West Sandling Camp, Shorncliffe, Kent, Eng.

 

G. Landon

The Aylmer Express of April 26, 1917 reports that “Pte. F. G. Landon, of this place is reported wounded”. 

There is an attestation paper for a Fred Landon # 2378933, which is not available for viewing on the National Archives of Canada website.

No other information can be found.

Bedford Ogilvie Laur

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Bedford Laur was born on March 13, 1898 in Aylmer, the son of Charles Byron Laur (1865-1955) & Kate Ogilvie (1867-1955).  Charles was the son of William B. & Frances A. Laur,  living in Aylmer and employed as a dry goods salesman, when he was married there on September 17, 1889 to Kate Ogilvie, also of Aylmer, the daughter of Ezekiel & Deborah Ogilvie.  They are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

Bedford Laur was a warehouse clerk living at 702 Waterloo Street, London when he enlisted for service on May 21, 1916 in London. His parents were living at the same address. He returned from overseas in 1919, arriving in Boston, Massachusetts on May 29.

Bedford was married on April 7, 1928 in London to Aleta Mae Elliott (1902-1985), daughter of George Elliott of London.

Bedford died on December 27, 1971 and is buried with his wife in Woodland Cemetery, London. His obituary appeared in the London Free Press, December 28, 1971:

LAUR – At Westminster Hospital, on Monday, December 27, 1971, Bedford Laur of 260 Langley St., in his 74th year.  Beloved husband of Aleta (Elliott). Dear father of William B. Laur of Rexdale, Ont. Dear brother of Mrs. Vera Lucas and Mrs. Helen Loft, both of London. Survived also by 3 grandchildren. Resting at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout St. South where complete funeral and committal services will be conducted on Wednesday, Dec. 29 at 11 a.m., with Rev. C. D. McLellan, D.D. officiating. Interment in Woodland Cemetery.

Enoch Gordon Laur

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Enoch Laur was born on November 13, 1899 at lot 26, South Gore, Bayham, the son of William Henry Laur (1870-1962) & Mary Alberta Dickhout (1875-1949).  William was the son of Peter Laur & Mary Ann Nevill and was living in Bayham when he was married on February 21, 1891 in Vienna to Mary Dickhout, also of Bayham, the daughter of Enoch & Priscilla Dickhout.  They are buried in Smuck cemetery.

Enoch was a farmer living in Klock, District of Nipissing, when he enlisted for service on April 23, 1918 in Kingston.

He was employed as a section man on the railway living in Klock when he was married on August 23, 1921 at Mattawa, Nipissing District, to Lydia Meilleur, a native of Battle Creek, Michigan, living in Klock, the daughter of Jules Meilleur & Henrietta Moore.

He was living in Essex County, Ontario when he died in August 1981.

Carl D. Law

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The name Carl Law is found on an Honor Roll unveiled at the Aylmer High School on May 23, 1918, listing students and former students who served overseas.

Carl D. Law was born on March 30, 1896 in Southwold Township, the son of William D. Law (1869-1949) & Lilly A. McCready (1874-1942).  William was the son of Alexander & Elizabeth Law, and was living in North Dorchester Township, Middlesex County when he was married there on December 3, 1895 to Lilly McCready, also of North Dorchester, the daughter of Charles & Janet McCready.  William & Lillie are found on the 1901 census in North Dorchester, and on the 1911 census in Westminster township.  William was a butcher. He and Lilly are buried in Dorchester Union cemetery.

Carl was a farmer living at Harrietsville with his parents when he enlisted for service on March 2, 1916 in Kingston.  He states on his attestation paper that he was born at Littlewood, Ontario.

Carl returned from the war in 1919, arriving in St. John, New Brunswick on March 11.  His address is given as Harrietsville.

He moved to Windsor and was employed as an auto body finisher, and was living at 1026 Church Street when he was married there on December 31, 1923 to Ethel E. Gardiner, also of Windsor, the daughter of Peter Gardiner & Millie Pickard.

Carl died on January 4, 1953 and is buried with his parents in Dorchester Union cemetery. His obituary appeared in the Ingersoll Tribune, January 8, 1953:

FRUIT GROWER CARL LAW PASSES AFTER LONG ILLNESS

Well known both in Ingersoll and in the Crampton district, Carl D. Law passed away at Westminster Hospital, London on January 4. Mr. Law, who was in his 57th year, had been in failing health for three years, but was seriously ill only one day.

Mr. Law had lived for 20 years at Lot 1, concession 2, North Dorchester where he was a fruit grower. He was born at Southwold, Ontario, the son of William A. Law and Lilly McCreedy.

Left to mourn his passing are three brothers, Norman and Orville, of Mossley, and Charles of Ottawa; three sisters, Mrs. Lloyd Bissell (Inez) of Burr; Miss Merle Law, London; and Mrs. Murray Hodgins (Iva) of Lucan.

The funeral took place at the Walker Funeral Home on Wednesday, conducted by Rev. J. D. Woollatt. Interment was in Dorchester Union Cemetery.

John Whitfield Law

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John Law was born on April 5, 1886 (or 1887) at Corinth, the son of Benjamin W. Law (1836-1919) & Jennie Goldsboro (1847-1937).  Benjamin was born in England, the son of Benjamin & Hannah Ann Law, and was a telegraph operator living in St. Catharines when he was married on November 18, 1873 at Brooklin, Whitby Township, Durham County to Jennie Goldsboro, a native of England living in Brooklin, the daughter of William & Ann Goldsboro.  Benjamin & Jennie moved to Corinth where he was the railway station agent, and they later lived in Aylmer.  They are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

John was an auto mechanic living at 328 King Street, London when he enlisted for service on September 4, 1917 in London.

He died in an accident in Detroit on November 27, 1922 at the age of 35 and is buried with his parents in Aylmer cemetery. His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, November 30, 1922:

John W. Law, son of Mrs. B. W. Law, Talbot street west, Aylmer, was almost instantly killed in Detroit on Monday, November 27th.  Mr Law was engaged in sign painting and fell from the scaffold to the pavement.  He struck on his head and died in about ten minutes. He was 35 years of age and unmarried.  Besides his mother he is survived by one sister, Mrs. George Hayes, London; three brothers, Frank of Calgary; William R. and George, of Detroit. The remains were brought to Aylmer on the Wabash yesterday and the funeral will take place from the residence of his mother today at 12:30 tot he Aylmer cemetery.

Theron Elliott Lawr (Laur)

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Theron Lawr was born on July 3, 1887 at Avon in South Dorchester, the only child of John Lewis Lawr & Hannah Elizabeth Dennis (1872-1946).  John was born about 1864, the son of John C. & Sarah Lawr, and was farming in South Dorchester when he was married on December 20, 1886 in Aylmer to Elizabeth Dennis, also of South Dorchester, the daughter of Robert Dennis & Charlotte Ribble.

The family moved to Detroit about 1892 where it is believed John died prior to 1900.  His widow Elizabeth (Libbie) was remarried to R. J. Reese and they are found on the 1900 with Theron.  By the 1910 census, Libbie was once again a widow living in Detroit with her son Theron, who had became a plumber.

Theron was employed as a plumber by Rows & Wood Company of Detroit and was living at 223 Fourth Ave., Detroit, when he filed his United States World War 1 Draft Registration Card in 1916.

He returned to Canada and was living at 134 Lincoln Road, Walkerville, Ontario when he enlisted for service on May 14, 1918 in Windsor.  He names his next of kin as his mother, Libby Reese, of 709 3rd Street, Detroit.

Following the war, he returned to Detroit where he was working as a plumber on the 1920 census.  He was not married at the time.  On the 1930 census, he is found in the Detroit census, a plumber, with wife Lillian and son Raymond.

No further information can be found.

James Galloway Lawrance

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James Lawrance was born on March 23, 1899 in Etobicoke, York County, the son of William Hall Lawrance (1853-1918) & Annie Chalfont (1868-1932), who were married on March 29, 1888 in London.  William was born in Scotland, the son of Alexander & Elizabeth Lawrance, and was living in Howick Township, Huron County when he was married.  Annie Chalfont was born in England, the daughter of Henry & Mary, and was living at 80 Oak Street, London at the time of her marriage.  Census records show that William emigrated to Canada about 1885, while Annie arrived in 1886.  William & Annie are buried in Aylmer cemetery.  James’ brother, Ian McLeod Lawrance, was killed in action on September 20, 1916.

James Lawrance was a farmer living at RR #4 Aylmer with his parents when he enlisted for service on April 25, 1918 in London with the 63rd Depot Battery, C.F.A., C.E.F.

James moved to Toronto, where he was living at 82 Coleridge Ave, East York, in 1932.  No further information can be found.

William John Lawrence

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William Lawrence was born on October 25, 1886 in London, England.  He was married in 1908 in London, England to Florence May Pritchard (1889-1967). They emigrated to Canada with their sons William & Arthur in 1912, sailing from Liverpool on the ship Lake Manitoba, arriving in Quebec on June 16.  The passenger list states William is a blacksmith and the family’s destination is Straffordville.

William was a farm labourer living with his wife in Eden when he enlisted for service on October 18, 1915 in St. Thomas.  The original service number on his attestation paper was 189276, but was crossed out and replaced with 124157.  William returned from overseas in 1919, arriving in Halifax on March 24.

William died on August 6, 1948 and is buried with his wife in Straffordville cemetery.  Also buried with them are two sons, William A. (1908-1934) & Arthur J. (1910-1941)

William’s obituary appeared in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, August 7, 1948:

RETIRED AYLMER FARMER SUCCUMBS IN LONDON

William John Lawrence, 60, a retired farmer of RR 3 Aylmer, died Friday at Westminster Hospital following a long illness.  A former resident of Tillsonburg, Mr. Lawrence was a veteran of World War I, serving overseas with the Royal Canadian Engineers. Survivors include his widow, Florence.

William Samuel Laycock

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William Laycock’s name appears on the cenotaph in Vienna.  He was born on August 9, 1883 in Nottingham, England, the son of Robert & Rosanna Laycock He is found with his parents on the 1891 England census in Nottingham, but by 1901 was living with his grandfather William Laycock in Headingly, Yorkshire.

It is not known when William emigrated to Canada, but he was living at Bridgeburg, Ontario, employed as a clerk, when he enlisted for service on August 24, 1915 at Niagara. He had previous service with the Royal Army Medical Corps.  He names his next of kin as his wife, C. Laycock of Bridgeburg.

Following the war, William & Catherine lived in Fort Erie, where a son, William Robert Harbourne Laycock was born about 1919.  They later moved to Port Burwell where his wife Catharine Harbourne died on February 18, 1937 at the age of 56.  William was remarried to Annie B. Bristol (1885 – 1972). William died on May 18, 1957 and is buried with his wives in Trinity Anglican cemetery, Port Burwell. 

His obituary appeared in the Tillsonburg News, May 23, 1957:

WILLIAM S. LAYCOCK

PORT BURWELL – A respected and prominent citizen of this village, William S. Laycock, passed away on Saturday in Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital, in his 75th year. Born in England, he resided here during the past twenty years, and served for a number of years as collector of customs and excise tax here. Following his retirement, he served as clerk of the village for several years.

The deceased was a former resident of Fort Erie. He served in the 84th Battalion, Brantford, during World War I, and went overseas in 1915. He was a life member of Colonel Talbot Branch, No. 81, The Canadian Legion, Aylmer, and member of the Branch here; Past Master of Oriental Lodge No. 81 A.F. & A.M., Port Burwell. His first wife, Catharine Harbourne, predeceased him in 1937.

Surviving are his wife, the former Annie (Ecker) Bristol; one daughter, Mrs. Roy (Eileen) Roth, and one son, Robert Laycock, both of Fort Erie; six stepdaughters, Mrs. Walter Woods of Kingsville; Mrs. Philip Vaughan of Erieu; Mrs. George Stephenson of Rutherford, Ont.; Mrs. Keith Stanton and Miss Fae Ecker and Mrs. S. Melchoir, all of Port Burwell; three stepsons, Earl Bristol of Richmond, Murray Ecker of Kingsville, and Ernest Ecker of Erieu, and four grandchildren.

Rested at the Memorial Chapel here, thence to Trinity Anglican Church, where service was conducted on Monday at 2 p.m. by Rev. John Graham, rector of the church, assisted by Rev. T. D. Jones of the Anglican Church, Aylmer.

Pallbearers were members of the Canadian Legion, Aylmer: George Watson, Michael Coleada, William Wheatley, Louis Hamilton, Richard Alexander and Bert Hemphill. Flower bearers were members of The Canadian Legion, Port Burwell and Cecil Titus of the Aylmer Branch. Floral tributes were numerous and beautiful.

Members of the Aylmer Branch of the Canadian Legion and the local Branch No. 524 of the Canadian Legion, attended the service in a body.

Interment took place in Trinity Anglican cemetery will full military honors being accorded by the Aylmer Branch of the Canadian Legion under the direction of the padre Rev. Mr. Jones.  A masonic service under the auspices of Oriental Lodge No. 81, A.F. & A.M. was held on Sunday evening at the chapel conducted by P.D.D. Ken Emerson.  H. A. Ostrander & Son Funeral home in charge of arrangements.

Ray Hiram Leach

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Ray Leach was born on February 14, 1897 in Brownsville, the son of Hiram Leach (1853-1938) & Catherine Dick (1860-1949).  Hiram was born in Bayham, the son of Nehemiah & Nancy Leach, and was farming there when he was married on April 30, 1883 in Tillsonburg to Catherine Dick, of Middleton Township, the daughter of Thomas & Elizabeth Dick.  They are buried in New Delmer Cemetery, Delmer, Ontario.

Ray was a farmer living at RR #2 Springfield when he enlisted for service on May 27, 1918 in London.

He was living in the village of Ostrander when he was married on February 14, 1922 in Corinth to Lorene Scott (1897-1986), of Tillsonburg, the daughter of William Hugh Scott & Mary Jane Clarke.

Ray died in 1981 and is buried with his wife and son Murray (1925-1940) in New Delmer Cemetery, Delmer, Ontario.

Dr. Cecil Royden Learn, M.D.

The name “Capt. Cecil Learn, M.D”. is found on an Honor Roll unveiled at the Aylmer High School on May 23, 1918, listing students and former students who served overseas.

Cecil Royden Learn was born on July 27, 1879 in Yarmouth township, the son of Charles Oneal Learn (1838-1925) & Harriette Smith (1841-1929). Charles was born at Mapleton, the son of John Learn & Catherine Culver, and was living in Yarmouth when he was married in Norfolk County on September 20, 1858 to Harriette Smith, of Charlotteville Township, Norfolk County, the daughter of Abraham Smith & Anna Baker. Charles was a real estate agent.  They later lived in Malahide Township, where they are found on the 1901 census with their son Cecil. He and Harriette are buried in Woodland Cemetery, London.

Cecil graduated from the Toronto School of Medicine around 1902,  and was living in Toronto when he was married there on October 3, 1904 to Mae Elenore Banbury, a native of Wisconsin, living in Toronto. They moved to Clarisholm, Alberta where he and his family are found on the 1911 census. They were living in Banff, Alberta, when Dr. Learn signed an Officer’s Declaration paper on December 28, 1917 at Calgary. He was a member of the C.A.M.C. and had formerly served in the R.A.M.C (Royal Army Medical Corps).  His officer’s declaration paper states he holds the rank of Captain.  From the following article below, it appears that Dr. Learn served overseas first with the British Royal Army Medical Corps, before joining the Canadian Corps in 1917. He was in charge of the surgical unit at the Edmonton Military Hospital in London, England.

An article detailing the send off given to Dr. Learn in Banff appeared in the Aylmer Express, September 30, 1915:

C. R. LEARN GIVEN ENTHUSIASTIC SEND OFF BY BANFF CITIZENS

The “Crag and Canyon” of Banff, Alberta, has the following to say regarding Dr. Learn, a former Aylmer boy, and son of C. O. and Mrs. Learn, of this place.  Dr. Learn is now in Europe with the overseas forces, doing his bit for his King and Country:

“Still the percentage of Banff volunteers for Europe goes up in leaps and bounds. Already one in every five of Banff’s male population is either serving in Europe or is in training camps somewhere in Canada. The latest to add to this long list is the Rev. Harrison, and Dr. Learn. 

Dr. Learn was one of the early ones to be disappointed, but nothing daunted for being left on the long waiting list in Canada, he applied to the R.A.M.C. in England and was accepted by cable.  Both these gentlemen will be a loss to Banff but a much greater asset to the cause in Europe and that they both will leave Banff with the best wishes of their hundreds of friends goes without saying. Following is the address given to Dr. Learn on behalf of the citizens of Banff, before he left that city:

On the conclusion of the first twelve months of the war, we desire to express the feeling of loss this community sustains through the acceptance of your services by the British Army Medical Corps, though at the same time we feel a natural pride inasmuch as you, our fellow citizen, will doubtless, through your medical knowledge and surgical skill, be of the greatest value to those suffering from the effects of the most terrible warfare the world has known.

We are just bidding goodbye to another fellow townsman, whose services are more directly concerned with the spiritual, but we realize that your ministrations are of no less value and doubtless are so considered by the Great Physician.

While hoping that none of the numerous citizens of Banff who have enlisted may have need of your services, still it would be a solace to us to know that in case of need they might have the benefit of your skill and experience.

We can understand the struggle for you to leave behind your interesting family, but we assure you on behalf of every citizen of Banff, that any service we can tender them at any time will be most cheerfully given. We hope, ere another year has passed, that we may be privileged to welcome you back from victory and Berlin.

God Save the King.  On behalf of the Citizens of Banff.

Dr. Learn first practiced medicine at Claresholm, Alberta, and following the war moved to New Westminster, British Columbia, where he was one of only sixteen doctors working out of the Royal Columbian Hospital there. His doctor residence was 255 East Columbia Street. He practiced in New Westminster from 1922 to 1953.

Cecil & Mae had six children, one of whom died in infancy. Another son, Robert Bradford Learn, died on June 13, 1944 while serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II.   Dr. Learn’s wife Elenore died on December 25, 1975 in White Rock, British Columbia.  Dr. Learn died on October 12, 1970 in New Westminster, B.C., at the age of 93.  At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife and three sons, William of Vancouver; Charles of Medford, Oregon, and John of New Westminster.

Clinton Truman Learn

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Clinton Learn was born on January 8, 1893 in Malahide, the son of Philip Henry Learn (1863-1956) & Lettie Harriet Pick (1866-1945). Philip was the son of John Learn & Colista Colver, and was a native and resident of South Dorchester when he was married on February 27, 1890 to Lettie H. Pick, a native and resident of Middleton Township, Norfolk County, the daughter of Robert Pick & Eleanor Jackson.  They were married in Middleton.  Philip & Lettie are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

Clinton’s attestation paper is not available for viewing on the National Archives of Canada.

An article about Clinton’s experiences in France was printed in the Aylmer Express, May 4, 1916:

CLINTON T. LEARN HAS MANY ADVENTURES IN FRANCE

Malahide Boy Had Many Hairbreadth Escapes Serving His Country in France
Just Come Out of Hospital and Expects to Go to the Front Again

If one knew and was allowed by the censors to write all the experiences and adventures of some of our Canadian heroes at the Front, the tales and Henty would not be one bit more interesting. No one knows what some of the lads have gone through in order to perform and carry out their orders.

It might be interesting to note a few of the experiences of one of our own boys, Clinton T. Learn, son of Mr and Mrs Learn, of Malahide, who was one of the very first to respond to the call to arms, and on August 21st, 1914 left with an artillery brigade. After training at Salisbury Plains, England, he was sent to France, where for a year he was on the motor transport division. Altogether he spent eleven months on the firing line. In September last year he was resting in a dugout, and the jar of the big guns of his battery caused the earth to cave in on him, and he was practically buried alive. He was dug out, and when he came to, he was eight miles away. Last December he was detailed with a scouting party, and had been reconnoitering some German front line trenches, and when crawling through the barbed wire entanglements back to his own trenches, was shot by one of his own sentries, who had become mentally deranged. A bullet lodged in his knee and several went through his coat. After going through seven hospitals in France, he was sent to England, where he has spent the past four months recovering. At present he is in a training camp and is booked for France.

Private Learn has received a parcel of good things from Aylmer Women’s Institute, which were very acceptable, and reached him in good shape. He wishes to thank the ladies for their thoughtfulness. His London address is 37436, 12th Reserve Battalion, 5th Company, Shorncliffe.

Apparently while still recuperating from his wounds, Clinton returned to Canada on July 14, 1916, arriving at Quebec from London, England.  An article on his return was published in the Aylmer Express, July 27, 1916:

GUNNER LEARN PRESENTED WITH WATCH

Mt. Salem Folks Honor Returned Soldier

Mt. Salem, July 25 – On Friday evening last nearly two hundred people gathered at the home of Mr and Mrs Philip Learn to congratulate their son, Gunner Clinton Learn, on his safe return from the seat of war.  During the evening, some complimentary addresses were given, and a gold watch and several other little remembrances were presented to him as small tokens of the splendid work he has done in serving King and Country in this crisis.  It is two years in August since Gunner Learn joined the Colors, he being one of the first to go from this vicinity.  He enlisted at the outbreak of the war, and until he was seriously wounded last winter, has been constantly in active service.  Unless he can get his pass extended, he must report in England again by August 12th. Therefore, his stay will be a short one.

He was married in January 1920 in Monroeville to Lucy Battenberg (1893-1984).  He died on January 28, 1960 and is buried in Aylmer Cemetery.

Clinton’s obituary and photograph appeared in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, January 28, 1960:

CLINTON T. LEARN, 67, DIES IN HOSPITAL

Clinton T. Learn, 67, of R.R. 1 Aylmer, former Malahide Councillor and deputy reeve died in St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital Thursday morning.  He had been in ailing health for some time.  Mr. Learn was born in Springfield, the son of the late Mr and Mrs Phillip Learn.

He farmed all of his life in this district with the exception of seven years in Indiana.  He was an adherent of Summer’s Corners United Church and for 13 years served as a trustee on the S.S. No. 9 Malahide School Board.

Mr. Learn served as a member of Malahide Township council for a number of years and was deputy reeve for a year and a half.  He is survived by his wife, the former Lucy Battenberg, two sons, Robert and Charles of Aylmer, four daughters, Mrs. Charles (Mary) Hulet, Norwich; Mrs. Kenneth (Gwen) Holmes, Lambeth; Mrs. Carl (Eleanor) Parker, Aylmer; Miss Patricia Learn, London; two brothers, Earl and Bruce f Aylmer; two sisters, Mrs. Bert (Vera) Foster, Kingsmill; and Mrs. Bruce (Stella) Harper, Windsor. There are 11 grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews. A son Jason and a brother Harley, died a number of years ago.

Resting at the Hughson Funeral Home, Aylmer. Services will be held at 2 o’clock, Saturday afternoon. Dwight Hinton, of Bayham United Church will officiate.  Interment in Aylmer cemetery.

Harley Stanley Learn

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Harley Learn was born on November 27, 1896 in Aylmer, the son of Philip Henry Learn (1863-1956) & Lettie Harriet Pick (1866-1945). Philip was the son of John Learn & Colista Colver, and was a native and resident of South Dorchester when he was married on February 27, 1890 to Lettie H. Pick, a native and resident of Middleton Township, Norfolk County, the daughter of Robert Pick & Eleanor Jackson.  They were married in Middleton.  Philip & Lettie are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

Harley was a farmer living at R.R. #1 Aylmer when he enlisted for service on May 27, 1918 in London.   He is mentioned in an article in the Aylmer Express, June 6, 1918 with four other men from the Summers’ Corners area who were honored with a reception on the “eve of their departure to join the overseas forces”.

He was married on October 8, 1919 in Aylmer to Lottie Clark Honn, (Hahn) a native of Preston, Kentucky, but living in Dunboyne, the daughter of Belford Honn & Marybell Neal.

Harley died on June 1, 1953 following an auto accident near his home in Oxford County. He is buried in Harris Street Cemetery, Ingersoll. His obituary appeared in the Ingersoll Tribune, June 4, 1953:

S. LEARN DIES FROM INJURIES IN CAR-TRUCK CRASH

Injured in a car-truck crash on the Culloden gravel road, north of Culloden, on May 26, Harley Stanley Learn, prominent farmer of Dereham Township died early Monday morning at Alexandra Hospital.

Mr. Learn and his son, Buford Learn were injured when their car was in collision with a heavy dump truck, driven by Gordon McKay of Mount Elgin. Both were taken to Alexandra Hospital.

Born at Shower’s Corners, Mr. Learn came to Dereham eight years ago, farming at lot 22, concession 6 of that township. He was a member of the Ingersoll Baptist Church and was in his 58th year.

He is survived by his wife, the former Lottie Hahn; two sons, Dane and Buford at home; his father, Phillip Learn, Aylmer; three brothers, Clinton, Earl and Bruce, all of Aylmer; two sisters, Mrs. Bruce Harper (Stella), Windsor; Mrs. P. Foster (Vera), Aylmer; also four grandchildren.

The funeral service will take place this (Thursday) afternoon, at two o’clock, at the Walker Funeral Home, with Rev. J. M. Ward, assisted by Rev. J. B. Townend, officiating.  Interment will be at the Harris Street Cemetery.

George Barron Lee

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George Anderson Lee was born on May 20, 1898 at Luton in Malahide, the son of William Alfred Lee & Ida Frances Anderson. William Lee was born about 1875 in St. Marys, Perth County, the son of George Wesley Lee & Margaret Wynne.  He was employed as a shipper and living in Toronto when he was married on April 11, 1898 in Toronto to Ida Frances Anderson, born about 1875 in Orangeville, the daughter of Robert Anderson & Jane Allan.  She was living in Toronto when she was married.  The family must have lived for a short time in Malahide, where George was born, but by the 1901 census, Ida is a widow living in Toronto with her son George.  She was remarried in 1904 in Toronto to Frederick W. Brownlow.

George enlisted for service in Toronto on February 9, 1916.  He gives his name as “George Barron Lee”, and states he was born in Luton, Ontario on May 20, 1897.  He was a bookkeeper, living with his mother Ida Brownlow at 236 Gerrard St. E., Toronto.  He had served two months in the 48th regiment.

George Anderson Lee moved to Niagara Falls, New York, where he was living at 1720 11th Street when he was married on February 7, 1923 in Toronto to Mabel Rowena Ford, of Toronto, the daughter of Edward Ford & Charlotte Shearer.

No further information can be found.

William Thomas Lee

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William Lee was born on September 10, 1893 in Aylmer, the son of William H. Lee (1867-1899) & Augusta Maria Grass.  William H. Lee was born in Simcoe, son of Thomas & Jane Lee, and was a mechanic living in Simcoe when he was married to Augusta Grass, of Aylmer, daughter of Francis & Martha Grass. They were married on Sept. 9, 1889 in Delhi.  William died in a railway accident in 1899 and his widow remarried a Mr. Sharpe.

William Lee was a mechanic living in Aylmer when he enlisted for service on December 11, 1917.  He names his next of kin as his mother, Augusta Sharpe, of Aylmer. He had served three years in the R.M.W.M.P.

William Thomas Lee was a mechanic living in Wheatley when he was married on November 3, 1930 in Windsor to Cynthia Idella Lounsbury, also of Wheatley, daughter of Joseph Murray Lounsbury & Mary Ellen Malott. No further information could be found.

Thomas Leonard

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Thomas Leonard was born on January 20, 1894 in Glasgow, Scotland, the son of James & Margaret Leonard.  The family is found on the 1901 census in Glasgow.  James emigrated to Canada first, and his wife and children followed in 1911, sailing on the ship Numidian from Glasgow and arriving in Halifax on April 18.  They settled in Welland, Ontario where they are found on the 1911 census.

They later moved to Copper Cliff, Ontario where Thomas was a labourer when he enlisted for service on February 26, 1916 in Froud, Ontario.  He names his next of kin as his father, James, of Copper Cliff. He belonged to the 97th Regiment, and enlisted with the 159th Battalion.

Thomas returned from overseas in 1919, arriving in Halifax on March 1.  He later moved to Aylmer.  He died in St. Thomas on July 8, 1939 at the age of 45 years, and is buried in Aylmer Cemetery. His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, July 13, 1939:

THOMAS LEONARD

Thomas Leonard, a resident of Aylmer for the past two years, and an employee of Curtis’ Soda Grill for a like period, died at the Memorial Hospital, St. Thomas, Saturday afternoon following a serious operation performed Thursday.  Deceased, who was in his forties, was a veteran of the Great War. Among those left to mourn are his parents, Mr and Mrs James Leonard, Niagara Falls.

The funeral was held Tuesday morning from the Allen Funeral Home. Rev. P. H. Streeter, rector of Trinity Anglican Church, conducted the service, during which Harry Richardson sang “Forever With the Lord”, accompanied at the piano by C. A Howey.  The pallbearers were six ex-soldiers, W. E. Curtis, Charles R. Clark, Harry Richardson, Harold Farrell, Huron Sears and H. J. Price. Relatives from Niagara Falls and friends from Aylmer were in attendance.  Interment was in the Soldiers’ Plot at the Aylmer cemetery.

George Frederick Lewis

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The St. Thomas Times-Journal, March 31, 1919 reported the return of local soldiers in “The News of Aylmer”: “Pte. Fred Lewis, after four years’ service in Flanders, has returned to Aylmer, discharged honorably and will take his old position with Frank Sanburn [sic- should be Sansburn] on the eight concession”.

He does not appear on the 1911 census in East Elgin.  The St. Thomas Journal of November 2, 1914 printed a list of local men enlisting, including Fred Lewis.

An attestation paper was found for a George Frederick Lewis, #53699.  He enlisted for service on November 2, 1914 in St. Thomas.  He was born on May 11, 1889 in Birmingham, England.  No address is given on the paper.  He names his next of kin as his father, John Lewis, of 94 Sarckole Road, Hallgreen, England.  He was a farmer, and was not married.  He had served six years with the 5th Worcestershire Regiment.

A letter from Fred to Wyn Christie of Aylmer was printed in the Aylmer Express, July 22, 1915:

Regt. No. 53699, C. Co. 18th Batt., 2nd Contingent, London, England

June 29, 1915

Dear Friend – Just a few lines to let you know I have not forgotten you altogether, but I have been very busy and they are working us very hard at present. We expected it for we are doing the best we can and want to get to the front. Your London papers say that we have left England. We have not and are still in Kent, close to the coast.  It is not so nice as in Canada, for it gets very cold nights.  We are having nice weather to do our drill and our night marches, for we have those very often.  Harry Green is going on very good, only he has got married, so that is his drawback, now he will have to worry over her when he is at the front.  I have been home to see my people, and I found them quite well, and those silk handkerchiefs they thought were very fine.  I guess you remember those I bought before Christmas, in Aylmer.  I think I will have to send for two more, if you have any left. I shall be glad when it is over, so that we can come back, but not before we have had a whack at the Germans. Remember me to all the boys. I remain yours truly, G. F. Lewis.

Passenger lists show Fred returning from overseas on March 24, 1919.  

There is a marker in South Park cemetery, St. Thomas for Pte. George F. Lewis, #53699, who died on December 16, 1970. 

Frederick’s obituary appeared in the St. Thomas Times-Journal, December 16, 1970:

FREDERICK LEWIS DIES AT AGE OF 81

Frederick Lewis, formerly of 41 Forest Avenue, passed away at the St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital Wednesday morning, after an illness of three months.  He was 81.  Born in England, Mr. Lewis came to Canada from Birmingham before the First World War and moved to St. Thomas in the 1920’s.  He was a retired stationery engineer, having been employed 12 years at the St. Thomas Memorial Hospital and 19 years at the St. Thomas Psychiatric Hospital. A member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Mr. Lewis served overseas in the First World War with the 18th Battalion.  There are no known survivors. Resting at the L. B. Sifton Funeral Home, 118 Wellington Street, where the funeral service will be conducted on Friday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. by Rev. J. L. Petrie, padre of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 41.  Interment will be made in the Soldiers’ Plot of South Park Cemetery with the officers and members of the legion conducting a graveside service. Visitation is encouraged between the hours of 2 and 4 p.m. and 7 to 9:30 p.m.

 

Edward Wellington Lightfoot

Descendants of Edward Lightfoot have in their possession a group photograph of soldiers in training. Edward is in the photograph, and although it cannot be positively identified as from the First World War, he will be included in this project.

Edward Lightfoot was born on November 12, 1885 at Grovesend in Malahide Township, the son of Wellington Lightfoot (1847-1930) & Mary Ann Thompson (1844-1909).  Wellington was born in Malahide, the son of Thomas Lightfoot & Jane Audrey, and was living in Malahide when he was married on December 17, 1867 in St. Thomas to Mary Ann Thompson, a native of Ireland living in Malahide, the daughter of James & Mary Thompson.  Wellington & Mary are buried in Aylmer Cemetery.

No attestation paper can be found for Edward, but his family relates the fact that he went down to Niagara-on-the Lake to for military training.

Edward was a farmer on the first concession of Malahide at Grovesend.  He was married in Malahide on June 22, 1909 to Laura Edith Kilmer (1884-1965), daughter of Elias Wilson Kilmer & Delilah Cascadden.  Edward died on October 3, 1964, and is buried with his wife in Aylmer Cemetery. His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, October 7, 1964:

EDWARD LIGHTFOOT

Edward Lightfoot, RR 1 Corinth, died suddenly at his daughter’s home at Corinth, last Saturday morning. He was 78.  Mr. Lightfoot was a retired farmer, the son of the late Mr and Mrs Joseph [sic] Lightfoot. He was a member of Lakeview Baptist Church.

He is survived by a son, Lyle Lightfoot, of Hamilton; four daughters, Mrs. Orrie (Blanche) Ferguson, of Corinth; Mrs. Leo (Claire) Brackenbury, of Burgessville; Mrs. Maurice (Jessie) Landon, of Mount Salem; Mrs. James (Cerna) Stickel, of Port Elgin. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

The funeral was held at the Barnum & Kebbel Funeral Home on Monday. Rev. Wm. Harkins of Lakeview Baptist church conducted the service and Thomas Muddle sang “The Old Rugged Cross”, accompanied by Mrs. George Hunt.  The pallbearers were Borden Hankinson, Wm. McKibbon, Murray Timpany, Harold Baughman, Chester Baughman, Douane Holditch. Burial was in Aylmer Cemetery.

Relatives and friends attended from Port Elgin, Lakeview, Calton, Burgessville, Corinth, St. Thomas, Port Stanley, Port Bruce, Tillsonburg, London, Hamilton, Kingston, Aylmer and surrounding district.

Andrew Manley Forrest Lindsay

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Andrew Lindsay was born on February 16, 1895 in North Bay, the son of James Lindsay (1865-1922) & Elizabeth Forrest.  He was working as a bank clerk when he enlisted for service with the 37th Battalion on September 11, 1915 at Niagara.

Following the war, he lived for a few years in Aylmer during the 1920’s where he was no doubt employed with a bank. He was one of the charter members of the Aylmer Legion when it was formed in 1926. He and his wife Evelyn are buried in Terrace Lawn Cemetery, North Bay.

Ernest Alfred Lindsay

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Ernest Lindsay was born on November 6, 1896 in Michigan, the son of George William Lindsay (1874-1944) & Mary Olive Kilmer (1873-1946).  George was born in Bayham, the son of William George Lindsay & Sarah Ann Clark, and was living in Corinth when he was married on February 18, 1872 in Brownsville to Olive Kilmer, of Malahide, the daughter of Edward & Eliza Jane Kilmer.  They had moved to Michigan for a brief period before returning to Elgin County about 1898. They are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

Ernest was farming in Bayham when he was married on July 18, 1917 in Straffordville to Ida May Ketchabaw, of Bayham, the daughter of Cornelius Ketchabaw & Lily McDowell.

Ernest was a farmer living in Corinth when he enlisted for service on June 17, 1918 in London

He died in 1970 and is buried in Aylmer cemetery.  He and Ida had two children, Maxwell (1918-1979) and Doreen (born 1925).

Frank Lindsay

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Frank Lindsay was born on July 8, 1900 in Corinth, the the son of George William Lindsay (1874-1944) & Mary Olive Kilmer (1873-1946).  George was born in Bayham, the son of William George Lindsay & Sarah Ann Clark, and was living in Corinth when he was married on February 18, 1872 in Brownsville to Olive Kilmer, of Malahide, the daughter of Edward & Eliza Jane Kilmer.  They had moved to Michigan for a brief period before returning to Elgin County about 1898. They are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

Frank was a farmer living at Corinth when he enlisted for service on June 16, 1916 in Brantford.  He belonged to the 38th Dufferin Rifles.  He was underage when he enlisted, and gave his date of birth incorrectly as July 8, 1897.

Frank was married on February 21, 1923 in Aylmer to Marie Nelson (1899-1983), of Aylmer, the daughter of Albert Nelson & Sesil Robins. Marie is buried in Aylmer cemetery with her parents.

Frank died on March 14, 1975 in St. Petersburg, Florida. His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express:

Frank Lindsay

Frank Lindsay of St. Petersburg, Florida died Friday, March 14th. He was 74 years of age.  He is survived by his wife, the former Marie Nelson; two sons, Donald Lindsay of RR #3 St. Thomas, and Ross Lindsay of RR #2 Springfield; two daughters, Mrs. Donald (Helen) Small of RR #3 Iona Station, and Mrs. Leo (Marion) Hetherington of RR #1 Brownsville; 11 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

He is also survived by four brothers, Melvin, Victor and Maurice Lindsay, all of Aylmer, and Charles Lindsay of Springfield and three sisters, Mrs. Fred (Audrey) Bradley and Mrs. Florence Greenwood of Aylmer, and Mrs. Harvey (Olive) Owens, of RR #2 Lucan.

Burial was in St. Petersburg, Florida on Tuesday.

Harold  Lindsay

170992 

Harold Lindsay was born on March 22, 1899 in Malahide, the son of John Ervin Lindsay (1869-1941) & Bertha Jane Jones (1873-1961).  John was born in Malahide, the son of John Lindsay & Margaret Staley, and was living in Malahide when he was married on September 11, 1894 in Aylmer to Bertha Jones, also of Malahide, the daughter of William Jones & Catharine O’Kelly. The family is found on the 1901 Malahide, and 1911 Springfield census.  John & Bertha are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

The Book of Remembrance states that Harold was an air mechanic and served in the Royal Air Force, enlisting in May 1918.  He was discharged in December 1918.

Harold joined his father in the automotive business in Aylmer about 1921, and operated Lindsay & Son for many years as General Motors dealers, and later became a Ford dealership.  He was married on January 22, 1927 to Donna Marie Caven (1897-1988).  Harold & Donna loved to hunt and fish together and kept a trailer on Lake Erie for many years. Harold also sold and serviced  Ford tractors. The business was located in a huge old barn on Sydenham Street in Aylmer across from the bandshell park.  

Harold died November 7, 1979, and is buried with his wife in Aylmer cemetery. His obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, November 14, 1979:

Harold Lindsay

Harold Lindsay, of 122 John St. North, Aylmer, died at the North York General Hospital, Toronto, on Wednesday, November 7.  Mr. Lindsay was born in Springfield.  He was the son of the late John and Bertha (Jones) Lindsay.  He had been at automobile dealer for the Ford Motor Company and had resided in Aylmer most of his life where he was a member of St. Paul’s United Church.

Surviving are his wife the former Donna Caven; son Jack of Toronto; daughter Mrs. Peter (Marie) Graham of Florida; sister Mrs. Clara Davis of Aylmer and four granddaughters.

The funeral was held Saturday, November 10 from the H. A. Kebbel Funeral Home.  Rev. Norman Jones of St. Paul’s United Church conducted the service. Burial was made in Aylmer Cemetery. Pallbearers were Bob Davis, Jack Davis, Ken Williamson, John Palmer, Howard Owen and Boyd Wilson.

Lloyd Lindsley

213594

Lloyd Lindsley was born on April 3, 1893 in Springfield, the son of Irvin Lindsley & Bertha Graham (1861-1901).  Irvin was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of John & Elizabeth Lindsley, and was a baker living in Watford when he was married on April 6, 1887 in Otterville to Bertha Graham, of Otterville, the daughter of William & Hannah Graham.  They moved to Springfield where Irvin operated a baker, grocery store and printing office in the late 1890’s. Bertha died of typhoid fever in 1901 and is buried in Springfield cemetery.  Irvin later moved to Detroit.

Lloyd was living at 946 St. Paul’s Ave., Detroit, working as a printer when he enlisted for service on January 17, 1916 in Windsor. He names his next of kin as his father, Irvin, of 34 Grand River West, Detroit.

He returned home from overseas on May 27, 1919, arriving in Halifax.  The passenger list gives his address as Detroit. Following the war, Lloyd returned to Ontario where he was working as a printer in Chatham when he was married on November 11, 1919 in Chatham to Kathleen Edith Victoria Barnes, a native of England living in Sandwich, Ontario, the daughter of Amyntis Barnes & Kate Harriet Witt.

No further information is known.

 

Charles Donald Lloyd

189323 

Charles Donald Lloyd was born on June 2, 1887 in Malahide, the son of Charles Lloyd (1865-1924) & Jane (Jennie) Jackson (1864-1949). Charles Sr. was born in Port Rowan, the son of Richard & Ann Elizabeth Lloyd, and living in Charlotteville when he married Jennie Jackson on May 23, 1885 in Vittoria.  She was born and living in Normandale, Norfolk Co., the daughter of Daniel & Elizabeth Jackson.  Charles Sr. was a farmer and teamster, and living in Aylmer on the 1901 census.  They later moved to St. Thomas where they lived at 22 Jackson Street.  Charles & Jennie are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

Charles Donald Lloyd was working as a printer and living in St. Thomas when he married Matilda Stinson Smith on June 22, 1910 in London.  She was also a resident of London, the daughter of Robert Alexander Smith, a baker & Anna Stinson.

Donald enlisted for service on November 8, 1915 in St. Thomas with the 91st Battalion.  He was living at 22 Jackson Street, St. Thomas, and was a lineotype machine operator, and had two children.  His previous military experience included one year with the 21st Essex Regiment and eleven years with the 25th Elgins.

A letter from Donald was printed in the East Elgin Tribune, October 5, 1916:

West Sandling, September 13, 1916

Friend Jim –
I promised to write to you but I guess that you will think by now that I have forgotten than promise. However, such is not the case. I do not know that there is a great lot that I can tell you, because the papers of St. Thomas seem to keep the people of the district pretty well posted as to what is going on. As you are aware, the 91st Battalion has been broken up, the men being drafted into four different battalions, and most of them are now at the base in France.  One of the men here had a letter from there today saying that the men had not gone up to the trenches at the time that it was written, but I do not know what the date of the letter was. There have been rumors of casualties among the old 91st men, but I do not think there is any foundation for them. Well, Jimmie, this is a wonderful country, even under war conditions. In a great many ways it is altogether different from what I had expected, and in some cases there were big surprises for me. One thing that struck me more forcibly than anything was the prevalence of flowers, and they certainly look good, too.  One thing that struck me the opposite way was the absence of lights at night. I had often heard of the restrictions in that regard, but I did not think that it would be as absolute darkness as prevails. It sure seems funny, after being in a country where the lights are as bright at night as they ever were. The railways were a joke at first, but we have got used to them now. The cars are much smaller than those of Canada, and the engines are of altogether different construction, but they certainly give the service both in comfort and speed. The roadbeds are of a different type of construction, the rails being laid on iron castings spiked to the ties, instead of the rails being spiked to the ties, and the result is very noticeable in the smoothness with which the cars ride. The country roads also come in for a lot of compliments too. The meanest of them is nicely macadamized, and on those over which there is more [illegible] they place a good car-macadam pavement. You can go on a route march immediately after a good heavy rain and return without being covered with mud from head to foot. Practically all heavy hauling is done by means of the auto truck and steam engine. The steam engines used for this work are, for the most part, mounted on wheels similar to those of the large auto trucks, and they run at about five or six miles an hour, drawing a couple of heavily loaded wagons. There are some engines however, which are the same as our traction engines in Canada. Another thing which seemed funny to me was the speed at which motor vehicles travel, the only limit that seems to be recognized being the capacity of the engines. I have not been around the country much, except in the vicinity of the camp, so cannot say anything about the rest of the Island. The only exception that I will make is a trip that I had recently to Canterbury, where we deposited the colors of the 91st in the Cathedral. We had the pleasure of a trip through the building and I found it to be a very interesting spot. The cathedral, as you undoubtedly know, is the mother church of the Church of England, and one part of the building as it stands today was erected in the year 597, and it looks as though it was good for hundreds of years to come. The architecture is of the old-time style, and is certainly beautiful. I would like to be able to tell you the whole history of the place as it was told to us by the guide, but that is impossible.  I think it was one of the most enjoyable afternoons that I have spent in England, and I have had some good times at that. I have been trying to get some direct word of Doug. Dunnett over here, but only once have found an 18th Batt. man, who knew him, and he had been back in England for about six weeks. He said Doug was hale and hearty when he left. It seems to be a hard job to get any trace of the old-timers now, even from men who come from the same battalions. I suppose that is due to the many new men being sent to the battalions at the front in the way of drafts. Some of our old boys of the 91st were sent to reinforce the 16th, I think, though I am not certain of it. Well, Jim, I guess that I will have to call a halt for this time, as the hour is getting late. Hoping that this finds you and yours in the same good health that it leaves me, and with kindest regards to all, I am,

Yours as ever, C. D. Lloyd

Another letter from Donald appeared in the Aylmer Express, April 5, 1917:

ENGLISH FARMERS WERE PLOWING IN FEBRUARY

Sgt. Lloyd Visits Quaint Old Town of Canterbury – Stops at Hotel Built in 1639

Writes to His Parents, Mr and Mrs Chas. Lloyd, of this Place

Canterbury, Feb. 24th, 1917

Dear ones at home –
As you will notice by the date line, I am holidaying again over the weekend, and in the same old spot. This is certainly the best spot I have struck to spend a weekend and believe me, it is a relief to get away from the camp and its surroundings. I have been sitting here in front of the fire place toasting my shins and reading during the evening, and have found that there are a good many spots of interest for me to hunt up, particularly those connected with Dickens’ writings. I have made up my mind to start on the war path in the morning, if the weather is at all decent.

We went out for a good long walk after breakfast this morning, and it was certainly most enjoyable. It is a real old fashioned town. We passed one hotel which was built in 1403, and it was a most prosperous looking place at that. We also spotted a very up-to-date looking store; to judge from the way the windows were dressed, built in 1485. The building in which this hotel is situated was built in 1639, and it is certainly a very cosy place. The boys are lounging around the fire place in large leather chairs, and it is certainly a treat to get away from the camp life for a few hours.

Well, I suppose you are beginning to count the weeks until spring now. The farmers here are hard at it plowing, and it sure looks funny to see them working in the fields in February. I dare say it would look just as funny to them, though to see the fields frozen up and buried in snow, as they likely are in Canada today.  The song birds are making themselves heard here these days too, and it sure sounds good. The most prominent of them are the robin and the lark. The robin’s note is similar to the Canadian robin, and the lark has a song more like a tame canary.

Well, I guess I will have to call a halt for want of news, so will say good-bye for now.
Don

Donald returned from overseas in 1919, arriving in Halifax on June 13.  He died on August 13, 1939 and is buried in Aylmer Cemetery with his wife Matilda who died in 1945. Two children, Charles Elliott Lloyd (1911-1997) and Thelma Laverne Lloyd (1914-1939) are also buried there.

Donald’s obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, August 17, 1939:

DONALD LLOYD, ST. THOMAS ALDERMAN, HAD FINE RECORD

Sudden Passing of Successful Aylmer Native
Learned Trade in Aylmer Express Plant

Charles Donald Lloyd, 22 Jackson street, St. Thomas, member of the City Council and World War veteran with a distinguished military record, died unexpectedly at the Memorial Hospital about 9 o’clock Sunday night.  Ald. Lloyd underwent a serious operation several weeks ago and was progressing favorably until he suffered a relapse.

Ald. Lloyd, who was better known as “Don”, was born in Aylmer 52 years ago, June 2, 1887.  His father was the late Charles Lloyd, and his mother Mrs. Jennie Jackson Lloyd, is still living in Aylmer. He went to St. Thomas as a young man and apprenticed as a linotype operator, becoming permanently employed with the Municipal World.  Previous to this he has learned his trade as a compositor in The Aylmer Express Plant.

Ald. Lloyd was a senior member of the St. Thomas City Council from a standpoint of total years in that body.  He served altogether about six or seven years, his tenure of office being interrupted by one defeat at the polls.  On several occasions he was mentioned as a probable candidate for mayoralty honors.  In that time he has served as chairman of the finance committee, and lately of the parks and firehall committee.  In this latter capacity he was instrumental in bringing to the city the convention of the Dominion Fire Chief’s Association. For several months he has worked on the program and he had hopes of being sufficiently recovered from his illness to participate in the convention proceedings.  Pinafore Park also claimed his undivided interest and what time he could spare from his work, was spent on the park grounds, planning and directing the operations of the park staff.

Mr. Lloyd was greatly interested in fraternal societies of the city and district and had held several high official positions.  He was a past master of St. David’s Lodge, No. 302, A.F. & A.M.; a past noble grand of I.O.O.F. Lodge No. 76; past district supreme monarchos of the Ancient and Mystic Order of Samaritans; a past worthy patron of Flower City Chapter, No. 71, Order of the Easter Star; and also a member of the Hi-Ro Shrine Club.  Ald. Lloyd was one of the organizers of the St. Thomas Cribbage Club. He was a valued member of the St. Thomas branch of the Canadian Legion. He was an adherent of the United Church of Canada

When the 91st Battalion was organized in Elgin County, Mr. Lloyd became regimental-quarter master sergeant, putting to good use his training with the old 25th Regiment.  In England he was transferred as instructor, to the Machine Gun Division and went to France with the 4th Machine Gun Battalion. He acquitted himself with such distinguished conduct at Amiens that he was awarded the Military Medal. He returned to Canada with the rank of sergeant and later became identified with the Elgin Regiment as regimental sergeant-major.

Besides his widow and mother, he is survived by one son, Elliott, radio operator at Sioux Lookout, who has been at home during his father’s illness, and one grandchild, aged six months. His daughter, Thelma, died six months ago.

The remains rested at Sifton’s Funeral Home and the funeral was held from there on Wednesday at 2:30 to Aylmer cemetery.  The services were under the auspices of St. David’s Lodge, and Rev. S. Edworthy of First United Church, St. Thomas, officiated.

William Marvin Locock

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Recent research has discovered the name of William Marvin Locock, who was killed in action.  Since this information was found after the first publication in this series, Age Shall Not Weary Them, his name will be included here.

William Marvin Locock was born on April 29, 1897 [or 1898]  in Shelby, Ohio, the son of John Leathan Locock (1871-1954) & Jessie M. Pero (1870-1949).  John was born in England, the son of William & Ellen Locock, and was a painter living in Shelby, Ohio when he was married in Aylmer on June 29, 1897 to Jessie Pero, of Mapleton, the daughter of Nicholas Pero & Mary Wismer.  After their marriage, John & Jessie returned to the United States, where they are found on the 1900 census in Columbus, Ohio.  They returned to Ontario, and may have lived at Aylmer  as an issue the East Elgin Tribune in April 1916 reports that Pte. Marvin Locock was visiting his aunt, Mrs. Fred Garner, and that he was a former resident of the Aylmer area.  They were living in Toronto in 1918. John & Jessie are buried in St. Thomas Cemetery, West Avenue.

Marvin was a clerk living with his parents at 520 Gladstone Ave., Toronto when he enlisted with the 97th Battalion on December 13, 1915 in Toronto.

Marvin died on August 27, 1918 while serving with the 21st Battalion of Canadian Infantry.  He is buried in Wancourt British Cemetery, France.  His death was reported in the Toronto Star, September 14, 1918:

PTE. W. LOCOCK KILLED

Pte. Wm. Locock, whose parents reside at 520 Gladstone avenue, is reported as killed in action.  He enlisted two years ago with the 97th Battalion, and has been mare than a year in France. Before enlisting he was employed at the Gordon MacKay Co.

 

Walter McGregor Logan

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Walter Logan was born on July 8, 1892 in Aylmer, the son of William McGregor Logan (1865-1937)  & Anna Elizabeth Becker (1869-1919).  William was a teacher at the Aylmer High School (Collegiate Institute).  He was the son of J. McGregor & Catherine Logan, and was married in Aylmer on August 10, 1891 to Anna Becker, also of Aylmer, daughter of John L. & Sarah Becker. William & Anna later moved to Hamilton.

Walter Logan was a draftsman living at Burwash Hall, Victoria University, Queen’s Park, Toronto when he enlisted for service on March 9, 1916 in Toronto.  He had served one year as a private  in the 13th Royal Regiment.  He names his next of kin as his mother, Anna Logan of 103 S. Victoria Ave., Hamilton.  He enlisted with the 54th Divisional Signal Company.

Walter returned from overseas in 1919, arriving in Halifax on September 13. He returned to Hamilton and was employed by the Post Office. 

Walter died on November 6, 1969 and is buried with his wife Elsie in White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Hamilton. His obituary appeared in the Hamilton Spectator, November 8, 1969:

LOGAN, Walter McGregor – At St. Petersburg, Florida on Thursday, November 6th, 1969, Walter McGregor Logan in his 78th year. Beloved husband of Elsie Elizabeth Westker. Dear father of Charles, Miss Marion E., of Hamilton, and Mrs. Ann H. Taylor of Ancaster, survived by 7 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter. Resting at the Blatchford and Wray Chapel, Main St and West Ave., from Monday evening at 7 o’clock for service on Wednesday morning at 10 o’clock. Interment White Chapel Memorial Gardens. Retired in 1957 after 37 years with the Post Office. Mr. Logan was in the Engineers during World War I. In lieu of flowers donations to your favorite charity would be appreciated by the family. Visiting hours Monday and Tuesday evening 7 to 9 p.m. 

Morley Wilkins Loop

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Morley Loop was born on May 10, 1899 in Aylmer, the son of George Wesley Loop (1873-1959) & Laura Louisa Smoke (1877-1920).  George was a farmer born in Michigan, the son of Amasa & Almira Loop, but was living in Bayham when he was married there on May 23, 1894 to Laura Smoke, of Malahide, daughter of Merritt & Christie.  George & Laura moved to Illinois shortly after Morley’s birth, and are found on the 1900 census in Vinegar Hill Township, Jo Daviess Co.

Morley was living at 646 17th Street, Detroit, Michigan, employed as a machinery rigger when he enlisted for service on May 15, 1918 in London.  He names his next of kin as his father George Loop of West Lorne.

Morley returned to Michigan where he is found on the 1930 census in Detroit with wife Pauline, age 26,  and son Victor, age 10.  He is employed as a truck driver for a packing house.  They were living at 3352 Goldner Ave. 

Morley died in 1936 in Detroit.

Kenneth William Loucks

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Kenneth Loucks was born on July 20, 1902 at Mapleton, the son of Edward Adolphus Loucks (1858-1918) & Ida Victoria Loucks (1881-1930).  Edward was born in Houghton Township, Norfolk County, the son of Philip Loucks & Mary Ann Burgar, and was married on September 7, 1879 in Montcalm County, Michigan to Ida Loucks, of Michigan, the daughter of Hiram Loucks & Margaret Chapell.  Edward was a railway employee and was killed in 1918 when he was accidentally run over by a train.  Ida was living at 148 Centre Street, St. Thomas when she died in 1930.  They are buried in South Park Cemetery, St. Thomas.

Kenneth was living at RR #7 St. Thomas with his parents, employed as a railroad labourer, when he enlisted for service on November 3, 1917 in London.  He gave his date of birth as July 10, 1899, and a notation on the attestation paper states that he was under age.  He had served nine months with the 7th Regiment, Fusiliers Details.  He enlisted with the Forestry & Railway Construction Depot M.D. No. 1.

Following the war, he was living in North Dorchester employed as an electrician when he was married on May 14, 1923 in Dorchester to Rose Luella Eden, of Dorchester, the daughter of Ernest Edward Eden & Maud Nellie Morse.

Kenneth died on March 3, 1988 in London, and is buried in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.   His obituary appeared in the London Free Press, March 5, 1988:

LOUCKS – At Parkwood Hospital on Thursday, March 3, 1988, Kenneth William Loucks, formerly of R.R. 1 Hyde Park; in his 86th year.  Predeceased by his wife Rose Luilla Eden, dear father of Gord of London; Irene (Mrs. Tony Fargnoli) of Hyde Park; Donald of London; Fred of Melbourne; and Lois (Mrs. Lester Norris) of London. Also survived by numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. Friends will be received at Evans Chapel, Furtney Funeral Home, 648 Hamilton Road, on Friday, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m; where the funeral will be held in the chapel on Saturday at 11 a.m. with Rev. Harry Wuerch of Faith Tabernacle Church officiating. Interment Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation.

 

Murray Leonard Lounsberry

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Murray Lounsberry was born on July 15, 1897 at Dunboyne in Malahide, the son of Addyman Lounsberry ( c 1861-1943) & Rebecca Jane Pressey ( c 1858-1929).  Addyman Lounsberry was born in Bayham and was the son of John & Serinda.  Jane Pressey was born in Malahide, the daughter of Phineas & Julia Ann. They were married in Malahide on May 4, 1886, and are buried in Aylmer cemetery.

Murray enlisted for service on August 14, 1915 in St. Thomas.  He was not married, and working as a farm labourer.  He was wounded in 1916, as reported in the St. Thomas Journal, November 23, 1916:

SALEM MAN AMONG WOUNDED

Mrs. A. Lounsberry Hears That Her Son, Murray, is in Casualty List

Aylmer, Nov. 23 – Mrs. Addaman Lounsberry, of Mount Salem, received word yesterday that her son, Murray, was wounded.  Somewhere in France.  He was a member of the 33rd Regiment.

While overseas, Murray was married in late 1917 in Brentford, Middlesex to Elsie J. Spackman.  A daughter, Joan was born in 1918.  Elsie and daughter Joan arrived in Canada just days before Murray, sailing from Liverpool on the ship Minnedosa arriving in Quebec on September 9, 1919. The passenger list states they are military dependants, and their destination is Springfield, Ont.

Murray returned from overseas on September 19, 1919, landing in Halifax. Following the war, Murray was a patient for two years at Queen Alexandra Sanitarium in London (Byron), suffering from tuberculosis. He died there on May 1, 1922 and is buried Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, London.

Murray’s obituary appeared in the Aylmer Express, May 11, 1922:

DEATH OF MURRAY LOUNSBERRY

Mt. Salem Man Died at Byron

The death of Murray Lounsberry, only son of Mr and Mrs A. Lounsberry, Mount Salem, took place at the Byron Sanitarium, Monday, May 1st, in his 24th year.  Mr. Lounsberry went overseas with the 33rd Battalion, being in action until the end of the war.  The funeral was held in London Wednesday at 2:30 o’clock, interment being in Mount Pleasant cemetery.  The pallbearers were companions from the sanitarium.  Deceased leaves to mourn his death, his wife, Mrs. Elsie Lounsberry, and daughters, Gwendolyn, and Marjorie; Mr and Mrs A. Lounsberry, Mount Salem; and three sisters, namely, Mrs. George McCulloch, and Mrs. Benjamin Moore, St. Thomas. The floral tributes were numerous and beautiful including the wreath from the sanitarium.

 

Leonard Lounsbury

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Leonard Lounsbury was born on March 10, 1889 at Corinth, the son of Thomas Lounsbury (1853 -1913) & Sarah Jane Marlatt (1854-1930).  Thomas was born in Houghton Township, Norfolk County, the son of Sylvester & Servilla Lounsbury, and was a farmer living in Bayham when he was married on June 4, 1874 in Tillsonburg to Jane Marlatt, also a native of Houghton living in Dereham Township, daughter of John & Jane Marlatt.  The family moved to Manitoba where they are found on the 1891 census in Marquette, and in1901 census in South Norfolk Municipality, MacDonald District.

Leonard was a farmer living with his parents at Treherne, Manitoba when he enlisted for service on July 16, 1918 in Winnipeg.

He was married in South Norfolk, Manitoba on June 28, 1924 to Hannah Rae (1886-1971). They had two children, Alexander Raymond (1924-1984), and Jean Marie (1928-2001).  Leonard died on April 10, 1950.

 

Morley Gilbert Luce

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Morley Luce was born on July 19, 1896 at Corinth, the son of Albert Edward Luce (1864-1954) & Elizabeth Ann Forbes (1863-1935). Albert was the son of Joseph & Isobel Luce, and was a farmer living in Bayham when he was married on December 30, 1886 in Brownsville to Elizabeth Forbes, also of Bayham, the daughter of James & Elizabeth Forbes.  They are buried in Straffordville cemetery.

Morley was a farmer living with his parents at Straffordville when he enlisted for service on May 27, 1918 in London.

He was a teamster living in Straffordville when he was married on May 4, 1922 in Tillsonburg to Violet G. Smith (1902-1983), also of Straffordville, the daughter of William Smith & Elizabeth Haney.

Morley died in 1982 and is buried with his wife in Straffordville cemetery.

 

Harry John Luton

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Harry Luton was born on March 27, 1899 in Plaistow, Essex, England, the son of Owen Charles Luton & Mary Jane (Jennie) Twinn, both natives of London, England.  The family is found on the 1901 census in England living at 89 Grange Road, Plaistow, West Ham, Essex.

Harry emigrated from England at the age of 14 on the ship Empress of Britain, sailing from Liverpool and arriving in Halifax on April 11, 1914.  He was in a party of “home boys” from the Fegan Home .  Harry worked at several farms in the Welland area, until he enlisted for overseas service in 1916.

Harry was living at 295 George Street, Toronto when he enlisted for service there on August 29, 1916.  He was a farmer and was not married.  He names his next of kin as his father, Owen Luton, of 114 Northlake Road, Custom House, London, England.

Harry was wounded on August 22, 1917  by shrapnel during a heavy artillery bombardment near Loos.  He was invalided back to England where he convalesced in a hospital at Buxton. He returned from overseas in April 1918, arriving in Halifax. He went back to the Hamilton area and rented a farm. Later he purchased a farm at lot 22, concession 3, Bayham Township, two miles east of Vienna.

Harry was farming at Vienna when he was married in Port Burwell on March 2, 1921 to Clara Annie Claus (1902-1960), of Vienna, the daughter of George Ryerson Claus & Armina Sherman.

Harry became ill in 1929 and was hospitalized at Westminster Hospital in London. He and his wife decided to sell the farm at Vienna, and upon his release from hospital, they moved to Aylmer. They later lived at Port Burwell and Tillsonburg.

Harry died on April 24, 1970 and is buried with Clara in St. Luke’s cemetery, Vienna. His obituary, from an undated clipping, follows:

HARRY J. LUTON

Harry J. Luton, of 331 Simcoe St., Tillsonburg, formerly of Vienna and Port Burwell, passed away at Victoria Hospital, London, on Friday, April 24, 1970, in his 72nd year.

Born in London, England, March 27, 1899, he came to Canada in 1914.  He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Port Burwell.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Clara Claus, in 1960. Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Harry (Virginia) Sampson of London; Mrs. Barbara MacDonald of Port Dover; Mrs. Jack (Bernice) Loshaw of RR 1 Port Dover; three sons, Jack Luton and Robert Luton, both of Port Dover, and George Luton of Brantford; 20 grandchildren and two great grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Florence Burford of London, Eng.; one brother, A. V. Luton of Essex, Eng.; four step-daughters.

Rested at the H. A. Ostrander and Son Funeral Home where service was held Monday, April 27 at 3:30 p.m., conducted by Rev. R. J. Berryman of St. John’s Anglican Church, Tillsonburg.  Pallbearers were Arn Hendershott, George Watson, Jerry Smith, George Beckett, Earl Smyth and Alva McQuiggan.

Legion services, under the auspices of Branch 524, the Royal Canadian Legion, Port Burwell, was held at the Funeral Home, Sunday afternoon at 2:30. Chaplain was Sid Shelley and Sergeant-at-Arms was Nate Hayward. Interment in St. Luke’s Cemetery, Vienna.

Edmund Alexander Lymburner

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Edmund Lymburner’s name appears on the cenotaph in Vienna.  He was born on September 12, 1899 at Grimsby, Lincoln County, the son of Mathias C. Lymburner & Mary Emily Vaughan.  Mathias was a native of Gainsborough Township, Lincoln County, the son of Alexander & Nancy Ann Lymburner.  He was a farmer and was married in Gainsborough on October 14, 1885 to Mary Emily Vaughan, also of Gainsborough, the daughter of Edmund & Mary Vaughan.

The family moved to Goderich between 1901 and 1911 where they were living when Edmund enlisted for service there on January 5, 1916.  He was a delivery man and was not married. 

Following the war, Edmund moved to Midland in Simcoe County where he was employed as a cooper.  He was married on December 22, 1923 in Sarnia to Lettie Evelyn Phelps, of Sarnia, but a native of Essex Centre, the daughter of Norris Phelps & Margaret Hunter.

No further information is known.

Otto Wray Lymburner

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Otto Lymburner’s name appears on the cenotaph in Vienna.  He was born on February 24, 1897 in Louth Township (Jordan Station), Lincoln County, the son of Mathias C. Lymburner & Mary Emily Vaughan.  Mathias was a native of Gainsborough Township, Lincoln County, the son of Alexander & Nancy Ann Lymburner.  He was a farmer and was married in Gainsborough on October 14, 1885 to Mary Emily Vaughan, also of Gainsborough, the daughter of Edmund & Mary Vaughan.

The family moved to Goderich between 1901 and 1911 where they were living when Otto enlisted for service there on February 7, 1916.  He was a jeweller and not married. Otto returned from overseas on June 16, 1919, arriving in Halifax.  By 1923 he was living in Tillsonburg working as a shoemaker, when he was married on November 10, 1923 in Hamilton to Elizabeth Anne Argo Moir (1900-1925), of Tillsonburg, the daughter of Alexander Argo Moir & Elizabeth Duncan.  

Otto was remarried to Kathleen Winnifred Bush (1907-1987).  Otto died on January 14, 1963 in Toronto, and is buried with his wives in Tillsonburg cemetery. His obituary appeared in the Tillsonburg News, January 17, 1963:

OTTO W. LYMBURNER

A former resident here, Otto W. Lymburner of Toronto, passed away Monday at Toronto Western Hospital in his 66th year. Deceased was a former resident of London.

Surviving are his wife, the former Kathleen Bush; one son, Edward W. Lymburner of Sarnia; two daughters, Mrs. George (Marguerite) Scott of Sarnia, and Mrs. Milton (Shirley) Fleming of Sudbury; three sisters, Mrs. Charles (Minnie) Burwell of Tillsonburg; Mrs. F. D. (Marguerite) Kyte, Sr., of RR 5 Tillsonburg; and Mrs. W. J. (Countess) Barker of Toronto; and five grandchildren.

Resting at the G. A. Barrie Funeral Home where service will be conducted in the chapel today (Thursday) at 2 p.m. by Rev. R. D. MacDonald of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. Interment will be in Tillsonburg cemetery.

 

Victor Erich Wynn Lyon

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Victor Lyon was born on March 25, 1896 in Springfield, the son of Charles P. Lyon & Jennie E. Thomas.  Charles was born in Springfield, the son of John & Mary Lyon, and was a blacksmith living in Tillsonburg when he was married on October 18, 1892 in Canfield, North Cayuga Township to Jennie E. Thomas, of North Cayuga, daughter of William & Mary Thomas.  Charles moved to Pontiac, Michigan where he died in 1929.

Victor enlisted for service on two occasions.  He was a teacher, and gave his address as Normal School, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan when he enlisted on March 24, 1916 in Winnipeg.  He names his next of kin as his mother, Mrs. Jean E. Carth, Pipestone, Minnesota.  He was discharged on May 25, 1916.  He re-enlisted on August 21, 1917 in Winnipeg while living in Mound, Minnesota.  He names his next of kin as a friend, Irene Woodruff of Mound, Minnesota.   He had served in the No. 1 Field Ambulance but was discharged because he was under age.

Victor arrived home from overseas on March 18, 1919, arriving in Halifax.  His address on the passenger list is given as Saskatchewan.

Victor moved to California about 1921 where he applied for citizenship in 1927.  He was married to Ada Dow Moody, who was formerly married to Chester Moody,  and was living in Los Angeles when his son, David Wynn Lyon, was born on October 1, 1926. On the 1930 census, Victor is living in Watertown, Massachusetts, employed as a credit manager for an oil company.