VICTORIA COUNTY’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE WAR OF THE
NATIONS
Some time ago
I blogged on a soldier in the 3rd Battalion for which I possessed a
medal grouping, who came from the Town of Fenelon Falls, As we had a summer
home outside of Omemee, I became acquainted with the names on the Omemee
Cenotaph which led me to the Halifax Memorial and an aboriginal soldier who
perished in the Halifax Explosion (Adam Sandy). I have added to and embellished the list provided in the book County of Victoria Centennial History Watson Kirkconnell, 1921, 1967 (Revised), Lindsay.
Canada, as part of the British Empire, became
involved August 4, 1914. A First Contingent of 33,000 men was mobilized at
Valcartier, near Quebec, and sailed for England on the 3rd of October. This
prompt achievement was chiefly due to the personal energy of the Minister of
Militia, Sir Sam Hughes, Of Lindsay.
With the First Contingent went a detachment
of 75 men from Victoria County under Lieut. Col. F.H. Hopkins, Lieut. Walter
Kirkconnell, Lieut. W.W. Wilson, and Lieut. George Weeks.
The Second and subsequent Canadian
Contingents did not cross to England intact. The volunteer system was practiced
until June, 1917, and yielded 450,000 enlistments. The government then enforced
conscription and secured 100,000 more recruits.
The chief contributions of Victoria County
after the First Contingent had left were to the 21st, 39th, 109th, and 252nd
Battalions. “F” Company of the 21st Battalion, (Second Contingent)
contained 110 local men. The 39th Battalion had a somewhat smaller number. The
109th Battalion, commanded by Lt. Col. J.J.H. Fee, was actually mobilized in
Lindsay and reached a strength of 1050 in the spring of 1916. The 252nd
Battalion, under Lt. Col. J.J. Glass, was not so successful, for it was
organized in the lean days when voluntary enlistment was petering out. Many
other Victoria County boys enlisted in units elsewhere so that the rolls of the
local units would not be at all representative. An authoritative list of all
who enlisted from this county could easily be compiled but would violate the
proportions of a brief history of this sort.
VICTORIA COUNTY SOLDIERS DEAD
It has been thought wise, however, to include
the following list of over 200 heroes from this county who gave their lives for the
cause of righteousness. The basis of this record is a list which I have
prepared from the official files of the Patriotic Fund, which included all
cases where the soldier had designated Victoria County as the home of his
next-of-kin. To this definite nucleus I have added many names, gleaned from
miscellaneous sources, of those who once claimed this county as their home but
had been transplanted elsewhere prior to enlistment. The list is as
follows:
Adam, Charles, 434640, Cpl., 50th
Bn.,19/11/1016, Lindsay?
Aldous,Thomas G., #725507,Pte.,38th
Bn., 09/04/1917,Fenelon Falls.
Alldred, Wilbert P., #725527, 38th
L/Cpl., 27/03/1918, Bobcaygeon.
Allen, John, #724001, RSM, 124th
Bn., 09/08/1918, Lindsay.
Allin, Elton Culbert, Lt., 44th
Bn., 203rd Bn.,09/05/1917, Lindsay.
Alton, William Richard,#3036781,Pte.,1st
E.O.R.,25/08/1918,Victoria Road.
Arscott, Thomas Albert, #724687, Pte., 20th
Bn.,09/04/1917, Bobcaygeon.
Akister, George W., #427822, Pte., 28th
Bn., 15/09/1916, Fenelon Falls.
Anderson, William Kay, Lt., RFC, 07/01/1918, Lindsay.
Andrews, Harry William, #724700, Private, 20th
Bn.,09/08/1917,Lindsay.
Angiers, Patrick Herbert, #726136,Private,38th
Bn., 21/07/1918, Coboconk.
Arnold, Oliver Samuel, #104111, Private,116th
Bn.,22/08/1917,Mariposa Tp.
Bailey, Joseph Panet(M.M.), #145742, Lt., 38th
Bn., 02/09/1918, Lindsay.
Bailey, William Edward, #725612, Pte., 20th
Bn.,13/08/1918, Bexley.
Barge, Alfred Arthur, #455260, Private, 2nd
Bn., 27/09/1918, Mariposa Tp.
Barjarow, Tracy E., #724520, 18, Pte., 38th
Bn., 09/04/1917, Coboconk.
Barjarow, Stanley E., #724519, 19, Pte., 38th
Bn.,27/06/1917, Coboconk.
Bateman, Russell Albert, #139522,Pte., 3rd
Bn., 06/11/1917, Kirkfield.
Beecroft, Harvey T., #475768, Lt.,7th
Coy.CMGC,08/10/1916, Fenelon Falls.
Bester, Robert, #724532, 20th Bn.,
Pte., 26/12/1917, Omemee.
Bird, Benjamin, #100993, Pte., 49th
Bn., 15/09/1916, Haliburton.
Bishop, Arthur, #636302, Pte., 2nd
Bn., 03/05/1917, Haliburton.
Bole, Clarence H.,#3059962, Pte., 6th(Reserve)
Bn.,14/10/1918, Woodville.
Boucher, William David, #745335, Pte., 2nd
Bn., 04/05/1917, Mariposa Tp.
Boyd, Thornton B., #475786, Pte., P.P.C.L.I.,
05/06/1916, Bobcaygeon.
Brady, Thomas Edward, #59090, Pte., 34th
Coy., CFC, 08/10/1918, Lindsay.
Brimmell, Albert M.,#540316, Pte.,C.C.Cylist,
04/09/1917, Little Britain.
Brooks, Edwin Arthur, #57984, Pte., 20th
Bn., 15/09/1916, Bobcaygeon.
Brown, Harry W., #226353, Pte., 10thBn.,VICTORIA
CROSS,17/08/1917 Omemee.
Budd, James John, #726089, Pte., 20th
Bn., 11/11/1917, Burnt River.
Byng, George, #59126, Pte., 21st
Bn., 12/10/1918, Bobcaygeon.
Cameron, Alexander, #800131, Pte., 15th
Bn., 16/08/1917, Lindsay.
Campbell, Alexander, #895492, L/Cpl., 50th
Bn., 27/09/1918, Cameron.
Campbell, John, #724729, Cpl., No CWGC
record, Woodville.
Campbell, William Ross, #724664, Pte., 20th
Bn.,08/05/1917, Argyle.
Campbell, Russell A.,#502, Spr.,6th
Field Coy.,CE.,15/11/1915, Kirkfield.
Carew, Robert, #1087011, Pte., 15th
Bn., 06/11/1917, Burnt River.
Carnochan, William, #1087289, Pte., 21st
Bn., 13/05/1918, Haliburton.
Chambers, Allister, #2129026, Pte., 8th
Bn., 02/10/1918, Cambray.
Castle, George John, #724679, Pte., 124th
Bn
Clare, Stephen Joseph, #487651, Pte., No CWGC
record, Mariposa Tp.
Copp, Charles, Pte., Unknown, Mariposa Tp.
Cornforth, Sydney Charles, #477197, Sgt.,RCR,
11/04/1917, Lindsay.
Cotey, Earle, #454608, Pte., 38th
Bn., 02/03/1917, Lindsay.
Cragg, Russell Alexander, #109282, Pte., 4th
CMR, 02/06/1916, Lindsay.
Crarey, Russell, #3057627, Pte., 21st
Bn., 11/10/1918, Kirkfield.
Cundal, William J., #21225, Cpl., 4th
Bn., 09/07/1916, Cameron.
Cunnings, William James, Pte., #907468, 5th
Bn., 28/04/1917, Oakwood.
Curry, Albert George, #726005,
Curry, Andrew James, #726004,
Curry, Frederick, Capt., 2nd Bn.,
Curry, Russell Samuel, #726092, Pte., 20th
Bn., 09/08/1917, Haliburton.
Curtin, Patrick, Pte., #447907, 50th
Bn., 01/11/1916, Lindsay.
Cuthbert, Samuel, Pte., #724740, Canadian
Pioneers,18/10/1917, Lindsay.
Dark, Percy Stoate, Pte., #59235, 18, 21st
Bn., 12/06/1916, Lindsay.
Dawson, Alfred Simmonds, #3031460, Pte., 20th
Bn., 10/11/1918, Kinmount.
Dawson, Hector, Pte., #412796, 14th
Bn., 22/10/1915, Kinmount.
Day, Richard James, #454221, 47, Pte., 2nd
Bn., 09/09/1916, Norland.
Daynes, Duncan Morrison, #412700, Pte.,13th
Bn.,13/06/1916, Eldon Stn.
Denison, Francis Turquand, Pte., #624551,27th
Bn.,27/08/1917, Eldon Stn.
Donaldson, Robert J., #725569, Pte., 20th
Bn., 10/11/1917, Fenelon Falls.
Elliott, Walter Waldron, #412456, L/Sgt., 25th
Bn., 30/09/1916, Lindsay.
Faulkner, Roy, #4020572, Pte., 2nd
Bn., 31/08/1918, Coboconk.
Ferguson, James W., #1087029, L/Cpl, 21st
Bn., 27/08/1918, Valentia.
Fitzgerald,John James, #724248, Pte., 124th
Bn., 14/12/1916, Head Lake.
Fortier, Nelson, #412978, Pte., 13th
Bn., 27/10/1917, Lindsay.
Foster, John, Pte., Infantry, No Record, Mariposa
Tp.
Freeman, Benjamin, #745309, Pte.,3rd
Bn., 05/11/1917, Mariposa Tp.
Fry, Henry, Pte., Infantry, Mariposa Tp.
Garbutt, Sarah Ellen, Nursing Sister, C.A.N.S.,
20/08/1917, Lindsay.
Gifford, Victor R.,#5094, Driver, 1st
Field Coy.,C.E.,07/09/1916 Lindsay.
Gillies, Hector, #782190, Pte., 46th
Bn.,26/08/1918, Lindsay.
Gosselin,Alphonse,#3056618,Pte.,E.O.R.6th
Res.Bn.,08/10/1918 Downeyville.
Gray, John Wilford, #887042, 14th
Bn.,Pte., 04/03/1917, Lindsay.
Gregory, Richard, #726015, Pte., 21st
Bn., 29/11/1916, Haliburton.
Grinstead, William George, #8716, Manchester
Rgt.,29/10/1914, Valencia.
Groves, Robert, #724293, Pioneer, 124th
Bn., 25/12/1917, Burnt River.
Goldie, Eric James (Grace), #2303,3rd
Bn.,London Rgt.,28/11/1915 Lindsay.
Glendenning, Stanley, Cdt, 1AG Sqn Royal Air
Force,17/07/1918,Sunderland.
Gallagher, W. N., Lieut., Infantry, No CWGC
record, Omemee.
Hall, Arnold Rossiter, #512313, Pte.,C.E., 07/09/1918,Lindsay.
Hall, Geo. Carlton, #725217, Pte., 38th
Bn.,28/06/1917, Cambray.
Halliday, Adam Sydney, #3059715, Pte.,
E.O.R., 22/10/1919, Fenelon Falls.
Hancock, Armour Ellington, #454174, Pte.,459th
Coy., 20/11/1918, Lindsay.
Harper, William, #724580, Sergeant,124th
Pioneer Bn.,28/03/1918, Lindsay.
Hartwick, Herbert,#26662, Spr, 5th Bn. CRT,
11/01/1919, Lindsay.
Hill, Joseph Leslie, #455255, 21st
Bn., Pte.,30/09/1916, Bobcaygeon.
Hill, William Albert, #725555, Pte., 21st
Bn.,03/11/1917, Bobcaygeon.
Holliday, Herbert A., #310621, Gunner, 9th
Br.CFA, 25/07/1916, Coboconk.
Hopkins, Fred Holmes, Lieut.-Col., 17th
Bn., 30/01/1916, Lindsay.
Horton, Thomas, #1100006, Pte., CFC, 15/05/1917,
Kinmount.
Howe, John. C., #724601, Pte., 20th
Bn., 15/08/1917, Lindsay.
Howe, Joseph, #724036, Pte., 2nd
Bn., 09/08/1918, Haliburton.
Hughes, Wesley, #724057, Pte.,38th
Bn.,27/06/1917, Burnt River.
Irwin, Norman, #166352, Cpl.,2nd
Cdn Pioneer Bn., 22/10/1918, Lindsay.
Jackson, Charles Edward, #724726, Private, No
CWGC record, Lindsay.
Jackson, Reginald. G., #724755, 38th,
Bn., 11/08/1917, Private, Lindsay.
Jeffers, Frank Alfred, Pte., Infantry, NO
RECORD, Little Britain.
Johnston, John Arthur, #724685, L/Cpl., 21st.Bn.,15/08/1917,
Bobcaygeon.
Johnson, Reginald, Pte., Infantry, No CWGC
record, Lindsay.
Johnson, Martin, Pte., Infantry, No CWGC
record, Fenelon Falls.
Johnston, Willard, #799144, Pte.,15th
Bn.,25/08/1917, Lindsay.
Johnston, William Russell, #201200, Pte., 3rd
Bn., 05/05/1917, Lindsay.
Junkin, Irvine, #3056342, Pte., 2nd
Bn., 27/09/1918, Bobcaygeon.
Junkin, Percy John, #725589, Pte., 21st
Bn., 20/11/1916, Bobcaygeon.
Kent, William Gordon, #1027027, Pte., 75th
Bn.,28/10/1918, Lindsay.
King, Henry William, #724682,Pte.,124th
Pioneer Bn.,08/11/1917 Head Lake.
Kinghorn, John, #669238, Pte., 3rd
Bn., 08/10/1916, Woodville.
Kirkconnell, Walter Allison, Lt.,14th
Bn., 08/08/1918, Lindsay.
Kylie, Edward J., Captain, 147th
Bn., 04/05/1916, Lindsay.
Kirton, Albert Edward, #157614, Gunner, CFA,
03/09/1918, Mariposa Tp.
Kirton, William, #745403, Pte., 2nd
Bn., 21/03/1918, Mariposa Tp.
Knowlson, Henry Athan, #2765189, Pte., No
CWGC record, Lindsay.
Lanning, Percy,H. #59565, Pte., 21st
Bn., 27/11/1915, Mariposa, Tp.
Leach, Albert Kenneth, #724246, Pte., 21st.
Bn.,07/05/1918, Lindsay.
LeBel, Joseph Francis, #412780, Pte., 20th Bn.,17/11/1915, Lindsay.
LeBel, Joseph Francis, #412780, Pte., 20th Bn.,17/11/1915, Lindsay.
Lee, George Herbert, #724122, Pte., 21st
Bn., 10/04/1917, Woodville.
Lee, William George,,#724138, Pte., 21st
Bn., 17/01/1917, Woodville.
Lennie, Lewis Frederick, #412703, CASC
Amm.Sub Park, 14/07/1916, Lindsay.
Liscombe, Edward R., #724160, Pte., 21st
Bn., 15/08/1917, Coboconk.
Logan, George, #724255, Pte., 21st
Bn., 09/04/1917, Haliburton.
Lyle, Wilbert Merle, #725587, Gunner,6th
Bde.CFA, 22/12/1917, Bobcaygeon.
Lyon, Edwin Percy, #461230, Pte., 44th
Bn., 16/02/1917, Little Britain.
Lynwood, William John (Linwood), No CWGC
record
Mark, Robert Henry, #724272, Pte., 38th
Bn., 03/11/1917, Cameron.
Matthews, Alfred Joseph, Captain, 27th
Bn., 26/02/1916, Lindsay.
Metcalfe, Charles N., #724183, Pte.,2ndBn
CMGC,15/08/1918, Fenelon Falls.
Miller, Charles Albert, #7762, Pte., 2nd
Bn., 05/06/1915, Lindsay.
Miller, Joseph John, #2304413, Pte.,
P.P.C.L.I., 19/08/1918, Kinmount.
Mills, Frederick Howard, #116146, Sgt., 2nd
CMR, 08/08/1918, Argyle.
Mitchell Douglas Gordon,MM, #8627, Sgt.,2nd
Bn.,11/04/1917, Lindsay.
Mitchell, Thomas Henry, #3060570,Pte.,E.O.R.,
11/07/1918, Little Britain.
Morrison, William James, #724239, Pte., 20th
Bn.,14/05/1917, Lindsay.
Murray, Albert, #412787, Pte., 14th
Bn., 15/10/1915, Valentia.
Murtha, James, #183989, Pte., 31st
Bn., 27/09/1916, Lindsay.
McDonald, Alexander,
McDonald, Kenneth,
McDonnell, Edward, #402903, Pte., 13th
Bn., 27/09/1918, Lindsay
McDougall, Russell Hugh, #725536,109th
Bn.,No CWGC record, Fenelon Falls.
McEachern, Malcolm, #725598, Pte, 21st
Bn., 17/01/1917, Woodville.
McFadyen, Henry Lorne,DCM, #730710, Pte., 18th
Bn., 10/11/1917, Cambray.
McGann, Joseph Patrick, #724562, L/Cpl.,44th
Bn.,09/09/1917, Downieville.
McGill, Ivan Elmer, #59718, Pte., 21st
Bn., 08/04/1916, Lindsay.
McGinnis, Sidney, #725078, Pte., 20th
Bn., 03/06/1918, Lindsay.
McGuire, James Patrick, #59723, 21st
Bn., 26/08/1918, Kinmount.
McInnis, D., No CWGC record.
McInnis, Charles Howard,MM,#724261,L/Cpl.,21st
Bn.,11/10/1918,Lorneville
McKay, Robert,, No CWGC record.
McMurray, George, #724589, Pte., 38th
Bn., 09/04/1917, Lorneville.
McMillan, William Duncan,
#410837, Pte., 38th Bn., 27/03/1918, Lindsay.
McNutt, Wm. Geo. Stanley,#464603, Pte., 54th
Bn., 25/10/1916, Bobcaygeon.
Naismith, James, #410158, Pte., 38th
Bn., No CWGC record.
Naylor, John Denby, #725568, Pte., 20th
Bn., 10/05/1917, Cameron.
Newell, Alfred Charles, No CWGC record.
Northey, Melville, #725567, Pte., 21st.
Bn., 09/11/1917, Bobcaygeon.
Owens, Hillary Pomery, #745452, Pte., 3rd
Bn., 19/08/1917, Woodville.
Oxby, William Edward, #853763, Pte., 19th
Bn., 28/08/1918, Dalton.
Padden, Herbert, No CWGC record.
Parkes, Cleveland Adair, #725077, Pte., 38th
Bn., 09/04/1917, Lindsay.
Parkin, Whyt Burnett, #141515, Pte., 24th
Bn., 06/11/1917, Lindsay.
Parks, Alvin Morse, #454075, Pte., R.C.R.,
08/10/1916, Lindsay?
Patton, Neil Smith, #724125, Pte., 75th
Bn., 30/09/1918, Lindsay.
Peters, William Claude, #814787, Pte., 19th
Bn., 25/03/1917, Lindsay?
Poast, Roy Irvine, #475311, Pte., P.P.C.L.I.,
18/07/1916, Omemee.
Pollitt, George, #725015, Pte., 38th
Bn., 09/04/1917, Omemee.
Reeves, Robert, #724049, Pte., 20th
Bn., 08/08/1918, Lindsay?
Robinson, William Morris, #410606, 38th
Bn., 08/11/1917, Lindsay?
Rogers, Garfield Redman, Lt.,11th
Bde., CFA, 21/04/1917, Oakwood.
Rushton, William Stanley, #760688, Pte., 7th
Bn., 15/08/1917, Kirkfield.
Russell, Victor, #745169, Pte., 19th
Bn., 08/08/1918, Oakwood.
Ryall, George, #725050, Pte., 20th
Bn., 27/11/1917, Little Britain.
Rooke, Edwin Martin, #304309, Sgt., 2nd
Bde., CFA, 13/06/1916, Lindsay?
Sandiland, James Thomas, #454184, L/Cpl.,26th
Bn., 17/09/1916, Kirkfield.
Saville, George, #412867, Pte., 13th
Bn., 17/11/1915, Oakwood.
Scott, Alexander McKay, Lt., 21st
Bn., 11/10/1918, Gelert.
Scott, Walter Henry, #145284, Sgt., 38th
Bn., 19/11/1916, Lindsay.
Scott, John Ernest, #725130, Pte., 2nd
Bn., 18/08/1917, Little Britain.
Selby, Thomas Ralph, #725546, Pte., 21st
Bn., 09/05/1917, Bobcaygeon.
Shankland, John Wilfred, #725524, Pte.,20th
Bn.,09/11/1917,Fenelon Falls.
Shaw, William Leslie, #409307, Pte., 31st
Bn., 06/11/1917, Lindsay.
Shea, James Edward, #80228, Pte., 38th
Bn., 24/08/1915, Lindsay.
Silverthorn, Howard Wesley, #725609, Pte., 21st
Bn.,01/05/1917, Bolsover.
Smith, Edward, #724705, Pte., 109th
Alberta Regt., 17/10/1917, Lindsay.
Stewart,Robert, Unknown.
Stinson, Charles Howard, #725549, Pte.,21st
Bn.,09/05/1917,Fenelon Falls.
Stinson, William Norman, #2692622, Pte.,2nd
Bn.,CGR, 05/11/1918, Lindsay.
Sumner, John Cooper, #724075, Pte., 20th
Bn., 09/04/1917, Seagrave.
Swardfager, Frederick, #111591, Pte., 4th
CMR, 02/06/1916, Lindsay.
Sutcliffe, Charles Elliott, Major, 77th
Bn., 06/06/1917, Lindsay.
Swayze, David Alexander, #74321, Cdt., RFC,
06/10/1917, Lindsay.
Swayze, William Keith, Lt., RFC, 26/02/1920,
Lindsay.
Taggart, Gordon, #725559, Pte., 21st
Bn., 27/12/1917, Fenelon Falls.
Tamlin, Melville Edgar,, #3059964, 6th
Reserve Bn., 24/10/1918, Cambray.
Taylor, William Edward, #3060923, 1st
Bn, EOR, 27/10/1918, Victoria Road.
Tough, Archable Russell, #724575, Pte., 20th
Bn., 09/04/1917, Kirkfield.
Trevor, Foster, #412999, Pte., 20th
Bn., 15/09/1916, Lindsay.
Trevor, Ralph, #454318, Pte., 24th
Bn., 17/09/1917, Lindsay.
Trott, Joseph, #724050, Pte., 20th
Bn., 14/04/1917, Lindsay.
Tripp, James Albert, #725600, Pte., 21st
Bn., 09/05/1917, Bobcaygeon.
Truax, Charles Roy, #3059739,Pte.,6th
Reserve Bn.,30/10/1918, Coboconk.
Truax, Peter, #348028, Dvr, CFA, 8th
Brigade, 21/05/1918, Coboconk.
Vickery, Orville Wilson, L.-Cpl.,#725058, 20th
Bn.,28/08/1918, Lindsay.
Valentine, William, #724131, Pte., 38th
Bn., 26/03/1917, Miner’s Bay.
Watson, Thomas M., Pte., #724055, 20th
Bn., 08/04/1917, Mariposa Tp.
Watt, Donald, #811931, Pte., 8th
Bn.,08/08/1918, Haliburton.
Weeks, Clarence G., Lieut., MC, #724021, 75th
Bn., 22/08/1918, Lindsay.
Wheeler, Charles, Pte., #453150, 2nd
Bn., MG, 03/06/1916, Lindsay.
Whetter, Fred Freeman, Pte., #745500,166th
Bn., 01/07/1917, Woodville.
White, Joseph, Sergeant, #725123, 44th
Bn.,28/09/1918, Lindsay.
Whitney, Joseph W., Pte., #1097051, 21st
Bn., 12/08/1918, Burnt River.
Williams, Arthur James, Major, RCR,
15/08/1916, Lindsay.
Wilson, Robert T., Pte., #745220, 18th
Bn., 05/01/1917, Mariposa Tp.
Winchester, John, Pte.,#424257, 21st
Bn., 15/08/1917, Lindsay.
Wright, James M., Sapper, #754977, 13th
CLR, 30/01/1918, Bobcaygeon.
Wilson, Bruce, Flight Commander, Royal Air
Force, 01/11/1918, Lindsay.
Wilson, William Webster., Capt., Cdn Signal
Corps,09/10/1916, Lindsay.
SOME UNOFFICIAL OBSERVATIONS
Almost 50% of these men were original 109th Battalion enlistees. I found a disaportionate number of these men were of Scottish heritage. Probably no surprise since Much of Victoria County, especially the western areas was settled by Scots. The occupation of the lost soldiers was by far, listed as "farmer' followed by "lumberman". Although I did not keep written track of the ages, the average age would have been certainly in the early twenties. From previous research, there were a number of under age soldiers - most of the youngest were held back and added to the roster of the 252nd Battalion. However a large number of 18 years olds from the 109th Battalion made it to the trenches. This list is by no means considered final. The remaining names for which no information could be found or are indeterminate can be may mean the names have been mispelled at source, they served in British Forces, their deaths came after the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cut-off in 1921 or any number of other reasons. I would certainly appreciate hearing about any errors and/or ommissions.
SOME UNOFFICIAL OBSERVATIONS
Almost 50% of these men were original 109th Battalion enlistees. I found a disaportionate number of these men were of Scottish heritage. Probably no surprise since Much of Victoria County, especially the western areas was settled by Scots. The occupation of the lost soldiers was by far, listed as "farmer' followed by "lumberman". Although I did not keep written track of the ages, the average age would have been certainly in the early twenties. From previous research, there were a number of under age soldiers - most of the youngest were held back and added to the roster of the 252nd Battalion. However a large number of 18 years olds from the 109th Battalion made it to the trenches. This list is by no means considered final. The remaining names for which no information could be found or are indeterminate can be may mean the names have been mispelled at source, they served in British Forces, their deaths came after the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cut-off in 1921 or any number of other reasons. I would certainly appreciate hearing about any errors and/or ommissions.
3 comments:
I am interested in 1st Div. 1st Brigate 3rd Regiment or Battalion and 4th.Battalion~ regimental diaries in particular 1st Div. Engineers and who they were attached to, example 3rd ( Toronto Regiment) Battalion were made up, so I believe, of 10th Royal Grenadiers; 48th Highlanders; 2nd. Regiment, Queen's Own & Governor General's Bodyguard ~ also interested in 5th Coy of this Battalion. It is very confusing how these units were formed as well as what they actually did during the WWI ~ such as infantry, artilery, postal system & other functions. Of particular interest is Reg./Service no. 9698 W.E.Marley ( Grandfather of D.L.Hedger) who was assigned to 1st div. Engineers ( because of Service in Boer War with Royal Engineers ( Great Britain) also Reg./Service no.642682 William George Hedger ( distant cousin of D.L.Hedger) ~ service no. indicates 4th battalion 1st Brigade however Attestation Paper indicates "157th O.S. Bn., C.E.F. ~ trouble finding who the 157th battalion was attached to however William George Hedger was a mechanic at Collingwood Ship Yards and as such was in Artillery, attached to what regimen?. Lot to the puzzle here I guess I would like to see the diaries of these battle units ~ where do we find these??
Hi Don
You have asked a number of questions. I will be most happy to try to answer some of them. However as I am a snowbird, away until the end of March meaning I have restricted resources with me. Yes it can be confusing. Some of us however have been studying the makeup and men of the CEF for a number of years and are quite happy to assist others.
Cheers
Bob
Still looking for any info on W.E. Marley #9698 & 1st Div. (engineers) C.E.F.
Post a Comment