World War I Fallen: E-H

Albert Eberly was born in Parkhill, Ontario, on January 24, 1895, the first child of Elizabeth Melinda “Minnie” Eberly. Twenty-nine-year-old “Minnie” (born December 1870 in Parkhill, Middlesex County) married Irishman Charles Cathers (born February 1851, immigrated to Canada in 1861), on April 7, 1899. Charles was a farmer in Middlesex County, and later Lambton County East, in Bosanquet. “Minnie” and Charles had five children together (step-siblings for Albert Eberly): Lucy Ida Ellen (born October 3, 1896); Annie (born August 11, 1898); Bessie (born June 9, 1900); Ettie Beetress (born October 31, 1902); and John James Cathers (born October 29, 1905). In 1911, the Cathers family were residing in Lambton East. At some point later, “Minnie” was residing at 175 South Christina Street, Sarnia.

As the war dragged on in Europe, with the Canadian troops thinning at an alarming rate, and no end to the war in sight, the government instituted the Military Service Act (MSA) in July 1917. Twenty-two-year-old Albert Eberly was drafted under the Military Service Act of 1917, Class One. He underwent his medical examination in Sarnia on October 11, 1917.

He was called to service on January 9, 1918, and reported to the 1st Depot Battalion, Western Ontario Regiment in London where he filled out his personal information. Albert stood five feet five-and-a-half inches tall, had brown eyes and dark hair, was single, and was residing with his mother in Sarnia at the time. He recorded his trade or calling as traction engineer, and his next-of-kin as his mother, Minnie Eberly Cathers, of 275 South Christina Street. Albert also recorded that he had two years of prior military service with the 136th Regiment, Edmonton Militia.

Albert embarked overseas for the United Kingdom on February 4, 1918, aboard S.S. Grampian.

After arriving in England on February 16, 1918, he became a member of the 4th Canadian Reserve Battalion, stationed at Bramshott. Three-and-a-half months later, on June 1, 1918, he arrived in France as a member of the Canadian Infantry, 47th Battalion, initially stationed at the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp (CCRC). Two-and- a-half months later, in mid-August 1918, he arrived at the front lines with the 47th Battalion as a private.

Approximately 125,000 men were conscripted into the CEF, and only 48,000 were sent overseas. The first conscripts went to France in April 1918. That summer, thousands more of them, mostly infantry, were funnelled across the English Channel to Canadian Corps reinforcement camps in France. Only about 24,000 Canadian MSA conscripts reached the Western Front lines. They helped keep the ranks of the ragged infantry battalions at or near full strength during the crucial final months of the war, thus allowing the Canadian Corps to continue fighting in a series of battles.

The Hundred Days Campaign (August 8 – November 11, 1918, in France and Belgium) was the “beginning of the end” of the Great War. Canadians were called on again and again over the three-month period to lead the offensives against the toughest German defences. The series of victories repeatedly drove the Germans back, culminating in Germany’s unconditional surrender on November 11, but it came at a high price: approximately 46,000 Canadians were killed, wounded, or missing.

The first offensive in the Campaign was the Battle of Amiens in France (August 8-14, 1918), a truly all-arms battle, one in which all four Canadian divisions were involved. Over the course of one week, in a battle that British Field Marshal Douglas Haig called “the finest operation of the war”, the Canadians would advance nearly 14 kms.

The second offensive in Canada’s Hundred Days Campaign was the Battle of Arras and Breaking the DQ Line in France (August 26-September 3, 1918), where Canadians were part of a spearhead force tasked with crashing one of the most heavily fortified positions, the Hindenburg Line—a series of strong defensive trenches and fortified villages. General Sir Julian Byng called the Canadian victory at the 2nd Battle of Arras and breaking of the DQ Line “the turning point of the campaign”, but it came at a cost of 11,400 Canadian casualties.

Only weeks after arriving at the Front, on September 2, 1918, Albert Eberly was severely wounded in action while fighting in the 2nd Battle of Arras. During an advance, he received shell wounds in the back and left thigh and was taken to No. 42 Casualty Clearing Station. He passed away as a result of his wounds the next day, on September 3, 1918.

In mid-September 1918, Minnie Eberly in Sarnia received the following telegram about her son: PTE ALBERT EDWARD EBERLY INFANTRY HAS DIED OF WOUNDS AT 42ND CLEARING STATION SEPTEMBER 4TH WITH GUNSHOT WOUND IN BACK AND LEFT THIGH.His Circumstances of Death Register records the following: Date of Casualty: 3-9-18. “DIED OF WOUNDS”. During an advance on the Arras Front September 2nd, 1918, he was severely wounded in the back and left thigh by an enemy shell. He was attended to and evacuated to No. 42 Casualty Clearing Station where he died from the effect of his wounds the following day. Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, 8 ½ miles North West of Arras, France.

In October 1918, Minnie received another telegram, this one informing her that the date Albert’s death was September 3rd, 1918. Approximately two months after Albert Eberly’s death, the Great War ended.

Albert Eberly, 23, is buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas de Calais, France, Grave IV.E.66.

Source: The Sarnia War Remembrance Project by Tom Slater

Editors: Tom St. Amand and Lou Giancarlo

William Eddy was born in Sarnia, on October 25, 1885, the only son of Walter Roach and Mary (nee Kyle) Eddy. Walter Eddy (born March 1861 in Lanlivery, Cornwall, England) had emigrated from England to Canada in 1880, and ended up working as a labourer in Sarnia. It was here that he met Mary Kyle (born April 15, 1864 in Scotland), who had immigrated to Canada in 1866. Walter and Mary were married in Sarnia on July 2, 1885, and were blessed with three children together: a son, William Peter, and two daughters—Margaret Elizabeth Ethel (born December 20,1887) and Elleda Mary (born December 22, 1890). The Eddy family resided on Christina Street, and later at 330 South Vidal Street, Sarnia.

William Eddy’s first military experience was at the age of 29 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. From June 1 through early-August 1915, William served as a lieutenant with the 61st Battalion in Winnipeg. He resigned from the unit on August 7, 1915 (he did not proceed overseas with the 61st). Three months later, on November 15, 1915, 30-year-old William Eddy completed his Officers’ Declaration Paper, Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force with the 90th Overseas Battalion, Winnipeg Regiment. He was assigned the rank of lieutenant. At the time, he was residing at 214 Donald Street, Winnipeg, was employed as an engineer, and was a member of the 90th Regiment Winnipeg Rifles Militia. He also recorded that he had served for two months with the 61st Overseas Battalion. William Eddy served with the 90th Battalion in Winnipeg from November 15, 1915 until May 26, 1916.

On June 16, 1916, 30-year-old William Eddy completed his Attestation Paper for the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force in London, Ontario. He stood five feet eight-and-three-quarter inches tall, had brown eyes and dark brown hair, was single, and was residing with his parents in Sarnia at the time. He recorded his trade or calling as engineer and his next-of-kin as his mother, Mrs. Mary Eddy of 330 South Vidal Street, Sarnia. He also recorded that he was a Prov. Lieutenant with the 90th Regiment Winnipeg, and that he had served six months with the 90th Regiment Winnipeg. William became a member of the 63rd Depot Battery, and in mid-August 1916 was transferred to the 55th Battery, 14th Howitzer Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery. He would revert to the rank of gunner in the artillery in order to serve his country in the field. 

William Eddy embarked overseas for the United Kingdom on September 12, 1916, aboard S.S. Metagama. Disembarking in England on September 22, 1916, he was initially attached to the 2nd Canadian Command Depot (CCD) in Bramshott. Four months later, on January 22, 1917, William was transferred to the 13th Canadian Brigade at Camp Witley.

On March 21, 1917, while exercising horses while on drill at Witley Camp in England, William met with an accident when he was thrown from a bucking horse, and was kicked while on the ground. He was admitted to Bramshott Hospital with a diagnosed fractured right arm. In May 1917, William sent a letter home to his parents on Vidal Street, from Bramshott Camp, England. The following is a portion of that letter:

My Dear Parents,

I am sure you must be thinking something has happened to me and indeed it has but I am now recovering, although slowly. I have not been to France, but when we were at Salisbury Plains for firing practice I had the misfortune to get thrown from a runaway horse, breaking both arms. The left arm is nearly alright. I am writing with it – but my right arm is still pretty sore and it will be some time yet before I am fit for service. I am now at the Canadian Military Hospital at Bramshott… Well, how are you all at home anyway, well I hope. I get the papers you send and am glad everything goes well at home. I hope it will not be many months now before I am with you again….                                                                                       Your loving son, Will

William continued his recovery from a fractured right shoulder at Princess Patricia Canadian Red Cross Special Hospital, Ramsgate, Kent from May 11, 1917 until August 17, 1917. In September 1917, William Eddy was stationed at the Canadian Artillery Reinforcement Depot (CARD) at Camp Witley.

Bad luck seemed to follow Eddy in France. Two months later, on November 2, 1917, Gunner William Eddy arrived in France with the 3rd Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery (CFA). By November 11, 1917, William was with the 3rd Brigade at the front lines. On November 29, 1917, he was admitted to No. 22 Casualty Clearing Station with diphtheria, where he would recover after 12 days. Almost three months later, on February 20, 1918, he was admitted to No. 6 Casualty Clearing Station with trench fever. He would be moved through several locations during his recovery, including No. 18 (USA) General Hospital at Camiers; No. 6 Convalescent Depots (CD) Etaples; and No. 5 CD Cayeux. He was discharged back to the front lines on April 5, 1918. William then returned to his unit, the 3rd Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery.

Four months later, he was taking part in the Hundred Days Campaign (August 8 – November 11, 1918, in France and Belgium)—the “beginning of the end” of the Great War. Canadians were called on again and again over the three-month period to lead the offensives against the toughest German defences. The series of victories repeatedly drove the Germans back, culminating in Germany’s unconditional surrender on November 11, but it came at a high price: approximately 46,000 Canadians were killed, wounded, or missing.

The first offensive in the Campaign was the Battle of Amiens in France (August 8-14, 1918), a truly all-arms battle, one in which all four Canadian divisions were involved. Over the course of one week, in a battle that British Field Marshal Douglas Haig called “the finest operation of the war”, the Canadians would advance nearly 14 kms.

The second offensive in Canada’s Hundred Days Campaign was the Battle of Arras and Breaking the DQ Line in France (August 26-September 3, 1918), where Canadians were part of a spearhead force tasked with crashing one of the most heavily fortified positions, the Hindenburg Line—a series of strong defensive trenches and fortified villages. General Sir Julian Byng called the Canadian victory at the 2nd Battle of Arras and breaking of the DQ Line “the turning point of the campaign”, but it came at a cost of 11,400 Canadian casualties.

Approximately five months after being discharged from hospital, on September 2, 1918, William Eddy lost his life while fighting during the 2nd Battle of Arras. He was carrying out his artillery duties when an enemy shell exploded near his gun, killing him instantly.

In October 1918, William’s mother, Mary, received the following letter at her Sarnia home about her only son:

11th Battery C.F.A.

September 8th, 1918

Dear Mrs. Eddy,

It is with deep regret that I have to inform you of the death in action of your son, 333930, Gunner W.P. Eddy, and which occurred on the 2nd instant. Your son at the time was with his gun which was in action in support of the Infantry. During a period of enemy shelling a shell burst close by the gun killing your son instantly and wounding

one of his comrades. He was buried by his comrades at P.25 A. 85-75, Sheet 51B., and all his personal effects have

been sent to the base and will be forwarded to you. The men of the Battery have expressed their deep regret at the loss of a most popular comrade. On behalf of both officers and men I wish to extend to you our deepest sympathy in your great grief.

Sgt. Geo W. Shearer, Major O.C. 11th Battery, C.F.A.

William Eddy’s Circumstances of Death Register records the following: Date of Casualty: 2-9-18. “Killed in Action”. During military operations in the vicinity of Vis-en-Artois, and Dury, whilst his Battery was supporting the Infantry, an enemy shell exploded near his gun, instantly killing him.

William Eddy, 32, has no known grave. He is memorialized on the Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. In Sarnia, he is memorialized with the naming of a street after him, Eddy Drive.

Source: The Sarnia War Remembrance Project by Tom Slater

Editors: Tom St. Amand and Lou Giancarlo

Joseph Elliott was born in Point Edward, Ontario, on June 12, 1887, the youngest child of John and Alexandria (nee McKay, born December 1845 in New Brunswick) Elliott. John (born October 1844 in Gloucester, England) had immigrated to Canada in 1861 and worked in Sarnia as a car repairer, and later as a Grand Trunk employee. John and Alexandria Elliott raised eight children together: Henry J. (born January 1871); Alexander (born October 1872); Harriet “Hattie” (born April 1873); John (born May 1877); Daniel (born 1879); Mary C. (born April 1882); Lettie (born October 1884) and Joseph Martin.

The family dynamic changed when Joseph was 19 years old. On January 7, 1906, his father John passed away in Sarnia at the age of 61. Five years later, in 1911, widowed mother Alexandria Elliott was residing at 147 Johnston Street with her children: Henry J. (age 40, a switchman), John (age 33, a brakeman), Lettie (age 25) and Joseph (age 23, a brakeman).

At the age of 28, Joseph Elliott enlisted in the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on August

21, 1915, in Sarnia, becoming a member of the 34th Battalion. He stood five feet five-and-a-half inches tall, had blue

eyes and light brown hair, and was single at the time. He recorded his trade or calling as brakeman, and his next-of-kin as his mother Alexandra Elliott of 147 Johnston Street, Sarnia. He recorded his birth year as 1886; however, his birth registration records the year as 1887.

Joseph embarked overseas for the United Kingdom on October 23, 1915, aboard S.S. California. Disembarking in England on November 1, 1915, he initially became a member of the 23rd Battalion, stationed at Bramshott. Six months later, on May 25, 1916, he embarked for France as a member of the 2nd Battalion. The next day, he was transferred to the Canadian Infantry, 7th Battalion, British Columbia Regiment with the rank of private.  

A little over one month later, Private Joseph Elliott was immersed in the brutal fighting in France during the Battle of the Somme. Waged from July 1-November 18, 1916, it was one of the most futile and bloody battles in history. The Somme, a battle of attrition, lasted for more than four brutal months and saw the Allies advance around 10 kilometers. A more telling statistic is the number of injuries and deaths: of the 85,000 Canadian Corps, there were more than 24,000 Canadian casualties. 

On September 9, 1916, just over three months after arriving in France, Joseph Elliott was wounded while fighting during the Battle of the Somme. He was taken to No. 3 Canadian Field Ambulance and passed away that day

as a result of his wounds. Joseph’s Circumstances of Death Register records the following: Date of Casualty: 9-9-16. “Died of wounds” at No. 2 Canadian Field Ambulance. Albert Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

In late September 1916, Alexandria Elliott in Sarnia received word from militia headquarters in Ottawa informing her that her son JOSEPH MARTIN ELLIOTT HAD DIED OF WOUNDS AT NO. 2 CANADIAN FIELD AMBULANCE STATION ON SEPTEMBER 9.

Joseph Elliott, 29, is buried in Albert Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France, Grave I.L.5. His widowed mother Alexandria (nee McKay) Elliott passed away several years later, in March 1920, and is buried with her husband John Elliott in Lakeview Cemetery.

Source: The Sarnia War Remembrance Project by Tom Slater

Editors: Tom St. Amand and Lou Giancarlo

Albert Fitzgerald was born in Sarnia, on June 29, 1897, the youngest son of Ashley Cooper and Elizabeth J. (nee English) Fitzgerald. Albert’s father was born Ashley Cooper Flynn, in Hamilton on August 23, 1867. Around 1875, his surname was changed, so thereafter he became Ashley Cooper Fitzgerald. On April 10, 1886, 19-year-old Ashley Fitzgerald, employed as a finisher, married 19-year-old Elizabeth J. English (born 1867 in Michigan) in St. Thomas, Elgin, Ontario. Ashley and Elizabeth had five children together: Bertin (born December 16, 1886 in London, Ontario); Wilbur John (born December 29, 1887); Mildred B. (born December 30, 1890); Gladys (born September 17, 1894); and Albert Le Roy. To support his family, residing at 353 Devine Street, Ashley was working as a grocer at the time of Albert’s birth. In 1905, when Albert was only eight years old, his mother, Elizabeth, passed away at the age of 38.  

Ashley Cooper Fitzgerald later remarried—this time to Alfreda Mae Williams (born August 24, 1883 in Lapeer, Michigan), on April 9, 1906 in Port Huron, Michigan. At the time, Ashley was working as a painter/finisher in Sarnia. Ashley and Alfreda had four children together, step-siblings for Albert: Velma Mae (born August 5, 1906 in St. Clair, Michigan); brother Ashley Cooper Jr. (born November 26, 1908 in Sarnia); and Amy Alfreda (born March 13, 1911 in Sarnia). They had a fourth child, a baby girl, born September 6, 1907 in Sarnia. Tragically, the infant girl passed away four days later. In 1911, the Fitzgerald family was residing at 593 Christina Street, Sarnia.

Eighteen-year-old Albert Le Roy Fitzgerald enlisted in the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on April 5, 1916, in London, Ontario. He stood five feet seven inches tall, had blue eyes and light hair, and was single at the time. He recorded his trade or calling as driver, and his next-of-kin as his father Ashley Cooper Fitzgerald of 200 Wellington Street, Sarnia. Albert initially became a member of the 70th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force.

Albert embarked overseas for the United Kingdom on April 24, 1916, aboard S.S. Lapland. Disembarking in Liverpool, England, on May 5, 1916, Albert was initially stationed at Shorncliffe. Two months later, on July 6, 1916, Albert was transferred to West Sandling, becoming a member of the 39th Battalion. Less than two weeks later, on July 18, Private Albert Fitzgerald arrived in France, as a member of the Canadian Infantry, 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles (CMR) Battalion, Quebec Regiment.

When the war began, many of the traditional generals were not yet ready to concede that the day of the horse was over; however, as the war progressed, faced with deep trench complexes, machine guns, mechanized artillery, and barbed wire, there were few cavalry charges on the Western Front, as horse-mounted troop regiments became an outdated mode of warfare. Often the cavalrymen were required to dismount and fight as infantry during the larger battles. Other duties included mounted patrol work, escort duties, traffic control, trench mapping, stretcher bearing, as well as pursuit of the enemy during offensive operations.

By September 1916, he arrived at the front lines with the 5th CMR’s. Albert was thrust into the fighting in France, immersed in the Battle of the Somme (July 1-November 18, 1916). Waged from July 1-November 18, 1916, it was one of the most futile and bloody battles in history. The Somme, a battle of attrition, lasted for more than four brutal months and saw the Allies advance around 10 kilometers. A more telling statistic is the number of injuries and deaths: of the 85,000 Canadian Corps, there were more than 24,000 Canadian casualties. 

Approximately one month after arriving at the front lines, on October 1, 1916, Private Albert Fitzgerald was killed while fighting during the Battle of the Somme. He was initially reported “missing after action”, and later recorded as “presumed to have died on or since 1-10-16.” Albert’s Circumstances of Death Register records the following: Date of Casualty: On or since 1-10-16. “Previously reported missing, now for official purposes presumed to have died.” Location of Unit at time of Casualty: ATTACK NEAR COURCELETTE. Attack near Courcelette.

Albert Fitzgerald, 19, has no known grave. He is memorialized on the Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

Source: The Sarnia War Remembrance Project by Tom Slater

Editors: Tom St. Amand and Lou Giancarlo

Peter Ford was born in Buttevant, County Cork, Ireland, on June 29, 1874, the eldest son of John and Ellen Jane (nee: Sheehan) Ford. John Ford (born 1841) set an example for his sons when he enlisted in the British Army at the age of 17 in 1858. He served in the army for 14 years. In April 1872, John married Ellen Jane Sheehan (of Buttevant, Ireland, born 1851 or earlier) who was a servant in a household at the time. John continued to serve in the army, including time in China and Japan (for 3 years, 9 months); in South Africa (for 4 years, 3 months); and in Mauritius (for 6 months). Though John and Ellen’s time together was intermittent, they had three children together: Peter John; William Joseph (born December 14, 1878 in Portland Castle, Dorset, England); and an unnamed daughter (born December 1880). After serving for over 23 years in the army, 40-year-old father John Ford was discharged in Manchester on July 26, 1881. Within one year after his discharge, John Ford passed away at the age of 41.

Ellen, now widowed and the mother of three children, remarried one year later. Her second husband was Sergeant John McMahon, from Tulla, County Clare, Ireland. Not long after they were married at Aldershot, the main British army camp in England, Peter and William were shipped to the Duke of York School—a school for boys of soldiers who were disadvantaged. In the case of the Ford brothers, their father had passed away at a relatively young age.

At their first opportunity, both Peter and William Joe Ford enlisted in the British Army. [Note: William always went by the short form of his middle name – Joe]. Peter enlisted at the age of 15 when he stood only five feet tall and weighed 95 pounds. He served for three-and-a-half years in the Royal Garrison and then for 13 years in the Dorsetshire Regiment of Foot—a British infantry unit, and his father’s old regiment. His brother, Joe, joined the British Army on December 22, 1891, just days after his 13th birthday. He would originally serve with the Dorsetshire as a musician.

Both Peter and Joe Ford were deployed to South Africa where they served in the Boer War from 1899 to 1901. They were at the battles of Spion Kop, Tugela Heights, and the relief of Ladysmith. They returned to England when the war ended, and then were stationed near Hamel Hempstead in May 1901. It was here that the brothers’ lives took divergent paths, but they ended up together.

Joe married a young lady named Lillian Parsons, and they had two children together: Helen (born September 20, 1903); and Mary (born 1905). Joe continued to serve in the British Army and rose to the rank of full corporal before being discharged on May 15, 1906. To earn money, the Ford brothers distributed posters that encouraged people to immigrate to Canada. They would take the invitation to heart and sailed together from Ireland to Canada in 1905 (followed later by Joe’s wife Lillian and their two daughters).

By 1911, both Peter and Joe Ford were employed as railway locomotive engineers in Sarnia. At that time, Peter was residing with Joe and his family at 151 Emma Street. In August 1914, when the war broke out, 40-year-old Peter John Ford joined the 27th Regiment, St. Clair Borderers, serving as a private. On September 1, 1914, one month after war was declared, Peter underwent his medical examination at Valcartier Camp, Quebec, and was declared fit for service. In early September 1914, while in Quebec, Peter sent a postcard to his young niece Helen, or Nellie as he called her (it was one of many he wrote to young Nellie), with a brief message:

Dear Nellie,

Hope you are getting on alright. I suppose you are going to the big school now. Do not forget me while I am away. Good bye for the present. Uncle Pete

On September 22, 1914, 40-year-old Peter Ford completed his Attestation Paper at Valcartier, becoming an enlisted member of the 1st Battalion, Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force. He stood five feet seven-and-three-quarter inches tall, had hazel eyes and dark hair, and was single at the time. He recorded his trade or calling as locomotive engineer, and his next-of-kin as his brother William Joe Ford of 151 Emma Street, Sarnia. He also recorded his previous military experience with Dorsetshire Regiment-10 years; Royal Garrison Regiment-3 years, 163 days; and Foreign Service-3 years. In a nod to his religious beliefs perhaps, his forearm tattoos were of a crucifix on one arm, and the Virgin Mary and child Jesus on the other.

As a member of the Canadian Infantry, 1st Battalion, Western Ontario Regiment, Peter embarked overseas for the United Kingdom on October 4, 1915 aboard S.S. Laureutic (this ship would later sink when it struck two mines north of Ireland in January 1917). Canada’s First Contingent of the CEF spent the cold, wet winter of 1914-15 training at Salisbury Plain in England. The 1st (Western Ontario) Battalion became part of the 1st Canadian Division, 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade. Once overseas, Private Peter Ford was soon promoted to the rank of corporal, and on January 9, 1915, he was awarded the rank of lance sergeant.

In February 1915, the 1st Canadian Division embarked for France. Arriving at the front, Canadian soldiers found themselves in a cratered, eviscerated wasteland of mud, wasted vegetation, and unburied bodies. For two weeks at the end of February 1915, the Canadian Division had its first taste of action when each of its brigades did a seven-day familiarization tour with British units. On March 3, the Canadians took over 6,400 yards of the front near Armentieres, supported a British attack, and suffered their first casualties.

By the end of the month, the Canadians had marched north to Ypres, Belgium, an area traditionally referred to as Flanders. They were positioned at the centre of the salient jutting into the German line. The battlefield was an enormous open graveyard, a quagmire of mud and shallow trenches, littered with human excrement, pools of water and unburied corpses. They were surrounded on three sides by enemy soldiers and artillery.

It was at the Ypres salient, that the Canadians engaged in their first battle of the war, the Second Battle of Ypres, April 22-May 25, 1915. It was their baptism by fire. It was here that the Germans unleashed the first lethal chlorine gas attack in the history of warfare. In the first 48 hours at Ypres (April 22-24), there were more than 6,000 Canadian casualties—one Canadian in every three. A staggering 2,100 died were killed, and 1,410 were captured. Peter Ford somehow survived those first 48 hours. On April 24, 1915, while in the field, Peter Ford was awarded the rank of sergeant.

Fighting continued in the Ypres salient on and off until late May 1915, at a cost to the Canadian Corps of just over 8,600 soldiers killed, wounded, or captured in just over one month. Following the Battle of Ypres, the decimated units of the 1st Canadian Division marched south to join in the Allied offensives which were already under way. The Canadians were thrust into the fighting near the villages of Festubert in mid-May 1915 and Givenchy in mid-June, both in northern France, part of a wider British offensive against German lines.

The Battle of Festubert was the second major engagement fought by Canadian troops in the war. The main attack began on May 18, with two brigades of the 1st Division launching frontal assaults against heavy German defences near the village. The fighting here followed the grim pattern of frontal assaults against entrenched German

forces that had all the advantages of terrain, firepower and well-positioned machine guns. With little planning and

inaccurate maps, they repeatedly charged over open ground with little artillery support. By May 25, after a week of

fighting, the battle was over. The result was slaughter on both sides, and the Canadians had made only small gains. It was about this time that Peter sent his last letter home to Joe in Sarnia.

Around three weeks later, in mid-June 1915, the 1st Canadian Division was thrust into the fighting at Givenchy. Supposedly, lessons had been learned at Festubert, and plans were made to address the issues of German barbed wire and machine gun nests. Three artillery pieces were secretly moved closer to the front line and a tunnel was dug under the German trenches and packed with explosives in the hope that it would eliminate a large section of the enemy front line trenches. Although the Canadians achieved some of their objectives, the gains were negligible and the cost was extremely high—2,468 casualties at Festubert and a further 400 at Givenchy.

In the early evening of June 15, 1915, Sergeant Ford was killed in action at Givenchy. His battalion was ordered to attack the German trenches. To weaken the enemy, a mine was set to explode under the German trenches at approximately 5:45 p.m. The mine, however, was not placed far enough forward. In the explosion, more than 50 men from the 1st Battalion simply vanished. Peter Ford was one of those men.

He was initially reported “wounded”, updated to “wounded and missing”, and later recorded as “for official purposes presumed to have died on or since 15-6-15 in the field”. Sergeant Peter Ford’s Circumstances of Death register records the following: Date of Casualty: 15-6-15. “Previously reported wounded and missing, now for official purposes presumed to have Died.” Location of unit at time of Casualty: AT CALONNE. Forty-year-old Peter Ford’s body was never found, and he has no known grave.

Peter Ford is memorialized on the Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

Sometime after Peter’s death, his brother Joe in Sarnia received a commemorative Next of Kin Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Memorial Scroll that read He whom this scroll commemorates was numbered among those who, at the call of King and Country, left all that was dear to them, endured hardness, faced danger, and finally passed out of the sight of men by the path of duty and self-sacrifice, giving up their own lives that others might live in freedom. Let those who come after see to it that his name be not forgotten.  Sergt. Peter J. Ford, Canadian Infantry Bn.

Undoubtedly, his older brother’s death six months earlier led William “Joe” Ford to enlist in the Great War in December 1915. He enlisted on December 27, 1915, in Sarnia, despite having promised his wife Lillian that he would never enlist again. At the time, Joe and Lillian were residing at 245 Chippewa Street with their five children: Ellen Annie, Mary Ann, Michael Anthony, Nora Bridget and their youngest Peter Joseph Festubert.

Thirty-seven-year-old Joe stood five feet seven-and-a-half inches tall, had blue eyes and brown hair, and recorded his birthplace as Buttevant, Ireland. He also listed his previous service of 14 years with the Dorset Regiment in England, and his present occupation as a locomotive engineer. Joe became a member of the 149th Battalion, and embarked overseas on March 25, 1917, aboard the Lapland. Arriving in Liverpool on April 7, 1917, from the 1st Segregation Camp, he was initially posted to the 25th Reserve Battalion at Bramshott.

Five months later, on September 10, 1917, Joe Ford (#844404) arrived in France, as a member of the Canadian Railway Troops, 85th Canadian Eng. Crew Company with the rank of sapper. Two months later, in November 1917, he was gassed in France. In August 1918, he began to have attacks of rheumatism. Joe survived the war and in early February 1919, he was returned to England as “invalid sick”, and posted to CRT Depot in Knotty Ash. On February 9, 1919, he was admitted to #16 Canadian General Hospital, Orpington, England, diagnosed with myalgia (muscle pain) and rheumatism. Joe was discharged from hospital on March 18, 1919, and returned to Canada aboard S.S. Aquitania, arriving in Halifax on May 25, 1919.

On his return, Joe Ford entered the Military Hospital at Wolseley Barracks in London, Ontario. He would be treated there with rest and fresh air in hospital, due in part from “infection gas and exposure under active service conditions.” He was diagnosed with rheumatism, chronic bronchitis, and flat feet. He remained in hospital until June 24, 1919, and was honourably discharged from service on June 26, 1919, in London, Ontario.

For his service, William Joe Ford was awarded the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal. He returned to his family in Sarnia where they continued to reside on Chippewa Street, until moving to 403 Confederation Street. Joe and Lillian had a sixth child, John Jack Ford. Years later, their son, Peter Joseph Festubert Ford, served in the Canadian Army during World War II. Joe Ford passed away in Sarnia at the age of 60 on November 16, 1939, and is buried in Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery. The cause of his death was recorded as “Coronary thrombosis, etc. Death was due to service”.

One of Joe Ford’s granddaughters, Judy Arthurs, resides in Sarnia. In her words, “I never knew him personally as he died the month that I was born. I certainly heard lots of stories about him over the years. He and Lillian lived on Confederation at Stuart Street where later Whitie Stapleton was to grow up. My sisters would tell me about running to that house after first Friday mass at St. Joes and jumping into bed with Grandpa yelling at Lil to get these girls some breakfast. I often think about him and what I learned about that war over the years. I have a piece of memorabilia that was his. I don’t know what it is called, but it is a brass gizmo that a soldier would slide under a brass button when cleaning it, and it would keep the cleaning agent off the fabric. That article has probably traveled and seen more of the world than I could ever hope to. I also have his medal from Africa. I don’t have many pictures of him, but there is a story that goes with each picture.” When Judy and husband Peter were first married, he was teaching in St. Catharines and was a leader in the Cadet Corps where he used the same gizmo to polish his uniform buttons.

Source: The Sarnia War Remembrance Project by Tom Slater

Editors: Tom St. Amand and Lou Giancarlo

Angus Garrod was born on January 21, 1888, in Clayton near Bradford, Yorkshire, England, the only son of Jesse (born 1864 in Tibenham, Norfolk, England) and Mary Ann (nee Archer, born March 1863 in Lincolnshire, England) Garrod. Jesse and Mary Ann were married on November 20, 1886, in St. Peter Bradford Cathedral in Yorkshire, England. They had two children together: son Angus, and daughter Mabel, born December 1890, in Clayton, Yorkshire. Angus was baptized on July 29, 1888, at Wesleyan Methodist Chapel in Bradford. In 1891, the Garrod family was residing in Clayton, Yorkshire, where father Jesse was supporting his family as a weaving overlooker. In October 1893, when Angus was only five years old, his mother, Mary Ann, who passed away at the age of 31.

On October 28, 1896, Jesse Garrod remarried—his second wife being Elizabeth Thrower (born 1866). In 1901, the Garrod family was still residing in Yorkshire, England, with Jesse still employed as a weaving overlooker. Angus, now 13, worked as a worsted spinner (a method to spin yarn). When Angus was 16 years old, he became a registered member of the Royal Navy of Seaman’s Services. He served with the Royal Navy for almost two years—his first service date was March 17, 1904, aboard the ship Vivid 1, and his last service date was January 26, 1906, aboard the Euryalus.

At the age of 22, Angus Garrod immigrated to Canada, departing from Liverpool, England, aboard the SS Lake Manitoba, and arriving in St. John, New Brunswick, on April 10, 1910. On August 24, 1911, he crossed from Port Huron, Michigan into Sarnia, with the intention to work as a farm labourer. In 1914, Angus was residing at 122 Mary Street, Sarnia, and was working as a labourer at Imperial Oil.

Twenty-six-year-old Angus Garrod enlisted in the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on October 23, 1914 in Sarnia. He stood five feet seven-and-a-quarter inches tall, had blue eyes and light hair, and was single at the time. He recorded his trade or calling as labourer, and his next-of-kin as his father, Jesse Garrod, of Clayton, Bradford, Yorkshire, England. Angus also recorded his previous military service of two years in the Royal Navy. Angus became a member of the 18th Battalion (Western Ontario Regiment), Canadian Infantry.

Private Angus Garrod embarked overseas from Halifax aboard S.S. Grampian on April 18, 1915. He arrived in England on April 29, 1915. Four-and-a-half months later, on September 14, 1915, Angus arrived in France with the 18th Battalion. Approximately two months later, on November 10, 1915, he was admitted to 5th Canadian Field Ambulance due to rheumatism. Two days later, he was transferred to Div. Rest Station in Locre. On November 19, he was admitted to No. 6 Canadian Field Ambulance, diagnosed with influenza. He was discharged from care the next day. On November 21, 1915, he rejoined his unit in the field at the front.

In the spring of 1916, the 18^th Battalion, including Private Angus Garrod of “C” Company, were embroiled in the Battle of St. Eloi in Belgium (March 27-April 16, 1916). This battle, known as “the Battle of the Craters”, would be two weeks of attacks and counterattacks. The Canadians had to deal with thigh deep mud, incessant rain, poor communication, a lack of coordination and reconnaissance, and superior positioned German artillery. When the battle was over, more than 1,370 Canadian soldiers were killed or wounded. Angus Garrod was killed in action at St. Eloi on April 10, 1916.

Private Angus Garrod’s Circumstances of Casualty records the following:“Killed in Action” Location: TRENCHES AT ST. ELOI. No record of burial. The Commonwealth War Graves Register records him as, “No record of burial, killed in area of St. Eloi”. The April 27, 1916 London Free Press reported that “Pte. Angus Garrod, of Sarnia, killed, was an old British navy man and had seen much previous service.”

In early May 1916, the Sarnia Observer reported the following: “Pvt. Angus Garrod, whose death was mentioned in yesterday’s casualty list, leaves many relatives here to mourn his loss. They are his aunt Mrs. J. Baker, Martin St. and several cousins including Private Archie Baker, Private Willie Waller and Private Alfred Weston… Private Garrod had resided in Sarnia for several years prior to enlisting. While here he was employed at the Imperial Oil Company Works.”

Angus Garrod, 28, has no known grave. His name was not originally on the Sarnia cenotaph, unveiled in November 1921, but it was recorded on the Sarnia Royal Canadian Legion Memorial Plaque. In November 2019, his name along with 25 others was added to the Sarnia cenotaph, engraved in stone to be remembered always.

Angus Garrod is memorialized on the Menin Gate (Ypres) Memorial, Belgium, Panel 10-26-28.

Source: The Sarnia War Remembrance Project by Tom Slater

Editors: Tom St. Amand and Lou Giancarlo

George Thomas Giles was born in Liverpool, England, on April 6, 1887, the eldest son of Edwin and Annie (nee Rooney) Giles. Both Edwin (born 1865) and Annie (born 1864) were born in Liverpool, and they were married in their hometown in 1885, when they were in their early 20s. They were blessed with four sons: George Thomas; James Edwin (born June 6, 1888, but passed away at the age of three in 1891); Frederick Wright (born September 8, 1890); and Edwin Jr. (born February 13, 1893). George Giles was baptized on April 17, 1887, at Everton, St. Polycarp, Lancashire. Sadly in 1894, when George was only seven years old, his mother, Annie, passed away at the age of 30.

            In 1901, Edwin Giles remarried, his second wife being 21-year-old Mary Jane Foulds (born January 1880), in Berkinhead, Cheshire. Mary Jane gave birth to three daughters in a six-year span. Mary Elizabeth May (born May 1, 1903); Doris (born 1908); and Selina (born 1909) were step-sisters to George and his brothers. In 1911, Edwin, a baker’s manager, and Mary Jane, were residing in Cheshire, England, with their children: Edwin Jr. (age 18); Mary E. May (age seven); Doris (age two); and Selina (age one).  

Four years earlier, on December 30, 1907, George Thomas Giles married Sophia Ann Walker at St. Nicholas Church in Liverpool, England. Sometime after marrying, the young couple emigrated from England to Canada and eventually made it to Sarnia where they resided at Confederation Street, and later Campbell Street. George and Sophie Ann had four children together: Annie (born 1912); Lillian Edith (born October 3, 1913); Marty, and George Jr.

Now a father of four, 28-year-old George Giles enlisted in the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on November 9, 1915, in Sarnia. He stood five feet nine inches tall, had blue eyes and brown hair, and was residing on Campbell Street with his wife Sophie Ann and their four children at the time. George recorded his trade or calling as R.R. Fireman, and his next-of-kin as his wife Sophie Giles of 418 Campbell Street, Sarnia. He also recorded his prior military service of “4 years Territorials”. George became a member of the 70th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, with the rank of private.

Five months after enlisting, on April 24, 1916, Private George Giles embarked overseas. He arrived in England on May 5, 1916, and approximately six weeks later, on June 18, 1916, he was transferred to the Canadian Infantry, 58th Battalion, Central Ontario Regiment. George arrived in France with the 58th Battalion the next day, June 19, 1916. Two days later, on June 21, 1916, he arrived at the front lines.

Private George Giles was soon immersed in fighting in the Battle of the Somme. Waged from July 1-November 18, 1916, it was one of the most futile and bloody battles in history. The Somme, a battle of attrition, lasted for more than four brutal months and saw the Allies advance around 10 kilometers. A more telling statistic is the number of injuries and deaths: of the 85,000 Canadian Corps, there were more than 24,000 Canadian casualties. 

The second major offensive of the Somme battle was the week-long Battle of Flers-Courcelette(September 15-22). It was here where tanks made their first appearance in the war. The Battle was a stunning success for the Canadians, but it came at a cost of over 7,200 casualties.

Approximately two weeks after this battle, and three-and-a-half months after arriving at the front lines, on October 7, 1916, Private George Giles was killed in action while fighting during the Battle of the Somme. George Giles’ Circumstances of Death Register records the following: Date of Casualty: 7-10-16. “Killed in Action”. Location of Unit at time of Casualty: TRENCHES AT COURCELETTE. No record of burial.

In early November 1916, St. John’s Church held a memorial service for several local fallen. The following is the report on the service from the Sarnia Observer:

MEMORIAL SERVICE AT ST. JOHN’S CHURCH

A memorial service was held at St. John’s Church Sunday evening for Thos. Littlefield, Jesse Croucher and George Giles, who were recently killed at the Front. There was a large attendance, and the service was of a very solemn character. A practical address was delivered by Rev. F.G. Newton, rector, who eulogized the men and their work in defence of the empire. He also spoke words of consolation to those mourning for their dead, and exhorted the congregation to do all they could by constant acts of kindliness to the bereaved, to show they appreciated the sacrifice made by the men who are now no more. The music and hymns which were appropriate to the occasion, were exceedingly rendered. Mr. Hargreaves played with effect the “Dead March in Saul.”

[Jesse Crouchers’ story is also included in this Project].

Sophie Ann and their four children were residing on Bank Street in Ottawa at time of George’s death. More than five decades later, Sophie Ann Giles passed away at the age of 83 in January 1970 in Ottawa. Among those who she left behind were her four surviving children: Mrs. James E. Sherman (Annie); Mrs. N.E. Arnold (Lillian); Mrs. F.H. Nielson (Marty), of Ottawa; and George E. of Kingston; along with 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

George Giles, 29, has no known grave. He is memorialized on the Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

Source: The Sarnia War Remembrance Project by Tom Slater

Editors: Tom St. Amand and Lou Giancarlo

George Gray was born in Sarnia on November 30, 1888, the youngest son of Scottish-born parents Donald (born September 3, 1833) and Mary (nee Black) Gray. Donald had emigrated from Scotland to Canada in 1852 and by 1871, he had wed Mary, and was working as a farmer in Plympton Township. Donald and Mary had five children together: James (born December 26, 1876); Daniel A. (born May 29, 1879); Euphemia (born October 3, 1881); George, and Jessie. Sometime before 1891, Mary Gray passed away, and in 1901, widowed father Donald was still residing in Plympton with four of his children: James, Daniel, Euphemia and George. At some point after, Donald moved into Sarnia, and resided at 327 Russell Street until he passed away at age 79 on September 23, 1912.

George resided in Sarnia until he finished his schooling, and then moved to the Canadian Northwest. On December 12, 1914, at the age of 26, he enlisted in the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He stood five feet ten inches tall, had grey-blue eyes and medium brown hair, and was single at the time. He recorded his trade or calling as farmer, and his next-of-kin as his brother Daniel A. Gray of 327 Russell Street, S., Sarnia. George Gray became a private in the 32nd Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force.

Two months later, on February 23, 1915, he embarked overseas for the United Kingdom aboard S.S. Vaderland. Private George Gray trained in England for a little over nine weeks and then embarked for France on May 5, 1915. He soon found himself taking part in the final weeks of the Second Battle of Ypres.

The 1st Canadian Division soldiers had arrived at the front in February 1915 and found themselves in a cratered, eviscerated wasteland of mud, wasted vegetation, and unburied bodies. By the end of March, the Canadians had marched north to Ypres, Belgium, an area traditionally referred to as Flanders. They were positioned at the centre of the salient jutting into the German line. They were surrounded on three sides by enemy soldiers and artillery. It was at the Ypres salient, that the Canadians engaged in their first battle of the war, the Second Battle of Ypres, April 22-May 25, 1915. It was their baptism by fire. It was here that the Germans unleashed the first lethal chlorine gas attack in the history of warfare. In the first 48 hours at Ypres (April 22-24), there were more than 6,000 Canadian casualties—one Canadian in every three. Fighting continued in the Ypres salient on and off until late May 1915, at a cost to the Canadian Corps of just over 8,600 soldiers killed, wounded, or captured in just over one month.

Following the Battle of Ypres, the decimated units of the 1st Canadian Division marched south to join in the Allied offensives which were already under way. The Canadians were thrust into the fighting near the villages of Festubert in mid-May 1915 and Givenchy in mid-June, both in northern France, part of a wider British offensive against German lines. On May 5, 1915, George became a member of the Canadian Infantry, Eastern Ontario Regiment, 2nd Battalion, No. 12 Platoon, #3 Company.

The Battle of Festubert was the second major engagement fought by Canadian troops in the war. The main attack began on May 18, with two brigades of the 1st Division launching frontal assaults against heavy German defences near the village. The fighting here followed the grim pattern of frontal assaults against entrenched German forces that had all the advantages of terrain, firepower and well-positioned machine guns. With little planning and inaccurate maps, they repeatedly charged over open ground with little artillery support. By May 25, after a week of fighting, the battle was over. The result was slaughter on both sides, and the Canadians had made only small gains.

On May 30, 1915, Private George Gray was killed in action while fighting near Festubert in France. He was killed by an enemy shell. His Circumstances of Death Register records the following: Date of Casualty: 30-5-15. “Killed in Action”. Location of Unit at time of casualty: TRENCHES IN VICINITY OF FESTUBERT. No record of burial.

About three weeks later, in mid-June 1915, the 1st Canadian Division were thrust into the fighting at Givenchy. Supposedly, lessons had been learned at Festubert, and plans were made to address the issues of German barbed wire and machine gun nests. Although the Canadians achieved some of their objectives, the gains were negligible and the cost was extremely high—2,468 casualties at Festubert and a further 400 at Givenchy.

In early June 1915, George’s brother, Daniel in Sarnia, received the following letter informing him of the circumstances of his brother’s death:

France, June 2nd, 1915  D.A. Gray, Esq, 327 Russell Street, Sarnia

Dear Sir,

I am sorry to have to advise you of the death of your brother George who was killed in action on Sunday night, the 30th of May. He, with a party of men from my platoon, was detailed to complete a communication trench from our own to that of our No. 4 company, which was 100 yards ahead of us.

Suddenly, without warning a big German shell struck the side of the trench and exploded almost beside him. I was close by, and immediately had him lifted out of the trench. Pieces of the shell had struck him in the back and his death was painless and virtually instantaneous. We did what was possible before he passed away and I then took his papers, which I am sending through our orderly room, who will forward them through the regular channels.

Four of his chums carried him back behind our lines and laid him decently in a grave which they had dug. I have marked this with a cross, giving his name and regiment number and stating that he was killed in action on the 30th of May, 1915. George was a very fine man and most popular with his companions. I have had a very high opinion of him since I took command of the platoon, and I feel his loss very keenly. There is little I can say to make the blow easier for you to bear, but a man can ask no finer end than death met in the service of his country and

though the toll is heavy it must be paid to prevent German savagery overrunning the world. Please accept my sincere sympathy in your bereavement and believe me I share the sorrow with you.

Yours sincerely, T.C. Biggar

Lt. No. 12 Platoon, No.3 Co., 2nd Batt., C.E.F.

At the time of George’s death, his siblings were residing in different locations: James was in Camlachie; Daniel A. (a Grand Trunk engineer) was at 327 Russell Street, later 229 Brock Street in Sarnia; Euphemia was in Sarnia residing with brother Daniel; and Jessie was in Milburn, Ontario.

George Gray, 26, has no known grave. He is memorialized on the Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. His name is also inscribed on the Camlachie Cenotaph. His name was not originally on the Sarnia cenotaph, unveiled in November 1921. In November 2019, his name along with 25 others was added to the Sarnia cenotaph, engraved in stone to be remembered always.

Source: The Sarnia War Remembrance Project by Tom Slater

Editors: Tom St. Amand and Lou Giancarlo

Percival (Percy) Guertin was born in Chatham, Ontario, on September 29, 1886, the son of Alexander Napoleon and Julia (nee Turcott) Guertin. Alexander Guertin was born in the U.S.A. on January 1, 1857, and had come from a military family. His grandfather was a veteran of the American Civil War, and his great-grandfather a veteran of the War of 1812. Three years before Canadian Confederation, Alexander immigrated to Canada in 1864 where he was initially employed as a grocer, and later as a general labourer.

Alexander and Julia (born August 23, 1856 in Ontario) had nine children together: Joseph Edward (born December 13, 1882); Florence Adelaide (born June 14,1884); William John (born July 8, 1886); Percival Edward; Clyde Alexander (born August 14, 1888); Mary Stella (born April 26, 1892); Norman Peter (born June 12, 1893); Charles Edmond (born September 14, 1895); and Rena Margaret (born March 15, 1900).

Alexander Guertin was an employee of the Dominion Salt Company for 40 years, and the Guertin family resided first at 351 Maxwell Street, and later 143 Elgin Street, Sarnia. The American-born patriarch, Alexander, lived in Sarnia for 53 years, before passing away at the age 85 in June 1943. He was interred at Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery in Sarnia.

Four sons—William, Clyde, Norman and Percival—served with Canadian regiments during the First World War. During the Second World War, at least two of Alexander and Julia’s grandsons followed the family tradition: Lt. T.J. Forlan, son of Florence Forlan (nee Guertin), was a flight commander overseas with the American Air Force; and Sgt. William Guertin, son of Norman Guertin, served with the R.C.A.F., and ended up as a prisoner of war in an Italian prison camp.

William John Guertin (#171778) was the first son to enlist. Born July 8, 1886, in Chatham, Ontario, he enlisted in the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on August 17, 1915 in Toronto. The 29-year-old stood five feet five inches tall, had brown eyes and dark brown hair, was married, and was living in Toronto at the time. He recorded his trade or calling as blacksmith, and his next-of-kin as his wife, Olive Guertin at 905 Queen Street, Toronto. William became a member of the 83rd Overseas Battalion, as a signaller, and embarked overseas for the United Kingdom on April 24, 1916, aboard S.S. Olympic. He arrived in Liverpool on May 7, 1916.

During training at West Sandling, he was transferred to the 39th Battalion. Private William Guertin arrived in France on December 22, 1916, as a member of the 27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry. Less than four months later, he would be part of the 97,000 Canadians who fought in the Battle of Vimy Ridge, April 9-12, 1917. It was the very first time (and the last time in the war) that all four divisions of the Canadian Corps would attack together as one formation. The seminal battle resulted in a significant victory for Canada, but at a cost of approximately 7,004 wounded and 3,598 lost lives in four days of battle. The following month, in May 1917, William Guertin was gassed in France.

Private William Guertin also took part in the Battle of Passchendaele, Belgium, October 26-November 10, 1917. Fought in unceasing rain on a battlefield, Passchendaele was a nightmarish mess of rotting, mangled corpses, gagging gas, water-filled craters and glutinous mud. Overcoming almost unimaginable hardships and horrific fighting conditions, the Canadians achieved a remarkable victory that few thought possible; however, it came at a cost of almost 12,000 Canadian wounded and more than 4,000 Canadians killed. Days after the battle, on November 19, 1917, William Guertin was awarded the “Military Medal for Bravery in the Field”.

In early August 1918, the Canadians began their Hundred Days Campaign (August 8 – November 11, 1918 in France and Belgium), the “beginning of the end” of the Great War. Canadians were called on again and again over the three-month period to lead the offensives against the toughest German defences. On August 9, 1918, Private William Guertin was wounded in action, the result of a “gun shot wound right hand”. The rifle bullet was removed from his hand at the 18th American General Hospital in France. He was discharged from hospital after a month of recovery and was then returned to England.

William returned to Canada in December 1918, and was discharged as “medically unfit for further military service” in January 1919 in Toronto. His wounds resulted in partial loss of function of his right hand and his lungs.

Clyde Alexander Guertin (#186128) was the second son to enlist. Born August 14, 1888, in Fish Creek, Michigan, he enlisted in the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on November 15, 1915, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The 27-year-old stood five feet six-and-a-half inches tall, had blue eyes and dark brown hair, was single, and was residing in Brandon, Manitoba, at the time. He recorded his trade or calling as barrel maker, and his next-of-kin as his father, Alex Guertin at 351 Maxwell Street, Sarnia. Clyde became a member of the 90th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Winnipeg Rifles), and embarked overseas for the United Kingdom on May 31, 1916, aboard S.S. Olympic, arriving in Liverpool on June 8, 1916.

Private Clyde Guertin arrived in Havre, France on August 21, 1916, as a member of the 78th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, and was later transferred to the 24th Battalion. In August 1916, Clyde mailed a letter home from France to their 16-year-old sister, Rena, of 351 Maxwell Street. The following is a portion of that letter:

Dear Sister,

I am just going to say “Hullo” for there isn’t much else to say. We have just been over a few days, and its pretty much like England. I guess they took me for a Scot for I am in the 78th (a Scotch Battalion) from Winnipeg. They are a great bunch of fellows, and we are all happy, no matter what comes or goes. There isn’t many more of my old Battalion in it. I am well and happy and hope all at home are the same. Do your best to keep mother cheered up.

I know she worries like the mischief having four sons out of five in the army, but the only thing to do is to look on the

bright side. I am glad I’m here, and the other boys are in it… if it should happen that I am one of the ones that don’t come back, don’t feel sorry, as I’ll give a good account of myself over here. You can bet your sweet life on that. We have a good name here and will do our best to keep it up till the last. Well dear, be a good girl and I’ll bring you back a lock of the Kaiser’s hair – or at least a German helmet. With lots of love and kisses, I will say goodbye to the dearest sis in the world.                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Your brother Clyde.

PS. Give my best to everyone at home.

Private Clyde Guertin was wounded in action the first time on April 10, 1917, during the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the result of a “gun shot wound left arm, fracture”. Approximately 10 weeks later, he was discharged from hospital and returned to his unit.

More than a year later, he was part of Canada’s Hundred Days Campaign (August 8-November 11, 1918). The first offensive in the Campaign was the Battle of Amiens in France, August 8-14, a truly all-arms battle, one in which all four Canadian divisions were involved. On August 9, 1918, during the Battle of Amiens, Clyde Guertin was wounded again, the result of a “gun shot wound, bullet, scalp”. Clyde survived the Great War, and returned to Canada in April 1919, where he was discharged on demobilization in Montreal.

Norman Peter Guertin (#844465) was the third son to enlist. Born June 12, 1893, in Sarnia, he enlisted in the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on January 17, 1916, in Sarnia. The 22-year-old stood five feet two-and-a-quarter inches tall, weighed 104 pounds, had brown eyes and black hair, was single, and was residing in Sarnia at the time. He recorded his trade or calling as an electrician, and his next-of-kin as his father, Alexander Guertin, at 351 Maxwell Street, Sarnia. Private Norman Guertin became a member of the 149th Battalion.

In March 1917, medical officials were concerned about Norman’s health, as he had some breathing difficulties—diagnosed as due to possible disease of nasal framework, bronchitis or asthma. And he was undersized—he weighed a mere 104 pounds, and had, since birth, a “congenital undersized chest”. He was transferred to No. 1 Special Service Company in London to be given one month “special physical training in order to develop his chest size to normal”. In October 1917, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant with the 1st Depot Battalion, Western Ontario Regiment. Norman served only in Canada and was discharged on demobilization in January 1919 in London, Ontario.

Two days before his 22nd birthday, Percival (Percy) Edward Guertin (a labourer at the time) married Maud Grace (nee Noel, of Bay City, Michigan) on September 27, 1908, in Sarnia. Like her husband, Maud came from a family of nine children. One of her brothers, eight years her junior, was Urban Joseph Noel. Urban, a Sarnian, also served in the Great War and, at age 22, lost his life in action in Somme, France, on August 8, 1918. Urban Joseph Noel’s story is included in this Project.

One year after their marriage, Percy and Maud were residing at 355 Maxwell Street, Sarnia, and Percy was employed at a local sawmill. The couple later moved to South Porcupine, Ontario, before returning to Sarnia, where they resided at 109 Collingwood Street, and then at 214 Parker Street. Percy and Maud had four children together: Percy Edward Jr. (born August 2, 1909 in Sarnia); Francis Alexander (born December 19, 1910); Laura Genevieve (born June 11, 1913); and Marguerite Louise (born 1914).

Twenty-nine-year-old Percy Guertin enlisted in the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on May 23, 1916, in South Porcupine, Ontario. He was the fourth Guertin son to enlist. He stood five feet six inches tall, had brown eyes and dark hair, and was a married father of four, residing in South Porcupine at the time. He recorded his trade or calling as moulder, and his next-of-kin as his wife, Maud Guertin of South Porcupine, Ontario. He also recorded that he had prior military experience with the 97th Regiment. Percy became a private with the 159th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, and embarked overseas for the United Kingdom on October 31, 1916, aboard S.S. Empress.

Percy disembarked in England on November 11, 1916. More than two months later, on January 30, 1917, he became a member of the 8th Reserve Battalion stationed at Seaford. On February 9, 1917, he was transferred to the 4th Canadian Railway Troops (CRT) stationed at Shoreham, and then Purfleet. Percy’s brothers, William and Clyde, also served overseas in the Great War. Percy was able to meet-up for a brief time with his brother Clyde overseas. Their encounter turned out to be shortly before Percy’s death.

On February 24, 1917, Percy arrived in France as a sapper with the 4th CRT. Eleven months later, on January 26, 1918, he was transferred to the Canadian Infantry, 24th Battalion, Quebec Regiment, with the rank of private.

Fourteen months after arriving in France, on April 11, 1918, Private Percy Guertin was killed in action during fighting there. His Circumstances of Death Register records the following: Date of Casualty: 11-4-18. “Killed in Action”. Location of Unit at time of Casualty: TRENCHES EAST OF NEUVILLE VITASSE. Reported locations of grave: Sheet 5lb.N.19.a.08.75.

His death, outside a formal, designated battle, was a common occurrence. In the daily exchange of hostilities—incessant artillery, snipers, mines, gas shells, trench raids, and random harassing fire—the carnage was routine and inescapable. High Command’s term for these losses was “wastage.”

In late April 1918, Maud Guertin, residing at 109 Collingwood Street, received the following telegram:

OTTAWA ONT APRIL 23

MRS MAUD GUERTIN, SARNIA ONT

DEEPLY REGRET TO INFORM YOU THAT 649389 PRIVATE PERCY ED. GUERTIN INFANTRY, OFFICIALLY REPORTED KILLED IN ACTION APRIL 11TH.

DIRECTOR OF RECORDS

Percy Guertin left behind his wife Maud of nine years, and their four children. Percy Guertin, 31, has no known grave. He is memorialized on the Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

Four months after her husband Percy’s death, Maud Guertin’s brother, Urban Joseph Noel, was killed in action in Somme, France.

Source: The Sarnia War Remembrance Project by Tom Slater

Editors: Tom St. Amand and Lou Giancarlo

Neil Hanna was born in Sarnia, on January 18, 1895, the only son of prominent Sarnian William John “Jack” Hanna (born October 13, 1862, of Adelaide Township, Middlesex County, Ontario), and his first wife Jean Gibson (nee Neil, born in 1863 in Sarnia). A few years before Neil was born, William (known as “Jack”) had fallen in love with the beautiful red-headed Jean Neil who lived in Point Edward. Jean Neil was the great-niece of Canada’s second Prime Minister, Alexander Mackenzie. Jack Hanna and Jean Neil were married on January 1, 1891, at St. Paul’s Rectory in Point Edward.

Four years into their marriage, Jean (nee Neil) Hanna passed away on January 25, 1895, in Sarnia at the age of 33. Her death was the result of William Neil’s birth, where after seven days in hospital, she died as a result of septicemia (a serious bloodstream infection). Jack was devastated by Jean’s death and named their son after her surname. As author Debbie Marshall noted, “the ghost of Jean Neil would never entirely leave him. Her memory would long be reflected in the face of their son Neil.” Jean (Neil) Hanna is buried in Lakeview Cemetery in Sarnia.

The grief-stricken Jack was ill-prepared to care for his son, especially with a busy practice to run. His mentor, Robert MacAdams, suggested that his daughter, 25-year-old Maud (born August 6, 1870), help care for Neil. Jack agreed and in the ensuing months was drawn to Maud. Within a year, Jack Hanna and Maud MacAdams married on June 30, 1896 at St. George’s Church in Sarnia. Jack was a member of Central Methodist (United) Church while Maud was a life-long member of St. George’s Anglican Church.

Maud MacAdams, the daughter of Robert and Catharine (nee Brown) MacAdams of Sarnia, had three brothers: Leslie, Johnston and William; and two sisters, Roberta and Mary. Of note, Maud’s sister, Roberta Catherine MacAdams, served in the war and went on to be a women’s political trailblazer. Born in Sarnia in 1880, Roberta attended the Ontario Agriculture College and graduated from the Macdonald Institute for Domestic Science (now the University of Guelph) in 1911. Shortly afterward, she made her way to Alberta where she worked with the provincial government as one of the first domestic science instructors—a job that required her to travel to rural communities to teach about health and nutrition.

In 1916, Roberta enlisted in the Canadian Army Medical Corps and was given the rank of lieutenant. She performed the first-ever role of dietician at the Ontario Military Hospital in Orpington, Kent, England, (in 1917 the hospital was renamed No. 16 Canadian General Hospital). While she serving in England in 1916, the Alberta government created a special constituency for the 38,000 Alberta soldiers and nurses serving overseas. The 1917 provincial elections were the first time the vote was extended to white women in Alberta. Roberta MacAdams decided to run as a candidate—her campaign slogan, “Give one vote to the man of your choice and the other to the sister.” On September 18, 1917, she was elected as a Representative at Large for the nurses and soldiers overseas—one of the first two women elected to any legislature in the British Empire.

Roberta MacAdams remained dedicated to helping soldiers. The first piece of legislation she introduced was the “Great War Next-of-Kin Association,” which was intended “To secure economic justice for men and women who have taken part in the Great War.” It passed and she earned the distinction of being the first woman in the British Empire to introduce legislation. Subsequently, she returned to England and began working for Khaki University, a place for returning soldiers to continue their education. When the war ended, she served as a chaperone to British war brides travelling to Canada. She was eventually appointed to the Alberta Soldier Settlement, a body which granted land rights to returning veterans. In 2016, the Roberta MacAdams School in Edmonton was named in her honour.

Jack and Maud Hanna had two daughters together, step-sisters for Neil: Margaret (born April 13, 1897, later Margaret Spaulding); and Katherine (born November 3, 1899, later Katherine Sproat). In 1901, also residing with the Hanna family in Sarnia was their 16-year-old servant, Agnes Druscilla Siddall. Agnes Siddall was born on June 26, 1884, in Sarnia Township, the youngest daughter of Robert John Siddall (a farmer in Sarnia Township) and Mary Ann (nee Laforge) Siddall. On August 18, 1905, 20-year-old Agnes Siddall married 23-year-old David Kerr, a labourer in Sarnia originally from Scotland. Agnes and David Kerr had four children together. In 1915, David Kerr enlisted in Sarnia to serve in the war. He was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. David Kerr’s story is included in this Project. 

In 1911, Jack and Maud Hanna, and their children Neil, Margaret and Katherine, along with their 23-year-old Domestic Bessie Dale, were residing at 236 Brock Street N., Sarnia. Jack Hanna was an influential force in the community and beyond. As the years passed, the Hannas were recognized as one of Sarnia’s most prominent families. And besides its social status and political connections, the family was wealthy—by 1912, Jack was a millionaire. At the couple’s home, they entertained such dignitaries as future prime minister Arthur Meighen and the Royal Highness Princess Patricia of Connaught, the granddaughter of Queen Victoria. Jack had graduated from Sarnia Collegiate Institute at 17, taught at a primary school near his home for three years, and then attended law school at Osgoode Hall in Toronto. He was called to the bar in 1890 and settled into his law practice in Sarnia. In 1902, he was elected to the Ontario legislature for Lambton West as a Conservative cabinet member.

While practicing law and building his political base, he had many connections. He was counsel for Imperial Oil Company from the time it came to Sarnia in 1897; and was a director with several companies including Imperial Bank of Canada, the Sterling Bank of Canada, and the Western Canada Settlers Mutual Company. As a legislative member, Jack Hanna had an enormous capacity for political work. For example, by 1914 he had brought in nearly 40 changes to liquor legislation for the purpose of restricting sales and distribution. In March 1916, he introduced the Ontario Temperance Act, which closed all bars, clubs, and liquor shops for the duration of World War I, and prohibited sales except for medicinal, scientific, or sacramental purposes. After the war broke out, Jack Hanna served as one of Prime Minister Robert Borden’s advisors. When food shortages and inflationary prices appeared to threaten the war effort, Jack was appointed food controller for Canada on June 21, 1917. In ill health, he resigned his political position in January 1918, and later that year he assumed the presidency of Imperial Oil. In fact, in December of that year, he initiated collective bargaining and employee benefits at Imperial.

From an early age, their son Neil Hanna, showed an adventurous streak that never left him. No tree was unclimbable; no horse, unrideable; no dare, unacceptable. A family member described Neil as being “as rough and tumble as his father.” Neil was educated in Sarnia public schools and Sarnia Collegiate and then attended St. Andrew’s College in Aurora from September 1908 to June 1910. Having graduated from high school, Neil was not yet ready for university—or so his parents thought. Jack, therefore, arranged for Neil to article in the summer at his law office of Hanna, LeSueur and McKinley at 145 ½ Front Street. His articling experience must have been positive, for Neil decided to study law. With his parents’ blessing, he attended Victoria College Delta Upsilon, University of Toronto from 1913 until 1915. He fully intended to practice law as a profession, but the lure of serving his country in the Great War proved too strong for Neil.

Early in 1915, Neil registered at the Royal Military College in Kingston to train as an artillery gunner. He was planning to attend a military aviation course in Hendon, England in September. The news distressed his parents, but they kept their emotions to themselves. They hoped he would remain with the artillery, for his odds of surviving were much better on the ground than in the air. They got their wish in the spring of 1915.

That spring, 20-year-old William Neil Hanna, single at the time, enlisted in the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force and became a member of the Army, Royal Field Artillery 26th Battery, Gunner. He embarked

overseas in September 1915. He obtained his commission in England in the Royal Field Artillery, and departed for

France with his unit early in 1916. He requested and was soon transferred to the cavalry. Jack and Jean Hanna in Sarnia wrote Neil a few times each week and sent news of his replies to other family members concerned about his safety. According to historian Debbie Marshall, “the sun rose and set” on their only son.

A little more than a year after enlisting, the Hannas received news of Neil’s wounding in battle in mid-July 1916, during the early stages of the Battle of the Somme (July 1-November 18, 1916). Neil Hanna was severely wounded in his hip at Mametz Wood on July 22, 1916.

Mametz Wood had been one of the worst battles of the war thus far. The battle began along a twisting series of trenches stretching 40 kilometres long north of the Somme River in the heart of Picardy. British and French troops had planned to mount an extensive infantry attack on the German trenches, thus creating a breach in the line that would allow the Allied cavalry to ride to victory. The first day of the battle was the bloodiest. It began with the Allies launching 250,000 shells at the Germans. At the end of the barrage, the troops emerged from their trenches and moved forward into the hell storm of enemy fire. At the end of the first day, 21,000 Allied soldiers were dead and another 21,000 were wounded. In those first few weeks of July, the Allies were successful in taking the villages of Mametz and Montauban as well as the Leipzig Redoubt, an important German fortification.

On Saturday, July 22, somewhere on the battle-scarred remains of Mametz Wood, Neil Hanna almost lost his life. He had been behind the front lines, working to move and load shells and to haul artillery pieces. In the cacophony of ear-splitting artillery fire and the thunderous explosions of shells that surrounded him, some horses drawing a heavy artillery gun carriage were spooked. Before Neil could get out of the way, the out-of-control gun carriage ran him over.

Neil lay still on the ground for at least a half hour before soldiers brought him to No. 13 Field Ambulance. After doctors examined his hip, he was transferred to and reassessed at No. 2 Stationary Hospital at Abbetville. His hip injury was extensive enough that he was moved to England for further treatment. Convalescing at Queen Alexandra’s Hospital in London, Neil had a cracked rib and a fracture of the crest ileum—a pelvic injury that caused him much pain. Neil later wrote to his father that “with my usual luck I did not get hit by a shell but got ploughed under by a team that was running rather wild.”   

Neil downplayed his injury and hoped that he’d be returning to action within a month. But as the weeks passed, his injury had still not healed and doctors informed him that the current condition of his fractured hip prevented him from returning to active duty. In October 1916, Neil Hanna was sent home to Sarnia, on leave, to recover. He was greeted by his anxious and relieved parents.

He was, however, experiencing intense pain even though he seldom complained. Jack and Maud insisted he see a specialist in bone fractures and the news was not good. The doctor noted that Neil’s left iliac bone of the pelvis is very much crushed and fractured, the upper fragment is markedly displaced downwards and impinges somewhat upon the hip joint interfering with its freedom of action. In addition to this, one of the processes of the lumbar spine is fractured. The doctor warned Neil that if he returned to the trenches, he risked permanent disability.

Neil wanted to continue serving, but in his current capacity, he would be a liability to his artillery unit. He had to find another way to do his duty, so in mid-December 1916, he returned to London, England and took a desk job with the British Home Service Division. Within a week, Neil was before a medical review board that assessed his injuries and recommended that he take his discharge from the military. Neil, who had not brought the X-rays of his injuries, absolutely refused to do so and claimed that he was as good as new.

Neil stayed with the British Home Service for a year, but the lack of significant action bothered him. He was anxious to return to the front lines, and in late January 1918, he returned to his old artillery unit, the 114^th Battery of the 25^th Brigade, on the Western Front near Passchendaele. For a few months, the pain in his hip was tolerable and he could fulfill some of his artillery functions. However, by May 1918, when he attempted to ride a horse again, he realized that his hip would not tolerate the rigours of longer horseback rides, especially in cold weather.

It was evident to Neil that he was ill-suited to do a desk job, and he was unable to endure a position with the artillery. So, in the early part of 1918, he reverted to what he had first desired to do in 1915—to join the RAF like his cousin Harold. In April 1918, Neil’s cousin (Jack Hanna’s nephew), Harold Leander Hanna, celebrated his 19th birthday by enlisting in the Royal Air Force and starting flight training in England. On April 1, 1918, the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), which was the air arm of the British Army, amalgamated with the Royal Naval Service to become the Royal Air Force (RAF).

Harold Hanna started his flight training in England, and only weeks later, he died when his Sopwith Camel aircraft nose-dived into the ground. Jack Hanna, in a letter to his son, provided Neil with more details: Harold was making his last flight for that course and had given a perfect performance up to the time of the accident. Just what happened is not definitely known, but it would appear that coming down at a distance of 1500 feet from the ground, the controllers broke or otherwise went wrong and he struck the ground at a very high speed, probably never knowing what happened.

Despite his father’s fears, Neil began lobbying his superiors to transfer him to the Royal Air Force. Eventually, they acceded and at the end of May 1918, Neil’s request to transfer was accepted.

Jack Hanna, of course, disapproved of his son’s decision. In a letter to Neil, the concerned father wrote, I do think it would be a great mistake for you to attempt to push your way as a pilot. I do not believe you are fitted for it. We want you back alive and able to carry on here. Please exercise the necessary care.

Jack had every reason to be worried. Flying, still in its infancy, was extremely dangerous. The wooden-framed planes were flimsy and equipping the light aircraft with heavy weaponry was problematic. The demands of war meant that pilot training was often cursory. Many recruits had only a few hours of instruction before being expected to fly solo; consequently, more pilots died from accidents and mechanical failure than from enemy fire. By war’s end, almost a quarter of all British flyers were Canadian. Of 6,166 British Empire air service fatalities, 1,388 were Canadian. An additional 1,130 Canadians were wounded or injured, and 377 became prisoners of war or were interned.

Even though Neil’s preference was to be a pilot, once transferred to the RAF, he began his training as an observer/gunner, in part because of his experience in the artillery. His RAF training began in July 1918 in Reading, and it brought him to a number of communities around England. In a September letter home to his father, he described the thrilling flying experiences he was having learning from other pilots. In early October 1918, Lt. Neil Hanna, of the RAF, 36^th Squadron, arrived in Italy where he was to continue his training. Shortly after, he wrote in a letter to his father that the war has “taken a mighty different aspect during the last few weeks hasn’t it. The idea of peace within the next while seems almost too good to be true, but seems to be so never-the-less.”

Soon after arriving in Italy, Neil was hit with the Spanish Flu. At that time, the deadly flu was sweeping the globe, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths. In a letter written on October 27, Neil let his father know that he had been in hospital for 10 days. In a letter dated November 7, from 62^nd General Hospital in Italy with a view of the Mediterranean, Neil informed his parents that he had been hospitalized for three weeks with the flu. He also admitted to his father that “lying in bed like this has been the devil—however its just the way luck has played me all through the war—missed everything worthwhile in it, in the way of the big shows.”

The following day, he wrote a letter to Katherine, his half-sister, and expressed his mixed feelings about the approaching end of the Great War: “The war’s over out here of course, and it was just my luck to miss the advance. I was only at my unit for a few days but fortunately had a couple of trips over Austrian lines and had the pleasure of letting a few bullets go at the ground, so have to be satisfied with that.”

Three days later, on November 11, 1918, the Armistice Treaty was signed, officially ending the war.

Soon after, the Jack and Maud received a letter from Neil, dated November 15, where he mentions that the Armistice was in effect, and he wasn’t sure if his squadron was going through to Austria or back to England. He devoted the bulk of his letter to providing his favourable impressions of Italy. He loved Milan, its “great wide streets and fine shops”, and he took time to appreciate the many carvings of Michelangelo in a stunning cathedral. He told his mother that the two places he wanted to see in Italy were Florence and Venice. He closed with the words “Goodbye for now, Yours sincerely, Neil.”

In Sarnia, Jack Hanna was elated as he composed a letter to Neil on November 21. Seated in his oak-lined study, Jack let his thoughts pour out from relief that his son had survived the war. Neil’s latest letter had arrived at their Brock Street home earlier that day. In it, Jack and Maud learned that Neil had been bedridden with influenza, but had survived, and he was eager to return home. The burden of worrying about Neil’s safety disappeared, and Maud and he could look forward to the comfortable life they wanted for him when he returned. Jack signed his letter With love from all here, Very sincerely, Your dad and set the letter aside. He would ask his secretary to type it and send it by the first post tomorrow.

Jack and Maud Hanna went on a short trip to New York where he had to attend to some legislative business, and a few days later, Jack made his way home alone. It was late on Sunday, November 24, 1918, when a knock on the front door drew Jack to answer it. Before him stood a messenger holding a buff-coloured envelope. Jack knew immediately what news it contained, opened it and read the telegram DEEPLY REGRET TO INFORM YOU LIEUTENANT W.N. HANNA ROYAL AIR FORCE IS REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN KILLED ON NOVEMBER TWENTIETH PERIOD AIR COUNCIL EXPRESS THEIR SYMPATHY. They were given no particulars about how the fatality occurred.

The next morning, Jack sent telegrams to his daughters Margaret (Mrs. Harry Spaulding) and Katherine, both in New York, providing them with the details of the cable that he had received the previous night. Jack and Maud soon received letters of condolence from friends. Following are portions of some of them;

Dear W.J. Hanna,

Let me tell you how much grieved we were to hear of the loss of your dear son. After so bravely doing his part in the great struggle it seems peculiar and hard he should not return when peace with victory is in sight. To live in the hearts of those we love and leave behind is not to die…

Dear Jack,

We were completely knocked out this evening when the news of Neil came. It must be worse of course for you people. I cannot write any words to express our feelings & sympathy better than you know both us and our feelings where Neil is concerned. We are all sure here that if the Almighty and white angels are in heaven to welcome white clean boys our Neil has a front seat for he was white through and through and will require no training whatever as he lived his life doing decent things for people…

My Dear Jack,

Please accept my heartfelt sympathy; may your wonderful courage remain with you in your overwhelming sorrow. With love and sympathy for Maud and the girls.

Dear Jack,

Leslie has just telephoned me of the cable. There is of course, nothing to be said – but if sympathy is of any help be sure it is yours. Dot and I feel it’s a dreadful shock and a great grief. Our much love and all sympathy to you and Maud.

In the days following, few details emerged about Neil’s death. A November 25 Toronto newspaper ran a brief story under the headline “Hon. W.J. Hanna’s Son is Killed” with the subtitle “Presumed Canadian Airman Was Killed in Flight.” The last line of the two-paragraph article stated that “As his death occurred subsequently to the conclusion of the armistice, it is presumed he was making a flight of his own account.”

In December 1918, the St. Andrew’s College yearbook included a section on former students who had lost their lives while serving in the Great War. Included was a synopsis on William Neil Hanna’s education, military career and tragic loss. It concluded with, Quiet, unassuming and steadfast, Neil Hanna endeared himself to many friends and he will be missed by all who knew him at school and in his later days.

Neil Hanna had also attended Victoria College at the University of Toronto. The Soldiers’ Tower was built at the University of Toronto between 1919-1924 in memory of those lost to the University in the Great War. Lt. William Neil Hanna is among the 628 names carved on the Memorial Screen in the Tower. To this day, each year, the university awards “The William Neil Hanna Scholarship”. It is awarded to “the Third Year student who, by her or his academic standing and by other qualities displayed in college life, shows outstanding promise of leadership and public service.”

The loss of his only son was devastating for Jack Hanna. He had become president of Imperial Oil but had been in ill-health for a while. He travelled to Augusta, Georgia, that winter for warmer weather. While in Augusta, the 56- year-old suffered a stroke and passed away on March 20, 1919, only four months after his son William Neil’s death.

Jack Hanna had been an influential figure in both national and provincial politics and his passing garnered much attention. According to Saturday Night Magazine, “his health was undermined not merely by his strenuous activities during the past decade, but by grief over the death of his only son.” William John “Jack” Hanna is buried in Lakeview Cemetery.

His second wife, and Neil’s step-mother, Maud Hanna, had always been very public minded. She continued helping her community in many ways and became a celebrated Sarnia philanthropist. She contributed half of the money the city needed in 1932 to purchase the land for Canatara Park. She also made another large donation toward the purchase of Lake Chipican. She made many other contributions: donating land on Mitton Street for Hanna Park; purchasing the Horticultural Garden on College Avenue; paying the cost of operating the street car to Huron Park, so children could use the beach; and contributing to services benefitting children such as playground equipment, the hospital and to schools.

Shortly after Maud Hanna’s death in 1946, the Sarnia School Board opened its newest school at 369 Maria Street. The name for the new building, “Hanna Memorial School” was chosen to honour the memory of Mrs. Maud Hanna who had done so much philanthropic work in Sarnia. In Lakeview Cemetery, there is a large memorial “Hanna” stone in honour of all of the family buried there. In front of the large Hanna stone are a group of smaller stones, each commemorating a family member, including Margaret Hanna Spaulding, Maud Hanna, W.J. Hanna and Neil Hanna, Lieutenant R.A.F.

In 1960, Tom Spaulding, Jack and Maud’s grandson, and his wife Alice, named their son Neil, in honour of his great-grand uncle.

Unfortunately, Neil’s death has a disturbing endnote. In November 2020, Neil Spaulding was researching his namesake and accessed his great-grand uncle’s two-page military record from the British National Archives. The report was brief, but it contained a shocking revelation. On the first page—and repeated on the second page—are the words “Neil Hanna 20/11/18 killed (Self inflicted).”

Many questions remain unanswered, and the family might never uncover any of the circumstances of Neil’s death. They do not know Neil’s whole story, but his relatives feel nothing but compassion for him. “Obviously we can never know the burden he was carrying,” Spaulding stated, “or why he would have committed suicide. But I would guess he was suffering from shell shock (PTSD). Almost certainly another casualty of the horror of war.”

Twenty-three-year-old William Neil Hanna is buried in Montecchio Precalcino Communal Cemetery Extension, Italy, Plot 9, Row A, Grave 6. On Neil Hanna’s headstone are inscribed the words, BELOVED AND ONLY SON OF JEAN NEIL & WILLIAM J. HANNA BORN AT SARNIA, ONT. JAN. 16, 1895.

Source: The Sarnia War Remembrance Project by Tom Slater

Editors: Tom St. Amand and Lou Giancarlo

More information on this soldier is available in

Valour Remembered: Sarnia-Lambton War Stories by Tom Slater and Tom St. Amand

George Harris was born in Brockley, Kent, England, on November 30, 1890, the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (nee Bates) Harris, both originally of Middlesex, England. Benjamin and Elizabeth were blessed with seven children together: Benjamin Jr. (born January 9, 1880); Matilda (born February 14, 1882); Mary Ann (born 1885); John W. (born 1887); Emma E. (born 1889); George; and Ellen Rosina (born December 27,1892). George Harris was baptized on December 24, 1890, in Deptford St. John Lewisham, England. In 1911, the Harris family was residing in Lewisham, London, England, with Benjamin supporting his large family working as a brick maker. Elizabeth took care of their home and by now some of their children were working: John, as a milk carrier; Ellen, as a drapers assistant; and 20-year-old George as timekeeper.

In 1913, part of the Harris family immigrated to Canada. Making the journey were Benjamin and Elizabeth, along with their three children: Benjamin Jr., 33, and his wife, Alice (nee: Howe), and their four children; 22-year-old George; and 20-year-old Emma. They departed Liverpool aboard the Tunisian and arrived in Quebec on May 26, 1913. Their final destination was Sarnia, where they resided at 278 Bright Street. Eventually, all the Harris children immigrated to Canada.

Benjamin Jr. and Alice resided in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Matilda, with her husband William, immigrated to Canada in 1919 and were residing in Point Edward. Mary Ann, who married Sidney William Savage, resided in Sarnia, as did John Harris and his wife Hannah Beatrice Chappell. Emma married Albert Christopher Blay and resided in Lambton. Ellen, who married Bertram Leslie Pusey, resided in Sarnia. Benjamin and Eliza Harris spent the rest of their lives in Sarnia and both are buried in Lakeview Cemetery, Sarnia.

On March 7, 1914, 23-year-old George Harris, then a labourer, married 24-year-old Alice Savage at St. George’s Church in Sarnia. Alice was born December 29, 1889, in Lewisham, London, England, the daughter of William and Susanah (nee Akers) Savage. The newlywed couple, resided at 264 Cameron Street, and later 401 George Street, Sarnia. George and Alice had one child together, a daughter, Renee May Harris, born January 11, 1915, in Sarnia.

Twenty-four-year-old George Harris enlisted in the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on September 20, 1915, in Sarnia. He stood five feet seven-and-a-quarter inches tall, had dark brown eyes and black hair, was married with a newborn at home, and was residing on Cameron Street at the time. George recorded his trade or calling as pumpman, and his next-of-kin as his wife Alice of 264 Cameron Street, Sarnia. He also recorded that he had 154 previous days military experience with the West Yorkshire Regiment. George became a member of the 70th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force with the rank of private and embarked overseas from Halifax bound for the United Kingdom on April 24, 1916, aboard S.S. Lapland.

Private George Harris arrived in Liverpool, England on May 5, 1916. In late May and into mid-June 1916, George had to spend 21 days in Moore Barracks Canadian Hospital in Shorncliffe recovering from the mumps. On July 6, 1916, he was transferred to the 39th Battalion, stationed at West Sandling. Six weeks later, on August 20, 1916, he was transferred to the Canadian Infantry, 73rd Battalion, Quebec Regiment. He arrived in Havre, France the following day.

In early September 1916, Private George Harris arrived with the 73rd Battalion at the front lines. He joined the battalion in the horrendous mass butchery that was the Battle of the Somme. Waged from July 1-November 18, 1916, it was one of the most futile and bloody battles in history. The Somme, a battle of attrition, lasted for more than four brutal months and saw the Allies advance around 10 kilometers. A more telling statistic is the number of injuries and deaths: of the 85,000 Canadian Corps, there were more than 24,000 Canadian casualties. George Harris was fortunate enough to survive this battle.  

In the spring of 1917, Private Harris and the 73rd Battalion, along with the rest of the Canadian Corps, made their way to an area in northern France dominated by a long hill known as Vimy Ridge that was occupied by German forces. The Canadians had been arriving in staggered marches beginning in late October 1916. On the muddy, cratered western slope, they saw an immense graveyard that was littered with the remains of thousands of unburied corpses and fragments of bodies. Above them, the Germans had transformed the ridge into a virtually impregnable defensive position with deep concrete dugouts, rows of barbed wire, underground tunnels, and multiple lines of soldiers with rifles, mortars and machine guns, all protected by artillery. The Canadians were tasked with capturing the ridge, something that French and British troops had failed to do.

On March 1, 1917, Private George Harris was killed in action during the planning and preparation stages leading up to the famous Battle of Vimy Ridge (April 9-12, 1917). George, who had been in France for just over six months, was initially reported as “Missing” on March 1 and later recorded as “Now reported Killed in Action”. His Circumstances of Death Register records the following: Date of Casualty: 1-3-17. “Previously reported Missing, now Killed in Action.” Location of Unit at time of Casualty: NEAR VIMY.

George Harris left behind is wife Alice of less than three years, and their two-year-old daughter Renee, who were both then residing in Lewisham, London, England.

Twenty-six-year-old George Harris has no known grave. He is memorialized on the Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

Source: The Sarnia War Remembrance Project by Tom Slater

Editors: Tom St. Amand and Lou Giancarlo

Thomas Hazen was born in Forestville, Norfolk County, Ontario, on March 13, 1896, the only son of John William (born January 1865 in Charlotteville, Norfolk) and Lydia (nee Martin, born February 1868 in Walpole Township) Hazen. John, a carpenter and later a cabinet-maker, married Lydia on November 14, 1888, in Charlotteville, Norfolk County. Together, they had four children: son Thomas; and daughters Elizabeth Marsh “Bessie” (born February 24, 1889); Frances Edith “Fannie” (born November 3, 1891); and Olive Ester Louise “Lula” (born August 25, 1898).

In 1891, John, now a farmer, and Lydia, were residing in Norfolk South with their only child at the time, two-year-old Elizabeth, along with John’s mother, Mary Hazen (born March 1829). A decade later in 1901, John, a labourer, and Lydia were still residing in Norfolk District but their household had grown to include Bessie, Fannie, Douglas, Lula and paternal widowed grandmother, Mary Hazen. At some point, the Hazen family moved to Sarnia and resided at of 123 Proctor Street, and later 239 Proctor Street.

Twenty-one-year-old Thomas Hazen enlisted in the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on July 4, 1917, in Sudbury, Ontario. He stood six feet tall, had blue eyes and fair hair, was single, and was residing in Matheson, Ontario, at the time. He recorded his trade or calling as school teacher, and his next-of-kin as his mother Lydia Hazen of 123 Proctor Street, Sarnia. Thomas became a member of the Divisional Signal Corps Corps, Canadian Engineers with the rank of sapper. He began his training at the Signal Training Depot in Ottawa.

Two-and-a-half months later, on September 28, 1917, Thomas was discharged from the Signal Training Depot so that he could enlist in the Air Force, Royal Flying Corps (RFC). He received air training in Toronto and Texas, and became a member of RFC 56th Squadron, with the rank of lieutenant. Thomas embarked overseas in February 1918, where he continued his training in England. Three months later, in May 1918, Lieutenant Thomas Hazen arrived in France.

Just over two months later, Thomas Hazen found himself embroiled in The Hundred Days Campaign, one that featured intense fighting as the end of the war neared. Fought between August 8 – November 11, 1918, in France and Belgium, this campaign was the “beginning of the end” of the Great War. Canadians were called on again and again over the three-month period to lead the offensives against the toughest German defences. The series of victories repeatedly drove the Germans back, culminating in Germany’s unconditional surrender on November 11, but it came at a high price: approximately 46,000 Canadians were killed, wounded, or missing.

The first offensive in the Campaign was the Battle of Amiens in France (August 8-14, 1918), a truly all-arms battle, one in which all four Canadian divisions were involved. Over the course of one week, in a battle that British Field Marshal Douglas Haig called “the finest operation of the war”, the Canadians would advance nearly 14 kms.

The second offensive in the Campaign was the Battle of Arras and Breaking the DQ Line (August 26-September 3, 1918), where Canadians were part of a spearhead force tasked with crashing one of the most heavily fortified positions, the Hindenburg Line. It was in the lead up to the second offensive where Thomas Hazen lost his life.

On August 19, 1918, only three months after arriving in France, RFC Lieutenant Thomas Hazen was killed in action at Bapaume, France, during Canada’s Hundred Days Campaign. In late August 1918, his mother Lydia in Sarnia, received a brief telegram informing her that her only son, Thomas, had been reported missing on August 19th, and that a letter would follow later. Until then, the details would not be known.

In early September 1918, several weeks after Thomas’ death, his father, John, received a telegram informing him that his son FLIGHT LIEUTENANT THOMAS DOUGLAS HAZEN, WHO HAD BEEN REPORTED MISSING SOME TIME AGO, WAS NOW OFFICIALLY REPORTED AS A PRISONER OF WAR IN GERMANY.

It was not until 1921 that John and Lydia Hazen in Sarnia received a War Service Gratuity of $240.00 for the loss of their only son. They never did learn the details of his death. John and Lydia Hazen resided at 239 Proctor Street at least into 1921, and by 1926 they were living in Middlesex County.

Thomas Hazen, 22, has no known grave. He is memorialized on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. He is also memorialized on his father’s grave in Dorchester Union Cemetery in Dorchester, Ontario. The headstone reads J. WILLIAM HAZEN 1865-1926 BELOVED HUSBAND OF LYDIA MARTIN 1868-1952 THEIR SON LT. T. DOUGLAS HAZEN 1896-1918 SLEEPING IN FRANCE. On the Sarnia cenotaph, his name is inscribed as G.D. Hazen.

Source: The Sarnia War Remembrance Project by Tom Slater Editors: Tom St. Amand and Lou Giancarlo

Frank Hickey was born in Clifford, Ontario, on December 24, 1882, the eldest son of James B. (born February 4, 1851) and Bridget (nee O’Donnell, born March 6, 1850) Hickey. James and Bridget were blessed with five children together: Katie A. (born August 11, 1876); Frank; Dell (born May 19, 1883); John J. (born March 13, 1886); and Wilfred (born August 1,1888).

In 1901, the Hickey family was residing in Colchester, Essex South, where James was employed as a railway section foreman. Also working on the railway were Dell, 24, as a bookkeeper, and Frank, 19, as a railway labourer/brakeman. In 1911, James, now a railway foreman, and Bridget were residing at 312 Vidal Street, S., Sarnia. Living with them were; lodger Frank Hubbard, a 21-year-old store bookkeeper; and; a boarder, Mary Brady, a 24-year-old bookkeeper. 

At age 32, Frank Hickey enlisted in the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on January 27, 1915, in Sarnia. He stood five feet nine-and-a-half inches tall, had blue eyes and fair hair, and was single at the time. He recorded his trade or calling as RR switchman, and his next-of-kin as his father James Hickey in Sarnia. He also recorded that he had prior military experience with 27th Regiment Militia. He became a member of the 34th Battalion with the rank of private. Private Frank Hickey embarked overseas bound for the United Kingdom on June 19, 1915, aboard S.S. Corsican.

            On July 5, 1915, Frank was attached to the 11th Battalion, stationed at Shorncliffe. One month later, on August 3, 1915, he became a member of the 1st Canadian Infantry Battalion and embarked with them to France. Three months later, in late November 1915, Private Frank Hickey was wounded in the right hand by a bullet. His hospitalization, including his recovery from septic poisoning, lasted until November 1916.

The following spring, on March 12, 1917, Frank was transferred to the 14th Canadian Reserve Battalion, and in early April 1917, was transferred to the Western Ontario Reserve Depot (WORD) stationed at

Bramshott, England. At the end of April, he was posted to the 4th Reserve Battalion. Just over three months later, in August 1917, he returned to WORD and was discharged back to Canada. His last posting was with the 1st Battalion, Canadian Garrison Regiment.

On August 22, 1918, in London, Ontario, Frank was discharged “as medically unfit for further general service.” He had lost part of his right-hand index finger prior to the war, and had lost another finger in his right hand during the war (making handling a rifle difficult). He also had bunions on both feet and cramping of toes–both conditions made walking difficult. His address when discharged was 312 Vidal Street, Sarnia.

At least there was some good news for Frank personally. Six days after being discharged, on August 28, 1918, 36-year-old Frank Hickey married 27-year-old Sarah Jane Patterson (born in Belfast, Ireland, residing in Brooklyn, New York at time of marriage) in London, Ontario.

The Armistice that ended the Great War was signed on November 11, 1918. Approximately ten months later, on September 1, 1919, Frank Hickey lost his life in Windsor, due to nephritis, his death the result of his service.

His Veterans Death Card records his death as Renal calculus left kidney. Death was related to service. Frank Hickey’s Circumstances of Casualty Record records the following: Date of Casualty: 1-9-19 (midnight). Circumstances of Casualty: Cause: Renal Calculus Left Kidney (nephritis). Death due to Service. Location of Casualty: At Hotel Dieu Hospital, Windsor, Ontario.

Frank Hickey’s funeral was held from the residence of his mother, Mrs. James Hickey, of 312 Vidal Street. His wife Sarah Hickey would later reside in Astoria, Long Island, New York.

Frank Hickey, 37, is buried in Our Lady of Mercy Roman Catholic Cemetery, Sarnia. His name was not originally on the Sarnia cenotaph, unveiled in November 1921. In November 2019, his name, along with 25 others, was added to the Sarnia cenotaph, engraved in stone to be remembered always.

Source: The Sarnia War Remembrance Project by Tom Slater

Editors: Tom St. Amand and Lou Giancarlo

John Howarth was born in Rochdale, Lancashire, England, on June 25, 1889, the son of John Sr. (born 1860) and Harriet (born 1866) Howarth. John Sr. and Harriet had four children together: Marion Macmanus (born 1888); John Jr.; Harry Macmanus (born 1890); and Clara (born 1897). In 1901, the Howarth family was residing in Rochdale, England—John Sr. was supporting his family as an overlooker in a cotton mill, while 13-year-old John Lewis was a hairdresser’s assistant. In 1911, Harriet, still recorded as married, was residing in Heywood, Lancashire, with daughters Marion and Clara, where all three were employed in the cotton industry—Harriet and Clara were recorded as reelers/cotton spinning, and Marion was a cotton weaver.

At some point, John Jr. married his wife Emma and they immigrated to Canada. The young couple ended up in Sarnia residing at 260 Mitton Street and later 296 Queen Street.

Twenty-six-year-old John Jr. Howarth enlisted in the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on

September 14, 1915, in Sarnia, with the 70th Overseas Battalion. He stood five feet five-and-a-half inches tall, had grey eyes and dark brown hair, and was married and residing on Queen Street at the time. He recorded his trade or calling as labourer, and his next-of-kin as his wife Emma Howarth of 296 Queen Street, Sarnia. Three months later, in early December 1915, he was discharged from the 70th Battalion in London, Ontario. 

Intent on joining the service, only days after being discharged, on December 9, 1915, John completed another Attestation Paper for the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force, this time becoming a member of the 149th Battalion in Sarnia. Still married, residing on Queen Street and employed as a labourer, his eye colour was now recorded as brown and his hair colour as black. It would be approximately 15 months before John went overseas.

He embarked overseas from Halifax bound for the United Kingdom on March 25, 1917, aboard S.S. Lapland. He arrived in Liverpool, England, on April 7, 1917. From the Segregation Camp at Bramshott, he was taken on strength into the 25th Reserve Battalion. Early the following year, in mid-February 1918, John was moved to the 4th Canadian Reserve Battalion and, in late-March 1918, was with the 47th Battalion at Bramshott. Only days later, on April 2, 1918, he became a member of the 43rd Battalion. Soon after, he arrived in France, and in May 1918, John was a member of the Canadian Machine Gun Corps, 3rd Battalion.

Four months after arriving in France, John was soon engulfed in the Hundred Days Campaign, one that featured intense fighting as the end of the war neared. Fought between August 8 – November 11, 1918, in France and Belgium, it was the “beginning of the end” of the Great War. Canadians were called on again and again over the three-month period to lead the offensives against the toughest German defences. The series of victories repeatedly drove the Germans back, culminating in Germany’s unconditional surrender on November 11, but it came at a high price: approximately 46,000 Canadians were killed, wounded, or missing.

Private John Howarth took part in all of the major offensives during this campaign. The first offensive in the Campaign was the Battle of Amiens in France (August 8-14, 1918), a truly all-arms battle, one in which all four Canadian divisions were involved. Over the course of one week, in a battle that British Field Marshal Douglas Haig called “the finest operation of the war”, the Canadians would advance nearly 14 kms.

The second offensive in the Campaign was the Battle of Arras and Breaking the DQ Line in France (August 26-September 3, 1918), where Canadians were part of a spearhead force tasked with crashing one of the most heavily fortified positions, the Hindenburg Line—a series of strong defensive trenches and fortified villages. General Sir Julian Byng called the Canadian victory at the 2nd Battle of Arras and breaking of the DQ Line “the turning point of the campaign”, but it came at a cost of 11,400 Canadian casualties. 

The third offensive in the Campaign was the Battle of Canal-du-Nord and Cambrai (September 27-October 11, 1918). Against seemingly impossible odds and a desperate fully prepared enemy, the Canadians fought for two weeks in a series of brutal engagements—successfully channelling through a narrow gap in the canal, punching through a series of fortified villages and deep interlocking trenches, and capturing Bourlon Wood and the city of Cambrai. General Arthur Currie would call it “some of the bitterest fighting we have experienced”.

After taking Cambrai, Canadian forces advanced tentatively toward Valenciennes, the last major French city in German hands. There, the Germans stopped running—they held every advantage in this heavily fortified city protected by a canal. In the Battle of Valenciennes (November 1-2, 1918), the Canadians were able to capture the city through two days of desperate fighting that included urban warfare.

After capturing Valenciennes (November 2), the Canadian forces continued advancing tentatively east towards Mons, Belgium. Using artillery and battle patrols, they pushed against the retreating German forces, occasionally running into significant opposition. With the war winding down, in their Pursuit to Mons, Canadians were still being killed by the score every day, the result of German ambushes, rearguard snipers, machine-gun nests, artillery fire, booby traps and aircraft strafing fire.

On November 6, 1918, seven months after arriving in France, Private John Howarth was killed in action by an enemy shell while fighting in the Pursuit to Mons. The Canadians crossed into Belgium the next day, on November 7, toward their final goal, the German-occupied city of Mons. Only five days after he was killed, the Canadians liberated Mons, and the Armistice agreement was signed on November 11, ending the Great War. Private John Howarth was the last Sarnian to be killed in action prior to the Armistice.

In late November 1918, his wife Emma Howarth received a telegram informing her that her husband

844551, PVT. JOHN LEWIS HOWARTH, MACHINE GUN CORPS, HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY REPORTED KILLED IN ACTION ON NOVEMBER 6TH. John Howarth’s Circumstances of Death Register records the following: Date of Casualty: 6-11-18. “Killed in Action”. He was killed by enemy shell fire on the morning of November 6th 1918, while taking part with his Battalion in operations in the vicinity of Onnaing. Valenciennes Communal Cemetery British Extension, France. 

In January 1919, widowed Emma Howarth received a letter from Private Allen Kirk, L Battery, Third Canadian M.G.C., France, a companion of her husband. In the letter, Private Kirk expressed his sympathy on the death of Private Howarth, who had been instantly killed. Kirk stated that they had received parcels since the death of the young soldier. Private Kirk was a Hamilton, Ontario man, with a wife and two children. He extended an invitation to Emma Howarth to visit their home in Hamilton when he returned, when he would give her the particulars of her husband’s death. In closing his letter, Private Kirk said of the dead hero: He was a straight-forward young man, obliging, and a good soldier, and often spoke of his wife to me.

Emma Howarth later returned to England and would reside in Rochdale, Lancashire.

John Howarth, 29, is buried in Valenciennes (St. Roch) Communal Cemetery, Nord, France, Grave II.E.19.

Source: The Sarnia War Remembrance Project by Tom Slater

Editors: Tom St. Amand and Lou Giancarlo