World War II - Guelph Eramosa Township

Transcription

REMEMBERING THE
FALLEN
A tribute to the soldiers remembered
on the Rockwood Cenotaph.
REMEMBERING THE
FALLEN
The Memorial Cross
This gift of Canada, was issued as a memento of
personal loss and sacrifice on the part of widows
and mothers of Canadian sailors, soldiers and
airmen who died for their country during war. Also
The Memorial
Cross
known as
the “Silver Cross”.
The Memorial Cross
This gift of Canada, was issued as a memento of personal loss
and sacrifice on the part of widows and mothers of Canadian
personal
loss
sacrifice
ontheir
the country
part ofduring
widows
sailors,
soldiers
and and
airmen
who died for
war. Alsoof
known
as the “Silver
Cross”.soldiers and
and mothers
Canadian
sailors,
known as the “Silver Cross”.
Heritage
Heritage
Guelph/Eramosa
Guelph/Eramosa
Heritage
Remembering the Fallen
A Tribute to the Soldiers remembered on
the Rockwood Cenotaph
World War I
INTRODUCTION
Remembering the Fallen - A Tribute to the Soldiers on the Rockwood Cenotaph, is a project
lead by Heritage Guelph/Eramosa. The names on the cenotaph include eleven men who died
overseas in World War I and thirteen men in World War II. Collaborative research efforts have made
this project possible with information received from community members and families of the fallen.
Rockwood Cenotaph
The Rockwood Cenotaph
was unveiled on Thursday,
the 28th of August 1919.
According to a contemporary
newspaper account in the
18th of September 1919
edition of the Mount Forest
Representative,
be unveiled which has been
erected by a municipality.”
Post WWI Unveiling of the Rockwood Cenotaph
The Cenotaph was subsequently modified to include the names of 13 more men from the Township
who fought and died in World War II
cenotaph - noun:
Oxford English Dictionary
A monument to someone
buried elsewhere, especially
one commemorating people
who died in a war.
Origin: early 17th century: from
French cénotaphe, from late
Latin cenotaphium, from Greek
kenos ‘empty’ + taphos ‘tomb’
Post WWII Unveilling of the Rockwood Cenotaph
Fallen Soldiers - Rockwood Cenotaph
Page 3
World War I
World War I
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Rockwood Cenotaph
Rockwood Cenotaph
Representative,
Representative,
cenotaph - noun:
cenotaph - noun:
who died in a war.
who died in a war.
Page 3
Page 3
JOHN S. COKER, MM, MiD
18027 Sergeant
World War I
accomplished
July 1915,
JOHN
S. marksman.
COKER,ByMM,
MiDthe 3rd Bn had moved to the Walloon (French speaking)
Region in Belgium. They were located at Piggeries near the town of Ploegsteert and approximately
18027
Sergeant
2 kms north
of the border with France. Ploegsteert Wood was the site of fierce WWI fighting. The
Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing commemorates more than 11,000 missing and assumed killed
in action
Commonwealth
soldiersTownship,
who died in
the area during that time.
Born:
2 March
1885 in Eramosa
Ontario
Born: 2 March 1885 in Eramosa Township, Ontario
Previous Occupation: Carpenter
Enlisted: 18 August 1914 in Edmonton, Alberta
Died: 3 May 1917 at the age of 32
Buried: Aubigny Communal Cemetery, at Pas de
Calais, France
John S. Coker was born on 2 March 1885 to John
and Hannah (nee Bolton) Coker of RR #3 Eramosa.
He was the youngest of their four children (William
b.1874, James Thomas b.1876 and Mary b.?).
His grandparents immigrated to Eramosa Township from Scotland before the birth of his father in
1860. John was raised in Eramosa Township and after his education, became a carpenter and
had a reputation as an accomplished woodsman. He was a member of the local militia – the 30th
Canadian Regiment (Wellington Rifles) for 5 years. Around 1912, John and a friend travelled west to
the Peace River District of Alberta.
The 30th Regiment Wellington Rifles evolved from the 1st Battalion Wellington Rifles. They
were organized in 1857 from the local militia within Wellington County and were headquartered in
Guelph. In 1866, because of the fear of the Fenian Raids (1866-1871) they were re-organized as
an infantry unit (30th Regiment Wellington Rifles) and a separate artillery unit (Guelph Garrison
Battery, later Wellington Field Battery). In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many men joined
their local militia. In addition to the camaraderie of weekly training, rank achieved within the militia
tended to have a corresponding level of prestige within the local community.
The 30th Wellington Rifles were never mobilized as a unit for WWI. Instead, they performed
recruiting duties locally. After training in Canada, their recruits were assigned to operational
regiments for overseas service. Seventy years after they were separated, these two Wellington
County regiments were merged back into a larger artillery battery that has continued through to
today as the 11th Field, Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery.
While living in Alberta, John joined the 101st Regiment (Edmonton Fusiliers) on 18 August 1914.
Ten days later, the Regiment arrived in Valcartier, Quebec for short and strenuous basic training.
During this time, his attestation papers show that he volunteered for overseas service on 22
September. At Quebec City on 3 October, the regiment boarded the S.S. Zeeland for the crossing to
England. After arriving on the 18th in Devonport (Plymouth) England, they were moved to Salisbury
Plain for more intensive training during which they lived in tents through a cold and miserable
winter. The regiment’s name was changed to the 9th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (9th
Bn CEF) but was designated a reserve unit to train and provide replacement soldiers for those lost
in battle at the front. At this time, Private Coker was transferred to the 3rd (Toronto) Battalion and
in February 1915, he attended the Divisional Training School. He was subsequently promoted
to Corporal and then on 11 June, he was promoted to Sergeant. He earned a reputation as an
World War I
Page 4
By early 1917, Sergeant Coker’s regiment was near Arras, in northern France. On 9 April, he was
Enlisted:
1914 in (MiD)
Edmonton,
Alberta
mentioned18
in August
the dispatches
of Field
Marshall Sir Douglas Haig for his gallant actions during
the
opening
day
of
the
Battle
of
Vimy
Ridge.
The Canadian Corps succeeded in capturing Vimy
Ridge on 12 April. Less than two weeks later and within less than 10 kms of Vimy, his bravery in
Buried:
Aubigny
Pas de
action was
again Communal
recognized Cemetery,
and he wasatrecommended
for the Military Medal. Unfortunately, on
Calais,
France
3 May 1917, at the age of 32 years and 4 months, Sergeant John Coker died of wounds that he
received in action during what was known as the Fresnoy Engagement. After his death on 18 July
1917, he was awarded the Military Medal (MM) for gallantry for his earlier actions on 23/26 April.
The citation reads:
“This N.C.O. is recommended for conspicuous gallantry at ARLEUX on the afternoon of
April 24, 1917, when his platoon was subjected to extremely heavy enemy bombardment.
Sergeant Coker by his good judgment (sic) and personal supervision placed his platoon
so that it suffered only four casualties.”
“Again on 23/24 April 1917, this N.C.O. showed great dash and determination in leading
a Battle patrol of twelve men into the enemy line, obtaining much valuable information
Theas30th
Regiment
evolved
theon
1stthe
Battalion
Wellington
Rifles.
They
regards
to theWellington
state of hisRifles
defences
andfrom
again
night of
25/26 April
he was
of
were
organized
in
1857
from
the
local
militia
within
Wellington
County
and
were
headquartered
invaluable assistance to his Company Commander in siting and digging a new line of in
Guelph.
In500
1866,
because
of the fear
of the
Fenian
Raidswas
(1866-1871)
theyartillery
were re-organized
as
trench,
yards
in advance
of his
own
line. This
under heavy
and machine
an gun
infantry
unit (30th Regiment Wellington Rifles) and a separate artillery unit (Guelph Garrison
fire.”
their
militia.
additionCommunal
to the camaraderie
of at
weekly
training,
achieved
within
the
He
waslocal
buried
in theInAubigny
Cemetery,
Pas de
Calais,rank
France
and his
name
is militia
tended
to have a in
corresponding
of prestige in
within
the local
community.
also
memorialized
the Books of level
Remembrance,
the Peace
Tower
of the Canadian Parliament
Buildings, Ottawa. His Military Medal, 1914-1915 Star, Victory Medal and British War Medal were
Theto30th
Wellington
Rifles
were never mobilized as a unit for WWI. Instead, they performed
sent
his mother
at RR
#1 Eramosa.
County
regiments
were merged back into a larger artillery battery that has continued through to
The Military
Medal
The Military Medal (MM) is awarded to Warrant Officers, non-commissioned
officers and men for individual or associated acts of bravery on the
While
living in Alberta,
joined the 101st Regiment
Fusiliers)
recommendation
of aJohn
Commander-in-Chief
in the field.(Edmonton
The regimental
or on 18 August 1914.
Ten
days later,
the Regiment
arrived
in Valcartier,
Quebec
short and
strenuous
basic training.
equivalent
number,
rank, initials,
surname
and unit
of thefor
recipient
appear
in
During
this time,
his attestation
show
that he volunteered for overseas service on 22
plain block
capitals
around thepapers
edge of
the medal.
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
4
Page 5
World War I
accomplished
July 1915,
JOHN
S. marksman.
COKER,ByMM,
MiDthe 3rd Bn had moved to the Walloon (French speaking)
18027
Sergeant
2 kms north
of the border with France. Ploegsteert Wood was the site of fierce WWI fighting. The
in action
Commonwealth
soldiersTownship,
who died in
the area during that time.
Born:
2 March
1885 in Eramosa
Ontario
Enlisted:
1914 in (MiD)
Edmonton,
Alberta
mentioned18
in August
the dispatches
of Field
Marshall Sir Douglas Haig for his gallant actions during
the
opening
day
of
the
Battle
of
Vimy
Ridge.
The Canadian Corps succeeded in capturing Vimy
Buried:
Aubigny
Pas de
action was
again Communal
recognized Cemetery,
and he wasatrecommended
for the Military Medal. Unfortunately, on
Calais,
France
The citation reads:
Theas30th
Regiment
evolved
theon
1stthe
Battalion
Wellington
Rifles.
They
regards
to theWellington
state of hisRifles
defences
andfrom
again
night of
25/26 April
he was
of
were
organized
in
1857
from
the
local
militia
within
Wellington
County
and
were
headquartered
invaluable assistance to his Company Commander in siting and digging a new line of in
Guelph.
In500
1866,
because
of the fear
of the
Fenian
Raidswas
(1866-1871)
theyartillery
were re-organized
as
trench,
yards
in advance
of his
own
line. This
under heavy
and machine
an gun
infantry
unit (30th Regiment Wellington Rifles) and a separate artillery unit (Guelph Garrison
fire.”
their
militia.
additionCommunal
to the camaraderie
of at
weekly
training,
achieved
within
the
He
waslocal
buried
in theInAubigny
Cemetery,
Pas de
Calais,rank
France
and his
name
is militia
tended
to have a in
corresponding
of prestige in
within
the local
community.
also
memorialized
the Books of level
Remembrance,
the Peace
Tower
of the Canadian Parliament
Theto30th
Wellington
Rifles
were never mobilized as a unit for WWI. Instead, they performed
sent
his mother
at RR
#1 Eramosa.
County
regiments
were merged back into a larger artillery battery that has continued through to
The Military
Medal
While
living in Alberta,
joined the 101st Regiment
Fusiliers)
recommendation
of aJohn
Commander-in-Chief
in the field.(Edmonton
The regimental
or on 18 August 1914.
Ten
days later,
the Regiment
arrived
in Valcartier,
Quebec
short and
strenuous
basic training.
equivalent
number,
rank, initials,
surname
and unit
of thefor
recipient
appear
in
During
this time,
his attestation
show
that he volunteered for overseas service on 22
plain block
capitals
around thepapers
edge of
the medal.
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Page 5
4
World War I
accomplished marksman. By July 1915, the 3rd Bn had moved to the Walloon (French speaking)
2 kms north of the border with France. Ploegsteert Wood was the site of fierce WWI fighting. The
in action Commonwealth soldiers who died in the area during that time.
mentioned in the dispatches (MiD) of Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig for his gallant actions during
the opening day of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. The Canadian Corps succeeded in capturing Vimy
action was again recognized and he was recommended for the Military Medal. Unfortunately, on
The citation reads:
as regards to the state of his defences and again on the night of 25/26 April he was of
invaluable assistance to his Company Commander in siting and digging a new line of
trench, 500 yards in advance of his own line. This was under heavy artillery and machine
gun fire.”
He was buried in the Aubigny Communal Cemetery, at Pas de Calais, France and his name is
also memorialized in the Books of Remembrance, in the Peace Tower of the Canadian Parliament
sent to his mother at RR #1 Eramosa.
The Military Medal
recommendation of a Commander-in-Chief in the field. The regimental or
equivalent number, rank, initials, surname and unit of the recipient appear in
plain block capitals around the edge of the medal.
Page 5
World War I
Battle of Vimy Ridge and the Vimy Memorial
The Battle of Vimy Ridge, France, April 1917, was the first time the Canadians fought as a Corps,
under a Canadian General (Gen. Arthur Currie) and followed a Canadian battle plan. The Canadian
force succeeded in taking Vimy Ridge, a task that had previously been unsuccessfully attempted
by first the French Army and later the British Army. An extract from the official Canadian War
Diary reads “The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a military engagement fought primarily as part of the
Battle of Arras, in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France, during the First World War. The main
combatants were the Canadian Corps of four divisions, against three divisions of the German Sixth
Army. The battle, which took place from 9 to 12 April 1917, was part of the opening phase of the
British-led Battle of Arras, a diversionary attack for the French Nivelle Offensive.”
THOMAS
LENTON EDWARDS
850549 Private
World War I
Born: a15Canadian
September
1899 in
Halifax,
Nova
Scotia
under
General
(Gen.
Arthur
Currie)
and followed a Canadian battle plan. The Canadian
force
in taking
VimyinRidge,
a taskOntario
that had previously been unsuccessfully attempted
Familysucceeded
moved to Carrol
Street
Rockwood,
Previous
Occupation:
Farming
(Edwards
aboutengagement
his age to enlist
at the
age ofas
16)
Diary reads
“The Battle of
Vimy Ridge
was lied
a military
fought
primarily
part of the
Battle
of
Arras,
in
the
Nord-Pas-de-Calais
region
of
France,
during
the
First
World
War.
The main
Enlisted: 27 April 1916 in St. Catharines, Ontario
Died: 19 August 1917 at the age of 17
Buried: Body
never
founda/ diversionary
No known grave
British-led
Battle
of Arras,
attack for the French Nivelle Offensive.”
Inscribed on the ramparts of the Vimy Memorial are the names of over 11,000 Canadian soldiers
who were posted as ‘missing, presumed dead’ in France. A plaque at the entrance to the memorial
states that the land for the battlefield park, 91.18 hectares in extent, was the free gift in perpetuity of
the French nation to the people of Canada. Construction of the massive work began in 1925, and 11
years later, on 26 July 1936, the monument was unveiled by King Edward VIII.
Thomas Edwards was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia on 15 September 1899 to William J. and Alice
The
VIMY
MEMORIAL
is located
Calais,
France.
It isnine
Canada’s
most
impressive
tribute
Maude
(nee
Murley) Edwards.
Henear
wasPas
the de
second
oldest
of their
children
(William
b.1898,
overseas
to those
Canadians
whoFlora
fought
and gave
their lives
in theGeraldine
First World
War. This
majestic
Edward b.1901,
Fredrick
b.1903,
b.1904,
Constance
b.1907,
b.1908,
Alexander
b.
and inspiring Memorial overlooks the Douai Plain from the highest point of Vimy Ridge, about eight
1910 and Alfred b.1916). His family subsequently moved to Carrol St. in Rockwood, Ontario when
kilometres northeast of Arras on the N17 towards Lens. The Memorial is signposted from this road
William started work at one of the local stone quarries. Thomas was working on the farm of John
to the left, just before you enter the village of Vimy from the south. The memorial itself is some way
Lister, a short distance south of Rockwood, when on 27 April 1916 he volunteered in St. Catharines
inside the memorial park, but again it is well signposted. At the base of the memorial, these words
for overseas service at the age of 16 years and 7 months. The minimum age to enlist was 18
appear in French and in English:
so he declared that he was two years older than his true age by stating that he was born on 15
September 1897 on his Attestation Papers (his true age was not discovered until later). Immediately
TO THE VALOUR OF THEIR COUNTRYMEN IN THE GREAT WAR AND IN MEMORY OF THEIR
after joining he was referred to the Dental Corps for treatment. When that was completed, he was
SIXTY THOUSAND DEAD THIS MONUMENT IS RAISED BY THE PEOPLE OF CANADA
assigned to the 176th Ontario Battalion. After a short period of basic training, he left Halifax on 8
July 1916 on board the S.S. Lapland and arrived in England on the 25th of July. In September 1916
it was discovered that he was underage and prohibited from proceeding to the Continent (France
and Belgium) and sent to the 78th Battalion. He was still in England when five months later he
was admitted to the Westcliffe Hospital after becoming ill. In May he returned to service and was
transferred to the 5th Battalion and subsequently Company B of the 3rd Battalion in France.
The park surrounding the Vimy Memorial was created by horticultural experts. Canadian trees
and shrubs were planted in great masses to resemble the woods and forests of Canada. Wooded
parklands surround the grassy slopes of the approaches around the Vimy Memorial. Trenches and
tunnels have been restored and preserved and the visitor can picture the magnitude of the task that
faced the Canadian Corps on that
distant dawn when history was
made.
On 19 August 1917, at the age of 17 years and 11 months, he was reported Killed in Action at Hill
70, the result of German mining activity. His body was never found and he has no known grave. His
and
shrubs
were planted
great
massesnear
to resemble
the woods
andand
forests
of Canada.
Wooded
name
is engraved
on the in
Vimy
Memorial
Pas de Calais,
France
is also
memorialized
in the
parklands
surround the grassy
the approaches
around
the VimyBuildings,
Memorial.Ottawa.
Trenches and
Books of Remembrance,
in theslopes
Peace of
Tower
of the Canadian
Parliament
faced
Canadian
Corps
on that
Sadly,the
Private
Thomas
Lenton
Edwards was the older brother of Alfred James Edwards, whose
distant
when history
wasRockwood Cenotaph under the 1939 – 1945 Names of the Fallen.
name isdawn
also engraved
on the
made.
The VIMY MEMORIAL is located near Pas de Calais, France. It is Canada’s most impressive tribute
overseas to those Canadians who fought and gave their lives in the First World War. This majestic
Battle for HILL 70
On 3 April 2003, the Government
The
Battle designated
for HILL 70,the
near
of
Canada
9thLens,
of France, took place during August 1917and has sometimes been
overlooked
took place between the Canadian Corps’ success at Vimy Ridge and the
April
of eachbecause
year as ait national
horrors
of
Passchendaele.
The Germans held this prominent hill and had fortified it heavily. This
day of remembrance of the Battle
gave
them
control over a wide area, including the Town of Lens. The German fortifications were
of
Vimy
Ridge.
so heavy they were considered impregnable. The Canadian attack started on the evening of 14
August and by 18 August, they had succeeded in gaining control of Hill 70. During these 4 days,
they had successfully fought off 21 German counterattacks. The Canadian losses were 1,505 killed,
4,297 wounded and 41 prisoners. The German casualties were approximately 20,000 men plus 970
prisoners. The Canadian troops earned five Victoria Crosses during this 4 day period.
of Canada designated the 9th of
April of each year as a national
of Vimy Ridge.
Page 6
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
6
Page 7
THOMAS
LENTON EDWARDS
850549 Private
World War I
Born:
September
1899 in
Halifax,
Nova
Scotia
under a15Canadian
General
(Gen.
Arthur
Currie)
and followed a Canadian battle plan. The Canadian
force
in taking
VimyinRidge,
a taskOntario
that had previously been unsuccessfully attempted
Familysucceeded
moved to Carrol
Street
Rockwood,
Previous
Occupation:
Farming
(Edwards
aboutengagement
his age to enlist
at the
age ofas
16)
Diary reads
“The Battle of
Vimy Ridge
was lied
a military
fought
primarily
part of the
Battle
of
Arras,
in
the
Nord-Pas-de-Calais
region
of
France,
during
the
First
World
War.
The main
Buried:
Body
never
founda/ diversionary
No known grave
British-led
Battle
of Arras,
attack for the French Nivelle Offensive.”
THOMAS LENTON EDWARDS
850549 Private
World War I
Born: 15 September 1899 in Halifax, Nova Scotia
Family moved to Carrol Street in Rockwood, Ontario
Previous Occupation: Farming (Edwards lied about his age to enlist at the age of 16)
Buried: Body never found / No known grave
The
VIMY
MEMORIAL
is located
Calais,
France.
It isnine
Canada’s
most
impressive
tribute
Maude
(nee
Murley) Edwards.
Henear
wasPas
the de
second
oldest
of their
children
(William
b.1898,
overseas
to those
Canadians
whoFlora
fought
and gave
their lives
in theGeraldine
First World
War. This
majestic
Edward b.1901,
Fredrick
b.1903,
b.1904,
Constance
b.1907,
b.1908,
Alexander
b.
Maude (nee Murley) Edwards. He was the second oldest of their nine children (William b.1898,
Edward b.1901, Fredrick b.1903, Flora b.1904, Constance b.1907, Geraldine b.1908, Alexander b.
and
shrubs
were planted
great
massesnear
to resemble
the woods
andand
forests
of Canada.
Wooded
name
is engraved
on the in
Vimy
Memorial
Pas de Calais,
France
is also
memorialized
in the
parklands
surround the grassy
the approaches
around
the VimyBuildings,
Memorial.Ottawa.
Trenches and
Books of Remembrance,
in theslopes
Peace of
Tower
of the Canadian
Parliament
faced
Canadian
Corps
on that
Sadly,the
Private
Thomas
Lenton
Edwards was the older brother of Alfred James Edwards, whose
distant
when history
wasRockwood Cenotaph under the 1939 – 1945 Names of the Fallen.
name isdawn
also engraved
on the
made.
name is engraved on the Vimy Memorial near Pas de Calais, France and is also memorialized in the
Books of Remembrance, in the Peace Tower of the Canadian Parliament Buildings, Ottawa.
Battle for HILL 70
The
Battle designated
for HILL 70,the
near
of
Canada
9thLens,
of France, took place during August 1917and has sometimes been
overlooked
took place between the Canadian Corps’ success at Vimy Ridge and the
April
of eachbecause
year as ait national
horrors
of
Passchendaele.
The Germans held this prominent hill and had fortified it heavily. This
gave
them
control over a wide area, including the Town of Lens. The German fortifications were
of
Vimy
Ridge.
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Page 7
6
Sadly, Private Thomas Lenton Edwards was the older brother of Alfred James Edwards, whose
name is also engraved on the Rockwood Cenotaph under the 1939 – 1945 Names of the Fallen.
Battle for HILL 70
The Battle for HILL 70, near Lens, France, took place during August 1917and has sometimes been
overlooked because it took place between the Canadian Corps’ success at Vimy Ridge and the
horrors of Passchendaele. The Germans held this prominent hill and had fortified it heavily. This
gave them control over a wide area, including the Town of Lens. The German fortifications were
Page 7
JAMES ALBERT GAMBLE
127203 Private
World War I
HENRY
HAMPSON
JAMES (“HARRY”)
ALBERT GAMBLE
126452
127203 Private
World War I
Born: 18 March 1897 in Tweed, Ontario
Born: 18
14 March 1897
1885 in Tweed,
Eden Mills,
Ontario
Ontario
Previous Occupation: Musician (Harper)
Butcher (Harper)
Previous Occupation: Musician
Enlisted: 8 October 1915 in Rockwood, Ontario
13October
September
in Guelph,Ontario
Ontario
Enlisted: 8
19151915
in Rockwood,
Died: 16 September 1916 at the age of 19
31
Buried: No known burial site
Lostknown
and never
Buried: No
burialfound.
site Memorial grave marker in Flanders, Belgium
James Albert Gamble was born in Tweed, Ontario on 18 March 1897 (although his attestation
papers indicate 1847) to Peter and Maggie Gamble of Rockwood, Ontario (later Toronto). He was
the oldest of their seven children (Bertie May b.1898, William b.1901, Norman b.1903, Rita b.1905,
Harold b.1907 and Harry b.1911). James was 18 years and 7 months old when he volunteered
for service on 8 October 1915, in Rockwood. Interestingly, the Magistrate who signed James’
Attestation Paper was John Mutrie – the father of Major Robert Mutrie. His trade was listed as
“Harper”, which was a term generally used to describe a folk musician who played the harp.
Harry
JamesHampson
Albert Gamble
was born
wason
born
14 in
March
Tweed,
1885
Ontario
to William
on 18and
March
Hannah
1897(nee
(although
Taylor)his
Hampson
attestation
of
Eden
papersMills,
indicate
Ontario.
1847)He
to was
Peter
the
and
fourth
Maggie
of their
Gamble
five children
of Rockwood,
(Clarissa
Ontario
Jane (later
b.1879,
Toronto).
GeorgeHe
Thomas
was
b.1880,
the oldest
Alice
of their
Maud
seven
b.1883
children
and Helen
(Bertieb.1891).
May b.1898,
After William
his schooling
b.1901,
heNorman
becameb.1903,
a butcher
Rita
until,
b.1905,
on
13
Harold
September
b.1907 1915,
and Harry
at the
b.1911).
age of 30
James
yearswas
and18
5 months,
years and
he7volunteered
months old when
with the
he71st
volunteered
Overseas
Battalion
for serviceinon
Guelph.
8 October 1915, in Rockwood. Interestingly, the Magistrate who signed James’
After
“Harper”,
training,
which
Private
was aHampson
term generally
was shipped
used to to
describe a folk musician who played the harp.
Halifax where he boarded HMT (Hired Military
Transport)
Interestingly,
Olympic,
both James
nicknamed
Albert “Old
Gamble
Reliable”
and John Wilfred Oakes volunteered on the same day, in
for
many
war time office
voyages
with up numbers are consecutive.
theher
same
recruitment
andloaded
their regimental
to 6,000 troops – a much better record than her
sister
Privateship,
Gamble
the Titanic.
was assigned
During to
World
the 42nd
War I,Battalion
she
of the Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment).
carried
Few details
a total
have
of 132,000
been found
troops
about
to Europe
his military
fromtraining between when he volunteered for overseas
North
America
she carried1916,
58,000
troops
service
until 16plus
of September
when
at the age of 19 years and 6 months, he was killed in
back
Canada.
She departed
from Halifax on
actiontoduring
the Battle
of Flers-Courcelette.
1 April 1916 and arrived in Liverpool, England on
HMT
Olympic
- Wartime
Configuration
11
April.James
Records
state
that during
voyage,
Private
Albert
Gamble
has nothe
known
burial site
but
his name
is engraved
on the Vimy Ridge
there
was at
anPas
outbreak
of rubella
(German
Memorial
de Calais
France
and is also memorialized in the Books of Remembrance, in the
measles)
and of
Private
Hampson
became infected.
after arrival in Liverpool, England, he was
Peace Tower
the Canadian
Parliament
Buildings,Shortly
Ottawa.
admitted to Aldershot Isolation Hospital on 19 April and discharged three weeks later. He was then
transferred
54th Infantry Battalion
(C Division)
ofinthe
Canadian1916.
Expeditionary
The Battletoofthe
Flers-Courcelette,
France,
took place
September
It was a Force
battle (CEF),
within
11th
Brigade,
4th Division,
in Bramshott.
After
additional
training,
he departed
for France
the Infantry
much larger
and longer
Franco-British
Somme
Offensive
which
took place
in the summer
andand
arrived
at Le Havre
on 14for
August
1916.
fall of 1916.
The battle
Flers-Courcelette
started on 15 September and lasted one week. Its
objective was to break through the German line by using massed artillery and infantry attacks.
On
25 August,
formed
4th cavalry
Canadian
Division the
(of Germans.
which the 54th
Battalion
was
Once
through,the
thenewly
plan was
to use
to overrun
It was
the third
andpart)
finalarrived
on
the
line
of
what
became
known
as
the
Battle
of
the
Somme.
The
4th
Division
remained
in the
general offensive mounted by the British Army during the Battle of the Somme (in which over
1 Ypres
Salient,
part
the sides
international
“Frank’s
Force” to provide
a diversion on
to the
fighting in the
million as
men
onof
both
were killed).
Unfortunately,
by its conclusion
22 September,
thesouth at
Flers-Courcelette.
Battalion was
of 6 Canadian
that carried
7 raids
the night
strategic objectiveThe
of a54th
breakthrough
had one
not been
achieved;units
however,
tacticalout
gains
wereonmade
ofwith
16th-17th
September
1916, when
Private Hampson
was killed.
The Official
War
Diary
the capture
of the villages
of Courcelette,
Martinpuich
and Flers.
In someCanadian
places, the
front
records
that advanced
by the endbyofover
the raid,
Lieutenants
21 the
other
ranks
were missing
andis1significant
Lieutenant
lines were
2,5004 yards
(2,300and
m) by
Allied
attacks.
The battle
and
7
other
ranks
were
reported
killed
in
action.
Over
the
next
few
days,
searches
for
the
for the first use of the tank in warfare. It also marked the debut of the Canadian and Newmissing
Zealand
continued
success.battlefield.
Private Hampson
was memorial,
one of the the
21 who
were lost
never found and
Divisions without
on the Somme
On a nearby
Canadians
areand
commemorated
for
presumed
in action.
His memorial
grave3 marker
is located
in the Menin
Gate (Ypres) Memorial
their part killed
in breaking
the German
lines from
September
to 18 November
1916.
in Flanders, Belgium. His name is also memorialized in the Books of Remembrance, in the Peace
Tower of the Canadian Parliament Buildings, Ottawa.
Interestingly, both James Albert Gamble and John Wilfred Oakes volunteered on the same day, in
the same recruitment office and their regimental numbers are consecutive.
Private Gamble was assigned to the 42nd Battalion of the Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment).
Few details have been found about his military training between when he volunteered for overseas
service until 16 of September 1916, when at the age of 19 years and 6 months, he was killed in
action during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette.
Private James Albert Gamble has no known burial site but his name is engraved on the Vimy Ridge
Memorial at Pas de Calais France and is also memorialized in the Books of Remembrance, in the
Peace Tower of the Canadian Parliament Buildings, Ottawa.
The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, France, took place in September 1916. It was a battle within
the much larger and longer Franco-British Somme Offensive which took place in the summer and
fall of 1916. The battle for Flers-Courcelette started on 15 September and lasted one week. Its
Once through, the plan was to use cavalry to overrun the Germans. It was the third and final
general offensive mounted by the British Army during the Battle of the Somme (in which over 1
million men on both sides were killed). Unfortunately, by its conclusion on 22 September, the
strategic objective of a breakthrough had not been achieved; however, tactical gains were made
with the capture of the villages of Courcelette, Martinpuich and Flers. In some places, the front
lines were advanced by over 2,500 yards (2,300 m) by the Allied attacks. The battle is significant
for the first use of the tank in warfare. It also marked the debut of the Canadian and New Zealand
Divisions on the Somme battlefield. On a nearby memorial, the Canadians are commemorated for
their part in breaking the German lines from 3 September to 18 November 1916.
His mother, Hannah Hampson, received the Memorial Cross from the Canadian Government.
Page 8
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
8
Page 9
HENRY
HAMPSON
JAMES (“HARRY”)
ALBERT GAMBLE
126452
127203 Private
World War I
HENRY (“HARRY”) HAMPSON
126452 Private
World War I
Born: 18
14 March 1897
1885 in Tweed,
Eden Mills,
Ontario
Ontario
Born: 14 March 1885 in Eden Mills, Ontario
Butcher (Harper)
Previous Occupation: Musician
Previous Occupation: Butcher
13October
September
in Guelph,Ontario
Ontario
Enlisted: 8
19151915
in Rockwood,
Enlisted: 13 September 1915 in Guelph, Ontario
31
Lostknown
and never
Buried: No
burialfound.
site Memorial grave marker in Flanders, Belgium
Buried: Lost and never found. Memorial grave marker in Flanders, Belgium
Harry
JamesHampson
Albert Gamble
was born
wason
born
14 in
March
Tweed,
1885
Ontario
to William
on 18and
March
Hannah
1897(nee
(although
Taylor)his
Hampson
attestation
of
Eden
papersMills,
indicate
Ontario.
1847)He
to was
Peter
the
and
fourth
Maggie
of their
Gamble
five children
of Rockwood,
(Clarissa
Ontario
Jane (later
b.1879,
Toronto).
GeorgeHe
Thomas
was
b.1880,
the oldest
Alice
of their
Maud
seven
b.1883
children
and Helen
(Bertieb.1891).
May b.1898,
After William
his schooling
b.1901,
heNorman
becameb.1903,
a butcher
Rita
until,
b.1905,
on
13
Harold
September
b.1907 1915,
and Harry
at the
b.1911).
age of 30
James
yearswas
and18
5 months,
years and
he7volunteered
months old when
with the
he71st
volunteered
Overseas
Battalion
for serviceinon
Guelph.
8 October 1915, in Rockwood. Interestingly, the Magistrate who signed James’
After
“Harper”,
training,
which
Private
was aHampson
term generally
was shipped
used to to
describe a folk musician who played the harp.
Transport)
Interestingly,
Olympic,
both James
nicknamed
Albert “Old
Gamble
Reliable”
and John Wilfred Oakes volunteered on the same day, in
for
many
war time office
voyages
with up numbers are consecutive.
theher
same
recruitment
andloaded
their regimental
sister
Privateship,
Gamble
the Titanic.
was assigned
During to
World
the 42nd
War I,Battalion
she
of the Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment).
carried
Few details
a total
have
of 132,000
been found
troops
about
to Europe
his military
fromtraining between when he volunteered for overseas
North
America
she carried1916,
58,000
troops
service
until 16plus
of September
when
at the age of 19 years and 6 months, he was killed in
back
Canada.
She departed
from Halifax on
actiontoduring
the Battle
of Flers-Courcelette.
HMT
Olympic
- Wartime
Configuration
11
April.James
Records
state
that during
voyage,
Private
Albert
Gamble
has nothe
known
burial site
but
his name
is engraved
on the Vimy Ridge
there
was at
anPas
outbreak
of rubella
(German
Memorial
de Calais
France
and is also memorialized in the Books of Remembrance, in the
measles)
and of
Private
Hampson
became infected.
after arrival in Liverpool, England, he was
Peace Tower
the Canadian
Parliament
Buildings,Shortly
Ottawa.
transferred
54th Infantry Battalion
(C Division)
ofinthe
Canadian1916.
Expeditionary
The Battletoofthe
Flers-Courcelette,
France,
took place
September
It was a Force
battle (CEF),
within
11th
Brigade,
4th Division,
in Bramshott.
After
additional
training,
he departed
for France
the Infantry
much larger
and longer
Franco-British
Somme
Offensive
which
took place
in the summer
andand
arrived
at Le Havre
on 14for
August
1916.
fall of 1916.
The battle
Flers-Courcelette
started on 15 September and lasted one week. Its
On
25 August,
formed
4th cavalry
Canadian
Division the
(of Germans.
which the 54th
Battalion
was
Once
through,the
thenewly
plan was
to use
to overrun
It was
the third
andpart)
finalarrived
on
the
line
of
what
became
known
as
the
Battle
of
the
Somme.
The
4th
Division
remained
in the
general offensive mounted by the British Army during the Battle of the Somme (in which over
1 Ypres
Salient,
part
the sides
international
“Frank’s
Force” to provide
a diversion on
to the
fighting in the
million as
men
onof
both
were killed).
Unfortunately,
by its conclusion
22 September,
thesouth at
Flers-Courcelette.
Battalion was
of 6 Canadian
that carried
7 raids
the night
strategic objectiveThe
of a54th
breakthrough
had one
not been
achieved;units
however,
tacticalout
gains
wereonmade
ofwith
16th-17th
September
1916, when
Private Hampson
was killed.
The Official
War
Diary
the capture
of the villages
of Courcelette,
Martinpuich
and Flers.
In someCanadian
places, the
front
records
that advanced
by the endbyofover
the raid,
Lieutenants
21 the
other
ranks
were missing
andis1significant
Lieutenant
lines were
2,5004 yards
(2,300and
m) by
Allied
attacks.
The battle
and
7
other
ranks
were
reported
killed
in
action.
Over
the
next
few
days,
searches
for
the
for the first use of the tank in warfare. It also marked the debut of the Canadian and Newmissing
Zealand
continued
success.battlefield.
Private Hampson
was memorial,
one of the the
21 who
were lost
never found and
Divisions without
on the Somme
On a nearby
Canadians
areand
commemorated
for
presumed
in action.
His memorial
grave3 marker
is located
in the Menin
Gate (Ypres) Memorial
their part killed
in breaking
the German
lines from
September
to 18 November
1916.
Harry Hampson was born on 14 March 1885 to William and Hannah (nee Taylor) Hampson of
Eden Mills, Ontario. He was the fourth of their five children (Clarissa Jane b.1879, George Thomas
b.1880, Alice Maud b.1883 and Helen b.1891). After his schooling he became a butcher until, on
13 September 1915, at the age of 30 years and 5 months, he volunteered with the 71st Overseas
Battalion in Guelph.
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Page 9
8
After training, Private Hampson was shipped to
Transport) Olympic, nicknamed “Old Reliable”
for her many war time voyages loaded with up
sister ship, the Titanic. During World War I, she
carried a total of 132,000 troops to Europe from
North America plus she carried 58,000 troops
back to Canada. She departed from Halifax on
HMT Olympic - Wartime Configuration
11 April. Records state that during the voyage,
there was an outbreak of rubella (German
measles) and Private Hampson became infected. Shortly after arrival in Liverpool, England, he was
transferred to the 54th Infantry Battalion (C Division) of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF),
11th Infantry Brigade, 4th Division, in Bramshott. After additional training, he departed for France and
arrived at Le Havre on 14 August 1916.
On 25 August, the newly formed 4th Canadian Division (of which the 54th Battalion was part) arrived
on the line of what became known as the Battle of the Somme. The 4th Division remained in the Ypres
Salient, as part of the international “Frank’s Force” to provide a diversion to the fighting in the south at
Flers-Courcelette. The 54th Battalion was one of 6 Canadian units that carried out 7 raids on the night
of 16th-17th September 1916, when Private Hampson was killed. The Official Canadian War Diary
records that by the end of the raid, 4 Lieutenants and 21 other ranks were missing and 1 Lieutenant
and 7 other ranks were reported killed in action. Over the next few days, searches for the missing
continued without success. Private Hampson was one of the 21 who were lost and never found and
presumed killed in action. His memorial grave marker is located in the Menin Gate (Ypres) Memorial
Page 9
World War I
The Menin Gate (Ypres) Memorial in Flanders, Belgium
This memorial bears the names of more than 54,400 men who were lost without trace during the
defence of the Ypres Salient in the First World War.
Carved in stone above the central arch are the words:
TO THE ARMIES OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE WHO STOOD HERE FROM 1914 TO 1918 AND
TO THOSE OF THEIR DEAD WHO HAVE NO KNOWN GRAVE.
ROBERT JOHN MUTRIE
Major
World War I
Born: 2 April 1883 in Eramosa Township, Ontario
Previous Occupation: Financial Agent
Enlisted: 9 December 1914 in Victoria, British Columbia
Carved
in stone
the central
Died:
5 April
1916 above
at the age
of 33 arch are the words:
Buried:
Poperinghe
Military
Cemetery
in Belgium
TO THE
ARMIESNew
OF THE
BRITISH
EMPIRE
WHO STOOD HERE FROM 1914 TO 1918 AND
TO
THOSE
OF
THEIR
DEAD
WHO
HAVE
NO KNOWN
GRAVE.
Robert John Mutrie was born on 2 April 1883 in Eramosa
Township
to Col. John
and Margaret (nee
Dow) Mutrie. He was their only child. His parents, grandparents and great grandparents all lived
in Wellington County. His father served in the militia, and ultimately commanded the local regiment
(30th Wellington Rifles). During WWI, Col. Mutrie was the Chief Recruiting Officer for the area. He
was also the Postmaster for Rockwood and politically, served as an Eramosa Township Councillor,
Deputy Reeve and Reeve, Wellington County Warden and ultimately, two terms as the Liberal MPP
for the constituency.
Robert’s grandparents, William Mutrie and his first wife Jane (Beattie) and his second wife Elizabeth
(McDonald) farmed 200 acres along the 3rd Line from 1843 until William’s death in 1870. In the
early 19th century, his great-grandparents, John Mutrie and Janet (Wilson) Mutrie, emigrated
from Scotland with their young son William, and settled and farmed on 100 acres of land in Nichol
Township.
Menin Gate Arch Memorial, Ypres Belgium
Over the two staircases leading from the main Hall is the inscription:
HERE ARE RECORDED NAMES OF OFFICERS AND MEN
WHO FELL IN YPRES SALIENT BUT TO WHOM
THE FORTUNE OF WAR DENIED THE KNOWN AND
HONOURED BURIAL GIVEN TO THEIR COMRADES IN DEATH.
Robert John Mutrie completed his schooling and became a financial agent. Like his father, he joined
the 30th Wellington Rifles. He married Alice Tolton of Guelph and they moved to British Columbia,
Over
the two staircases
leading
the and
maina Hall
is the
inscription:
where he joined the
Canadian
Mounted Rifles
for from
3 years
further
4 years
after it was
amalgamated and re-named the 30th Regiment BC Horse (CMR). Because the 30th Horse was
HERE
ARE
NAMES
OFFICERS
MEN
not mobilized for action
when
warRECORDED
was declared,
RobertOF
volunteered
in AND
Victoria,
B.C. for overseas
WHO
FELL
IN YPRES SALIENT BUT TO WHOM
service with the newly formed
2nd
Regiment
THE
WAR
Canadian Mounted Rifles
on FORTUNE
9 DecemberOF
1914
at DENIED THE KNOWN AND
HONOURED
BURIAL
GIVEN
the age of 31 years
and 8 months.
He was
joinedTO THEIR COMRADES IN DEATH.
by many other volunteers from his former regiment.
After enlisting, he was attached to 2 CMR (BC Horse)
and, because of his experience, was promoted to
2nd In Charge of the Regiment. His unit sailed on
12 June 1915 from Halifax to England and, after a
few months of additional training in England, arrived
at Le Havre, France on 22 September. Around this
time, his wife and four small children left B.C. and
moved back to Guelph to live with her parents for the
duration of the war.
Records of the No. 2 Canadian Field Ambulance
main dressing station show Robert Mutrie died on 5
April 1916 of wounds sustained in action during the
Battle of the St. Eloi Craters, near the Belgian towns Poperinghe New Military Cemetery Photo
Page 10
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
10
Page 11
ROBERT JOHN MUTRIE
Major
World War I
ROBERT JOHN MUTRIE
Major
World War I
Carved
in stone
the central
Died:
5 April
1916 above
at the age
of 33 arch are the words:
Buried:
Poperinghe
Military
Cemetery
in Belgium
TO THE
ARMIESNew
OF THE
BRITISH
EMPIRE
WHO STOOD HERE FROM 1914 TO 1918 AND
TO
THOSE
OF
THEIR
DEAD
WHO
HAVE
NO KNOWN
GRAVE.
Robert John Mutrie was born on 2 April 1883 in Eramosa
Township
to Col. John
and Margaret (nee
Buried: Poperinghe New Military Cemetery in Belgium
Robert John Mutrie was born on 2 April 1883 in Eramosa Township to Col. John and Margaret (nee
Township.
Township.
Died: 5 April 1916 at the age of 33
Over
the two staircases
leading
the and
maina Hall
is the
inscription:
where he joined the
Canadian
Mounted Rifles
for from
3 years
further
4 years
after it was
HERE
ARE
NAMES
OFFICERS
MEN
not mobilized for action
when
warRECORDED
was declared,
RobertOF
volunteered
in AND
Victoria,
B.C. for overseas
WHO
FELL
IN YPRES SALIENT BUT TO WHOM
service with the newly formed
2nd
Regiment
THE
WAR
Canadian Mounted Rifles
on FORTUNE
9 DecemberOF
1914
at DENIED THE KNOWN AND
HONOURED
BURIAL
GIVEN
the age of 31 years
and 8 months.
He was
joinedTO THEIR COMRADES IN DEATH.
where he joined the Canadian Mounted Rifles for 3 years and a further 4 years after it was
not mobilized for action when war was declared, Robert volunteered in Victoria, B.C. for overseas
service with the newly formed 2nd Regiment
Canadian Mounted Rifles on 9 December 1914 at
the age of 31 years and 8 months. He was joined
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Page 11
10
Page 11
World War I
of Ploegstreet and Ypres. He was survived by his widow, Alice Elizabeth Mutrie, of 44 Bellevue
Place, Guelph and his four children, the eldest being an 8 year old son. Mrs. Mutrie received the
Memorial Cross from the Canadian Government. Later, one of his sons, Eric (1912-2003), became
a well known physician in Guelph.
Major Robert J. Mutrie is buried at Poperinghe New Military Cemetery in Belgium and his name is
also memorialized in the Books of Remembrance, in the Peace Tower of the Canadian Parliament
Buildings, Ottawa.
The Battle of the St. Eloi Craters
The Battle of the St. Eloi Craters was that first major engagement for the 2nd Canadian Division,
shortly after their arrival from England. After two weeks of confused fighting, it ended in disaster with
the loss of 1,373 men and a change of command.
Previously, British forces had blown a series of underground mines that were filled with a large
amount of explosives to destroy the sector’s German defences. This left massive, mud-filled craters
for the attackers to occupy. When the Canadians relieved the British troops on the night of 3 April,
they found few actual trenches in which to take cover, with most of them filled waist deep with
water. The Germans could observe the Canadian positions and bombarded them continuously in
preparation for a series of German counterattacks on 6 April that drove the Canadians out of the
muddy craters. The battlefield conditions were so bad and confusing, the Canadian commanders
were often uncertain as to the location of both the Canadian and German forces.
Eventually, with the aid of aerial photography, they were able to see the true Canadian and German
positions. On 16 April, the battle ground to a halt with enemy forces holding most of the key points.
World War I
(JOHN) WILFRED OAKES
of
Ploegstreet
and Ypres. He was survived by his widow, Alice Elizabeth Mutrie, of 44 Bellevue
127204
Private
Memorial
from1897
the Canadian
Later,
one of his
sons, Eric (1912-2003), became
Born: 29 Cross
December
in Oustic,Government.
10 km north of
Rockwood,
Ontario
Previous Occupation: Weaver
Enlisted:
8 October
1915
in Rockwood,
Ontario
Major
Robert
J. Mutrie
is buried
at Poperinghe
New Military Cemetery in Belgium and his name is
also
in the
in the Peace Tower of the Canadian Parliament
Died:memorialized
12 August 1918
at Books
the ageofofRemembrance,
20
Buildings, Ottawa.
Missing and considered Killed in Action
Wilfred Oakes was born in Oustic, 10 km north of Rockwood to George and Mary Ann (nee Mellon)
The
Battle
ofDecember
the St. Eloi
Craters
Oakes
on 29
1897.
He was the ninth of his father’s eleven children. Three children
with Mary Easton (James Watson b.1875, Annie Ellen b.1877 and William Albert b.1879) and
eight children with his second wife, Mary Ann Mellon (Francis b.1882, George Ambrose b.1887,
The
Battle
of the
EloiMary
Craters
was that
first major
engagement
for the
2nd Canadian
Division,
Charles
Edwin
b. St.
1890,
Kathleen
b.1892,
Margaret
Irene b.1895,
Owen
Stanley b.1900
and
shortly
after
their
arrival
from
England.
After
two
weeks
of
confused
fighting,
it
ended
in
disaster
with
Christian Lawrence b.1902). His grandparents were the original settlers of all of Lot 25, Concession
the
loss
of
1,373
men
and
a
change
of
command.
5 of Eramosa Township, from the 5th Line to the 6th Line. He was a weaver by trade before he
volunteered for overseas service in Guelph on 8 October 1915.
amount
of explosives
to Wilfred
destroyOakes
the sector’s
German
defences.
left massive,
mud-filled
craters
Interestingly,
both John
and James
Albert
GambleThis
volunteered
on the
same day,
in
for
the
attackers
to
occupy.
When
the
Canadians
relieved
the
British
troops
on
the
night
of
3
April,
water.
The Germans
the Canadian
positions
and bombarded
them
continuously
His attestation
paperscould
state observe
that he was
17 years and
10 months
old when they
were
signed by in
preparation
for
a
series
of
German
counterattacks
on
6
April
that
drove
the
Canadians
out of the
Col. John Mutrie. He was originally assigned to the 71st Battalion, D Company. After completing
muddy
craters.
The
conditions
bad1916
and confusing,
theOlympic
Canadian
his basic
training,
he battlefield
departed from
Halifaxwere
on 1so
April
aboard HMT
andcommanders
arrived in
were
often
uncertain
as
to
the
location
of
both
the
Canadian
and
German
forces.
Liverpool, England on 11 April. Upon arrival in England, Private Oakes was transferred to 53rd
Battalion C Company, and subsequently transferred to 11th Brigade Trench Mortar Battery on
Eventually,
withBy
thethe
aidtime
of aerial
photography,
to see
the true
Canadian
German
28 May 1916.
he landed
in Francethey
on 9were
Juneable
1916,
he was
assigned
to theand
42nd
positions.
On
16
April,
the
battle
ground
to
a
halt
with
enemy
forces
holding
most
of
the
key
points.
Brigade. During August 1916, Private Phillips was struck with tonsillitis and since this was before
the discovery of antibiotics, his condition deteriorated to the point that he was sent back to England
to recover. By March 1917, he was transferred to the 42nd Regiment at the Casualty Care Hospital
in Bromley, Shoreham, England. In November 1917 he was deemed well enough to return to
active service with the 42nd Battalion and arrived back in France again on 21 November 1917.
He saw action in the Battle of the Somme (July – November 1916), Vimy Ridge (April 1917) and
Passchendaele (October 1917). During the later stages of the Battle of Amiens, it is reported that on
12 August 1918, while performing his duties as a message runner, he was shot by an enemy sniper
and died instantly.
His name is engraved on the Vimy Memorial at Pas de Calais, France and his name is also
memorialized in the Books of Remembrance, in the Peace Tower of the Canadian Parliament
Buildings, Ottawa. His family received his Victory Medal and the British War medal.
Page 12
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
12
Page 13
World War I
of
Ploegstreet
and Ypres. He was survived by his widow, Alice Elizabeth Mutrie, of 44 Bellevue
127204
Private
Memorial
from1897
the Canadian
Later,
one of his
sons, Eric (1912-2003), became
Born: 29 Cross
December
in Oustic,Government.
10 km north of
Rockwood,
Ontario
127204 Private
World War I
Born: 29 December 1897 in Oustic, 10 km north of Rockwood, Ontario
Enlisted:
8 October
1915
in Rockwood,
Ontario
Major
Robert
J. Mutrie
is buried
at Poperinghe
New Military Cemetery in Belgium and his name is
also
in the
in the Peace Tower of the Canadian Parliament
Died:memorialized
12 August 1918
at Books
the ageofofRemembrance,
20
Buildings, Ottawa.
Enlisted: 8 October 1915 in Rockwood, Ontario
The
Battle
ofDecember
the St. Eloi
Craters
Oakes
on 29
1897.
He was the ninth of his father’s eleven children. Three children
The
Battle
of the
EloiMary
Craters
was that
first major
engagement
for the
2nd Canadian
Division,
Charles
Edwin
b. St.
1890,
Kathleen
b.1892,
Margaret
Irene b.1895,
Owen
Stanley b.1900
and
shortly
after
their
arrival
from
England.
After
two
weeks
of
confused
fighting,
it
ended
in
disaster
with
the
loss
of
1,373
men
and
a
change
of
command.
amount
of explosives
to Wilfred
destroyOakes
the sector’s
German
defences.
left massive,
mud-filled
craters
Interestingly,
both John
and James
Albert
GambleThis
volunteered
on the
same day,
in
for
the
attackers
to
occupy.
When
the
Canadians
relieved
the
British
troops
on
the
night
of
3
April,
water.
The Germans
the Canadian
positions
and bombarded
them
continuously
His attestation
paperscould
state observe
that he was
17 years and
10 months
old when they
were
signed by in
preparation
for
a
series
of
German
counterattacks
on
6
April
that
drove
the
Canadians
out of the
muddy
craters.
The
conditions
bad1916
and confusing,
theOlympic
Canadian
his basic
training,
he battlefield
departed from
Halifaxwere
on 1so
April
aboard HMT
andcommanders
arrived in
were
often
uncertain
as
to
the
location
of
both
the
Canadian
and
German
forces.
Oakes on 29 December 1897. He was the ninth of his father’s eleven children. Three children
Charles Edwin b. 1890, Mary Kathleen b.1892, Margaret Irene b.1895, Owen Stanley b.1900 and
Interestingly, both John Wilfred Oakes and James Albert Gamble volunteered on the same day, in
and died instantly.
His attestation papers state that he was 17 years and 10 months old when they were signed by
his basic training, he departed from Halifax on 1 April 1916 aboard HMT Olympic and arrived in
28 May 1916. By the time he landed in France on 9 June 1916, he was assigned to the 42nd
and died instantly.
Eventually,
withBy
thethe
aidtime
of aerial
photography,
to see
the true
Canadian
German
28 May 1916.
he landed
in Francethey
on 9were
Juneable
1916,
he was
assigned
to theand
42nd
positions.
On
16
April,
the
battle
ground
to
a
halt
with
enemy
forces
holding
most
of
the
key
points.
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Page 13
12
Page 13
World War I
The Battle of Amiens, August 1918, marked the beginning of the end for the German armies and
it would prove to be one of most successful battles of the war for the Allies.
World War I
PETER WILSON PICK
Captain
Born: 15 April 1883 in Guelph Township, Ontario
After the failure of the German offensives during the spring of 1918, the Allies regrouped and
counterattacked along the Western Front. It was prepared in secret, with a major counterintelligence operation to deceive the Germans as to the real location of Canadian and Australian
troops who were to spearhead the assault at Amiens. The assault was based upon a combined
army approach to war with the infantry attacking behind a creeping artillery barrage, supported by
tanks, cavalry, armoured cars, and tactical airpower.
After the failure
of the German
offensives
during the spring
ofBeatty
1918, the Allies regrouped and
Previous
Occupation:
Foreman
in the woodworking
shop at
counterattacked
along the Western Front. It was prepared in secret, with a major counterBrothers
in Fergus
intelligence operation to deceive the Germans as to the real location of Canadian and Australian
Enlisted: 23 September 1914 in Valcartier, Quebec
Died:
15 June 1915
at with
the age
32 attacking behind a creeping artillery barrage, supported by
army approach
to war
the of
infantry
tanks,
cavalry,
armoured
cars,
and
tactical
Buried: Beuvry Communal Cemetery
in Pasairpower.
de Calais, France
On 8 August, the Canadians advanced 13 kilometres through the German defences, the most
successful day of combat for the Allies along the Western Front, but the Germans rushed
reinforcements to the battlefield to prevent the hoped for Allied breakthrough. Subsequently,
fighting became far more difficult and costly, especially since the attacking forces were moving
beyond the range of their own artillery. By the night of 11 August, most offensive operations had
ground to a halt. The battle had been exceedingly costly and the Canadians suffered more than
11,800 casualties in total, including nearly 4,000 on 8 August alone.
Peter Wilson Pick was born on 15 April 1883 in Guelph Township, Wellington County, Ontario to
Richard and Isabella (nee Wilson) Pick. He was the youngest of their three children (William b.1879
and Barbara Scott b.1881). His father had emigrated from England to RR #2 Elora and his mother
emigrated from Scotland with her parents and was raised in Eden Mills. Richard and Isabella were
married in 1878. Around 1900, at the age of 17 years, Peter joined the local Militia - 30th Wellington
Rifles and rose to the rank of Lieutenant by the time he volunteered for overseas service. Outside of
the militia, he was employed at Beatty Brothers in Fergus as the Foreman in the woodworking shop.
He volunteered for overseas service in Valcartier, Quebec on 23 September 1914, at the age of
The Battle of Amiens was called the ‘black day’ by one of the German Army commanders. It shook
31 years and 5 months. He was assigned to the 30th Regiment (Overseas Contingent) Wellington
German faith in the outcome of the war and raised the morale of the Allies. Previously, most Allied
Rifles. The Regiment arrived at Avonmouth (Bristol) England on 2 September 1914. During his time
commanders had predicted the war would continue well into 1919 and possibly into 1920. Amiens
in England, he was assigned to A Company, 1st Battalion, of the Western Ontario Regiment and
demonstrated that the German army was weakening under the strain of four years of warfare and
was promoted to the rank of Temporary Captain on 5 March 1915. He arrived with the regiment in
was closer to defeat than anyone had predicted.
France on 1 April 1915. On 25 April he was admitted to the 85th Field Ambulance station and sent
to Casualty Clearance, No. 7 Stat. Hospital in Boulogne, with a scalp wound. He was treated and
released back to active duty with his regiment on 27 April 1915. Captain Pick fought in the battles
of Ypres, Festubert and finally, Givenchy, where he was struck by a shell on 15 June 1915 and killed
The Battles of Festubert Givenchy, June 1915. Following the Battle of Ypres, the decimated
instantly.
units of the 1st Canadian Division were reinforced with volunteers from the Cavalry Brigade
before marching south to join in the Allied offensives which were already under way. They joined
Captain Peter Wilson Pick was buried with full military honours at the Beuvry Communal Cemetery
the fighting at Festubert in May 1915 and Givenchy in June. These battles followed the grim
in Pas de Calais, France and his name is also memorialized in the Books of Remembrance, in the
pattern of using a frontal assault against powerful enemy defences. Although the Canadians
Peace Tower of the
achieved some of their objectives, the gains were negligible and the loss of life was extremely
Canadian Parliament
high with 2,468 casualties at Festubert and a further 400 at Givenchy.
Buildings, Ottawa.
See Peter Wilson Pick’s biography.
He was awarded the
Star, Victory Medal,
and British War Medal
which were sent to his
sister Barbara S. Pick, of
Fergus.
Beuvry Communal Cemetery
Page 14
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
14
Page 15
World War I
PETER WILSON PICK
Captain
PETER WILSON PICK
Captain
After the failure
of the German
offensives
during the spring
ofBeatty
1918, the Allies regrouped and
Previous
Occupation:
Foreman
in the woodworking
shop at
counterattacked
along the Western Front. It was prepared in secret, with a major counterBrothers
in Fergus
intelligence operation to deceive the Germans as to the real location of Canadian and Australian
Died:
15 June 1915
at with
the age
32 attacking behind a creeping artillery barrage, supported by
army approach
to war
the of
infantry
tanks,
cavalry,
armoured
cars,
and
tactical
Buried: Beuvry Communal Cemetery
in Pasairpower.
de Calais, France
instantly.
Peace Tower of the
Canadian Parliament
Buildings, Ottawa.
Previous Occupation: Foreman in the woodworking shop at Beatty
Brothers in Fergus
Died: 15 June 1915 at the age of 32
Buried: Beuvry Communal Cemetery in Pas de Calais, France
instantly.
Peace Tower of the
Canadian Parliament
Buildings, Ottawa.
He was awarded the
Fergus.
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
World War I
He was awarded the
Fergus.
Page 15
14
Page 15
World War I
(FRANCIS) ARNOLD PHILLIPS
602306 Private
World War I
Fergus News-Record Thursday, June 24, 1915: Captain Pick Killed in Action.
Monday’s rural mail brought sad news to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Pick for it contained a telegram from
Ottawa notifying them that their son, Capt. Peter W. Pick, was killed in action in France on June
15th, 1915. The news quickly spread around town where Capt. Pick was well known, and cast a
gloom over the entire neighbourhood.
Born: 18
September
in Eramosa
Township,
Ontario
Ottawa
notifying
them1896
that their
son, Capt.
Peter W.
Pick, was killed in action in France on June
15th,
1915.Occupation:
The news quickly
spread
around town where Capt. Pick was well known, and cast a
Previous
Telegraph
Operator
Enlisted: 3 February 1915 in Guelph, Ontario
The war has been brought home very close to us in the deaths of Mess’rs Gregson and Pick, the
only two Canadian-born boys who left here with the first contingent. They did nobly, gave up their
lives for their country, and are honored by all. Capt. Pick was born in Guelph Tp. 31 years ago,
being the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Pick. The family later moved near Barrie’s Church,
and finally to Lower Nichol, near Ennotville, where the father and mother, and one daughter,
Barbara, still reside. The only surviving son lives at Davidson, Sask.
The
war
home
very close to us in the deaths of Mess’rs Gregson and Pick, the
Died:
26has
Octbeen
1917brought
at the age
of 21
Buried: Aubigny Community Cemetery near Pas de Calais, France
being
the
youngest
sonwas
of Mr.
and
Richard Pick.
TheHe
family
moved
Barrie’s
Church,
Francis
Arnold
Phillips
born
onMrs.
18 September
1896.
waslater
the first
sonnear
of Francis
and
Mary
and
finally
to Lower
Nichol,
Ennotville,
where
mother, and
one daughter,
J. (nee
Darby)
Phillips,
who near
farmed
the western
halfthe
of father
Lot 5, and
Concession
2, between
Eden Mills and
Barbara,
stillHe
reside.
only of
surviving
son
lives at(Ethel
Davidson,
Sask.
Rockwood.
was The
the third
their four
children
b.1886,
Isla b.1894 and Gerald b.1900).
When Capt. Pick enlisted he did so as a lieutenant, and was the first officer of the 30th to volunteer
his services. He was foreman in the wood-working department of Beatty Bros. lower shops and was
exceedingly popular with his men, as he was with all who knew him.
After his father’s death in 1903, his mother continued to run the family farm with hired help. Arnold
When
enlisted
he diduntil
so as
lieutenant,
washe
thevolunteered
first officer for
of the
30th toservice
volunteer
workedCapt.
as a Pick
telegraph
operator
at athe
age of 18and
years,
overseas
on
his
services.
He
was
foreman
in
the
wood-working
department
of
Beatty
Bros.
lower
shops
and
was
3 February 1915 in Guelph.
Private letters from our soldier boys at the front do not fail to mention Capt. Pick’s bravery and his
loss will be deeply deplored by them also. He was wounded in the arm in the severe fighting at St.
Julien, but fought on, not even going to the hospital until the worst of the engagement was over. He
later returned to the trenches. After the terrible fight at Langemarck, where he distinguished himself,
he was promoted to the captaincy. In a letter received by his parents this week he stated that he
had been lately on the transport service, in which he probably met his death.
Private Phillips was assigned to the 34th Battalion and subsequently transferred to the 5th Canadian
Private
letters
from
our soldier
boys at
the front
do notPhillips
fail to mention Capt. Pick’s bravery and his
Motorized
Rifles
(Quebec
Regiment
5CMR).
Private
loss
will beto
deeply
deplored by
themfracture
also. He
was
wounded
is reported
have sustained
a skull
and
injuries
to hisin the arm in the severe fighting at St.
Julien,
but
fought
on,
not
even
going
to
the
hospital
until
the worst of the engagement was over. He
left eye, a wound to his left ankle and a fractured right ankle
later
to the
trenches.well
After
Langemarck, where he distinguished himself,
whenreturned
he fell into
a damaged
onthe
theterrible
night offight
12 at
October
he
was Apromoted
the captaincy.
In a letter
received bythis
his parents this week he stated that he
1917.
Board oftoInquiry
was convened
to investigate
had
been
lately
on
the
transport
service,
in
which
he
probably
incident. Witness testimony from patrol members revealed met his death.
Capt. Pick was a model young man in every way, and his parents have the sincere sympathy of a
very large number of friends in this locality, in their sudden bereavement.
Fergus News-Record Thursday, July 1, 1915: MEMORIAL SERVICE
The memorial service last Sunday afternoon for Capt. Peter Pick, killed in action in France, held
at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Pick at Ennotville, will not soon be forgotten by
the large number present. Shortly after dinner vehicles of all kinds left town for Capt. Pick’s former
home, several of them containing many of the employees of Beatty Bros. Works where the Captain
was engaged as foreman at the lower factory, at the time he enlisted, and in whose hearts he ever
held a warm place.
Rev. J. A. Brown opened the service with prayer, after which Rev. R. W. Craw made the address,
speaking in the highest terms of the bravery of Capt. Pick, of the clean life he lived, of his untiring
devotion to duty, and finally the laying down of his life for King and Country, in a worthy cause. He
appealed to the young men of the vicinity to volunteer to fill the vacancy caused by the death of
Capt. Pick. Rev. Mr. Kaye of Barrie Hill church read the scripture. It was at this church that the late
Capt. Pick when but 14 years of age had taken communion and became one of its members. When
16 years old he joined the 30th regiment, and gradually rose until he became Captain.
Much sympathy is expressed for the aged parents and particularly for Mrs. Pick at this time as on
Friday last she had the misfortune to stumble and break her leg.
Page 16
that Phillips and one other soldier (Private Aldridge) had
Capt.
wasina the
model
young
man ainsmall
every building.
way, andPrivate
his parents have the sincere sympathy of a
been Pick
moving
dark
towards
very
large
number
friends
in thisten
locality,
in their
sudden
bereavement.
Phillips
was
in the of
lead
by about
paces.
Aldridge,
who
had stopped to light a cigarette, heard a scream and found
Phillips had fallen some 80 feet down the well. Apparently, a
Fergus
Thursday,
1, 1915:
MEMORIAL
Aubigny Communal Cemetery
runawayNews-Record
General Service
wagon atJuly
some
time had
knocked SERVICE
some of the boards and the wooden top off the well, leaving it unguarded on one side.
at
parents,
Mr. Phillips
and Mrs.succumbed
Richard Pick
at Ennotville,
not soon1917
be forgotten
At the
the home
age ofof21his
years,
Private
to his
injuries on will
26 October
and wasbylisted
the
large
number
present.
Shortly
after
dinner
vehicles
of
all
kinds
left
town
for
Capt.
Pick’s
former
as ‘Died of Wounds’ later modified to ‘Died of Accidental Injuries’.
was
foreman
at the lower
factory, at
thePas
timedeheCalais,
enlisted,
and in
whose
hearts
ever
He isengaged
buried inas
Aubigny
Community
Cemetery
near
France
and
his name
is he
also
held
a warm place.
memorialized
in the Books of Remembrance, in the Peace Tower of the Canadian Parliament
Buildings, Ottawa.
5th Canadian
appealed
to theMotorized
young menRifles
of the vicinity to volunteer to fill the vacancy caused by the death of
Capt.
Pick
when butMotorized
14 years Rifles
of age(Quebec
had taken
communion
andwas
became
oneinof1915,
its members.
The 5th
Canadian
Regiment
5CMR)
formed
and wereWhen
sent to
16
years old
he joined the
30th later
regiment,
and gradually
rose were
until he
becametoCaptain.
England
for additional
training
that year.
In 1916, they
converted
an infantry battalion
which was then attached to the 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division, CEF (later the
Much
sympathy
is expressed
for the
parents
and and
particularly
forbetween
Mrs. Pick
at this
as on
Canadian
Corps).
The battalion
sawaged
action
in France
Flanders
1916
andtime
1918.
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
16
Page 17
602306 Private
World War I
Born: 18
September
in Eramosa
Township,
Ontario
Ottawa
notifying
them1896
that their
son, Capt.
Peter W.
Pick, was killed in action in France on June
15th,
1915.Occupation:
The news quickly
spread
around town where Capt. Pick was well known, and cast a
Previous
Telegraph
Operator
The
war
home
very close to us in the deaths of Mess’rs Gregson and Pick, the
Died:
26has
Octbeen
1917brought
at the age
of 21
being
the
youngest
sonwas
of Mr.
and
Richard Pick.
TheHe
family
moved
Barrie’s
Church,
Francis
Arnold
Phillips
born
onMrs.
18 September
1896.
waslater
the first
sonnear
of Francis
and
Mary
and
finally
to Lower
Nichol,
Ennotville,
where
mother, and
one daughter,
J. (nee
Darby)
Phillips,
who near
farmed
the western
halfthe
of father
Lot 5, and
Concession
2, between
Eden Mills and
Barbara,
stillHe
reside.
only of
surviving
son
lives at(Ethel
Davidson,
Sask.
Rockwood.
was The
the third
their four
children
b.1886,
Isla b.1894 and Gerald b.1900).
When
enlisted
he diduntil
so as
lieutenant,
washe
thevolunteered
first officer for
of the
30th toservice
volunteer
workedCapt.
as a Pick
telegraph
operator
at athe
age of 18and
years,
overseas
on
his
services.
He
was
foreman
in
the
wood-working
department
of
Beatty
Bros.
lower
shops
and
was
Private
letters
from
our soldier
boys at
the front
do notPhillips
fail to mention Capt. Pick’s bravery and his
Motorized
Rifles
(Quebec
Regiment
5CMR).
Private
loss
will beto
deeply
deplored by
themfracture
also. He
was
wounded
is reported
have sustained
a skull
and
injuries
to hisin the arm in the severe fighting at St.
Julien,
but
fought
on,
not
even
going
to
the
hospital
until
the worst of the engagement was over. He
later
to the
trenches.well
After
Langemarck, where he distinguished himself,
whenreturned
he fell into
a damaged
onthe
theterrible
night offight
12 at
October
he
was Apromoted
the captaincy.
In a letter
received bythis
his parents this week he stated that he
1917.
Board oftoInquiry
was convened
to investigate
had
been
lately
on
the
transport
service,
in
which
he
probably
incident. Witness testimony from patrol members revealed met his death.
Capt.
wasina the
model
young
man ainsmall
every building.
way, andPrivate
his parents have the sincere sympathy of a
been Pick
moving
dark
towards
very
large
number
friends
in thisten
locality,
in their
sudden
bereavement.
Phillips
was
in the of
lead
by about
paces.
Aldridge,
who
Fergus
Thursday,
1, 1915:
MEMORIAL
Aubigny Communal Cemetery
runawayNews-Record
General Service
wagon atJuly
some
time had
knocked SERVICE
at
parents,
Mr. Phillips
and Mrs.succumbed
Richard Pick
at Ennotville,
not soon1917
be forgotten
At the
the home
age ofof21his
years,
Private
to his
injuries on will
26 October
and wasbylisted
the
large
number
present.
Shortly
after
dinner
vehicles
of
all
kinds
left
town
for
Capt.
Pick’s
former
was
foreman
at the lower
factory, at
thePas
timedeheCalais,
enlisted,
and in
whose
hearts
ever
He isengaged
buried inas
Aubigny
Community
Cemetery
near
France
and
his name
is he
also
held
a warm place.
memorialized
in the Books of Remembrance, in the Peace Tower of the Canadian Parliament
Buildings, Ottawa.
5th Canadian
appealed
to theMotorized
young menRifles
of the vicinity to volunteer to fill the vacancy caused by the death of
Capt.
Pick
when butMotorized
14 years Rifles
of age(Quebec
had taken
communion
andwas
became
oneinof1915,
its members.
The 5th
Canadian
Regiment
5CMR)
formed
and wereWhen
sent to
16
years old
he joined the
30th later
regiment,
and gradually
rose were
until he
becametoCaptain.
England
for additional
training
that year.
In 1916, they
converted
an infantry battalion
Much
sympathy
is expressed
for the
parents
and and
particularly
forbetween
Mrs. Pick
at this
as on
Canadian
Corps).
The battalion
sawaged
action
in France
Flanders
1916
andtime
1918.
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Page 17
16
602306 Private
World War I
Born: 18 September 1896 in Eramosa Township, Ontario
Previous Occupation: Telegraph Operator
Died: 26 Oct 1917 at the age of 21
Francis Arnold Phillips was born on 18 September 1896. He was the first son of Francis and Mary
J. (nee Darby) Phillips, who farmed the western half of Lot 5, Concession 2, between Eden Mills and
Rockwood. He was the third of their four children (Ethel b.1886, Isla b.1894 and Gerald b.1900).
worked as a telegraph operator until at the age of 18 years, he volunteered for overseas service on
Motorized Rifles (Quebec Regiment 5CMR). Private Phillips
is reported to have sustained a skull fracture and injuries to his
when he fell into a damaged well on the night of 12 October
1917. A Board of Inquiry was convened to investigate this
incident. Witness testimony from patrol members revealed
been moving in the dark towards a small building. Private
Phillips was in the lead by about ten paces. Aldridge, who
runaway General Service wagon at some time had knocked Aubigny Communal Cemetery
At the age of 21 years, Private Phillips succumbed to his injuries on 26 October 1917 and was listed
He is buried in Aubigny Community Cemetery near Pas de Calais, France and his name is also
Buildings, Ottawa.
5th Canadian Motorized Rifles
The 5th Canadian Motorized Rifles (Quebec Regiment 5CMR) was formed in 1915, and were sent to
England for additional training later that year. In 1916, they were converted to an infantry battalion
Canadian Corps). The battalion saw action in France and Flanders between 1916 and 1918.
Page 17
WILLIAM WALLIS SAMMON
292256 Private
World War I
Born: 22 April 1889 in Chatham, Kent, England, emigrating to Canada and living near Rockwood,
Ontario
Previous Occupation: Farmer
Born: 22
21 April
May 1893
1889 in Milton,
Chatham,
Ontario
Kent, England, emigrating to Canada and living near Rockwood,
Ontario
Previous Occupation: Clerk
Previous
Occupation:
Farmer
Enlisted: 16
January 1915
in Guelph, Ontario
Enlisted:
17
March
1916
in
Died: 28 September 1916 atManitoba
age 23
Enlisted: 17 March 1916 in Manitoba
Buried: Canadian Cemetery No. 2, Pas de Calais, France
William Sammon was born in Chatham, Kent, England on 22 April 1889 to William and Nellie (nee
Phillips) Sammon. He was the older of their two children (Maud Pearl b.1891). He emigrated to
Canada in 1905 and lived with the family of George and Isabella Gordon and worked on their farm
near Rockwood, in Nassagaweya Township. In 1912, he married Sarah Agnes Glendenning of
Rockwood. William and Sarah moved to their own farm near Miami, Manitoba, which is south-west of
Winnipeg, at the foot of the Pembina Hills.
While living in Manitoba, William volunteered for overseas service on 17 March 1916, at the age of 26
years, 11 months. He joined the Winnipeg based 222nd Overseas Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary
Force (CEF) and his Attestation Papers list his occupation as a farmer and that he was married to
Sarah Agnes Sammon of Rockwood. On 1 November 1916, Sarah returned to Rockwood to wait
for William to return home. After completing his basic training, Private Sammon sailed with his unit
aboard HMT Olympic, arriving in England on 20 November 1916. After undergoing further training in
England, he departed for France
on 29 December 1916. Upon his
arrival in France on 9 February
1917, he was transferred to the
44th Battalion (New Brunswick
Regiment).
Unfortunately, little additional
information has been found at
this time about Private Sammon
except that he was killed in action
on 12 April 1917 during the Battle
of Vimy Ridge.
Died:
12Contay
April 1917
at the
age of 27
Buried:
British
Cemetery
in Somme, France
Robert Stumpf was born in Milton, Ontario on 21 May 1893,
the
son Sammon
of Robertwas
Reuben
MargaretKent,
AnnieEngland
Stumpf on 22 April 1889 to William and Nellie (nee
William
born and
in Chatham,
(of
Rockwood).
He
was
their
only
child.
The
family
later (Maud Pearl b.1891). He emigrated to
Phillips) Sammon. He was the older of their two children
moved
where
Robert
was raised.
Prior
to Isabella Gordon and worked on their farm
CanadatoinRockwood,
1905 and lived
with
the family
of George
and
volunteering
for overseas
service, Township.
Robert worked
as a he
clerk
near Rockwood,
in Nassagaweya
In 1912,
married Sarah Agnes Glendenning of
and
had
served
three
years
in
the
Infantry.
Robert Stumpf volunteered for overseas service in Guelph
on
16 January
1915 at the
age ofvolunteered
22 years and
months. service on 17 March 1916, at the age of 26
While
living in Manitoba,
William
for9overseas
Private
Stumpf
wasHe
initially
assigned
to the based
9th Reserve
years, 11
months.
joined
the Winnipeg
222nd Overseas Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary
Battalion
on
27
August
1915
for
basic
training.
He
was
Force (CEF) and his Attestation Papers list his occupation
as a farmer and that he was married to
subsequently
transferred
the 34th Reserve
Battalion 1916,
and Sarah returned to Rockwood to wait
Sarah Agnes Sammon
of to
Rockwood.
On 1 November
then
the 10th
Battalion
of the
Canadian
Infantry
for William
to return
home.
After
completing
his (Alberta
basic training, Private Sammon sailed with his unit
Regiment).
is noarriving
record in
ofEngland
his deployment
overseas 1916. After undergoing further training in
aboard HMTThere
Olympic,
on 20 November
to
England;
indicate that he arrived in
England,
hehowever,
departedrecords
for France
France
at
Le
Havre
on
17
March
on 29 December 1916. Upon his1916. Records show that
on
16 May
he was
treated for influenza at the 2nd Field Ambulance Station (2 CFA). After
arrival
in France
onbeing
9 February
recovering,
he
rejoined
the
1917, he was transferred to10th
the Battalion on 16 June 1916. On 27 September 1916 Private Stumpf
was
3 CFA
in Rouen suffering from wounds. The Official Canadian War Diary lists that
44th admitted
Battalionto
(New
Brunswick
he
died on 28 September 1916 at age 23 years and 4 months. He is buried in the Contay British
Regiment).
Cemetery in Somme, France and is also memorialized in the Books of Remembrance, in the Peace
Tower
of the Canadian
Unfortunately,
little Parliament
additional Buildings, Ottawa.
except that
he was
killed in action
Contay
British
Cemetery
of Vimy
Ridge.
The
Contay
British Cemetery in Somme, France, was chosen in August 1916 for burials from the
49th Casualty Clearing Station, which arrived at Contay at the end of August. All the burials in Plots
William
Wallis Sammon
is Plots VII and VIII (the plot numbers V and VI were not used),
IPrivate
to IV, and
the majority
of those in
buriedthe
in Canadian
Cemetery
No.
cover
period August
1916 to
March 1917. The German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line in
2,
Pas
de
Calais,
France,
about
1
the spring of 1917 brought the medical
units further east and it was not until April 1918, when the
kilometer
south
of
the
Canadian
Germans advanced to Albert, that the 38th and other Divisions used the cemetery again.
Memorial at Vimy. His name is
also memorialized in the Books
of Remembrance, in the Peace
Tower of the Canadian ParliamentCanadian Cemetery Number 2
Buildings, Ottawa.
Private William Wallis Sammon is
buried in Canadian Cemetery No.
2, Pas de Calais, France, about 1
kilometer south of the Canadian
Buildings, Ottawa.
WILLIAM WALLIS
(ROBERT)
JOHN STUMPF
SAMMON
402833 Private
292256
World War I
Page 18
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
18
Page 19
(ROBERT)WALLIS
WILLIAM
JOHN STUMPF
SAMMON
292256 Private
402833
World War I
Born: 21
22 April
May 1893
1889 in Milton,
Chatham,
Ontario
Kent, England, emigrating to Canada and living near Rockwood,
Ontario
Previous
Occupation:
Farmer
Enlisted: 16
January 1915
in Guelph, Ontario
Enlisted:
17
March
1916
in
Died: 28 September 1916 atManitoba
age 23
Born: 21 May 1893 in Milton, Ontario
Enlisted: 16 January 1915 in Guelph, Ontario
Died:
12Contay
April 1917
at the
age of 27
Buried:
British
Cemetery
in Somme, France
the
son Sammon
of Robertwas
Reuben
MargaretKent,
AnnieEngland
Stumpf on 22 April 1889 to William and Nellie (nee
William
born and
in Chatham,
(of
Rockwood).
He
was
their
only
child.
The
family
later (Maud Pearl b.1891). He emigrated to
Phillips) Sammon. He was the older of their two children
moved
where
Robert
was raised.
Prior
to Isabella Gordon and worked on their farm
CanadatoinRockwood,
1905 and lived
with
the family
of George
and
volunteering
for overseas
service, Township.
Robert worked
as a he
clerk
near Rockwood,
in Nassagaweya
In 1912,
married Sarah Agnes Glendenning of
and
had
served
three
years
in
the
Infantry.
on
16 January
1915 at the
age ofvolunteered
22 years and
months. service on 17 March 1916, at the age of 26
While
living in Manitoba,
William
for9overseas
Private
Stumpf
wasHe
initially
assigned
to the based
9th Reserve
years, 11
months.
joined
the Winnipeg
222nd Overseas Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary
Battalion
on
27
August
1915
for
basic
training.
He
was
Force (CEF) and his Attestation Papers list his occupation
as a farmer and that he was married to
subsequently
transferred
the 34th Reserve
Battalion 1916,
and Sarah returned to Rockwood to wait
Sarah Agnes Sammon
of to
Rockwood.
On 1 November
then
the 10th
Battalion
of the
Canadian
Infantry
for William
to return
home.
After
completing
his (Alberta
basic training, Private Sammon sailed with his unit
Regiment).
is noarriving
record in
ofEngland
his deployment
overseas 1916. After undergoing further training in
aboard HMTThere
Olympic,
on 20 November
to
England;
indicate that he arrived in
England,
hehowever,
departedrecords
for France
France
at
Le
Havre
on
17
March
on 29 December 1916. Upon his1916. Records show that
on
16 May
he was
treated for influenza at the 2nd Field Ambulance Station (2 CFA). After
arrival
in France
onbeing
9 February
recovering,
he
rejoined
the
1917, he was transferred to10th
the Battalion on 16 June 1916. On 27 September 1916 Private Stumpf
was
3 CFA
in Rouen suffering from wounds. The Official Canadian War Diary lists that
44th admitted
Battalionto
(New
Brunswick
he
died on 28 September 1916 at age 23 years and 4 months. He is buried in the Contay British
Regiment).
Tower
of the Canadian
Unfortunately,
little Parliament
additional Buildings, Ottawa.
except that
he was
killed in action
Contay
British
Cemetery
of Vimy
Ridge.
The
Contay
British Cemetery in Somme, France, was chosen in August 1916 for burials from the
William
Wallis Sammon
is Plots VII and VIII (the plot numbers V and VI were not used),
IPrivate
to IV, and
the majority
of those in
buriedthe
in Canadian
Cemetery
No.
cover
period August
1916 to
March 1917. The German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line in
2,
Pas
de
Calais,
France,
about
1
the spring of 1917 brought the medical
units further east and it was not until April 1918, when the
kilometer
south
of
the
Canadian
Buildings, Ottawa.
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
(ROBERT) JOHN STUMPF
402833 Private
World War I
Page 19
18
Died: 28 September 1916 at age 23
Buried: Contay British Cemetery in Somme, France
the son of Robert Reuben and Margaret Annie Stumpf
(of Rockwood). He was their only child. The family later
moved to Rockwood, where Robert was raised. Prior to
volunteering for overseas service, Robert worked as a clerk
and had served three years in the Infantry.
on 16 January 1915 at the age of 22 years and 9 months.
Private Stumpf was initially assigned to the 9th Reserve
Battalion on 27 August 1915 for basic training. He was
subsequently transferred to the 34th Reserve Battalion and
then the 10th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry (Alberta
Regiment). There is no record of his deployment overseas
to England; however, records indicate that he arrived in
France at Le Havre on 17 March 1916. Records show that
on 16 May he was being treated for influenza at the 2nd Field Ambulance Station (2 CFA). After
recovering, he rejoined the 10th Battalion on 16 June 1916. On 27 September 1916 Private Stumpf
was admitted to 3 CFA in Rouen suffering from wounds. The Official Canadian War Diary lists that
he died on 28 September 1916 at age 23 years and 4 months. He is buried in the Contay British
Contay British Cemetery
The Contay British Cemetery in Somme, France, was chosen in August 1916 for burials from the
I to IV, and the majority of those in Plots VII and VIII (the plot numbers V and VI were not used),
cover the period August 1916 to March 1917. The German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line in
the spring of 1917 brought the medical units further east and it was not until April 1918, when the
Page 19
GORDON DAVID WINSTON
928055 Private
World War I
JAMES
GORDON
ALFRED
DAVID (“Alf”)
WINSTON
EDWARDS
B149650
928055 Private
Private/Gunner
World War III
Born:
1916
in in
Rockwood,
Ontario
Born: 927May
June
1897
Guelph, Ontario
Previous
Crane Operator and Truck Driver
Previous Occupations:
Occupation: Farming
Born: 27 June 1897 in Guelph, Ontario
Previous Occupation: Farming
Enlisted:
July 1943 1915
at theinage
of 27 Ontario
in Toronto, Ontario
Enlisted: 23
4 December
Guelph,
Died:
1945 at
the at
age
ofage
28 of 21
Died: 829March
September
1918
the
Enlisted: 4 December 1915 in Guelph, Ontario
Buried: Drummond Cemetery in Nord, France
Buried:
Cemetery,
Nijmegen,
Buried: Canadian
DrummondMilitary
Cemetery
in Nord,
France Holland
Gordon Winston was born in Guelph on 27 June 1897 to Ephram and Elsie (nee Watt) Wilson. He
was the older of their two children (Agnes b.1905). Both of his parents were of Scottish descent.
The family lived in the City of Guelph with Elsie’s parents, Lawrence and Jessie Watt. Sometime
after 1911, the family moved to RR#3 Rockwood where, after his education, Gordon was employed
in farming.
James Alfred
Edwards
wasinborn
on 9on
May
William
J. and and
AliceElsie (nee Watt) Wilson. He
Gordon
Winston
was born
Guelph
27 1916
June to
1897
to Ephram
Maude
of Main
Street,
Rockwood.
was
the(nee
olderMurley)
of theirEdwards
two children
(Agnes
b.1905).
Both ofHe
hiswas
parents were of Scottish descent.
the
youngest
of
their
nine
children
(William
b.1898,
Thomas
Lenton
b.1899,
Edward
b.1901,
Fredrick
b.1903,
Flora b.1904,
after
1911,
the family
moved
to RR#3
Rockwood
where,Constance
after his education, Gordon was employed
b.1907,
Geraldine
b.1908,
Alexander
b.1910).
His
older brother
in farming.
Thomas was killed during WWI and is also memorialized on the
Rockwood
He
was onlyCenotaph.
18 years and 7 months old when he volunteered for overseas service in Guelph on
4 December 1915. Col. John Mutrie signed his Attestation Papers. Private Winston was initially
In June 1930,
graduated
from(Western
Grade 10
at the Regiment).
Rockwood Continuation
School.heDuring
this from
time,
assigned
to theAlf153rd
Battalion
Ontario
After basic training,
departed
he
was
a
leader
in
the
Boy
Scouts
and
enjoyed
playing
the
guitar.
He
went
to
work
for
the
Atlas
Halifax on 29 June 1917 aboard HMT Olympic, arriving in Liverpool 5 July 1917. He remained in
Steel Company
in Porttraining
Colborne
ashe
a 5was
Tonsent
Crane
Operator
a Truck
He served
aswas
an
England
for additional
until
to France
in and
March
1918.Driver.
In August
1918 he
Acting Sergeant
theCanadian
“Non-Permanent
Active
BatteryRegiment
of the Royal
Canadian
Artillery
transferred
to thein2nd
Mounted
RiflesMilitary”
- British63rd
Columbia
(2CMR).
He was
from
1935
to
1939.
He
next
served
in
the
2nd
Battalion
Lincoln
and
Welland
Regiment
from
June
reported Killed in Action on 29 September 1918. During Gordon’s service overseas, his parents
1940 toback
July to
1943.
In Toronto
on 23
July
1943, that
Alf enlisted
overseas
service at
in the
the Army
moved
Guelph
and there
they
learned
their sonforhad
died overseas
age ofand
21
interestingly,
gave
his
nationality
as
“Newfoundlander”.
Before
joining
Canada
as
a
Province
in
years and 3 months.
1949, Newfoundland was a British Dominion and after 1933, was directly ruled from London.
Private Gordon David Winston is buried at the Drummond Cemetery in Nord, France and his name
After
Alf wasinsent
to Shilo,
from August
to December
forthe
training,
followed
by
is
alsoenlisting,
memorialized
the Books
of Manitoba
Remembrance,
in the Peace
Tower of
Canadian
Parliament
one and a Ottawa.
half months
additional
training
in Redheadstone
Deer, Alberta
to becomeCemetery,
a Qualified
Buildings,
His of
name
is alsospecialized
inscribed on
his parents’
in Woodlawn
Driver
and
Motorman.
He
then
returned
to
Shilo
until
embarking
for
a
seven
day
voyage
to England
Guelph.
on 21 November 1944. Upon arrival in England, he was transferred to the Canadian Infantry Corps.
On 28
JanuaryCross
1945,was
he was
transferred
the 1st Battalion Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (RHLI)
The
Memorial
presented
to histomother.
and embarked for the European Front. On 21 February, he was re-classified as an Infantry Private/
Gunner.
He was only 18 years and 7 months old when he volunteered for overseas service in Guelph on
assigned to the 153rd Battalion (Western Ontario Regiment). After basic training, he departed from
England for additional training until he was sent to France in March 1918. In August 1918 he was
transferred to the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles - British Columbia Regiment (2CMR). He was
moved back to Guelph and there they learned that their son had died overseas at the age of 21
years and 3 months.
is also memorialized in the Books of Remembrance, in the Peace Tower of the Canadian Parliament
Buildings, Ottawa. His name is also inscribed on his parents’ headstone in Woodlawn Cemetery,
Guelph.
The Memorial Cross was presented to his mother.
Less than one month later, Private Edwards was killed in action as part of Operation Blockbuster on
8 March 1945, near the German town of Xanten, just inside the pre-1939 German Border with the
Netherlands. Both Private James Alfred Edwards’ and Private Charles Humphrey Wilson’s names
are on the Rockwood Cenotaph and both were killed on the same day, within 10 kms of each other,
in Germany. Private/Gunner James Alfred Edwards was initially buried on the outskirts of Xanten,
Germany. Shortly after the end of the War in Europe, his body was exhumed and reburied in the
Canadian Military Cemetery, Nijmegen, Holland. His name is also memorialized in the Books of
Remembrance in the Peace Tower of the Canadian Parliament Buildings, Ottawa.
Many exhumations occurred post war as General Guy Simmons decreed that no Canadian soldier
Drummond
or
airman Cemetery
would be left in German soil.
Drummond Cemetery
Page 20
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
20
Page 21
JAMES
GORDON
ALFRED
DAVID (“Alf”)
WINSTON
EDWARDS
B149650
928055 Private
Private/Gunner
World War III
Born:
1916
in in
Rockwood,
Ontario
Born: 927May
June
1897
Guelph, Ontario
Previous
Crane Operator and Truck Driver
Occupation: Farming
JAMES ALFRED (“Alf”) EDWARDS
B149650 Private/Gunner
World War II
Born: 9 May 1916 in Rockwood, Ontario
Previous Occupations: Crane Operator and Truck Driver
Enlisted:
July 1943 1915
at theinage
of 27 Ontario
in Toronto, Ontario
Enlisted: 23
4 December
Guelph,
Died:
1945 at
the at
age
ofage
28 of 21
Died: 829March
September
1918
the
Enlisted: 23 July 1943 at the age of 27 in Toronto, Ontario
Buried:
Cemetery,
Nijmegen,
Buried: Canadian
DrummondMilitary
Cemetery
in Nord,
France Holland
Buried: Canadian Military Cemetery, Nijmegen, Holland
James Alfred
Edwards
wasinborn
on 9on
May
William
J. and and
AliceElsie (nee Watt) Wilson. He
Gordon
Winston
was born
Guelph
27 1916
June to
1897
to Ephram
Maude
of Main
Street,
Rockwood.
was
the(nee
olderMurley)
of theirEdwards
two children
(Agnes
b.1905).
Both ofHe
hiswas
parents were of Scottish descent.
the
youngest
of
their
nine
children
(William
b.1898,
Thomas
Lenton
b.1899,
Edward
b.1901,
Fredrick
b.1903,
Flora b.1904,
after
1911,
the family
moved
to RR#3
Rockwood
where,Constance
after his education, Gordon was employed
b.1907,
Geraldine
b.1908,
Alexander
b.1910).
His
older brother
in farming.
Rockwood
He
was onlyCenotaph.
18 years and 7 months old when he volunteered for overseas service in Guelph on
In June 1930,
graduated
from(Western
Grade 10
at the Regiment).
Rockwood Continuation
School.heDuring
this from
time,
assigned
to theAlf153rd
Battalion
Ontario
After basic training,
departed
he
was
a
leader
in
the
Boy
Scouts
and
enjoyed
playing
the
guitar.
He
went
to
work
for
the
Atlas
Steel Company
in Porttraining
Colborne
ashe
a 5was
Tonsent
Crane
Operator
a Truck
He served
aswas
an
England
for additional
until
to France
in and
March
1918.Driver.
In August
1918 he
Acting Sergeant
theCanadian
“Non-Permanent
Active
BatteryRegiment
of the Royal
Canadian
Artillery
transferred
to thein2nd
Mounted
RiflesMilitary”
- British63rd
Columbia
(2CMR).
He was
from
1935
to
1939.
He
next
served
in
the
2nd
Battalion
Lincoln
and
Welland
Regiment
from
June
1940 toback
July to
1943.
In Toronto
on 23
July
1943, that
Alf enlisted
overseas
service at
in the
the Army
moved
Guelph
and there
they
learned
their sonforhad
died overseas
age ofand
21
interestingly,
gave
his
nationality
as
“Newfoundlander”.
Before
joining
Canada
as
a
Province
in
years and 3 months.
After
Alf wasinsent
to Shilo,
from August
to December
forthe
training,
followed
by
is
alsoenlisting,
memorialized
the Books
of Manitoba
Remembrance,
in the Peace
Tower of
Canadian
Parliament
one and a Ottawa.
half months
additional
training
in Redheadstone
Deer, Alberta
to becomeCemetery,
a Qualified
Buildings,
His of
name
is alsospecialized
inscribed on
his parents’
in Woodlawn
Driver
and
Motorman.
He
then
returned
to
Shilo
until
embarking
for
a
seven
day
voyage
to England
Guelph.
On 28
JanuaryCross
1945,was
he was
transferred
the 1st Battalion Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (RHLI)
The
Memorial
presented
to histomother.
Gunner.
James Alfred Edwards was born on 9 May 1916 to William J. and Alice
Maude (nee Murley) Edwards of Main Street, Rockwood. He was
the youngest of their nine children (William b.1898, Thomas Lenton
b.1899, Edward b.1901, Fredrick b.1903, Flora b.1904, Constance
b.1907, Geraldine b.1908, Alexander b.1910). His older brother
Rockwood Cenotaph.
Drummond
or
airman Cemetery
would be left in German soil.
or airman would be left in German soil.
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Died: 8 March 1945 at the age of 28
Page 21
20
In June 1930, Alf graduated from Grade 10 at the Rockwood Continuation School. During this time,
he was a leader in the Boy Scouts and enjoyed playing the guitar. He went to work for the Atlas
Steel Company in Port Colborne as a 5 Ton Crane Operator and a Truck Driver. He served as an
Acting Sergeant in the “Non-Permanent Active Military” 63rd Battery of the Royal Canadian Artillery
from 1935 to 1939. He next served in the 2nd Battalion Lincoln and Welland Regiment from June
1940 to July 1943. In Toronto on 23 July 1943, Alf enlisted for overseas service in the Army and
interestingly, gave his nationality as “Newfoundlander”. Before joining Canada as a Province in
After enlisting, Alf was sent to Shilo, Manitoba from August to December for training, followed by
one and a half months of additional specialized training in Red Deer, Alberta to become a Qualified
Driver and Motorman. He then returned to Shilo until embarking for a seven day voyage to England
On 28 January 1945, he was transferred to the 1st Battalion Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (RHLI)
Gunner.
Page 21
World War II
Operation Blockbuster took place between 22 February and 10 March 1945 and was part of the
larger Battle of the Rhineland which marked the advance of the Allied Armies through the “Siegfried
Line” of defences and into the German homeland as far as the Rhine River. Operation Blockbuster
involved some of the fiercest fighting of the War.
World War II
ERNEST HENRY GERRIE
B156042
Gunner
Operation Blockbuster
took place between 22 February and 10 March 1945 and was part of the
“The Battle of the Rhineland was fought in Feb-Mar 1945 between Allied forces from Canada,
the United Kingdom, and the United States (as well as smaller national contingents), and the
German forces occupying territory south and west of the Rhine River during the North-West Europe
campaign of the Second World War.”
larger
of the Rhineland
which
marked Ontario
the advance of the Allied Armies through the “Siegfried
Born: Battle
30 December
1923 in Erin
Township,
Previous
Occupations:
Farming
andofMachinist’s
involved some
of the fiercest
fighting
the War. Helper
Enlisted: 1 May 1943 and volunteered overseas on 20 November
“The
of the Rhineland was fought in Feb-Mar 1945 between Allied forces from Canada,
1943 Battle
in Newfoundland
Buried: Canadian
MilitaryWorld
Cemetery,
campaign
of the Second
War.” Holten, Netherlands
“The initial goal was to reach the Rhine River, the last significant natural barrier between Allied
forces and Germany. From their winter positions in the Nijmegen Salient, the First Canadian Army
reinforced by elements of the British 2nd Army, began operations to advance south east, clearing
all land west of the river. Operation VERITABLE was a costly advance through flooded terrain and
German defensive lines, followed by Operation BLOCKBUSTER which succeeded in driving through
(German lines) almost to the banks of the Rhine River. Operation BLOCKBUSTER II cleared the
town of Xanten to end the fighting in the Rhineland.” - canadiansoldiers.com
Ernest
Henry
Gerrie
was
bornthe
on Rhine
30 December
1923
Erin
“The
initial
goal
was to
reach
River, the
last in
significant
natural barrier between Allied
Township
to
David
Henry
and
Annie
Winifred
(nee
Sanderson)
Gerrie.
Heby
was
the youngest
son of 2nd
theirArmy,
six children
reinforced
elements
of the British
began(Luella
operations to advance south east, clearing
b.1908,
Evelyn,
Edna,
Hugh,
and
Elwin).
Sometime
his birth,
all land west of the river. Operation VERITABLE wasafter
a costly
advance through flooded terrain and
his
family
moved
to
Rockwood.
After
graduating
from
Grade
8
at which
the age
of 13 frominEramosa
German defensive lines, followed by Operation BLOCKBUSTER
succeeded
driving through
S.S.#9 in lines)
Rockwood,
as a
labourer
before
moving BLOCKBUSTER
to Hamilton to work
as a the
(German
almosthe
toworked
the banks
offarm
the Rhine
River.
Operation
II cleared
Machinist’s
Helper
at
the
Westinghouse
plant.
Two Victoria Crosses were earned during these operations and Canadian losses were high, but they
marked a major turning point of the War. Germany surrendered less than eight months later to end
the European portion of WWII.
At
the
age of Crosses
19, on 1 were
May 1943,
enrolled
in the
Army (Artillery
Corps) under
National
Two
Victoria
earnedheduring
these
operations
and Canadian
lossesthe
were
high, but they
Resource
Mobilization
Act
(NRMA):
“Conscription,
or
compulsory
military
service,
divided
theto end
marked a major turning point of the War. Germany surrendered less than eight months later
nation
in the Second
War and threatened the survival of political leaders. In 1939 Prime
the
European
portion World
of WWII.
Minister Mackenzie King, conscious of the opposition of French-speaking Quebec to conscription
in the First World War, promised that there would be no conscription for overseas service. By
mid-1940, however, there was enormous pressure from English Canada for total mobilization of
manpower. King introduced the National Resources Mobilization Act (NRMA), which called for a
national registration of eligible men and authorized conscription for home defence. From April 1941,
The Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment returned to France on 5 July 1944 as part of the 4th
the young men called up were required to serve for the rest of the war on home defence duties.” Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division. They moved to Normandy in time to serve with the
Canadian War Museum article - Democracy at War / Canadian Newspapers and the Second World
British 2nd Army. They advanced along the Channel coast with the Canadian 1st Army and helped
War / Canada and World War 2 / Politics and Government / Conscription
to liberate Dieppe. The division saw heavy action in the Netherlands in late 1944 and took part in the
final offensives in 1945. The Essex Scottish Regiment was a part of: Bourguebus Ridge; St. AndréHe enlisted into the 26th Anti-Aircraft Battery in Newfoundland from 20 November 1943 through
sur-Orne; Falaise; Falaise Road; Clair Tizon; Forêt de la Londe; The Scheldt; Woensdrecht; South
May 1944 when he volunteered for overseas service. By October 1944, he had qualified as a
Beveland; The Rhineland; Goch-Calcar Road; The Hochwald; Xanten; Twente Canal; Groningen;
radar operator at Barriefield Camp, near Kingston, Ontario (now known as CFB Kingston). On 25
Oldenburg; North West Europe, 1942, 1944-1945. By the end of the war in Europe, the Essex
November, he embarked from Canada by ship and arrived in England 5 days later, where he was
Scottish Regiment had suffered the highest losses of the Canadian Army with over 2,000 men
transferred into the Canadian Infantry Corps as a member of the Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment
wounded and more than 550 killed.
with the rank of Gunner. After completing a six week training course, he was flown directly to the
See Ernest Henry Gerrie’s biography.
Belgian Front where he joined the same Canadian Division where his brother Hugh was serving in
the Provost Corps.
Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division. They moved to Normandy in time to serve with the
final offensives in 1945. The Essex Scottish Regiment was a part of: Bourguebus Ridge; St. Andrésur-Orne; Falaise; Falaise Road; Clair Tizon; Forêt de la Londe; The Scheldt; Woensdrecht; South
Gunner Ernest Henry Gerrie was killed in action on 4 April 1945, at the beginning of the Battle of
Zutphen and Deventer, in North-East Netherlands. He was initially buried near Zutphen. Shortly
after the end of the War in Europe, his body was exhumed and reburied in the Canadian Military
Cemetery, Holten, Netherlands. His name is also memorialized in the Books of Remembrance in the
Page 22
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Page 23
22
World War II
ERNEST HENRY GERRIE
B156042
Gunner
Operation Blockbuster
took place between 22 February and 10 March 1945 and was part of the
ERNEST HENRY GERRIE
B156042 Gunner
World War II
larger
of the Rhineland
which
marked Ontario
the advance of the Allied Armies through the “Siegfried
Born: Battle
30 December
1923 in Erin
Township,
Previous
Occupations:
Farming
andofMachinist’s
involved some
of the fiercest
fighting
the War. Helper
“The
of the Rhineland was fought in Feb-Mar 1945 between Allied forces from Canada,
1943 Battle
in Newfoundland
Buried:
Canadian
MilitaryWorld
Cemetery,
campaign
of the Second
War.” Holten, Netherlands
Born: 30 December 1923 in Erin Township, Ontario
Ernest
Henry
Gerrie
was
bornthe
on Rhine
30 December
1923
Erin
“The initial
goal
was to
reach
River, the
last in
significant
natural barrier between Allied
Township
to
David
Henry
and
Annie
Winifred
(nee
Sanderson)
Gerrie.
Heby
was
the youngest
son of 2nd
theirArmy,
six children
reinforced
elements
of the British
began(Luella
operations to advance south east, clearing
b.1908,
Evelyn,
Edna,
Hugh,
and
Elwin).
Sometime
his birth,
all land west of the river. Operation VERITABLE wasafter
a costly
advance through flooded terrain and
his
family
moved
to
Rockwood.
After
graduating
from
Grade
8
at which
the age
of 13 frominEramosa
German defensive lines, followed by Operation BLOCKBUSTER
succeeded
driving through
S.S.#9 in lines)
Rockwood,
as a
labourer
before
moving BLOCKBUSTER
to Hamilton to work
as a the
(German
almosthe
toworked
the banks
offarm
the Rhine
River.
Operation
II cleared
Machinist’s
Helper
at
the
Westinghouse
plant.
Ernest Henry Gerrie was born on 30 December 1923 in Erin
Township to David Henry and Annie Winifred (nee Sanderson)
Gerrie. He was the youngest son of their six children (Luella
b.1908, Evelyn, Edna, Hugh, and Elwin). Sometime after his birth,
his family moved to Rockwood. After graduating from Grade 8 at the age of 13 from Eramosa
S.S.#9 in Rockwood, he worked as a farm labourer before moving to Hamilton to work as a
Machinist’s Helper at the Westinghouse plant.
At
the
age of Crosses
19, on 1 were
May 1943,
enrolled
in the
Army (Artillery
Corps) under
National
Two
Victoria
earnedheduring
these
operations
and Canadian
lossesthe
were
high, but they
Resource
Mobilization
Act
(NRMA):
“Conscription,
or
compulsory
military
service,
divided
theto end
marked a major turning point of the War. Germany surrendered less than eight months later
nation
in the Second
War and threatened the survival of political leaders. In 1939 Prime
the
European
portion World
of WWII.
the young men called up were required to serve for the rest of the war on home defence duties.” Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division. They moved to Normandy in time to serve with the
Canadian War Museum article - Democracy at War / Canadian Newspapers and the Second World
final offensives in 1945. The Essex Scottish Regiment was a part of: Bourguebus Ridge; St. AndréHe enlisted into the 26th Anti-Aircraft Battery in Newfoundland from 20 November 1943 through
sur-Orne; Falaise; Falaise Road; Clair Tizon; Forêt de la Londe; The Scheldt; Woensdrecht; South
the Provost Corps.
At the age of 19, on 1 May 1943, he enrolled in the Army (Artillery Corps) under the National
Resource Mobilization Act (NRMA): “Conscription, or compulsory military service, divided the
nation in the Second World War and threatened the survival of political leaders. In 1939 Prime
the young men called up were required to serve for the rest of the war on home defence duties.” Canadian War Museum article - Democracy at War / Canadian Newspapers and the Second World
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Page 23
22
Previous Occupations: Farming and Machinist’s Helper
1943 in Newfoundland
Buried: Canadian Military Cemetery, Holten, Netherlands
He enlisted into the 26th Anti-Aircraft Battery in Newfoundland from 20 November 1943 through
the Provost Corps.
Page 23
LAWRENCE NELLIS GRAHAM
A58918 Craftsman
World War II
LAWRENCE
JERRY
TAYLOR
NELLIS
GUTHRIE
GRAHAM
R183851/J29230
A58918
Craftsman
Flying Officer
World War II
Born:
1922
in Acton,
Ontario
Born: 21
14 May
March
1920
in Eramosa
Township, Ontario
Previous
Farming and Leather Factory Worker
Occupation: Farmer
Born: 14 March 1920 in Eramosa Township, Ontario
Enlisted:
1942 in Guelph, Ontario
Enlisted: 1
9 September
January 1942
Died:
July 1944
in Hamburg,
Died: 28/29
16 December
1944
at the ageGermany
of 24
Enlisted: 9 January 1942
Died: 16 December 1944 at the age of 24
Buried: Schoonselhof Cemetery, near Antwerp, Belgium
Buried:
British
Military
Cemetery
in Kiel,
Buried: Nordfriedhof,
Schoonselhofofficial
Cemetery,
near
Antwerp,
Belgium
Germany
Lawrence Nellis Graham was born in Eramosa Township on 14 March
1920 to John Wingfield and Eliza Mary Jane (nee Nellis) Graham.
He was the only surviving son of their ten children (Jessie Agnes,
Ellen Elizabeth, Colena Edna, Margaret Lillian, Evelyn Irene, plus
four children who died as babies: Marion Eliza, Gertrude, Una and
Benjamin). Along with his sisters, he was raised on the family farm on Lot 2, east half of Concession
VI & west half of Con.VII of Eramosa Township. His mother was incapacitated with Myocarditis and
he left school at the age of 15 to work with his father on the farm.
Lawrence
Nellis
Graham
was born
Eramosa
Township
14 and
March
Jerry Taylor
Guthrie
was born
on 21inMay
1922 to
Thomason
Park
Margaret Stewart (nee Mackie)
1920
to
John
Wingfield
and
Eliza
Mary
Jane
(nee
Nellis)
Graham.
Guthrie of RR#1 Acton. He was the youngest son of their four children (Hector Campbell b.1909,
He
was the
only surviving
sonDouglas
of their Tobin
ten children
(Jessie
Barbara
Mitchell
b.1912 and
b.1918).
TheyAgnes,
were raised on the family farm on the
Ellen
Elizabeth,
Colena
Edna,
Margaret
Lillian,
Evelyn
Irene,
plus
East Part of Lot 1, Concession VII, at Crewson’s Corners. After
graduating from S.S.#12 Esquesing
four
children
whohedied
as babies:
Eliza, Gertrude,
Unaheand
School
in 1935,
attended
ActonMarion
Continuation
School until
left in 1937 to work as a farmhand
Benjamin).
Along
with worked
his sisters,
he was
raised on
the family
farm on
Lot 2, east
half of Concession
for his father.
He also
for the
Beardmore
Leather
Company
in Acton.
He enjoyed
hunting
VI
&
west
half
of
Con.VII
of
Eramosa
Township.
His
mother
was
incapacitated
with
Myocarditis
and
and was interested in becoming a gunsmith.
In Guelph on 1 September 1942, Jerry enlisted into the Royal Canadian Air Force. He initially
On
December
1941, and
under
theHamilton
National for
Resources
Mobilization
(NRMA),
conscripted
was4posted
to London
then
basic training
before Act
being
sent to he
thewas
University
of
into
home
service.
At thisand
time,
there was
increasing he
shortage
of farm
and his
Toronto
fordefence
pre-aircrew
education
exams.
Uponangraduation,
was sent
to thelabour
#9 Bombing
parents’
health
was
deteriorating.
It
is
alleged
that
the
officers
of
the
#10
Basic
Training
Course
and Gunnery School in Mont Joli, Quebec where he graduated second out of 109 fellow students.
advised
him 1943,
that heJerry
would
notpromoted
be able to
to theAircraftsman.
farm until the war
over1943,
and they
On 26 June
was
to go
theback
rankhome
of Leading
On 3was
August
he
encouraged
him
to
volunteer
for
Overseas
service,
which
he
did
on
9
January
1942.
During
his
received a laceration to his right leg while trying to “jump the fence” to sneak out to the opera house
medical,
Private This
Graham
wasappear
found to
to get
have
asthma
and rhinitis
was deemed
fit. About
eleven
for an evening.
did not
him
into much
troublebut
because
three days
later, he
was
months
later,
his father at
suffered
a stroke
that left
one side of
paralyzed
and
a speech
promoted
to Sergeant,
the same
time being
recognized
forhis
hisbody
skill by
receiving
hiswith
Air Gunner
impediment.
His
mother
tried
to
work
the
farm
with
the
help
of
one
of
his
sisters
and
neighbours
Badge. He was promoted to Pilot Officer less than three weeks before shipping out to England from
(who
also
their own
farms
to look
after).
He wasfive
granted
compassionate
leave
15 to #82
Halifax
on had
26 August
1943.
After
arrival
in England
days later,
P/O Guthrie
was from
assigned
December
1942
to
3
May
1943
to
help
care
for
his
parents
and
prepare
the
farm
for
spring
Operational Training Unit - RAF Ossington in Nottinghamshire, where they reported “Guthrieplanting.
was
He
was granted an
extension
plant
theYear’s
crops Eve,
but on
May,
his mother
of a cerebral
an exceptionally
good
gunner”.to On
New
he16
was
posted
to #61died
Operational
Training
hemorrhage.
On compassionate
grounds,
he applied
for ahe
discharge
(or at least
further
leave).
Unit - RAF Heston,
just west of London.
During
this time,
was promoted
to Flying
Officer
on 6His
application
was
supported
by
the
family
doctor
(who
had
previously
served
as
a
Major
in
the
Medical
February 1944 and a month later, F/O Guthrie was posted to an operational unit, RCAF 408 “Goose”
Corps)
whobased
wrotein“Lawrence
Squadron
Yorkshire.was the only one left to work this prosperous farm but it has now gone
to weeds. The 110 acres sustained 12 milk cows, 9 young cows, 3 work horses, 2 brood sows, 10
suckling
400 hens
and cockerels
andoperational
about 20 geese.”
Officers
reviewed
his situation
The nightpigs,
of 28/29
July 1944,
on his 21st
trip, F/OSenior
Guthrie’s
squadron
was part
of an
but
didon
notthe
want
to allow
“farmers’
sons dispensation”
and
turned
down his
attack
German
port
city of Hamburg.
During this
trip,
his Halifax
VII request.
bomber was shot down
and all seven crew were killed. They were initially buried in a mass grave marked with a single white
Private
returned
to theSea
Army
and qualified
asthe
a driver/mechanic
assigned
to
cross, inGraham
a field near
the North
Coast,
outside of
town of Meldorf.and
Thewas
cross
was marked
the
Royal
Canadian
Electrical
and
Mechanical
Engineers,
4th
Armoured
Troops
Workshop
as
in French “Ici reposent sept aviateurs Canadians(sic) bombes(sic) dans la nuit, le 28 au le(sic)a 29
Craftsman.
He“Here
departed
Canada
on 24
April 1944
and afteratspending
month
in England
was
juillet 1944” –
lie seven
airmen
Canadian
bombs(sic)
night, 28one
to 29
July 1944”.
Shortly
shipped
France
28 July.
after the to
War,
their on
bodies
were exhumed and reburied in the Nordfriedhof, official British Military
Cemetery in Kiel, Germany. F/O Jerry Taylor Guthrie and F/O C.F. McDougall were reburied in the
Craftsman
Graham
was killed
byTaylor
a V2 rocket
on name
16 December
1944 in Belgium.
same graveLawrence
and shareNellis
a common
marker.
Jerry
Guthrie’s
is also memorialized
in theHe
is
buried
at
Schoonselhof
Cemetery,
near
Antwerp,
Belgium.
His
name
is
also
memorialized
in
Books of Remembrance in the Peace Tower of the Canadian Parliament Buildings, Ottawa. Histhe
Books
Remembrance
the Peace
Tower
of theEurope
Canadian
Ottawa.
MilitaryofMedals
including:in1939-45
Star,
Air Crew
StarParliament
with FranceBuildings,
and Germany
Clasp,
Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, War Medal (1939-1945), the Operational Wings, Memorial Bar
and Memorial Cross were sent to his mother at RR #1 Acton.
On 4 December 1941, under the National Resources Mobilization Act (NRMA), he was conscripted
into home defence service. At this time, there was an increasing shortage of farm labour and his
parents’ health was deteriorating. It is alleged that the officers of the #10 Basic Training Course
advised him that he would not be able to go back home to the farm until the war was over and they
encouraged him to volunteer for Overseas service, which he did on 9 January 1942. During his
medical, Private Graham was found to have asthma and rhinitis but was deemed fit. About eleven
months later, his father suffered a stroke that left one side of his body paralyzed and with a speech
impediment. His mother tried to work the farm with the help of one of his sisters and neighbours
(who also had their own farms to look after). He was granted compassionate leave from 15
December 1942 to 3 May 1943 to help care for his parents and prepare the farm for spring planting.
He was granted an extension to plant the crops but on 16 May, his mother died of a cerebral
hemorrhage. On compassionate grounds, he applied for a discharge (or at least further leave). His
application was supported by the family doctor (who had previously served as a Major in the Medical
Corps) who wrote “Lawrence was the only one left to work this prosperous farm but it has now gone
suckling pigs, 400 hens and cockerels and about 20 geese.” Senior Officers reviewed his situation
but did not want to allow “farmers’ sons dispensation” and turned down his request.
Private Graham returned to the Army and qualified as a driver/mechanic and was assigned to
the Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, 4th Armoured Troops Workshop as a
Craftsman. He departed Canada on 24 April 1944 and after spending one month in England was
shipped to France on 28 July.
Craftsman Lawrence Nellis Graham was killed by a V2 rocket on 16 December 1944 in Belgium. He
is buried at Schoonselhof Cemetery, near Antwerp, Belgium. His name is also memorialized in the
Books of Remembrance in the Peace Tower of the Canadian Parliament Buildings, Ottawa.
Page 24
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Page 25
24
JERRY TAYLOR
LAWRENCE
NELLIS
GUTHRIE
GRAHAM
A58918 Craftsman
R183851/J29230
Flying Officer
World War II
Born:
1922
in Acton,
Ontario
Born: 21
14 May
March
1920
in Eramosa
Township, Ontario
Previous
Farming and Leather Factory Worker
Occupation: Farmer
JERRY TAYLOR GUTHRIE
R183851/J29230 Flying Officer
World War II
Born: 21 May 1922 in Acton, Ontario
Previous Occupations: Farming and Leather Factory Worker
Enlisted:
1942 in Guelph, Ontario
Enlisted: 1
9 September
January 1942
Died:
July 1944
in Hamburg,
Died: 28/29
16 December
1944
at the ageGermany
of 24
Enlisted: 1 September 1942 in Guelph, Ontario
Buried:
British
Military
Cemetery
in Kiel,
Buried: Nordfriedhof,
Schoonselhofofficial
Cemetery,
near
Antwerp,
Belgium
Germany
Buried: Nordfriedhof, official British Military Cemetery in Kiel,
Germany
Lawrence
Nellis
Graham
was born
Eramosa
Township
14 and
March
Jerry
Taylor
Guthrie
was born
on 21inMay
1922 to
Thomason
Park
Margaret Stewart (nee Mackie)
1920
to
John
Wingfield
and
Eliza
Mary
Jane
(nee
Nellis)
Graham.
He was the
only surviving
sonDouglas
of their Tobin
ten children
(Jessie
Barbara
Mitchell
b.1912 and
b.1918).
TheyAgnes,
were raised on the family farm on the
Ellen
Elizabeth,
Colena
Edna,
Margaret
Lillian,
Evelyn
Irene,
plus
East Part of Lot 1, Concession VII, at Crewson’s Corners. After
graduating from S.S.#12 Esquesing
four children
whohedied
as babies:
Eliza, Gertrude,
Unaheand
School
in 1935,
attended
ActonMarion
Continuation
School until
left in 1937 to work as a farmhand
Benjamin).
Along
with worked
his sisters,
he was
raised on
the family
farm on
Lot 2, east
half of Concession
for
his father.
He also
for the
Beardmore
Leather
Company
in Acton.
He enjoyed
hunting
VI
&
west
half
of
Con.VII
of
Eramosa
Township.
His
mother
was
incapacitated
with
Myocarditis
and
On 4posted
December
1941, and
under
theHamilton
National for
Resources
Mobilization
(NRMA),
conscripted
was
to London
then
basic training
before Act
being
sent to he
thewas
University
of
into home
service.
At thisand
time,
there was
increasing he
shortage
of farm
and his
Toronto
fordefence
pre-aircrew
education
exams.
Uponangraduation,
was sent
to thelabour
#9 Bombing
parents’
health
was
deteriorating.
It
is
alleged
that
the
officers
of
the
#10
Basic
Training
Course
advised
him 1943,
that heJerry
would
notpromoted
be able to
to theAircraftsman.
farm until the war
over1943,
and they
On
26 June
was
to go
theback
rankhome
of Leading
On 3was
August
he
encouraged
him
to
volunteer
for
Overseas
service,
which
he
did
on
9
January
1942.
During
his
medical,
Private This
Graham
wasappear
found to
to get
have
asthma
and rhinitis
was deemed
fit. About
eleven
for
an evening.
did not
him
into much
troublebut
because
three days
later, he
was
months later,
his father at
suffered
a stroke
that left
one side of
paralyzed
and
a speech
promoted
to Sergeant,
the same
time being
recognized
forhis
hisbody
skill by
receiving
hiswith
Air Gunner
impediment.
His
mother
tried
to
work
the
farm
with
the
help
of
one
of
his
sisters
and
neighbours
(who also
their own
farms
to look
after).
He wasfive
granted
compassionate
leave
15 to #82
Halifax
on had
26 August
1943.
After
arrival
in England
days later,
P/O Guthrie
was from
assigned
December
1942
to
3
May
1943
to
help
care
for
his
parents
and
prepare
the
farm
for
spring
Operational Training Unit - RAF Ossington in Nottinghamshire, where they reported “Guthrieplanting.
was
He exceptionally
was granted an
extension
plant
theYear’s
crops Eve,
but on
May,
his mother
of a cerebral
an
good
gunner”.to On
New
he16
was
posted
to #61died
Operational
Training
hemorrhage.
On compassionate
grounds,
he applied
for ahe
discharge
(or at least
further
leave).
Unit
- RAF Heston,
just west of London.
During
this time,
was promoted
to Flying
Officer
on 6His
application
was
supported
by
the
family
doctor
(who
had
previously
served
as
a
Major
in
the
Medical
Corps) whobased
wrotein“Lawrence
Squadron
Yorkshire.was the only one left to work this prosperous farm but it has now gone
suckling
400 hens
and cockerels
andoperational
about 20 geese.”
Officers
reviewed
his situation
The
nightpigs,
of 28/29
July 1944,
on his 21st
trip, F/OSenior
Guthrie’s
squadron
was part
of an
but didon
notthe
want
to allow
“farmers’
sons dispensation”
and
turned
down his
attack
German
port
city of Hamburg.
During this
trip,
his Halifax
VII request.
bomber was shot down
PrivateinGraham
returned
to theSea
Army
and qualified
asthe
a driver/mechanic
assigned
to
cross,
a field near
the North
Coast,
outside of
town of Meldorf.and
Thewas
cross
was marked
the
Royal
Canadian
Electrical
and
Mechanical
Engineers,
4th
Armoured
Troops
Workshop
as
in French “Ici reposent sept aviateurs Canadians(sic) bombes(sic) dans la nuit, le 28 au le(sic)a 29
Craftsman.
He“Here
departed
Canada
on 24
April 1944
and afteratspending
month
in England
was
juillet
1944” –
lie seven
airmen
Canadian
bombs(sic)
night, 28one
to 29
July 1944”.
Shortly
shipped
France
28 July.
after
the to
War,
their on
bodies
were exhumed and reburied in the Nordfriedhof, official British Military
Craftsman
Graham
was killed
byTaylor
a V2 rocket
on name
16 December
1944 in Belgium.
same
graveLawrence
and shareNellis
a common
marker.
Jerry
Guthrie’s
in theHe
is
buried
at
Schoonselhof
Cemetery,
near
Antwerp,
Belgium.
His
name
is
also
memorialized
in
Books of Remembrance in the Peace Tower of the Canadian Parliament Buildings, Ottawa. Histhe
Books ofMedals
Remembrance
the Peace
Tower
of theEurope
Canadian
Ottawa.
Military
including:in1939-45
Star,
Air Crew
StarParliament
with FranceBuildings,
and Germany
Clasp,
Jerry Taylor Guthrie was born on 21 May 1922 to Thomas Park and Margaret Stewart (nee Mackie)
Barbara Mitchell b.1912 and Douglas Tobin b.1918). They were raised on the family farm on the
East Part of Lot 1, Concession VII, at Crewson’s Corners. After graduating from S.S.#12 Esquesing
School in 1935, he attended Acton Continuation School until he left in 1937 to work as a farmhand
for his father. He also worked for the Beardmore Leather Company in Acton. He enjoyed hunting
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Died: 28/29 July 1944 in Hamburg, Germany
Page 25
24
was posted to London and then Hamilton for basic training before being sent to the University of
Toronto for pre-aircrew education and exams. Upon graduation, he was sent to the #9 Bombing
On 26 June 1943, Jerry was promoted to the rank of Leading Aircraftsman. On 3 August 1943, he
for an evening. This did not appear to get him into much trouble because three days later, he was
promoted to Sergeant, at the same time being recognized for his skill by receiving his Air Gunner
Halifax on 26 August 1943. After arrival in England five days later, P/O Guthrie was assigned to #82
Operational Training Unit - RAF Ossington in Nottinghamshire, where they reported “Guthrie was
an exceptionally good gunner”. On New Year’s Eve, he was posted to #61 Operational Training
Unit - RAF Heston, just west of London. During this time, he was promoted to Flying Officer on 6
Squadron based in Yorkshire.
The night of 28/29 July 1944, on his 21st operational trip, F/O Guthrie’s squadron was part of an
attack on the German port city of Hamburg. During this trip, his Halifax VII bomber was shot down
cross, in a field near the North Sea Coast, outside of the town of Meldorf. The cross was marked
in French “Ici reposent sept aviateurs Canadians(sic) bombes(sic) dans la nuit, le 28 au le(sic) 29
juillet 1944” – “Here lie seven airmen Canadian bombs(sic) at night, 28 to 29 July 1944”. Shortly
after the War, their bodies were exhumed and reburied in the Nordfriedhof, official British Military
same grave and share a common marker. Jerry Taylor Guthrie’s name is also memorialized in the
Books of Remembrance in the Peace Tower of the Canadian Parliament Buildings, Ottawa. His
Military Medals including: 1939-45 Star, Air Crew Europe Star with France and Germany Clasp,
Page 25
World War II
Pilot Officer (P/O) is the lowest commissioned officer rank in the RCAF and RAF. It can be
confusing because it does not always mean the holder is a qualified pilot. Flying Officer (F/O) is
the next highest rank and it too does not always mean the holder is a qualified pilot, but it usually
means the holder is an aircrew member.
408 “Goose” Squadron was part of the RCAF Group 6 of Bomber Command. At this time, they
were flying Lancaster and Halifax bombers on night missions over occupied Europe and Germany.
By Victory in Europe Day (“VE Day”) the 5,700 airmen and the aircraft of the RCAF had flown over
40,000 operational missions with the loss of 814 aircraft and 4,277 airmen, for an operational loss
rate of 75%. Only the German U-Boat crews suffered higher loss rates during WWII. During this
time, approximately eight thousand decorations for bravery were awarded to Group VI aircrew,
including two Victoria Crosses. Canada’s Bomber Command Memorial lists the names of 10,659
men who were killed due to all causes while serving with Bomber Command during the war.
The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) was conceived by Prime Minister
Mackenzie King in 1939.
“Across the country, Canadians mobilized to take part in this gigantic undertaking—an army of
experts had to be assembled, airfields developed and equipment, including airplanes, had to be
obtained. Between 1940 and 1945, some 151 schools had been established across Canada with a
ground organization of 104,113 men and women.
By the end of the Second World War, the BCATP had produced 131,553 aircrew, including pilots,
wireless operators, air gunners, and navigators for the Air Forces of Great Britain, Australia, New
Zealand and Canada.”
Pilots were also trained from Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Free French, Norway and Poland.
In all, 107 schools and 184 other supporting units at 231 locations across Canada were constructed.
This created a network of airports across Canada and many of them still exist today, along with their
characteristic triangular runway pattern.
World War II
WASLEY PASMORE HARRIS
J28300
Pilot
Officer
Pilot Officer
(P/O) is
the lowest commissioned officer rank in the RCAF and RAF.
It can be
confusing
because
it
does
not
always
mean
the
holder
is
a
qualified
pilot.
Flying
Officer
(F/O) is
Born: 16 February 1917 in Toronto, raised in Rockwood, Ontario
Previous
Engineer
means theOccupation:
holder is an aircrew
member.
Enlisted: 18 May 1942 in Hamilton, Ontario
Died:flying
6 November
1943
the age
of 26 on night missions over occupied Europe and Germany.
were
Lancaster
andatHalifax
bombers
By
Victory
in EuropeCemetery
Day (“VE Day”) the 5,700 airmen and the aircraft of the RCAF had flown over
Buried:
Rockwood
Wasley
Pasmore
was born
in Toronto
16 February
to hisduring WWII. During this
rate
of 75%.
OnlyHarris
the German
U-Boat
crewson
suffered
higher1917
loss rates
recently
widowed mother,
Annie Matilda
(nee Pasmore)
Harris.
His
father, to Group VI aircrew,
time,
approximately
eight thousand
decorations
for bravery
were
awarded
Wesley Harris,
farmedCrosses.
near Rockwood
and
later near
Font Hill,
in the lists the names of 10,659
including
two Victoria
Canada’s
Bomber
Command
Memorial
Niagara
Peninsula,
where
he
died
in
a
farming
accident
on
8
July
1916.
men who were killed due to all causes while serving with Bomber Command
during the war.
Wasley’s paternal grandparents were Samuel and Susanna (nee Starr)
Harris of Rockwood, and his paternal great-grandparents were some of Rockwood’s first 1821
settlers,
JohnCommonwealth
and Jane (nee Weatherald)
His great-grandmother
the sister
of William
The
British
Air TrainingHarris.
Plan (BCATP)
was conceived was
by Prime
Minister
Weatherald,King
the founder
Mackenzie
in 1939. of the Rockwood Academy. His maternal grandparents were Robert and
Sarah (nee Mickle) Pasmore of Rockwood. Wasley and his older sister, Clara Laura, were raised
in Rockwood.
Since Canadians
he was a small
boy, he
interested
flying and was known
“Across
the country,
mobilized
to was
take always
part in this
giganticinundertaking—an
army as
of
an
expert
builder
of
model
aircraft.
As
a
young
man
in
Rockwood,
he
was
very
popular
and
had
a reputation
of having
“particularly
character”.
Afterhad
High
School,
Wasley across
graduated
from with
the a
obtained.
Between
1940
and 1945,fine
some
151 schools
been
established
Canada
University
of Torontoof
in 104,113
1941 with
hisand
BASc.
degree in Mechanical Engineering. While at the UofT,
ground
organization
men
women.
he joined the Non-Permanent Active Military Cadet Officer Training Corps (NPAM COTC) and then
its Auxiliary
Battalion
from World
1937 until
He then
to Hamilton
work for
Proctor pilots,
and
By
the end of
the Second
War,1941.
the BCATP
hadmoved
produced
131,553toaircrew,
including
Gamble
until
enlisting
there
in
the
Royal
Canadian
Air
Force
on
18
May
1942.
About
the
time
of his
enlistment,
married Katherine Louise Whitehead (1923-2007) of Toronto.
Zealand
andheCanada.”
He was
posted
the newly
RCAF
No. 9 Service
Flying
Training
School
SFTS)
Pilots
were
alsototrained
fromcreated
Belgium,
Czechoslovakia,
Free
French,
Norway
and(No.9
Poland.
Centralia, Ontario (part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan). After receiving his pilot
wings
and schools
the rankand
of Flight
Sergeant,
he was
recognized
as beingacross
conscientious,
eagerconstructed.
to learn
In
all, 107
184 other
supporting
units
at 231 locations
Canada were
and possessing
above average
skills
to become
pilotmany
instructor.
Hestill
went
through
instructor
This
created a network
of airports
across
Canadaa and
of them
exist
today,further
along with
their
training and was
promoted
to thepattern.
rank of Pilot Officer. At this same time, on 16 February 1943, his
characteristic
triangular
runway
wife Katherine gave birth to their twins (Gordon Wasley and Katherine Louise). Seven months later,
P/O Wasley Harris was transferred to another newly opened RCAF No. 17 SFTS in Souris, Manitoba
as an instructor in single engine Harvard and twin engine Anson aircraft. His wife Katherine and
their young twins moved to Souris to join him.
On 6 November 1943, P/O Harris was killed along with two trainee pilots in a crash near Eden,
Manitoba during a cross-country instrument training flight in a twin engine Anson aircraft. The
subsequent accident review concluded that they likely encountered aircraft icing while training to fly
on instruments only, became disoriented and crashed.
P/O Wasley Pasmore Harris is buried in Rockwood Cemetery. His name is also memorialized in the
Page 26
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Page 27
26
World War II
J28300
Pilot
Officer
Pilot Officer
(P/O) is
the lowest commissioned officer rank in the RCAF and RAF.
It can be
confusing
because
it
does
not
always
mean
the
holder
is
a
qualified
pilot.
Flying
Officer
(F/O) is
Previous
Engineer
means theOccupation:
holder is an aircrew
member.
Died:flying
6 November
1943
the age
of 26 on night missions over occupied Europe and Germany.
were
Lancaster
andatHalifax
bombers
By
Victory
in EuropeCemetery
Day (“VE Day”) the 5,700 airmen and the aircraft of the RCAF had flown over
Buried:
Rockwood
Wasley
Pasmore
was born
in Toronto
16 February
to hisduring WWII. During this
rate
of 75%.
OnlyHarris
the German
U-Boat
crewson
suffered
higher1917
loss rates
recently
widowed mother,
Annie Matilda
(nee Pasmore)
Harris.
His
father, to Group VI aircrew,
time,
approximately
eight thousand
decorations
for bravery
were
awarded
Wesley Harris,
farmedCrosses.
near Rockwood
and
later near
Font Hill,
in the lists the names of 10,659
including
two Victoria
Canada’s
Bomber
Command
Memorial
Niagara
Peninsula,
where
he
died
in
a
farming
accident
on
8
July
1916.
men who were killed due to all causes while serving with Bomber Command
during the war.
settlers,
JohnCommonwealth
and Jane (nee Weatherald)
His great-grandmother
the sister
of William
The
British
Air TrainingHarris.
Plan (BCATP)
was conceived was
by Prime
Minister
Weatherald,King
the founder
Mackenzie
in 1939. of the Rockwood Academy. His maternal grandparents were Robert and
in Rockwood.
Since Canadians
he was a small
boy, he
interested
flying and was known
“Across
the country,
mobilized
to was
take always
part in this
giganticinundertaking—an
army as
of
an
expert
builder
of
model
aircraft.
As
a
young
man
in
Rockwood,
he
was
very
popular
and
had
a reputation
of having
“particularly
character”.
Afterhad
High
School,
Wasley across
graduated
from with
the a
obtained.
Between
1940
and 1945,fine
some
151 schools
been
established
Canada
University
of Torontoof
in 104,113
1941 with
hisand
BASc.
degree in Mechanical Engineering. While at the UofT,
ground
organization
men
women.
its Auxiliary
Battalion
from World
1937 until
He then
to Hamilton
work for
Proctor pilots,
and
By
the end of
the Second
War,1941.
the BCATP
hadmoved
produced
131,553toaircrew,
including
Gamble
until
enlisting
there
in
the
Royal
Canadian
Air
Force
on
18
May
1942.
About
the
time
of his
enlistment,
married Katherine Louise Whitehead (1923-2007) of Toronto.
Zealand
andheCanada.”
J28300 Pilot Officer
World War II
Previous Occupation: Engineer
Died: 6 November 1943 at the age of 26
Buried: Rockwood Cemetery
Wasley Pasmore Harris was born in Toronto on 16 February 1917 to his
recently widowed mother, Annie Matilda (nee Pasmore) Harris. His father,
Wesley Harris, farmed near Rockwood and later near Font Hill, in the
Niagara Peninsula, where he died in a farming accident on 8 July 1916.
settlers, John and Jane (nee Weatherald) Harris. His great-grandmother was the sister of William
Weatherald, the founder of the Rockwood Academy. His maternal grandparents were Robert and
in Rockwood. Since he was a small boy, he was always interested in flying and was known as
an expert builder of model aircraft. As a young man in Rockwood, he was very popular and had
a reputation of having “particularly fine character”. After High School, Wasley graduated from the
University of Toronto in 1941 with his BASc. degree in Mechanical Engineering. While at the UofT,
its Auxiliary Battalion from 1937 until 1941. He then moved to Hamilton to work for Proctor and
Gamble until enlisting there in the Royal Canadian Air Force on 18 May 1942. About the time of his
enlistment, he married Katherine Louise Whitehead (1923-2007) of Toronto.
He was
posted
the newly
RCAF
No. 9 Service
Flying
Training
School
SFTS)
Pilots
were
alsototrained
fromcreated
Belgium,
Czechoslovakia,
Free
French,
Norway
and(No.9
Poland.
wings
and schools
the rankand
of Flight
Sergeant,
he was
recognized
as beingacross
conscientious,
eagerconstructed.
to learn
In
all, 107
184 other
supporting
units
at 231 locations
Canada were
and possessing
above average
skills
to become
pilotmany
instructor.
Hestill
went
through
instructor
This
created a network
of airports
across
Canadaa and
of them
exist
today,further
along with
their
training and was
promoted
to thepattern.
rank of Pilot Officer. At this same time, on 16 February 1943, his
characteristic
triangular
runway
He was posted to the newly created RCAF No. 9 Service Flying Training School (No.9 SFTS)
wings and the rank of Flight Sergeant, he was recognized as being conscientious, eager to learn
and possessing above average skills to become a pilot instructor. He went through further instructor
training and was promoted to the rank of Pilot Officer. At this same time, on 16 February 1943, his
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Page 27
26
Page 27
THOMAS EDWIN HAYWARD
B143124 Private
World War II
JOHN
THOMAS
DUNCAN
EDWINHILTS
HAYWARD
A109555
B143124 Private
World War II
Born: 16 June 1924 in Toronto, Ontario
Born:
Born: 816May
June
1925
1924
in in
Rockwood,
Toronto, Ontario
Ontario
Previous Occupations: Farming and Carpenter’s Helper
Previous
Previous Occupation:
Occupations:Factory
Farming
Employee
and Carpenter’s Helper
Enlisted: 24 February 1943 in an unknown location
Enlisted:
Enlisted: December
24 February
1943
1943
in in
Guelph,
an unknown
Ontario
location
Died:
Died: 22
6 August
February
1944
1945
at the
at the
ageage
of 20
of 19
Buried: Bayeux British Military Cemetery, Normandy, France
Buried:
Buried: Groesbeek
Bayeux British
Canadian
MilitaryWar
Cemetery,
Cemetery,
Normandy,
near Nijmegen,
France
Netherlands
Thomas Edwin Hayward was born in the Mount Denis part of Toronto,
John
Hiltstowas
born and
on 8Ruby
May 1925
to Albert
Bertram
(Bert)
on 16Duncan
June 1924
Thomas
Adeline
Hayward
of RR#
5
and
Alice
(nee
MacLennan)
Hilts
of
Rockwood.
He
was
the
second
Belwood, in the north east part of Eramosa Township. He was the only
oldest
their
six children
John
b.1922,Ellen).
Louie His
Victor,
Margaret
son of of
their
three
children (Donald
(Clara and
Florence
father
Thomas
Deline,
Annie
May
and
Gertrude).
In
1939,
after
completing
Grade
at family’s farm and he also
was disabled from wounds while serving in WWI. Edwin grew up on7 the
Eramosa
in Rockwood,
started
to work at the
Wonderful
Soap Company
Guelph,
worked asS.S.#9
a carpenter’s
helper John
at Rayner
Construction.
Little
else is known
about himinbefore
he to
help
support
his army
family.on 24 February 1943 (location unknown).
enlisted
into the
on 16 June 1924 to Thomas and Ruby Adeline Hayward of RR# 5
son of their three children (Clara and Florence Ellen). His father Thomas
was disabled from wounds while serving in WWI. Edwin grew up on the family’s farm and he also
worked as a carpenter’s helper at Rayner Construction. Little else is known about him before he
enlisted into the army on 24 February 1943 (location unknown).
After completing his basic training, he was granted leave until mid-June to return home and help his
father with spring planting and tending the fields. On 24 August 1943, he embarked by ship from
Canada and arrived in England eight days later. Upon arrival, he was transferred with the rank of
Private to the Hamilton based regiment, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess
Louise’s).
The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders arrived in England in July 1943, where it trained with the
10th Canadian Infantry Brigade of the 4th Canadian Armoured Division.
On 21 July 1944, Private Edwin Hayward arrived with his regiment in Normandy and almost
immediately saw action in the final stages of the Battle of Normandy.
In
December
1943,
enlisted
in the
battalion
of until
the Guelph
Headquartered
11th
Field
After
completing
hishe
basic
training,
hereserve
was granted
leave
mid-June
to return home
and
help his
Ambulance
Royal
Canadian
Artillery
Medical
Corps.
One
month
later,
he
volunteered
for
overseas
service
London,
He was
Chatham
basic he
training
before embarking
Canadainand
arrivedOntario.
in England
eightsent
daystolater.
Uponfor
arrival,
was transferred
with thefor
rank of
England
in
August
1944.
Nine
days
later,
he
arrived
in
England
where
he
was
transferred
to the
Royal
Hamilton
Light
Infantry,
13th
Battalion.
By
September,
he
was
in
France
taking
part
in the
Louise’s).
Canadian Army advance along the coast and into Belgium. On 4 October, during the early stages of
the
the Sutherland
Scheldt, he was
wounded arrived
near the
city 1943,
of Antwerp.
five weeks
TheBattle
Argyllofand
Highlanders
in Belgian
Englandport
in July
where After
it trained
with theof
treatment
and recuperation,
he rejoined
hisCanadian
regimentArmoured
in early November
10th Canadian
Infantry Brigade
of the 4th
Division. as they continued to clear
the Dutch coastal area up to the pre-war border of Germany. By 22 February 1945, he was attached
to the Fusiliers Mount Royal as they were involved in Operation Veritable (8 to 21 February) and the
beginning
Operation
Blockbuster
(22 February
to 10his
March).
Private
John Duncan
Hilts was killed
On 21 Julyof1944,
Private
Edwin Hayward
arrived with
regiment
in Normandy
and almost
in
action
on
the
opening
day
of
Operation
Blockbuster
in
exceptionally
heavy
fighting
near
the Kalkar
(Calcar) Goch Road.
The Falaise Gap / Falaise Pocket (also known as the Chambois pocket) described the area
between the four Norman cities of Argentan, Chambois, Trun and Vimoutiers. The combined Allied
Armies attempted to encircle and destroy the withdrawing German Seventh Army and Fifth Panzer
Army during August 1944. Tough resistance by the Germans delayed the closing of the gap and
while 150,000 German soldiers were captured and the roads were littered with their destroyed
vehicles and tanks, about 100,000 soldiers escaped the Allied trap. While Germany’s losses were
over 10,000 dead, Canadian losses were heavy with over 18,000 dead or wounded.
Private
Duncan
Hilts cities
was initially
buriedChambois,
in the same
cemetery
in the nearby
villageAllied
of
betweenJohn
the four
Norman
of Argentan,
Trun
and Vimoutiers.
Thesmall
combined
Louisendorf
wheretoTrooper
Earl Mack
was also buried.
Two
young men,
grewPanzer
up within
Armies attempted
encircleGordon
and destroy
the withdrawing
German
Seventh
Army who
and Fifth
a
few
miles
of
each
other,
died
half
a
world
away
within
a
few
miles
of
each
other,
within
one
day of
each
Shortly
after
the endwere
of the
War in and
Europe,
his body
was
exhumed
and reburied
in the
while other.
150,000
German
soldiers
captured
the roads
were
littered
with their
destroyed
Groesbeek
War 100,000
Cemetery,
near Nijmegen,
Netherlands.
name
vehicles andCanadian
tanks, about
soldiers
escaped the
Allied trap. His
While
Germany’s
losses were
in
the
Books
of
Remembrance
in
the
Peace
Tower
of
the
Canadian
Parliament
Buildings, Ottawa.
On 5 August, Private Hayward was severely wounded by a mortar bomb during the prelude to
the Battle of the Falais Gap and taken to a field hospital. On 6 August he was transferred to #30
General Hospital in Bayeux, Normandy, France but died from his wounds.
He was buried in the Bayeux British Military Cemetery in Normandy, France. His name is also
memorialized in the Books of Remembrance in the Peace Tower of the Canadian Parliament
Buildings, Ottawa.
Buildings, Ottawa.
Page 28
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Page 29
28
JOHN
THOMAS
DUNCAN
EDWINHILTS
HAYWARD
A109555
B143124 Private
World War II
JOHN DUNCAN HILTS
A109555 Private
World War II
Born:
Born: 816May
June
1925
1924
in in
Rockwood,
Toronto, Ontario
Ontario
Born: 8 May 1925 in Rockwood, Ontario
Previous
Occupations:Factory
Farming
Employee
and Carpenter’s Helper
Previous Occupation: Factory Employee
Enlisted:
Enlisted: December
24 February
1943
1943
in in
Guelph,
an unknown
Ontario
location
Enlisted: December 1943 in Guelph, Ontario
Died:
Died: 22
6 August
February
1944
1945
at the
at the
ageage
of 20
of 19
Died: 22 February 1945 at the age of 19
Buried:
Buried: Groesbeek
Bayeux British
Canadian
MilitaryWar
Cemetery,
Cemetery,
Normandy,
near Nijmegen,
France
Netherlands
John
Hiltstowas
born and
on 8Ruby
May 1925
to Albert
Bertram
(Bert)
on 16Duncan
June 1924
Thomas
Adeline
Hayward
of RR#
5
and
Alice
(nee
MacLennan)
Hilts
of
Rockwood.
He
was
the
second
oldest
their
six children
John
b.1922,Ellen).
Louie His
Victor,
Margaret
son of of
their
three
children (Donald
(Clara and
Florence
father
Thomas
Deline,
Annie
May
and
Gertrude).
In
1939,
after
completing
Grade
at family’s farm and he also
was disabled from wounds while serving in WWI. Edwin grew up on7 the
Eramosa
in Rockwood,
started
to work at the
Wonderful
Soap Company
Guelph,
worked asS.S.#9
a carpenter’s
helper John
at Rayner
Construction.
Little
else is known
about himinbefore
he to
help
support
his army
family.on 24 February 1943 (location unknown).
enlisted
into the
Buried: Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, near Nijmegen,
Netherlands
In
December
1943,
enlisted
in the
battalion
of until
the Guelph
Headquartered
11th
Field
After
completing
hishe
basic
training,
hereserve
was granted
leave
mid-June
to return home
and
help his
Ambulance
Royal
Canadian
Artillery
Medical
Corps.
One
month
later,
he
volunteered
for
overseas
service
London,
He was
Chatham
basic he
training
before embarking
Canadainand
arrivedOntario.
in England
eightsent
daystolater.
Uponfor
arrival,
was transferred
with thefor
rank of
England
in
August
1944.
Nine
days
later,
he
arrived
in
England
where
he
was
transferred
to the
Royal
Hamilton
Light
Infantry,
13th
Battalion.
By
September,
he
was
in
France
taking
part
in the
Louise’s).
the
the Sutherland
Scheldt, he was
wounded arrived
near the
city 1943,
of Antwerp.
five weeks
TheBattle
Argyllofand
Highlanders
in Belgian
Englandport
in July
where After
it trained
with theof
treatment
and recuperation,
he rejoined
hisCanadian
regimentArmoured
in early November
10th
Canadian
Infantry Brigade
of the 4th
Division. as they continued to clear
beginning
Operation
Blockbuster
(22 February
to 10his
March).
Private
John Duncan
Hilts was killed
On
21 Julyof1944,
Private
Edwin Hayward
arrived with
regiment
in Normandy
and almost
in
action
on
the
opening
day
of
Operation
Blockbuster
in
exceptionally
heavy
fighting
near
the Kalkar
(Calcar) Goch Road.
In December 1943, he enlisted in the reserve battalion of the Guelph Headquartered 11th Field
Ambulance Royal Canadian Artillery Medical Corps. One month later, he volunteered for overseas
service in London, Ontario. He was sent to Chatham for basic training before embarking for
England in August 1944. Nine days later, he arrived in England where he was transferred to the
Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, 13th Battalion. By September, he was in France taking part in the
the Battle of the Scheldt, he was wounded near the Belgian port city of Antwerp. After five weeks of
treatment and recuperation, he rejoined his regiment in early November as they continued to clear
beginning of Operation Blockbuster (22 February to 10 March). Private John Duncan Hilts was killed
in action on the opening day of Operation Blockbuster in exceptionally heavy fighting near the Kalkar
(Calcar) Goch Road.
Private John
Duncan
Hilts cities
was initially
buriedChambois,
in the same
cemetery
in the nearby
villageAllied
of
between
the four
Norman
of Argentan,
Trun
and Vimoutiers.
Thesmall
combined
Louisendorf
wheretoTrooper
Earl Mack
was also buried.
Two
young men,
grewPanzer
up within
Armies
attempted
encircleGordon
and destroy
the withdrawing
German
Seventh
Army who
and Fifth
a
few
miles
of
each
other,
died
half
a
world
away
within
a
few
miles
of
each
other,
within
one
day of
each other.
Shortly
after
the endwere
of the
War in and
Europe,
his body
was
exhumed
and reburied
in the
while
150,000
German
soldiers
captured
the roads
were
littered
with their
destroyed
Groesbeek
War 100,000
Cemetery,
near Nijmegen,
Netherlands.
name
vehicles
andCanadian
tanks, about
soldiers
escaped the
Allied trap. His
While
Germany’s
losses were
in
the
Books
of
Remembrance
in
the
Peace
Tower
of
the
Canadian
Parliament
Buildings, Ottawa.
Private John Duncan Hilts was initially buried in the same cemetery in the nearby small village of
Louisendorf where Trooper Gordon Earl Mack was also buried. Two young men, who grew up within
a few miles of each other, died half a world away within a few miles of each other, within one day of
each other. Shortly after the end of the War in Europe, his body was exhumed and reburied in the
Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, near Nijmegen, Netherlands. His name is also memorialized
in the Books of Remembrance in the Peace Tower of the Canadian Parliament Buildings, Ottawa.
John Duncan Hilts was born on 8 May 1925 to Albert Bertram (Bert)
and Alice (nee MacLennan) Hilts of Rockwood. He was the second
oldest of their six children (Donald John b.1922, Louie Victor, Margaret
Deline, Annie May and Gertrude). In 1939, after completing Grade 7 at
Eramosa S.S.#9 in Rockwood, John started to work at the Wonderful Soap Company in Guelph, to
help support his family.
Buildings, Ottawa.
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Page 29
28
Page 29
GORDON EARL MACK
B115290 Trooper
World War II
GORDON HENRY
WILLIAM
EARL MACK
PARKINSON
J24930 Flying
B115290
Trooper
Officer WO/AG
World War II
Born: 28
8 March
April 1925
1915in
inEramosa
Eramosa,Township,
Ontario Ontario
Previous Occupations: Farmering, Barn Construction and Carpenter
Occupation: Mining
Farmering,
- Diamond
Barn Construction
Drill Operatorand Carpenter
Enlisted: 14 August 1943 in Orillia, Ontario
Enlisted: 14
29 August
April 1942
1943
in Hamilton,
in Orillia, Ontario
Ontario
Died: 21 February 1945 at the age of 19
Died: 821
May
February
1944 at1945
the age
at the
of age
29 of 19
Buried: Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, near Nijmegen, Netherlands
Buried: Groesbeek
Gosselies Communal
Canadian War
Cemetery,
Cemetery,
nearnear
Charleroi,
Nijmegen,
Belgium
Netherlands
William Henry Parkinson was born on 8 March 1915 to William H.
and Eliza Jane (nee Coker) Parkinson in the village of Eramosa. His
Gordon Earl Mack was born on 28 April 1925 to George Ernest and Jennie May (nee Lillie) Mack of
father died just eight days after his birth. He was the youngest of their
Lot 16, east half of Con.VI, Eramosa Township. He was the third of their four sons (Lloyd George
three sons (Archibald W. b.1908 and George R. b.1910). His mother
b.1919, Donald Thomas b.1921, and James A. b.1928). After graduating from Grade 8 from
subsequently re-married William Hodgkinson. After graduating from Guelph Collegiate at the age of
Eramosa S.S. #7, he went to work with his father and brothers on the farm and building barns in
17, he worked in an interesting variety of farming, including working on a ranch and a fur farm. Early
the area. He also worked as a carpenter for William McCutcheon in various locations throughout
in 1942, William moved to the gold mining town of Timmins, Ontario, to work in the Coniaurum Mine
Erin and Eramosa Townships. His hobbies were fishing, hunting, trapping and reading Zane Grey
as a diamond drill operator for a short time before enlisting at Hamilton on 29 April 1942.
western novels. When he was 17, he joined the militia of the 29th Battery of the 11th Field Regiment
(Artillery), headquartered in Guelph. He attended a training camp from May to November 1942.
William Henry Parkinson joined the RCAF at Hamilton and after completing his basic training, he
was sent to the #4 Wireless (radio) School in Guelph on 21 July 1942 and received his aircraft
On 14 August 1943 in Orillia, he enlisted in the same regiment and went through basic training
Wireless Operator badge - WO. On 21 February 1943, Henry was sent to #2 Bombing and Gunnery
and additional training in Windsor, Nova Scotia. On 26 June 1944, Gordon embarked for England
School in Mossbank, Saskatchewan where he then received his Air Gunner badge – AG. One
from Halifax, arriving seven days later. At this time, he was in a tank regiment but on 31 August,
month later, on 21 March 1943, he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer (P/O) in the RCAF Special
he transferred into the Canadian Base Reinforcement Battalion of the Canadian Infantry Corps,
Reserve. After two weeks leave, he was sent to #32 Operational Training Unit (OTU), Patricia Bay
in response to the urgent need for infantry to replace heavy losses while fighting along the coast
Airbase (now Victoria Airport) in British Columbia until he embarked on a six day trip to England on
of France and into Belgium. Upon arrival in Belgium on 17 October, he was assigned to the
16 July 1943. On 21 September 1943, P/O Parkinson, WO/AG was transferred to the 24 OTU and
Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Regiment (RHLI), Anti-Tank Support Unit. This was shortly after the
promoted to the rank of Flying Officer (F/O).
beginning of the Battle of the Scheldt (where the Rhine River enters the North Sea). At this time,
the RHLI was involved in fighting on the islands north of the Belgian port city of Antwerp, and for
On 10 January 1944 F/O Parkinson, WO/AG was transferred to Bomber Command’s No. 6 Group
the next months was involved in the liberation of the Netherlands. His letters home mentioned the
(RCAF), No. 61 Base for further operational training in Yorkshire, England. On 21 February, he
grim conditions at the front. On 25 January 1945, he wrote to his parents about his hope to live in
was transferred to RCAF 432 (Leaside) Squadron, flying Halifax III bombers. The evening of 8 May
southern Wales and join the Royal Navy when the war ended.
1944, his squadron took part in a raid on the rail yards near Haine-Saint-Pierre in German Occupied
Belgium. Near the French town of Maubeuge, their Halifax was hit by a night fighter and their pilot
In the final days of Operation Veritable (8 to 21 February 1945), the RHLI was involved in
(P/O Ibbotson, RAF) ordered all crew to bail-out before attempting an emergency landing. Four
exceptionally heavy fighting along the Kalkar (Calcar) Goch Road. Trooper Gordon Earl Mack was
crew members were able to bail-out before the aircraft crashed and burned upon impact with the
killed in action on 21 February 1945 near the town of Keppelen, Germany. In a letter to his parents,
loss of the remaining three crew members, including P/O Ibbotson.
his Captain spoke highly of Trooper Mack and described how his four-man squad was advancing
along the side of a road when they were hit by an artillery shell. Only one seriously injured man
German records indicated that F/O William Henry Parkinson and his two fellow aircrew (P/O Harry
survived.
Ibbotson and F/O Stanley Allen Hawkins) were initially buried in what was known as a “Comrade’s
Grave” (or shared grave) in the small Belgian town of Grand Reng. Shortly after the end of the War
Trooper Gordon Earl Mack was initially buried a few miles northwest in a cemetery in the small
in Europe, their bodies were exhumed but their individual remains were not able to be identified.
village of Louisendorf. Shortly after the end of the War in Europe, his body was exhumed and
Their shared remains were reburied and marked with all three names in the Gosselies Communal
reburied in the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, near Nijmegen, Netherlands. His name is
Cemetery, near Charleroi, Belgium. His name is also memorialized in the Books of Remembrance in
also memorialized in the Books of Remembrance in the Peace Tower of the Canadian Parliament
the Peace Tower of the Canadian Parliament Buildings, Ottawa.
Buildings, Ottawa.
survived.
Buildings, Ottawa.
Page 30
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Page 31
30
WILLIAM HENRY
GORDON
EARL MACK
PARKINSON
B115290Flying
J24930
Trooper
Officer WO/AG
World War II
WILLIAM HENRY PARKINSON
J24930 Flying Officer WO/AG
Born: 8
28March
April 1925
1915in
inEramosa
Eramosa,Township,
Ontario Ontario
Born: 8 March 1915 in Eramosa, Ontario
Occupations:Mining
Farmering,
- Diamond
Barn Construction
Drill Operatorand Carpenter
Previous Occupation: Mining - Diamond Drill Operator
Enlisted: 29
14 April
August
1942
1943
in Hamilton,
in Orillia, Ontario
Ontario
Enlisted: 29 April 1942 in Hamilton, Ontario
Died: 821
May
February
1944 at1945
the age
at the
of age
29 of 19
Buried: Gosselies
GroesbeekCommunal
Canadian War
Cemetery,
Cemetery,
nearnear
Charleroi,
Nijmegen,
Belgium
Netherlands
survived.
Buildings, Ottawa.
Buried: Gosselies Communal Cemetery, near Charleroi, Belgium
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Page 31
30
World War II
Page 31
DONALD FRASER TITT
R271259 Sergeant
World War II
World War II
DONALD FRASER TITT
R271259
Sergeant
A memorial cairn
was erected at the crash site to the eight aircrew of Halifax Mk.V, LL505 and it is
Previous Occupation: Woodworker building aircraft parts.
still
surrounded
with
a large
amount
of aircraftRaised
wreckage.
In 2005, Canadian Embassy staff and
Born:
31 January
1925
in Detroit,
Michigan.
in Rockwood,
representatives
of the RAF participated in the re-dedication of this memorial. It is the most visited
Ontario
WWII aircraft crash site in Cumbria (formerly Cumberland).
Enlisted: 23 August 1943 in an unknown location
Died: 22 October 1944 at the age of 19
Buried: Chester (Blacon) Cemetery in Cheshire, England
Donald Fraser Titt was born on 31 January 1925 in Detroit, Michigan,
U.S.A. and was the only child of Cyril Ernest and Margaret Ethel Titt
of Rockwood. He grew up in Rockwood and attended high school at
Guelph Collegiate. After graduating from Grade 8, he went to work in
Weston (Toronto) at the Massey Harris Plant as a woodworker building aircraft parts.
On 23 August 1943, Donald Fraser Titt enlisted (location unknown) in the RCAF and was sent for
basic training before being sent on Course 72 at #10 Bombing and Gunnery School at RCAF Station
Mount Pleasant, near Summerside, Prince Edward Island. Upon completion on 16 March 1943, he
received his Air Gunner badge. Donald embarked for England and arrived on 10 May 1943. He
was soon transferred to the #82 Operational Training Unit at RAF Ossington to train night bomber
crews and was promoted to Sergeant. He was next transferred to Bomber Command’s No. 6 Group
(RCAF), No. 61 Base for further operational training in Yorkshire, England before being transferred
again to No. 1659 Holding Composite Unit, flying Halifax bombers at RCAF Topcliffe, Yorkshire.
Sergeant Titt never flew an operational mission. The evening of 22 October 1944, his Halifax aircraft
and her crew were on a night navigation training flight in bad weather and crashed and burned on
impact near Little Langdale, in the Lake District of Cumberland (North-West England). All eight crew
(seven Canadians and one Briton) were killed. The accident report indicates they had turned off
their navigation lights and were practicing flying specific headings and altitudes as instructed by Air
Traffic Control (ATC). While they acknowledged ATC’s instructions, they failed to carry them out.
The aircraft was reported to be circling at very low altitude so a fighter aircraft was sent to help guide
them back to their home base. Unfortunately, it arrived just in time to witness them crash into a peak
known as Great Carrs, near Little Langdale. The exact reason for the crash was never determined
but navigational error combined with disorientation was suspected. It is possible that the pilot
attempted to descend out of the heavy clouds and mist to get a visual fix on the ground, but hit the
peak in the process.
their
navigation
lights
and were
practicing flying specific headings and altitudes as instructed by Air
Halifax
Crash Site
Memorial,
Cumbria
Sergeant Titt’s Commanding Officer, Group Captain G.A. McKenna, wrote to Donald’s father that
the “aircraft was off course and flying at a lower altitude at the time than it should have been. Exact
reason of the crash will never be known.”
Sergeant Donald Fraser Titt was buried in the Chester (Blacon) Cemetery in Cheshire, England. A
memorial service was held at Rockwood’s St. John’s Anglican Church on 5 November 1944. His
name is also memorialized in the Books of Remembrance in the Peace Tower of the Canadian
Parliament Buildings, Ottawa.
Born: 31 January 1925 in Detroit, Michigan. Raised in Rockwood,
Ontario
Page 32
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Page 33
32
World War II
DONALD FRASER TITT
R271259
Sergeant
A memorial cairn
was erected at the crash site to the eight aircrew of Halifax Mk.V, LL505 and it is
still
surrounded
with
a large
amount
of aircraftRaised
wreckage.
In 2005, Canadian Embassy staff and
Born:
31 January
1925
in Detroit,
Michigan.
in Rockwood,
representatives
of the RAF participated in the re-dedication of this memorial. It is the most visited
Ontario
World War II
A memorial cairn was erected at the crash site to the eight aircrew of Halifax Mk.V, LL505 and it is
still surrounded with a large amount of aircraft wreckage. In 2005, Canadian Embassy staff and
representatives of the RAF participated in the re-dedication of this memorial. It is the most visited
their
navigation
lights
and were
practicing flying specific headings and altitudes as instructed by Air
Halifax
Crash Site
Memorial,
Cumbria
Halifax Crash Site Memorial, Cumbria
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Page 33
32
Page 33
GEORGE ROBERT WARE
A35224 Gunner
World War II
GEORGE ROBERT
DOUGLAS
WALTERWARE
WHEELER
A89292 Gunner
A35224
Trooper
World War II
Born: 8 May 1917 in Nassagaweya, Ontario
Born: 8
15May
May1917
1923ininNassagaweya,
RR#1 Belwood,
Ontario
Ontario
Farming
Enlisted: 1 June 1940 in Guelph, Ontario
Enlisted: 1
5 June
November
1940 1942
in Guelph,
in Fergus,
Ontario
Ontario
Died: 15
9 August
August1944
1944atatthe
theage
ageofof21
27
Buried: Bayeux War Cemetery in Bayeux, Normandy, France
Buried: Bayeux
Bretteville-sur-Laize
War Cemetery
Canadian
in Bayeux,
WarNormandy,
Cemetery France
in Calvados, Normandy, France
George Robert Ware was born on 8 May 1917 in Nassagaweya, to
Douglas
Walter
was born onHe
15 was
May one
1923oftofive
Walter
and (Albert
Elizabeth
Albert and
Alice Wheeler
Ware of Rockwood.
children
Wheeler
of RR#1
Belwood.
TheyPeace
were a
largeBruce).
family and
Douglas
Henry, Alice,
Evelyn
Pamela and
Albert
George
was with his four brothers and six
sisters
(George,
David,
William,
Arthur,
Gladys,
Myrtle,
Maggie,
Mary,
and Wilma)
raised
raised in Rockwood and attended Eramosa S.S.#9 in Rockwood.
AfterIda
graduating,
hewere
worked
as on
the
familyand
farm.
Douglas’
mother
died
some
time before
hetoenlisted.
a farmer
operated
farm
tractors
and
equipment.
Prior
enlisting for overseas service, he was
a militia member of the 43rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment headquartered in London,
Douglas
Ontario. Wheeler enlisted in Fergus on 5 November 1942, under the National Resources
Mobilization Act (NRMA). From 19 December 1942 to 7 January 1943, he was in the Chatham
Military
Hospital
mumps.
Once
heenlisted
had recovered,
he was
to the
the Royal
28th Canadian
On 1 June
1940,with
George
Robert
Ware
in the 12th
Fieldreassigned
Regiment of
Canadian
Armoured
Regiment
(British
Columbia
Regiment)
and
sent
for
training
as
a
tank
gunner.
After
Artillery (RCA), headquartered in Guelph. He completed his basic training and in March 1940,
completing
he embarked
Englandfor
onfurther
10 Julytraining
1943 and
eight days later. A
he was senthis
to training,
Camp Sussex
in New for
Brunswick
as aarrived
tank driver/mechanic.
few
months
after
his
arrival
in
England,
his
regiment
was
equipped
with
the
new
Sherman
Medium
After completing this course on 17 February 1941, he was assigned to the Regiment’s
Guelph
Tank
under the experienced
of Lieutenant-Colonel
Don Worthington,
with
tank combat
Headquartered
16th Battery.command
He embarked
from Halifax and arrived
in Liverpool,
England
on 30
experience
in
North
Africa.
Trooper
Wheeler
and
his
regiment
continued
training
in
England
for
July 1941. They were equipped with the very good performing Sorel, Quebec made 25-Pounder
almost
a full year. After
the D-Day
theyField
arrived
in Normandy,
France
1944 and
Field Gun/Howitzer.
Gunner
Ware landings,
and his 12th
Regiment
RCA were
parton
of 23
theJuly
3rd Canadian
were
deployed
juststationed
south of with
Caen,
preparation
for Operation
Totalize.
Division.
He was
hisinregiment
in England
until they
landed at Juno Beach, Normandy
on D-Day, 6 June 1941.
Albert and Alice Ware of Rockwood. He was one of five children (Albert
Henry, Alice, Evelyn Pamela and Peace Albert Bruce). George was
raised in Rockwood and attended Eramosa S.S.#9 in Rockwood. After graduating, he worked as
a farmer and operated farm tractors and equipment. Prior to enlisting for overseas service, he was
Ontario.
On 1 June 1940, George Robert Ware enlisted in the 12th Field Regiment of the Royal Canadian
he was sent to Camp Sussex in New Brunswick for further training as a tank driver/mechanic.
After completing this course on 17 February 1941, he was assigned to the Regiment’s Guelph
Headquartered 16th Battery. He embarked from Halifax and arrived in Liverpool, England on 30
Field Gun/Howitzer. Gunner Ware and his 12th Field Regiment RCA were part of the 3rd Canadian
Division. He was stationed with his regiment in England until they landed at Juno Beach, Normandy
Operation Tractable (14 August to 16 August) was an important part of the larger, overall battle
of the Falaise Gap / Falaise Pocket. The heavy Canadian losses during Operation Totalize were
inflicted by some of the strongest opposition on the Normandy front. After re-grouping, the launch
of Operation Tractable on 14 August was a concentrated effort to break through the German lines
towards Falaise. Supporting the ground attack, RAF and RCAF aircraft were providing tactical air
support. Unfortunately, in the afternoon of 14 August, they attacked short of their target within the
German lines and for an hour, their bombs fell on the Canadian artillery and transport areas.
These were the conditions in the afternoon of 14 August when Gunner George Robert Ware was
severely injured by a bomb blast. He was initially taken to a Field Ambulance Station and then
transferred to a Field Hospital, followed by a more capable General Hospital. His wounds were
too severe and he died in the early morning of 15 August 1944. Gunner George Robert Ware was
buried in the Bayeux War Cemetery in Bayeux, Normandy, France. His name is also memorialized
in the Books of Remembrance in the Peace Tower of the Canadian Parliament Buildings, Ottawa.
Operation Totalize (7 to 10 August 1944) was initiated to break out of the Caen perimeter and
force the German
Army
retreat.
It was
part was
of a an
much
larger Falaise
Gaplarger,
/ Falaise
Pocket
plan
Operation
Tractable
(14into
August
to 16
August)
important
part of the
overall
battle
to
encircle
and
capture
the
German
divisions
that
had
opposed
the
D-Day
invasion
of
Normandy.
In this four
operation,
the Canadian
armyon
suffered
heavy losses
only half
of the
inflicted
by day
some
of the strongest
opposition
the Normandy
front. while
After gaining
re-grouping,
the launch
distance
towards
their
objective
of
capturing
Falaise.
The
Canadian
Army
was
advancing
along
of Operation Tractable on 14 August was a concentrated effort to break through the German linesthe
main Caen-Falaise
road and the
point along
was
a hill known
as Point tactical
195. The
towards
Falaise. Supporting
the highest
ground attack,
RAFthe
androad
RCAF
aircraft
were providing
air
capture
of
this
vital
hill
was
assigned
to
Lieutenant-Colonel
Worthington’s
28th
Armored
Regiment
(British Columbia
twofell
companies
of the Algonquin
Regiment.
The
attack was
German
lines andRegiment)
for an hour,along
their with
bombs
on the Canadian
artillery and
transport
areas.
delayed by a day to allow for aerial bombing, but instead this allowed the enemy to prepare for the
inevitable assault.
At 5:00 am
on 9 by
August,
theblast.
28th started
advance
theAmbulance
fog and smoke
butand
the then
poor
severely
injured
a bomb
He wastheir
initially
takenthrough
to a Field
Station
visibility
soon
had
them
heading
to
the
left
/
east
of
their
planned
track.
At
8:00
am,
they
reported
(incorrectly)
thathe
they
had
reached
objective,
but they1944.
had accidently
passedRobert
through
a gap
in
too
severe and
died
in the
early their
morning
of 15 August
Gunner George
Ware
was
the
German
defences
and
in
fact
were
6
kms
east
of
their
objective.
The
28th
Armored
Regiment
was
on three sides in
bythe
stronger
forces.
The German
attack Buildings,
was swift and
in
thesurrounded
Books of Remembrance
Peaceenemy
Tower of
the Canadian
Parliament
Ottawa.
devastating. The 28th was initially enveloped in anti-tank and heavy mortar fire while a force of
more powerful Tiger and Panther heavy tanks attacked them from the south.
Continued on page 36
Page 34
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Page 35
34
DOUGLASROBERT
GEORGE
WALTERWARE
WHEELER
A35224 Trooper
A89292
Gunner
World War II
DOUGLAS WALTER WHEELER
A89292 Trooper
World War II
Born: 15
8 May
May1917
1923ininNassagaweya,
RR#1 Belwood,
Ontario
Ontario
Born: 15 May 1923 in RR#1 Belwood, Ontario
Farmer
Enlisted: 5
1 November
June 1940 1942
in Guelph,
in Fergus,
Ontario
Ontario
Enlisted: 5 November 1942 in Fergus, Ontario
Died: 9
15August
August1944
1944atatthe
theage
ageofof21
27
Buried: Bretteville-sur-Laize
Bayeux War Cemetery
Canadian
in Bayeux,
WarNormandy,
Cemetery France
in Calvados, Normandy, France
Douglas
Walter
was born onHe
15 was
May one
1923oftofive
Walter
and (Albert
Elizabeth
Albert and
Alice Wheeler
Ware of Rockwood.
children
Wheeler
of RR#1
Belwood.
TheyPeace
were a
largeBruce).
family and
Douglas
Henry, Alice,
Evelyn
Pamela and
Albert
George
was with his four brothers and six
sisters
(George,
David,
William,
Arthur,
Gladys,
Myrtle,
Maggie,
Mary,
and Wilma)
raised
raised in Rockwood and attended Eramosa S.S.#9 in Rockwood.
AfterIda
graduating,
hewere
worked
as on
the
familyand
farm.
Douglas’
mother
died
some
time before
hetoenlisted.
a farmer
operated
farm
tractors
and
equipment.
Prior
enlisting for overseas service, he was
Douglas
Ontario. Wheeler enlisted in Fergus on 5 November 1942, under the National Resources
Military
Hospital
mumps.
Once
heenlisted
had recovered,
he was
to the
the Royal
28th Canadian
On 1 June
1940,with
George
Robert
Ware
in the 12th
Fieldreassigned
Regiment of
Canadian
Armoured
Regiment
(British
Columbia
Regiment)
and
sent
for
training
as
a
tank
gunner.
After
completing
he embarked
Englandfor
onfurther
10 Julytraining
1943 and
eight days later. A
he was senthis
to training,
Camp Sussex
in New for
Brunswick
as aarrived
tank driver/mechanic.
few
months
after
his
arrival
in
England,
his
regiment
was
equipped
with
the
new
Sherman
Medium
After completing this course on 17 February 1941, he was assigned to the Regiment’s
Guelph
Tank
under the experienced
of Lieutenant-Colonel
Don Worthington,
with
tank combat
Headquartered
16th Battery.command
He embarked
from Halifax and arrived
in Liverpool,
England
on 30
experience
in
North
Africa.
Trooper
Wheeler
and
his
regiment
continued
training
in
England
for
almost
a full year. After
the D-Day
theyField
arrived
in Normandy,
France
1944 and
Field Gun/Howitzer.
Gunner
Ware landings,
and his 12th
Regiment
RCA were
parton
of 23
theJuly
3rd Canadian
were
deployed
juststationed
south of with
Caen,
preparation
for Operation
Totalize.
Division.
He was
hisinregiment
in England
until they
landed at Juno Beach, Normandy
Buried: Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery in Calvados, Normandy, France
force the German
Army
retreat.
It was
part was
of a an
much
larger Falaise
Gaplarger,
/ Falaise
Pocket
plan
Operation
Tractable
(14into
August
to 16
August)
important
part of the
overall
battle
to
encircle
and
capture
the
German
divisions
that
had
opposed
the
D-Day
invasion
of
Normandy.
In this four
operation,
the Canadian
armyon
suffered
heavy losses
only half
of the
inflicted
by day
some
of the strongest
opposition
the Normandy
front. while
After gaining
re-grouping,
the launch
distance
towards
their
objective
of
capturing
Falaise.
The
Canadian
Army
was
advancing
along
of Operation Tractable on 14 August was a concentrated effort to break through the German linesthe
main Caen-Falaise
road and the
point along
was
a hill known
as Point tactical
195. The
towards
Falaise. Supporting
the highest
ground attack,
RAFthe
androad
RCAF
aircraft
were providing
air
capture
of
this
vital
hill
was
assigned
to
Lieutenant-Colonel
Worthington’s
28th
Armored
Regiment
(British Columbia
twofell
companies
of the Algonquin
Regiment.
The
attack was
German
lines andRegiment)
for an hour,along
their with
bombs
on the Canadian
artillery and
transport
areas.
inevitable assault.
force the German Army into retreat. It was part of a much larger Falaise Gap / Falaise Pocket plan
to encircle and capture the German divisions that had opposed the D-Day invasion of Normandy.
In this four day operation, the Canadian army suffered heavy losses while gaining only half of the
distance towards their objective of capturing Falaise. The Canadian Army was advancing along the
main Caen-Falaise road and the highest point along the road was a hill known as Point 195. The
capture of this vital hill was assigned to Lieutenant-Colonel Worthington’s 28th Armored Regiment
(British Columbia Regiment) along with two companies of the Algonquin Regiment. The attack was
inevitable assault.
At 5:00 am
on 9 by
August,
theblast.
28th started
advance
theAmbulance
fog and smoke
butand
the then
poor
severely
injured
a bomb
He wastheir
initially
takenthrough
to a Field
Station
visibility
soon
had
them
heading
to
the
left
/
east
of
their
planned
track.
At
8:00
am,
they
reported
(incorrectly)
thathe
they
had
reached
objective,
but they1944.
had accidently
passedRobert
through
a gap
in
too
severe and
died
in the
early their
morning
of 15 August
Gunner George
Ware
was
the
German
defences
and
in
fact
were
6
kms
east
of
their
objective.
The
28th
Armored
Regiment
was
on three sides in
bythe
stronger
forces.
The German
attack Buildings,
was swift and
in
thesurrounded
Books of Remembrance
Peaceenemy
Tower of
the Canadian
Parliament
Ottawa.
At 5:00 am on 9 August, the 28th started their advance through the fog and smoke but the poor
visibility soon had them heading to the left / east of their planned track. At 8:00 am, they reported
(incorrectly) that they had reached their objective, but they had accidently passed through a gap in
the German defences and in fact were 6 kms east of their objective. The 28th Armored Regiment
was surrounded on three sides by stronger enemy forces. The German attack was swift and
Douglas Walter Wheeler was born on 15 May 1923 to Walter and Elizabeth
Wheeler of RR#1 Belwood. They were a large family and Douglas with his four brothers and six
sisters (George, David, William, Arthur, Gladys, Myrtle, Maggie, Mary, Ida and Wilma) were raised on
the family farm. Douglas’ mother died some time before he enlisted.
Douglas Wheeler enlisted in Fergus on 5 November 1942, under the National Resources
Military Hospital with mumps. Once he had recovered, he was reassigned to the 28th Canadian
Armoured Regiment (British Columbia Regiment) and sent for training as a tank gunner. After
completing his training, he embarked for England on 10 July 1943 and arrived eight days later. A
few months after his arrival in England, his regiment was equipped with the new Sherman Medium
Tank under the experienced command of Lieutenant-Colonel Don Worthington, with tank combat
experience in North Africa. Trooper Wheeler and his regiment continued training in England for
almost a full year. After the D-Day landings, they arrived in Normandy, France on 23 July 1944 and
were deployed just south of Caen, in preparation for Operation Totalize.
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Page 35
34
Page 35
World War II
At 8:30 am, the 28th reported they were under heavy attack and requested artillery support, but
because they were still confused about their position, the artillery shells fell 6 kms away on Hill 195.
At 9:00 am, Brigade Headquarters tried to contact the 28th but there was no reply. By nightfall,
the 28th Armored Regiment (British Columbia Regiment) had lost 47 of their 52 tanks with the
loss of 112 men killed (including Lieutenant-Colonel Worthington) and 34 taken prisoner. The two
companies of the Algonquin Regiment lost 128 men killed and 45 taken prisoner.
That night, the few remaining tanks and the surviving infantrymen and tank crew made their
way back to allied lines. Their reports describing the battle against much superior firepower and
manpower helped piece together the events of the day. After their near destruction, the 28th
Canadian Armoured Regiment (British Columbia Regiment) was reinforced and re-equipped and just
five days later, they were back in battle for the closing of the Falaise Gap.
Information from the few survivors told how Trooper Wheeler’s tank was hit and immediately caught
fire. Only one of the five man crew escaped before the flames and fear of imminent explosion
prevented further attempts to search for survivors in the middle of the battle.
On 9 August 1944, Trooper Douglas Walter Wheeler was killed in this action and buried in the nearby Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery in Calvados, Normandy, France. His name is
Buildings, Ottawa.
World War II
CHARLES HUMPHREY WILSON
A108336
At 8:30 am, thePrivate
28th reported they were under heavy attack and requested artillery support, but
because
confused
their position, the artillery shells fell 6 kms away on Hill 195.
Born: 13they
Junewere
1922still
in Eden
Mills,about
Ontario
Previous
Occupation:
Tool (British
and DieColumbia Regiment) had lost 47 of their 52 tanks with the
the 28th Armored
Regiment
loss
of 11228
men
killed (including
Enlisted:
September
1943 in Lieutenant-Colonel
London, Ontario Worthington) and 34 taken prisoner. The two
Buried:
Groesbeek
Canadiantanks
War Cemetery,
near Nijmegen,
NetherThat
night,
the few remaining
and the surviving
infantrymen
and tank crew made their
lands.
way
back to allied lines. Their reports describing the battle against much superior firepower and
Canadian
ArmouredWilson
Regiment
Regiment)
was Roy
reinforced and re-equipped and just
Charles Humphrey
was (British
born onColumbia
13 June 1922
to Wilkins
five
later,
they
were
back Wilson
in battleoffor
the Mills.
closingHe
of was
the Falaise
Gap.
and days
Susan
Irene
(nee
Spinks)
Eden
their only
child. Charles grew up in Eden Mills. While attending high school in
Guelph, he played hockey for the Guelph Juveniles. After leaving school at the age of 17, he went
Information
from
the few
Wheeler’s
tankuntil
was28hitSeptember
and immediately
caught
to work for the
Cooke
andsurvivors
Denisontold
Toolhow
andTrooper
Die Works
of Guelph
1943, when
he
fire.
Only
one
of
the
five
man
crew
escaped
before
the
flames
and
fear
of
imminent
explosion
enlisted in London, Ontario.
During his enlistment physical examination, he was initially classified as medically unfit for overseas
On
August 1944,
Trooper
Wheeler
wasinfection.
killed in this
action and
in the
nearduty9because
he was
deaf inDouglas
one earWalter
from an
earlier ear
However,
on 9buried
February
1944,
by
Canadian
War
Cemetery
in
Calvados,
Normandy,
France.
His
name
is
he was re-categorized as “Fit for Duty” and sent for basic training at Camp Petawawa. While there,
also
memorialized
in theas
Books
of Remembrance
theRoyal
PeaceCanadian
Tower of Artillery.
the Canadian
he trained
and qualified
a driver
and gun fitter ininthe
After Parliament
completing
Buildings,
Ottawa.
his training, he embarked for England on 21 November 1944. Shortly after his arrival in England, he
“re-mustered” (voluntarily transferred) on 2 December into the Lincoln and Welland Regiment with
the rank of Private. The Canadian Infantry Corps was experiencing high losses and were requesting
volunteers to replenish their ranks. After less than two months of further training in England, he
joined his regiment in the Netherlands. It was the beginning of February and as part of the 10th
Canadian Infantry Brigade, the Lincoln and Welland Regiment was heavily involved in the Battle of
the Rhine near the Dutch frontier with Germany.
Five weeks later, on 8 March 1945, Private Charles Humphrey Wilson was killed in action while
taking part in the fierce door to door and room to room fighting in the German town of Veen. He
was initially buried 6 kms west in the town of Sonsbeck. Shortly after the end of the War in Europe,
his body was exhumed and reburied in the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, near Nijmegen,
Netherlands. His name is also memorialized in the Books of Remembrance in the Peace Tower of
the Canadian Parliament Buildings, Ottawa.
Page 36
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Page 37
36
World War II
A108336
At 8:30 am, thePrivate
28th reported they were under heavy attack and requested artillery support, but
because
confused
their position, the artillery shells fell 6 kms away on Hill 195.
Born: 13they
Junewere
1922still
in Eden
Mills,about
Ontario
Previous
Occupation:
Tool (British
and DieColumbia Regiment) had lost 47 of their 52 tanks with the
the 28th Armored
Regiment
loss
of 11228
men
killed (including
Enlisted:
September
1943 in Lieutenant-Colonel
London, Ontario Worthington) and 34 taken prisoner. The two
A108336 Private
World War II
Born: 13 June 1922 in Eden Mills, Ontario
Previous Occupation: Tool and Die
Enlisted: 28 September 1943 in London, Ontario
Buried:
Groesbeek
Canadiantanks
War Cemetery,
near Nijmegen,
NetherThat night,
the few remaining
and the surviving
infantrymen
and tank crew made their
lands.
way back to allied lines. Their reports describing the battle against much superior firepower and
Canadian
ArmouredWilson
Regiment
Regiment)
was Roy
reinforced and re-equipped and just
Charles Humphrey
was (British
born onColumbia
13 June 1922
to Wilkins
five days
later,
they
were
back Wilson
in battleoffor
the Mills.
closingHe
of was
the Falaise
Gap.
and
Susan
Irene
(nee
Spinks)
Eden
their only
Information
from
the few
Wheeler’s
tankuntil
was28hitSeptember
and immediately
caught
to work for the
Cooke
andsurvivors
Denisontold
Toolhow
andTrooper
Die Works
of Guelph
1943, when
he
fire.
Only
one
of
the
five
man
crew
escaped
before
the
flames
and
fear
of
imminent
explosion
On 9because
August 1944,
Trooper
Wheeler
wasinfection.
killed in this
action and
in the
nearduty
he was
deaf inDouglas
one earWalter
from an
earlier ear
However,
on 9buried
February
1944,
by
Canadian
War
Cemetery
in
Calvados,
Normandy,
France.
His
name
is
also
memorialized
in theas
Books
of Remembrance
theRoyal
PeaceCanadian
Tower of Artillery.
the Canadian
he trained
and qualified
a driver
and gun fitter ininthe
After Parliament
completing
Buildings,
Ottawa.
Buried: Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, near Nijmegen, Netherlands.
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Fallen
Soldiers
- Rockwood
Cenotaph
Page 37
36
Charles Humphrey Wilson was born on 13 June 1922 to Wilkins Roy
and Susan Irene (nee Spinks) Wilson of Eden Mills. He was their only
to work for the Cooke and Denison Tool and Die Works of Guelph until 28 September 1943, when he
duty because he was deaf in one ear from an earlier ear infection. However, on 9 February 1944,
he trained and qualified as a driver and gun fitter in the Royal Canadian Artillery. After completing
Page 37
World War II
World War II
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We wish to thank the following organizations and individuals for assisting with the preparation of this
booklet:
• 16th Field Battery, 12th Field Regiment, RCA, Guelph
• 19th Alberta Dragoons
• 28th Canadian Armoured Regiment (British Columbia Regiment)
• Bomber Command Museum of Canada
• canadaatwar.ca
• canadiansoldier.com
• ibiblio.org/hyperwar
• James (Jimmy) Milne
• John R. Scott (Maj. Ret.)
• Jordan Dolson
• Larry F. Gray
• Library and Archives Canada
• Mark Hunt and the members of the Guelph-Eramosa Township Fire Department
• National Defence and the Canadian Forces
• The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise’s)
• The Canadian Army, 1939-1945: An Official Historical Summary by C.P. Stacey, Transcribed to
hmtl format by Patrick Clancey, HyperWar Foundation
• The Canadian Great War Project
• The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• The Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment
• The Lincoln and Welland Regiment
• The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry
• The Scottish Borderers Foundation
• The War Museum of Canada
• The Wellington County Museum and Archives
• Veterans Affairs Canada
• WURM-Hastings
We wish to thank the following organizations and individuals for assisting with the preparation of this
booklet:
• 19th Alberta Dragoons
• 28th Canadian Armoured Regiment (British Columbia Regiment)
• Bomber Command Museum of Canada
• canadaatwar.ca
• canadiansoldier.com
• ibiblio.org/hyperwar
• James (Jimmy) Milne
• John R. Scott (Maj. Ret.)
Note to Fergus Printing:
• Jordan Dolson
• Larry F. Gray
• Library and Archives Canada
Please
insertofyour
version of
the back
page
• Mark Hunt
and the members
the Guelph-Eramosa
Township
Fire Department
• National Defence and the Canadian Forces
here.
• The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise’s)
• The Canadian Army, 1939-1945: An Official Historical Summary by C.P. Stacey, Transcribed to
hmtl format by Patrick Clancey, HyperWar Foundation
• The Canadian Great War Project
• The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• The Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment
• The Lincoln and Welland Regiment
• The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry
• The Scottish Borderers Foundation
• The War Museum of Canada
• The Wellington County Museum and Archives
• Veterans Affairs Canada
• WURM-Hastings
We also wish to give special thanks to members of our local community and families of the fallen
including:
• Ken Coker and the family of John S. Coker
• Paula Packer and the families of Thomas L. Edwards, J. Alfred Edwards and George R. Ware
• Eric Hilts and the family of John D. Hilts
• Brian Mack and the family of Gordon E. Mack
• Emily Oakes and the family of J. Wilfred Oakes
• Margaret Wilson and the family of Jerry T. Guthrie
We also wish to give special thanks to members of our local community and families of the fallen
including:
• Ken Coker and the family of John S. Coker
• Paula Packer and the families of Thomas L. Edwards, J. Alfred Edwards and George R. Ware
• Eric Hilts and the family of John D. Hilts
• Brian Mack and the family of Gordon E. Mack
• Emily Oakes and the family of J. Wilfred Oakes
• Margaret Wilson and the family of Jerry T. Guthrie
Special thanks to Gordon Carothers for his dedication to this project and spending hundreds of
hours researching the lives of the fallen.
Special thanks to Gordon Carothers for his dedication to this project and spending hundreds of
hours researching the lives of the fallen.
Please contact the Guelph-Eramosa Township Heritage Committee with any corrections, information
or photos that may be included to help improve this booklet when it is next updated.
Please contact the Guelph-Eramosa Township Heritage Committee with any corrections, information
or photos that may be included to help improve this booklet when it is next updated.
[email protected] or 519-856-9596 ext. 125.
[email protected] or 519-856-9596 ext. 125.
Page 38
Page 38
REMEMBERING THE
FALLEN
REMEMBERING THE
FALLEN
The Memorial Cross
personal loss and sacrifice on the part of widows
and mothers of Canadian sailors, soldiers and
The Memorial
Cross
known as
the “Silver Cross”.
The Memorial Cross
This gift of Canada, was issued as a memento of personal loss
and sacrifice on the part of widows and mothers of Canadian
personal
loss
sacrifice
ontheir
the country
part ofduring
widows
sailors,
soldiers
and and
airmen
who died for
war. Alsoof
known
as the “Silver
Cross”.soldiers and
and mothers
Canadian
sailors,
known as the “Silver Cross”.
Heritage
Heritage
Guelph/Eramosa
Guelph/Eramosa
Heritage
Remembering the Fallen
A Tribute to the Soldiers remembered on
the Rockwood Cenotaph

World War II - Guelph Eramosa Township

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