 By Staff
November 13, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
The old timers used to call them “Holsteins” by which they meant those black and white marking that used to be on the Ontario Provincial Police cruisers.
 In about four years the complete patrol fleet of 110 vehicles will be done up in this black and white colour scheme. Chief Tanner apparently loves the vehicle assigned to him – especially the gas peddle. Halton’s Regional Police seem to have a hankering for those days: their fleet of 110 cruisers are in the process of being done up in the new colours.
While the police have a healthy budget – they tend not to just throw money at projects. When new cruisers come into the fleet they are painted the new black and white.
The fleet coordinator advises that “on average, we cycle through 20 cruisers a year. We anticipate having the full fleet turned over in 3 to 4 years.
 By Pepper Parr
November 13, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
Are the natives getting restless or has the onset of colder weather given them time they didn’;t have to pay more attention to civic matters?
The Core Residents group is reminding its adherents to write their letter to the city planning deaprtmnet registering their opposition to what some are calling “that 28 storey monstrosity” ADI Developments wants to put up at the corner of Martha and Lakeshore Road.
“Tomorrow is the deadline” the group advises “for writing the city of your opposition of the ADI Developments Martha Street proposal. If you haven’t written Rosa Bustamante, please do (address below). Even a short but sweet note is critical and goes a long way. Encourage your neighbours to do the same.
“It is also time that we as a group became more visible and publicly voice our opinions” suggests Barry Imber who has been particularly good at putting some life into different initiatives. The small but very useful Farmer’s Market on John Street tucked in behind Centro on Brant Street got to where it is because of Imber. Effective guy.
 Artists rendering of the proposed 28 storey condominium ADI Developments has made an application to construct at the corner of Martha and Lakeshore Road. Burlington residents are up against a very aggressive developer. ADI has big plans for themselves with four projects in various stages of development. Modr’n on Guelph Line is nearing completion. It is a nicely designed building; fits well into the community but we know nothing about the quality ADI strives for with their projects. No one has ever lived in anything they’ve built in Burlington.
There is then the Link2 project on Dundas and Sutton that got taken to the Ontario Municipal Board by ADI Development.
The Martha Street project was announced and the Gazette learned of the ADI purchase of the Masonry Road property.
The Planning Department has advised the Gazette that the time line for the Martha Street project, which has yet to be given a name is as follows:
“The 180 day appeal period begins after the applicant has provided the municipality with “a complete application” (as defined in the Planning Act) which includes the posting of the sign on the property. We provided correspondence to the applicant that their application was deemed complete, including the posting of the sign, on September 25, 2014. By my count, that would make the 180th day following that date March 24, 2015. If a Council fails to make a decision within 180 days of receiving a complete application, an applicant can file an appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board. It is my understanding that, in this case, the applicant would have grounds to file an appeal on March 25, 2015 if Council has not made a decision on or by March 24th, 2015.”
“Beyond writing the city”, urges the Core Residents Association “please continue to spread the word of this development and of the Core Residents Group itself. The website traffic has been excellent, and we have had many sign-ups for keeping in touch but we are stronger when we are all connected — we need many more.
Core Residents is on Twitter so please follow and retweet! @coreresidents
https://twitter.com/coreresidents
Email to: Rosa Bustamante, Development Planner; e-mail: rosa.bustamante@burlington.ca
phone: 905-335-7600 ext. 7811
Web: www.burlington.ca/374Martha
 By Pepper Parr
November 13, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
It is a tough day when the Chief of a police force has to give the nod to criminal charges being laid against one of his officers.
Earlier this week David Mennie, an eight year veteran with the Burlington detachment, was arrested and charged with one count of Fraud Under $5000
After receiving complaints from the police service’s benefits provider, the Halton Regional Police Fraud Bureau commenced an investigation into an 8-year member of the Halton Regional Police Service.
The officer has been charged with one count of Fraud Under $5000 in relation to fraudulent submissions of benefit claims.
The officer was charged on November 13th, 2014 and was released on a Promise to Appear.
He is scheduled to appear in Milton court on Tuesday December 16, 2014 at 9:00am.
Charged: David MENNIE, 34 yrs
Charges: Fraud Under $5000
The officer, a constable, has been suspended from duty with pay.
By Ray Rivers
November 13, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
Maybe it was that melodic voice wafting through my car speakers. Or maybe the sense of command and confidence projected by this smooth talk show host, drilling down to get at the nut of each issue. I loved listening to Jian Ghomeshi and his well-honed ‘Q’ show which had risen to the peak of radio fame just in time for his dramatic tumble into disgrace, having been exposed as a closet misogynist, a woman beater.
Ghomeshi the radio host always seemed such a gentle and sensitive individual. Who would have guessed ‘Norman Bates’ might be lurking somewhere in his imagination. It wasn’t stabbing in a shower, but it was dangerous spontaneous choking and beatings. It is hard to believe that the man who crafted such a passionate and sweet tribute to his father, on his passing, could have been harbouring such a monster within.
And it wasn’t just the dating, but also his overbearing management style, that did him in. He had become the face of CBC radio, he disgraced himself and fell, as Shakespeare would have applauded – by his own devices. In this case it was his own violent hand. Yet there was an upside to this tragic story since it encouraged so many victims to spring forward for an emancipation of sorts, a new freedom to come forward and tell all.
We were treated to exposés by Ghomeshi’s former dates, his staff and his bosses at CBC, as they described his tyrannical, obsessive and demanding management style. And those stories, no doubt, seemed to encourage a couple of NDP MP’s to complain to Justin Trudeau presumably about a couple of his Liberal MPs hitting on them – or hitting them – we don’t know. Trudeau immediately suspended them from his caucus pending an investigation, only to be verbally abused by an angry NDP leader Mulcair.
Perhaps Mulcair was annoyed that his caucus members had gone to Trudeau instead of to him. Or maybe he was trying to draw cover for an impending harassment case between one of his own MPs and an office staffer. Then out of the blue Sheila Copps comes forward to tell all about an attempted assault by an MP during her time on the Hill, and adding that she had also been raped some years earlier.
All this coming-out makes one wonder who is next, and when will enough be enough already. And what is wrong with our elected federal representatives that they have to act like mischievous children while pay them to represent us in Ottawa. That is not how I want to be represented, perhaps we need an age limit.
We know that bullying behaviour starts early in life. Some would argue that It is a natural phenomenon, development of a ‘pecking order’ sort of thing – in a dog-eat-dog world where the strong survive and weak just suffer – where the cave man goes out to kill the bear and his favourite squeeze stays home to raise the babies and tend to the fire.
 But that isn’t how our modern great society works. We demand equity, equality of opportunity and respect for human dignity; and we expect personal freedom regardless of gender, physical size or economic endowment. So we have started teaching children not to bully, intimidate, or harass, from an early age. That is the way we want them to behave in a civilized community, even if their parents don’t.
I can recall being at an official function a few years ago when one of my bosses came over and surprised me by squeezing my arm until it hurt. I yelled ‘ouch’ thinking she must have wanted to get my attention – and that sure did the trick. I might have made a formal complaint instead of just brushing off the incident, but like so many others I was a little embarrassed, so let it pass.
I consider myself a tactile person. I believe there are times, especially when grief or joy are upon us, that we humans need the assurance of another’s touch. Life would be so incomplete were society to ban physical contact entirely in the name of preventing potential assault. But touching does have its limits – hurting someone, spontaneously choking or punching them about the head is a whole different kettle of worms.
‘Q’ will stay on the air with a new executive producer and a new host, but for me it’ll never be the same without the brilliant Ghomeshi. I remember back to a time when an extremely hostile guest, Billy Bob Thornton, tore into Jian for the way he was interviewing. Billy Bob backed him into a corner and humbled him into an embarrassing submission. No, it wasn’t violence, but Jian Ghomeshi must have got a good taste of what it was like to be on the receiving end of bullying. Too bad he didn’t learn from that experience.
 Ray Rivers writes weekly on both federal and provincial politics, applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was a candidate for provincial office in Burlington where he ran against Cam Jackson in 1995, the year Mike Harris and the Common Sense Revolution swept the province.
Background links:
Ghomeshi Ghomeshi Scandal Trudeau MPs NDP Staffer
Sheila Copps Billy Bob Interview Sexual Consent
Bullying Stop a Bully What’s Harassment
Dealing with Sexual Misconduct
 By Staff
November 13, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
This weekend, November 14th to 16th, the Junior League of Hamilton-Burlington (JLHB) unites with generous area designers, restaurants, and businesses to bring the Annual Holiday House Tour to Hamilton-Burlington for a 32nd year.
Visitors can tour three gorgeous homes, filled with stunning décor and holiday decorating ideas, and feel good about the fact they’re helping the Junior League to improve our community.
 The 32nd Annual Junior League Holiday House Tour includes three beautiful homes in Burlington, Hamilton and Mount Hope. “You can expect lots of excitement this year. The decorators have great things planned and the homes are absolutely gorgeous!” says Raeanne Milovanovic, House Tour Chair.
Every year, generous homeowners loan their homes to the Junior League of Hamilton-Burlington (JLHB) and talented design professionals transform them to showcase stunning holiday décor and entertainment ideas. The public is invited to tour and view the incredible results. This year, the tour boasts three large homes showcasing a broad range of colours and styles.
 “Often it’s the little things. Everyone can find ideas for their own home, while on the tour.” says Dianne Brown, president of the Junior League of Hamilton-Burlington.
The tour runs for three days from Friday, November 14th until Sunday, November 16th. Don’t miss the chance to tour these distinctive homes and enjoy some holiday spirit.
 As the JLHB’s signature fundraiser, the 32nd Annual Junior League of Hamilton-Burlington Holiday House Tour of Distinctive Homes generates the financial resources to help the charitable organization, now in its 80th year, continue to make a lasting impact in the Hamilton-Burlington community. The JLHB’s current focus of young women affected by poverty grounds their volunteer efforts and resources in activities and partnerships across the community.
They are committed to helping women affected by poverty by enhancing their life skills and providing what the League can to help improve their chances for success.
 By Pepper Parr
November 12, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
Can someone really change the world with a giving heart?
The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), will tell you people can, through the giving of one’s time, talent or treasure, make a significant difference.
Seven philanthropists and organizations from the AFP Golden Horseshoe Chapter will be recognized for their commitment to supporting and inspiring philanthropy in their communities through the 7th Annual National Philanthropy Day (NPD) awards presentation. Two of these outstanding people are Burlington.
National Philanthropy Day® is set aside to recognize, and pay tribute to the great contributions that philanthropy – and those people active in the philanthropic community – have made to our lives, our communities and our world. Each year, AFP honours individuals and groups who, through their hard work and dedication, have enhanced and inspired philanthropy locally and around the globe.
National Philanthropy Day is officially recognized by the Government of Canada’s National Philanthropy Day Act. This acknowledges the important role philanthropy plays in building strong communities, promoting civic engagement and improving the lives of Canadians through the work of caring individuals and charitable organizations.
“We are celebrating those who have made significant contributions to philanthropy,” explains Roger Ali, President of the AFP Golden Horseshoe Chapter. “Volunteers, donors and fundraisers, and their dedication to doing good works for charities and causes within our regions is an inspiration to all of us,” he adds. “And we are part of something much broader; we share this day with some 50,000 people in more than 100 communities and around the world who are paying tribute to National Philanthropy Day in many distinct ways. I extend congratulations to all the award winners!”
Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser – Susan Busby: Nominated By: Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation
Not only has Susan Busby’s personal giving been instrumental to the success of ensuring state-of-the-art health services for our community, her volunteer contributions are equally inspiring as an active and valued member of the Joseph Brant Hospital and the Foundation’s Boards. She served as Chair of Board of Directors, Volunteer Governor, member of the Ambassadors Council and Campaign Cabinet member, just to name a few.
 Susan Busby; recipient of the 2014 Association of Fundraising Professionals Outstanding Volunteer award.
Susan is a true champion of children and youth in need. As a former teacher and principal, Susan recognized the importance of student success and achievement and dedicated her time to build the Halton Learning Foundation. Her involvement with the Nelson Youth Centres provided tremendous leadership as a tireless advocate and fundraiser. Through annual fundraisers she helped raise the profile of the organization in the community to support children’s mental health programs.
Susan exemplifies the true spirit and best qualities of our community. Her leadership and passion for engaging others to give truly represents philanthropy and the positive impact others can make in their community.
Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser – Ron Foxcroft; Nominated by: Hillfield Strathallen College
Affectionately known as “Mr. Hamilton”, Ron Foxcroft is a passionate advocate for causes involving children and a healthy community, as well as a highly successful entrepreneur. In Ron’s words: “Building healthy bodies and minds makes for a stronger community. Recreation leads to a lifetime of better health, self-esteem, leadership and teamwork skills.”
 Ron Foxcroft; recipient of the 2014 Association of Fundraising Professionals Outstanding Volunteer award. Ron has a steadfast belief that anything is possible with hard work, determination and the support of dedicated volunteers. He has an unwavering commitment to his philanthropy, the Hamilton/Burlington communities, and his untiring volunteerism. Ron never hesitates to use his broad network of connections and relationships to engage others and help him achieve his goals.
Over the years, he has been committed to a broad range of local causes including: McMaster University, St. Joseph’s Healthcare, Hillfield Strathallan College, Mohawk College, Hamilton Community Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters, McMasters Children’s Hospital and City Kidz, just to name a few. Countless individuals and organizations have benefitted from his volunteerism and he is an incredible inspiration and role model for leadership and generosity.
The above is what the Association of Fundraising professionals had to say about Busby and Foxcroft. Here’s the real skinny on those two. Susan Busby will tell you that she has a saint of a husband who has been beside her every step of the way – and then some. Marie, Ron Foxcroft’s wife will tell you that she gave up trying to keep up with Ron. She’s happy when he gets home.
You could not find two people more unlike each other than Foxcroft and Busby. Busby uses her skills as a high school principal to let people understand how something should get done. She has that remarkable ability to let people figure out what she has in mind – and then she helps them get it done.
During her various assignments at the hospital Busby had to deal with people who had very healthy egos; she dealt with those egos very effectively, a testament to her length of service to the hospital and the wider community.
Foxcroft is a little more aggressive. He twists arms – nicely – but you know your arm is being twisted and if you’ve been around Burlington at all – give in when he calls.
Ron is the kind of guy who can keep a secret but he does that a little differently than most of us. He tells you the secret and makes you promise not to pass it on – and then he holds you to that promise.
Mayor Goldring called Ron Foxcroft when he needed help with raising funds for Flood Disaster Relief. Foxcroft had cheques on the table before the end of the week and began going through his Rolodex and making calls.
He set an ambitious target and then did a number on the provincial government to ensure that they too came through with the commitment Burlington needed. MPP Ted McMeekin, responsible for the Flamborough to the west of us was also the Minister who would have to sign off on the funding.
McMeekin got the Foxcroft treatment for three solid days – the man may never be the same. But earlier this week the local MPP’s, Indira Nadoor-Harris and Eleanor McMahon announced that the provincial government would provide up to $3 million to Burlington on a two-for-one basis; for every dollar we raised the province would add two dollars.
Ron Foxcroft didn’t start making calls during the media event at which the announcement was made – but he was on the phone while driving home – a hands free phone.
Fund raising ends on Friday, the evening Foxcroft and Busby are to be recognized. Will Ron walk from table to table asking for cheques – and has he put the touch on Susan Busby yet?
Two fine people being recognized for decades of personal philanthropy – kudos to the two of them.
 By Pepper Parr
November 11, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
The weather was as good as it was going to get for a November Day. A great day for a parade. A fine day to pause, reflect and remember.
With blood on the ground at the base of the National War Memorial and six of our aircraft and a couple of hundred support people in the Middle East in harms way – Canadians have reason to ask themselves: are we safe? Is there something wrong with us as a country – and to reflect on just how much we have going for us and the men and woman who made all this possible.
 Canada is at war – not a big war in terms of the resources we have put into it, but a big, big war for the ISIS people. (ISIS stands for The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant; which is also translated as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) They want to change fundamentally the way society will function. Could they do that to us? War is a very dangerous game and history tells us that the bad guys do win sometimes.
Our columnist, Mark Gillies did a series of articles on the 38 men from Burlington who were lost in the First Great War. It was surprising how little we knew about them. Gillies is looking forward to the public responding and filling in some of the blanks.
It was disquieting to see armed police officers around the perimeter of the Cenotaph. What would that infantryman at the top of the statute have had to say about that?
The loss of two members of our Armed Forces has brought home to all of us just how much we have to lose. Recognizing our history and understanding what it means to each of us is one of the steps to maintaining the democracy we have.
Cherishing that democracy and practicing it is another step. A 34% voter turnout for a municipal election is not cherishing the democracy we have.
 By Staff
November 11, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
Join the Arts Burlington Council in starting off the holiday season.
They will be conducting their annual Christmas Fine Art and Craft Sale, which takes place at the Art Gallery of Burlington (AGB) Thursday, November 13 – Sunday, November 16.
 The six Arts Burlington guilds participating in the event include: Latow Photographers Guild, Burlington Potters Guild, Burlington Fine Arts Association, Burlington Rug Hooking Craft Guild, Burlington Hand Weavers and Spinners Guild, and the Burlington Sculptors and Woodcarvers Guild.
The guilds continue to be an integral part of the AGB (formerly The Burlington Art Centre) since its inception more than 35 years ago. As drivers of arts and culture in the community, together the Art Gallery of Burlington and Arts Burlington strengthen the cultural landscape. With objectives to develop and maintain onsite and outreach programs, creative outlets and the expansion of visual arts, both organizations require support from the community. Providing an opportunity to increase public awareness of their services, this event is an important fundraiser for Arts Burlington and the Art Gallery of Burlington.
We invite you to come and take part in gift shopping from the unique works of art provided by the six guilds. In keeping with holiday tradition, there is a special tree filled with small gift items made by the guilds. All proceeds of these specially made items will go to the Art Gallery of Burlington.
Additionally, the AGB is hosting the always well attended Soup Bowl event. For more information and tickets (get them soon!) please visit
Dates:
Thursday, November 13 – 11am-3pm
Friday, November 14 – 11am-9pm
Saturday, November 15 – 11am-4pm
Sunday, November 16 – 11am-4pm
The Place:
Art Gallery of Burlington
1333 Lakeshore Road
Burlington, Ontario
905-632-7796
 By Mark Gillies
November 11, 2014
Burlington, ON.
The Kerns family is prominent in the history of the city. The family immigrated as Loyalists in 1803. They had originally emigrated from Germany to the American colonies. A Kerns was the first settler to buy land from Joseph Brant: 200 acres on the east side of Brant Street.
 The death details document sets out in short stark sentences how Kerns died. Private Kerns was born in Burlington, Ontario, south of Milton and was son to Edward Bruce Atkinson and Sarah Kerns of Zimmerman, Ontario. He attested to the 164th Infantry Battalion on March 23, 1916. From there he passed through the 2nd Reserve Battalion prior to his service posting with the 102nd Battalion (4th Division, 11th Infantry Brigade) on February 28, 1918.
On October 4, 1918 Private Kerns was sent “dangerously ill” to the 33rd Casualty Clearing Station with appendicitis. The unit had recently returned from front line duty at Bourlon Wood at the Battle of Canal du Nord and Cambrai. The unit had been on loan to the 3rd Division.
He was subsequently sent to the No. 8 Stationary Hospital Wimereux and then admitted to hospital in Manchester, England. October26, 1918 where he received surgery. He was discharged “fit for duty” to the 8th Reserve Battalion in Witley on January 31, 1919.
Private Kerns was admitted to Kinmel Park Military Hospital with severe abdominal pains at 4 pm March 7, 1919. He subsequently died at the No. 9 General Hospital Kinmel Surgical Hospital at 8 am March 9, 1919 after surgery to relieve and intestinal obstruction. His service record is very detailed on this event.
William Kenneth Atkinson Kerns died of an obstruction in his stomach and was buried in a Parish churchyard, Bodelwyddan (St. Margaret), Flintshire, United Kingdom in Wales on October 2, 1919.
 Peppiat, a graduate of Wycliffe College Frederick Charles Peppiatt, a graduate of Wycliff College served at the Somme and Vimy Ridge. He died May 2nd, several months after marrying in Toronto.
 Peppiatt spent almost all of his war time experience in the trenches where foot rot was common. He was given a short break at Christmas when he was able to send a single word cable to his wife – SAFE; that was the last word she received from her husband,
Peppiatt had three nephews serving in Europe.
 Private Stanley F. Smith was born in England, came to Canada with his Mother and settled in Burlington. He died of wounds. He was single.
 Details on the death of Private Edward Summers. Private Edward Summers was reported to have been wounded in the face from a piece of shrapnel. The short news report has some detail that is hard to decipher on the army Death detail documents. Not much more is revealed other than his death took place on September 4th, 1917
 The names of Harry Brain and Robert Morse appear on the same marker. Private Harry Brain was in the engineering Corps. These men were commonly referred to as “Sappers”. Brain was with a party of Sappers at the edge of a wood where an enemy shell landed, instantly killing brain and 12 other soldiers.
Private Robert Morse was of the party of soldiers killed in the same action as Private Bain.
Charles Hartley Allen was killed in France on August 8th , 1918 . He worked in the hardware business and spent all of his life in Burlington where he was well liked and respected.
Allen was a sports enthusiast who left a brother and three sisters along with his parents to mourn his death when the telegram arrived from Ottawa.
This six part series of articles on the 38 men whose names appear on the cenotaph just behind city hall is the beginning of a new career step for me.
In the near future I will be writing a regular column for the Gazette that will be called Who Knew? I will be writing about the history of Burlington and its people and will continue with my writing on the history of the Freeman Station and its restoration.
By Mark Gillies
November 11, 2014
BURLINGTON.
The research I’ve done on the 38 names on the Burlington Cenotaph of the men lost in the first Great War include Goodyear, Bibby, Garland, Cline, Hedges and Hunt.
 There has to be much more information about Leslie James Cline than just this one document. The Cline’s were a pioneer family that lived in the Freeman part of town. They were once very prominent – many individuals married into the family. There are probably hundreds in this city of more than 175,000 who will tell you they are related to the Clines.
Leslie James Cline was killed instantly when he took a direct hit from an enemy shell on September 27, 1918. There would have been no remains and thus no burial.
 W. E. Goodyear’s marker at a cemetery in France. W. E. Goodyear is buried in the New British Cemetery at Bouchier. We do not know how he died.
Samuel Anderson Hunter, a forester died in  a hospital of complications from a ruptured bladder and a fractured pelvis. He gave his brother as his next of kin.
The accidental death of Sub-Lieutenant JR.  Bibby is surrounded by conflicting news reports. In one report he is referred to as J.C, Bibby and in another he is referred to as J. R. Bibby.
In one report an experimental plane he was testing crashed into the sea and in another he fell out of the plane and died instantly on impact,
The accident took place in Malta where the aircraft was being tested. The funeral was quite elaborate with many dignitaries taking part.
By Mark Gillies
November 11, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
For several of the men who boarded those trains at Freeman Station bound for Toronto and then on to Montreal where they boarded ships to head for England we don’t know very much.
 The Militia would issue Death Certificates to families. In this photograph the certificate issued to the Graham family is shown along with two medals he earned. Sgt Thomas Graham was Killed in Action on the 27th day of September. We have nothing to tell us where he was killed or where his remains were put to rest.
There is a photograph and a Death Certificate with pictures of his medals.
 Rev. Edwin Howard Stephenson, a single clergyman who died of measles in Russia. We don’t know how got there but we do know his remains are in a cemetery along with those of other Canadians. We know much more about Rev. Edwin Howard Stephenson who served in the Medical Corps and contracted measles which proved fatal.
He is buried in the Churkin Russian Naval Cemetery, Vladivostok, Siberia, Russia, Row E, Grave 2. See photograph below.
We don’t know how he got to Russia but we do know that there is a small section of the cemetery with other Canadian graves.
He was a single clergyman. His Mother, who lived in Burlington is given as his next of kin.
 The Churkin Russian Naval Cemetery, Vladivostok, Siberia, Russia contains the remains of a number of Canadians. Their markers can be seen on the left and right hand side just inside the disheveled gate. War changes the lives of many. My grandfather’s name was Frank Wesley Gillies.
He went with the 91st Highlanders to march in the parade in London, England for the coronation of King George V in 1911. After returning from England, he returned to the farm, but when war broke out, he signed up for WW 1 duty and was sent overseas. He was a military ambulance driver on the front lines in Belgium and France. He was assigned to drive the ambulance, because not many men knew how to drive a motorized vehicle back then. Frank was a farm boy from Stoney Creek, and they had those large steam driven tractors on the farm.
That’s where he learned how to drive, even before driver’s licences were invented. While in combat where poisonous gas was involved, he unselfishly gave up his gas mask for a wounded soldier who lost his in combat, and he was trying to safely evacuate him in his ambulance.
The gas drifted their way and eventually caught up to him as they could not outrun it, and he breathed it in, thus beginning the end of his young life. The gas basically started to burn his lungs from the inside, and he was taken out of the combat zone and transported to a local hospital for treatment.
There was not much they could do. He never recovered completely as the gas continued to erode his lungs, and finally Frank was sent back to Canada to die. In Canada he was sent to a military hospital for more treatment in London, Ontario,
 Arthur Groves has printers ink in his blood and served his apprenticeship at the original Burlington Gazette which had its office on Brant Street where the Rude Native restaurant is now located.
He later worked at newspapers in Dundas and Orillia and had family in the Dundas community.
 The Death details for Charles Baker tell us very little. Chester Baker was Killed in Action in France on September 30, 1918 and was buried in the British Cemetery.
 Edward Hunt’s grave marker is in the British Cemetery in France. Edward Hunt was Killed in Action at Tilley France and was buried at the Canadian Cemetery in France.
Eric Graham Rowley died in an aircraft  accident when the plane he was flying plunged 15,000 feet and crashed. Rowley was killed instantly. All we have is a news clipping and his name on the cenotaph in Burlington to remember him by.
 By Pepper Parr
November 11, 2014
Burlington, ON
From the RCAF Awards & Citations Page
BIRCH, F/O John Oswald (J23888) – Distinguished Flying Cross – No.103 Squadron – Award effective 26 September 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 2373/44 dated 3 November 1944. Born 1920 in Winnipeg; home in Toronto; enlisted there 21 January 1942. Trained at No.6 ITS (graduated 31 July 1942), No.12 EFTS and No.2 SFTS (graduated 19 February 1943). Commissioned 1943. Award sent by registered mail 19 December 1945.
 Those are the bare facts – set out as only a military bureaucrat could. The fill story is:
One night in July 1944 John Oswald Birch was pilot and captain of an aircraft detailed to attack Stuttgart. At the commencement of the bombing run the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire. The starboard fin and rudder and a portion of the tail plane and elevator were shot away. The mid-upper and rear turrets were rendered unserviceable. A fuel tank was pierced whilst much damage was sustained to the control surfaces. In spite of this, Flying Officer Birch executed his attack. On the long flight home it was very difficult to maintain control and it was necessary for another member of the crew to assist by maintaining pressure on the rudder controls but an airfield was eventually reached and a safe landing effected. In most difficult circumstances, Flying Officer Birch displayed notable skill, courage and tenacity.
Part of the crew on that Lancaster bomber that night was a man named McDonald. His son Terrence contacted the Gazette asking if a comment written by John Birch might be related to the man who brought that Lancaster bomber back to London where it crash landed.
Terence G. McDonald wrote the Gazette asking:
Dear sir, I was looking up something regarding Bomber Command and I came across your article dated August 27, 2013. One of the people who commented is John Birch. I was stunned because his father and my father were on the same crew.
 My father was the wireless air gunner and when they hobbled back to England my father, after seeing the majority of crew bail out, in turn bailed out and landed in a tree in Battersea Cemetery. In my father’s memoirs he talks about J.O.
I’ve attached the story as written by my father about that night. If you can track down John Birch and give him a copy I’d appreciate it.
We put the two men together and Terence G. McDonald and John Birch began a long electronic conversation.
Birch wanted to know if Terrence has “any photos or more info re my father, they would be deeply appreciated, as my father’s pilot log book, photo binders, DFC & other service medals, and uniform along with a treasured engraved Ronson lighter with the 103 Squadron logo gifted to him by his crew, and their names engraved on the reverse side, ‘to F/L J O Birch DFC, for getting us home’ were all lost in a house fire in the early 1950’s on Indian Point, Burlington.
 Officers and crew flying in Lancaster bombers were always at great risk and there was no comfort. These were bare bones aircraft built to carry bombs and fight off attacking aircraft with machine guns in turrets. “My father, so my mother told me, was deeply moved by the gift from his crew.”
Burlington’s John Birch went on to say that: David Fell, archivist for 103 Sq Association Elshom Wolds put me in contact with one of my father’s crew still alive. I received a very personal letter, from F/O A C P Gamble DFC a few years ago, who had replaced F/S Evans as upper turret gunner sometime in August 1944. F/O Gamble was on his second tour and was considered a lucky addition to the crew. He and my father became good friends and everyone referred to my dad as J O.
Mr Gamble stated in the letter, he’d flown with many pilots and considered “good old JO was the best and most skilled pilot I had ever flown with …, I feel I owe my life and surviving the war to your father’s flying skills’
“According to Mr Fell, that night, July 28-29 1944, 103 Sq suffered the worst losses of the war, having contributed 8 aircraft to the 3rd Stuttgart raid, only 4 returned, the rest either shot down or damaged and landing elsewhere. The sister Sq also operating out of Elshom Wolds, contributed 7 Lancs, with only 4 returning.
“Fell wrote that when my dad arrived July 7th 1944 at 103 Sq, moral was quite low, for the preceding 6 months not one aircrew had survived to be rotated out at the end of their tour.
“Casualty rates, as you know, in bomber command was 54% with a statistical likelihood of 5% loss per operation. 5% x minimum 30 operations to complete a tour – well, the math didn’t work out well for the aircrews.
 At the nose of a Lancaster there was a bomb aimer and gunners just above them Birch continues in his correspondence with Terrence to say: “While I knew the entire starboard fin, rudder; controls and horizontal stabilizer were blown off, and the turrets rendered inoperable due to the loss of the hydraulics, and the fuel tank holed, I did not know that 6′ of wing was also blown off along with the bomb bay doors. Lancs could take quite a beating. Quite amazing considering the Lanc’s origin was the disastrous Manchester – but the slide rule boffins at AV Roe added 15 feet of wing to the Manchester and an extra pair of Merlins, called it the Lancaster and a legend was born.
“I do know my father was quite worried when they didn’t report back to base for 3 agonizing days as he thought he might have ordered them to their injury or deaths. My dad’s Lanc made a belly landing at White Waltham SW of London (being the closest field they could make and near out of fuel) and he had directed the non essential crew to bailout once over England, as it was a very tough landing to effect – particularly so now that I know the bomb bay doors were blown off too, leaving a 33 foot long scoop on the bottom of the aircraft. The landing gear could not be lowered.
 At the tail of the plane were two more machine guns to ward of attackers from the rear. Birch adds that “it was a good thing for both of us my dad and crew regained control and pulled PB147 out of that dive, for neither of us were yet conceived – and Lancs had such a terrible survival rate in an uncontrolled bailout.
F/O J O Birch DFC was promoted to F/L. He was a Lancaster pilot attached to 103 Squadron RAF. As was common practice RCAF and other Commonwealth crews flew together often as mix and match from across the colonies.
“We owe so much to all of they who served, and really have no idea what it was like.”
That sentiment will fill the air and the hearts of those who gather at the Burlington cenotaph this morning.
By Pepper Parr
November 10, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
There is so much money coming to Burlington from the provincial government that Ron Foxcroft offered to loan the city a couple of Fluke Transport trucks to get it from Toronto to Burlington.
Ron Foxcroft is the owner of Fluke Transport and the Chair of the Burlington Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund Raising Committee.
 From the left: Ron Foxcroft, Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon, HAlton MPP Indira Nadoor Harris and Mayor Rick Goldring preparing to speak at the media conference where the provincial contribution of $3 million for disaster relief was announced. MPPs Indira Nadoor-Harris of Halton and Eleanor McMahon, who represents Burlington in the provincial legislature, jointly announced this morning at a city hall media conference that the province has a approved a total of $3 million for Burlington to be given on a two-for-one basis.
If Burlington raises $1.5 million the province will send us $3 million
The Burlington Community Foundation has to date raised very close to $900,000
The 100 day campaign that Ron Foxcroft announced in August will come to a formal close on November 14th – this Friday.
Foxcroft has said there are still some significant corporate contributions to come in and the public can continue to donate until December 14th.
 Burlington Community Foundation president Collen Mulholland opens the media conference where the province announced grants of up to $3 million for Burlington. Regional Chair Gary Carr and Burlington Interim city manager Pat Moyle look on. On December 15th donations close as to applications for financial support.
The funds raised will begin to be distributed once the deadline for applications closes. People who were uninsured or under insured are the only ones eligible for financial support – and that support covers just household essentials.
If the furnace was damaged – you will get compensation. If that 52 inch high definition television set was damaged – think in terms of a smaller less expensive television set.
That Persian rug you had will not be considered essential.
Forms for application for financial support are on the Burlington Community Foundation.
By Staff
November 10, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
This Thursday Nov. 13th at 7pm., Rm 305, at City Hall, the city and Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward will host a public meeting to review the proposed five story condominium for the property at Blathwayte Lane and Elgin Street (Stretching over to Locust Street).
The lots are zoned as four storeys maximum. Five storeys will require a zone change and zone changes on any property in St. Luke’s Precinct will set a precedent toward other zone changes.
 Area residents do not approve of an additional storey being added to a proposed condominium in the community. The St. Luke’s precinct residents have been very successful in having developers stick to the rules and the zoning given to a property.
This meeting is an early stage of the process event where the developer is gauging community reaction. The precinct residents see this as a critical first meeting where they can influence a design and urge to the developer to adjust the building to fit within zone or take their model somewhere else.
St. Luke’s is an easy 15 minute walk from the intersection of Lakeshore Road and Martha Street where a developer wants to put up a 28 storey structure on a site zoned for a maximum of eight storeys. While there has been strong reaction to the Martha Street project that part of the city has not had the same success as the people in St. Luke’s.
By Mark Gillies.
November 10, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
With a population of less than 2000 in 1914, Burlington was the classic example of a rural community.
No traffic lights, maybe a few stop signs. Everyone knew everyone. Families inter-married.
The local paper, the Gazette at the time, printed anything they could find about the people in the community. The publisher of the paper was also the mayor of the town – something that wouldn’t be possible today.
 All the Burlington troops left from the Freeman station. They were proud men with smiles on their faces heading for a ward that was brutal. Earlier this year when the fact that the First World War started 100 years ago was becoming part of the news cycle I began to wonder who the 38 names on the cenotaph behind city hall were.
Each year on Remembrance Day veterans, many in wheel chairs take part in a ceremony that draws large audiences.
I began to research the names on the cenotaph. There is very little information on some of them. “Killed in Action” is all that appears on some of the Army Death detail documents. We called the army the Militia on those days. The men who “signed-up” were part of the Canadian Over-seas Expeditionary Force.
 Walter Tarry’s marker in a cemetery in Europe. Walter Tarry died of his wounds in the field on June 15, 1918. We are told where he was buried – in a community cemetery – Row 4, grave 4. Cross erected. That is all we have.
 The Militia Death detail document has a lot of information on Private Carter. It is one of the few hat was typed up. Clifford Carter was accidentally killed on August 13, 1918. He was a member of the grenade platoon instructing men on the use of grenades when he accidentally put in a live fuse that exploded and killed him instantly. The was a Court of Inquiry that found the death to be an accident and no one was blamed.
Robert Saunders died on April 23, 1915 in an attack on St.Julien. Burlington lost a number of men in that battle.
 We know nothing about a burial which was the case with those who were blown to pieces from an explosion and there was nothing to recover.
 Kearse is shown with his son. It was not uncommon to dress male children in uniform for photographic portraits. We have a very full story for Herbert Kearse who was Killed in Action. The touching photograph of the Private and his son is par of the record along with a letter of appreciation he wrote Miss Smith of “the committee” thanking them for hand knitted socks, cigarettes, tobacco and chocolate. In his letter, which was published in the newspaper Private Kearse said: Letter of appreciation
Miss Ethel Smith has received the following letter from Private Kearse which was written a few days before he was killed in action in France.
 Somewhere in France April 15, 1917
Miss E Smith and QCHC Burlington Ontario.
I am writing to thank you for the parcel you sent me which arrived safely yesterday containing 3 pairs of socks, one towel, cigarettes and tobaco, and chocolates. It had taken quite a long time to come, being addressed to MG Depot in England, so please note change of address.
Although being a long time coming it was never the less very welcome as there is nothing like hand knitted socks to where on the march as we get in the mud, and I can assure you that it is encouraging to us to know that friends away back in dear old Burlington have not forgotten us and are doing what they can to bring us a little more comfort, and knowing this it helps us no small way to carry on with greater determination what we have set out to do, and I can assure you that the efforts being put forth in Burlington by your committee and other friends is highly appreciated by all the Burlington boys.
We only hope that time may soon come when we shall all be back with you again.
Again thanking you and wishing your committee every success, I am, yours truly HW Kearse.
 The Vimy Ridge Memorial built on land that France ceded to Canada. The names of all those lost in the First World War are inscribed on the structure There wasn’t the same amount of information and detail for Warrie Joseph Charles Potter who was Killed in Action on November 16, 1917. His name appears on the Vimy Ridge Memorial in France.
 By Pepper Parr
November 10, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
It is going to be great news.
There will be an announcement made at city hall related to the provincial funding for the Disaster Relief Fund that was created by the Burlington Community Foundation
 Ron Foxcroft, on the right, doing his persuasion number on the Mayor of Burlington. He apparently did the same to the Premier and MPP Ted McMeekin – to Burlington’s benefit. Ron Foxcroft is reported to have spent much of the weekend persuading Kathleen Wynne, the Premier and MPP Ted McMeekin that Burlington needed provincial help.
McMeekin and the Premier didn’t have a chance. The Tiger Cats won their Saturday football game and Foxcroft was on a roll.
Details will be released at city hall later today.
By Mark Gillies
November 10, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
The first news about the loss of a soldier who lived in Burlington was a telegram from Ottawa. That telegram would have come through the railway station that the men board the train to Toronto on.
 Edward Cooper Simmons My grandfather served in that war. He wasn’t one of the of the 300 men from Burlington but he was part of that cohort that volunteered to fight in the first Great War. They believed it was the war that was going to end all wars.
Burlington was a town with a population of less than 2000; it sent more than 10% of its population off to fight a war that was on the other side of the world. everyone in town knew some of these men.
 The Army Death detail document tells us Private Simmons died if influenza and pneumonia in the field. We are given the name of the cemetery his remains were laid to rest in. One of the those men was Edward Cooper Simmons. He died in the field of influenza and pneumonia.
 Buckingham’s name is on a small cenotaph elsewhere. Shown is a closeup of the names. There is the name of a seaman as well. Robert John Buckingham was killed in action on May 30th, 1918 at a battle south of Sancourt. The Army death documentation says where he was buried. That is all that exists in the way of documentation but along with his name there is a tombstone with Robert John Buckingham’s name on it.
 Some detail taken from the Gazette, which at the time was the newspaper for the town. Note the easy, almost colloquial style. The Allen’s were a very prominent Burlington family. They owned a hardware store that was on Brant Street – not far from where Burlingtonians will gather on Remembrance Day. Joseph E. Allen was one of the 38 that left for the war and did not return. As a boy Joe surely walked by the place the cenotaph now stands. The short news item in the Gazette told of an injury. Allen later died of that injury.
 The phrase “sign-up” refers to this document which the Militia called an Attestation Paper. Private Reese was Killed in Action in a battle at St. Julien on April 28, 1915. The documents tell us little more than that. When men enlisted they completed what was known as an Attestation form that set out the information the government needed. The department that handled all the paper work was called the Militia Department.
Robert Ray Reese was part of the Canadian Over-seas Expeditionary Force. He signed an Oath that was then signed by the local magistrate. His next of kin lived in Toronto. Reese was single. There was an Attestation form for every man that “signed-up”
 There wasn’t a lot of information available on Private Albert Oakes. Albert Oakes died in the same action as Private Reese. The battle at St. Julien took at least two men from Burlington. They died days apart on the same battlefield. All we have in the way of records is the Army death detail document.
Harry George Bracknell was at first thought to be missing. The documentation says he was later presumed to be dead while fighting in a battle on Hill 60 in Belgium. The document was signed by General Murray Maxwell.
 Harry George Bracknell – Very few details, missing, presumed dead. Thousands of men were blown to piece by shells that landed close to where they were standing. There were no remains to bury – just a document saying they had been lost. All we have is a name on a cenotaph in Burlington.
By Mark Gillies
November 10, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
The year 2014 marks the 100th anniversary of some of our boys leaving Burlington by train to head for Europe where they would take part in the Great War. Ity was to be the war to end all wars.
My grandfather served in that war and died later from the effects of gas poisoning, leaving my grandmother with three children, all under the age of 5, to raise by herself.
One of the three children was my father. I have very strong emotional ties to soldiers, particularly those involved in both world wars. I have put together a collection of information about the 38 soldiers from Burlington who went to Europe to fight for King and Country but did not return home.
 Their names are inscribed on the Burlington Cenotaph. Every time I pass by the Cenotaph, I always pause to read the name. I feel as if I am with them on Remembrance Day.
It always touched me – and I needed to know more about them. Who were these young men?
I believe this collection is the most information that any one has gathered on these 38 soldiers.
 More than 300 men – out of a population of less than 2000 left to fight the first wold war – 38 of then did not return. When they went off to war Burlington had a population that probably peaked at 2,000, if that. More than 300 men, all very young, boarded the train; they came from farms, local shops and whatever Burlington had in the way of small industry at the time.
Everyone in town knew these men – Burlington was at that time a very tight knit agricultural community – everyone in town was affected. As You read the news clipping I have collected you can follow the story of many of these men. There are four men about whom we know nothing. This kind of research is a hobby for me – and while I think I’ve exhausted all the sources I know of – there may be families in the community who can add to the information I have collected. Be in touch with Gazette publisher who will pass your information along to me.
The sons of several of the prominent Burlington families boarded that train at Freeman Station and didn’t return: the names of Kerns, Cline and Allen boys are engraved on that cenotaph,
Let me begin with those we know nothing about other than their names. George W Le Page, Roy Smith, Herbert Morgan and William Knight. Perhaps over time we will learn more about these men.
 We don’t know very much about Frederick Walsh. His name is on a cenotaph elsewhere as well as the one in Burlington and there is a Canadian forces marker with his name on it in a cemetery. He is well dressed wearing a finely cut suit jacket and a vest suggesting perhaps something in the way of a professional background.
 The Army had a form like this for every man. Some had significant detail – others precious little. For some there wasn’t even as much as this. We know this much about Sgt Drever We know more about Douglas Drever. The government kept a sheet of paper for each member of the army that set out where they were born and when they died. It is referred to as the army death details document.
Thomas Douglas Drever was a Sgt in the who was killed in action on September 4, 1917 and was buried. He was then exhumed and reburied close to the Vimy Memorial.
 There is a family tombstone, believed to be in Milton upon which the name of Sgt Drever has been inscribed. It was the custom then to add the name of a person killed in action to the family tomb stone even though the remains were elsewhere.
 George Orme McNair’s name is on the Burlington cenotaph. There isn’t anything in the way of information that ties him to what was then a town. George Orme McNair was a Captain. He traveled to Toronto to sign up and was described as a resident of Hamilton. He was killed two months after he arrived at the trenches.
 Private M. W. Williams was killed by a sniper’s bullet on October 30th, 1917. Prior to his death he had been seriously injured and was commissioned as an officer in the field and made a Lieutenant.
It was while leading his men that a sniper shot him.
By Pepper Parr
November 8, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
The parking garage the Joseph Brant Hospital wanted the city to pay for is now open and doctors have begun moving into the Halton McMaster Family Health Centre (HMFHC) which is part of Phase One of the Redevelopment and Expansion Project.
The opening of the structure, located on the south west corner of our hospital site, accessible from Lakeshore Road, marks the completion of Phase One of the Redevelopment and Expansion Project.
 A little landscaping, a couple of trees and the new Family Health Centre will look just fine. Let’s hope the parking prices don’t send people to a cardiac unit. The Halton McMaster Family Health Centre (HMFHC) which is part of Phase One of the Redevelopment and Expansion Project, is located on the south west corner of our hospital site, accessible from Lakeshore Road. The Health Centre opened its doors to patients in late September and is home to the Burlington Family Health Team.
 The Burlington Family Health Team (BFHT) is made up of a team of family physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, social workers, dieticians and other professionals who work together to provide health care for their community. The vision of a Family Health Team is for physicians, nurse practitioners and other health care professionals to practice together, sharing and benefiting from the complementary knowledge and skills of their colleagues.
The construction of the Halton McMaster Family Health Centre marks Joseph Brant Hospital as a designated clinical education campus of McMaster University, with students learning such specialties as emergency medicine, surgery, obstetrics and family medicine.
 One of the final beams signed by staff and dignitaries is part of the Family Health Centre now opened and operational. Phase One of the Redevelopment is now complete The designation of a clinical education campus also helps increase the hospital’s ability to recruit and retain new physicians and attract healthcare learners to the community. Doctors at the Family Health Clinic will learn alongside Joseph Brant Hospital physicians and healthcare teams.
The four-storey parking facility, which was designed to accommodate two additional storeys in the future, can accommodate more than 820 vehicles. It will support the patient first philosophy by increasing the availability of parking for patients and families.
 By Pepper Parr
November 8, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON,
 Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon Burlington’s MPP Eleanor McMahon and Halton MPP Nadoor-Harris will be standing at city hall sometime Monday making an announcement. That was the extent of the media advisory.
The only thing that would bring the MPP to city hall is something to do with the flood relief funding the city is looking to the province to provide.
If it is a flood related announcement – Minister Ted McMeekin would normally be making any announcement with McMahon. There is no mention of McMeekin in the media advisory.
Premier Kathleen Wynne is going to be in Hamilton today pinning medals on four members of the Argyll’s and attending at least a part of the Montreal – Hamilton CFL football game. We have been led to believe that there will be some arm twisting during the opening game ceremonies.
The Gazette has also learned that there have been extensive discussions with Minister McMeekin during the past few days which appear to have led to some form of resolution.
This is a developing story.
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