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.
Thanks for making the stories of these men & the community they left behind a century ago come to life.