Charles Frederick Aisthorpe was born and brought up in Port Hope. He passed through the Public School, acquiring a taste for good reading which was his chief recreation through life. At the time of his enlistment in Toronto in July 1918, he was working as a machinist in the steel plants in Pittsburgh, USA. He was tall and well set up in stature and friends who saw him in his Highland uniform remarked that he was one of the handsomest soldiers that ever went forth from Canada. He got to France in a remarkably short time and engaged in some of the battles that finally brought the war to a successful conclusion. During an advance upon the enemy near Cambrai on 30 September, the 75th Battalion went forward, ran into strong machine gun nests and was badly cut to pieces. Among the fallen was Aisthorpe, who was buried at Sailly.
Frank Arkless (right) was born in Hope Township and was educated in the Public School of the district. He was engaged as a farm labourer when he enlisted with the 136th Battalion in February 1916. He trained with his unit in Port Hope, Barriefield and Valcartier, going overseas in September 1916. There are few particulars of his military career known, as he wrote but briefly to his relatives on the subject of war. Like most of the 136th men, he got to France very shortly after arriving in England and was attached to the 87th Grenadier Guards which took an important part in the capture of Vimy Ridge. It was on the first day of this memorable action, 09 April 1917, that Arkless fell. His officer, writing home to his mother, spoke highly of his bravery and fidelity as a soldier. He was buried with several other comrades from Port Hope near the scene of his death.John Charles Ashman was born in England and spent the greatest part of his life there. He early enlisted in the British Army and saw service in the South African Campaign of 1899-1902. He was employed in the Standard Ideal factory, Port Hope, and when the Great War was declared by England on 04 August 1914, Ashman and about twenty comrades enlisted, leaving on the 20th day of the same month for Valcartier, the mobilization camp for the famous 1st Division. After serving for about two years in France, he was invalided home and mustered out of the Army. On recovering sufficiently, he presented himself to the 136th Battalion mobilized at Port Hope and was taken on the strength. He trained again at Valcartier, went overseas again and fought in France. He was officially reported missing, having lost his life in the great battle of Vimy Ridge on 09 April 1917.
Arthur Barnard (left) was born 15 April 1892 in England and came to Canada when twelve years of age in care of the Barnardo Home. He lived with a farmer near Orono for some years, but had been employed in the rubber factory at Bowmanville previous to his enlisting. Barnard was small of stature, but large of heart, and cheerful under all circumstances. He was a young man respected by all who became acquainted with him. At the time of going overseas, he was a bugler for the 136th Battalion, with which he trained at Barriefield and Valcartier. He went overseas in September 1916 and in a very short time was in France. He met his death at Vimy Ridge where
so many of the old 136th men fell on Easter Monday 1917. His burial place is unknown.
John William Batchelor (right) was born at Worlbabye in Lincolnshire, England on 28 October 1884. He came to Canada in 1905, but returned to England in 1908 where he married. He again came to Port Hope with his wife and two small children in 1911, working in the Ideal Standard factory until his enlistment with the 39th Battalion in December 1914. His parents, JW and Mrs. Batchelor were residents of Port Hope when he enlisted. He trained with his unit in Port Hope and Belleville, went overseas in June 1915, completing his training in England. He was drafted to the 13th Highlanders with whom he fought at Hooge, Zillebeke and the Somme. He was caught by a German sniper at du Mouguet Farm and was instantly killed by a bullet through his head. His burial place is in du Mouguet Farm.
David Brown Bell was born and brought up in Scotland and was educated in the public schools there. He learned the trade of electrician in Edinburgh and came to Canada in 1910. He was fond of outdoor sports and took particular pleasure in football. He first resided in Cobourg, Ontario, for two years, but was employed in the Standard Ideal factory in Port Hope when he joined the 21st Battalion in October 1914, training in Kingston and going overseas in May 1915. This famous battalion went to France as a unit and Bell was attached to the stretcher bearers section with which he remained throughout his military career. He saw service in Ypres, St. Eloi, Courcelette, Vimy, Amiens and all the engagements in which his unit participated. He rose to the rank of sergeant, won the Military Cross and Bar and was mentioned in despatches for bravery. He served for nearly three years in France without a wound but was killed on 27 August 1918 in the great drive that eventually brought victory to the Allies. His last letters to his wife contained the news of his promotion to the rank of sergeant.
Reuben Cecil Bennett was born 15 June 1895 at Oshawa and was a member of the Church of England. He belonged to the St. George's Club and No Surrender L.O.L 686 Oshawa. He was a total abstainer all his life and was of a kind and cheerful disposition, making friends wherever he went. He also took a very active part in all sports, both in Oshawa and Port Hope, and continued in the same after going overseas in England and France. It was stated by his officer that he always displayed great courage, but his greatest trait was that his first and last thoughts were of his home. Reuben was an exceptional boy in this respect and the greatest possible comfort to his parents. In his last letters home, he urged his mother to send him her photograph. At the time of his death, he was in the bombing section of his unit. A comrade accidentally lighted the fuse of one of his bombs and, throwing away his jacket, Bennett was caught in the explosion and was
mortally wounded. He died at the dressing station and was buried at Albert, France.
Leo George Burt was born at Port Hope 15 June 1897. He was an eighteen-year-old student of Port Hope High School when he enlisted with the 93rd Battalion at Peterborough in October 1915. While at school, he was a member of St. John's Athletic Club, every member of which offered his services to the army, and all who were medically fit went overseas. Leo went in July 1916 and took part in the battles of St. Eloi, Bully, Grany, Somme and Vimy Ridge where he was wounded in April 1917. He was invalided home in March 1918 and died at Queen's Military Hospital at Kingston on 30 July 1918. He was buried at St. John's Anglican Cemetery, Port Hope.
Charles Clark, (on the right), son of William and Grace Clark of the Township of Hope, attended the Public School of Port Hope on his youth, but being a member of a large family, could not pursue his studies further. He farmed for the greater part of his life but at the time of enlistment in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, he was engaged as one of the hands in the Goodyear Rubber
Company at Bowmanville, Ontario. He enlisted with the 136th Battalion at Port Hope on 12 April
1916, training in Barriefield and Valcartier in the machine gun section. His battalion went
overseas the latter part of September or beginning of October of the same year and before
Christmas he was in France, having been transferred to the 87th Battalion. As the strict censoring of letters allowed but meagre news of his doings in France to reach home, all that is known is that he participated in the battle of Vimy Ridge and was killed on the first day of that great fight. He was buried near Givenchy and his grave is marked by the usual cross. His brother, Fred, was severely wounded in the same battle.Fred Clark, (on the left, above), was the son of William and Grace Clark of Hope Township. He was educated at the Public School, Port Hope, and from an early age engaged in farming. He enlisted a day or two after his brother in the 136th Battalion - 13 April 1916 - and both went through their military training together in Canada and England. They were separated when they went to France - Charles going to the 87th and Fred to the 21st Battalion, C.E.F. Fred was wounded 10 April 1916 at Vimy Ridge. He was removed to hospital in England where he remained for about six moths convalescing. He eventually returned to the front and while engaged in carrying in a wounded comrade, he was shot and killed by a German sniper. Neither the place of his death nor the location of his grave is known. He died 02 April 1918 during the time when the enemy was making such headway towards Paris and the Channel Ports.
Vernon Samuel Dickinson was born in Port Hope 03 July 1897. He attended the common
school, private schools and Trinity College School, but his attention could not be kept on the
books with the exception of writing and drawing. He was a natural mechanic and could make
anything, constructing a wireless telegraphic outfit at his home from which messages could be
plainly heard from Toronto. He was compelled to take the outfit down when war was declared.
He was generous to a fault and would give his last penny to a friend. He was very anxious to
enlist and coaxed his mother for months to get her consent. He signed up with the R.C.H.A.
Kingston in February 1916 and sailed for England on the S.S. Olymphic. In a very short time, he
was sent to France where, in the fall of 1916, he, as a signaller in the 12th Battery, was wounded
at Passchendaele. He was sent to the hospital at Etaples and on his recovery was returned to the
lines. He was again wounded and admitted to the hospital at Etaples 09 April, where he died 27
April 1918. Full particulars could not be obtained owing to hostile aircraft bombing the hospital
and destroying the records. His place of burial is presumed to be in the cemetery adjoining
Etaples, France.
Gilbert Edwards was born at Zion, Hope Township, 29 August 1888. In early life he was an
agriculturalist and later a very successful drover. For a short time he conducted a butcher shop in Port Hope. He was a member of the Methodist Church and a devoted and staunch supporter of
the Sunday School and Temperance work. He was a member of the S.O.E.; B.S.; L.O.L.; and A.F.
& A.M. In 1908 he entered Hope Township Council where he served as councillor for four years. In 1912 he was elected Deputy-Reeve and was a representative at the County Council. As this was a critical time, owing to the building of two railroads, his keen intellect and business qualifications won for him the gratitude and respect of his supporters. Higher honors were in store for him but he enlisted early in the war as a lieutenant. As he was not qualified, he attended military school in Peterborough where he won the rank of captain. He enlisted with the 39th Battalion on 26 December 1914, spending some months in Port Hope as recruiting officer until removal of the battalion to Belleville. He took a course in the Canadian School of Musketry at Ottawa. On 24 June 1915, Captain Edwards sailed for England, arriving 03 July. He was stationed at West Sandling, Folkestone and Seaford. When the 39th was divided and sent to other units, he was detained in England and kept on the training staff. During this period he visited the instruction camps at the base, France, taking back useful information to the training camps in England. His military ability was recognized in England where he was gazetted Captain, and recommended for Major in the B.E.F. Notwithstanding the honors conferred on him in England, he seized the first opportunity of going on active service in France by reverting to Lieutenant and sailed 15 June 1917. In August he won the Military Cross for bravery, driving the Germans out of a trench and holding same. On 11 September, he was out at Lens with a party of men when they were heavily shelled and gassed by Germans. Captain Edwards was instantly killed by the concussion of the German shell. On 12 September he was buried at Nouex-les-Mines Communal
Cemetery Extension, near Bethune, France, with military honors.
Harold Cecil Fogarty enlisted as a signaller in the 201st Battalion 10 April 1916. After
training for some time at Camp Borden, his battalion, having reached only a little over six
hundred strong, was broken up and divided among two others which were also below strength,
the half to which he belonged going to the 198th Battalion, Canadian Buffs. After training at
Camp Whitley, England, until early in 1918, he felt, as he himself expressed it in one of his
letters home, that he had gone overseas for more important work and more effective service than
training-camp routine, so he asked permission to join a draft that was going to the Front. Arriving in France, he was attached to the19th Battalion that was in many actions and which suffered severely. He was wounded about 16 April 1918 during a trench raid in the vicinity of Lens, a section where his brother, Will, had also been wounded some months before. While in hospital, the Germans bombed it from the air and a portion of it was wrecked, with nurses and wounded soldiers killed and wounded. Harold rejoined his battalion shortly before the Allies' great offensive began, marking the beginning of the end of the war. He was with the reinforcements that followed up the memorable battle of Amiens 08 August and took part in the activities that followed until the battle of Arras. On the morning of the second day of this battle, which ended in the breaking of the famous Hindenburg Line, the enemy opened heavy machine gun and shell fire on the advancing Canadians. Harold was instantly killed by bursting shrapnel. His body is buried in Windmill Cemetery, a recognized British burial ground in northern France.
Charles Thomas Fox was born at Port Hope 01 November 1891 and was educated at
Bailieboro Public School and Port Hope High School. He farmed until 1911 when he went west
to work in the Western Saw Mill Yards as checker for a year before returning home. He enlisted
In December 1914 and in June 1915 was sent to England to attend the School of Instruction
where he was promoted to Sergeant Instructor in physical training and bayonet fighting. In May
1917 he went to France and on 18 August 1917 was killed instantly at Hill 70. He is buried in the 11th Canadian Brigade Cemetery in France.
Harold Arthur Garbutt was a member of the Boys O.P.X. Club, Port Hope, and St. John's
Athletic Club. A graduate of the Port Hope Public and High Schools, he was attending the
Normal School at Peterboro when he offered his services to his country 15 February 1916,
enlisting with the Medical Staff of the 80th Battalion, Belleville. He sailed for England 10 May, spending his 19th birthday on the ocean. He was sent to France in July and took part in several battles, and while bravely attending the wounded was struck by a shell and instantly killed 25 February 1917. He showed gifts of unusual power as a public speaker and was a writer of exceptional promise for so young a lad. He was a boy of clean life and wholesome influence and his letters from the front were full of keen observation and delicate humor. The announcement of Harold's death made a deep impression on the citizens of his home town. His body lies in the cemetery at Villiers-Au-Bois in France.Gordon Cranford Gifford, when war broke out, was in British Columbia. He hastened east to his home in Port Hope and enlisted with the 21st Battalion in November 1915. When the 39th Battalion was mobilizing, he transferred to that unit and went overseas in June 1915 with the rank of corporal. In England he was promoted to sergeant and earned a "Distinguished Certificate" as a machine gun instructor. In March 1916, he proceeded to France to the 29th Battalion, 2nd Division, and was posted to the Lewis Gun Section. He took part in the conflict at St. Eloi, Sanctuary Wood and at Hooge, with other Lewis gunners, he helped materially in holding up the German advance. He was badly used up in this engagement and was sent back to England. Recovering from his wounds and shock, in August 1917 he proceeded again to France to the 2nd Battalion. With this unit, he went through Passchendaele in November 1917 and when the Canadian Corps was put in to hold the line in front of Arras during the second battle of the Somme, he was instantly killed by a bursting shell 29 March 1918. His body lies in the Canadian Cemetery at Arras.
Albert Norman Gloyne, born at Castel Farm, Stowford, Devon, 20 September 1888, was a
resident of Port Hope for several years, employed by the Standard Ideal Company Limited. He
enlisted at Kingston with the original 21st Battalion, which later became one of the most famous
fighting units of the Canadian Corps in France. Gloyne was attached to the headquarters staff
and was on military police duty at the time of his death. He was on service in the village of - - - -
which was being shelled by the enemy, directing troops as to the best course to take to avoid
danger, when a shell burst near him and he was mortally wounded. He was carried to the
casualty clearing station where he died some hours later. He was a good soldier and a good
citizen, and won the sad distinction of being the very first citizen soldier from Port Hope to give his life in the Great War. His body lies in Bailleul Communal Cemetery, France.James Lincoln Green, before his enlistment, was an employee of the Nicholson File Company, Port Hope. He devoted much of his time to sports in which he was greatly interested. He was well-liked by his fellow men and all who knew him. He had a very affectionate disposition and always had a kind word to say about everyone and was always ready to do a kind deed. While he was a soldier, he was a true one, always ready to obey his commanding officers, and was well spoken of by them. The Commanding Officer of the 75th Battalion, to which he was attached when wounded, spoke of him in these words, "I cannot speak too highly of the courage and soldierly bearing of this hero and I assure you that his loss is distinctly felt throughout the Battalion and at the divisional sports." His life was gentle and the elements so mixed in him that nature might stand up and say to all the world, "This was a man".
James Thomas Wainwright Halliday was brought up as a boy in the neighbourhood of Port
Hope, Ontario, receiving but an elementary school education at one of the country schools. At
the age of fourteen, he was engaged as a helper in the Nicholson File Factory where he remained
until his enlistment in the C.E.F. in 1915. He tried to enlist when the first call for troops was made in the summer of 1914 when war broke out but was dissuaded from doing so by his parents
because of his youth. When a company of the 21st Battalion was mobilized in Port Hope, he again
desired to enlist but was again dissuaded. On the mobilization of the 39th, he became more
insistent and was permitted to offer himself although he had not yet reached his 17th birthday. In England he was drafted to the 21st Battalion that distinguished itself in France. With this unit he served until his death. On the morning of 15 September 1916, an attack was made in the
neighbourhood of Courcelette, when an exploding shell killed two comrades beside him and
fatally wounded him. He made his way to an old German trench where he could not be reached
for two days. When help came he was beyond all need of care as he died on the 16th. His age at death was eighteen years and five months. Unposted postcards for his family were found on his
person and a testament that he valued in his breast pocket. He was buried by the "Sunken Road"
between Ouvillers and Courcelette where a cross with his name and regiment marks his grave.
His was the spirit of the noble men of Canada that command the esteem of all the world.
Chester Joseph Ham was born in Port Hope 04 August 1890. He graduated through the Public
School and attended the High School for three years. He then entered the plumbing and
tinsmithing business and worked at this trade in Port Hope until March 1911 when he went west
to Saskatoon to engage in the same business. After working there for four years, he returned
home in March 1915 and enlisted in the 39th Battalion. In a very short time after signing up, he
was transferred to Belleville to Headquarters, where after three months training, he, with his
battalion, left Canada on the SS Missinabie for final training in England. He was in England for
five months and then left with the first draft of his battalion for France where he was attached to the 4th Battalion. While there he was under active service until the time of his death in June 1916. Once he was buried alive by shell fire for over six hours before being rescued. He was killed while on sentry duty and was buried in a cemetery one-quarter of a mile northeast of the town of Zillebeke in Belgium.
George Thomas Heron was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and as a boy came to Canada. He
first settled near Trenton, Ontario, came to Port Hope in 1902 and engaged in work at the
Standard Ideal Factory, from which he enlisted in the 39th Battalion in March 1915. He was
transferred to the 2nd Canadian Battalion after going overseas in June 1915 and fought with his
unit in the fierce battles of Ypres, Somme and others. He was engaged on a work party setting up wire entanglements when a mine explosion set off by the enemy caused his death on 25 July 1916. He was first reported officially, as missing, but a few days later was reported killed. His companions speak of "Scotty" Heron as the life of every party with which he associated. When things looked darkest Scotty was most cheerful. He was a valued member of the Port Hope Band and he carried his flute into action and played it with effect when men around him were feeling despondent. On one occasion, having lost his flute, he amused his comrades by quaint imitations on a tin whistle. His death was deeply felt by all who knew him.
John Holden came to Canada in the year 1908, settling first in Toronto and then Port Hope the same year. John was choirmaster at St. John's Church, Port Hope, and a valued member of the
Port Hope Band. He was employed until enlistment at the Standard Ideal Company as a molder.
Having seen service in the Boer War, where he won the Queen Victoria Silver Medal and the St.
John's Ambulance Bronze Medal, he enlisted with the 21st Battalion, C.E.F., as a private and on
arriving overseas was immediately transferred to the Army Medical Corps. Afterwards he joined
his own regiment, taking charge of the stretcher bearers and medical supplies. He was employed
as a field dresser at the advance dressing station. It was while dressing wounds during the
advance at Marcelcave on the Amiens front that Corporal Holden met his death. The deed of
merit for which he won the Military Medal is thus officially stated in the Military Gazette of
London, England, dated 19 November 1917:- "On August 15-18, 1917. For conspicuous bravery
and devotion to duty. On four different occasions this N.C.O. went out and carried in wounded on
his back. Later on, being alone and unable to get the wounded in, he organized a party of the
enemy, and under his direction they were enabled to evacuate the wounded. All of this work was
under heavy shell fire and at a time when every available man had been taken to drive off a
counterattack. This N.C.O.'s work throughout the operation, lasting four days, was characterized
by cheerfulness, sympathy and a total disregard of self." His body lies at Marcelcave, France.
Edgar Edward Irwin was born in Port Hope 13 August 1896 and educated at the Port Hope
Public School. He was a bright and promising young man, much respected by all who knew him.
He enlisted with the 136th Battalion and went to England and later to France with the 21st
Battalion where, three weeks later, he made the supreme sacrifice for his King, his Country and
for Freedom. His death occurred while on duty with a clearing-up party, removing the dead and
wounded from the field. He and some comrades had taken shelter in a captured "pill box" of the
enemy while under fire. A direct hit caused the death of several men, including Edgar. He was
buried near Ypres, Belgium.
James Johnston was born in Belfast, Ireland on 30 June 1879. For many years he was an ocean sailor, but in 1910 came to Port Hope where he held a position in the Standard Ideal factory. He was of a quiet, obliging disposition, making friends wherever he went. He was a true British subject and offered his services for the third time before he passed his final examination and was accepted. Johnston enlisted with the 136th Battalion in December, 1915, and accompanied his unit through Barriefield and Valcartier Camps and went overseas in September, 1916. He was transferred to the 87th Battalion in France, fought at Vimy Ridge and was killed at Lens on the 15th of August, 1917. His place of burial is not known.
Alva Kerman, born in Port Hope in 1894, was educated in the Public and High Schools. He
entered the Bank of Toronto where he worked as junior for one year before being transferred to
the branch on Spadina and Queen Streets, Toronto, where he remained for four years. From there
he worked in the offices of the Harris Abattoir Company until the time of his enlistment 03
January 1918. He was taken on the strength of the 12th Canadian Reserve and left Toronto for
overseas that same month, but was quarantined in Fredericton, New Brunswick, until the
following June. He finally left England with the 20th Battalion for France and was then
transferred to the 4th Battalion in which he met his death under circumstances particularly sad for a soldier. He was not privileged to engage in any battle. On his first arrival in the lines of the battle area, he was instantly killed by a stray machine gun bullet and is buried at Hasnox Cemetery near Denain, France.
George Kerr enlisted with the 80th Battalion, C.E.F., 01 September 1915. He had passed the military age and therefore might have remained at home without reproach to himself from within or without. He reasoned that those who had no dependents ought to lead the way and by so doing could do something to save others. From September 1915 to May 1916 he trained in Belleville, Ontario, from whence he went overseas. He reached France in September 1916 and engaged in the famous battles of the Somme, where the Canadians took an important part. He was presumed to have been killed in action near Courcelette and was so officially reported. The attack was made in a blinding snowstorm and Private Kerr's platoon overran its objective and was caught by the machine gun fire of the enemy.
William George Lightle (right) was the only son of David Lightle of Port Hope, and at the time of his enlistment with the 80th Battalion in Belleville in March 1916 was a seventeen-year-old student at Port Hope High School. Young Lightle was a member of the St. John's Athletic Club when he enlisted, every member of which joined the army. After a few months training, he went to
England and France having been transferred to the 54th Battalion with which he fought until his
death which occurred at Albert on 18 November 1916. His opportunity for service in His
Majesty's Canadian Army was brief but his spirit was high and his patriotism full of the
enthusiasm of youth. His body rests with many distinguished Canadians at Courcelette, France.
William Nicholson Lownie enlisted with the 136th Battalion at Port Hope early in the winter of 1915-16. His preliminary training was received at the point of mobilization at Port Hope and subsequently he "carried on" at Barriefield and Valcartier. He left for overseas with his unit in September 1916 and completed his training in the 39th Depot Battalion in England. He was transferred to the 87th Battalion in France and went through the famous Vimy Ridge battle in
April 1917 and the subsequent engagements in which the Canadians took an active part. In the
great March offensive of the enemy in 1918, he was mortally wounded. He fell on the 27th of that
month suffering from wounds which necessitated the amputation of both legs in No. 6 Clearing
Station. He was unable to stand the shock and loss of blood and died in the early morning of 30
March 1918. An officer writing home to his wife spoke most appreciatively of his fighting
qualities as a soldier, his cleverness and daring. He left a wife and one child, born after his
enlistment. His body is buried at Houchin British Cemetery at Nouex-les-Mines, France.
Harold McElroy (left) received his first military training with the 48th Battalion, Highlanders, of Toronto and at Niagara Camp. He joined the R.C.H.A. and after a year's training, went to
England with draft, where he trained for six months before going to France. He was there for ten months when on 08 August 1918, in the great Canadian offensive at Amiens, he was instantly
killed by a German shell. He is buried at Hangard, France.
Robert Alonzo Micks was born in Port Hope and educated in the Port Hope Public School.
He was working in Peterborough when he enlisted with the 93rd Battalion, C.E.F. in October,
1915. He trained in Peterborough and at Barriefield, going overseas in July 1916. In England, he was drafted to the 5th C.M.R.'s and was engaged in the battles of Vimy Ridge, Somme, Hill 70
and Passchendaele. He was orderly to Lieut. A.W. Logie, and in the attack on Source Farm was
partially buried by a nearby exploding shell. He pressed forward and was one of five men to
finally gain the objective and capture Source Farm. He was somewhat dazed by the shock of the
explosion referred to and his officer sent him to the rear with some prisoners. He was never
heard of after. His officer believes he was killed by a shell on his way to headquarters and no
trace of him was ever found. Lieut. Logie wrote of him to his sister in these words, "I feel
honoured in having known him and you should feel proud of having such a brother." His place of
burial is not known.
Edward Charles Milne was born 04 May 1892 and educated at the Port Hope Public School.
He worked at the File cutting and later entered the printing trade. On 01 September 1915, he
enlisted in Hamilton with the 42nd Battalion C.F.A. and served in France until 29 March 1917. He was attached to the Ammunition Column which work is always described as very dangerous. At
Vimy Ridge he was thrown from his horse by a German shell bursting near him and received
injuries which proved fatal. Four days later, 02 April 1917, he died at 26th General Hospital,
Etaples. His body now lies in Etaples Military Cemetery, France.
Percy Howard Nixon was an enameler by trade and on 03 March of 1915, he enlisted at Port
Hope with the 39th Battalion. On 25 March, he went to Belleville where he remained until the
latter part of June when the whole battalion went overseas. He remained in England until April
1916 as a corporal and instructor in bayonet fighting but, discontented at staying in England, he reverted to the ranks and went to France where he again won three stripes. On 30 December he
was forced to leave the lines, owing to a severe attack of pleurisy and was admitted to a French
hospital for two weeks. He was then taken to Whalley, Lancashire, where he lay sick for seven
months in Queen Mary's Military Hospital. He died 29 July 1917 and is buried in Whalley.
Samuel Oliver, as a mere lad when war broke out, made two unsuccessful attempts to enlist on account of his youth. He finally succeeded in being taken on the strength of the 80th Battalion mobilized at Kingston in 1915. After preliminary training in Canada and final training in England, he was transferred to the 72nd Battalion in France where he saw much fierce fighting from Vimy Ridge to Cambrai. He was wounded at the bloody and muddy battle of Passchendaele and after convalescence, returned to his unit. He met his death at the battle of Cambrai towards the end of the War on 27 September 1918. His body lies at Inchy, France.
William Richard Petley (right) was born near Bowmanville of English parentage. He enlisted with
the 136th Battalion at Port Hope in December 1915 and went through all the training of that unit
at Port Hope, Barriefield and Valcartier before going overseas in September 1916 and receiving
final training in the 39th Reserve Battalion in England. He was subsequently attached to the 75th Battalion in France and met his death at Vimy Ridge on 05 March 1916 before the famous
position was captured by the Canadians. Petley was a young man of quiet demeanor and
soldierly qualities. He was always noted for his tidy appearance both on and off parade and was
a favourite with his comrades. His place of burial is not known.
Clarence Ford Powers was born in Port Hope 26 October 1897. He attended the public school
and afterwards joined the staff of F.J. Clarke & Son, where he remained until the firm changed hands and was owned by the Rowland Johnson Company. He remained with the new firm until
his health failed, and after a lapse of eight months prior to his enlistment, was engaged in
plumbing and tinsmithing. He enlisted with the 136th Battalion 15 March 1916 and left for
England in September of the same year. He trained as a bomber and was attached to the 75th Battalion. After proceeding to France, he was fatally wounded before Vimy Ridge 13 March 1917 and died at the 6th Casualty Clearing Station. His place of burial is Barlin Communal Cemetery, France.
Arthur Hector Reynolds was born and brought up in Port Hope, passing through the public
and high schools. He was one of the first to offer his services in the Great War, being placed on the strength of the Cobourg Heavy Battery 11 August 1914 and leaving for Valcartier, the
mobilization point of the famous First Division on the 20th of the same month. Reynolds was
always the centre of a group of friends whom he entertained with his witty sallies and quaint
humor. This quality he carried with him throughout his service with the army. Previous to his
enlistment he worked as a mechanic for the Nicholson File Company. He was a boy beloved by
everyone, had many friends and few enemies and was considered one of the best gunners in the
Canadian Army. He was very fond of music and had been a valued member of the Port Hope
Band. For more than two years, he fought with his battery without a scratch and his letters home and to the press were eagerly read because of his keen observation of interesting things in the country through which he passed. On 02 May, as he went up the line, he said to his companions that it was his last trip and shortly after his words were fulfilled. He was instantly killed by a shell and was buried at Arras.
Norman Blake Sleeman, born 1890 in Hope Township, was educated at Welcome Public
School and Port Hope High School. His first employment away from home was with a lumber
company in Alberta, with head offices in Edmonton. With this firm he worked until his
enlistment with the 139th Infantry Battalion in March 1916. After receiving his preliminary
training in the west, he left for overseas in October 1916, and seemed to have been sent on to
France with the 49th Battalion almost immediately. His relations received their first letters from him after sailing, from France, thus showing that a quick transfer was made to the fighting front. Of his death which occurred 09 June 1917, really nothing is known. A comrade who survived wrote home that Sleeman went out with them on the morning of the 9th but never came back. He was officially reported missing and finally recorded as dead. He had a brother in the Artillery but they never met overseas.
Wainwright William Smith, born 08 March 1896 at Port Hope, was educated at the local
public and high schools. Young Smith was a favorite among his school companions and
possessed special gifts as an orator and actor. He played a leading role in many of the school
entertainments of his day, with credit to himself and pleasure to his audience. After leaving
school, he was then employed by the Rowland Johnson Company, and in 1915 removed with his
family to Toronto where he was engaged as a salesman in the Sterling Lace and Novelty
Company at the time of his 31 October 1917 enlistment with the 70th Battalion, Canadian Field
Artillery. He was wounded at Cambrai and subsequently rejoined his battery, falling at Bourlon
Wood, where the Canadians especially distinguished themselves in the final drive that brought
victory to the Allied cause. He was buried at Inchy in Artois. 
George Henry Tutton was born in Port Hope 23 January 1899 and was educated in the Port
Hope Public School.
Jack Tutton (left) was born in Port Hope 19 September 1897 and was educated in the Port Hope
Public School.
Thomas Morrow Walsh, (right) son of Alexander Walsh of Perrytown, was educated at Port Hope High School and Queen's University, Kingston, earning the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1912 and Master of Arts in 1913. In his academic career he won the Mowat Prize in Political Science and the Gold Medal in his finals in Honor History. On graduation he received an important appointment in the Department of the Dominion Archives at Ottawa. In the course of a year or so, he decided to study law. Going out west, he indentured himself to the law firm of Graham and Bowland, Yorkton, Saskatchewan. In the Spring of 1915, he enlisted as a private in the 53rd Battalion, C.E.F. During the following summer, he received his commission and was placed in charge of the Signalling Corps. Lieut. Walsh went overseas with his regiment in March 1916, trained in England until July when he crossed to France and was then attached to the Royal Canadian Regiment. His death occurred in the action on 08 October 1916. There are but meagre reports of the final events of his life. An officer has written that an advance was to be made on the morning of the 8th and passing along his lines, found Lieut. Walsh and his men ready. They went over at the time appointed but through defective artillery preparations, the men encountered barbed wire and many went down, among them this gallant officer. His body was not found and therefore he was officially reported dead after the usual delay.
Charles Herbert White, born 1897 the youngest son of Police Magistrate Henry White of Port Hope, was educated at the public and high schools of the town. On graduating, he was enrolled as a student of the Law School at Osgoode Hall, and at the time of his enlistment in the 136th Battalion under Col. Smart in January 1916 was studying his chosen profession in his father's office. He moved to England with that unit in October and shortly afterwards was transferred to active service in the field with the 20th Battalion. He was severely wounded in February 1917, but after three months' rest was again able to join his battalion with which he was serving at the time of his death in August, 1917.
Lionel Benjamin Wilson was born in Hope Township just outside of the town limits of Port
Hope. He was educated in the public and high schools and was a retiring, studious boy. His first employment was with the Grand Trunk Railway as clerk and book-keeper in the freight office of the town where he worked for seven years. From there he transferred to the Port Hope Electric
Power offices, where he was in constant touch with the public and gave much satisfaction to both
his employers and the customers of his company. In May 1918, he enlisted with the 73rd Field
Battery and spent the summer in the training camp at Pettawawa. From the Artillery he was
transferred to a tank battalion and sailed overseas about 08 October. While on the voyage, an
epidemic of Influenza broke out on board of the Troop Ship and five days out, Wilson succumbed
to this dread disease. He was buried at sea, not having been able to participate in the duties for which he enlisted. The news of his death was much delayed and his fellow townsmen heard it
with the deepest regret, for he was widely known and deeply respected.
Richard Bloomfield Wilson (left) enlisted with the 136th Battalion at the Port Hope 21 March
1916. He was beyond the military age and therefore his spirit was all the more commendable for
undertaking a duty which did not necessarily fall upon him. He trained with his unit in Port
Hope, Barriefield and Valcartier, going overseas in September 1916. Being a carpenter by trade,
he was connected with the Pioneer section of his battalion. In England he was transferred to a
Forestry Battalion where he did good work and was placed in charge of a Section. His health
soon broke down and he was invalided home. He died in the Toronto General Hospital in March
1917 and was buried in Welcome Cemetery, Port Hope.Thomas William Youden was a farm laborer before he enlisted with the overseas forces. He was forced to undergo a minor operation before he could be accepted. He showed great anxiety to take his place in the War and do his bit, and the spirit he manifested helped to attain his object. He enlisted with the 39th Battalion in Port Hope, afterwards training in Belleville and going overseas in June 1915. He was transferred to the 80th Battalion that saw much fighting and was in France for nearly two years when he was killed by a bomb 03 June 1917. He went through the fierce fighting of the Somme, receiving a wound in one of the engagements there and also participated in the Vimy Ridge drive. He left behind him in Canada a wife and two children.
[No information was provided by the families for the following soldiers.]
Grant Thornton Carmichael
Norman Clark
Alger Roy Currie
George Eldridge
Arthur Fox
Wilbert Samuel Gibbs
Leonard Thomas Godwin
William James Haw
David John Charles Hinton
George Keating
Norman Joseph McMahon
Owen Carrol McCabe
Charles Henry Staples
Stanley Joseph Staples
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