Thursday, May 5, 2016

Local Wallacetown WW1 Servicemen Information Needed

In June, there will be a commemoration event on the 100th anniversary of local participation in WW1 to be held in St. Thomas (more details below).  We are assisting by compiling photographs and addresses (at the time) of those locals who served.  Could you take a moment to look through this partial list and see if you have any information, letters or artefacts of these Wallacetown men?  
Send anything you have, particularly photographs and their address, to Angela at info@backuspagehouse.ca  We will be putting together a slideshow and table display for the event in St. Thomas.  Watch for more blog posts with lists from different local towns.  We thank you in advance for your help.  

Wallacetown
Winfred Backus
Harry Blue
Wilson Dennis
Margaret H. Graham
Malcolm R. Graham
Clifford M. Keillor
Ben. F. Keillor
Fred A. Keillor
S. J. Keillor
G.R. Lidster
Arnold N. Robb
Gordon Robbins
Wm. T. Stone
John Simms
Ellis W. Sifton
Fred Thomas
Thomas Vick
Lorne B. Graham
James S. McIntyre
Malcolm G. McTavish

Photograph and location of their resident at time of enlistment needed.  Send this post along to family, friends, and community members who may be relations.  

91st Battalion Anniversary Weekend
    Friday, Saturday and Sunday June 24, 25 and 26, 2016
On June 25, 1916, the 91st Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, numbering over 900 men, mostly from Elgin County and St. Thomas, marched to the MCR station on Talbot Street and departed for Halifax to fight overseas. Now exactly 100 years later the citizens of St. Thomas, the County of Elgin and the descendants of the original Battalion will again celebrate this proud moment in our history. 
Follow the 91st Battalion as we retrace their final weekend in St. Thomas!
Friday, June 24th, 2016
7-9 pm - come visit the historic encampment of the 91st Battalion set up on the grounds of the Armoury, 40 Wilson Avenue, St. Thomas. Meet with re-enactors; visit the tented camp, complete with a medical facility as it would have been in 1916. 
At sunset, 9:00 pm, plan to be at the Armoury as the re-enactors and serving members of 31 CER (The Elgins) lower the flags for the day and prepare for the evening routine. Once dark the names and stories of all 901 members of the original Battalion will be displayed on the outer wall of the Armoury – a roll call of the men who answered the call to duty 100 years ago. 
Saturday, June 25th, 2016
At 11:00, Saturday morning, the Battalion will march past City Hall on its way to the MCR station (now known as the CASO station). Be on Talbot Street to watch as the parade re-traces part of the historic march. 
Beginning at 11:30 a memorial plaque will be unveiled by descendants of the original 91st Battalion at the CASO station. Members of the community, friends and family are all welcome to attend this special event. At the conclusion of the dedication the troops will board trains, the band will play and the train will depart the station!
Join the 91st and their friends and family at a picnic at Pinafore Park. At 1:30 pm be at the band shell in the park for a 1916 picnic and music concert. Period music from the Henry Meredith Plumbing Factory Band, vintage vehicles, patriotic speeches and more! Bring a lunch and a lawn chair, no food or beverage will be provided. 
7-9 pm - come visit the historic encampment of the 91st Battalion set up on the grounds of the Armoury, 40 Wilson Avenue, St. Thomas. Meet with re-enactors; visit the tented camp, complete with a medical facility as it would have been in 1916. 
7-9 pm - Registered families and friends of the 91st Battalion will be welcomed into the recreated “Soldiers Canteen” to share stores, photographs and hear the stories of Battalion members. The Canteen, located at the Armouries is open only to registered participants. 
At sunset, 9:00 pm plan to be at the Armoury as the re-enactors and serving members of 31 CER (The Elgins) lower the flags for the day and prepare for the evening routine. Once dark the names and stories of all 901 members of the original Battalion will be displayed on the outer wall of the Armoury – a roll call of the hundreds of men who answered the call to duty 100 years ago. 
Sunday, June 26th, 2016
Trinity Anglican Church, 55 Southwick St., will again open its doors to members of the 91st Battalion as they host a memorial Church Parade and Remembrance Service starting at 10:00 am. The colours of the 91st were laid up at Trinity Anglican Church in 1935 within a chapel dedicated to the battalion and to the 173 men they lost. Everyone is welcome to the service and for a reception that will follow. 

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