Showing posts with label the great war. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the great war. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Swiss Training at the Museum

 A group of WWI Swiss Army reenactors trained in the fields behind BPHM today. While Switzerland remained neutral during the Great War, that didn't stop these reenactors from bringing their A game!






Monday, November 6, 2017

Remembrance Day Meme Monday



Friday, November 10th at 7pm at the Dutton Dunwich Community Centre is the Remembrance Day ceremony.  Doors open at 6:30pm.  Refreshments to follow. 

Saturday, July 8, 2017

Living History Weekend Round Up

Thank you to everyone who attended our Living History Weekend on June 24 & 25.  We had a great time showcasing over 200 years of history all on our property.  Below are some pictures from the event.














Thank you to our event sponsors!

Thursday, April 13, 2017

World War Trips Available

I bet you didn't know we have a local resident that organizes group tours and getaways featuring World War locations.  Darlene Ford of Wallacetown, at my request, has provided the following information about Vimy Ridge - 100th Anniversary Tours and D-Day Tours. 

The Vimy RidgeTour is available from 5 day land tours up to 14 day tours, escorted by specialists on WWI history. Available from end of April -- mid Sept. 2017.  

If you are interested in WWII there are 5 day land tours or up to 14 days of WWII D-Day Landing Beaches & Battle of Normandy with well informed local guides as well as your escorted tour guides.  

Contact Darlene Ford at 519-762-2990 and follow Group Getaways By Farlene on Facebook by clicking here.  
A note from Darlene about her trip with husband Jim in 2016.  "We went on the Great Canadian War Memorial Tour last Sept. 2016.  Both of our Fathers fought in France, Holland & Belgium and I have an Uncle buried in Beny-sur-mer near Juno Beach were he was killed on D-Day.  His name is on the maple leaf shaped plaque on Canada House on Juno Beach. We are both changed and with great pride and respect for all men and women who served and the ones that gave their lives for our freedom which most people take for granted.  Like the old saying goes you had to be there to understand."  Darlene Ford  519-762-2990

No automatic alt text available.

No automatic alt text available.

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Tomorrow is Norm Christie in West Lorne!

Don't forget that we are hosting an evening with author and Canadian Historian, Norm Christie, tomorrow at the Legion in West Lorne.  Friday, March 24, 2017 Doors open at 6:30pm with program start at 7pm.  You can still get tickets in advance by calling the office 519-762-3072 (leave a voice mail if necessary and we'll return your call), email info@backuspagehouse.ca or purchase online http://backuspagehouse.ca/event/norm-christie-canadians-in-the-great-war/

Tickets will be available at the door for $15.00.


Thursday, March 9, 2017

Do You Have Your Norm Christie Tickets Yet?

Tickets are going fast for our Evening with Norm Christie on March 24, 2017.  Click here to purchase your ticket online or call Backus-Page House Museum 519-762-3072.  Event takes place at the Royal Canadian Legion in West Lorne at 7pm, doors open at 6:30pm.    



Tyrconnell Heritage Society presents An Evening with Norm Christie, Canada's #1 expert on battlefields and cemeteries of both World Wars. Norm will speak at 7pm at the Royal Canadian Legion in West Lorne with question and answer period to follow. His focus will be on Canadians in The Great War. He will have his books available for sale and signing too. Refreshments available for purchase in the Legion's bar.
Tickets in advance are $10 and $15 at the door (if any seats are available).
All ticket proceeds will go towards the Backus-Page House Museum, operated by Tyrconnell Heritage Society. 519-762-3072


About Norm Christie: Masters of War; The Canadians in The Great War

Norm Christie outlines the history of the development of the Canadian Corps from the early days in 1915-16 as inexperienced Colonials, to 1917-18 when they became the most effective fighting force on the Western Front. It started with Canada's most famous battle at Vimy Ridge, when, against all odds, they captured the strongest German position on the Western Front. Who was responsible for these developments; how did they come about; How did this incredible transformation happen? Norm explains the players and their personalities that made it happen and how their success and confidence brought about changes that made the Canadians completely different to the British and Australian Armies? And how, after all their sacrifices and accomplishments, were they forgotten?


Norm Christie is the acclaimed television host of several History Channel Documentary series including: King & Empire, King & Country, Lost Battlefields, Striking Back, Secret Liberators, In Korea and Battlefield Mysteries. He has travelled the World following in the footsteps of Canada's soldiers, from Sicily to France, to Spain, Hong Kong, Japan and Korea. In addition Norm has written 21 books on the Canadians in the First and Second World Wars, including the 10 volume For King & Empire Series on which the TV Series was based.


A metallurgical engineer by trade, Norm Christie was Chief Records Officer of the CWGC in the UK, and their Administration Officer in Arras, France for 5 years. He has been taking Tours to the old battlefields for more than 20 years. Norm is recognized as Canada's No.1 expert on the battlefields and cemeteries of the two World Wars.


Norm's most recent work includes the three volume series; Sacred Places (Canadian Cemeteries of the Great War), For Our Old Comrades (The Story of the Vimy Pilgrimage), and the 6 hour TV series, The Great War Tour with Norm Christie (TVO & Knowledge Network). His current projects include a 1 hour show, The Wounded, and the search for the missing Vimy cemetery, CA40, containing the remains of 44 Canadian soldiers, including William Milne, VC

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Local West Lorne 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 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.  

West Lorne
Harold Becker
Fred Becker
L.F.G. Bole
W.J. Brock
Irvine Bolsby
Ruben Byfield
Wm. Britton
Harry Buckler
Lyle Collard
Chester Danby
Fred Edwards
A.J. Everett
Roy Erskine
Boyd Erskine
Arthur Garlick
Robert Gray
George Gray
W.A. Gray
Frank Gray
Earl E. Gardner
Thomas E. Garlick
Allister Haig
Norman Haviland
Roy Henderson
Lorne Hill
John Jones
J.M. Kelly
Frank Kelly
Chas. Kelly
Earl W. Lemon
Thos. Montague
George Monteith
Rudolph E. Mehring
Norman McColl
Urban McDonald
Gordon McDonald
Lloyd McPhee
Clarence McFee
Clair McFee
Stanley McPhee
W.S. McLennan
J. McLennan
J. McIntosh
Verne McKillop
A.B. McColl
Robert McKillop
Fred McLennan
David McGill
James Penrose
Chas. Petrick
Chas. Partridge
Thos. Randall
Robert Sharratt
Harold Sharratt
Richard Skillings
R.B. Skinner
T.B. Skinner
A.A. Smith
Wm. Stormont
Bruce Streib
A.J. Templeton
Hugh Turner
Taylor Wanless
Wm. Wakeling
George Ward
Roy Wilson
Chas. Wilson
John Ward
James P. Windsor

James W. Neil

Photograph and location of their residence 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. 

Local Rodney 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 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.  

Rodney
Leon R. Auckland
John E. Archer
Ernest Auckland
Chas. E. Bake
Arthur Burnett
Alice I. Bandeen
Albert N. Baker
John R. Bandeen
Wm. Bushie
James P. Campbell
Alex Colthart
W. Cuthbertson
Chetwynd S. Carter
Roy Carpenter
Ross E. Doyle
Nelson Doyle
James H. Gray
Malcolm G. Graham
David Gill
George E. Gillett
Robert Gray
Arch. Gray
John R. Harris
Michael I. Hanley
Orville W. Henry
Frank J. Jannaway
Robert E. Kew
Henry L. Knight
George M. Kew
James G. Knight
W.H. Katzenmier
Jos. Kearns
Thos. H. Lamb
Gerald S. Lusty
Amos Lewis
Chas. S. Meteer
David M. Meteer
Harry M. Miller
Benjamin Mann
Fred Mann
Hilton D. McNally
Albert B. McVicar
Arch. W. McVicar
Chas. E. McCallum
H.D. McKillop
John Platt
Lyle M. Purcell
Ross F. Peace
Earl R. peace
Albert Patterson
Thomas K. Raby
Fred Schell
Leslie Spiers
George H. Sayer
Arthur H. Schmidt
Jacob D. Schweitzer
Walter A. Terry
John A. Watson
Stephen West
Ezra D. Zoller
John L. Zoller
Alex G. Campbell

Atwood Gardiner

Photograph and location of their residence 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. 

Monday, May 9, 2016

Local Eagle 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 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.  

Eagle
Albert Burr
Jesse Dell                 123954
Solomon Dell             123771
George A. Doan
Irwin Doan
Melrose Frederick    182684
Walter H. Frederick  190278
Wm. Jacques            124202
Malcolm Lang
Walter Lougheed     189629
Clifford Love
Herbert J. Leith         189004
Clifford Marr
Ed. –McKillop           190062
George Pfeifer
Joseph Pfeifer
Arch. G. Robinson
Harold Ross
Wm. H. Ross             123729

Archie R. Humphries          190162

Photograph and location of their residence 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. 

Sunday, May 8, 2016

Local Crinan 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 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.  

Crinan
J. Campbell               
James A. Carmichael 
Ross M. Colley
J.C. Frank
Frank Logan
Thos. Logan
Duncan M. McColl

Lorne McRae

Photograph and location of their residence 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. 

Saturday, May 7, 2016

Local Iona 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 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.  

Iona
Wm. Ayling
James Bennett
Louis R. Clark
Wm. J. Cracknell
Frank Carroll
Dr. Spurgeon Campbell
Kenneth Campbell
Douglas Casscaden
John Clark
John Carroll
Victor Campbell
Humphrey Campbell
Alex Campbell
Chas. Douglas
Wilbur Fletcher
Godfrey Gale
Arthur Gale
Harold Caunt
Norman Griswold
Z.D. Henderson
James Hush
Thos. Kerr
Gordon Lodge
Wm. Lodge
Arthur Lumley
Roy Lyons
Bartley G. Lumley
Ray W. Lumley
Duncan Leitch
Gordon Little
John R. Morris
Leonard Munn
Garfield Munroe
Colin McClean???
A.P. McCallum
John McFarlane
Arch. F. McLachlin
John W. McLeod
Erville Pyatt
Garfield Pyatt
John L. Pollard
Margaret Pollard
Marvin P or B—ton
Wm. Pauley
John A. Patterson
Clarence Patterson
Wm. D. Philpott
Ernest Rycroft
Isaac T. Ross
Wesley E. Sloan
Sidney Silcox
Alworth Silcox
W. Logan Silcox
Harry Silcox
James M. Silcox
Leonard Smith
Stanley W. Steele
Robert Smith
Henry J. Smith
Ronald F. Thorn




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.