Enjoy music videos of the Great Wars at the bottom of this page. . Click on any highlighted name or the cemetery photo to find a larger copy of the tombstone. The Prince Edward & Hastings Regiment included men from outer communities than Coe Hill, whose names are gradually being added.
Note: If a ? is added before a war ID, it means that the person was old enough to have served in both wars or– if no dates at all have been found–the war is estimated.
WORLD WAR I
July 29, 1914 to Nov 11, 1918
Posted in The Bancroft Times, Jan 14, 1915
Third Overseas Contingent, Ages 18 to 45. Pay: unmarried men $33 per month; married men $53 per month. Supplementary allowance may be made by Canadian Patriotic Fund to soldiers’ families. Only men meaning business need apply. Married men will need wife’s written consent.
ANDERSON, James Wesley World War I
From Turriff area.
ARMSTRONG, Alexander World War I
From New Carlow area. Born Sept 20, 1892. Sergeant. Regiment No. 2125808
BEAUDERIE, Richard World War I
From Hermon area. Born March 21, 1894. Regimental No.636512
BIRD, FRANK World War I
Private. Regimental number No 636538. Born May 2, 1894 at Coe Hill, Ontario. Enlisted Jan 27, 1916 at Coe Hill. 155th Overseas Battalion. Age 23 years 5 months. 5 ft 9 inches. Fair complexion. Grey eyes (later hazel), Brown Hair. Farmer. Next of kin David Bird, brother, address Coe Hill. Single. Methodist. Left Canada August 1916 on ship S. S. Northlands. In France Nov 29, 1916 to Nov 29, 1918. Frank received permission to marry on May 7, 1919. He also was wounded and treated in hospital. Returned to Canada July 11, 1919.
Discharged Rank L-CPL at Toronto on Oct 10, 1919, but another form has him sign off in Hamilton Oct 7, 1919. Intended place of residence: RD No 2, Glenfield, New York, USA re Mrs F Bird, wife, dependant. Discharged having been found medically unfit for further service. Scars, and finger injuries. He had served in England and France for a total military experience of 3 years, 8 months, 13 days with 155th Canadian Infantry Battalion. Issued War Service Badge A.
Family History. From the 1911 census, it would appear that Frank is the son of Benjamin Bird (b 1849) & wife Selina (b 1849) residence Coe Hill, until earlier census are reviewed to see if there might be an earlier wife and older children. Frank has a younger sister Makealey (b 1884), and a younger brother David (b 1889). However, Frank’s birthday is given in 1901 as Jan 1893, differing from his statement to the army official interviewing him..but he is the only Frank Bird in that census in Wollaston, let alone with a brother David, whom he named next of kin. There is no brother Charlie Bird on the 1911 census in Wollaston Twp.
BIRD, Henry World War I
Private. Service No. 636237. Born Dec 17, 1891, Wollaston according to enlistment papers, which the interviewer heard Henry say and recorded in 1916. The 1901 census gave it as Dec 20th. He is 25 years of age at enlistment, and single in 1916. A lumberman. Next of kin his mother, Mary Ferguson of Coe Hill. Henry is the youngest of Mary’s Bird boys. Enlisted Jan 28, 1916 at Coe Hill. 5 ft 9 3/4 inches tall. Dark complexion. Brown eyes, brown hair. Methodist. Assigned 155th Overseas Battn. Sailed for England Oct 18, 1916 with his brothers, Hiram Bird and maybe William Bird on same boat. Arrived England Oct 28, 1916. Sent to France Dec 5, 1916 assigned to 21st Bn Canadian Infantry. Returned to England April 4, 1918, Carpel Tunnel Syndrone of left hand. Request to marry granted July 11, and next of kin changed for payments from Mary Ferguson in Coe Hill to Mrs Olive Bird, 12 Gaspard Rd, Southampton, Sussex, England.
Returned to Canada sick. Departed Liverpool for Canada on RMS Minnedosa on March 9, 1919 with a nine day sea voyage for troops returning to Canada. Arrived March 17, 1919 and discharged at St John, New Brunswick, later in Kingston on March 19th, 1919, under General Demobilizaion. Died April 24, 1934 in Canada. According to his sibling, William Edward Ferguson’s marriage record, he was the son of Edward Bird and Mary Hannah.
The 1901 census lists his birth as Dec 20, 1891, when he was living at home with his mother and her 2nd husband, Sam Ferguson, but two days difference on his attestation record and later errors makes the 1901 census information likely the most accurate. Notes from the Heritage book give his death as local tragedy. But burial not yet found in St Andrew’s Cemetery in Coe Hill. Marriage record for Sam and Mary has yet to be found. Not found in Hastings County, as all of those available marriage records have been transcribed from Rootsweb Ontario Marriages 1869 to 1927, county by county. The confusion is over the use of first name Matilda Ferguson in 1911 census. It may be that Mary M Ferguson stands for Mary Matilda in all her names. Henry’s military records are available for viewing on the Canadian Library & Archives website. The 1911 census for Wollaston Twp is found in detail on this website under Coe Hill Families. Mary’s children never called her Matilda, always Mary.
BIRD, HIRAM EDWARD World War I
Private, Service No. 636932. Canadian Infantry, 155 Bat, then transferred to 218th Bat. Born Coe Hill, Wollaston, Ontario. Mother Mary M Ferguson, next of kin. Born March 10, 1887. Labourer, Not married. Enlisted at Coe Hill on March 27, 1916, age 28, 5 ft 8 inches tall. Dark Complexion, Brown eyes; Brown hair. Methodist. Sailed from Halifax on Oct 17, 1916. Arrived in England on the SS Northlands, Oct 28, 1916. He was a scout for the army. Killed in action on the field at Vimy, April 9, 1917. No known grave. Remembered on Vimy Memorial, FRANCE. Click on memorial name to find map to locate panel.
BIRD, William Edward World War I
Service No. 636466. Also 1013513. Two Attestation records. 2nd Born March 20, 1883 in Chandos, Peterboro. Present address Coe Hill. Married. Next of Kin Mrs Mary Ferguson, mother, crossed out and replaced with wife, Phoebe Ellen Bird on his second application April 5, 1917. Lumberman, Farmer. He had served 8 months with the 155th Battalion, came home and then reapplied. In 1916 in his first assessment record, he was age 34. 5 ft 4 1/2 inches tall, Dark Complexion, Hazel eyes, Brown Hair, Methodist. Why did he go back to those killing fields? No death record yet found in local cemeteries or overseas. Had he been wounded? Did his marriage fall apart? The War raged on for another two years to Nov 11, 1918. He enlisted in the 205th Forestry Battalion and there is a note that he served in Canada, England, France. Maybe he was cutting down trees for the war effort. These are the mysteries that make family history so fascinating, and help us see a person. The terrible experiences of these men had, we acknowledge. A photo of the three brothers is found in the Heritage book. Apparently, he lived through it all and was discharged.
BIRD Family History: William, Hiram, and Henry Bird’s mother, Mary M Bird, (b April 1860), father not given, appears in the 1901 census as wife of Sam Ferguson in Coe Hill, (he b Sept 17, 1872). She has two little Ferguson babies, and Sam is raising his wife’s five step-children with last name Bird. These include: Nancy E Bird (b Aug 9, 1882) 18 years old; William E Bird (b March 20, 1884), age 16, Phoebe L Bird (b March 11, 1886), age 14. HiramBird, (b March 10, 1890), age 10 and Henry Bird, (b Dec 23, 1891), age 9.
Mary married her first husband about Oct/Nov 1881, and they were together about 10 years. He died probably between 1890 and 1891. Mary may have been alone with her Bird children up to three years. She and Sam Ferguson are listed as a Ferguson couple as witnesses to a wedding in April 1893. Mary has James B Ferguson (b April 30, 1899), age 1, and a baby Elizabeth Ferguson, b Sept 17, 1900. (spelled Elizebeth) on the 1901 census.
One wonders about that five-year period (1893 to 1898) and why there no other children listed for Sam and Mary M? There are many Ferguson infants buried in St Michael’s Cemetery, a possible suggestion, but needs more research. Mary had one more child after her little girl, Elizabeth and that was a boy, Nathan Ferguson, born May 1903 . She would have be about 43 years of age. Mary would live another 38 years. But there is also a Sam & Lillie Ferguson in Coe Hill earlier in 1881 records, so did Lillie die and Sam remarry Mrs. Mary Bird, as no two Sam Fergusons on 1901 census, and no other Sam Ferguson found in cemetery records, only Sam and Mary together.
Hiram Bird, age 23, is found on 1911 census working as a servant in Sidney Twp for Almira Roblin, age 50. He returned to Coe Hill by March 1916 to join the military. Nathan Ferguson would have been too young, about 14 when the Great War began, confirmed not listed as a soldier. Mary Ferguson died in 1941, age 81, but Sam Ferguson outlived her another 20 years d 1961, age 91. Both are buried in St Michael’s Cemetery in Coe Hill. It was the marriage of Hiram’s brother, William Earl Bird in 1907 that lists his parents as EdwardBird and Mary M. Hannah. A marriage record between Mrs Mary Bird, widow, and Sam Ferguson has not yet been found, but they are a couple named as witnesses to a marriage in April 1893. It would appear that the marriage of a David Ferguson and widow Mary Bird in 1893, listed in Coe Hill Families, was not Hiram’s mother, as that couple disappear and have not yet been found.
There also seems to be a puzzling link between the last names Hannah, Hanners.
BLACK, Robert World War I
From L’Amable area. Private. Service No 413009, Canadian Infantry, 26th Battalion, died Nov 17, 1915. Commemorated on Hollybrook Memorial, Southhampton, UK
BOWEN, James World War I
From Baptiste area.
BROWNELL, Bert (Burton) World War I
Private. Service No. 636884. Canadian Infantry 38th Battalion. Born January 1900, son of Jacob and Maria Brownell, Coe Hill. Died June 30, 1917 Buried La Chaudiere Military Cemetery,at Vimy, FRANCE. Son of Jacob and Maria Brownell.
BROWNELL, Charles H. World War I
Private. ID 636225. Canadian Infantry 21st Bn. Died April 9, 1917, age 30. Son of Mrs Maria Brownell, of 424 Arlington Avenue, Toronto. Buried Nine Elms Military Cemetery, Thelus, FRANCE. Click on name of cemetery to find map of Grave IV. C. G.
NOTE: Nine Elms British Cemetery is located in Belgium
BROWNELL, Fenton E. World War I
Private. Service No. 636239. Canadian Infantry, 21st Battn. Died April 9, 1917. Buried Nine Elms Military Cemetery, Thelus, FRANCE. His grave ID not yet found.
BULLIED, WILLIAM ALFRED World War I
Sergeant. Service Number 636222. Canadian Infantry, 3rd Battn. Died May 3, 1917, age 27 years. No known grave. Remembered on Vimy Memorial, FRANCE. Click on name of memorial to find map.
BURNETT, Charles World War I
From Fort Stewart area.
CAMPBELL, Andrew James World War I
Private. Service No. 645879. Canadian Infantry, 7th Bn. Died April 9, 1917. Buried Arras Road Cemetery, Roclincourt, FRANCE. Click on name of cemetery to find map to Grave I.B.22
CAMPBELL, Gerald Robert World War I
CAMPBELL, William John World War I
Private. Service Number 413111. Canadian Infantry, 28th Bn. Son of D. S. and Martha Campbell of Rose Island, Hastings County. Died June 6, 1916, age 27 years. No known grave. Ypes (Menin Gate) Memorial, BELGIUM. Born Chandos July 6, 1890, Farmer’s Son. Enlisted May 7, 1915, at Belleville, with mother next of kin at Clydesdale. Approved on 11th by judge. Age 28, 5 ft 8 1/2 inches tall; Fair complexion. Eyes blue; Dark Brown hair. Presbyterian.
CARD, Thomas Nelson World War I
From Maynooth area. Born Nov 9, 1876. Regimental no. 81130
CLARKE, George P World War I
1895 – 1943, His brother Richard Allan. George buried St Michael’s Anglican Cemetery, Coe Hill, Ontario
Sergeant. Service No. 412201. Canadian Infantry. 21st Bn. Born July 27, 1888 in Millbridge. Second record says born in Hastings. Son of James and Mary Clarke. Listed as living with his uncle, Richard Tivy, in Coe Hill on 1901 census. He joined the war Feb 24, 1915 into the 39th Battalion at Belleville. Next of Kin Mrs James Clarke, mother, of Coe Hill. He was killed in action October 11, 1918, age 30. Buried Niagara Cemetery, Iwuy, FRANCE. Grave B.41, A newspaper clipping made this comment: “Richard’s brother, Pvt George P Clarke, severly wounded at Battle of Somme.”
COLLINS, James D World War I
From Ormsby
COLLINS, John A World War I
From Bancroft.
CONLIN, Charles Peter World War I
Born May 22, 1894. Private. Service No. 636933. Canadian Infantry, 21st Bn. Died May 26, 1917. Buried Lievin Communal Cemetery Extension, FRANCE. Grave II. B. 4. Click on name of cemetery to find map for location of grave.
CONLIN, Lawrence Bartlin World War I
Born Sept 2, 1895 – 1973 Roman Catholic Cemetery, Bancroft, Ontario. Regiment No. 636934
CROSBY, WILLIAM HENRY World War I
Born in Trenton, Ontario 1888, Bill grew up with rambunctious brothers. When he mother died, and his father remarried, Bill left home and joined the circus. After he met and married Laura Gunter, he became a soldier in World War I, enlisting in Peterborough in 1917. After basic training he sailed on the SS Megenta, landing in England. He was assigned to 24th Battalion, then 235 Battalion. His military ID Private ID 1663128, He had two hospital admissions with brief rest, but no disease found. HIs wife, Laura was sent $20 a month for separation for most of 1917. He was discharged in 1918 and returned to Canada, moving back to Coe Hill. Here he opened a barber shop and pool hall at the west end of the village in the house in which they lived for the rest of their lives. He died 1965.
He and Laura had three boys: Harold, Cliff and Dick, all who remained in the village or nearby for their lives. Most of their children left home and moved elsewhere, but a few are still there today. Bill died 1964.
CURRIE, Allan Jerome World War I
Private. Service Number 636319 Canadian Infantry 21st Bn. Son of Archibald and Catherine Currie of Kapuskasing, Ontario Died August 15, 1917, ag 24. No known grave. Remembered on Vimy Memorial, FRANCE. Click on name of memorial to find map.
Service No. 636465. 155th Overseas Battalion, Canadian Infantry. Born July 30, 1893, Stirling. Residence Coe Hill, Ontario. Next of Kin Bella Danford, wife of Coe Hill. Farmer. Signed at Coe Hill Jan 13, 1916. Age 22. 5 ft 9 Inches tall. Fair Hair. Brown Eyes. Dark Brown Hair. Methodist. Died 1945. Buried St Michael’s Cemetery, Coe Hill
DANFORD, Charles William World War I
Private. Service No. 636534. Canadian Infantry, 21st Bn. Residence Coe Hill. Born Dec 25, 1885 at Stirling. Next of Kin Beatrice Danford, wife, of Coe Hill. (nee Pattison). Labourer. Had two weeks military training at Battlefield. Son of Mrs Alfred Danford of Coe Hill. Signed at Coe Hill, Feb 1, 1916, age 30. 5 ft 8 inches tall. Ruddy complexion. Blue Eyes. Brown Hair. Methodist. Died August 15, 1917, age 34 years old. No known grave. Vimy Memorial, FRANCE. Click on memorial name to find map.
DANFORD, George David World War I
Private. Service No. 636467. 155th Overseas Battalion, Canadian Infantry. Residence Coe Hill. A farmer. Next of Kin: Wife Martha Danford of Coe Hill. Born Dec 20, 1893 Stirling, Ontario. Signed Jan 18, 1916 at Coe Hill. Age 22. 5 ft 10 inches tall. Fair Complexion, Blue eyes. Light brown hair. Methodist. Died 1945, Buried St Andrew’s United Cemetery, Coe Hill, Ontario
DANFORD, John Edward World War I
Private. Service No. A 12220. Canadian Infantry, 39th Bn. Son of Alfred and Mary E Danford of Faraday, Ontario. Born Sept 10, 1899 Stirling, Ontario. Steam Engineer. Signed at Belleville Feb 25, 1915. Age 25. 5 ft 7 1/2 inches tall. Dark Complexion. Light brown eyes. Dark brown hair. Wesleyan. Died August 8, 1915, age 25 years. Buried Coe Hill (Faraday Trinity) Cemetery, Canada.
DANFORD, Jonah World War I
Service No. 636238. 155th Overseas Battalion. Jonah Danford of Faraday. Born Jan 19, 1896 Stirling. Ontario. Next of kin Mary Danford, mother. Labourer. Had served in military for two weeks at Petawawa. Signed at Coe Hill on Jan 4, 1916. Age 19. 5 ft 3 inches tall. Dark complexion. Dark brown hair. Methodist. Died 1924. Buried Faraday Trinity Anglican Cemetery, Faraday, Ontario
DAVY, William World War I
From Bancroft
DIXON, Douglas World War I
Corporal. Service No 220230, 47th Bat, Canadian Infantry. b May 18, 1883. Died April 14, 1917, age 33. Son of Douglas & Alice Dickson of Glasgow, Scotland. Wife Marjorie Dickson of Norwood, daughter of James charge of Methodist Church in Coe Hill. He was wounded at Vimy Ridge, and died two days later of his injuries. He is buried in Balin Communal Cemeteryin FRANCE. Grave I. A. 9. Click on name of cemetery to find grave location.
DONALDSON, Charles World War I
From Millbridge.
DONALDSON, George World War I
FORAN, Mickey World War I
No military record found just yet. Mickey lived for awhile on Lower Faraday Road in a house on left, beside the split in the road that went up the hill as Rose Island Road past the local dump.
FORBES, G. World War I
Not found (two possibilities, but not confirmed by both war databases. Commonwealth War Graves Commission has: E. G. H. P Forbes in 24th Bn Canadian Infantry, Died 1916 in France; or George Henry Eden Forbes 116th Bn, Died 1918, No known grave. Canadian Government has neither men in their records with those names. Only 2 out of 10 possibilities seemed likely. More research needed.
GANNAN, Thomas World War I
From Maynooth. Sapper. Service No 427242. Canadian Railway Troops 4th. Died September 4, 1917, Adinkerke Military Cemetery, BELGIUM. Grave D5
GERRARD, William Herbert World War I
Private. Service No. 904616. Canadian Infantry, 49th Bn. Died September 29, 1918. Buried atDrummond Cemetery, Raillencourt, Nord Region, FRANCE. Click on cemetery name to open to map for grave location.
GILLESPIE, Mabel 1915 – 1994 of Coe Hill. Widow of a veteran (Sam Gillespie 1875-1954) St Michael’s Anglican Cemetery. From Toronto. Sam In USA during World War I
Private. Service No. 636807. Born July 28, 1882 in Coe Hill to George Washington Gilroy and Agnes Gilroy (nee McCauley). Married Daisy Roy in Stirling on Dec 21, 1914. Attested Canadian Infantry, into 154th Battalion Bn. Embarked on ship SS Norland at Halifax, Nova Scotia Oct 18, 1916. Disimbarked at Liverpool, England. Transferred to 156th Battalion and later the 21st Battalion. Died while advancing on Marcel cave, August 8, 1918. Buried Toronto Cemetery, Demuin, Somme Region, FRANCE. His wife remarried, becoming Mrs H. J Birmingham, and moved to Hamilton, Ontario. A Memorial Cross was sent to his mother Mrs. G W Gilroy in Coe Hill. Private Gilroy is honoured on the War Memorial in Stirling, Ontario and the War Memorial in Coe Hill. Click on cemetery name to find location of his grave on map.
GILROY, Gordon World War I
Brother of George from Coe Hill, and son of George Washington Gilroy & his wife, Agnes (nee McCauley). Service No 636598. Residence Faraday. Next of Kin Sarah Gilroy, wife. Gordon born Jan 11, 1885 in Wollaston. A farmer. Signed at Coe Hill Feb 10, 1916, age 30. 5ft 2 1/2 ” tall, fair complexion. Brown eyes and brown hair. Methodist. Scar on left foot.
GRANT, Frederick David World War I
ID 636485. Canadian Army, 155th Battalion. Born June 24, 1897 Renfrew County, Ontario. Single. Current address Bancroft. Next of Kin, father William Grant, McArthur’s Mills. A labourer. 18 years old. 5 ft 6 inches. Fair complexion. Blue Eyes, Brown hair. Church of England. Signed on at Bancroft on Jan 25, 1916. (war presence confirmed by family, who say he also served in World War II). Always known as David. My next door neighbour to the east. Died 1969. Buried St Michael’s Anglican Cemetery, Coe Hill
GUNTER, Daniel Herbert World War I
Private. Service No. 1063120. Canadian Infantry, 54th Bn. Died August 8, 1918. Buried at Beaucourt British Cemetery, Somme Region, FRANCE. Notes from FAG: Son of Charles W Gunter & Lillian Cecilia Brady Gunter. Daniel’s siblings: George Hunter Gunter; Goldie Gunter Ruckstuhl, Lillian Gunter. Click on cemetery name to find grave location on map.
GUNTER, Richard (Dick) World War I
1893 – 1957. He and wife operated a post office in the village of Coe Hill, later taken over by his son, Ivan after he returned from World War II. Richard and wife died in a car accident in Pennsylvania on their holidays heading to Florida.
GUNTER, Wilford Graham World War I
Son of David Gunter and Rose Jericho. Born 1899 in Wollaston Twp. Died 1937 at Toronto. Wife Grace E Post. Wilford was in the Signal Corps. He returned from overseas and worked in the grocery store in Coe Hill. His sisters were Mrs Joy Walker of Coe Hill, Mrs Eva Grant of Cardiff and Mrs Mabel Forbes of Apsley. St Andrew’s United Cemetery, Coe Hill
HENNESSEY, George World War I
From L’Amable. Private. Service No 636285. 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles. Died Oct 25, 1917. Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Panel 32, BELGIUM
HEWTON, John Wesley World War I
Private. Service No. 636886. Canadian Infantry, 21st Bn. Died May 12, 1918. Buried Bagneux British Cemetery,Gezaincourt, Somme Region, FRANCE. Click on cemetery name to find grave location on map.
HODDINOTT, Henry William World War I
Service No. 636237 Sergeant, residence Coe Hill, Ontario. Born August 1, 1883 London, England. Next of Kin Dora Hoddinott, wife of Coe Hill. Labourer. Signed at Coe Hill Dec 7, 1915 155the Overseas Battalion, Canadian Army. Age 32. 5 ft 5 inches. Fair complexion .Blue eyes. Auburn Hair. Church of England. No records found for his death or burial.
Son of Thomas & Alice Jackson of Coe Hill. Private ID 454638. Born July 1, 1894 in St Ola, Wollaston Twp. A lumberman. Signed on July 2, 1915, age 21, at Cobourg. 59th Canadian Infantry. 5 feet 5 inches tall, fair complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair. He stated that he had prior military service with 49th Regiment (Hastings Rifles), and was a Methodist. He was wounded in Sept 1916 by shrapnel in his right thigh. He developed Tuberculosis, and returned to Canada, where he was sent to a sanitorium near Montreal. William died March 1, 1918 and is buried in the Salem Pioneer Cemetery
Born in Torquay, Devonshire, ENGLAND in 1890, Charlie was age 11 in Upton St, Torquay on 1901 Census for England. He had an older brother, Edward 15, and sister Ada, 13, and possibly a much younger brother, Edgar who was 3. Charlie’s parents were Mrs Harriet Jarrett, who was a shop keeper, age 39 residing at 20 Upton Church Road, in Torquay. Husband not identified, possibly John Jarrett. Harriet much later entered Southwood Nursing Home, and died in 1944, age 83. Buried St Mary’s Church Cemetery in Torquay. I hunted for her grave when I visited the area in 2014.
Charlie immigrated to Canada by 1911 to settle first in Bethany or Cavan. He joined the war effort in December 1914 when he was 24 years of age. He became a Lance Corporal and was a signaler. After the war, Charlie bought a house and small acreage beside the Deer River at the bridge on Highway 620 and beside the Fair Grounds in the village of Coe Hill, Hastings County. He lived there for most of his life.
Charlie kept his war outfit, and taught me a bit of signaling used during the war. He also kept nasty geese that we children didn’t like. Charlie had two beagles, Biff and Bang that would chase anything besides deer, and disappear sometimes. Charlie loved fly fishing off his lawn at the river’s edge and both my brother and I suffered injuries from those hooks. The Ministry of Natural Resources guy would stop by with his Golden Retriever, who would leap into the river on command, quite a drop. We children swam in the deep hole in the Deer River, where I nearly drowned once when a friend got frightened and climbed on me.
Copyright Norma Gillespie, 2024 Charlie on left with unidentified friend.
I learned to paddle Charlie’s canoe up and down that river. He died in Bancroft Hospital during my High School years in 1962, and is buried in St Michael’s Cemetery in Coe Hill. More photos on Charley’s tombstone page.
JONES, John
Died 1949. Buried St Michael’s Anglican Cemetery, Coe Hill
KEECH, Sanford World War I
Stationed in Canada. 1892 – 1980. Buried St Michael’s Anglican Cemetery, Coe Hill.
KELLY, James Carr World War I
From Coe Hill. Private. Service No 636221. Canadian Infantry 21st Battalion. Died August 15, 1917. Vimy Memorial, FRANCE
KELSH, Charles Nelson World War I
ID 636236 Private Assigned Canadian Infantry, 155th Overseas Battalion. Born Feb 11, 1894 Oak Lake, Peterborough Co. Next of Kin, Jan Kelsh (Mother) of Coe Hill, Ontario. Father C. W. Kelsh. Single. Labourer. Age 21. 5 ft 2 1/2 inches tall. Pale complexion. Eyes light grey. Dark brown hair. Wesleyan faith. Signed on at Coe Hill Dec 27, 1915.
Charles Nelson Kelsh, 21st Bn, died August 25, 1918, age 23. Buried Dainville British Cemetery II. B. 12, FRANCE. Son of Mr. & Mrs. C. W. Kelsh of Coe Hill, Ontario. Click on cemetery name to find location of grave on a map.
LAIRD, William John World War I
From Coe Hill. Son of William and Levina Gunyea Laird, of Madoc, Ontario. Private. Service No. 637046. Canadian Infantry. 21st Bat. Died April 9, 1917, age 40. Lapugnoy Military Cemetery, FRANCE, Grave III.B. 2
LAKE, Dennis World War I
From Monk Road
LAKE, John World War I
From Monk Road.
LANDON, Ernest World War I
LANDON, Fred World War I
1868 – 1952 St Andrew’s United Cemetery, Coe Hill.
LAUNDRY, Walter World War I
From Bancroft. Private. Service No 447499. 2nd Canadian Mounted Canadian Rifles Battalion. Died April 9, 1917. Vimy Memorial, FRANCE.
LETTS, Hugh World War I
From Turiff. Private. Service No. 8119. Canadian Infantry. 2nd Batt. Died April 23, 1915 age 29. Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. Panel 18, BELGIUM.
LEVERIDGE, Frank Earnest World War I
Private 412258, Canadian Infantry, 18th Bn. Born July 29, 1890, farmer. 5 ft 3/4″ tall, dark complexion, dark grey eyes, dark brown hair. Church of England. Husband of Mrs Margaret Leveridge of Trenton. Father of Sergeant Gerald William Leveridge , deceased Aug 12, 1944. Frank died May 6, 1916. Buried Etaples Military Cemetery, V. C. 4A FRANCE. Click on cemetery name to find burial location.
Frank was the youngest son of David and Anna Leveridge of Coe Hill. He wrote many letters home during the war. Frank served with C Company, Scouts, 39th Battalion, Western Ontario Regiment. He began his training in Belleville, and his army experience lasted little more than two years. His time at the front lasted less than two days. He knew that the average time of a Scout at the Front was eight days, so knew what to expect. Here is an excerpt from his letters:
Monday, April 3rd. Very warm and bright. Training camp as usual: bomb throwing practice in morning; very nasty-tempered instructor Sgt ordered me to place one man under arrest. I had to take him to the guard room. In the afternoon, we had extended orders from fours. I was in charge of Number Two Platoon. Interesting here as star shells and bombs exploding continually.
Tuesday, April 4th Cloudy and cooler. Training camp parade as usual. Company drill in the morning and more bombing in the second part of the morning. In the afternoon, we N. C. O.s were taken out separate from the men and an officer gave us a lecture on rifle grenades and threw about 20 of them. They appear to be a dangerous weapon.
Sunday, April 9th. Cloudy and cooler. Our platoon spend the night in the communication trench about 150 yrs behind the support lines. Heavy shells keep dropping very close to us. I think that during last night and today at least 75 or 100 have exploded within 100 yrs of us. At twelve, we move down and take over the support line of trenches. Shrapnel keeps falling all around me, one piece only has touched me yet, and it did not hurt.
His diary ends here. He was wounded the following day, Monday, April 10, 1916. He wrote his mother that he was hit by shrapnel from a shell that burst close to him. While he had minor wounds, his right arm was badly damaged. When he was taken to a field hospital, his arm was amputated at the shoulder. He was able to write home with his left hand, and was getting along quite well. However, he was moved to tents outside, where he caught pneumonia and died on Thursday, May 6, 1916, a little over three weeks after he was wounded. He was 25. Leveridge is buried in one of the military cemeteries at Etaples, on the coast of Northern France, just south of Boulogne. After Frank died, his younger brother, Johnnie joined up, went overseas and was captured. He spent the rest of the war in a German prisoner of war camp.
LEVERIDGE, John Henry World War I
Private, 820723. 44th Battalion, Canadian Infantry. Next of Kin: Mrs Mary Leveridge, Devlin, Ontario (Rainy River District near Emo where the Leveridge boys moved). Reported missing after action Oct 28, 1917. Prisoner of War. Discharged.
LISCUM, David Jessie World War I
(Clarification provided that there were two D Jesse Liscum, one is each war). No information at this time about this man.
Private. 93rd Battn, CEF. Died February 4, 1961, age 63. Buried Clydesdale United Cemetery, Rose Island Road, Ontario
MAXWELL, Herbert World War I
From Bancroft
MCCAULEY, Gordon World War I
Private. Service No. 195833. Canadian Infantry, 18th Bn. Died October 11, 1918, age 23. Buried Niagara Cemetery, Iwuy, FRANCE. Son of Mr & Mrs Dilman McCauley of Apsley, Ontario, husband of Mrs Mattie Winter McCauley of Glen Alda, Ontario. Inscription by family: “Gone, but not forgotten.”
MCCUTCHEON, Charles World War I
From Detlor
MCLEAN, William World War I
From Boulder
MEAGHER, William World War I
From Boulter.
MINDLE, Ora Acil World War I
Private. Service No. 636930. Canadian Infantry. 21st Bn. Died Nov 9, 1917. Remembered on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. No known grave. Brother of Sandy Mindle. Father Frank Milne. Mother Martha Watt Mindle.
MINDLE, Sandy Alexander World War I
Private. Service No. 636469. 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion. Died April 12, 1917. Buried Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, FRANCE. Grave IV.D. 9 FAG notes: Son of Frank Mindle (1866-1954) and Martha Watt Mindle (1867-1928) of Wollaston, Hastings County. Siblings Alexander (1893-1917) and Ora Assil Mindle (1895-1917), William (1900-1968) and Jane Mindle (1900-1900).
MITCHELL, William World War I
From Maynooth. Private. Service No 435840. Canadian Infantry, 49th Bttn. Died Oct 30, 1917. Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Panel 30, BELGIUM
MOORE, Lloyd World War I
From Bancroft
NICHOLSON, Hugh ?World War I
1893 – 1966 Zion United Church Cemetery, The Ridge Road.
NICHOLSON, Ruth 1906-1994. Widow of a veteran. Zion United Church Cemetery, The Ridge Road.
OLSTEAD, Chris World War I
PARKS, Rodolphes World War I
Private, Service No. 1093330. Residence Bannockburn, Ontario. Next of Kin, father Robert Parks, Madoc Twp. A farmer. Signed Feb 13, 1917 at Madoc and assigned to the 254th Overseas Battalion. 5 ft 8 inches tall, fair complexion, grey eyes, fair hair. Died July 20, 1974. Buried St Andrew’s United Cemetery, Coe Hill, Ontario
PEEVER, Gordon World War I
Son of John R. and Mary A. Peever, of Maynooth, Ontario, Lance Corporal. Service No. 413028. Canadian Infantry, 24th Batt. Died Sept 26, 1916, age 18. St Sever Cemetery, Rouen, FRANCE. Grave B. 23. 77.
Ernest Peters
PETERS, Ernest World War I
Private. Service No. 195838. Born Sept 18, 1896. Son of Willard Peters of Glen Alda. Canadian Infantry, 1st Bn. Died April 25, 1918, age 20. Buried Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St-Eloi, FRANCE, grave VI. L. 28. Click on cemetery name to find map of grave location.
POST, Clarence World War I
POST, Elgin Charles World War I
Private. Service No. 636310. Canadian Infantry, 38th Bn. Died October 30, 1917, age 24. Ypes (Menin Gate) Memorial, BELGIUM. Son of Andrew and Florence Post of Glen Alda, Peterborough, Ontario
POST, Floyd World War I
Service No 195519. 1891 – 1966 Glen Alda Cemetery, Glen Alda, Ontario
POST, Isaac World War I
Service No. 1063092. From Chandos.
POST, John World War I
b 1916. Private. Death 1981. Buried Glen Alda Cemetery.
b 1893 in Glen Alda. Son of John Post and Dortha Rusaw. Married Sabra Elesta Edith Woodbeck. 21st Battalion, Peterborough. He enlisted in Apsley in the fall of 1915 in the 93rd Battn. He went through Vimy and then Hill 70 on Aug 14th where he was wounded and buried by a shell, but survived. He was taken prisoner of war and marched to Munster Prison Camp. He was moved to Dusseldorf for an attempt to escape. Armistice. Died 1983.
POST, Warren Tice World War I
Service No. 195683.
POST, William Floyd World War I
ID 95579. Residence Glen Alda, Ontario, born March 25, 1891 Glen Alda. Next of kin Father, Andrew Post. William was a farmer. Not married. Signed on at Peterborough, Dec 27, 1915. (no page 2 of personal identification).
REID, Allen World War I
1897 – 1938 St Andrew’s United Cemetery, Coe Hill.
REID, Charles Benjamin World War I
Private. Service No. 637044. 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion. Died Oct 26, 1917, age 28. Ypes (Menin Gate) Memorial. BELGIUM. Son of Mr & Mrs Enoch Reid, Coe Hill, Ontario
ROBBINS, Ernest James World War I
Private. Service No. 636765. Canadian Infantry, 21st Bn. Died August 15, 1917. Vimy Memorial, FRANCE.
ROSEBUSH, Terrance Levi World War I
Private. Service No. 636234, Canadian Infantry, 21st Bn. Died May 11, 1917, age 23. Buried or commemorated at Vimy Memorial, FRANCE. Son of William J. W. and Susan A. Rosebush, Coe Hill, Ontario. A Chandos soldier. Click on memorial name to find map.
SIMPSON, Frank World War I
Son of Mr. and Mrs. John Simpson, of Glen Alda, Ontario. Private. Service No. 195523. Canadian Infantry, 1st Battn. Died April 5. 1917. Echoivres Military Cemetery, , FRANCE. Grave VI. A. 22
Sergeant, Cdn Forestry Corps. Died June 29, 1977, age 57. Buried St Andrew’s United Church Cemetery in L’Amable, Ontario
TAYLOR, Harry Elmo World War I
From Coe Hill. Son of George and Annie Taylor, of Baptiste St., Trenton, Ontario. Private. Service No 1063116. Canadian Infantry, 54th Battn. Died Aug 8, 1918, age 23. Beaucort British Cemetery, FRANCE. Grave A. 7
THOMPSON, John ? World War I
1893 -1958 St Andrew’s United Cemetery, Coe Hill
TINNEY, Victor World War I
Private. From Faraday Twp. “reported killed in a bombing raid somewhere in England.” Not found.
TIVY, Aubrey John World War I
TYNER, George Henry Reginald World War I
Private. Service No. 874767. Born April 30, 1886. A labourer in Bowsman, Manitoba when he signed on at Winnipeg March 7, 1916. Canadian Infantry, 8th Bn. Died April 28, 1917, age 30 years. Buried Orchard Dump Cemetery, Arleux-En-Gohelle, Willervale Canadian Cemetery, FRANCE. Son of Mrs Sarah Tyner of Coe Hill, Ontario Note: Remembered on page 342 in Canada’s Book of Remembrance in Ottawa. Click on cemetery name to find his name on Memorial 23.
UNGER, Wilford World War I
Private. Service No. 63660. Enlistment date Feb 10. 1916 at Coe Hill, Ontario, age 18. Next of kin, Mina Unger, mother of Faraday. Birth Oct 19, 1917. A farmer. 5 ft 3 1/2 inches tall. Fair complexion. Brown eyes, Brown hair. Methodist. Assigned to 155th Overseas Battalion. He died August 16, 1921. Buried Faraday Trinity Anglican Cemetery, Faraday, Ontario.
WAITE, George Elgin World War I
Private. Service No. 8391. Canadian Infantry. 2nd Battalion. Died Sept 9, 1916. From Coe Hill.
WAITE, Jonathan World War I
From Coe Hill. Not found.
WALKER, Alfred World War I
Private. Died overseas during the war. From Coe Hill. (Note: three men with same name listed on Commonwealth Graves Commission, but unable to clarify home location.)
Born March 3, 1898 Norwood, Ontario. Died Oct 26, 1917 age 20 in Kingston, Frontenac Co. Son of Willard & Ella (Puffer) Whitney. Note: Some records show name given as O’Neill). Private, Service No 195830. 52nd Battalion C.E. F. Wounded at Lens. His siblings: Alma, Ralph, Jessie, Irene and Edna. Buried Chandos Hillside Pioneer Cemetery, Ontario
WHITNEY, Willard World War I
Private. Service No. 195829 b Nov 17, 1870 Northumberland Co. Died Dec 26, 1932, age 62. 52nd Battalion C. E. F. Son of Isaac & Laura (Puffer) Whitney. His siblings: Victoria, Jesse, Norris. Buried Chandos Hillside Pioneer Cemetery, Ontario
George Winter
WINTER, George Garnes World War I
Born Jan 17,1874 Canada. Private. Service No. 195646. Died May 18, 1916, age 42 . Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No 2. Grave II.B.34. FRANCE. Click on cemetery name for map and location of grave. Notes from FAG: son of John L Winter & Margaret Kemmerer Winter. Wife Maude Daniels Winter m 1901.
WOODBECK, Milford William World War I
Private. Service No. 195525. Born Sept 13, 1896 in Chandos. 21st Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment). Wounded at Vimy Ridge. Died of his injuries in Montreal, Quebec Oct 29, 1917 age 21. Buried Lasswade Christian Cemetery, County Road 504. Son of Harley Holistic Woodbeck and wife, Linda Woodbeck of Lasswade. Notes FAG Father Harley Holister Woodbeck 1872- 1971 and Linda Woodbeck. Linda is given as a nickname for wife Selina Jane Cameron Woodbeck. Lasswade Christian Cemetery.
WOODLEY, Frank World War I
Not found.
WOODLEY, James Henry World War I
James was born in Devonshire, England on May 23, 1856. He came to Canada at the age of nine (1865) with his brother William (24 years older). The mode of travel was on a cattle boat and arrived in either Cobourg or Port Hope and settled in the Pontypool area. James married and fathered six children. Eventually, he moved his family to the Coe Hill, Ontario area. He worked mainly in the forest industry as a teamster. James enlisted in the Canadian Army Overseas Expeditionary Force on February 24, 1916. This
date would have made him just short of his sixtieth birthday. He gave his age as 43 years of age. His attestation papers made the notation “Apparent age 43 years”. He was accepted for service in World War I. It was later determined by a dental officer, from the condition of his teeth, that he was much older than his apparent age. He was then discharged and did not serve overseas. James passed away in Detlor, Ontario in 1937 at the age of ninety. His son, Frank Hugh Woodley, also served during World War II.
YOUMANS, Walter World War I
Private. Born Nov 17, 1894. Died June 3, 1957 age 62. Marker says 2nd Battalion C.E. F. Buried Lasswade Christian Cemetery, Lasswade, Peterborough Co, Ontario.
COE HILL MILITARY MEMORIAL
Wollaston Township, Hasting County, Ontario CANADA
These are the soldiers who planted the evergreen trees around both cemeteries in Coe Hill, one for each soldier in his memory, never knowing if he would return.
WORLD WAR I MEMORIAL, Coe Hill
Copyright Norma Gillespie, 2022
Side Twp. Photo copyright Norma Gillespie 2022.
Names on Memorial Stone for World War I
LAST NAME
FIRST NAME
IDENTITY
BIRTHS
DEATHS
BURIAL
LOCATION
BROWNELL
Fenton
636239
1917, April 9
FRANCE: Nine Elms Military Cemetery
Coe Hill Memorial
BROWNELL
Bert
636884
Jan 1900
1917, June 30
FRANCE: J. A. Chaudiere Military Cemetery
Coe Hill Memorial
BULLIED
William Alfred
636222.
1917, May 3
FRANCE: Vimy Memorial
Coe Hill Memorial
BIRD
Hiram Edward
636932
1887
Mar 10
1917, April 9
FRANCE: Vimy Memorial
Coe Hill Memorial
CONLIN
C.P
636933.
1917, May 26
FRANCE: Lievan Community Cemetery
Coe Hill Memorial
CLARKE
Richard Allen
412201
1888, July 27
1918, Oct 11
FRANCE: Niagara Cemetery
Coe Hill Memorial
CAMPBELL
A. J.
645879.
1917, April 9
FRANCE: Arras Road Cemetery
Coe HILL Memorial
CAMPBELL
William John
413111
1890, July 6
1916, June 6
BELGIUM: Ypes (Menin Gate) Memorial
Coe Hill Memorial
DANFORD
Charles William
636534.
1885, Dec 25
1917, Aug 15
FRANCE: Vimy Memorial
Coe Hill Memorial
DANFORD
John Edward
12220
1899, Sept 10
1915, Aug 8
CANADA: Faraday Trinity Cemetery, Coe Hill
Coe Hill Memorial
DICKSON
Douglas
220230
1883
1917, April 14
Balin Communal Cem, FRANCE
Coe Hill Memorial
GILROY
Gordon
636598
1885, Jan 11
not yet clarified
Coe Hill Memorial
GERRARD
W. H.
904616
1918, Sept 29
FRANCE: Drummond Cemetery
Coe Hill Memorial
GUNTER
Daniel Herbert
1063120
1918, Aug 8
FRANCE: Beaucourt British Cemetery
Coe Hill Memorial
GILROY
George Arthur
636807
1882, July 28
1918, August 8
FRANCE: Toronto Cemetery
Coe Hill Memorial
HEWTON
J W
636886
1918, May 12
FRANCE: Bagneux British Cemetery
Coe Hill Memorial
CURRIE
Allan Jerome
636319
1917, Aug 15
FRANCE: Vimy Memorial
Coe Hill Memorial
JACKSON
William
454638
1854
1918, Mar 1
Salem Pioneer Cem
Coe Hill Memorial
KELSH
Charles Nelson
636236
1894
1918, Aug 25
FRANCE:
Danville British Cemetery
Coe Hill Memorial
KELLY
James Carr
not yet found
Coe Hill Memorial
LEVERIDGE
Frank
417258
1890,
July 29
1916
May 6
FRANCE:
Etaples Military Cemetery
Coe Hill Memorial
LAIRD
William John
not yet found
Coe Hill Memorial
FORBES
G.
not yet confirmed
Coe Hill Memorial
McCAULEY
Gordon
195833
1895
1918, Oct 11
FRANCE: Niagara Cemetery
Coe Hill Memorial
MINDLE
S. A.
636469
1917, April 12
FRANCE: Boulogne Eastern Cemetery
Coe Hill Memorial
MINDLE
Ora Acile.
636930
1917, Nov 9
BELGIUM: Ypes Memorial
Coe Hill Memorial
POST
Elgin Charles
636310
1893
1917. Oct 30
BELGIUM: Ypes Memorial
Coe Hill Memorial
POST
W. A.
not found
Coe Hill Memorial
PETERS
E
195868
1918, April 25
FRANCE: Echoivres Military Cemetery
Coe Hill Memorial
REID
Charles Benjamin
637044
1917, Oct 26
BELGIUM: Ypes (Menin Gate) Memorial
Coe Hill Memorial
ROBBINS
Ernest James
636735
1917, Aug 15
FRANCE: Vimy Memorial
Coe Hill Memorial
ROSEBUSH
Terrance Levi
636234
1894
1917, May 11
FRANCE: Vimy Memorial
Coe Hill Memorial
SIMPSON.
Frank
195523
1917, April 2
FRANCE:
Echoivres Military Cemetery
Coe Hill
Memorial
KEECH
V.
not yet found
Coe Hill Memorial
TYNER
G. H. R.
874767
1887
1917, April 28
FRANCE: Orchard Dump Cemetery
Coe Hill Memorial
TAYLOR
H
not yet identified
Coe Hill Memorial
WINTERS
George Garnes
195646
1918, May 16
FRANCE: Doullens Communal Cemetery
Coe Hill Memorial
WHITNEY
Orield
195830
1918, Oct 26
CANADA: Chandos Pioneer Cemetery
Coe Hill Memorial
WAITE
George
8391
1916, Sept 9
FRANCE: Vimy Memorial
Coe Hill Memorial
WALKNER
A
not yet identified
Coe Hill Memorial
WILCOX
G
unable to identify from list
Coe Hill Memorial
PALMERTEER
E
Not yet identified
Coe Hill Memorial
NASH
T.
not yet identified
Coe Hill Memorial
PEACOCK
R
not found
Coe Hill Memorial
WOODBECK
Milford
195525
1896, Sept 13
1917, Oct 29
CANADA: Lasswade Christian Cemetery
Coe Hill Memorial
WOODBECK
R. E.
Not found
Coe Hill Memorial
BROWNELL
Charles H
636225
1917, April 9
FRANCE: Nine Elms Military Cemetery
Coe Hill Memorial
Maps of Cemeteries for Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany not yet done. Also Niagara Cemetery in France. Project to identify each gravesite in each cemetery.
WORLD WAR II
1939 -1945
Note: ” Wollaston Twp in Hastings County sent 31 of its young men to war. 29 will be coming home.”
2024 June 6th is the 80th Anniversary
of D-Day landing in France and the Normandy Campaign. World Leaders are gathering there and a full week of celebrations is planned. Communities across Canada are planning celebrations.
Gunner. R. C. A. d July 8, 1987, age 69 (b 1918). Buried St Andrew’s United Cemetery, Coe Hill, Ontario
BIRD, Irene – widow of veteran, residence Coe Hill. Deceased
BOLES, Alex World War II
Died 1997, Buried Combermere, Ontario
BRESEE, John World War II
1903 – 1992. St Andrew’s United Cemetery, Coe Hill, Ontario
BRESEE, Ruth 1905 -1995 – former widow of a veteran. St Andrew’s United Cemetery, Coe Hill
CAMPBELL, Gerald Robert World War II
From Coe Hill. Not part of Hasting Regiment, but served with Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Highlanders. Campbell landed in Normandy with the forces attacking from the north. ” A stretcher-bearer, was wounded during the crossing of the Ems River in April 1945. Despite his injuries, he continued to attend to 17 other casualties under intense mortar and shell bombardment. He won the Military Medal for his valour.”
CONLIN, Henry (Hank) World War II
Son of Tom & Bertha Conlin of Ormsby. Wife Claudia.
CONLIN, Violet 1907 – 1981 . A former widow of a veteran. Roman Catholic Cemetery, Bancroft.
COTTLE, Cliff World War II
Former resident of Coe Hill
COX, Milton World War II
1925 -1990 St Andrew’s United Cemetery, Coe Hill.
CROGAN, George World War II
1911 – 1981 St Andrew’s United Cemetery, Coe Hill.
CUNLIFFE, Albert World War II
1925 – 1993 St Andrew’s United Cemetery, Coe Hill
DANFORD, Clinton World War II
1919-1971 St Andrew’s United Cemetery, Coe Hill
CARROLL, Ruth – widow of veteran. Residence Gilmour. Deceased
CLAYTON DANIELS
DANIELS, Clayton Ray World War II
Clayton was born in Methune, Ontario on January 2, 1920. Son of Albert and May Daniels of Coe Hill. He went to Western Canada in 1941 and was working in lumbering when he enlisted in the Army on March 12, 1942. On enrolment he was placed in the Canadian Fusiliers TFD. He went overseas in May of 1942, transferred to The Black Watch RHR of Canada and sent to England for further training. The Regiment was sent to France in 1944 and he was wounded and taken prisoner by the enemy after a terrible battle when the Black Watch was wiped out by Germans. He recovered from his wounds and remained a prisoner until hostilities ended . After discharge on August 21, 1945, he worked in lumber mills and later with Reid’s dairy and thirty years with Northern Electric until retirement. He was a member of Coe Hill Legion Branch 581. Clayton passed away on June 2, 2000.
DANIELS, Neil World War II
Note: ” b August 10, 1925 at Lasswade. He became a Royal Canadian Electrical Engineer. Enlisted 1944 and discharged two years later.”
1919 – 1985. Returned to be a mechanic in Frank McCaw’ s garage. Wife Alma Davis. Tombstone reads Craftsman. R. C. E. M. E d July 3, 1985, age 66. Buried St Andrew’s United Cemetery, Coe Hill, Ontario
DAVIS, Alma 1922 – 1996. A former widow of a veteran. St Andew’s United Cemetery, Coe Hill
nee Gibbons. Leading Wren W. R. C. N. S, 1922 – 1989. St Michael’s Cemetery, Coe Hill, Ontario
DRACUP, Gordon World War II
1926- 1999 Glen Alda Cemetery, RR Apsley, Ontario
DUBRIEL, Patrick World War II
Died 2003. Cemetery in Eganville, Ontario
DUBRIEL, Eunice – widow of veteran, Residence was Coe Hill. Deceased.
Mansel Evans
EVANS, Mansel C. World War II
Mansel was born in Irthlingborough, England on February 22, 1939. He enlisted in the Army on March 11, 1960 and was conscripted into the Royal Army Pay Corps in Devizes, Wiltshire. After receiving basic training, he was posted to Germany as a Pay Clerk to D Comp Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. After six months, he moved to HQ 7th Armored Regiment as Pay Clerk to 207 Signals Squadron. He was discharged on April 30, 1963. Following military service, he resumed his trade as bricklayer. He immigrated to Canada in 1969 and became an active member in Coe Hill Legion Branch 581 in 1970. He was the President of the Legion Branch for two years. In 1989, Mansel became a Life Member
Copyright Norma Gillespie, 2023 LEON FIELD
FIELD, LEON Korean War
1934-1987. Buried St Michael’s Cemetery, Coe Hill, Ontario
FITZELL, Ellen – widow of a veteran, now deceased
FORBES, Gerald Donald World War II
Lance Corporal, Westminister (Motor) R.C.I. C Unit. Son of Amos and Minnie Forbes of Glen Alda. Service No C/5821. Died December 20, 1944, age 23. Buried Villanova Canadian War Cemetery, ITALY. Villanova is 3 kilometers south-west of the main road from Ferrara to Ravenna (Route No.16) at Via Chiesa. Click on name of cemetery to find location of his Grave V. A.9
Irene was born in Bethnal Downs, London, England on October 28, 1923. She enlisted in the Royal Air Force (WAF) in 1943 at the age of twenty. She served at numerous air bases during the course of the war. Irene was a communications’ specialist mainly guiding damaged aircrafts returning from missions over Europe to their nearest safe landing strip. She was discharged in 1945. After the war, on the return of Ivan, who was serving in Europe with the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment, she married him. She then became a war bride and lived in Coe Hill until Ivan’s retirement, when the couple moved to Bancroft. She was an active member of Branch 581 RCL Coe Hill for 44 years. Irene passed away on September 19, 2011.
________________________________________
Ivan Gunter & MedalCopyright Norma Gillespie, 2023 IVAN GUNTER
Ivan was born in Coe Hill, Ontario on December 14, 1920. He enlisted in the Hasty P’s on October 6, 1939 at seventeen years of age, but wasn’t deployed to Britain until 1940 at the age of eighteen. He served in Sicily and attached to the Btn Intelligence Section. He served in Canada, the United Kingdom, Sicily, Italy and NWE with the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment. As a result of his keen sense of duty he was awarded the Military Medal. The ribbon was presented by Gen. Bernard Montgomery and later the Medal was presented by King George the IV at Buckingham Palace. Ivan was discharged on March 29, 1946. He was a founding member of Branch 581 RCL, Coe Hill and in 1952 became the postmaster at Coe Hill. He married Irene A. Crisp, also a Veteran of World War II. He and Irene established a Post Office in their home in the centre of the village, beside Lehigh’s General Store, and were active in Coe Hill until retirement.
See Ivan’s interviews on the History of the Hastings & PrinceEdward Regiment. (click on title for page with video). Both World Wars reviewed, but mainly World War II and the struggles to land and advance through Sicily and the up the boot of ITALY. Powerful, deeply moving message of what the soldiers endured and won as they fought against the presence of 40 German units . They kept them occupied to free up the advances of the Allied forces along the Western Front.
Ivan’s story: “On July 10, 1943, we landed on the shores of Sicily near Pachano, in the southeast corner. Here were only a few Italian defenders, so we had only a few casualties. Our first battle, on July 15th, was at a place called Grammichele. It seemed quiet enough but the Germans opened fire with mortars from the hilltop. I was in the intelligence section, and part of our job was to plot positions on maps. I was riding a motorcycle ahead of a column of tanks.
It was a heavy mortar attack. A shell blew the headlight off my motorcycle, but it didn’t touch me. When I got up and got organized, I found I was off the road and the motorcycle was wrecked. I saw puffs of smoke coming up from the tope of a huge hill, so I figured there’s where the mortars were.
I ran back to the first tank, maybe 300 or 400 yards, and you’d swear the mortal shells were coming after me. There was a donkey cart on the road, broken down, as a wheel had fallen off or something, and a mortar shell hit it and it vanished.
I banged on the side of the tank with the handle of my revolver to get their attention. I wasn’t wearing any top, just a T-shirt, and the tank commander thought I was an officer. so he took the co-ordinates I gave him. They were relayed to our artillery, and in a few minutes there were no more mortal shells falling on us.
The second time I was wounded was up in Holland on the 4th of April, 1945. I was hit by a fixed line of machine gun fire on a crossroad. I was going through on a motorcycle and saw the bullets hit the pavement in front of me. I was puttering along about 35 miles a minute, and I gunned her and went through. One bullet hit me on the head and another on my saddlebag. I went off into a ditch. The 48th Highlanders were going through about then and asked me to open my eyes, and I could see. The bullet hit my hat badge. When I took my hat off, there wasn’t a drop of blood. The bullet had cauterized the wound, and then the blood burst out, and my face was covered in blood in a second. The took me off to a hospital in England, and by the time I recovered, the war was over.
A ceremony was held at Buckingham Palace in July 1945. As King George VI gave me my medal, he asked me, Where did you earn this? and I said, In Sicily, sir.”
GUNTER, Victor World War II
1919-1997. St Andrew’s United Cemetery, Coe Hill
GUNTER, Kitty – widow of a veteran. Residence Coe Hill. Deceased.
GUPPY, Isobel 1923 – 1994. A widow of a veteran. Toronto
HALL, Kenneth R World War II
b February 5, 1918 Apsley, Ontario. Buried Lasswade Christian Cemetery with marker: RCASC. Died March 17, 1992, age 74. FAG notes: His parents Albert Hall (1883 – 1960) & Mary McCauley Hall (1882 – 1938). Siblings: Ena Myrtle Hall McAdam (1907 – 1984), Allan Andrew Hall (1913 – 1968), Roy Richard Hall (1915 – 1992), and Susan Ruth Hall Henning (1922 – 1971).
HAMILTON, Leonard World War II
1920-1995 St Andrew’s United Cemetery, Coe Hill
HAMILTON, Marg – widow of veteran. Lived at York River Heights, Bancroft. Deceased
HARRISON, Dorothy – widow of veteran. No previous address. Deceased.
HAWKE, Charles ?World War II
Buried Toronto, Ontario
HENDERSON, June – former widow of a veteran. Address Coe Hill. Deceased.
HENDERSON, Reuben World War II
1901 – 1974. St Andrew’s United Cemetery, Coe Hill
HENRICKSON, Isobel – widow of a veteran. Deceased.
HILTS, Arthur World War II
Returned from the war.
HILTS, Robert World War II
Former resident of Cardiff, Ontario
HILTS, Wilma – widow of a former veteran. Address Coe Hill.
HOWARD, Iva – former widow of a veteran. Lived at Caressant Care, Marmora. Deceased.
HUNTER, Edna World War II
1906 – 1994. Buried St Michael’s Anglican Cemetery, Coe Hill
Signal Man. R. C. S. C. Died June 30, 1984, age 79 (b 1905)
HUTTON, Maitland World War II
1905 – 1984. St Andrew’s United Cemetery, Coe Hill.
IONSON, Robert (Bob) World War II
1910-1995. Greenbush Cemetery, St Ola, Ontario
IONSON, Margaret 1926-1995 – widow of a veteran. Green Bush Cemetery, St Ola, Ontario
IRISH, Charles E. ? World War II
Clydesdale Cemetery, Rose Island Road, Chandos Twp, Ontario
Two men with same name. Possibly 1897-1971. He would have been about 42 years of age when war started. Could he have also served in World War I when he would have been age 32? Difficult to know his military history just by dates of the burial in that cemetery. He was a life member of Coe Hill Branch 581 Royal Canadian Legion.
IRWIN, Clarence World War II
JOHNSON, Edward Barclay “Ted” World War II
Edward was born in Coe Hill, Ontario on April 18, 1921. He volunteered for the Canadian Forces in 1940 and served in Canada, United States, Great Britain and Italy during World War II. He trained in Canada and the United States and served with the Special Force consisting of Canadian and US Service Men known as the Devils Brigade. He served with the Prince of Wales Regiment and First Special Service Force. He was severely wounded in Italy and it became necessary to amputate his left leg at the hip and his right leg was badly injured. He received the Purple Heart as a result. On
discharge in 1944 he lived and worked in Peterborough. His father was a veteran of World War I and his brothers served in World War II and Korea. He was a member of Peterborough Legion Branch 52. Edward passed away on April 29, 2004.
JOHNSON, Henry Scott “Harry” World War II
Harry was born in Coe Hill, Ontario on April 4, 1923. He volunteered for the Canadian Navy for service in World War II in September 1940. He trained in Canada and served on HMS Caldwell, HMS Newfoundland (Cruiser) and HMCS Uganda (Cruiser) escorting convoys from Canada to England. Also was onboard HMCS Uganda and went to the south Pacific.
Following hostilities, he made his own business in the taxi and courier business in Peterborough. Harry was discharged in November 1945. He lived in Peterborough. His father was a veteran of World War I and brothers in World War I and Korea.
Herbert was born in Crookston, Ontario on June 14, 1921. He enlisted in the Army on July 1, 1940 and served in the Infantry, Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment. He re-mustered to an Armored Regiment, Three Rivers Tank Regiment. He remained with this unit for the duration of hostilities. Herbert served in Canada, United Kingdom, Sicily, Italy, and Continental Europe during World War II. He received the 1939-45 Star, Italian Star, and the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp. After his discharge on July 27, 1945, he worked in lumbering, mining and at CGE. He was a church leader, a school trustee and fair board member. Herbert received a Life Membership to Apsley Legion Branch 381 and was also a founding member of Coe Hill Legion Branch 581. He was married to Joyce and had two children. Herbert passed away on April 29, 2003.
LANDON, Ernest ? World War II
1893 – 1978 Glen Alda Cemetery. Life member of Branch 581 RCL in Coe Hill.
LANDON, Jennie 1907 – 1993. Widow of a veteran. St Michael’s Anglican Cemetery, Coe Hill
LANSBURY, Archie World War II
St Andrew’s United Cemetery, Coe Hill, Ontario
LEHIGH, Herb World War II
1911 – 1978. St Andrew’s United Cemetery, Coe Hill
LEHIGH, Inez 1912-1988. Widow of a veteran. St Andrew’s United Cemetery, Coe Hill
LEVERIDGE, Betty – widow of a veteran. Deceased.
LEVERIDGE, Gerald William World War II
Son of Frank & Margaret Leveridge of Trenton, father formerly of Coe Hill area. Husband of Violet Elizabeth Leveridge of Ajax, Ontario. Service No. C/4134. Sergeant. North Nova Scotia Highlanders R. C. I . C. Died August 12, 1944 age 32. Buried Beny-Sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, Reviers, FRANCE. Note on record “beloved husband of Beth Montgomery, father of Ann, Peggy, Geraldine, and Jack”. Click on cemetery name to find burial location.
LISCUM, David Jesse World War II
1916 – 1999 Burial St Andrew’s United Cemetery, Coe Hill
(Note there are two D. Jesse Liscums, the other one served in World War I. Researcher of both men provided clarifications)
Of F. O. 443 Squadron. 1920 – 2012. Buried St Michael’s Cemetery, Coe Hill. He and his wife had a farm near 620 highway and Ormsby store, with a long driveway off Old Hastings Road. Also linked to Lindsay.
MALCZYK, Max World War II
Linked to Brampton, Ontario
MARSHALL, Lewis World War II
1916 – 1961 Clydesdale Cemetery, Rose Island Road, Ontario
MARTIN, Ken World War II
Toronto, Ontario
MCCAW, Frank World War II
1918-1986 St Andrew’s United Cemetery, Coe Hill
MCCAW, Muriel – former widow a veteran. Bancroft. Deceased.
MCKILLICAN, Doris 1923 – widow of a veteran. Coe Hill
MCKILLICAN, Foster World War II
1907 – 1984 St Andrew’s United Cemetery, Coe Hill
MCLEAN, Ron World War II
Dickey Lake/Florida residences.
MOORE, Russell World War II
1925 – 1975 Zion United Church Cemetery, The Ridge.
MOORE-WICKS, Joan World War II
A former resident of both Coe Hill and Bancroft, Ontario
MOVAVEC, Robert World War II
Residence Toronto Ontario
MUFFITT, Edward Earle World War II
Son of Charles E. and Hester R. Muffitt; husband of Hester R. Muffitt, of Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. (The Charlie Muffitts were of Coe Hill). Ed is on the Coe Hill Memorial. Service Number J/8372. Flight Lieutenant. Royal Canadian Air Force. Reported missing after air operations. He had recently been promoted to Squadron Leader. Died November 2, 1943, age 34. No known grave. Remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Surry, United Kingdom. It is located at Englefield Green, near Egham, 32 kilometers by road west of London. Edward’s wife and two children reside in Coe Hill.
Private, ID C/117553, son of Charles Henry & Sarah Ellen Peacock, husband of Laura Evelyn Peacock of Foxboro, Ontario. Robert became part of the North Shore, NB Regiment, died August 15, 1944, age 26. Buried Beny-Sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, Calvados, FRANCE. It was on the coast just to the north that the 3rd Canadian Division landed on 6th June 1944; on that day, 335 officers and men of that division were killed in action or died of wounds. In this cemetery are the graves of Canadians who gave their lives in the landings in Normandy and in the earlier stages of the subsequent campaign.
1923 – 1993. Raised in Coe Hill. Was involved in the Italy campaign. Buried St Andrew’s United Cemetery, Coe Hill. I recognized Tony, who lived with his mother, Jane Peters, in a neat little white house between the two churches on Station Street. St Andrew’s United Cemetery, Coe Hill
POLMATEER, Charlie World War II
1903-1965 St Andrew’s United Cemetery, Coe Hill
POLMATEER, Ethel World War II
1905 – 1975 St Andrew’s United Cemetery, Coe Hill
POLMATEER, Lila – widow of a veteran. Greenbush Cemetery, St Ola
Returned from the war. Wife Stella (nee Seaborn) and two boys: Bill & Mark. My next door neighbour in a house beside the Deer River, just east of the bridge. 1912 – 1988. Buried St Andrew’s United Cemetery, Coe Hill.
REID, Stella 1915-2004 – widow of a veteran. St Andrew’s United Cemetery, Coe Hill
RICE, Tom World War II
Formerly of R. R. #1, Coe Hill.
RUSSELL, Frank
1901 – 1973. Buried St Michael’s Anglican Cemetery, Coe Hill
Died March 1, 1963, age 38 (b 1925). Buried St Michael’s Cemetery, Coe Hill, Ontario
THOMPSON, Edward World War II
1913 – 1989 Vader Flats Cemetery, Lower Faraday Road, Bancroft, Ontario. Life Member in Coe Hill RCL branch 581.
THOMPSON, George ? World War II
Dates and location of burial unknown to local branch 581 RCL
Marguerite Thompson
THOMPSON, Marguerite Mary World War II
Marguerite Mary Thompson, age 92, of Port Alberni, British Columbia passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 28, 2018.
She was born on January 26, 1926 in Coe Hill, Ontario. She was predeceased by her husband Captain Joseph Thompson in 1987. Also predeceased by 2 brothers and two sisters in Ontario. Survived by her two sons and a daughter; eight grandchildren; and ten great grandchildren. Also survived by many relatives and friends across Canada including 5 sisters in Ontario.
Marguerite was a proud member of the Armed Forces during WW2 and a member of the Royal Canadian Legion for 55 years. We will forever miss her quiet manner, sense of fairness, and delightful wit.
The family would like to thank Dr. Damian White; the nurses and staff that cared for Marguerite at West Coast General Hospital and Ty Watson Hospice House for the excellent care and kindness or our loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.
There will be no service by Marguerite’s request.
TINNEY, Arthur World War II
1923 – 1978. Clydesdale Cemetery, Rose Island Road. Chandos Twp.
Private. ID C/42846, Lake Superior Regiment (motor), son of Charles & Eliza Woodbeck of Owenbrook. Clarence died October 4, 1944, age 24. His brother, Morris, also died in service. Burial Agedem Canadian War Cemetery, BELGIUM.
WOODBECK, Morris Everett World War II
Private, ID C/120203, 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion. Son of Charles & Eliza Woodbeck of Owenbrook, Ontario. His brother Clarence Irwin also fell. Morris died July 6, 1944, age 29. Reported missing during D-Day invasion. Buried Ranville War Cemetery, Calvados, FRANCE. His brother Irwin Woodbeck
WOODBECK, Russell World War II
1918 – 1975 St Andrew’s United Cemetery, Coe Hill
WOODLEY, Elvin R. World War II
Elvin was born in Ormsby, Ontario on March 13, 1921. He enlisted in the Canadian Army (Active) at the age of eighteen in the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment on July 2, 1940. He received his basic training in Camp Borden prior to being sent to the UK where his advance training was received. The regiment was sent into active service, landing in Sicily and advancing up mainland Italy. In March of 1945 the Battalion was moved to Continental Europe where he accompanied them into Belgium and Holland. After his discharge on November 11, 1945, he and his brother Frank went in the lumber business. He has been a member of Coe Hill Legion Branch 581 for sixteen years. Elvin passed away October 10, 1978.
WOODLEY, Robert J.
Robert was born in Bancroft, Ontario on July 6, 1939. He enlisted in the Army on July 5, 1956. He served ten years in the Canadian Army as an Administrative Clerk in the RCASC having served two years, three months in Germany at Fort Chamly, Soest. He served in CBU Middle East with UNEF in Camp Rafah, Egypt. In June 1966, he obtained his release from the Army and joined the Metropolitan Toronto Police Force and was employed there for nearly thirty years. He retired to the area of his birth. Robert has been active member of Coe Hill Legion Branch 581 for over years, retiring as President. Wife Winnie (nee Davidson).
Memorial Stone: World War II names
Copyright Norma Gillespie, 2022 St. Michael’s Cemetery, Coe Hill, Ontario
Names on Memorial Stone for World War II Deaths
LAST NAME
FIRST NAME
SERVICE ID
DEATH
BURIAL
LOCATION
MUFFITT
Edward Earle
J/8372
1943, Nov 2
UK: Runnymede Memorial
Coe Hill Memorial
FORBES
Gerald Donald
C/5821
1944, Dec 20
ITALY: Villanova Canadian War Cemetery
Coe Hill Memorial
KEECH
V.`
Coe Hill Memorial
NASH
F
ITALY: Villanova Canadian War Cemetery
Coe Hill Memorial
PEACOCK
Robert
C/117553
1944, Aug 15
FRANCE: Beny-Sur-Mer
Coe Hill Memorial
WOODBECK
Morris Everett
C/120203
1944, July 1
FRANCE: Ranvill War Cemetery
Coe Hill Memorial
WOODBECK
Clarence Irwin
1944, Oct 4
BELGIUM: Agedem Canadian War Cemetery
Coe Hill Memorial
Add Boulogne Eastern Canadian War Cemetery, FRANCE – Sandy Mindle
NOTES
The Coe Hill Legion, in the middle of the village, was started just after World War II when soldiers arrived home. Since then, the veteran members of the Legion, and community folk are active in the Legion building in hosting events and encouraging the memories of those who are soldiers from this area. Grey military tombstones are being added for military personnel buried in these Coe Hill graveyards. Thank you.
Unknown to me, a Heritage Committee was formed, who has produced three volumes about families in the area. One volume is dedicated to:
Available through Wollaston Township Library beside the Coe Hill Public School in the village.
MILITARY BURIALS OVERSEAS
of Coe Hill area soldiers
County, Cemetery, #WW I; #WWII; Names of Soldiers
BELGIUM
Adegem Canadian War Cemetery
0
1
Clarence Woodbeck
BELGIUM
Ypes Memorial – Menin Gate
8
0
William Campbell; George Henessey, Hugh Lets; Ora Mindle; Elgin Post; Charles Reid; Ernest Robbins; William Mitchell.
ENGLAND
Runnymede Memorial
0
1
Earle Muffitt
FRANCE
Arras Road Cemetery
1
0
A J Campbell
FRANCE
Bagneux British Cemetery
1
0
J W Hewton
FRANCE
Beaucourt British Cemetery
1
0
Daniel Gunter
FRANCE
Beny-Sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery
0
2
Gerald Leveridge; Robert Peacock
FRANCE
Bouglogne Military Cemetery
1
0
S. A. Mindle
FRANCE
Danville British Cemetery
1
0
Charles Kelsh
FRANCE
Doullens Communal Cemetery
1
0
George Winters
FRANCE
Drummond Cemetery
1
0
W J Gerrard
FRANCE
Echoivres Military Cemetery
1
0
E Peters
FRANCE
Etaps Military Cemetery
1
0
Frank Leveridge
FRANCE
J. A. Chaudiere Military Cemetery
1
0
Bert Brownell;
FRANCE
Lievin Communal Cemetery
1
0
C P Colin
FRANCE
Niagara Cemetery
2
0
Richard Clarke; Gordon McCauley
FRANCE
Nine Elms Military Cemetery
2
0
Fenton Brownell; C H Brownell
FRANCE
Orchard Dump Cemetery
1
0
G Tyner
FRANCE
Ranville War Cemetery
0
1
Morris Woodbeck
FRANCE
Toronto Cemetery
1
0
George Gilroy
FRANCE
Vimy Memorial
7
0
William Bullied; Hiram Bird; Charles Danford; Allan Currie; Ernest Robbins; Terrance Rosebush; George Waite
ITALY
Villanova Canadian War Cemetery
0
2
Gerald Forbes; F Nash
WW I
WW II
TOTAL BURIALS FROM COE HILL AREA
36
7
35
Gillespie farm on left with St Michael’s Cemetery in distance
The ongoing work to keep cemeteries neat and tidy is appreciated.
Source of Records: The Legion website; Library and Archives Canada. Personal visits to Coe Hill with filming graves & researching family histories ongoing. Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Ontario War Memorials. Book, North of 7…and Proud of It. Wikitree. Regimental rogue.com. A special thanks for War Veteran’s Grave Sites by Robert & Winnie Woodley of Coe Hill.
Private. Service No. 636807. Born July 28, 1882 in Coe Hill to George Washington Gilroy and Agnes Gilroy (nee McCauley). Married Daisy Roy in Stirling on Dec 21, 1914. Attested Canadian Infantry, into 154th Battalion Bn. Embarked on ship SS Norland at Halifax, Nova Scotia Oct 18, 1916. Disimbarked at Liverpool, England. Transferred to 156th Battalion and later the 21st Battalion. Died while advancing on Marcel cave, August 8, 1918. Buried Toronto Cemetery, Demuin, Somme Region, FRANCE. His wife remarried, becoming Mrs H. J Birmingham, and moved to Hamilton, Ontario. A Memorial Cross was sent to his mother Mrs. G W Gilroy in Coe Hill. Private Gilroy is honoured on the War Memorial in Stirling, Ontario and the War Memorial in Coe Hill. Click on cemetery name to find location of his grave on map.
