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"James G. McKinstry was born in the town of Bradford on December 4th, 1884. He enlisted on December 11, 1915, into the 10th Royal Grenadiers, who were later absorbed into the 123rd Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force. The 123rd served in Canada until they embarked for England, on August 8th, 1915. McKinstry served at Bramshott Camp and was confirmed in the rank of A/L Corporal, in 1916. He was appointed A/Cpl. in 1917. In early February, 1917, the 123rd Battalion served overseas in France and Flanders, as a Pioneer Battalion. McKinstry remained in England as a instructor, but was dispatched to the front one month later, as part of the Canadian Corps below Vimy Ridge. In October of that year, the Corps moved to Flanders to aid the British in their autumn offensive. The attack on Passchendaele Ridge took several stages to complete. Cpl. McKinstry was killed in action at Passchendaele on October 21st,1917, and is buried in Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, in Belgium. He was 31 years old at the time of his death. At the end of the offensive in November, the Canadian Corps had sustained 16,000 casualties.

Memorium in the Bradford Witness and South Simcoe News for those who lose their lives in WWI.

Military band in front of the Armoury in Barrie.

“Military Concert
On Friday last A and B companies of the 1st C.O.R. had to remain in Cookstown over night. On Friday evening a first class concert and minstrel show was given by them in the town hall. There was a very large and appreciative audience who enjoyed it very much. Pte. Harris was the star performer of the evening and won much applause. Several fine choruses were rendered by the men.

Church Parade
On Sunday morning the soldiers who had encamped for Sunday on the fair grounds held a church parade to St. John’s Anglican church. They were about four hundred and fifty strong. Rev. Walter Creswick, the rector, who had been appointed provisional chaplain, preached a sermon very appropriate to the occasion, which was much appreciated by the men.
Great Hospitality has been shown by the people of Cookstown to the soldiers. Besides providing them with pies every day many have entertained them in their homes.”

Military post card published by J.H. Douse of Lefroy. This post card was sent by Charles Houghton to Miss Ethel Hughes. Charles, who served in the medical corps during World War I, was one of the men in the picture.

A copy of the Military Service Act of 1917. It outlines the process of enlistment in the armed forces. Sent to the Clerk of Bradford.

A few of the medals received by Myra Wood for military service in World War I as a nursing sister, serving in Greece, England and Malta. Myra Wood's medals, which she earned serving as a nursing sister in the First World War. The first medal is the British War Medal, given to all who served in the First World War or in Russia from 1919-1920. The second medal is the Victory Medal, which was issued with the first. The third medal is the 1914-1915 Star, awarded to those who served between August 5, 1914 and December 31, 1915.