Showing 38 results

Archival description
Local History Collection War dead With digital objects
Print preview View:

New street names will honor Bradford West Gwillimbury vets

Continuation of veteran biographies (see Related Description: "The noise of the aircraft, the guns..."): Gunner John Douglas Breeze, 1st Lieutenant Arthur Kneeshaw, Flight Officer James M. Booth, Corporal James G. McKinstry, Signalman Lester B. Woolven, Brigadier-General (Padre) Ormand A. Hopkins

Bradford Witness

Dale, John William

Photograph of World War I soldier J. William Dale, who lost his life in St. Eloi on May 10th, 1916.

Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library

Smith, Henry Harvey

Regimental Number 195695

From the Canadian Virtual War Memorial:
“Henry first joined the Army as part of the 80th Battalion, on August 10, 1915. He was discharged at Camp Barriefield, on September 25, 1915 as "medically unfit." In January, 1916, he enlisted again, this time with the 93rd Battalion, 57th Regiment, Peterborough Rangers. On July 15, 1916, Henry shipped out of Halifax, Nova Scotia, aboard the SS Empress of Britain and arrived in Liverpool, England on July 25, 1916. In September 1916, he was moved to France and on October 2, 1916, was assigned to a Unit that was fighting, in the Battle of the Somme, near the village of Courcelette. On October 12th, 1916, he was wounded by shrapnel and on October 14, 1916 he died of those wounds. He was 39 years (?), four months old. Ironically, October 14 was the birthday, of his wife Susan.”

From the Northern Advance, December 28, 1916:
"Pte. Henry Smith, a resident of Bradford nine years ago, has been killed in action. He enlisted at Peterboro."

Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library

Spence, Cpl. William obituary

"Won Military Medal
The following letter gives details of Corporal Wm G. Spence's death and burial:
France Oct 8th, 1918
Mr. James Spence, Bradford, Ontario Canada
Dear Mr. Spence - it is my very painful duty to have to inform you that your son, No. 345884, Corp. W.G. Spence, was killed in action on the 28th Sept., 1918. He was killed while leading his gun crew forward taking part in the attack on enemy positions close to Bourlou Wood.
At a time like this one almost feels that words are useless, but I would like to express to you my sincere sympathy for you in your bereavement, and it is always nice to know that someone, other than oneself, has known and appreciated he who has gone. Corpl. Spence has been with this Company for quite a lone time now, and will be greatly missed by everyone. He was always well liked by the man, and as a N.C.O. [non-commissioned officer], I always found him all that could be desired.
I am glad to be able to tell you that since I commence to write you I have received notice that Corpl. Spence has been awarded the Military Medal for good work in a previous operation. I might tell you that he won this for very good work while taking part in the attack close to Arras on the 2nd Sept. 1918.
I am enclosing herewith a ring which Corpl. Spence left out of the line with one of the other men. He wished it to be sent to you.
It will doubtless be a consolation for you to know that he was buried in the British military cemetery at Quarry Wood, close to the Canal du Nord.
Again assuring you of my sincere sympathy, believe me to remain,
Yours very truly,
F.J. Burke,
Captain, O.C. "D" [Company], 38th [Canadian Infantry Battalion]."

Bradford Witness

McKinstry, Cpg. James G.

"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.

Bradford West Gwillimbury Times

Bond Head Cenotaph Plaque - WWII

Bond Head Memorial Plaque for Soldiers who lost their lives in World War II from the Bond Head area. Plaque reads:
"In Memoriam
Harold Wilson
Laurie Melbourne
Ross Rutherford
Walter Aelick
Walter Andrews
Earl Slack
Robson Jewitt
Who lost their lives in the Second World War."

Peter Wilson

Dimock, Hedley Gilbert from Madras War Cemetery Memorial book

Memorial page for Hedley G. Dimock from the Madras War Cemetery in India where he is buried. It reads:
"Joined the R.C.A.F as an Avi Engine Mechanic, rising through the ranks to a Pilot Officer. He was born in Eston, Sask. on the 22nd April, 1922; moving to Bradford, Ontario he attended the Public and High School, passing the 12th Grade with honours. He died at Cochin India, the 27th June '44."

Madras War Cemetery

Melbourne, Wilfred Laurier

Photograph of Wilfred Laurier "Laurie" Melbourne, son of Charles and Kennetta (Ogilvie) Melbourne. He was a WWII soldier who was killed in action on February 4th, 1945 when his aircraft collided with another over Courtil, Belgium.

The Roll of Honour Book

The Roll of Honour Book at the War Museum in Seoul showing the Canadian flag and the number of lives sacrificed from Canada for peace in Korea.

Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library

Results 1 to 10 of 38