"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.

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."

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."

Louis Graham Neilly, son of Louis Allen and Flossie Scott. He served as a pilot in the Royal Air Force during World War II.

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.

Municipality : Hamilton
Community : Ontario

Description : Brad Walker was born in Hamilton, Ontario, on December 1, 1917. He enlisted in the Air Force, Fighter Command on May 27, 1940, and served in Canada until December 1st of that year, when he was sent to the United Kingdom. On December 21st, Walker was assigned to the 403 Squadron RCAF at Manston, Kent. He piloted a Spitfire, conducting Fighter Sweeps, escorting bombers and ships, carrying out ground strafing as well as keeping enemy runways out of commission. Squadron Commander Walker saw action in two tours of duty, making 203 operational flights against the enemy, in both the Hurricane, and Spitfire V to IX. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross at a Royal Investiture on June 6th, 1942, for Leadership and Meritorious Service in the Air, mentioned in Despatches twice, and awarded the American Air Medal from the U.S. government, in recognition of leading air combats against the Japanese invading forces. Brad Walker moved to Bradford in 1951.

Rose Magloughlen worked for the Canadian Postal Corps in Halifax during World War II, first at the naval base fleet office, and then at the Royal Canadian Naval Hospital.

Lou Neilly (centre). Other two soldiers are unknown

"With Our Men in Uniform" was a weekly column where letters or the location of Bradford and West Gwillimbury troops in the Second World War was disclosed to the town. It was a way to give updates on their conditions, or let the soldiers themselves thank the community for any gifts, support, or to say how they were doing overseas.

This week promoted three letters from soldiers, the location and well-being of Hedley Dimock and letter of thanks from Ken Ogilvie.

"Dear Mr. McKenzie:
I would like to thank you and the members of the bradford Canadian Corps Association for your kindness extended to me while in this country. I wish to thank the Corps for their regular assignment of cigarettes. It is hard to express one's appreciation for Canadian cigarettes, as the English fags are very interior when compared to ours.
I have been receiving a very welcome visitor weekly in the form of The Bradford Witness. It keeps me well abreast with all the local happening and recalls to one the days at home. I wish to thank you and the Hon. Earl Rowe for making this possible.
I haven't met anyone from Bradford or vicinity over here in my wanderings, but, judging from your column, "With the Men in Uniform," in The Witness, it is well represented.
Thanking you again, I remain, Respectfully yours, Harold Wilson."