Event Date : Wednesday, May 18, 1955
Event Type : Death
Municipality : Matlock, Bath, Derbyshire, England

A former well known resident of this district passed away recently at Matlock, Bath, Derbyshire, England, in the person of George Washington Stoddart. The late Major Stoddart was born on March 5, 1877, the youngest and last surviving child of Robert Stoddart, and Sarah McConkey Stoddart, his wife. His early education was obtained at Middletown School and later at Bradford. Early in his career he became interested in military affairs and enlisted in the 36th Peel Regiment under the command of Lt.-Col. Tyrwhitt. He trained at Stanley Barracks, Toronto, and Wolsley Barracks, London, and rose to Captain of his Regiment. He offered his services in the South African War but his services were declined because of the small number of enlisted men taken from Canada. On June 4, 1902 he married the late Pearl Wood, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Wood of Bradford. The issue of this marriage are Winston and George Stoddart. He served on the Council of the Village of Bradford and was subsequently Reeve. Under his Reeveship, Hydroelectricity was first installed in Bradford. He constructed a number of houses in the Village, principally on Barrie Street. He was a lover of trees and many of the fine maple trees on the Village streets were planted during his term of office on the Council. On the outbreak of World War I he offered his services. Early in 1915 he went Overseas with the 74th Battalion. He lost a leg during the War, but returned to Canada only in 1919. Mrs. Pearl Wood Stoddart died on March 6, 1926. In 1943 he married Bernice Hardstaffe of Matlock, Bath, England, who survives him, as well as a daughter, Georgina, by his second marriage. In 1938 he went to England, making his home there until his death on May 18 last. He visited this country several times since the end of World War I and was keenly interested in Bradford and vicinity.

Event Date : Friday, April 22, 1966
Event Type : Death

Description : William Cyril Selby, whose pioneer ancestors in York County became early settlers in West Gwillimbury, died in York County Hospital on April 22, following a coronary. He was the last surviving member of his family to reside in this area. Born on the 9th Concession of West Gwillimbury, 76 years ago, Mr. Selby served throughout the years of the First World War with heavy artillery. Returning after the war, to the farm of his birth, he made his home there, and that farm his life interest, until 1960, when he purchased a home on Church Street and retired to Bradford. Of a quiet and kindly disposition, he was liked by his neighbours and other friends. He was a member of St. Paul's Anglican Church. The story of the Selby family is one which reminds us of the early history of this area, his great-grandmother having been Isabel Sutherland, a Selkirk settler, and another grandparent being a U.E. Loyalist. Mr. Selby was predeceased by two brothers, Mr. Ernest Selby and Percy, one time reeve of West Gwillimbury, and by a sister, Mrs. Roy Kneeshaw (Mary). Two sisters survive him, namely Mrs. Lena B. Selby of Asbury Park, N.Y., and Mrs. Thomas (Stella) of South Orange N.J. The funeral service was held in St. Paul's Anglican Church, Coulson's Hill, with the services being conducted by his rector, Rev. W. H. Warnica, and interment in St. Paul's Cemetery. The pallbearers were Dr. Selby Kneeshaw, Messrs. Carl Bowles, Keith Bowles, Victor Sloane, John Fennell and Sam Lee. Flower bearers were Messrs. Norman Bowles, J. L. Henderson, Waldy Crossland, Thos. Brown and Seward Lee.