“Soldiers on the March
On Tuesday the first detachment of soldiers en route to Toronto arrived in Cookstown. About half-past two the citizens lined the streets to welcome the boys. At three o’clock, amidst great cheering, led be a band of pipers, the 48th Highlanders, after a bloodless skirmish with the Mounted Rifles of Hamilton, marched into town and encamped at the camp prepared for them by the C.A.S.C. on the Fair grounds. The ladies of Cookstown have undertaken to supply pies for the soldiers. On Tuesday everyone nobly responded, over one hundred and fifty pies were obtained.”

"Military Concert
A grand military concert was held in the Town Hall on Tuesday evening. This concert far surpassed anything Cookstown had seen before. The hall was crowded with a very enthusiastic audience, many of whom had to stand. Rev. W. Creswick presided, and Lieut. White at the piano. Some of the leading items on the programme were given by Pte. MacDonald, who imitated a brass band in his throat. Pte. Gant, slack wire artist, won great applause, and Pte. Pass, comedian, was very much enjoyed also. After the concert supper was given to the entertainers."

Personnel files of one thousand and four personnel who served in World War I with ties to South Simcoe. Research was commenced by Jan Coward. After her passing, a group of research assistants worked to verify the research and share this publicly. Original database exists as an online spreadsheet.

Recruitment draft for William John Nevils to serve in World War One. Dated May 23, 1918

“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.”

Photograph of the Cookstown cenotaph