Friday, February 26, 2010

B. A. Gordon

According to his Officer's Declaration Papers dated November 30, 1915 at Toronto, Beaumont Andrew Gordon was born on August 13, 1885 in Cooksville, Ontario.  He listed his wife Lorraine Cockburn Gordon, Mimico, Ontario as his next of kin.  He had 6 years previous military experience with the G. G. B. G. as a Reserve Officer. 

He started as a Lieutenant in the 124th Battalion but ended the war as a Major.

In the 1921 Toronto City directory he was listed as a "mfr" living in the home of Julia Behan (widow George) on the west side of Buckingham Street, Mimico.

R. Gordon

According to his attestation papers dated February 14, 1916 at Mimico, Ralph Gordon, Victoria Industrial School, Mimico was born on November 14, 1874 in Torquay, Devon, England.   He listed his wife, Mrs. Annie Gordon, Victoria Industrial School, Mimico as his next of kin.  He was a chef and a member of the 12th Regiment, York Rangers.  He was 41 years and 3 months of age and stood 5 feet 7 inches tall.  He had blue eyes, brown hair and a fair complexion.  He was a member of the Church of England. 

He was a Sergeant.

In the 1921 Toronto City directory he is listed as a Relief Officer, Victoria Industrial School, Mimico.

C. L. Greene

Private J. Greenhalgh - 766384

According to his attestation papers dated December 7, 1915 at Toronto, John Greenhalgh, Manchester Street, Mimico was born on January 15, 1894 in Blackburn, Lancs, England.  He listed his mother Isabella Greenhalgh, 70 Kemp (?) Street, Blackburn, Lancs, England as his next of kin.  He was a labourer and had no previous military experience.  He was 21 years and 11 months of age and stood 5 feet 5 1/2 inches tall.  He had blue eyes, brown hair and a fresh complexion.  He was a member of the Church of England.

He was a Private in the 20th Battalion Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment) when he was killed on May 11, 1917.  He died of his wounds at the No. 6 Casualty Clearing Station.  He is buried in Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas de Calais, France.

M. T. Griffiths

According to his attestation papers dated February 2, 1916 at Mimico, Moses Thomas Griffiths, Manchester Street, Mimico was born on August 9, 1879 in Carnarvenshire, Wales.  He listed his wife Mrs. Annie Griffiths, Manchester Street, Mimico (crossed out and replaced with 171 St. Helens Avenue, Toronto at a later date) as his next of kin.  He was a carpenter and had 7 years previous military experience with the 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh Fusilliers.  He was 36 years and 5 months of age and stood 5 feet 5 inches high.  He was Methodist.

E. Hack

According to his attestation papers dated January 20, 1918 at Mimico, Edwin Hack, Mimico, was born on February 20, 1882 in Surrey England.  He listed his mother Mrs. Emma Hack, Castle Street, Farnham, Surrey, England as his next of kin.  He was a labourer and had no previous military experience.  He was 33 years and 11 months of age and stood 5 feet 6 1/2 inches tall.  He had blue eyes, dark hair and complexion.  He was a member of the Church of England.

W. Hacken

There are no attestation papers with this last name.

B. Hadley

I have not been able to find his attestation papers but Pte. B. Hadley of Albert Avenue, Mimico, was treated at the Dominon Orthopaedic Hospital on Christie Street.

A. E. Harlock

According to his attestation papers dated August 31, 1915 at Toronto, Albert Edward Harlock, was born on September 5, 1891 in Toronto. He listed his wife Leaj Mand Harlock, Vanevery Street, Mimico as his next of kin. He was a "chauffer" and had no previous military experience. He was 23 years and 1 months of age and stood 5 feet 9 1/2 inches tall. He had blue eyes, fair hair and complexion. He had a scar on his left knee and "abdoman". He was a Methodist.

In the 1914 Toronto City directory he is listed as a yardman living on the south side of Vanevery Street, Mimico.

In the 1921 Toronto City directory he is listed as a trainman GTR living in the same location.

According to the 1911 census he was the son of Jim (James?) and Mary Harlock.

His brothers Walter and Norman also enlisted

N. Harlock

According to his attestation papers dated November 10, 1914 at Toronto, Norman Harlock was born on June 16, 1896 in Toronto. He listed his mother Mary Harlock, Mimico as his next of kin. He was a lithographer and had no previous military experience. He was 18 years and stood 5 feet 8 1/2 inches tall. He had blue eyes, medium dark hair and a fair complexion. He had a scar on his right arm just above the wrist and another scar over the left sacrum?  He was a Methodist.

According to the 1911 census he was the son of Jim (James?) and Mary Harlock.

His brothers Walter and Albert also enlisted

W. Harlock

According to his attestation papers dated January 14, 1916 at Toronto, Walter Harlock, Mimico, Ontario was born on July 2, 1893 in Toronto.  He listed his mother Mary Harlock, Mimico as his next of kin.  He was a plumber and had 1 year and 2 months experience as a Private in the 36th Peel Regiment.  He was 22 years and 6 months of age and stood 5 feet 7 inches tall.  He had blue eyes, dark hair and a fair complexion.  He had a mole on his lower chest and a scar on the third and forth fingers of his right hand.  He was a Methodist.

In the 1921 Toronto City directory he is listed as a clerk living on the west side of Queens Avenue, Mimico.

According to the 1911 census he was the son of Jim (James?) and Mary Harlock.

His brothers Norman and Albert also enlisted.

W. T. Harper

According to his attestation papers dated January 26, 1916 at Mimico, Walter Thomas Harper, Vanevery Street, Mimico, was born on October 9, 1879 in Lickey, Worstershire, England.  He listed his wife, Mrs. Evelyn Rosslyn Harper, Van Every Street, Mimico as his next of kin.  He was a locomotive engineer and had no previous military experience.  He was 37 years and 4 months of age and stood 5 feet 8 inches tall.  He had blue eyes and dark hair and complexion.  He was a Baptist.

In the 1914 Toronto City directory he is listed as an engineer living on the north side of Vanevery Street, Mimico.

In the 1921 Toronto City directory his is living on the east side of Superior Avenue, Mimico.

J. E. Harrison

According to his attestation papers dated January 14, 1916 at Mimico, James Edwin Harrison, Mimico, was born in Yorkshire, England on June 10, 1882.  He listed his mother Mrs. Annie Harrison, Kipling and Evans Avenue, Mimico (later crossed out and "1 Thoughton Avenue, West Toronto" written in) as his next of kin.  He was a Teamster and a member of the 12th Regiment, York Rangers.  He was 34 years and 7 months of age and stood 5 feet 9 inches tall.  He had blue eyes and fair hair and complexion.  He was Methodist.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

J. R. Harrison

According to his attestation papers dated January 10, 1916 at Toronto, John Robert Harrison, Mimico was born on January 22, 1898 in Dixie, Peel County (present day City of Mississauga).  He listed his father George Harrison, Mimico as his next of kin.  He was a farmer and a member of the 12th Regiment, York Rangers.  He was 18 years of age and stood 5 feet 9 inches in height.  He had blue eyes and fair complexion and hair.  He was a Methodist. 

W. H. Hawkes

Srgt. Major C. Heather

Captain Charles Leslie Heather was the brother-in-law of Sergeant Robert Hendry.  According to Hendry's obituary from 1918 Captain C. L. Heather was in a prisoner of war camp in Germany for about 1 year.

He was awarded the Distinguished Combat Medal in 1916.

His attestation papers seem to be missing.

In the 1914 Toronto City directory, Charles is listed as the brother of Wilton working with his father in their plumbing firm on the south side of the Lakeshore Road, Mimico. 


In the 1921 Toronto City directory he is listed as a roofer living on the west side of Mimico Avenue, Mimico.

W. Heather

According to his attestation papers dated April 13, 1917 at Toronto, Wilton Emery Heather was born on December 15, 1898 in Mimico, Ontario.  He listed his mother Hariet Heather, Mimico as his next of kin.  He was a clerk and had no previous military experience.  He was 18 years and 3 months of age and stood 5 feet 5 1/2 inches tall.  He had grey blue eyes, brown hair and a medium complexion.  He had a mole on his right breast.  He was a Methodist.

In the 1914 Toronto City directory his is listed as a clerk living with his father Herbert Heather on the west side of Station Road, Mimico.  Herbert Heather was the owner of H. Heather & Son, plumbers on the south side the Lakeshore Road, Mimico. 

In the 1921 Toronto City directory he is listed as living with Hariet Heather (widow Herbert) on the south side of the Lakeshore Road, Mimico.

A. Henderson

Sergeant R. Hendry - 775075

According to his attestation papers dated December 27, 1915 at Toronto Robert Stanley Hendry was born on September 5, 1890 in Clarkson, Ontario (present day City of Mississauga).  He listed his mother, Mrs. Lavinia Hendry, Mimico as his next of kin.  He was a gardener and had no previous military experience.  He was 25 years and 5 months of age and stood 5 feet 4 inches tall.  He had gray eyes, dark brown hair and a dark complexion.  He was a Protestant.

He was a Sergeant in the 38th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment) when he was killed on October 30, 1918.  According to the CEF death register "whilst in support positions, just South West of Valenciennes, he was hit by shrapnel in the stomach and breast, and almost instantaneously killed".  He is buried in the Denain Communal Cemetery, France.  The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website indicates that he was the son of Francis and Lavinia Frances Hendry, of Mimico, Ontario, Canada.




Hendry Family Gravestone, Mount Pleasant Cemetery Toronto

All articles and photo courtesy of the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

His brother William also enlisted but survived the war.

Cpl. W. Hendry

According to his attestation papers dated August 14, 1915 at Toronto, William Norman Hendry was born on December 11, 1893 in Mimico, Ontario.  He listed Frances Hendry of Mimico as his next of kin.  He was a fruit grower and was a member of the 36th Peel for 1 month.  He was 22 years of age and stood 5 feet 7 inches tall.  He had grey eyes, dark brown hair and a fair complexion.  He was Methodist.

His brother Robert also enlisted but was killed in the war.

According to the 1921 Toronto City directory he was living with his brother Ralph Hendry on the north side of the Lakeshore Road, Mimico.

H. Herod

According to his attestation papers dated March 1, 1916 at Petawawa Camp (there is note that he originally enlisted on March 1, 1916 but these papers were lost), Herbert Herod of Mimico, Ontario was born on April 5, 1893 at Humber Bay, Ontario.  He listed his mother Martha Herod, Mimico as his next of kin.  He was a butcher and had no previous military experience.  He was 23 years of age and stood 5 feet 8 inches.  He had brown eyes, dark hair and a fresh complexion.  He had a mole on his left side.  He was Presbyterian. 

In the 1914 Toronto City directory he is listed as a butcher living with his father Robert Herod on the west side of Queens Avenue, Mimico. 

In the 1921 Toronto city directory he is still listed as a butcher with Herod Brothers living at home on Queens Avenue.  Herod Brothers (with his brother Archibald) was located on the south side of the Lakeshore Road, Mimico.

His brother William also enlisted but was killed near Vimy.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

J. Herod

According to his attestation papers dated November 15, 1915 at Toronto, James Herod, Mimico, Ontario was born on July 3, 1882 in Haldimand County, Ontario.  He listed his wife, Winnifred Herod, Mimico as his next of kin.  He was a clerk and had no previous military experience.  He was 33 years and 4 months of age and stood 5 feet  2 1/2 inches tall.  He had blue eyes, dark brown hair and a medium complexion.  He had a scar from an operation for varicocele.  He was a Presbyterian.


According to the 1914 Toronto City directory he was a "pdir" living on the west side of Queens Avenue, Mimico.

Wm. Herod

Photo of William Samuel Herod from "From Brock to Currie: the military development and exploits of Canadians in general and of the men of Peel in particular, 1791 to 1930." Toronto, 1935 by William Perkins Bull - Canadian Virtual War Memorial

According to his attestation papers dated April 7, 1916 at West Toronto, William Samuel Herod of Dixie, Ontario (present day City of Mississauga) was born on March 26, 1890 in Mimico, Ontario.  He listed his mother Mrs. Martha Herod, Mimico, as his next of kin.  He was a farmer and indicated that he had 3 years previous military experience with the 9th Field Battery and was currently a member of the 12th York Rangers.  He was 26 years and 1 month of age and stood 5 feet 8 1/2 inches tall.  He had brown eyes, dark brown hair and a fair complexion.  He had a slight scar over his heart.  He was Presbyterian. 

He was a Private in the 1st Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Corps when he was killed on September 3, 1918.  According to the CEF burial register he was killed by shrapnel and concussion on the night of September 3, 1918 whilst acting as driver on an ammunition convoy in the vicinity of Cagnicourt.  His body was left by the side of the Arras-Cambrai Road.


It appears that his remains were never found as he is listed on the Vimy Memorial.  According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website he was the son  of Robert Murray Herod and Martha Jane Herod, of 182 Queens Avenue, Mimico Beach, Ontario.

His brother Herbert also enlisted but survived the war.

F. Hickey

According to his attestation papers dated March 30, 1917 at Toronto Francis Joseph Hickey of Sixth Street, New Toronto was born on March 22, 1900 (January 3, 1899 crossed out).  He listed his mother Isabella Hickey, 643 Markham Street, Toronto as his next of kin.  He listed his occupation as Emery Worker and indicated that he had no previous military experience.  He was 17 years old (18 years old crossed out) and stood 5 feet 6 1/2 inches tall.  He had grey blue eyes, fair hair and a medium complexion.  He had a mole on his left forearm, a birthmark on his stomach and two moles on his back.  He was Roman Catholic. 

Lance Corporal J. Higgins - 405295

According to his attestation papers dated August 20, 1915 at Toronto, William John Higgins was born on June 5, 1894 in Wimbleton, Surrey, England.  He listed his wife Florence May Higgins, Louisa Street, Mimico as his next of kin.  He was an engineer and had no previous military experience.  He was 31 years and 2 months of age and stood 5 feet 3 1/4 inches tall.  He had blue eyes, brown hair and a fair complexion.  He was missing half of a finger on one hand.  He was a member of the Church of England. 

In the 1914 Toronto City directory he is listed as a fireman living on the east side of Louisa Street, Mimico.

He was a Corporal in the 21st Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment) when he was killed in action on April 9, 1917 at Vimy Ridge.  He is buried in the Nine Elms Military Cemetery, Thelus, France.  According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website he was the son of John Higgins and the husband of Florence M. Higgins, of Teeswater, Ontario.

Obituary of W. J. Higgins, courtesy of the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

S. Hines

According to his attestation papers dated January 18, 1916 at Mimico, Sydney Hines, Mimico, Ontario was born on December 4, 1885 in Hertfordshire, England.  He listed his wife Mrs. Mary Hines, Mimico, Ontario as his next of kin.  He was a labourer at a Brass Works and was an active member of the 12th Regiment, York Rangers.  He was 30 years and 1 month of age and stood 5 feet 7 inches tall.  He had blue eyes, brown hair and a fair complexion.  He was a member of the Church of England.

In the 1914 Toronto City directory he is listed as a brickmaker living on the east side of Station Road, Mimico.

A. Hockney

I believe that this is a duplicate entry for Arthur Hockney.

Lance Corporal Arthur Hockney - 410774

According to his attestation papers dated May 7, 1915 at Lindsay, Arthur Hockney was born on February 2, 1892 at Walthampton, Essex, England.  He listed his mother Jane Hockney, Symons Street, Mimico as his next of kin.  He was a fitter and had no previous military experience.  He was 23 years and 3 months of age and stood 5 feet 5 inches.  He had blue eyes, dark brown hair and a fair complexion.  He had a small fibroma on his left foot.  We was Methodist. 

He was a Lance Corporal with the 38th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment) when he was killed in the trenches at Avion on June 26, 1917.  He was buried at the La Chaudiere Military Cemetery near Vimy in France.  According to information on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website his mother Jane Hockney, was living on Symons Street, Mimico.

Wm. C. Hockney

According to his attestation papers dated February 8, 1916 at Mimico William Charles Hockney, Heman Street, Mimico was born on February 2, 1885 in London, England.  He listed his wife Louisa May Hockney, Heman Street Mimico as his next of kin.  He was a carpenter and had previous military experience with the 4th V.B. Essex Regiment.  He was also a current member of the 12th Regiment, York Rangers.  He was 31 years old and stood 5 feet 6 inches tall.  He had blue eyes, brown hair and a fair complexion.  He was a member of the Church of England. 

In the 1914 Toronto City directory he was boarding at the home of Joseph Holloway on the north side of the Lakeshore Road, Mimico.

In the 1921 Toronto City directory he was living on the south side of Heman Street, Mimico.

Sgt. Major A. Hogg

Arthur Hogg

Private E. Hogg - 157599

According to his attestation papers dated September 15, 1915 at Toronto, Ernest Hogg was born on August 1, 1897 at Hull, Yorkshire, England.  He listed his father Thomas Hogg, Mimico Beach, as his next of kin.  He was a machinist and had no previous military experience.  He was 18 years and 1 month of age and stood 5 feet 7 1/2 inches tall.  He had brown eyes, dark brown hair and a dark complexion.  He was a member of the Church of England.

He was a Private in the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion when he was killed on July 16, 1916.  According to the CEF burial register he was hit in the head and instantly killed by a bullet from an enemy rifle on the night of July 16, 1916, while proceeding with a party across country north east of Zillebeke Lake, Ypres.  There is a note that he was buried in Sanctuary Wood.  His remains were never found as he is listed on the Ypres Memorial (Menin Gate).


According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website he was the son of Thomas and Carrie Louisa Hogg, of 190 Queen's Avenue, Mimico Beach, Ontario.  

Spr. G. C. Holdenby - 2006494

According to his attestation papers dated August 7, 1917 at Toronto Christopher Holdenby, Mimico, Ontario was born on November 5, 1890 at Islington, Ontario.  He listed his mother, Mary Ann Holdenby, Mimico, Ontario as his next of kin.  He was a plasterer and had no previous military experience.  He was 26 years and 8 months of age and stood 5 feet 8 inches tall.  He had brown eyes and hair and a medium complexion.  He had an enlarged left ankle.  He was Presbyterian.

He was a Sapper in the Canadian Enginees, Railway Depot when he was died on February 25, 1919 from influenza in the 2nd Scottish General Hospital in Edinburgh.  He is buried in the Edinburgh (Comely Bank) Cemetery, Scotland.  The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website indicates that he was the son of George W. and Mary A. Holdenby, of Mimico, Ontario.

W. Holland

W. T. Hosking

According to his attestation papers dated January 20, 1916 at Mimico, William Thomas Hosking, Elmer Street, Mimico was born on September 27, 1885 at Plymouth, England.  He listed his wife, Mrs. Mary Helen Hosking, Elmer Street, Mimico as his next of kin.  He was an electrician and had 6 years previous military experience with the RNR as a 1st class seaman.  He was 30 years and 4 months of age and stood 5 feet 6 inches tall.  He had brown eyes and dark hair and complexion.  He was Presbyterian.  

In the 1914 Toronto City directory he is listed as a car repr. living on the north side of Macdonald Avenue, Mimico. 

Wm. Howland

C. Hughes

According to his attestation papers dated February 7, 1916 at Toronto, Chester Arthur Hughes, Mimico Beach, was born on September 20, 1895 in Toronto.  He listed his father Chester M. Hughes, Mimico Beach as his next of kin.  He was a student at S.P.S. and had 2 years military experience with the C.O.T.C. (Canadian Officers’ Training Corps).  He was 20 years and 4 months of age and stood 5 feet 11 inches in height.  He had blue eyes, auburn hair and fresh complexion.  He had a scar on his left shin.  He was a member of the Church of England. 

According to the 1911 census he was actually born in August 1892 and so was older than he indicated. 

In the 1921 Toronto City directory his father Chester M. Hughes is listed as living on the south side of the Lakeshore Road, Mimico.

The following entry appears in the University of Toronto Roll of Service 1914-1918:

Hughes, Chester Arthur; Applied Science 1917, (b.a.sc. 1920); c.o.t.c.

47th Bty., C.F.A., Gnr., Feb. 1916; Bdr.; 80th Bty.; 54th Bty.; France, Mar. 1917, nth Bty.; Sergt.; Viniy, Passchendaele; Wounded, Passchendaele, Oct. 26, 19 17; C.C.D., Bramshott; Can. School of Gunnery, Witley, Instr.; Northern European Ex. F., c.F., Sergt., Sept. 1918; Mil. Medal, Archangel, gaz. Sept. 1919.

Interestingly, he appears to have been involved in the Russian Civil War between the Reds and the Whites.

T. Hunt

According to his attestation papers dated April 12, 1915 at Toronto, Thomas Hunt was born on July 24, 1891 at Manchester, England.  He listed his brother, John Hunt, Macdonald Avenue, Mimico as his next of kin.  He was a machinist and had previous military experience of 3 years with the 1st Battery, Manchester Regiment and 9 months with the 9th M. H. Toronto.  He was 23 years and 9 months of age and stood 5 feet 3 3/4 inches tall.  He had blue eyes, brown hair and a medium complexion.  He was a member of the Church of England.

According to the 1914 Toronto City directory John Hunt his brother was also a machinist living on the north side of Macdonald Avenue, Mimico.  His brother is living in the same location in 1921 but is listed as a fitter.

J. Hunter

According to his attestation papers dated January 24, 1916 at Mimico, Joseph Hunter of Mimico, Ontario was born on November 5, 1877 at Lancs. England.  He listed his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Hunter, Mimico, Ontario as his next of kin.  He was a labourer and had no previous military experience.  He was 38 years and 2 months of age and stood 5 feet 11 1/2 inches tall.  He had grey eyes, fair hair and complexion.  He was Methodist. 

According to the 1911 census he was actually born in November 1876.  In 1911 he and his wife Elizabeth had a son Joseph born in March 1903.

In the 1914 Toronto City directory he his listed as a labourer living on the north side of Southampton Street, Mimico. 

In the 1921 Toronto City directory he is listed as a machinist living in the same location (though the street had been renamed Cavell Avenue)

W. Hutchins

According to his attestation papers dated May 1, 1917 at Toronto, William Wood Hutchins, Mimico Beach, Ontario was born on January 28, 1899 in Toronto.  He listed his mother Vera Hutchins, Mimico Beach as his next of kin.  He was a clerk and had no previous military experience.  He was 18 years and 3 months of age and stood 5 feet 6 1/4 inches tall.  He had blue eyes, brown hair and a fair complexion.  He had a mole on his stomach and left shoulder blade.  And a scar in the centre of his back.  He was Methodist.