Lest We Forget – Men who served in the (CEF) WW1

Remembrance Day is a day to remember those men and women who have served and those who are serving today. Here are some of the men in Robert’s and my families who served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during WWI. I’ve included links to the Library and Archives Canada website where the personnel records are being digitized These are the names of the ones that have been digitized with a PDF file where you can find more information.

Sydney Wedford Black (married my grandaunt, Frances Edlora Belknap)

Sydney was drafted under the military service act of 1917. He signed a declaration of recruit in Calgary, Alberta on May 21, 1918 at the age of 23. He served as a private in the 2nd Canadian War Graves Detachment. Regimental # 3211766. Sydney was discharged on August 19, 1919. Sydney married my grandaunt in 1936 and had a large family of nine children. He died on April 10, 1980 at the age of 84 and is buried at the Northwood Baptist Cemetery in Saint-Lina, Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada.

Canadian War Diaries - Miscellaneous Diaries
WW1 personnel records
Find A Grave

Henry Archibald Danskin (my 2nd cousin twice removed)

Henry enlisted on July 16, 1915 in Calgary, Alberta at the age of 25. He served as private in the Field Ambulance Depot. Regimental # 322659. Henry was discharge on June 2, 1919. He married later as his death registration in 1958 lists his wife as May Ellen Hutchinson. Henry died on January 16, 1958 at the age of 68 in the Provincial Mental Hospital in Coquitlam, B.C. Canada. He is buried at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Burnaby, B.C., Canada.

Canadian War Diaries - Medical Units
WW1 personnel records
Death Registration
Find A Grave

Arthur William Danskin (my 2nd cousin twice removed)

Arthur’s military service was very brief. He was a private in the 84th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment). Regimental # 163261. He died at the age of 34 on December 22, 1915 in the Brantford General Hospital at Brantford, Ontario of bronchitis, typhoid and pneumonia. He never even made it overseas.

WW1 personnel records
CWGC (Commonwealth War Graves Commission)
Find A Grave

Seward Cephus Foster (Robert’s great granduncle)

Seward enlisted on April 4th, 1916 in Berwick, Nova Scotia, Canada at the age of 31. He served as a sapper in the 219 Battalion. His regimental # 283381. He was discharged on April 5th, 1919 with the war service badge. Seward returned home to his wife Annie Creemer. He died at the age of 51 on 26 April 1937. He is buried in the Aylesford Union Cemetery in Aylesford, Nova Scotia, Canada.

WW1 personnel records
Find A Grave

Andrew Graham (married my grandaunt, Edith Greenlees Paterson)

Andrew enlisted 16th December, 1914 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada at the age of 19. He served as a private in the 32nd Battalion and 10th Battalion. Regimental # 81330. Andrew was honorable discharge on May 19, 1919 with the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. He married my grandaunt on July 2, 1927 and had three children (one passing away young). He died on February 5, 1982 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and is buried at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

The Story of the Tenth Canadian Battalion 1914 -1917
WW1 personnel records
Find A Grave

Allan James Levy (married Robert’s grandaunt, Emelia Alberta Stoddart)

Allan enlisted on July 13, 1915 at the age of 27 in Valcartier,Quebec. He served as a Lance Corporal in the 60th Battalion. Regimental # 415512. Allan was killed in action on June 15, 1916 while in the trenches at Sanctuary Wood. He left behind his wife and four small children. He has a memorial at Ypres (Memin Gate).

60th Canadian Overseas Battalion
WW1 personnel records
CWGC (Commonwealth War Graves Commission)

George Outhit Lutz (Robert’s 1st cousin 3 times removed)

George was drafted under the military service act of 1917. He signed the declaration of recruit on June 14, 1918 in Aldershot, Nova Scotia at the age of 29. He served as a private in the 17th Reserve Battalion. His regimental # 3189848. George was discharge on July 18, 1919. He returned to his wife, Annie Lamb, whom he married just months before his enlistment. He died on July 13, 1961 at the age of 72. He is buried in the Morristown cemetery in Morristown, Nova Scotia, Canada.

WW1 personnel records
Find A Grave

Lest We Forget – Fred of the 58th Battalion CEF

Fred is a mystery to me, but he wasn’t a mystery to my grandmother, Dorothy Warry. My aunt and I discovered this postcard hidden behind one of my grandmother’s photos. On the front is a photo of the officers of the 58th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. The postcard is stamped Niagara Falls, August 28, 1915 at 9 am. It’s addressed to Miss D. Warry 14 Thorold Ave. Toronto, Ontario and a note to my grandmother.

  Dear Dorothy, Many thanks for letter. I hope to be home for Sunday. I will phone Saturday anyway. Just getting ready to go to Queenstown. So Goodbye hoping you are well. Yours Fred

Fred may have been a sweetheart of my grandmother before my grandfather, Johnston Paterson. Sadly, many young men never made it back to their sweethearts.

So, who was Fred? We know his first name was Fred or Frederick, he was probably in the 58th Battalion, and he probably didn’t make it back. I’ve tried looking over the Canadian Expeditionary Force, 58th Battalion members who died overseas, but there seem to be quite a few possibilities. So maybe he will always be a mystery to me. Even my grandmother is entitled to a secret. 

CEF 58th Battalion Members Who Died Overseas 

52 Ancestors - Dorothy Eleanor May Warry (Paterson)

Happy Mother's Day

Mother’s day is the perfect time to write a new post to highlight a few of the mother’s in Robert's and my families. These busy Moms are a few that had over 10 children.  

Florence Odessa Palmer (Lutz) Robert's great grandmother had 16 children.
Florence married Azie Elvison Lutz at Berwick, Nova Scotia, Canada in 1915 at the age of 16. She had her 1st child at the age of 16 and last at the age of 48. All of her children survived to adulthood.

Margaret Ann Nichols (Palmer) Robert’s 3rd great grandmother had 13 children.
Margaret married Thomas Richard Palmer in 1850 at Aylesford, Nova Scotia, Canada at the age of 17. She had the 1st child at the age of 17 and the last at age of 42.

Matilda Gates (Randall) Robert’s 3rd great grandmother had 12 children.
Matilda married Christopher Randall in 1830 at Aylesford, Nova Scotia, Canada at 18. She had her 1st child at 19 and last at the age of 44.

Catherine Muirhead (Paterson) Jacqueline’s 2nd great grandmother had 12 children.
Catherine married Johnston Paterson in 1837 at Glasgow, Scotland at the age of 18. She had her 1st child at age 18 and the last at the age of 42. Tragically few of her children would reach adulthood. Only two would have children.

Agnes Findlay (Danskine) Jacqueline’s 2nd great grandmother had 12 children.
Agnes married William Danskine in 1837 at Cumbernauld, Scotland at the age of 21. She had her 1st child at 21 and her last at the age of 44. Sadly, most of her children didn’t make it to adulthood.

Rebecca Taylor (Foster) Robert’s 3rd great grandmother had 11 children.
Rebecca married Isaac about 1829 in Nova Scotia, Canada at the age of 20. She had her 1st child at  the age 20 and last at the age of 47.

Margaret Clem (Lutz) Robert’s 3rd great grandmother had 11 children.
Margaret married Rufus Lutz in 1854 at Nova Scotia, Canada at the age of 24. She had her 1st child at the age of 24 and last at the age of 48.

Betsey Ann Bristol (Belknap) Jacqueline’s 3rd great grandmother had 11 children.
Betsey married Martin Seymour Belknap about 1831 in New York, United States when she was about 17. She had her 1st child at the age of 18 and last at the age of 43.

Frances George (Fiddler)  Jacqueline’s 3rd great grandmother had 11 children.
Frances married Henry Fiddler in 1846 in Richland Ohio, United States when she was 21. She had her 1st child at the age of 22 and last at the age of 42.

Some of the other mother's in our families:
Sentimental Sunday - Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day

Friday Faces from the Past - John E Kaira

Another one of my mysterious photos with Finnish on the back. I can make out the name E. Kaira John, but I'm not sure how he fits into my tree. 

Looks like a peaceful lake.

More Finnish photos:

Friday's Faces From the Past - Derik Lackello

Friday's Faces from the Past - California 1949

Wordless Wednesday - Rock Lake

Sunday's Obituary - Lydia Elzina Knox (Brown)

Lydia Elzina Brown

      Dies At Keithsburg

   Special To The Hawk-Eye.

  Keithsburg, Ill., March 22 - Mrs.

Lydia Elzina Brown died at her home

in Keithsburg Saturday March 19, af-

ter an illness of about four weeks.

  Lydia Elzina Knox was the daughter

of Asa and Elmira Knox, pioneer set

tlers in Mercer county.

  She was born Oct. 24, 1851 and her

entire life was lived in the county ex

cept one year spent in Iowa.

  In January 1869 she was married to 

David A. Brown. To this union were 

born 16 children, eight boys and eight

girls. Her husband and five children 

preceded her in death.

  Those who live to mourn her pass-

ing are Rose Kilsey of Washington, Ia.,

William Brown of New Boston, Ill.,

Mina Knox of Gilchrist, Ill., Glen

Brown of Elizas,  Clint, Dan, Clem,

Clive, Louis, Earl and a sister Mrs.

Fern Robbins, all of Keithsburg and

one brother Van Knox of Keithsburg.

  There are 68 grand children, 40  great

grandchildren. Funeral services will

be heald Tuesday, March 22 at 1 p. m.

at the Christian church. Rev. Leslie

J. Ross preaching and burial will be

in Brink cemetery near Joy, Ill.

 The Burlington Hawk-Eye

(Burlington, Iowa)

23 March 1932 • Page 9 

Newspapers.com

Lydia Elzina Brown would be my 1st cousin 5x removed

Find A Grave Memorial# 54018824

 

More on the Knox family:

52 Ancestors - George Knox

Sunday's Obituary - Lettis Ellen Knox (Littrell)

Friday's Faces from the Past - Fred

This an appropriate photo for Remembrance Day week. Like the other photos I posted from my Finnish side, I'm not sure who Fred is. But this photo is mostly in English, with just a little Finnish along one side.

 More photos:
Friday's Faces from the Past - Derik Lackello
Wordless Wednesday - Rock Lake 
Friday's Faces from the Past - California 1949

 

The Belknap Brothers - Not Forgotten

Me - My Mom -Ruby Alberta Belknap - Donald Francis Belknap - his brother, Martin Henry Belknap - his sons, Gordon Bernard Belknap and Robert Martin Belknap 

As we get closer to Remembrance Day I've been thinking of those many brave men and women who served their countries. Many of those heroes are in our families trees. I thought it was time to find them and make a point of acknowledging them. Two of those young men are brothers who never had the chance to grow old. Gordon Bernard Belknap and his younger brother, Robert Martin Belknap are two of the fallen sailors who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. They are the sons of Martin Henry Belknap and Matilda Anne Krekofsky. Both were born in Sterns County, Minnesota, United States. Gordon Bernard Belknap on September 1st, 1919 and Robert Martin Belknap on  May 7 1925.  Gordon enlisted at the young age of 17 on May 4th, 1937. He went missing when his ship the U.S.S. Pecos was sunk by a Japanese aircraft on March 1st, 1942. Gordon was just 22 years old. His younger brother, Robert turned 17  just after Gordon went missing. Robert followed Gordon by enlisted at 17 on March 31st, 1942. At 20 years old, Robert is listed as missing when his ship the U.S.S. Luce is sunk by Japanese aircraft.

 The brothers are listed on page 2 of Minnesota in the "World War II Navy, Marie Corps, and Coast Guard Casualties, 1941-1945" right next to each other.

 Timeline of Gordon and Robert from the Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949 on Ancestry

• 1937-May-04 Gordon enlisted in the navy at Minneapolis
• 1939-May_15 Gordon received from USS Chicago FFT Asia
• 1939-May-29 Gordon  on Muster Roll USS Henderson sailing from San Francisco to Honolulu
• 1939-Jul-09  Gordon transferred from USS Augusta to USS Henderson
• 1939-Jul-10  Gordon on Muster Roll USS Henderson sailing from Tsingtao, China to     Shanghai, China
• 1940-Dec-24  Gordon received on board USS Pecos                 
• 1940-Dec-31 Gordon on Muster Roll USS Pecos
• 1941-Mar-31 Gordon on Muster Roll USS Pecos
• 1941-Jun-30 Gordon on Muster Roll USS Pecos
• 1941-Aug-05 Gordon appointed Water Tender 2nd Class
• 1941-Aug-08 Gordon on Muster Roll USS Pecos
• 1941-Sep-30 Gordon on Muster Roll USS Pecos
• 1942-Mar-01 Gordon is listed as missing in action when the USS Pecos was sunk by Japanese aircraft south of Christmas Island

• 1942-Mar-31 Robert enlisted in the navy at Minneapolis
• 1943-Jun-21 Robert received on board USS Luce from R/S Lido Beach, L.I., N.Y.
• 1943-Jun-21  Robert on Muster Roll USS Luce
• 1943-Dec-31 Robert on Muster Roll USS Luce
• 1943-Dec-31 Robert transferred to USNH Dutch Harbor, Alaska
• 1944-Feb-07 Robert received from NOB Dutch Harbor
• 1944-Feb-29 Robert on Muster Roll USS Luce
• 1944-Mar-31 Robert on Muster Roll USS Luce
• 1944-Jun-30  Robert on Muster Roll USS Luce
• 1944-Sep-30  Robert on Muster Roll USS Luce
• 1944-Dec-31  Robert on Muster Roll USS Luce
• 1945-Mar-31 Robert on Muster Roll USS Luce
• 1945-May-04 Robert in listed as missing on Muster Roll with the sinking of the USS Luce

Gordon B Belknap is memorialized at Tablets of the Missing, Manila, Philippines 

Find-A-Grave

.

Robert M Belknap is memorialized at Courts of the Missing, Court 5 at Honolulu, Hawaii, UnitedStates

Find-A-Grave

More about USS Pecos AO-6:

Wikipedia

The History of Navy Oilers

More about USS Luce DD-522:

Wikipedia
Kamikaze Images 
WWII Database

Wedding Wednesday - Miss Frances Hanson, R.T. Belknap Wed

Me - My Mom - Ruby Alberta Belknap - Donald Francis Belknap - his brother, Martin Henry Belknap - his son, Russell Thomas Belknap

The Bismarck Tribune, "Society News," notice, The Bismarck Tribune, 6 April 1932, p. 5, column 1, Russell Thomas Belknap and Frances Helen Hanson marriage; Newspapers (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 13 January 2014).

 "Montana, County Marriages, 1865-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F33Y-6L6: accessed 4 November 2015), Russell Thomas Belknap and Frances Helen Hanson; citing Marriage, Glendive, Dawson, Montana, county courthouses, Montana; FHL microfilm 1,905,434.

More on the Belknap family:

52 Ancestors - Donald Francis Belknap

52 Ancestors - Thomas Jefferson Belknap

Sunday's Obituary - Robert's Roots - Issac L. Loomer

Robert - His Dad - Laura Grace Loomer - Joseph Scott Loomer - his brother - Isaac Lockman Loomer

This seems very fitting around Halloween, as Issac Loomer is buried in the famous Sleepy Hollow cemetery.

  

The funeral of Isaac L. Loomer,                   who died suddenly, in Gardner

Monday, was held from the home

of his daughter, Miss Edna Loomer,

this town, Wednesday afternoon.

Rev. William Bolcourt, pastor of the

United church, officiated. Burial

was in Sleepy Hollow cemetery,

Concord. The bearers were Wilbur

and George Loomer of Worcester,

Noble and Walter Loomer of Con-

cord, Mr. Davis of Gardner and

Oscar Kunst of this town.

 

 

Fitchburg Sentinel

(Fitchburg, Massachusetts)

24 January 1936 • Page 6 

Newspapers.com

 

 

Happy Halloween

It's interesting to think about how our ancestors may have thought of Halloween in the past. There are numerous histories of Halloween that can be found on the internet. This is an excerpt from the book  "The Book of Hallowe'en" by Ruth Edna Kelley. It's a book all about Halloween history, and beliefs and customs in different countries.

Friday's Faces From the Past - Derik Lackello

This is another photo from my Finnish side. I not sure who these people are or how they fit into my family. The man in the uniform I assume, is Derik Lackello. The photo is dated September 15, 1944.

Derik Lackello, Front

Derik Lackello, Back

More Finnish Photos:

Friday's Faces From The Past - California 1949 

Wordless Wednesday - Rock Lake

Thriller Thrusday - A Wicked and Felonious Conspiracy

Me - My Dad - Johnston Cumberland Paterson - Francis Paterson - Johnston Paterson - his brother (Francis Paterson)

This intriguing case in 1859 involved my 2nd great granduncle, Francis Paterson, turning the tables on a group of conspirators trying to entrap him for assault to extort money.. Francis was a writer(solicitor) and  house factor (one who manages property) for his uncle, George Hunter of Renfrew. The trouble began  in February of 1859 when Francis took John Boyle to small-debt court in Glasgow for not paying rent at McAlpine Street. This is when John Boyle, his wife (Margaret Gallocher), James Boyle, Charles Kerr, John Stewart, and others devised a wicked scheme to  entrap Francis for assault on Mrs. Boyle. They lured Francis to the shop with suggestion that some of the amount owed would be paid, then asked him to go to the back room to check on a faulty water pipe. Mrs. Boyle was waiting for him in the dark room and pulled him down while exposing herself. The police were summoned and Francis was taken to the police office. He was charged with alleged assault, with intent to commit rape and disorderly conduct. Francis was tried at the police court where the charges were dropped due to discrepancy in the evidence. The perpetrators were then charged with conspiracy to extort money , for assault, and perjury.

The trial was conducted in October of 1859 in the autumn circuit court and received a lot of attention. It appeared in numerous newspapers in England and Scotland. The Glasgow Herald had the whole trial in the paper on October 7, 8, and 10th. During the trial, Francis had many people vouch for his good character.

• His cousin (Henry Spence) a draughtsman states he’s a man of good moral character and has been married for two years past in August.
• Sarah Vass or Watt whom house is right above Mr. Boyle’s kitchen said that Mr. Paterson was a nice modest man that she wouldn’t expect that he would assault a woman.
• Jessie Beatton or McDougal had a shop next to the Boyle’s. She affirmed that Mr. Paterson was a respectable man.
• William D. Hall (writer) declared that he had known Mr. Paterson for the last 15 years and that Mr. Paterson had a first-rate moral character both professionally and otherwise.
• William Burns (writer) affirm that Mr. Paterson’s character was excellent. Mr. Burns had known Francis professionally.
• Jane (Francis Paterson’s wife) spoke that they had been married for two years.

Francis finally got his justice at the end of the trial when the jury came to an unanimous verdict, finding the perpetrators guilty of the crime of conspiracy as libeled, to extort money, or found a false claim for damages against Mr. Francis Paterson, by means of a false accusation of a criminal offense knowing it to false, and by means of perjury. John Boyle and his wife, Margaret were sentenced to seven years of penal servitude. James Boyle, Charles Kerr, and John Stewart to five years of penal servitude.

You can read the case before the high court from google books


More about the Patersons:
52 Ancestors - James Paterson - Glasgow Spirit Dealer
Sympathy Sunday - The Patersons in Scotland
Workday Wednesday - Bank Treasurer 

Sources:

"Autumn Circuit Court - Oct. 6," The Glasgow Herald, 7 October 1859, page 4 of 8; digital image, Find My Past (http://www.findmypast.com : accessed 10 October 2015).

Not available on Google News.

"Autumn Circuit Court - Oct. 7," The Glasgow Herald, 8 October 1859, pages 3 & 4 of 4; digital image, Find My Past (http://www.findmypast.com : accessed 10 October 2015).

Also found on Google News.

 

"Autumn Circuit Court - Oct. 8," The Glasgow Herald, 10 October 1859, page 6 of 8; digital image, Find My Past (http://www.findmypast.com : accessed 10 October 2015).

Also found on Google News

Sunday's Obituary - Harry L. Littrell

Me - My Mom - Ruby Alberta Belknap - Bessie Beatrice Landers - Angeline Henrietta Littrell - her brother - Harry Lincoln Littrell

  Thanks to my cousin Jo for sharing this obituary. 

HARRY L. LITTRELL PASSES                                           

           AWAY.

  Harry Lincoln Littrell, son of John

and Ellen Littrell, was born near

Keithsburg, January 11, 1864, and de-

parted this life, at his home, July 26,

1920, at the age of 56 years, 6 months

and 15 days.

  He was united in marriage the 20th

day of September 1904 to Mrs. Linnie

M. Burch. To this union was born a

daughter L. June Littrell.

  He began his duties as a man in

early years, as a teacher, afterwards

moving to Chicago with his mother

where he was connected with the Chi-

cago postoffice for a period of 15

years. After his marriage he again

began to teach in which vocation he

continued until his late illness.

  He became a member of the Metro-                                                    

politan lodge No. 860. A. F. & A. M.,

being initiated January 19, 1904, pass-

ed February 23, 1904, and raised

March 29, 1904. He was an enthus-

iastic and consistent worker in the

order and a firm believer in its prin-

ciples.

  He became a member of the M. E. 

church at an early date and after-

wards affiliated with the Disciples of

Christ with when he walked the re-

mainder of his days.

  He leaves to mourn his departure,

his wife, Mrs. Linnie M Littrell, his

daughter, L. June, two sisters, Sadie

E. Hyfield of Burlington, Iowa, and

Lucinda Herson of Fonda, Iowa; two

brothers, Charles and William H.

Littrell, two step children, Everett M.

Burch of St. Paul Minn., and Mrs. 

Mary E Kemp of this city. Besides

these many other dear ones and a

host of friends.

  He was wholesoled and heartily

fervent in his profession, a great

brother in his order, a true disciple of

his Christ, a loving husband, a fond

parent and a loving friend. 

  Funeral services were held Wednes-

day afternoon, July 28, at the Chris-

tian church, Rev. J. M. Dawson of

ficiating under the direction of Ro-

bert Burns Lodge No. 213 A. F. & A.

M.

 

The Times Record

Aledo, IL

Vol. XXXVII, #7, 29 July 1920

Part 2, p. 13, "Keithsburg Happenings"

 

Find A Grave Memorial# 124901657

 

More about the Littrell family:

Sunday's Obituary - Lettis Ellen Knox (Littrell)  

The American Civil War - John H Littrell

Fearless Females - Mini Profile

 

Friday's Faces From the Past - Smith & Company

I've been very lucky to have relatives share photos with me. One of my cousins have a wonderful album of her father's mostly taken during WWII when he was an airplane mechanic. While stationed in England it looks like he had a chance to visit family. This photo is labeled Smith and company in  Bournemouth, England. This would have been my great grandmother's, Edith Elinore Smith (Warry), family. It would be nice to have names to the faces.

More on the Smith family:

52 Ancestors- John William Smith - Dorset Carpenter & Joiner
52 Ancestors - Edith Elinore Smith (Warry) -Unconventional Great Grandmother
Amanuensis Monday - John William Smith's Will