Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Cpl. F. A. Bush - 778982

According to his attestation papers dated March 10, 1916 at Mimico, Frederick Albert Bush of Mimico was born on December 31, 1891 in Bristol, England.  He listed his father, Albert Bush, Mimico, as his next of kin.  He was a labourer and an active member of the 12th Regiment, York Rangers. He was 24 years old and stood 5 feet 8 inches tall.  He had grey eyes and dark hair and complexion.  He was Roman Catholic.

In the 1914 Toronto City directory he is listed as a labourer boarding at the home of Michael Byrne on the west side of Louisa Street, Mimico.

Pte. S. Butler - 778823

According to his attestation papers dated February 21, 1916 at New Toronto, Sidney William Butler of Grand Avenue, Mimico was born on February 19, 1888 in Birmingham, England.  He listed his wife, Florence Butler, Grand Avenue, Mimico as his next of kin.  He was a carpenter and an active member of the 12th Regiment, York Rangers.  He was 28 years old and stood 5 feet 6 inches tall.  He had blue eyes, fair hair and complexion.  He was Roman Catholic.

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

Pte. A. Campbell - 192920

This must be Alexander Campbell, son of Duncan Campbell who are both listed in the 1914 Toronto City directory living on the north side of Heman Street, Mimico.

According to his attestation papers dated August 23, 1915 at Toronto, Alexander Campbell was born on March 8, 1893 in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland.  He listed his father Duncan Campbell, Caledonian Buildings, Mount Vernon, Glasgow, Scotland as his next of kin.  He was a locomotive fireman and had no previous military experience.  He was 22 years and 5 months of age and stood 5 feet 9 1/2 inches tall.  He had blue eyes, brown hair and a fair complexion.  He had a two inch scar on his left leg.  He was a Presbyterian. 

His father is listed as living on Heman Street in the 1921 Toronto City directory.

F. Campbell

Sister Sarah Cannon

courtesy of British Journal of Nursing - June 10 1916

According to her Officers Declaration Paper, dated July 5, 1917, Sarah Ann Cannon of Church Street, Mimico, Ontario was born on October 15, 1879 in Toronto.  She listed her father Thomas E. Cannon, Church Street, Mimico as her next of kin.  She was a trained nurse and had spent one year with the French Flag Nursing Corps.

Prior to enlisting in the Canadian Services, Sarah Cannon joined the French Flag Nursing Corps.  In May 1916 Sarah Cannon led a contingent of nurses to France to work in French Military Hospitals.



The following was in the May 13, 1916 issue of The British Journal of Nursing:

The second Canadian Unit, selected by the War Committee of the Canadian National Association of Trained Nurses, sailed from Montreal on May 9th, and The Committee of the F.F.N.C. greatly appreciates the public spirit of the National Association of Canadian Nurses, and the generosity of the Canadian public in financing the units. As each nurse costs the War Committee 350.00 dollars (travelling expenses to and fro to London being provided) and sixteen nurses having now been sent, it will be realised how handsome a sum has been contributed through the National Association towards the relief of suffering in French Military Hospitals through the F.F.N.C.

The following is the list of nurses of the 2nd Unit :- (I) Miss Sadie Jackson, (2) Miss Ruth Craig, (3) Miss Ferne Crysler, and (4) Miss Annie Gardiner, all graduates of the Western Hospital, Toronto; (5) Miss Florence Irwin, graduate Rochester General Hospital, New York; and (6) Miss Sarah Cannon, graduate St. Luke’s Hospital, New York.

The following was in the May 27, 1916 issue of The British Journal of Nursing:

The Corinthian from Montreal came to dock at Tilbury on Monday evening and thus brought safely to London the Second Canadian Unit of six highly trained nurses for service with the French Flag Nursing Corps in France. Miss Sarah Cannon, Graduate of St. Luke's Hospital, New York, was in charge of the little party, and is the only one of them who has been in England before. Miss Ferne Crysler, Miss Florence Irwin, Miss Ruth M. Craig, Miss Anna E. Gardiner, and Miss Sadie Jackson, are all from the Province of Ontario. Mrs. Kerr-Lawson is kindly entertaining three of the unit at Queen Mary’s Hostel, where strangers are made SO much at home, and if all the formalities, in connection with passports, certificates, and uniform can be arranged, it is hoped the Sisters will go over to France next Tuesday. Miss Gladys K. S. Robson, cert. St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, who has been elected a member of the Corps, will travel at the same time.

Spr. A. Carr - 778710

According to his attestation papers dated February 10, 1916 at Mimico, Arthur Carr of Mimico was born on June 24, 1886 in Branton, Cantley Parish, England.  He listed his mother, Mrs. Sarah Carr, Branton, Cantley Parish, England as his next of kin.  He was a fireman and an active member of the 12th Regiment, York Rangers.  He was 29 years and 8 months of age and stood 5 feet 10 inches high.  He had green eyes, fair hair and complexion.  He was a member of the Church of England. 

In the 1921 Toronto City directory he is listed as an engineer living on the east side of Church Street, Mimico.

Lt. G. M. Chisholm

According to his attestation papers dated November 1, 1916 at Toronto, Manley Garfield Chisholm was born on July 18, 1895 at St. Thomas, Elgin County, Ontario.  He listed his father James W. Chisholm, Mimico, Ontario as his next of kin.  He was a stenographer and had served in G.G.B.G. (?).  He was 21 years of age and stood 5 feet 9 1/2 inches tall.  He had brown hair, fair hair and complexion.  He had a scar on his left knee cap.  He was a Methodist. 

He was a Lieutenant in the Corps of Military Staff Clerks.

W. Clarke

Pte. R. Cleeton - 769695

According to his attestation papers dated January 5, 1916 at Toronto Robert Albert Cleeton of Heman Street, Mimico was born on August 7, 1884 in Birmingham, England.  He listed his father Robert Cleeton, c/o Mrs. E. Thornboro, Heman Street Mimico as his next of kin.  He was a labourer and had no previous military experience.  He was 31 years and 4 months of age and stood 5 feet 6 inches tall.  He had blue eyes, dark brown hair and a fresh complexion.  He had a birthmark on his left forearm and a mole on his right leg.   He was a member of the Church of England.

In the 1921 Toronto City directory he is listed as a machinist living on the south side of Elma Street, Mimico.

Pte. W. Clements - 510949

According to his attestation papers dated May 15, 1916 at Toronto, William Clements of Simpson Avenue, Mimico was born on January 5, 1884 in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, England.   He listed his mother Eliza Clements of 3 St. John Street, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, England as his next of kin.  He was a locomotive fireman and had no previous military experience.  He was 32 years and 4 months of age and stood 5 feet 8 inches tall.  He had blue eyes, brown hair and a fresh complexion.  He had two moles near his navel.  Three scars on his left hip and two moles on his neck.  He was a member of the Church of England.

Pte. J. Cochrane - 406266

According to his attestation papers dated April 16, 1915 at Hamilton, James Edward Cochrane was born on August 10, 1885 at Thamesford, Ontario.  He listed his wife S.E. Cochrane, Mimico as his next of kin.  He was a machine operator and was an active member of the 36th Peel Regiment.  He was 30 years and 8 months of age and stood 5 feet 9 inches tall.  He had blue eyes, fair hair and complexion.  He had a maple leaf tatoo on his right forearm.  He was a Methodist.

According to the 1911 census he was living on Heman Street with his wife Sarah, daughter Ethel and son James.

His brothers William and Samuel also enlisted.

Pte. S. Cochrane - 261119

According to his attestation papers dated April 8, 1916 at Winnipeg, Samuel Hugh Cochrane of Sceptre, Sask, was born on February 14, 1891 in Hamilton, Ontario.  He listed his mother Mrs. Eliza Cochrane, Mimico, Ontario as his next of kin.  He was a labourer and had no previous military experience.  He was 25 years old and stood 5 feet 7 1/2 inches tall.  He had blue eyes, dark hair and complexion.  He was a Methodist.

 According to the 1911 census he lived with his parents James and Eliza (and their large family) on Heman Street, Mimico.

According to the 1921 Toronto City directory he was living with his father James Cochrane on the north side of Heman Street, Mimico.

His brothers James and William also enlisted.

Gnr. W. Cochrane - 3035826

According to his draft papers dated April 29, 1918 at Toronto, William Albert Cochrane of Mimico was born on August 24, 1897 in Mimico.  He listed his mother Eliza Cochrane, Mimico, as his next of kin.  He was 20 years and 9 months of age and stood 5 feet 7 1/4 inches in height.  He had brown eyes, light brown hair and a fair complexion.  He had a small scar on the front of his left ear.  He was a Methodist.

According to the 1911 census he lived with his parents James and Eliza (and their large family) on Heman Street, Mimico. 

According to the 1921 Toronto City directory he was living with his father James Cochrane on the north side of Heman Street, Mimico.

His brothers Samuel and James also enlisted.

Pte. H. B. Cooke - 139245

According to his attestation papers dated November 25, 1915 at Toronto, Herbert Bryant Cooke of Church Street, Mimico, was born on November 16, 1880 at Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England.  He listed his wife, Augusta Cooke, Church Street, Mimico as his next of kin.  He was a butcher and had 3 years previous military experience with the Somerset Light Infantry.  He was 35 years of age and stood 5 feet 8 inches tall.  He had blue eyes, red hair and a fair complexion.  He had two scars on his right knee and right wrist; scar under his chin, left eyebrown and left arm, left ear, the back of his right hand and first and third finger of his left hand.  He was a Methodist.

Pte. F. Cooper - 754228

I think this is be Frederick Cooper son of Seth E. Cooper who is listed in the 1911 census living on Symons Street in Mimico.

According to his attestation papers dated March 6, 1916 in Blind River, Frederick Cooper of Blind River, Ontario was born on January 27, 1891 in Collingwood, Ontario.  He listed his father Seth E. Cooper, Deau Lake, Ontario as his next of kin.  He listed his occupation as machine hand.  He had no previous military experience.  He was 25 years old and stood 5 feet 2 1/2 inches tall.  He had grey eyes, black hair and a fair complexion.  He was a Methodist.

Private J. Coulton - 192198

According to his attestation papers dated August 17, 1915 at Toronto, Jowett Coulton was born on October 13, 1895 in Yorkshire, England.  He listed his mother Lily Coulton, 681 Woodbine Avenue, Toronto as his next of kin.  He was a grocer and had no previous military experience.  He was 19 years and 10 months of age and stood 5 feet 6 inches tall.  He had grey eyes, light hair and a fair complexion.  He was a member of the Church of England. 

He was a Private with the 28th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regiment) when he was killed in action on September 25, 1916 in the Courcelette area.  His remains were never found as he is listed on the Vimy Memorial in France.  According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website he was the son of Mrs. Lily Coulton, of 108 Robert St., Mimico, Ontario. (Robert Street is present day Wheatfield Street)

According to the 1921 Toronto City directory Lily Coulton (widow Arthur) was living on the west side of Robert Street (present day Wheatfield Avenue).

J. Coulton Jr.

I believe this is a duplicate for Jowett Coulton as there is only one listed in the attestation papers for the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF).

There is a Jowett Coulton listed in the 1921 Toronto City directory who was Percy's father but I cannot find any attestation papers for him in the CEF.

Pte. P.V. Coulton - 273276

According to his attestation papers dated March 22, 1916 at Toronto, Percy Victor Coulton of Stanley Avenue, Mimico was born on August 1, 1901 in Mimico.  He listed his mother Elizabeth Jane Coulton, Stanley Avenue, Mimico as his next of kin.  He was a student and had no previous military experience.  He was 17 years of age and stood 5 feet 2 inches tall.  He had blue eyes, light hair and a fair complexion.  He was a member of the Church of England.

His brother Jowett also enlisted but was killed. 

According to the 1911 census he was the son of Jowett and Elizabeth Jane Coulton.  His parents has emigrated to Canada from England in 1900.

In the 1921 Toronto City directory he is listed as a clerk living with his father Jowett Coulton above their General Store on the north side of the Lake Shore Road, Mimico.

Chas. Courte

Pte. E. Coxhead - 136460

According to his attestation papers dated November 3, 1915 at Toronto, Ernest Galt Coxhead, Mimico Beach, was born on October 30, 1897 in Mimico Beach.  He listed his mother Eliza Coxhead, Mimico Beach as his next of kin.  He was a grocery clerk and had no previous military experience.  He was 18 years old and stood 5 feet 8 inches tall.  He had brown eyes, dark brown hair and a medium complexion.  He had a small scar below his left eye and one on his left knee.  He was a member of the Church of England.

In the 1921 Toronto City directory he is listed as a builder living with his father Caesar Coxhead on the corner of Stanley and Superior Avenues, Mimico.

Dvr. W. G. Darby - 778374

According to his attestation papers dated January 13, 1916 at Mimico, William George Darby of the "Ind. Sct." (Victoria Industrial School?), Mimico was born on August 26, 1897 in Toronto.  He listed his father George Darby, 67 Holinsdale Road, Toronto as his next of kin.  He was a shoemaker and a member of the 12th Regiment, York Rangers.  He was 18 years and 5 months of age and stood 5 feet 6 inches tall.  He had blue eyes, fair hair and complexion.  He was a Baptist.

Lt. B. Davidson - 285025

Bryce Thomas Davidson
Courtesy of the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

According to his attestation papers dated March 18, 1916 at Toronto, Bryce Thomas Davidson of Stop 16, Lake Shore Road, Mimico was born on January 29, 1893 in Toronto.  He listed his mother Mary Augusta Davidson, Stop 16, Lake Shore Road, Mimico as his next of kin.  He was a student at law and had previous military experience with the Signalling Corps G.G.B.G.  He was 23 years and 3 months of age and stood 5 feet 5 1/2 inches tall.  He had brown eyes, dark hair and complexion.  He was Presbyterian. 

He was a Lieutenant in the 20th Squadron of the Royal Air Force when he was killed on July 2, 1918 while on a bombing run over Germany.  He was buried in the Menin Road South Military Cemetery in Belgium.  Information on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website indicates that he was the only son of Douglas and Mary A. E. Davidson, of Mimico Beach, Ontario; husband of M. W. Davidson, of 59 Parkway Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. A Law Student.




Photo and articles courtesy of the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

The following entry is part of the Osgoode Hall Roll of Honour:

Lt. Bryce T. Davidson. Lieutenant Bryce Thomas Davidson. Son of Douglas Davidson, Secretary, of Mimico, Ontario. Graduated from high school in 1911. Admitted as a law student in 1911 at age 18. Mechanical Transport Driver, 220th Battalion in March 1916. Killed in action. Never called to the bar.

His name appears on the Osgoode Hall Memorial.

Pte. C. Derbyshire - 300706

According to his attestation papers dated July 17, 1916 at Berryfield (?), Christopher Derbyshire was born on August 11, 1895 in Blackburn, England.  He listed his mother Harriett Derbyshire, 30 Bennington Street, Blackburn, England as his next of kin.  He was a labourer and had no previous military experience.   He was 20 years and 3 months of age and stood 5 feet 1 inch tall.  He had blue eyes, medium hair and complexion.   He had a scar from a burn on his right shoulder.  He was a member of the Church of England.

Christopher appears in the 1911 census for Mimico living with is parents James and Harriett. He was working at a brickyard.  His family had emigrated to Canada from England in 1910.  However his attestation papers make it clear that his parents had moved back to England by 1916.

Pte. A. Donaldson - 778522

According to his attestation papers dated January 24, 1916 at Mimico, Archibald Donaldson of Mimico, Ontario was born on June 30, 1871 in Perthshire, Scotland.  He listed his wife Mrs. Elizabeth Donaldson, Mimico as his next of kin.  He was a road foreman and had previous military experience with the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders.  He was 44 years and 7 months of age and stood 5 feet 9 inches tall.  He had blue eyes, dark hair and complexion.  He was a Presbyterian. 

According to the 1911 census Archibald and his wife Bessie are living on the Lake Shore Road, Mimico.  They emigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1910.

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

In the 1921 Toronto City directory he is listed as living on the north side of Victoria Street, Mimico.

Pte. J. Donnelly - 3037333

According to his draf papers dated May 11, 1918 at Toronto, John Charles Donnelly of Mimico was born on August 22, 1896 in Etobicoke township.  He listed his sister, Miss Geraldine Donnelly, Mimico, as his next of kin.  He was a RR trainman and had no previous military experience.  He was 21 years and 8 months of age and stood 5 feet 4 inches in height.  He had blue eyes, dark hair and a fresh complexion. 

According to the 1921 Toronto City directory he was a brakeman and living on the north side of Main Street, Mimico.

Lcp. L. Donville - 135466

According to his attestation papers dated July 26, 1915 at Toronto, Louis Thomas Donville was born on April 5, 1894 at Toronto.  He listed his father Walter Donville, Mimico, Ontario as his next of kin.  He was a pianist and had no previous military experience.  He was 21 years and 8 months of age and stood 5 feet 8 1/4 inches high.  He had grey eyes, brown hair and a fair complexion.  He had a scar on his forehead.  He was Roman Catholic. 

In the 1921 Toronto City directory he is listed as a musician and living on the west side of Milton Street, Mimico.