Claude Edgar Orton
Claude Orton was born on February 23, 1887 in Simcoe, Ontario to James Whitfield Orton and Mary Elizabeth Hopkins. Claude was in the middle of 8 boys; his older brothers were Harry, Ernest and William, and his younger brothers were Herbert, Walter, James and George.
Claude was living in the Town of Bayham when he enlisted on November 23, 1915 in St. Thomas. He was married to Agnes Isobel Delavalee , had a daughter, Mary Elizabeth (1910-1979), and a young son, Lloyd George (1913-1994). Claude was working as a Blacksmith, a trade that would serve him well during the conflict overseas.
Having served in the Militia with the 30th BN of the Royal Canadian Artillery, Claude was made a Gunner with the 91stBn of the CEF. His previous experience contributed to his rapid promotion through the ranks: Lance Corporal (15 Feb 1916), Corporal (01 Mar 1916) and then Sergeant (29 Mar 1916). On June 28, 1916, the 30th Bn boarded the SS Olympic in Halifax and departed for England, arriving in Liverpool on July 6th.
While stationed in England, Sgt Orton was transferred numerous times between various batteries of the 36th Bn RCA. It can be assumed this was due to his blacksmith skills being in demand, as while serving with the 82nd Howitzer Battery, Sgt Orton was promoted to Ferrier Sergeant on October 10th.
On April 7, 1917, F/Sgt Orton and the 83rd Howitzer Battery arrived in France. On August 29th, Orton requested he be reverted in rank to that of Shoeing Smith (equivalent to the rank of Gunner). From all accounts, now S/Smith Orton was a model soldier. He was sent on instructional courses, he enjoyed Leave in January and February of 1918 and was awarded the Good Conduct Badge the previous November.
S/Smith Orton was Killed in Action at Rosierers, during the Battle of Amiens on August 10, 1918. He is remembered on a family marker in the Aylmer Cemetery but he is buried at Vrely Communal Cemetery Extension in France.
Lest We Forget
Erwin Leslie Pearson
Erwin Leslie Pearson was born on May 31, 1890 in Tillsonburg, Ontario to Christopher Pearson and Nancy Williams. On October 8, 1908, in Straffordville, at the age of 19, Erwin married Margaret (Maggie) Williams, 18, daughter of Peter Williams and Mary Nichol. On the Marriage License, Erwin is listed as a Farmer and Maggie as a Housemaid.
Erwin enlisted on January 12, 1916 in Tillsonburg. He was living in Brownsville with Maggie and their four children; Jim, Edwin "Ted", Margaret and Ruby.
Pte. Pearson was assigned to the 168th Battalion, and after training in Canada the unit sailed from Halifax to England on October 30, 1916 on the SS Lapland, arriving in Liverpool on November 11, 1916.
On the 13th of January, 1917, Pte. Pearson was transferred to the 2nd Bn and the next day was in France. On February 5th Pte. Pearson was attached to the 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company.
The 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company was one of the tunnelling companies of the Canadian Military Engineers during World War I. The tunnelling units were occupied in offensive and defensive mining involving the placing and maintaining of explosive mines under enemy lines, as well as other underground work such as the construction of deep dugouts for troop accommodation, the digging of subways, saps (a narrow trench dug to approach enemy trenches), cable trenches and underground chambers for signals and medical services.
During preparation of tunnels for the Battle of Messines, Pte. Pearson was Killed in Action on May 17, 1917
"He was wounded on the night of May 29th between 11 and 12 o'clock, and lived only a few minutes after being struck. He was struck in the side by a piece of shrapnel from a German shell. He was buried on May 30th and was given a military funeral, with a service at the grave." (This is from a letter to Erwin's father from Erwin's friend Private A S Reavely.)
Erwin Pearson is buried in La Clytte Military Cemetery, Belgium, and, is also commemorated on the small remembrance marker in the Richmond West Cemetery.
Lest We Forget
Harold Raven
Harold Raven was born on August 10, 1896 in Colchester, United Kingdom to William and Lucy Raven. The Raven family emigrated to Canada in 1912 and took up residence in Bayham.
Harold enlisted on August 28, 1915 in St. Thomas. His Attestation Papers list his occupation as Farmer.
Pte. Raven was assigned to the 33rd Battalion, and after training in Canada the unit sailed from Halifax to England on March 17, 1916 on the SS Lapland, arriving in Liverpool on March 25, 1916.
On the 25th of May, 1916, Pte. Raven was transferred to the 1st Bn and the next day was in France. The very next day, Pte. Raven was transferred to the 7th Bn.
During the Battle of the Somme, near the French village of Courcelette, Pte. Raven was Killed in Action on September 8, 1916
Harold Raven is buried in Courcelette Military Cemetery, France, and, is also commemorated on the small remembrance marker in the Richmond West Cemetery.
Lest We Forget
Edward Arthur Robinson
Edward Arthur Robinson was born on May 6th 1892 in Cayuga, Haldimand, Ontario, to Thomas and Catherine Robinson
Edward Robinson was married to Lula Beatrice Haggblom (March 1st, 1896 – May 21st, 1927). They were married in Port Burwell by Rev Thomas Charlton on May 24th, 1911. At the time of his enlistment, Edward and Lula had a daughter, Jean.
Edward enlisted in St. Thomas on February 9th, 1916 and was initially assigned to the 91st Battalion. The 91st sailed from Halifax on the SS Olympic on June 28th, 1916 arriving in England on July 6th.
After spending some time training in England, Private Robinson was transferred to 58th Bn on October 11th, 1916 and landed in France on October 19th, 1916
During the Battle of the Scarpe, Pte. Robinson was listed as Wounded and Missing in Action on August 27th, 1918. It was later declared “For official purposes presumed to have died on or since 27-8-18” Ottawa later issued an official death certificate on July 28th, 1919.
Edward Arthur Robinson has no known grave. He is remembered on the Vimy Memorial in France. Inscribed on the ramparts of the Vimy Memorial are the names of over 11,000 Canadian soldiers who were posted as 'missing, presumed dead' in France.
Lest We Forget
Harry newton thompson
Harry Newton Thompson was born on June 3, 1893 in to Caleb and Annie Thompson, in Wallaceburg, Ontario.
Harry Thompson was married to Elva May Hawley on May 7th, 1913 in Luton, and they were living in Corinth at the time of his enlistment.
Harry Thompson enlisted on March 17th, 1916 in St. Thomas. His Attestation Papers list his occupation as a Farmer.
Pte. Thompson was initially assigned to the 91st Battalion, and after training in Canada the unit sailed from Halifax to England on June 29th, 1916 on the SS Olympic, arriving in Liverpool on July 6th.
Immediately upon arrival in England, Pte. Thompson was transferred to the 12th Bn on July 15th and transferred again on August 27th he was transferred to the 2nd Bn. On September 20th, the 2nd Bn went to France.
Pte. Thompson spent some time in field hospitals during his posting in France. In November 1916 he was admitted for treatment of Influenza for a period of 4 days, and, admitted again in January 1917 for a period of 10 days for Rubella (German Measles) and Scabies.
On the first day of the Battle of the Vimy Ridge, Pte. Thompson was Killed in Action on April 9, 1917
Harry Newton Thompson has no known grave. He is remembered by Canada on the Vimy Memorial near Vimy, France. Inscribed on the ramparts of the Vimy Memorial are the names of over 11,000 Canadian soldiers who were posted as 'missing, presumed dead' in France. Harry Thompson is also remembered by his community on the simple memorial at the Bayham West Cemetery in Richmond, Ontario
Lest We Forget
THE WEST BROTHERS
Lewis Edgar, Arthur and William James
Lewis Edgar, Arthur and William James (Bill Jim) were the three oldest children born to Abraham and Emeline West of Kingslake in a family (according to the 1911 Canadian Census) which also included younger brothers, Stanley and John, and sister, Mildred.
Arthur West was the oldest of the children; born September 15, 1888 in Dearham. Bill Jim was next, born March 22, 1897 in Houghton Township, followed by Lewis, born September 12, 1895 in Houghton Township.
The first to enlist was Lewis, on February 12, 1916 in Simcoe. Then came Bill Jim a couple of days later on February 17, 1916 in Simcoe. And finally, Arthur on February 26, 1916 in Port Rowan. All three brothers were members of the Militia unit, the 39th Regiment (Norfolk Rifles), when they enlisted.
The three brothers stayed together through their tours of duty. They were initially assigned to the 133rd Battalion for training and sailed to England aboard the SS Lapland arriving on November 11th1916. In England they were transferred to the 14th Battalion (Royal Montreal Regiment) and reported to their new unit in France on December 13th.
On April 9th 1917, the Canadian Corps launch their assault on Vimy Ridge. The 14th Battalion fought at the centre of the 3rd Brigade during the attack on Vimy Ridge and faced strong opposition. Several German strongpoints had survived the creeping barrage and their machine-guns caught the 14th in the open. By the end of the day the battalion's casualties were 92 killed and 173 wounded. Of the three West brothers, only Lewis would survive this action. Arthur and Bill Jim were both Killed in Action on the opening day of the battle.
Lewis, however, would not survive the war. He was gassed during the Passchendaele offensive on September 6th 1917 and would die from his wounds the next day.
Arthur and Bill Jim are buried together in the same grave at Nine Elms Military Cemetery in Thelus, France. Lewis rests in the Lapugnoy Military Cemetery in Lapugnoy, France.
Lest We Forget
Alexander “Alex” Gair Williams
As we approach Remembrance Day for 2025, we will commemorate some of the Port Burwell area sons who gave their all in World War 1. Today we remember Alexander “Alex” Gair Williams of Harrietsville.
Alex Williams was born on October 4th, 1893 in Dundee, Scotland. At the time of his enlistment, he was married to Betsy Pitkathly Williams and lived in Harriestville.
Alex Williams enlisted on April 25th, 1916 in Tillsonburg. His Attestation Papers list his occupation as a Farmer.
Pte. Williams was initially assigned to the 168thBattalion, and after training in Canada the unit embarked on the SS Lapland from Halifax on October 30th and arrived in Liverpool on November 11th, 1916 where on December 5th he was transferred to the 39thReserve Battalion. On January 4th, 1917 he was transferred to the 6thReserve Battalion.
Pte. Williams was transferred to the 21st Bn on April 17th and joined the Unit in France.
On May 4, 1917, the 2nd Canadian Battalion of the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, was involved in the Third Battle of the Scarpe, specifically the Capture of Fresnoy. This action was part of the larger British-led Arras Offensive (April 9 – May 15, 1917).
The Third Battle of the Scarpe (May 3–4, 1917)
- Objective: The primary Canadian objective was the village of Fresnoy-en-Gohelle, an important part of the German defensive line.
- Action: On May 4, 1917: The 2nd Canadian Battalion of the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, captured Fresnoy.
- Outcome: The village was captured, but at a high cost, with over 400 Canadian casualties. This action was part of a failed wider offensive by the Allies, and the village was lost to a German counter-attack a few days later, which is why the battle is less well-known than Vimy Ridge.
Pte. Alexander “Alex” Gair Williams was initially reported as wounded and being transported to hospital during this battle. On Jul 11ththat report was upgraded to “Wounded and Missing After Action”. Finally on December 31st, Alex Williams was declared Killed in Action.
Alex Williams has no known grave. He is remembered by Canada on the Vimy Memorial near Vimy, France. Inscribed on the ramparts of the Vimy Memorial are the names of over 11,000 Canadian soldiers who were posted as 'missing, presumed dead' in France.
Lest We Forget
