Tuesday, July 21, 2009

In Grateful Remembrance

In Grateful Remembrance is the title of the project that I have been working on for several years. I have worked on it on and off but realize now that I must get it finished. Like genealogy projects on your own family, the project could go on for a long while yet, but I have a target date in mind -- September 14.

So what is the project? In 1919, Knox Presbyterian Owen Sound (since 1925 a United Church) dedicated an organ in remembrance of the men connected to the church who had paid the supreme sacrifice during or shortly after the First World War. I have been researching each man and his family. When we were working on the application to have the organ designated as a military memorial, I got very interested in the names on the plaque. The booklet or whatever it ends up being will include information on the church organ.

August marks the 90th anniversary of the installation with the dedication held in September. This year we will celebrate the 90th anniversary at Knox with a special musical concert. The committee has decided to have a variety concert.

Concert - In Grateful Remembrance
To celebrate the 90th anniversary of the installation and dedication of our Casavant organ that was dedicated to the memory of those who died in the First World War, an evening of music will be presented at Knox on September 27 at 7 p.m. Freewill offering.

The concert will feature:
Dwayne Hachman, organ
John Stuart-Vanderburg, organ
Jaime McCormick, French horn
On Q quartet,
Jane Siegel, piano
Barry Randall, percussion

I will write more about the concert later.

Now who have I been researching?

In Grateful Remembrance

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13)
1914-1918Norman Richard Birge (1893-1917) enlisted with the 58th Battalion. He served with the 2nd Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment) and died on 25 April 1917 in France.
William Fawcett Campbell (1891-1918) enlisted with the 147th Battalion. He was with the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles Central Ontario Regiment when he died on 28 August 1918 in France.
William Oswald Fraser (1895-1918) enlisted with the 147th Battalion and served with the 2nd Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Corps. He died on 6 November 1918 in France.
William Ira Fulford (1888-1915) was with the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles (2nd Central Ontario Regiment) when he died on 1 December 1915 in Belgium.
John Gershon Galbraith (1896-1918) enlisted with the 34th Battery of Kingston. When he died on 28 July 1918 in France, he was serving with the Royal Air Force 13th Squadron.
Albert Edward Gaskell (1891-1918) was with the 72nd Battalion, Canadian Infantry (British Columbia Regiment). He died on 2 September 1918 in France.
Thomas Seton Gordon (1890-1916) enlisted with the 2nd Universities Company University of Toronto. He received his commission in the Border Regiment, 11th Lonsdale Battalion. He died on 22 January 1916 in France.
Charles Haughton McKay Gordon (1880-1919) enlisted with the 68th Battalion. He died in Regina, Saskatchewan on 5 April 1919.
Alexander Mckay Gunn (? - 1917) was the 44th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (New Brunswick Regiment). He died on 23 August 1917 in France.
Victor John Lennox (1891-1919) was with the Regiment Depot, Canadian Engineers. He died on 30 June 1919 in England. [Victor died after the plaque was made.]
Allen Beatty Malcom (1898-1917) enlisted with 147th Battalion. He served with the 58th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment). He died on 30 August 1917 in France.
Joseph McDonald (1884-1917) enlisted with the 147th Battalion and served with the 58th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment). He died on 27 October 1917 in France.
Robert Edward McDonald (1883-1916) enlisted with the 160th OS Battalion, Canadian Infantry. He died on 19 December 1916 in England.
Roy Brown McKenzie (1891-1917) enlisted with the 147th Battalion and served with the Canadian Railway Troops. He died on 4 April 1917.
Charles Edgar Orford (1892-1917) enlisted with the 147th Battalion. He served with the 58th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment). He died on 26 October 1917 in Belgium.
Clarence Porter (1898-1916) went overseas with the 2nd Contingent. He served with the Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment) 20th Battalion and he died on 15 September 1916 in France.
Seth Enos Rawn (1898-1918) enlisted with the 147th Battalion. He served with the 4th Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Corps. He died on 30 September 1918 in France.
James Dawson Sheffield (1895-1917) enlisted with the 147th Battalion. He served with the 58th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment). He died on 26 October 1917 in Belgium.
Cyril Slade (1892-1918) served with the 20th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment). He died on 11 November 1918 in France.
Arthur Frederick Thompson (1897-1917) enlisted with the 147th Battalion and served with 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles (Central Ontario Regiment). He died on 26 October 1917 in Belgium.
John A. Thompson (1876-1915) went overseas with the 1st Contingent. He served with the 15th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment). He died on 21 May 1915 in France.
James Watt (1884-1918) enlisted with the 147th Battalion. He served with the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles (2nd Central Ontario Regiment). He died 28 August 1918.
Louis Zeiggel (1894-1916) served with the 42nd Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment). He died on 16 September 1916.
Do you recognize any of the names? Do you have information about them? I would love to include a photo of them in the finished project.

4 comments:

  1. Janet, this is such a wonderful tribute to these men who served their country.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a wonderful project and a great way to remember these men.

    ReplyDelete
  3. A very worthy project the community will appreciate. Cheers for Janet!

    ReplyDelete
  4. The main thing now is I have to get focused and get the work done.

    ReplyDelete

Comments are moderated before being posted. Please no links in your comments. The blog author reserves the right to not post a comment if deemed inappropriate.