Private Harry Bellchamber

2251050/775438 Private Harry Bellchamber was born in Paddington, London England on December 12, 1877.  At the time of his first attempt to enlist in December 1915, Private Bellchamber lived in Bolton, Ontario with his wife Agnes and was a laborer by trade.  

He had already served 4 years in the 36th Peel Regt. of Canada.  Private Bellchamber's first attempt to join the 126th Peel O.S. BN C.E.F. would end in a medical discharge just three months in to his training, due to a "small chest".  Determined to do his duty, Private Bellchamber would try again in 1917 at the age of 41.  This time he was deemed fit for duty.

Private Bellchamber would return from his service and eventually die on July 5th, 1949 at the age of 72.

Lest We Forget

Attestation Paper of Private Harry Bellchamber 2251050

Attestation Paper of Private Harry Bellchamber 775438

Click on the above links to view attestation documents

Lt. James Hugh Gilmore Wallace

Lt. James Hugh Gilmore Wallace was born in Woodbridge, Ontario on December 19, 1885. He was already serving in the 12th York Rangers as an officer at the time he volunteered for the 127th York Rangers Overseas BN C.E.F. on December 24th, 1915. He had also served 3 years in the 36th Peel Reg't.  

Lt. Wallace was a barrister by profession and hailed from a notable family in Woodbridge, son of the Honorable Clarke Wallace.  He was married to Kathleen Hartney at the time of his death on January 22, 1929 at the age of 39.

Lest We Forget


Officer's Declaration of Service for Lt. James Hugh Gilmore Wallace


Click on above link to view Officer's Declaration Document

Sergeant George Arthur Evans

104218 Sergeant George Arthur Evans was born in Caledon Ontario on July 11, 1884. He would enlist at age 31 for his military service on July 15, 1915 in Regina Sask were he was working as a farmer. 

Sergeant Evans would be wounded twice during his tour in France, once in 1916 at the Somme and again in 1918 in Mons. He would return home from France, and eventually die just shy of his 81st birthday on May 11, 1965.

Lest We Forget


Attestation Paper for Sergeant George Arthur Evans


Click on the above link to view attestation document

L/Corporal John Thomas Simmerson

778512 L/Corporal John Thomas Simmerson was born in Markham, Ontario on May 10, 1883.  He would enlist is the 127th York Rangers Overseas BN C.E.F on January 16, 1916 in Newmarket, Ontario at the age of 32.  At the time of his enlistment he was residing with his wife in Keswick, Ontario and was a Marine Engineer.  For 9 years prior to his enlistment, he had also served in the 12th York Rangers, obtaining the rank of Colour Sergeant. 

L/Corporal Simmerson would return from his service in France and he would eventually die at the age of 56 on April 22, 1939.

Lest We Forget

Attestation Paper for L/Corp. John Thomas Simmerson

Click on above link to view attestation document

Veteran's Tribute Aurora Cemetery

Sapper Garnet Willis

778092 Sapper Garnet Willis was born in King, York County, Ontario on August 25th, 1895.  At the time of his enlistment he lived in Aurora Ontario and was a tanner by trade.  He enlisted in the 127th York Rangers Overseas BN C.E.F. on December 20, 1915 at the age of 20.  He was already in the 12th Regt. York Rangers at this time so there would have been no question about him going overseas.

Sapper Willis would died on December 27th, 1920 at the age of 25 just over 5 years after his enlistment. His death attributed to his military service.

Lest We Forget

Attestation Paper for Sapper Garnet Willis

CWGC Certificate of Remembrance for Sapper Garnet Willis

Click on above link to view attestation document and Certificate of Remembrance

Private Albert Atkins

406966 Private Albert Atkins, was born in Essex England on May 21st, 1878. He enlisted in 36th BN C.E.F in Hamilton Ontario in May 1915 at the age of 37.  He had seen 7 years previous militia service in England in the Kings Liverpool Reg't.  At the time of his enlistment is trade was listed as a farmer and he was single.

According to his headstone in the above photograph he died on September 20, 1920 at the age of 44 years.   His death attributed to his military service.  His enlistment documents clearly show his year of birth being 1878 therefore his age at death should be 42 in 1920.  So either his age is incorrect or his D.o.D was in 1922. Not that it matters.

Lest We Forget


Attestation Paper for Private Albert Atkins
CWGC Certificate of Remembrance for Private Albert Atkins


Click on above links to view attestation document and Certificate of Remembrance.