http://globalnews.ca/news/306578/griefs-geography-interactive-map-of-torontos-first-world-war-dead/ By street number and name, a geographic depiction of Toronto's WW1 casualties. Hardly a street untouched. E.G. 28 Geoffrey St. Crosby, Norman Rank: Private Died: 15-Sep-16 Age: 27 Buried: Vimy Memorial, France
Seeing a map like that, certainly brings the enormity of the losses. And makes you feel for the families of these men. I also feel for the men who did not have any immediate and close family or have a chance to have one of their own. A couple of years ago I had been researching the men on the war memorial in the village of Barny Norfolk. This is one of those men. Archibald Henry Brasnett He served in the Royal Navy aboard H.M.S. Mallow as Petty Officer stoker K/5384, died 22/02/1919. aged 29. Buried at sea. Commemorated Portsmouth Naval Memorial. Panel 32. Died from disease Ptomaine poisoning = food poisoning. Son of the late Mr and Mrs F. G. Basnett of Runhill Attleborough Norfolk. as his parents had already died his address was his Uncles, Mr A H Brasnett, Barney, Guist, Norfolk. His mother died 1895 and his father 1909 as they originated from Runhall I looked for the War memorial at Runhall. Population 1911 187 people. Was surprised to see a Clarke John Brasnett,(His Brother)Should be John Clarke Brasnett. So two years after the death of his father and no ties to hold him back, I guess he decided to live a dream as on 16th of March 1911, a J. Brasnett aged 21, born about 1890, occupation farming, left Liverpool,England, on the ship Montrose, (Capt A E Moscap) bound for St John's, Canada. Where it seems that he joined the Canadian Army the 16th Light horse,possibly in Regina, Saskatchewan. (The North Saskatchewan Regiment originated in Regina, Saskatchewan on 3 July 1905, when The 16th Mounted Rifles was authorized. It was designated The 16th Light Horse on 1 October 1908 and the 16th Canadian Light Horse on 15 March 1920.) Then he was attested to the Canadian expeditionary force in Valcartier (nr Quebec) on 18th Sept 1914. John Clarke Brasnett. Private 12820 Canadian Infantry 5th Battalion. (Saskatchewan Regiment). Died 27th September 1916. Aged 24. Grave I. E. 4. Contay British Cemetery. Contay is a village in the Department of the Somme on the main road, Amiens to Arras. Son of the late Fredrick George and Laura Brasnett of Runhall, Norfolk. Next of kin Miss H Brasnett (sister) of The limes, Melton Constable, Norfolk. Thiepval Ridge 27th Sept 1916. Officers killed 4 wounded 12 ORs 52 killed 291 wounded 122 missing 12 remained on Duty. Another Norfolk man who served in the Canadian infantry. Private Sidney Charles Waters. 71966 Kia 15th Sept 1916 age 31 Canadian National Memorial at Vimy France. Canadian Infantry 27th Battalion (The Manitoba Regiment) Son of Mr Charles and Mrs Frances Waters of 12 Astley Terrace, Melton Constable Norfolk. No matter where they were born or where they went When the bugle blew, they heeded it's call Alas their lives were soon spent Today and every day, I will remember them one and all.
I agree. It really does show the enormity of the losses. It looks like hardly a street in Toronto was untouched. I see that Armstrong Avenue, just off Dufferin Street had 2 men killed, one at number 82 and one at 132. Very strange looking at google Street View map now-my great aunt and uncle lived at number 15 Armstrong Avenue, and I visited them in 1976 and 1979. She lost a brother in 1918 in France. Lesley
The map on the Global site shows the current city layout. The concentration is even more acute when you view the 1920 city map.
Well known here but for those of you who have never heard, Valour Road (formerly Pine St.) in Winnipeg is the most recognized neighbourhood in Canada related to WW1. 71 Canadians were awarded the Victoria Cross in WW1. Of that total, Leo Clarke, Robert Shankland, and Fred Hall, all from the same street, had each received the VC. A phenomenon which has never been repeated anywhere in the former British Empire. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tao7ma4jxUQ
It seems Mr J Brasnett had some company of similar age to do a similar job after arrival in Canada, wonder if they kept in touch, or joined up later in the same Regiment?? Name: J Brasnett Gender: Male Age: 21 Birth Date: abt 1890 Departure Date: 16 Mar 1911 Port of Departure: Liverpool, England Destination Port: St John, Canada Ship Name: Montrose Search Ship Database: Search for the Montrose in the 'Passenger Ships and Images' database Shipping line: Canadian Pacific Railway Official Number: 108251 Master: A E Moscrop TD
Tricky, Can you elaborate on the connection? John Clarke Brasnett. Private 12820 Canadian Infantry 5th Battalion. (Saskatchewan Regiment). Died 27th September 1916. Aged 24. Grave I. E. 4. Contay British Cemetery. On 16th of March 1911, a J. Brasnett aged 21, born about 1890, occupation farming, left Liverpool, England on the ship Montrose, (Capt A E Moscap) to St John Canada. This may or may not have been John Clarke Brasnett, however we know that he went to Canada. Where it seems that he joined the Canadian Army the 16th Light horse. Possibly in Regina, Saskatchewan. Then he was attested to the Canadian expeditionary force in Valcartier (nr Quebec) on 18th Sept 1914. Died at Thiepval ridge.
Hi Canuck My post was adding hopefully more information to RCG post no 2 showing how J C Brasnett made his way to Canada and who travelled with him. I was also postulating if when war arrived in Europe and he signed up whether he did so with others he had initially travelled with. TD
TD. I have not been able to find any of the others on the list as coming from Norfolk. Maybe there was some sort of assisted passage for farmers to go out to Canada. Canuck. I think this shows John Clarke Brasnett joined the 16th Light. But I cannot be a 100% sure that he went out on the Montrose, the timing fits and I can find no other Brasnett sailing to Canada. Note: Next of kin His sister. Miss H Brasnett of The limes, Melton Constable, Norfolk.
RCG Thats what I would expect, plus a group of young men roughly the same age, all from 'farming' stock from probably different parts of the UK, off to Canada, pastures new and adventure. I was guessing they would 'bond' well on the trip over, probably kept in touch, and some may have then in 1914 (or whenever the date was) joined up together or perhaps they met up again in training - good source of a book there. I would accept for myself that the attestation is the J C Bresnett we have spoken of - thats my view anyway TD
TD. This may explain it. http://www.british-immigrants-in-montreal.com/canadian-immigration-early-1900s.html Then click on Clifford Sifton and Canada's Immigration Policy Think I would be tempted when offered a free homestead.
RCG Thanks for the link - I also found this one http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/immigration/ There is also some interesting if basic info on the 'origins' of the Canadian Army for WW1 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_history_of_Canada_during_World_War_I TD
TD. had another look at your list and guess what. J. greasy. 19 not found. S. Partridge 22. 21st Oct 1890. Selworthy Somerset England. Teamster (looking after team of horses). Parents: Samuel James Partridge, Louisa Ann Webber Sydney Partridge 500814 joined 2nd Field Engineers 1st Nov 1915 Winnipeg. Died 28th Oct 1958. Bachelor. J. Brasnett. already mentioned. A. Melton. 23. 18th May 1887 Suffolk England. Farm Labourer. Alfred Harry. 2503121 Nov 28th 1917 Winnipeg. C. Rolfe. 20. Dec 20 1888. Labourer Norfolk England NOK. Mrs George Rolfe (Mother). Runhall Green Norfolk. Charles W Rolfe. 11533421 75 Btn CEF joined Dec 30th 1914. J. Rolfe. 16. June 18th 1895. Wramplingham Norfolk England NOK. Mrs George Rolfe (Mother). Runhall Green Norfolk. John Rolfe .11518856 75 Btn CEF joined Jan 8th 1915. Runhall and Wramplingham close together west of Norwich between Honinham and Wymondham (Windham) L Hill. 19. Not found. All found here. http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/first-world-war-1914-1918-cef/Pages/canadian-expeditionary-force.aspx
