Private William Craib - 404309

According to his attestation papers dated April 12, 1915 at Toronto, William Craib was born on December 8, 1896 in Aberdeen, Scotland.  He listed his mother Martha Craib, 173 Fern Avenue, Toronto as his next of kin.  He was a plumber, unmarried and had no previous military experience.  He was 19 years and 4 months of age and stood 5 feet 5 inches in height.  He had blue eyes, brown hair and a fair complexion.  He was a Presbyterian. 

His brother Alexander also enlisted.

Private Harry Dawson - 113168

I think this is most likely Harry Eltherbert Dawson.  According to his attestation papers dated July 31, 1915, Harry Ethelbert Dawson was born in Toronto on July 12, 1894.  He listed his father, Harry Dawson, 231 Lansdowne Avenue, Toronto as his next of kin.  He was a saddler and was an active member of a militia.  He was 21 years of age and stood 6 feet tall.  He had brown eyes, brown hair and a dark complexion.  He was a member of the Church of England.

He is listed on the Honour Roll and cenotaph as being killed but I cannot find a record of his death.

Bombardier John Peer Dewsbury - 340159

According to his attestation papers dated January 12, 1917 at Toronto, John Peer Dewsbury of Frederica Street (present day High Street), Humber Bay was born on July 3, 1898 in Toronto.  He listed his mother Adeline Dewsbury, Frederica Street, Humber Bay as his next of kin.  He was a labourer, unmarried and an active member of the 10th R.G. for 6 months.  He was 18 years and 6 months of age and stood 5 feet 7 1/2 inches tall.  He had brown eyes, dark brown hair and a medium complexion.  He had scars on his left calf and on the arch of his left foot; a piece off the tip of his second finger of his left hand; and, a mole on the right of his abdomen.  He was a member of the Church of Christ.

In the 1921 Toronto city directory he is listed as a shipper living with his father Franklin Dewsbury on the east side of Frederica Street, Humber Bay.

Bombardier Harry Drew - 310786

According to his attestation papers dated January 24, 1916 at Toronto, Harry Drew of 26 Lansdowne Avenue, Toronto was born on December 13, 1887 in Toronto.  He listed his mother Anna Drew 46 Beresford Street, Swansea, Toronto as his next of kin.  He was a clerk, unmarried and had no previous military experience.  He was 28 years and 1 month of age and stood 5 feet 6 inches tall.  He had blue eyes, brown hair and a sallow complexion.  He was circumsized.  He was a member of the Church of England.

His brother John also enlisted.

Gunner John George Drew - 770055

According to his attestation papers dated January 10, 1916 at Toronto, John George Drew of 46 Beresford Avenue, Toronto was born on September 25, 1892 in Toronto.  He listed his mother Hannah Drew, 46 Beresford Avenue, Toronto as his next of kin.  He was an operator, unmarried and had no previous military experience.  He was 23 years and 4 months of age and stood 5 feet 7 1/2 inches tall.  He had blue eyes and fair hair and complexion.  He had a mole on his left shoulder and chest and a scar on his left wrist.  He was a member of the Church of England.

His brother Harry also enlisted.

Sapper Patrick Durkin - 778621

According to his attestation papers dated January 31, 1916 at Mimico, Patrick Durkin of Humber Bay Ontario, was born on February 24, 1892 in Darwin, Lancashire, England.  He listed his sister, Miss Katherine Durkin, 10 Berry Street, Darwen, Lancashire, England as his next of kin.  He was a labourer and an active member of the 12th Regiment, York Rangers.  He indicated that he had three months previous military experience with the 45th Battlion, Canadian Expeditionary Force.  He was 23 years and 11 months of age and stood 5 feet 3 1/2 inches tall.  He had blue eyes, fair hair and a dark complexion.  He was Roman Catholic.  

In the 1921 Toronto city directory he is listed as a labourer living in the home of Patrick McDermott on the east side of Oliver Street, Humber Bay.

Sapper Ernest Egles - 681244

According to his attestation papers dated February 21, 1916 at Toronto, Ernest Egles, Lake Shore Road, Humber Bay, was born on July 14, 1888 in Toronto.  He listed his mother Mary Engles, Lake Shore Road, Humber Bay as his next of kin.  He was an auto mechanic and had no previous military experience.  He was 27 years and 8 months of age and stood 5 feet 10 1/4 inches tall.  He had blue eyes, light brown hair and a fair complexion.  He has scars on both temples and moles on his left arm, neck and back.  He was a member of the Church of England.

According to the 1911 census his father William emigrated to Canada from England in 1877.

Thomas Elliott

Thomas Elliott is recorded as having been killed in the war but I cannot find a record for him.

Roy Ford

Private George Fordyce - 42674

According to his attestation papers dated September 24, 1914 at Valcartier, Quebec, George Fordyce was born on December 28, 1895 in Humber Bay, Ontario.  He listed J. Fordyce, Humber Bay as his next of kin.  He was single and an electrician.  He had no previous military experience.  He was 19 years 8 months of age and stood 5 feet 9 inches tall.  He had brown eyes, dark brown hair and a dark complexion.  He had numerous moles on the left side of his chest and a mole between his shoulders.  He was a Baptist.

According to the 1911 census and his birth registration he was actually born in 1894 and so was one year older than indicated on his attestation papers.  The family was living on Oliver Street, Humber Bay.  George's father, mother and oldest brother James were all born in Scotland and emigrated to Canada in 1889.

Sergeant James Forsyth - 452958

According to this attestation papers dated July 2, 1915 at Niagara Camp, James Forsyth was born on November 10, 1891 in Toronto.  He listed his wife Mrs. H. Forsyth, Humber Bay as his next of kin.  He was a printer and an active member of the Royal Grenadiers, Toronto where he had 7 years of previous military experience.  He was 24 years old and stood 5 feet 7 inches tall.  He had blue eyes, light brown hair and a fair complexion.  He had a small scar over his left eye and a vaccination mark on his left arm.  He was a Baptist.

In the 1914 Toronto city directory he is listed a printer living with his father James Forsyth, market gardener on the north side of the Lake Shore Road, Humber Bay. 

Arthur F. Franklin - 163573

According to his attestation papers dated August 7, 1915, Arthur Franklin was born on November 2, 1873 in Hanlington?, Middlesex, England.  He listed his wife, Annie Franklin, MacDonald Street, Humber Bay as his next of kin.  He was a teamster and was an active member of a militia.  He was 42 years and 9 months of age and stood 5 feet 2 1/2 inches tall.  He had blue eyes, fair hair and complexion.  He had a mole on the left side of his back and a vaccination mark on his left arm.  He was a member of the Church of England.  

In the 1911 census he indicated that he emigrated to Canada in 1904 and was actually born in 1870 making him 3 years older than reported on his attestation papers.  

In the 1921 Toronto city directory he is living on west side of MacDonald Avenue, Humber Bay.

Private Albert Edward Greenfield - 435343

According to his attestation papers, dated June 5, 1915 at Calgary, Albert Edward Greenfield was born in London, England on January 17, 1883.  He listed wife Emily Greenfield, 160 Crystal Palace Road, London, England as his next of kin. He was a bricklayer and a member of an active militia.  He was 32 years and 5 months of age and stood 6 feet 1 inches tall.  He had blue eyes, brown hair and a dark complexion.  He had a scar on the inner side of his right knee.

Albert Edward Greenfield was a member of the 10th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Alberta Regiment), when he was killed on May 30, 1916 in the Hill 60 Trenches, Ypres.  He is buried in Railway Dugouts Burial Ground near Ypres, Belgium. 

He is listed as the husband of Emily Greenfield of 39 Commerce Place, Dulwich Village, London.   

Bombardier Samuel F. Greenfield - 83656

According to his attestation papers dated November 30, 1914 at Toronto, Samuel Greenfield was born on April 13, 1887 in Toronto.  He listed his father Mr. T. Greenfield, Humber Bay as his next of kin.  He was a teamster and a member of the Queens Own, Toronto for 3 years.  He was 27 years old and stood 5 feet 8 inches high.  He had brown eyes, dark brown hair and a good complexion.  He had a tattoo on his right forearm and an appendix scar.  He was a member of the Church of England.

His brother Thomas also enlisted but did not survive the war.  There is also an Albert Greenfield on the Honour Roll but I am not sure of the relationship between him and Thomas and Samuel.

In the 1911 census he listed his birth year as 1888 but he was actually born in 1887 as listed.  This is confirmed by his birth registration. 

In the 1921 Toronto city directory he is listed as living on the east side of Oliver Street, Humber Bay.

Private Thomas Edgar Greenfield - 412742

According to his attestation papers dated February 24, 1915 at Lindsay, Ontario, Thomas Edgar Greenfield was born on October 31, 1894 at Humber Bay.  He listed his father Thomas Greenfield, Humber Bay, as his next of kin.  He was a labourer and had no previous military experience.  He was 23 years and 5 months of age and stood 5 feet 8 inches in height.  He had brown eyes, dark brown hair and a fresh complexion.  He had a scar on his right shin.  He was a member of the Church of England. 

Thomas Edgar Greenfield was a member of the 14th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment), when was killed on June 3, 1916 during an attack on Zillebeke.  His remains were never found and he is listed on the Menin Gate Memorial in the Town of Ypres, Belgium. 

Thomas' brother Samuel also enlisted but survived the war.  I am not sure of the relationship between Thomas and Albert Greenfield.

Corporal Samuel Handley - 163358

According to his attestation papers dated July 29, 1915 at Toronto, Samuel Handley was born on October 7, 1887 in Sandhurst, Berkshire, England.  He listed his wife Alice Handley, Humber Bay (later crossed out and 334 Wellesley Street, Toronto written in) as his next of kin.  He was a gardener; a member of an active militia with two years previous military experience with the Volunteers 4th Berkshire in England.  He was 28 years and 9 months of age and stood 5 feet 4 inches tall.  He had brown eyes, dark hair and complexion.  He had a mole on his right side and three vaccination marks on his left arm.  He was a member of the Church of England.

According to the 1911 census Samuel emigrated to Canada from England in 1905.  

In the 1921 Toronto city directory he is listed as a market gardener living on the north side of Queen Street, Humber Bay.

Private Bethel Haslam - 405285

According to his attestation papers dated August 19, 1915 at Toronto, Bethel Haslam was born on April 4, 1890 in Bolton, Lancashire, England.  He listed his wife, Elizabeth Haslam, 3 Queen Street, Humber Bay as his next of kin.  He was a labourer and had 5 years previous military experience with the 5th Battalion of the Loyal North Lancashire.  He was 25 years and 4 months of age and stood 5 feet 8 inches in height.  He had blue eyes, light brown hair and a fair complexion.  He was a member of the Church of England.


In the 1921 Toronto city directory he is listed as a labourer living on the west side of Oliver Street, Humber Bay. 

Private Septimus Hicks - 136474

Septimus Hicks with small photo of his sister Hannah Octavia Hicks 

courtesy of John Hicks

According to his attestation papers dated November 9, 1915 at Toronto, Septimus Herbert Hicks of Humber Bay, was born on November 25, 1884 at Humber Bay.  He listed his father, Octavius Laing Hicks, Humber Bay as his next of kin.  He was a seaman and had no previous military experience.  He was 30 years and 11 months of age and stood 5 feet 3 inches tall.  He had grey eyes, brown hair and a fresh complexion.  He had a scar on his left abdomen from a ruptured appendix.  He was a member of the Church of England.

Septimus Hicks was a member of the 42nd Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment), when he was killed on August 6, 1916.  According to the CEF burial register he "died of wounds (shrapnel wounds legs and gas gangrene) at No. 2 Canadian Stationary Hospital, Boulogne".  He is buried in the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Boulogne-sur-Mer, France.

He was the son of Octavius L. and Hannah Hicks, of Humber Bay, Ontario.  Octavius Hicks was a contractor, boat builder and proprietor of the Royal Oak Hotel.

The following is the biographical entry for Octavius Hicks found in Volume 2 of a History of Toronto and County of York Ontario by Charles Pelham Mulvany, published in 1885:

OCTAVIUS L. HICKS, hotel proprietor, Mimico, was born near Dundee, Scotland, in 1852, and came to America in 1871; after spending one year in the United States, he came to Canada and located for a short time in Hamilton, eventually taking up his residence in Toronto, where he carried on business as contractor and builder for about two years. In 1873 he removed to the mouth of the Humber and commenced the business he had formerly followed in England (boat building), which he still continues in conjunction with his hotel business. His house, “The Royal Oak” has excellent accommodation for excursionists, pleasure and pic-nic parties, and contains a large room suitable for balls, banquets, etc. He has a large variety of pleasure boats and yachts to order. He is the inventor and patentee of the roller sliding-seats for racing boats, similar to those used by Mr. Hanlan. Mr. Hicks has been instrumental in saving the lives of five persons on four different occasions, having rescued two persons at one time. He also formed one of the company who started the Annie Craig steamboat running daily in the season between the Humber and the city. He was married in 1874 to Hannah Taverner, by whom he has five children, all boys.

Hicks Family Tombstone - Christ Church Cemetery - Mimico

© Michael Harrison 2011

Septimus Herbert Hicks-  headstone in the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery - France

courtesy of John Hicks

Private Shadrack Jesson - 136284 & 775689

Shadrack Jesson has two sets of attestation papers. 

According to the first set dated September 3, 1915 at Toronto, Shadrack Jesson was born on September 8, 1882 in Birmingham, England.  He listed his wife Maggie Jesson, Humber Bay, Ontario as his next of kin.  He was a carpenter and book maker.  He had 3 years of previous military experience with the 1st Battalion Royal Worcestershire Regiment.  He was 32 years and 11 months of age and stood 5 feet 4 1/2 inches tall.  He had grey eyes, brown hair and a fair complexion.  He had a tattoo of a "Lady's head and mans legs" on his right arm.  He was a member of the Church of England.  

His second set of papers are dated November 16, 1915 at Toronto.  Differences include his birth in Staffordshire, England; his previous military experience with the 29th Worcestershire Regiment; and the fact that his eyes are now considered blue and that he has no distinctive marks.

In the 1911 census he and his family are listed as living on Queen Street, Humber Bay.  The family were from England and emigrated to Canada in 1906.  He is listed as a brick maker.

In the 1921 Toronto city directory he is listed as a shoemaker living on the south side of Queen Street, Humber Bay.

Private John Joyce - 192249

I think that this is the following John Joyce who was with the Canadian Medical Corps.


According to his attestation papers dated July 22, 1915 at Toronto, John Joyce was born on January 14, 1881 at Toronto.  He listed his wife Louisa Joyce, 64 Austin Avenue, Toronto as his next of kin.  He was a butcher and had no previous military experience.  He was 34 years of age and stood 5 feet 8 inches in height.  He had brown eyes and hair and a dark complexion.  He was Roman Catholic.


He was a member of the "B" Division Wing, Canadian Medical Corps when he died on October 30, 1918 at No. 7 Canadian General Hospital, Etaples of pneumonia.  He is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery, France.

Private Henry Kedney - 273554

According to his attestation papers dated May 16, 1916 at Toronto, Henry Kedney of Oxford Street, Mimico, Ontario was born on May 26, 1880 in Lancashire, England.  He listed his wife Mary Ann Kedney, Oxford Street, Mimico, Ontario as his next of kin.  He was a nut maker and had 4 years previous military experience with the East Lancashire Regiment Corp.  He was 35 years and 11 months of age and stood 5 feet 2 1/4 inches tall.  He had blue eyes and fair hair and complexion.  He had a scar on his left knee.  He was a member of the Church of England.

Gunner Leo C. Kent - 348706

According to his attestation papers dated January 15, 1916 at Kingston, Leo C. Kent of Mimico, Ontario was born on October 4, 1888 in Toronto.  He listed his father William Kent, Humber Bay as his next of kin.  He was single, worked for the railway and had no previous military experience.  He as 27 years and 3 months of age and stood 5 feet 10 inches tall.  He had blue eyes, brown hair and a medium complexion.   He was a member of the Church of England.  

His family appears in the 1911 census living on Salisbury Avenue (present day Park Lawn Road) but he does not appear to be present nor can I find him in the 1911 census elsewhere.  His birth registration indicates that his name is Clarence Leo Kent.

Albert Atcheson Kerr - 171140

According to his attestation papers dated August 3, 1915 at Toronto, Albert Atcheson Kerr was born on December 21, 1892 in Hamilton, Ontario.  He listed his mother Lilian Blake, Humber Bay, Ontario as his next of kin.  He was single and a chauffeur.  He had no previous military experience.  He was 23 years of age and stood 5 feet 8 inches in height.  He had blue eyes, brown hair and a dark complexion.  He was a member of the Church of England.   

William Kruse

Private Michael James Langridge - 799812

According to his attestation papers dated January 31, 1916 at Toronto, Michael James Landridge of Humber Bay, Ontario was born on July 16, 1878 in Belfast, Ireland.  He listed his wife Jeannie (?) Ileen (?) Langridge, Humber Bay, Ontario as his next of kin.  He was a butcher and had no previous military experience.  He was 37 years and 6 months of age and stood 5 feet 4 inches tall.  He had hazel eyes, light brown hair and a fair complexion.  He had two scars on his forehead and a scar on his left calf.  He was a member of the Salvation Army.  

According to the 1914 Toronto city directory he was listed as a labourer living on the west side of Macdonald Avenue, Humber Bay.