Military Challenge - George John Seale

I have taken up Patricia Greber's 11-day challenge of posting about one of my military ancestors every day until November 11th. 


Day 12 of the 11-day Military Challenge

GEORGE JOHN SEALE

(1877-1924)

I know the challenge is only 11 days, and George was not in the military, but I cannot let this time pass without paying tribute to him for his war efforts.

George was born in Kingston, Ontario.  He worked in Montreal for the Royal Bank, was transferred to Niagara Falls, then to Winnipeg about 1907. At the outbreak of World War I George tried to enlist, but was rejected on medical grounds. He joined the volunteer citizen's movement and soon was asked if he would quit his business and become the administrative manager for the Red Cross. That very day he secured space in the Kennedy Building on Portage avenue and started raising money. Within four months they raised over $1.5 Million. George was the first Commissioner of the Manitoba Red Cross. 

Through the Red Cross George did all he could for the soldiers at the front, and started many programs to help returning soldiers. He worked tirelessly right up to his death on 29 January 1924, at the age of 46. 

Part of Obituary, George John Seale 

Manitoba Free Press,  30 January 1924, pg 11 

After his death, George was honored by having a home nursing division named after him.  

George John Seale is my great uncle. 

Military Challenge - Alexander Mavor

I have taken up Patricia Greber's 11-day challenge of posting about one of my military ancestors every day until November 11th. 


Day 11 of the 11-day Military Challenge

ALEXANDER GEORGE MAVOR

(1891-1916

Alexander George Mavor was 22 years old when he enlisted in the CEF on 31 October 1914  at Montreal. He was assigned to the 23rd Infantry Battalion. 

On 2 February 1915 he sailed for England aboard the Missanabie.  After some training, he embarked for France on 26 April 1915 and was transferred to the 4th Battalion. Alex had fought in the trenches at Festuberg and Messines.

Alex was engaged in the Second Battle of Ypres, positioned at "The Bluff". While on duty in the trenches on April 10th 1916, he was wounded by a bullet that glanced off a periscope and entered his stomach. His wound was dressed and he was taken to NO.17 Casualty Clearing Station at Remi Siding where he died the following day.

Alexander George Mavor was buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, near Poperinge Belgium, grave reference VI - B - 8A

Plot V, Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery

Grave  VI - B - 8A

When his father died in 1924 his mother had Alexander's name added to the memorial at Mount Royal Cemetery.  She also commissioned a stained glass window for their newly built church, Verdun United Church, in memory of Alexander the father, and Alexander George the son. 

Alexander George Mavor is my great uncle. 

Military Challenge - Gary Nolin

I have taken up Patricia Greber's 11-day challenge of posting about one of my military ancestors every day until November 11th. 


Day 10 of the 11-day Military Challenge

GARY NOLIN

My husband Gary was born and bred in Montreal, Quebec. 
In 1964 Gary joined the US Marines. 

After training he was sent to Viet Nam.  He was bounced around to different units, taking different courses until he ended up in explosive ordinance disposal. He did two tours and was discharged in 1968. 

After the war Gary went to university, and later worked as a geologist. 

Military Challenge - Thomas Ray Edward Seale

I have taken up Patricia Greber's 11-day challenge of posting about one of my military ancestors every day until November 11th. 


Day 9 of the 11-day Military Challenge

THOMAS RAY EDWARD SEALE

(1921-2013)

My father, Thomas Ray Edward Seale (Bud) enlisted in the Royal Canadian Engineers on 9 June 1941.  During training he switched to 1st Bridge Company because they were next to ship out, then was assigned to the 85th Bridge company.  He sailed from Halifax on 13 November 1941 and disembarked in Liverpool November 23rd.  

Bud (Center) with his brother Bill (left) and future brother-in-law Jim (right)

On June 6th Bud was assigned to the 25th Field Regiment, engaged north of Caen, France. As troop leader he had 4 guns - 25 pounders, and gun tractors with a cab for 6, ammunition carriers, a jeep, a Sergeant, and a crew of 6 including a Corporal. They supported the Infantry and the Armor with shell fire.

In the winter of 1944-45 they were bogged down at the Maas River, and could see the Germans across the river, neither going anywhere. 

From 27 February to 3 March 1945 he was in the Battle of Hochwald Forest. In May 1945 the Germans surrendered. 

Bud left England in November 1945 and he was put on Active Reserve until he was discharged February 20, 1946.

In 1916 I wrote a series of posts titled The Cigar Box, which held medals, photos, postcards and things Bud brought home from the war. 

Like many soldiers that saw combat, Bud never talked about the war, only about his escapades on leave. 

After the war Bud went to college to study engineering, then worked for the Bell Telephone Company... but his heart was in carpentry. Sixty years ago Bud was put in charge of overseeing the building of our church, and he made the altar, the lectern and the baptismal font. They are still used today.

Military Challenge - Herbert James Mavor

I have taken up Patricia Greber's 11-day challenge of posting about one of my military ancestors every day until November 11th. 


Day 8 of the 11-day Military Challenge

HERBERT JAMES MAVOR

(1893-1981)

While attending the Verdun Model School, a Cadet Corps was formed on 9 April 1910 and Herbert joined, quickly becoming a Lieutenant. 

Quarterly Militia List, Oct 1910 (Ancestry)

Herbert enlisted in the CEF at Montreal on 16 November 1914, with one year service and training in the Cadet Corps, and was discharged on 6 March 1915.  He signed new attestation papers in Montreal on 20 March 1915 and was assigned to the 42nd Battalion, Royal Highlanders as a Lance-Corporal.

Throughout the war he was often promoted and demoted for minor offences. Herbert fought in the Second Battle of Ypres in 1915, the Somme in 1916, Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele in 1917, and the Pursuit to Mons in 1918. He was wounded three times, twice in the arm and once in the neck, and requested to be sent back to duty. 

Vancouver Daily World, 31 July 1916

Herbert Mavor was a Lance Corporal with the 42nd Highlanders when he was awarded the Military Medal for bravery. 

Full Story at 42nd Battalion April 1918 War Diaries

Lance Corporal Herbert James Mavor sailed from Liverpool on 21 December 1918 aboard the Carmania, and landed in Halifax on 30 December. 

Herbert was discharged at Montreal on 17 March 1919...

After the war Herbert James Mavor worked as a Master Plumber and Steamfitter for the Canadian National Railway.

Herbert Mavor is my grandfather. 

Military Challenge - James Mavor

I have taken up Patricia Greber's 11-day challenge of posting about one of my military ancestors every day until November 11th. 


Day 7 of the 11-day Military Challenge

JAMES MAVOR

(1874-1961)

Captain, 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles

James Mavor would have done his militia duty in the Sherbrooke, Eastern Townships area. James moved from Montreal to Victoria, BC and worked for the government in the Land Department. He joined the 50th Gordon Highlanders when it was formed in 1913.

On September 2, 1916 he signed his CEF declaration in Victoria and was assigned to the 143rd Battalion. 

James departed from Halifax on 26 September 2016 and disembarked at Liverpool where he was attached to three different battalions, until he was finally transferred for overseas service with the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles. He landed in France on 10 March 1917.

Lieutenant James Mavor was in "A" company on April 1917 for the attack in Vimy Ridge. 

James was wounded in action twice on the 10th and 14 April 1917.
James was at Passchendaele on 30 October 1917 when his commander was killed, and with a severely injured hand he got his men to safety. For this he earned the Military Cross. 

Military Cross

James was sent to hospital, where his left forearm was amputated. 

When he returned to Victoria, BC he stayed for a while at the James Bay Inn which was a soldiers settlement at that time. He went back to working for the government. He married but they had no children.

James is my 2nd great uncle.

Military Challenge - John Thomson Tait

I have taken up Patricia Greber's 11-day challenge of posting about one of my military ancestors every day until November 11th. 


Day 6 of the 11-day Military Challenge

JOHN THOMSON TAIT

(1894-1954)

No 1 Section Skilled Railway Employees

John Thomson (Tom) Tait Jr enlisted CEF 21 January 1917. His Regimental Number was 2124892. He had been an electrician and steamfitter. Tom was assigned to the No 1 Section Skilled Railway Employees

Nominal Roll, No.1 Section Skilled Railway Employees

Tom sailed from Halifax on the SS Ansonia on March 1917 and arrived in England on March 15. Soon after the unit was renamed the 58th Broad Guage Operating Company.

Canadian Railway Troops, WWI (pdf)

The railway troops played a crucial role in the war, laying track, moving men, horses and supplies to the front lines and taking wounded to clearing stations and hospitals.   

There are no War Diaries for this unit. Possibly it is under the Canadian Railway Troops diaries. Most of the papers in his service file are pay sheets. His war record sheet shows only arriving and leaving, no interim activity. 

Tom left England April 17, 1917 and landed in France on April 19th.  The railway units worked all over Europe and John was there for the remaining of the war... except for a one-time fourteen day leave, departing 27 July 1918 and returning 10 August 1918. 

At the end of the war Tom left France on 17 April 1919. He then sailed from England on the Aquitania 18 May 1919 and arrived in Halifax 25 May 1919. 

Tom was discharged on 28 May 1919 at Montreal.

Tom worked as an Electrician.
He was my great  uncle. 

Military Challenge - Bruce Alexander Mavor Hickey

 

Military Challenge - Bruce Alexander Mavor Hickey 

I have taken up Patricia Greber's 11-day challenge of posting about one of my military ancestors every day until November 11th. 


Day 5.5 of the 11-day Military Challenge

BRUCE HICKEY

1923-1982

When WWII came, Bruce Hickey joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and became a fighter pilot in a Typhoon Squadron. He often flew into enemy territory where he successfully shot down many German fighter planes. 

After the war Bruce started racing motorcycles and in 2016 he was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

In the 60s Bruce was a pilot for Simard &Freres in Montreal.

Bruce Alexander Maverick Hickey was my mother’s cousin 

 

Military Challenge - Wilfred Tait

I have taken up Patricia Greber's 11-day challenge of posting about one of my military ancestors every day until November 11th. 


Day 5 of the 11-day Military Challenge

WILFRED TAIT

(1897-1940)

Wilfred Tait enlisted in the Royal Naval Canadian Volunteer Reserve on 1 Sept 1914 at the age of 17. During WWI The Naval Reserves were called to action in 1917 to hunt u-boats. 

Wilfred applied to the Government Radiotelegraph Service on 12 October 1917       

The Navy Signal Record shows on what ships and in what capacity he served as a Wireless Operator. His base ship was the Niobe at Halifax, NS and he went out on the SeaGull.

Wilfred applied for his "prize money" for each of the three payouts after the war. The prize money was for each u-boat caught or destroyed by each unit.

At the end of the war Wilfred's last post was at Canso Direction-Finding Station, Nova Scotia, and he was discharged July 15, 1919.

Application for War Badge

Wilfred Tait is my great uncle. He started Square D Company Canada Ltd. 

Related Post: Navy Records

Military Challenge - Charles Seale

I have taken up Patricia Greber's 11-day challenge of posting about one of my military ancestors every day until November 11th. 


Day 4 of the 11-day Military Challenge

CHARLES OTWAY SEALE
(1844-1896)

47th Frontenac Battalion of Infantry, Kingston.  Promoted to Ensign 30 may 1873.

Colonial Militia List 1876

The 47th Frontenac Battalion of Infantry was authorized 30 November 1866, with Headquarters at Kingston and companies at Storrington (Milburn and Inverary), Elginburg, Portsmouth, Garden Island, Wolfe Island and Harrowsmith.

Charles was given permission to retire with his rank of 2nd Lieutenant on 2 Sept 1881, by Militia General Orders, posted in the Canada Gazette.

Canada Gazette, No 10, Vol XV, Sept 3, 1881

Brothers George, John, Thomas, Charles, Alex and William Seale were all in the militia. Thomas, Alex and William only did the minimum drills required by law according to the Militia Act of 1855, and stayed privates. 

George, Charles, Thomas, Alexander and William are my 2nd great uncles. 

Military Challenge - John Seale Jr

I have taken up Patricia Greber's 11-day challenge of posting about one of my military ancestors every day until November 11th. 


Day 3 of the 11-day Military Challenge

JOHN SEALE Jr

(1840-1908)

Militia
14th Prince of Wales Own Rifles
Barriefield, Pittsburgh, Ontario

Fenian Raids 1866 and 1870

Private John Seale
June 2nd to 22nd 1866 at Kingston & Cornwall, attack expected
Private 47th Battalion
May 25th to 28th 1870 at Kingston, attack expected

James Hamilton is his neighbour and future brother-in-law. 

1886 Annual Drills of Active Militia, Kingston, 14th Prince of Wales Own Rifles

Sergeant John Seale, 13 April to 9 July, 12 days @ 75¢/day, $9.00

John was a carpenter by trade.  He is my great grandfather.