Lest We Forget

Boundaries on a map mean very little when compared to a century of shared lives, fence lines, and family ties. From neighboring farms along the concession roads to the solemn stone of the St. Marys Cenotaph, Robert, James, Jack Boyd, and our cousins Jack and Scott McNaughton remind us that a community's freedom is built on the steady shoulders of our neighbors, our friends, and our own family.

As my ongoing genealogical research unfolds, it often reveals breathtaking, secrets, lost burials, and unbroken chains of service that span generations. These discoveries are surprises to me, but sometimes I even find out they are new to the client as well. Lost facts that even close family members may not yet fully realize are etched into their lineage. Graves within the same walls of the cemetery we walk passed regularly that are family to us, yet lay unmarked or unknown. I

The Chesterfield sisters were true trailblazers. They proved that leadership, mechanical aptitude, medical efficiency, and unwavering resolve belong to women just as much as men. Their pioneering service opened doors for generations of Canadian military women who followed in their footsteps, leaving behind a legacy of quiet strength that remains a proud chapter in our extended family story.

Uncles inspired nephews, brothers stood alongside brothers, and marriage bound four siblings of one remarkable family into a shared tapestry of honor. They did not seek glory; they simply answered when their country called, brought their technical skills and quiet strength to the front, and returned home to St. Marys and Perth County to build our community with those same steady hands.

Looking at the ribbon stack Signalman Andrew James Calder carried home, his medals speak volumes about the true nature of his wartime service. Earning the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with the silver maple leaf clasp confirms he was not a conscript; he willingly stepped forward to enlist for active duty and committed to serving wherever Canada needed him overseas. Furthermore, receiving the Defence Medal tells us he spent at least six months on British soil during the hei

It wasn't until 1964, while planning a European trip, that Lawrence finally had the letter deciphered by a translator. Realizing what had truly happened, he flew across the Atlantic, traveled unannounced to Waalwijk, and knocked directly on the door.

Whether tracking aerial targets over the waters of Lake Erie or monitoring coded teletype frequencies during the Cold War, Uncle Al and Uncle Arnold understood that air power relies on focus, discipline, and flawless attention to detail.

Three generations, two global wars, and decades of quiet, steadfast service; the story of the Fletcher family is a testament to the enduring thread of devotion that winds through our community. From the mud-choked trenches of France to the rugged terrain of Italy, and into the technical vigilance of the Cold War, William, Jack, and Murray each answered the call of their time with strength, skill, and an unwavering commitment to those around them.

By August 18th, he was posted to the Machine Gun Pool at Seaford as a reinforcement, and on September 17, 1918, he officially joined the 4th Battalion Canadian Machine Gun Corps serving with the 4th Canadian Division in France. Ten days later, on September 27th, the Canadian Corps launched a historic assault across the Canal du Nord. Private Morrison’s company fired both direct and indirect fire missions in support of the 10th Infantry Brigade as they pushed toward the heavil