William Trim, A Young Man from Perth County

In my work, I often come across names that are woven into the very fabric of our local history. Recently, a name that caught my attention was William Trim, and his story is a poignant reminder of the lives that shaped Perth County.

​The story I uncovered isn't of a prominent politician or a wealthy industrialist, but of a young man who journeyed to a new land with the hope of a better life. William Henry Trim was a Barnardo's Home child, a British orphan sent to Canada as part of a child emigration scheme in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These children were often placed with farming families to work and learn new skills.

​William's journey brought him to Downie Township in Perth County, where he was placed with a family to work on a farm. His grave, a silent marker in a local cemetery, is a powerful testament to a life that, while perhaps not long, was a part of our region's history. It tells a story of hope, resilience, and the thousands of children like him who were sent to a new world.

​These "Home Children" are an important, and sometimes overlooked, part of Canadian history. Their stories are a reminder of the difficult past that shaped many of our communities. William Trim's grave is more than just a stone with a name on it; it's a physical connection to a social movement and a period of significant migration.

​As a business dedicated to headstone preservation, I believe every stone has a story worth telling. The grave of William Trim is a perfect example of this. It stands as a monument not just to his life, but to the collective experience of many who came to this country under similar circumstances. My mission is to ensure that these stories, whether of a pioneer, a community leader, or a young boy who crossed an ocean for a new life, are not lost to time.

Angie Moore