waterloo

John Thomas McMaster was born on September 8th, 1880 in Hespeler, Ontario to Anne Flynn and Thomas McMaster. John’s father worked as a spinner when John was born, later joining the police force and eventually was promoted to Police Inspector. John’s mother stayed home and looked after John and his siblings, as he was the 7th of nine children. John was a weaver by trade, but also spent 15 years with the 29th Waterloo Regiment (later the Highland Light Infantry of Canada).

Upon declaration of war in August 1914, John as an active military member joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force at the age of 34. During training at Valcartier in Quebec John was promoted up to the rank of Corporal. After arriving in France, John was killed in a traffic accident. His Circumstances of Death Registers card read,

“His battalion had entered at Nantes, at 6.46 PM, on February 11th, 1915, and just as the train was leaving the station Corporal McMaster attempted to get on but missed his footing and fell under the train sustaining a crushed thigh and arms. He was taken to hospital at Nantes where he died.”

Corporal John Thomas McMaster is buried at the Nantes (La Bouteillerie) Cemetery.

Service number: 7057

“Canadian Virtual War Memorial: John Thomas McMaster,” Veterans Affairs Canada, accessed March 21, 2015, http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/325776?John%20Thomas%20McMaster

John Hatchman was born Dec 21st, 1884 in England and later immigrated to Canada with his mother. John worked as a policeman in Waterloo, and spent four years with the Royal Canadian Artillery. John fell in love and married a woman named Lillian.

When war broke out in August 1914 John enlisted for the Canadian Expeditionary Force in Ottawa, Ontario. Despite his military and police experience John was enlisted as a Private. John fought for the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment) in Belgium during the Second Battle of Ypres. On the evening of May 8th, 1915 John did not answer to roll call following action with his battalion at Bellewaarde Lake near Ypres. He was reported missing by his superiors and was later officially presumed dead. As no body was ever recovered Private John Hatchman is commemorated at the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial in Belgium.

Service number: 273

“Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial,” Commonwealth War Graves Commission, accessed March 24, 2015, http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/91800/YPRES%20(MENIN%20GATE)%20MEMORIAL
“PTE Hatchman is Wounded and Missing,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, May 29, 1915.

Ralph Messett was born on February 20th 1891 in Pennsylvania. Ralph was one of ten children born to Mary Ann Shuh and Henry Messett. In 1911 Ralph worked in Picton, Ontario as a laborer before later getting a job as a marble and granite cutter in the Waterloo region. Ralph also worked for the 29th Waterloo Regiment for four years prior to the outbreak of the First World War in 1914. Ralph joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force as a Bugler for the 2nd Battalion of the Canadian Infantry. In May 1915 Ralph was shot in the pelvis in Wimereux, France. Ralph was treated at the Rawalpindi British General Hospital but on May 15th, 1915 Ralph succumbed to his injuries. Bugler Ralph Messett is buried at Wimereux Communal Cemetery in France.

Service number: 7773

“Canadian Virtual War Memorial: Ralph Messett,” Veterans Affairs Canada, accessed March 21, 2015, http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/84380?Ralph%20Messett
“Wimereux Communal Cemetery.” Commonwealth War Graves Commission, accessed March 21, 2015, http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/8200/WIMEREUX%20COMMUNAL%20CEMETERY
“PTE. Smith is Well,” Waterloo Chronicle, May 20, 1915.

George Edward Simmers was born on May 6th, 1883 in Sherbrooke, Quebec. George later moved to Preston where he got married and worked as a moulder. He also spent six months working with the 29th Waterloo Regiment. When war was declared in 1914 George joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He fought as an infantry soldier for the 1st Battalion in France. On June 15th, 1915 at the age of 32, George was killed in action during the Second Action at Givenchy. Private George Edward Simmers is buried at Pont-Du-Hem Military Cemetery in La Gorgue, France.

Service number: 7084

“Canadian Virtual War Memorial: George Edward Simmers,” Veterans Affairs Canada, accessed March 21, 2015, http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/597244?George%20Simmers
“Pont-Du-Hem Military Cemetery,” Commonwealth War Graves Commission, accessed March 21, 2015, http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/66000/PONT-DU-HEM%20MILITARY%20CEMETERY,%20LA%20GORGUE

Reginald Sears was born on November 5th, 1889 to Thomas and Jennie Sears in Welland, Ontario. Reginald worked as a manufacturer in the Waterloo region. He was also a skilled horseman and was qualifying for a commission with the 2nd Dragoons, Brantford in 1915. Reginald did not volunteer to fight in 1914, but following the sinking of the Lusitania on May 7th 1915 he “threw up his commission” and enlisted. Reginald joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force on May 11th, 1915 as a Private in the 4th Regiment of the Canadian Mounted Rifles. Reginald fought in Belgium, but on December 4th, 1915 he was killed in action in the trenches at Ploegsteert. Private Reginald Sears was buried at Berks Cemetery Extension.

Service number: 109591

“Canadian Virtual War Memorial: Reginald Sears,” Veterans Affairs Canada, accessed March 21, 2015, http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/107086?Reginald%20Sears