As we draw closer to November 11th, we begin our remembrance of the sacrifices paid by our veterans and those that returned home. Annually the Lions have raised banners on our main street highlighting the service and sacrifices of our local veterans.
This year as you walk along Ilderton Road keep an eye out for the three newest banners.
Clair Robert Hall was born June 11, 1897. His father was Wesley Hall. As a farmer in Ilderton, Clair joined the 135th (Middlesex) Battalion at the age of 20 years in 1916. He was deployed to the UK as part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Unfortunately, we were unable to determine his deployments following his arrival in the UK. He is being honoured by the Hall and Urbshott families.
George Harris Middleton joined the Canadian Army July 1940. His unit, 2nd Armoured Regiment, Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) deployed to the UK in 1941. He participated in “Operation Husky” in 1943, where Canadians slogged through the interior of Sicily, the first stage of taking back Europe from the Nazis after four years of war. Continuing to Italy, he later deployed to Northwest Europe in February 1945, and finally returned home in 1946. He is being honoured by the Pruden and Middleton families.
Thomas Kelk was born in Yorkshire England in 1900. At the age of 14 Tom enlisted underage into the Canadian Mounted Rifles under the false name of John Foy. Tragically Tom died in 1918 at the age of 18 after 3 years of service and front-line action in the Somme, France. He was buried there at Bouchoir Cemetery under his assumed name. Tom’s family at the time were notified of his death and were sent his medals and certificates of service. This spring Tom’s Great Nephew Paul Kelk and wife Jane Hughes reached out to Karen McNeill Bannon and Margo Robson Collver of Denfield to help with the final details of Tom’s life. More than a century after his death and with the help of numerous people around the globe that is happening. The process of having his tombstone properly named has begun via the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). Coincidently, Margo Robson had already planned a trip to France this fall and was able to visit Tom’s graveside at Bouchoir and thank him on behalf of the Denfield Community. His family (and newfound friends in Denfield) could not be prouder.
The Ilderton and District Lions Club believe it is important that we remember the veterans of all our country’s wars and peacekeeping missions, both those that paid the ultimate sacrifice and those who returned home. It is because of them that we continue to live in a free, democratic, and prosperous country.
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