Transcona & the First World War Centenary

Transcona Cenotaph at Memorial Circle Park. Photo courtesy of Transcona Museum & Archives.

Originally published on 11 November 2018. Updated on 26 August 2021.

To commemorate the First World War Centenary on this Remembrance Day - November 11, 2018 - we are honouring those 80 known men from Transcona who died during the Great War of 1914-1918 and its aftermath. Their names appear on the Transcona Cenotaph at Memorial Circle Park. Provided below is the complete listing of their names along with a date of death, the cemetery or memorial, grave reference number for each individual, and page commemorations within the First World War Book of Remembrance. Individual reference links have been provided to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the Canadian Virtual War Memorial (where applicable).

By the end of the First World War, over 400 men from Transcona enlisted in service to “King and Country”. We strive to remember all those involved in the Great War, however, the historical record is incomplete. When the Transcona Cenotaph was first erected in 1931, only 66 names were listed. The names of the 14 soldiers previously missing were added to the Cenotaph when it was re-dedicated in 2011. As we continue to research Transcona's military history, more names may yet be discovered. As of August 2021, an additional name has been identified as missing from the Transcona Cenotaph, Pte. William Pettitt.

Lest We Forget.

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them."

- Laurence Binyon, "Ode of Remembrance"

Research: Information has been provided through Personnel Records of the First World War (Library and Archives Canada), Circumstances of Death Registers, First World War (Library and Archives Canada), the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the Canadian Virtual War Memorial (Veterans Affairs Canada), and the Transcona Museum Archives. All abbreviations follow the Military Abbreviations used in Service Files (Library and Archives Canada).

Note: As a result of this recent research, previous information has been confirmed or corrected. Our Books of Honour, which are available for viewing at the Transcona Museum, will also be updated with this information. An asterisk (*) indicates a name currently missing from the Transcona Cenotaph.

No casualties of war in 1914 from Transcona

1915

Pte Walter Barugh - Killed in Action on March 10

• Rue-David Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix - II. A. 6.

• Commemorated on Page 4

Sgt Horace Carl Beken - Killed in Action on April 24

• Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial - Panel 24 - 26 - 28 - 30.

• Commemorated on Page 5

Pte Edward Charles Ferg - Killed in Action on April 25

• Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial - Panel 24 - 26 - 28 - 30.

• Commemorated on Page 14

1916

Pte Phileas Poirier - Killed in Action on February 2

• La Laiterie Military Cemetery - II. B. 22.

• Commemorated on Page 147

Pte James Fingland Hyslop - Killed in Action on March 18

• Berks Cemetery Extension - III. A. 2.

• Commemorated on Page 107

Pte Austin B. Keens - Killed in Action on April 28

• Woods Cemetery - IV. B. 5.

• Commemorated on Page 112

Pte Charles Ernest Cort Bashford - Killed in Action on May 25

• Reninghelst New Military Cemetery - I. C. 20.

• Commemorated on Page 51

Pte Herbert "Harry" Higgins - Killed in Action on June 5

• Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial - Panel 30, 32.

• Commemorated on Page 102

Pte Henry Swithinbank - Killed in Action on June 5

• Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial - Panel 30,32.

• Commemorated on Page 170

Pte William Edmund Roberts - Killed in Action on June 6

• Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial - Panel 24 - 26 - 28 - 30.

• Commemorated on Page 155

Pte Ethelbert William "Bert" Mickleburgh - Murdered on June 8

• Auchy-Les-Hesdin Communal Cemetery - 2.

• Commemorated on Page 135

Pte John Berry - Killed in Action on June 14

• Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial - Panel 24 - 26 - 28 - 30.

• Commemorated on Page 53

Sgt Edmund Hall "Ted" Buckley - Killed in Action on June 14

• Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial - Panel 24 - 26 - 28 - 30.

• Commemorated on Page 61

Pte George William MacKay - Died of Wounds on July 30

• Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery - VII. D. 14A.

• Commemorated on Page 127

Sgt William Duncan Millican - Killed in Action on August 28

• Ridge Wood Military Cemetery - III. E. 3.

• Commemorated on Page 135

Pte James William Harvey - Killed in Action on September 21

• Vimy Memorial

• Commemorated on Page 99

Sgt Alexander Wood Youngson - Killed in Action on September 21

• Vimy Memorial

• Commemorated on Page 186

L/Cpl George Bell Austin - Killed in Action on September 24

• Regina Trench Cemetery, Grandcourt - IV. B. 23.

• Commemorated on Page 48

L/Sgt David Campbell - Killed in Action on September 25

• Gordon Dump Cemetery, Ovillers-la-Boisselle - VI. D. 15.

• Commemorated on Page 63

Pte Thomas Hines - Killed in Action on September 25

• Vimy Memorial

• Commemorated on Page 103

Pte Richard Williams - Died of Wounds on September 25

• Puchevilliers British Cemetery - IV. E. 17.

• Commemorated on Page 183

L/Cpl Pierce Edward Jones - Killed in Action on September 26

• Vimy Memorial

• Commemorated on Page 111

Pte Frank Wallis Smith - Killed in Action on September 26

• Courcelette British Cemetery - VI. A. 10.

• Commemorated on Page 164

Pte Edward John Schafer - Killed in Action on September 28

• Serre Road Cemetery No. 2 - XXIV. D. 7.

• Commemorated on Page 159

Pte William Heron - Killed in Action on October 4

• Sunken Road Cemetery, Contalmaison - II. D. 14.

• Commemorated on Page 102

Pte Ernest Henry King - Died of Wounds on October 4

• Ste. Marie Cemetery, Le Havre - Div. 3. J. 2.

• Commemorated on Page 113

Pte William Law - Killed in Action on October 8

• Vimy Memorial

• Commemorated on Page 117

Pte Patrick McGillivray - Killed in Action on October 8

• Regina Trench Cemetery, Grandcourt - IV. A. 4.

• Commemorated on Page 126

Pte Donald Hugh Rankine - Killed in Action on October 8

• Adanac Military Cemetery, Miraumont - I. D. 31.

• Commemorated on Page 152

L/Sgt Donald Monro - Missing, Believed Killed on October 9

• Vimy Memorial

• Commemorated on Page 137

Pte Angus K. MacKinven - Died of Illness while Prisoner of War on October 20

• Cologne Southern Cemetery (Germany) - XV. B. 20.

• Commemorated on Page 128

Sgt Oscar Thomas White - Died of Wounds from an Airplane Crash on October 21

• Contay British Cemetery, Contay - IV. C. 19.

• Commemorated on Page 181

Pte Thomas Beatty - Killed in Action on October 25

• Adanac Military Cemetery, Miraumont - VI. A. 9.

• Commemorated on Page 52

Pte Scott Wilkinson - Killed in Action on November 1

• Vimy Memorial

• Commemorated on Page 182

Pte William Pettitt - Killed in Action on November 4 *

• Passchendaele New British Cemetery - III. A. 9.

• Commemorated on Page 308

Pte John Jamieson Robson - Killed in Action on November 13

• Mailly Wood Cemetery, Mailly-Maillet - I. L. 2.

Spr Walter Leonard Holland - Died of Wounds on November 23

• St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen - O. II. Q. 10.

• Commemorated on Page 104

Pte Daniel David Walwin Webster - Killed in Action on December 1

• Villers Station Cemetery, Villers-au-Bois - II. C. 4.

• Commemorated on Page 180

1917

L/Cpl Angus Gunn - Died of Wounds on February 19

• Melness Cemetery, Tongue (Scotland) - In South Part

• Commemorated on Page 248

Pte John Cooper - Killed in Action on April 9

• Vimy Memorial

• Commemorated on Page 220

Pte Norman Douglas Tatton - Killed in Action on April 9

• Canadian Cemetery No.2, Neuville-St. Vaast - 1. A. 23.

• Commemorated on Page 336

Pte John Edwards - Died of Wounds on April 16

• Villers Station Cemetery, Villers-au-Bois - IX. A. 12.

• Commemorated on Page 233

Pte William Lisoway - Killed in Action on April 16

• Villers Station Cemetery, Villers-au-Bois - IX. A. 18.

• Commemorated on Page 275

Pte Alfred Lowden - Killed in Action on April 30

• Villers Station Cemetery, Villers-au-Bois - V. F. 6.

• Commemorated on Page 277

Pte Mike Parazinski - Killed in Action on May 2

• Vimy Memorial

• Commemorated on Page 305

Spr Edward Trenham - Died of Wounds on May 3

• Vimy Memorial

• Commemorated on Page 340

Pte Reginald Guy Walker - Killed in Action on June 3

• Vimy Memorial

• Commemorated on Page 344

Pte George Alexander Brown (LeBrun) - Died of Gas Poisoning on July 27

• Bruay Communal Cemetery Extension - H. 16.

• Commemorated on Page 208

Smn David Linklater - Killed in Action aboard S.S. Belgian Prince on July 31

• Portsmouth Naval Memorial - 27.

Pte James Ellis - Died of Illness on September 5

• Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery - IV. D. 62.

• Commemorated on Page 234

Pte William Henry Fessey - Killed in Action on September 16

• Fosse No.10 Communal Cemetery Extension, Sains-en-Gohelle - III. A. 8.

• Commemorated on Page 236

Pte Edward Hynes - Killed in Action on September 16

• Fosse No.10 Communal Cemetery Extension, Sains-en-Gohelle - III. A. 10.

• Commemorated on Page 261

Lt Francis Timothy "Frank" Quinlan - Killed in Action on September 29

• Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery - V. H. 7.

• Commemorated on Page 312

Cpl John Donald Aird - Died of Wounds on October 26

• Dozinghem Military Cemetery - IX. D. 18.

• Commemorated on Page 189

Pte Thomas William Roberts - Died of Wounds on October 28

• Nine Elms British Cemetery - VII. B. 5.

• Commemorated on Page 317

Pte Donald Farquharson - Killed in Action on November 6

• Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial - Panel 24 - 26 - 28 - 30.

• Commemorated on Page 235

Pte Charles Edmund Bradley - Killed in Action on November 10

• Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial - Panel 24 - 26 - 28 - 30.

• Commemorated on Page 206

Pte Samuel Wilkins Kipping - Died of Gas Poisoning on November 12

• Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery - XXII. BB. 22.

• Commemorated on Page 269

1918

Pte Alanzo Prebble Gordon - Died of Illness on January 20

• Lapugnoy Military Cemetery - VI. B. 3.

• Commemorated on Page 416

Pte George Ryan - Died of Wounds on March 5

• Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension - II. E. 10.

• Commemorated on Page 495

Pte Cyril Augustine McAllister - Died of Illness on March 9

• Brookwood Military Cemetery (England) - IX. A. 4.

• Commemorated on Page 452

Pte Alexander Coull Gibb - Missing, Believed Killed on April 28

• Vimy Memorial

• Commemorated on Page 414

Pte Michael McPherson - Killed in Action on August 8

• Hourges Orchard Cemetery, Domart-sur-la-Luce - A. 22.

• Commemorated on Page 465

Pte John Pinder Willacy - Killed in Action on August 8

• Demuin British Cemetery - A. 3.

• Commemorated on Page 523

Pte Samuel Parnell Marsh - Killed in Action on August 9

• Manitoba Cemetery, Caix - D. 24.

• Commemorated on Page 467

Pte George Cecil Shirley Brooks - Died of Wounds on August 10

• Crouy British Cemetery, Crouy-sur-Somme - VI. B. 20.

• Commemorated on Page 374

Pte George Esselmont - Killed in Action on August 10

• Vimy Memorial

• Commemorated on Page 404

Pte Alexander Elliott – Killed in Action on August 26

• Wancourt British Cemetery - II. A. 14.

• Commemorated on Page 403

Spr John Buntain – Killed in Action on August 28

• Tilloy British Cemetery, Tilloy-les-Mofflaines - IV. A. 8.

• Commemorated on Page 377

Pte Alfred Annis - Killed in Action on September 2

• Dominion Cemetery, Hendecourt-les-Cagnicourt - I. C. 22.

• Commemorated on Page 360

Sgt Harold Lambert Buck – Died of Wounds on September 21

• Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun - VI. H. 26.

• Commemorated on Page 376

Pte Joseph Poirier – Killed in Action on September 29

• Haynecourt British Cemetery - II. D. 4.

• Commemorated on Page 486

Pte Vincent Carroll – Killed in Action on October 1

• Sancourt British Cemetery - II. A. 21.

• Commemorated on Page 381

Cpl Harold James Rees – Killed in Action on October 4

• Haynecourt British Cemetery - II. D. 6.

• Commemorated on Page 490

​Armistice and Aftermath

Capt Royce Coleman Dyer - Died of Illness on December 30, 1918

• Archangel Allied Cemetery (Russia) - E. 6.

• Commemorated on Page 586

Pte Frank John Johnson - Died on December 30, 1918

• Brookside Cemetery (Winnipeg) - Mil. 223.

• Commemorated on Page 437

Spr Harry Jenkins - Died of Illness on March 5, 1919

• Telincthun British Cemetery, Wilmille - XV. A. 40.

• Commemorated on Page 536

Capt John Riversdale Warren Herrick - Died of Wounds on October 24, 1920

• Basra War Cemetery (Iraq) - II. K. 14.

Spr Wilfred Langford Green - Died in 1920

• No known grave or memorial site

Pte William Murray Bower - Died of Wounds on October 17, 1921

• Union Church Cemetery, Middle Ohio (Nova Scotia) - 295

• Commemorated on Page 555

Pte Harold Marland Andrews - Died on September 8, 1923

• Transcona Cemetery - Mlty-0176-0