Last Post Fund

TAYLOR: Remembrance Day will be different this year but our duty remains the same Author of the article: Gilbert Taylor, Special to Toronto Sun BY GILBERT TAYLOR...Continue reading

At the Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital in the Toronto's West End. "Righting a Wrong" by providing long overdue recognition for lost soldiers. Our Ontario Branch President Col (Ret'd) Geordie Elms explains at the link. https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/video

In collaboration with researcher Carol Holmes from Upper Nicola Band, the Last Post Fund is pleased to announce that we installed 7 tombstones for Indigenous Veterans from the Nicola Valley Region in British Columbia this past weekend, with 7 more scheduled. One of the Veterans that was honored last weekend was Francis Blankenship Nahumpchin. To honour Francis' Indigenous ancestry, his family included Nahumpchin, his traditional name on the inscription. Family and friends of Veterans gathered in a COVID-safe ceremony to mark the installation of the tombstones.

Marking Graves at Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital Cemetery, a project long overdue in the West end of Toronto. Sometimes, one of our articles falls into the hands of just the right person. In this case, Edward Janiszewski came across an article in the quarterly bulletin published by the Ontario Historical Society. Learning about the Fund inspired Ed to search the grounds of the Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital Cemetery for unmarked Veterans graves. Here is an excerpt of his stor...y, as published in the newsletter of the Friends of the Archives of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). The Last Post Fund, a national not-for-profit organization submitted an article about its work in the October 2019 issue of the OHS Bulletin. It described their mandate to ensure that no Veteran is denied a dignified funeral and burial, as well as a military headstone, due to lack of funds at their time of death. Founded in 1909, it has served some 15,000 Veterans from Canada and Allied countries. Upon reading about this organization, I contacted the organization about the likely possibility of First World War veterans having been buried at the Lakeshore Cemetery. With the assistance of Ed Pahud, Executive Director and Serge St. Martin, Counsellor, a researcher was assigned to scour the 1,511 names for possible Veterans. Ms. Judy Stockham devoted countless hours searching the Library and Archives Canada website for the First World War Veterans’ information to authenticate their service and even sought out records in England regarding a veteran. Her research has uncovered 23 men who had served 19 of whom do not have a grave marker. Arrangements in coordination with Infrastructure Ontario to install 23 markers are in progress. It is hoped that they will be installed by the end of October 2020 in time for a dedication ceremony during the week of Remembrance Day, November 2020. The veterans’ names and links are available at the CAMH Archives. As the privacy restrictions for Second World War Veterans’ information permit future release, it is hoped that they too may receive dignified recognition at the Cemetery with their own markers. ____________________________________________________ Ontario Lakeshore Asylum Cemetery Also known as : Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital Cemetery, Mimico Asylum Burial Grounds Since the first burial in 1890 the grounds have been the resting place for 1,511 indigent people, primarily patients of the Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital, including 10 infants. The last burial occurred on March 26, 1974. The Mimico Branch Asylum, later the Ontario Hospital: New Toronto, then Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital, closed and partially "re-merged" with Queen Street Mental Health Centre in 1979, formally closing the burial grounds to further interments.

Corporal / Sapper Harry Parker, 602946, 34th Bn CEF (10th and 5th CRT). Harry Parker was born 24 November 1895 in the Fir Vale Union Workhouse in Sheffield, Yorkshire England, to his mother Mary Ann Parker. No Father's name was listed. Harry Parker was a member of the Boys Brigade and reached the rank of corporal after two years of service in England....Continue reading

Commemorating Anishinabeg Algonquin Veterans As the summer season begins to draw to a close, The Last Post Fund is pleased to announce that 6 tombstones were installed this summer commemorating Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Veterans. Additionally, 7 traditional names were inscribed on tombstones that had previously been placed by the Last Post Fund. This is the first group of tombstones installed as part of the Indigenous Veterans Initiative (IVI). We are pleased to share the phot...Continue reading

TAYLOR: Iconic CNE a casualty in war against COVID-19 Author of the article:Gilbert Taylor, Special to Toronto Sun How will we know when summer is over?...Continue reading

TAYLOR: 75th anniversary of VJ Day a source of joy, and pain, for Canadians It can be said that the Second World War actually started on July 7, 1937, when the Imperial Japanese Army attempted to cross the Marco Polo Bridge in a dash towards Peking. With the exception of a few sanctions against Japan and some financial aid to China from the United States, most Western nations paid little heed to the outbreak of the second Sino-Japanese War....Continue reading

Last Post Fund Burial 337849 SHAVER, Errol Oliver (Petawawa Artillery DRAFT, 67th OS Depot Battery CFA CEF) DECEASED; 1 March 1945 of coronary thrombosis, Christie St Hospital, Toronto https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/... Service information extracted from information at the link. SHAVER, Errol Oliver (67th OS Depot Battery CFA CEF) Present Address; 5 Glencairn Ave, Toronto Born; York Country, Ontario Canada NOK; mother - Annie Shaver NOK address; 5 Glencairn Ave, Toronto DOB; 28 March 1896 Calling; Student Married; no Attestation Date; 4 April 1916, Toronto Previous; COTC 2 years, Private Age; 20 Height; 5' 6" Weight; 133 lbs Complexion; fresh Eyes; brown Hair; brown Religion; Methodist Rank; Private CO; Lt Wright Event / Location; 24 Oct 1916 dep Halifax aboard the SS Grampian, 5 Nov 1916 arr Liverpool, 31 Dec 1916 att 2nd CDAC, 24 June 1917 11 and 13 CF Amb for scabies, 8 September 1917 10 days leave, 2 Dec 1917 Fd Amb pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) , 31 Dec 1917 Course Cdn Arty School, 12 Jan 1918 promoted Bombadier 5 Bde CFA, 9 August 1918 TOS Cl A to Canada as a med student, 22 Sept 1918 dep UK for Canada aboard the SS LLANSTEPHAN CASTLE, 16 Nov 1918 rel from Army "services no longer required" at Exhibition Camp. From his service he had "trench fever" and mustard gas scarring on his thigh. Cemetery: TORONTO (MOUNT PLEASANT) CEMETERY Ontario, Canada Grave Reference: Sect 42 Lot 211 Misc1: Last Post Fund grave. Misc2: Dr. Shaver returned to the University of Toronto following the war. He received his degree in 1924. He practiced medicine in Toronto until his death in March 1945.

TAYLOR: The remarkable patriotism of Canada's Métis veterans Author of the article:Gilbert Taylor Publishing date:Jul 29, 2020 It was tough times in smalltown Manitoba during the summer of 1939....Continue reading

Last Post Burial - 1946 678393 Charles Prince 20th Bn CEF DECEASED; 15 May 1946 of congestive heart failure at Christie Street Hospital https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/... Charles Prince (169th Bn, 20th Bn CEF) DECEASED; 15 May 1946 of congestive heart failure at Christie Street Hospital Present Address; 291 Bartlett Ave, Toronto Born; Princeton NFLD NOK; wife - Sarah Prince NOK address; 291 Bartlett Ave, Toronto DOB; 22 July 1876 Calling; Carpenter Married; Sarah Prince (children 3 boys & 3 girls, Robert, Rennie, Ralph, Rosalie, Ruby, Charles) Attestation Date; 29 January 1916, Toronto Previous Service; no Age; 39 Height; 5' 9 1/2" Weight; 160 lbs Complexion; medium Eyes; blue Hair; brown Religion; C of E Rank; Private CO; LCol Wright Event / Location; 28 Oct 1916 arr UK aboard the Metagama, 24 Jan 1917 TOS 5th Res Bn Bramshott, 9 March 1917 TOS (taken on strength) 20th Bn, 26 Jun 1917 adm 51 Gen Hosp Etaples with VDG and neurasthenia, 20 July 1917 discharged to Base Detail at Etaples, 9 Dec 1917 reported at No 4 Cdn Fd Amb for diarrhea, 15 Dec 1917 rtn to 20th Bn, 9 Feb 1918 returned from 14 days leave, 16 Feb 1918 3rd CFA hospitalized for VDG, 6 May 1918 invalidated removed from field, 29 May 1918 crushed left ankle and was cleared of it being a self inflicted wound, 4 Sept 1918 Medical Board at Bramshott, 13 Nov 1918 medical board at Camp Witley suffering from myalgia and vulvular desease of the heart due to service conditions while serving in France in 1917 and 1918, 14 Dec 1918 arr back in Halifax aboard the Olympic, 15 January 1919 medical-release from service at Exhibition Camp with melancholia vera a mood disorder. Cemetery: TORONTO (MOUNT PLEASANT) CEMETERY Ontario, Canada Grave Reference: 7095 Plot 8 Misc1: Last Post Fund grave Misc2: Private Prince was in the field with the 20th Bn during the Vimy attacks of which his battalion participated. It apprears as though he missed the fighting at Passchendaele being in Convalescent Hospitals for a variety of ailments, for a few months. In late December 1917 he was sent back to the 20th. The 20th saw action at Cambrai and then spent a relatively quiet winter, holding trenches around Vimy. The Kaiser's Spring Offensive began in late March 1918 and essentially drove South of the main Canadian positions. Private Prince was soon after evacuated from the field.

Last Post Fund burial, Parry Sound - 1952 6846 Cpl FRANCIS PEGAHMAGABOW MM 2 bars, 1st Bn CEF DECEASED; 3 August 1952 of coronary thrombosis, at Joseph's Hospital, Parry Sound Ontario https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/...Continue reading

Last Post Fund burial - 1948 916735 Arthur William Senior, 198th, 3rd Bn CEF DECEASED; 10 February 1948 of coronary thrombosis at Veterans Home Hospital, Toronto https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/... Arthur William Senior (198th Bn, 3rd Bn CEF) DECEASED; 10 February 1948 of coronary thrombosis at Veterans Home Hospital, Toronto Present Address; 74 Grange Ave, Toronto Born; Queen's Co. Ireland NOK; father - Hercules Senior NOK address; Durrow Queen's Co. Ireland. (Mrs H. Senior 103 Walker Ave RNS) (bro Richard Senior 100 McCaul St, Toronto and Thos Edward Senior No. 237026) DOB; 10 August 1884 Calling; Clerk Married; no Attestation Date; 24 April 1916, Toronto Previous Service; 10th Royal Grenadiers Age; 31 Height; 5' 10 1/2" Weight; 175 lbs Complexion; dark Eyes; brown Hair; dark brown Religion; C of E Rank; Private CO; LCol J. A. Cooper 198th (Canadian Buffs) Bn https://qormuseum.org//perpetuated-ba/198th-battalion-cef/ Training: Toronto, Borden, Toronto (Feb 1916 - Feb 1917) Event / Location; Dep Halifax 25 March 1917 aboard Metagama, arrive Liverpool 7 April 1917, 19 July 1917 hospital at Bramshott for sprained knee, 1 March 1918 sent to 3rd Bn, 2 September 1918 bullet wound passed through right thigh during the advance on the DROCOURT-QUEANT Line the same day Lt. George Fraser Kerr VC earned the Bar to the MC and was sent to 32 SH Wimereux, Harwich and more care in Epsom until 27 Nov 1918, 4 January 1919 sent to Canada aboard the Metagama, Exhibition Camp unfit, 11 Feb 1919 SOS med-unfit due to GSW service. Cemetery: TORONTO (MOUNT PLEASANT) CEMETERY Ontario, Canada Grave Reference: 7095 Plot 8 Grave; Misc: Last Post Fund grave

Last Post Fund burial - 1944 157744 Urban John Payne, (81st Bn, 18th Bn CEF) DECEASED; 4 August 1944 of coronary sclerosis, Christie St Hospital, Toronto https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/... Service information extracted from information at the link. Urban John Payne (18th Bn) DECEASED; 4 August 1944 of coronary sclerosis, Christie St Hospital, Toronto Present Address; 28 Teignmouth Ave, Toronto Born; Wyrley Staffordshire, England NOK; wife - Annie Payne NOK address; 28 Teignmouth Ave, Toronto DOB; 24 Dec 1881 Calling; Insurance Agent and Iron Moulder Married; yes Attestation Date; 16 September 1915, Toronto Previous Service; no Age; 33 Height; 5' 4 1/2" Weight; 146 lbs Complexion; fair Eyes; blue Hair; brown Religion; Methodist Rank; Private CO; LCol B. H. Belson Event / Location; between Feb-Apr 1915 he was awarded 2 days "confined barracks" and 120 hours and 144 hours "detention" and forfeit 1 day pay, 28 April 1916 dep Halifax aboard Olympic, arr Liverpool 6 May 1916, 28 Jun 1916 trans to 18th Bn, 15/16 Sept 1916 wounded at the Somme, 16 Sept 1916 Kitchener Hosp Brighton severe wound right leg, 9 May 1917 sent back to 18th Bn, 16 Aug 1917 South Africa Gen Hosp Abbeville GSW to right hand and face and concussion during actions around Lens, 25 September 17 move to mil hosp at Exeter, 27 Oct 1917 discharge from hosp, 7 Dec 1917 sail to Canada, 16 Jan 1918 Base Toronto tonsillitis, 31 January 1918 discharge from Ravina Barracks Toronto for neurasthenia. Cemetery: TORONTO (MOUNT PLEASANT) CEMETERY Ontario, Canada Grave Reference: Plot 42 Sect 119 Misc1: Last Post Fund grave, buried with his wife Annie. Misc2: 81st Bn - was broken up on arrival to England to provide reinforcements to active CEF Bn's fighting in Belgium and France, including the 18th.. 18th Bn CEF - On 16 Sept 1916 at the Somme battles, the War Diary states; morning - Battalion relived by Gordon Highlanders. Battalion in reserve at TARA VALLEY. 57 o.r.s. arrived as reinforcements. 7 Officers reported Killed in action, 4 wounded, 1 missing. (Pte Payne was likely one of the wounded at this time). He was again wounded one year later during the actions around Lens. He may have qualified for new release criteria of having been wounded seriously twice. He was exposed to all the horrors the First World War had to offer, based on where he was and the wounds he suffered. He had no further disciplinary issues once he was overseas. Urban and his wife Annie lay together in a plot provided by the Last Post Fund.

Do you have any Last Post Fund burials in your area in Ontario? The markers are similar to the Commonwealth War Graves markers, but do not have a maple leaf inscribed, as displayed in the photos. The locations of over 340 burials at each cemetery are marked on the map, and the second map has 50 or less. If you find any First World War soldiers who are Last Post burials, send a photo of the marker and we will endeavour to provide some information on the soldier. First World War only for now please, because those records are available to us. Second World War records are not readily available just yet.

TAYLOR: Canadian Rangers on front line in war against COVID-19 The Canadian Rangers have been around for a long time. They were established during the Second World World when 10,000 were recruited....Continue reading