Written By Carol Small, Middlesex Centre Archives
November 11th is fast approaching. With that our thoughts turn to the promise of hope for lasting world peace. Today, once again that seems an elusive dream. It is time to remember those who bravely went forward to serve through conflicts to try to bring a lasting peace for future generations. In past years, we have remembered men and women from Middlesex Centre. Let’s continue to remember and honour them.
The fifth of nine children, Cyril Clemence (1890-1917) was born in Rayleigh, Essex England to shopkeepers, William Clemence and Fanny Francis. Immigrating to Canada in 1911, Cyril worked for George and Isabel Robson in London Township. In 1915, he enlisted in the Middlesex 135th, and was sent to Quebec, where he took ill. He returned home, then returned to another battalion and was sent to France. While fighting, Cyril was buried in the trenches when a shell exploded nearby. A German soldier dug him out and released him back to his comrades. In September 1916, Private Cyril Clemence penned a poem “A Call From the 135th” about the disbandment of the 135th. Cyril was wounded three times before he was killed on November 6. 1917 at Passchendaele, Arrondissement, West Flanders (West-Vlaanderen, Belgium). His name appears on the Menin Gates Memorial.
The sixth of seven children born to Alexander Colvin (1848-1928) and Janet “Jessie” Frazer (1856-1884) of Lobo Township, Duncan Alexander Colvin (1891-1916) was the second child named Duncan after his one-year old brother of that name died in 1887. Duncan was a farmer when he enlisted to become a member of the 18th Battalion (Western Ontario) CEF on January 12, 1915. Duncan’s older brother George also enlisted. George returned to Lobo but Duncan did not. Duncan’s regiment sailed for England in April 1915 and disembarked in France on September 15, 1915. On February 24, 1916, about 9 P.M., while on sentry duty in the front-line trenches northwest of Wytschaete, an enemy bullet struck Duncan. Although receiving medical attention, Duncan died about 5 minutes later. His grave is in the Ridgewood Military Cemetery in Belgium.
Women were not part of active military duties during WWI. However, they did work in the War theatre, often as nurses in the Canadian Army Medical Corp. In this capacity, they worked with the results of battlefield horrors. Many went unrecognised for their efforts when they returned home. One of those unsung heroes was Mildred Maria Allen (1886-1982). Mildred was the second child of Josephus Allen (1855-1940) and Elizabeth Wilson (1856-1926) of Delaware Township. According to the 1911 Census, Mildred was a teacher but later became a nurse as stated on her border crossing papers. After returning from WWI duties and the 1926 death of her mother, Mildred left for New York, entering on April 15, 1927 and becoming a US citizen in 1932. Mildred died there in October 1982 and is interred with her parents in Scottsville Cemetery. If you have more information about the service of Mildred and possibly even a photo, Middlesex Centre Archives would be pleased to add it to our collection.
The Middlesex Centre Archives would like to collect more information about our local veterans and their lives. It is important to remember them and their great contribution to Canada. LEST WE FORGET.
