About the Project

Oak Bay Remembers is an initiative of Oak Bay Archives, started in November 2014 to mark the centenary of the First World War. As of 2024, it continues for the Second World War, here

[Skip to list of the fallen]

The goals of the project were:

• To discover the names and personal stories of Oak Bay residents killed in the First World War
• To understand the impact of the war on the community of Oak Bay
• To raise awareness of the centenary and its relevance to our community
• To restore to public memory the personal sacrifices that were made one hundred years ago

Using directories, census data, newspapers, photographs, websites and other sources, volunteers from Oak Bay Archives worked to identify more than three hundred Oak Bay men and women who served with the Canadian and British forces during the First World War.

To date, our research has identified fifty Oak Bay men who gave their lives in the conflict. Oak Bay was a small community of a few thousand residents during the First World War, and the impact of the war on local families was profound. 

As part of the project, research files containing print copies of attestation papers, service records, news clippings, photographs and other material have been created as a permanent resource at Oak Bay Archives. Biographical sketches for each of Oak Bay's WWI war dead have been added to the District website, below.

In addition to conducting research, Oak Bay Archives hosted community lectures on WWI history during the years of commemoration 2014-2018, and participated in public events including the centenary commemoration of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, held at the Bay Street Armoury in April 2017.

If you have information to share with us about Oak Bay in the First World War, or about any of those listed below, please  contact the Archivist.

A special thank you to our volunteer researchers  Alan McKinlay and Leona Taylor.

 

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Learn more about Oak Bay during the First World War

Collections and resources at Oak Bay Archives:

• Oak Bay Council Minutes, 1914 to 1921
• Oak Bay Assessment Rolls, 1907, 1912 & 1916
• 1911 Census of Canada (Oak Bay data transcribed by volunteers at OBA)
• 1921 Census of Canada (Oak Bay data transcribed by volunteers at OBA)
• Oak Bay building permits - browse permits to 1916
•  Photograph Collections - search online

Other websites:

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission - Find War Dead
• A City Goes to War (UVic)
• Library and Archives Canada - Personnel Records of the First World War
• Find A Grave
• Canada Census 1825 - 1931 (Archives Canada) - NB Oak Bay is in the Nanaimo census district

 

Oak Bay First World War Honour Roll (pdf)

Oak Bay Second World War Honour Roll (pdf) - NB William Dyson is missing from this list

 

Oak Bay Remembers: The First World War 1914-1918

The District of Oak Bay remembers and honours the residents of our community who gave their lives in the First World War a century ago.

Annotated Honour Roll

Allison, William Roderick

• Gunner | Service Number 339636
• Died 24/02/1919, Age 21
• 4th Canadian Siege Battery 2nd Brigade Canadian Garrison Artillery
• Son of William and Gertrude Allison of New Westminster, British Columbia.
• Buried at BUXTON CEMETERY, Derbyshire, UK 

Ancell, Horace

• Lance Corporal | Service Number 760143
• Died 27/03/1918, Age 28
• 1st/28th Battalion London Regiment (Artists' Rifles)
• Son of the late Frederick Ancell and Laura Ancell of Box, Wiltshire, Husband of Lilan Alberta Straker (Formerly Ancell) of 495 Victoria Avenue, Oak Bay, British Columbia.
• Commemorated at ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France

Andros, Sidney Dobré

• Private | Service Number 116628
• Died 10/11/1917
• 7^th Battalion Canadian Infantry
• 909 Transit Road, Oak Bay.
• Commemorated at Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium

   

Private Sidney Dobré Andros, Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium (Photo: C. Duncan, 2018)

Arbuckle, John Farabee

• Lieutenant
• Died 26/09/1916, Age 27
• 31st Bn. Canadian Infantry
• Lieutenant Arbuckle was the son of Mrs J. S. Gore of ‘Arran’ in York Place, Oak Bay. He was born in Memphis, Tennessee and after stays in Washington DC and California he came to Victoria in 1907. He worked in a local branch of the Imperial Bank of Canada. He was killed on September 26, 1916 during the Somme Offensive, age 27.
• Commemorated at Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France

    

Lieutenant John Farabee Arbuckle, Vimy Memorial, France (Photo: C. Duncan, 2018)

 

Baker, Henry Alonzo

• Corporal | Service Number 516274
• Died 11/06/1917, Age 25
• Canadian Army Service Corps
• Son of Alonzo and Ellen Baker of Albion, British Columbia; husband of Violet Holmes (nee Bowyer) of 209 Chaucer St., Oak Bay, British Columbia.
• Corporal Baker enlisted in the Mechanical Transport of The Canadian Army Service Corps on May 31 1916. Prior to enlistment he was a chauffeur at No. 8 Fire Hall Victoria. 
• Buried at Ross Bay Cemetery, Victoria, BC

Baxter, Charles Stuart

• Corporal | Service Number 77615
• Died 18/10/1916, Age 22
• 16th Bn. Canadian Infantry
• Only son of Charles Stuart and Elinor M Baxter of 2685 Cranmore, Oak Bay.  Corporal Baxter attended Collegiate School after which he articled with Gore & McGregor, land surveyors.  He enlisted in the 50th Gordon Highlanders on November 5, 1914 and later served with the Canadian Scottish as a member of the machine gun section. 
• Buried at Contay British Cemetery in France
• Inscription: “FOR ALL THY SAINTS A NOBLE THRONG WE PRAISE THY NAME O LORD”

Blowers, John Thorold

• Private | Service Number 71573
• Died 06/02/1916, Age 22
• 27th Bn. Canadian Infantry
• Private Blowers was the son of Frank Ernest and Edith Helen Blowers of 1242 Oliver Street, Oak Bay. He enlisted in the 27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment) on October 28, 1914.  He was killed on the night of February 6, 1916 while on duty in front of the Canadian trenches.
• Buried in Lindenhoek Chalet Military Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
• Inscription: “BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART”

 

Private John Thorold Blowers, Lindenhoek Chalet Military Cemetery, Belgium (Photo: C. Duncan, 2018)

 

Browne, Hayward Irwin Brook

• Private | Service Number 180589
• Died 26/09/1916
• 28th Bn. Canadian Infantry
• Husband of Catherine Edith Browne of 929 Island Road, Oak Bay. Father of three daughters and one son. Private Browne was killed on September 26, 1916, age 43. 
• Commemorated at Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France

   

Private Hayward Irwin Brook Browne, Vimy Memorial, France (Photo: C. Duncan, 2018)

 

Bunting, Archie MM

• Lance Corporal | Service Number 77025
• Died 10/11/1917, Age 28
• 7th Bn. Canadian Infantry
• Son of Herbert and Mary Ellen Bunting of 1461 Hampshire Rd., Oak Bay, British Columbia.
• Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on April 17, 1889.  Prior to coming to Victoria in 1910 he had lived in the Boundary region of BC and in Vancouver, where he was a member of the Duke of Connaught’s Own Rifles.  He was an architect prior to enlistment (H. Bunting and Sons, 1461 Hampshire Road).  He enlisted in the 88th Regiment on 7 Nov 1915 and left for the Front with the 30th Battalion.  He was wounded in action in 1915 and was awarded the Military Medal in 1917.  He was killed on 10 Nov 1917 during the Battle of Passchendale while serving with the 7th Battalion of the 1st Canadian Division. 
• Oak Bay Council minutes, 30 Nov 1917:  Moved by Councillor Nivin, seconded by Councillor Jameson "that the Reeve and Council tender their sincere sympathy to Mrs. Bunting and family in their great bereavement and in the loss of Sergeant A. Bunting, while doing his duty in the service of his King and Country." Carried.
• Commemorated at Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium

   

Lance Corporal Archie Bunting, MM, Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium (Photo: C. Duncan)

Buss, Benjamin.

• Capt. Benjamin. Buss was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Buss, of 799 Linkleas Rd, Victoria, B.C.; nephew and namesake of Benjamin Buss, of Elphicks, Horsmonden, Kent.
•  l/5th (Weald of Kent) Battalion of The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
• Died at Wandsworth Military Hospital on November 4th 1918, as a consequence of wounds received at the battle of Shaikh Sa'ad, January 11th 1916. 
• brother of Thomas Weston Buss, below.
• buried in St Margarets Churchyard, Horsmonden, Tunbridge Wells Borough, Kent, England
• Find a Grave entry - includes photo 

Buss, Thomas Weston.

• Second Lieutenant
• Died 09/04/1917, Age 25
• 5th Bn. attd. 6th Bn., The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
• Son of Edwin Buss of 799 Linkleas Rd., Oak Bay.
• Brother of Benjamin Buss, above.
• Commemorated at Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France
• Find a Grave entry - includes photo

Campbell, James

• Private | Service Number 213274
• Died 28/07/1918, Age 26
• 87th Bn. Canadian Infantry
• James Campbell was the son of Michael and Sarah Campbell of 2559 Dunlevy Street.  He was working in Detroit when the war broke out and crossed the border in 1915 to enlist with the 99th (Essex) Battalion in Windsor, Ontario. He later transferred to the 87th Battalion. He was wounded on 10 April 1917 at Vimy Ridge and was hospitalized in England. He returned to France in 1918. On 28 July he was reported missing after a raid on an enemy trench.
• Commemorated at Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France
• The Campbell Brothers of Dunlevy Street, Oak Bay

   

Private James Campbell, Vimy Memorial, France (Photo: C. Duncan, 2018)

 

Cartwright, Edward

• Private | Service Number 180598
• Died 11/10/1916, Age 34
• 7th Bn. Canadian Infantry
• Private Cartwright was the husband of Mary Margaret Cartwright, 1526 Beach Drive, Oak Bay. He was born in Callington, Cornwall, England on 29 Jun 1882. He was educated at Truro Grammar School and Denstone College before entering Jesus College, Cambridge in Oct 1904. He came to British Columbia in Jun 1905 and began farming on Salt Spring Island. It was there that he married Mary Margaret Royal at St Mark's Church, Salt Spring Island on 12 May 1908. Miss Royal was the nanny to the children of the Burrell family of Oak Bay. Edward Cartwright enlisted with the 88^th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force on 8 Dec 1915. He was at Willows Camp in Oak Bay in April 1916 and sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia on the SS Olympic on 31 May 1916, arriving in England in June. He was promoted to Acting Lance Corporal in June but returned to the ranks at his own request in August 1916, shortly before he was transferred to the 7th Battalion. He was posted to France in September and was injured by shrapnel three weeks later. After initial treatment at the No. 1 Canadian General Hospital in Etaples, he was transferred to Leeds Military Hospital, England where he died of his wounds on 11 Oct 1916. He was attached to the 7th Regiment at the time of his death. He is buried at St Andrews Churchyard, Wimpole, Cambridgeshire. His father, Rev George Dawson Cartwright, was Rector at Wimpole and Arrington from 1897 until his death in 1913.  Edward's twin brother, 2nd Lieutenant Charles Cartwright, 8th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, was killed in action on 19 April 1916.
• Buried at Wimpole Churchyard, Cambridgeshire, England

 

Private Edward Cartwright (OBA 2010-010-186). Photograph from the Burrell family album. Search additional images of Edward Cartwright and Mary Margaret Royal at https://www.oakbay.ca/our-community/archives/photographs

Clark, Herbert

• Private | Service Number 180827
• Died 15/08/1917, Age 37
• 7th Bn. Canadian Infantry
• Private Clark was the husband of Elsie Clark, Flat 5, 1199 Newport Avenue, Oak Bay. He was born in London England on 17 March 1879. Prior to enlistment on 2 October 1915 he was a clerk.  He was killed during the Battle of Loos on 15 August 1917.
• Commemorated at Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France

   

Private Herbert Clark, Vimy Memorial, France (Photo: C. Duncan, 2018)

Fleming, Charles Harold

• Private | Service Number 180043
• Died 26/09/1916, 29th Bn. Canadian Infantry
• Private Fleming was the son of Mr and Mrs Harold Fleming, 948 Foul Bay Road, and was born in Victoria on 6 January 1896.  He was a photographer prior to enlisting in the 88th Battalion. He later transferred to the 29th Battalion.  He was reported missing on 25 Sept 1916 during the Canadian’s charge at Courcelette - his first day in action.  His parents were notified in May 1917, after confirmation of his death was received, that he was not a prisoner of war. 
• Commemorated at the Courcelette British Cemetery, Somme, France

Private Charles Harold Fleming, Courcelette British Cemetery, France (Photo: C. Duncan, 2018)

 

Frost, William Frederick

• Corporal | Service Number 554
• Died 20/12/1920
• Canadian Army Medical Corps
• Corporal Frost was the husband of A M Frost, 2544 Beach Drive, Oak Bay. He was attached to the Canadian Army Medical Corps. He died on 20 December 1920.
• Buried at Ross Bay Cemetery, Victoria BC

Gordon, Ralph Vyvian

• Second Lieutenant
• Died 25/09/1918, Age 22
• 2nd Flight Lieutenant Gordon was the youngest son of Mr and Mrs Marshall P. Gordon of 1344 Victoria Avenue, Oak Bay. His father was a former Reeve of Oak Bay.  He was born on 18 January 1896 in Kamloops and was educated at South Park School, Woodstock College and the University of Toronto. He graduated as a civil engineer. He enlisted on 8 November 1915 in the 88th Battalion but transferred to the 25th Battalion in England prior to going to France. He subsequently transferred to the Royal Naval Air Service and qualified as a pilot. The RNAS was absorbed into the Royal Air Force in April 1918 at which time 2nd Flight Lieutenant Gordon was attached to the No.55 Squadron. On 25 September 1918 he was killed on a bombing raid when he was attacked by enemy aircraft and his plane was badly damaged.
• Buried in Charmes Military Cemetery, Essegney, Vosges, France
• Inscription: “FOR OUR TOMORROW HE GAVE HIS TODAY”

Graham, Ronald Joseph

• Gunner | Service Number 2044119
• Died 09/09/1918, Age 19
• 5th Bde. Canadian Field Artillery
• Son of Adne Richmond Graham and Meta Neville Graham of 1383 St Patrick Street (later 1405 St Patrick), Oak Bay. He graduated from Victoria High School and then attended the Normal School where he planned to work towards a teaching certificate.  He enlisted on 17 April 1917. After basic training at Petewawa, Ontario he sailed for Europe in December 1917. A short time afterwards he was in France attached to the 23rd Battery, 5th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery. His parents received a cablegram saying that he was dangerously ill having been gassed, followed by a second cable stating that he had died of his wounds. 
• Buried at Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun, Pas de Calais, France
• Inscription: “BORN AT NEEPAWA MANITOBA, CANADA DEC. 23.1898”

Hadow, Erland Godfrey MC

• Captain
• Died 29/05/1917, Age 42
• 17th Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
• Husband of Charlotte Jessie Bird Hadow of 790 Linkleas Avenue, Oak Bay. He was born on 4 Jan 1875 in Norwich, England to Reginald Townshend and Mary Adelaide Hadow. He was with the West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales Own) of the British Army when he was killed on 29 May 1917.
• Buried in Heudicourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France
• Inscription: “YE SHALL RECEIVE A CROWN OF GLORY THAT FADETH NOT AWAY 1 PETER 5.4”

Hilliard, Geoffrey Crosier

• Lieutenant
• Died 11/12/1917, Age 20
• Royal Canadian Dragoons
• Lieutenant Hilliard was the son of George Boyd and Amy Herbert Hilliard. He was born in Lakefield, Ontario on 17 March 1897. He had attended the Royal Military College, Kingston, Ontario, and was attached to the Royal Canadian Dragoons when he died of wounds on 11 December 1917. His war medals and Memorial Cross was delivered to his parents in 1920 at 1542 North Hampshire Road, Oak Bay.
• Buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, France

Holland, Frank Davenport

• Private | Service Number 51225
• Died 04/05/1915, Age 19
• Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment)
• Private Holland was the son of Frank Bernard and Ada Holland of 1284 Monterey Avenue, Oak Bay. He was born in Great Warford, Cheshire, England on 13 September 1895. He came to Canada in October 1911, joining the Bank of British North America. At the time of his enlistment in November 1914 he was stationed in Prince Rupert. He arrived in France early in 1915 but was killed in action in the Ypres salient on 11 May 1915.
• Commemorated at Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium

   

Private Frank Davenport Holland, Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium (Photo: C. Duncan, 2018)

Johnson, Alfred William MC

• Captain
• Died 17/04/1918, Age 43
• 1st Field Survey Coy. Royal Engineers
• Son of Alfred and Lucy Johnson of the F.F.M.A., Madagascar; husband of Mary S. K. Johnson of 725 Newport Avenue, Oak Bay. Prior to enlistment he was a Dominion Land Surveyor in Kamloops, BC.  He was attached to the 1st Field Survey Company, Royal Engineers, British Army when he died on 17 April 1918, aged 43. 
• Buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, France
• Inscription:  “AND THIS IS THE PROMISE THAT HE HATH PROMISED US EVEN ETERNAL LIFE 1. JOHN 2.25”

Lovatt, Stanley Walter

• Private | Service Number 423165
• Died 28/04/1917, Age 22
• 5th Bn. Canadian Infantry
• Private Lovatt was the son of George and Louisa Lovatt, 2036 Milton Street, Oak Bay. He was born in Cotfield, England on 23 June 1894 and was a printer prior to enlisting on 19 May 1915.  He was attached to the 5th Canadian Infantry Battalion when he was killed on 28 April 1917 during the attack on Arleux in the Arras Offensive.
• Commemorated at Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France

   

Private Stanley Walter Lovatt, Vimy Memorial, France (Photo: C. Duncan, 2018)

Lunn, Alexander

• Private | Service Number 706344
• Died 01/10/1918, Age 34
• 54th Bn. Canadian Infantry
• Son of John and Janet Lunn of Edinburgh; husband of Muriel Lunn of 55 Church Rd., St. Leonards-on-Sea, England.
• Buried at Cantimpre Canadian Cemetery, Sailly, Nord, France

Marshall, John Thornton

• Squadron Sergeant Major | Service Number 107436
• Died 07/10/1915, Age 41
• 2nd Regt. Canadian Mounted Rifles
• Husband of Selina Elizabeth Marshall of 2133 Windsor Road, Oak Bay. Native of Buckingham, England.
• Sergeant Major Marshall was born in Buckingham, England on March 24, 1874 to John and Jane Marshall. He was married to Selina Elizabeth Marshall of 2100 Cowan Avenue, Oak Bay. He was educated at St John’s Royal Latin, Buckinghamshire where his name is on the Roll of Honour. He served with the Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars for 16 years prior to coming to Canada where he worked as a contractor. He enlisted in the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles, C Squadron on 16 November 1914 receiving training at Willows Camp in Oak Bay prior to sailing for Europe. He was killed during the Battle of Loos on 7 October 1915, being the first member of the CMR to be killed in action when he was shot by a sniper.
• Buried at Ridge Wood Military Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Inscription:  “PEACE PERFECT PEACE”

Squadron Serjeant Major John Thornton Marshall, Ridge Wood Military Cemetery, Belgium (Photo: C. Duncan, 2018)

McGrath, Francis Joseph

• Able Seaman | Service Number ON/380
• Died 04/01/1916, Age 40
• H.M.C.S. “Shearwater”, Royal Canadian Navy
• Husband of Anna McGrath of 2058 Oak Bay Avenue, Oak Bay.
• Buried at Esquimalt Veterans’ Cemetery

McGregor, James Herrick

• Captain
• Died 24/04/1915, Age 46
• 16th Bn. Canadian Infantry
• Born 4 Mar 1847 to Lamira and James McGregor, L.L.D. of Cote des Neiges, Montreal.
• Husband of  Elizabeth Frances Walker, father of four children. The McGregor house was at the corner of Newport Avenue and St David, Oak Bay. He graduated from McGill University and joined the firm Gore & Burnet in Victoria as a surveyor. In 1901 the firm was renamed Gore & McGregor. Captain McGregor was active in municipal affairs, including lobbying for the incorporation of Oak Bay in 1906. He was on leave from Oak Bay Council at the time of his death. He enlisted in the 50th Gordon Highlanders on 23 Sep 1914 joining the 16th Battalion. The regiment arrived in England in October 1914 for training. By April 1915 they were in the front lines at Ypres. Captain McGregor was Battalion Paymaster, normally stationed well back of the Front. However, Captain McGregor was found at the Front during an enemy attack on 21 April 1915, leading the men armed only with a walking stick when he was shot and killed.
• Commemorated at Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium

   

Captain James Herrick McGregor, Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium (Photo: C. Duncan, 2018)

 

Milburn, Colin

• Sergeant | Service Number 77163
• Died Between 18/05/1915 and 22/05/1915, Age 34
• 19th Bn. Canadian Infantry
• Sergeant Milburn was born in Tottenham, London, England on 30 June 1881 to William and Alice Milburn. He was a nephew of Mrs P D Goebel, 1257 Hampshire Road, Oak Bay.  At the time of his death his wife was living in Torquay, Devon, England.  He had served 8 years in the 8th Hussars of the British Army including two years in South Africa before coming to British Columbia.  He enlisted in the 19th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry on 11 November 1914 and was killed on 18 May 1915. 
• Commemorated at Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France

  

Sergeant Colin Milburn, Vimy Memorial, France (Photo: C. Duncan, 2018)

 

Minnis, Samuel

• Private | Service Number 703156
• Died 21/10/1916
• 102nd Bn. Canadian Infantry
• Private Minnis was born in Liverpool, England on 31 July 1875. He was married to Minnie Florence Minnis of 2086 Chaucer Street, Oak Bay. He was manager in a steel works in England before coming to Canada. He enlisted in the 102nd Battalion of the Canadian Infantry on 16 December 1915 and was killed on 21 October 1916 during the Somme Offensive. His younger son, Cecil, died in October 1915, while his elder son, Gerald, was in France with Major-General Currie’s staff.
• Commemorated at Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France

   

Private Samuel Minnis, Vimy Memorial, France (Photo: C. Duncan, 2018)

Nation, Philip Brackenbury

• Private | Service Number 16801
• Died 24/04/1915
• 7th Bn., Canadian Infantry
• 1813 Burns Road (now Elgin), Oak Bay.
• Commemorated at Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium

Norman, William

• Private | Service Number 103259
• Died 17/07/1917, Age 25
• 67th Bn. Canadian Pioneers
• Son of Stephen and Annie Norman, of 1429 Monterey Avenue, Oak Bay. Private Norman was born in Victoria, BC on 5 April 1891. He was a timber cruiser before enlisting in the 67th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry on 8 November 1915. He served 51 days at the front but was invalided home in 1917 after contracting TB. He died in the Mountain Sanatorium, Hamilton, Ontario on 17 July 1917.
• Buried in Ross Bay Cemetery, Victoria, BC
• Inscription: “HE DIED THAT OTHERS MIGHT LIVE”

Pemberton, Frederick D. DFC

• Captain
• Died 21/08/1917, Age 22
• 50th Sqdn. Royal Flying Corps and Royal Field Artillery
• Born on 15 Sep 1893 to Frederick Bernard and Mary A W Pemberton of Mountjoy, Oak Bay. He was the grandson of Joseph Despard Pemberton and brother of Warren Colclough Pemberton (killed on 26 Apr 1916 while serving with the Royal Flying Corps). Captain Pemberton was serving with the Royal Flying Corps when he was killed in action on 21 Aug 1917.
• Buried at Honnechy British Cemetery, Nord, France
• Inscription: “GREATER LOVE THAN THIS HAS NO MAN THAT HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR A FRIEND”

Pemberton, Warren Colclough

• Lieutenant
• Died 25/04/1916, Age 20
• 3rd Bn. Canadian Pioneers attd. Royal Flying Corps
• Born 1 Dec 1895 to Frederick Bernard and Mary A W Pemberton of Mountjoy, Oak Bay. He was the grandson of Joseph Despard Pemberton and the brother of  Frederick Despard Pemberton (killed in action on 21 Aug 1917). Lieutenant Pemberton enlisted on 18 Aug 1915 and left for France with the 48th Battalion. He subsequently joined No 40 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps. During flying training at Fort Grange Aerodrome on 26 April 1916 his aircraft crashed and he was killed.
• Buried at Gosport (Ann’s Hill) Cemetery, Hampshire, United Kingdom
• Inscription: “BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART FOR THEY SHALL SEE GOD”

Philbrick, Bertie Raymond

• Captain
• Died 09/09/1916
• 46th Bn. Canadian Infantry
• Husband of Lillie R. Philbrick of 8 Bellevue Court, Oak Bay. Born in Wales on 23 Feb 1874. Prior to enlistment he was a civil servant in the Department of Public Works, Saskatchewan.  He joined the 46th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry on 1 Feb 1915. On 9 Sep 1916 the Battalion War Diaries reported that at midnight Captain Philbrick let a small party on men on a raid into No-Mans-Land to capture a prisoner for interrogation.  Fifteen yards from the German trenches he was shot and died shortly afterwards on his way to a dressing station.
• Buried at Ridge Wood Military Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium

Captain Bertie Raymond Philbrick, Ridge Wood Military Cemetery, Belgium (Photo: C. Duncan, 2018)

POOLE, Frederick

• Private | Service Number 180295
• Died 11/11/1916 Aged 23
• 47th Bn., Canadian Infantry
• Son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Poole, of Witney Rd., Stonesfield, Oxon, England. Living at 2225 Bowker Ave, Oak Bay when he enlisted with the CEF on 1 Nov 1914. Killed on 11 Nov 1916.
• Commemorated at Vimy Memorial, France

Rennie, William Watson

• Engineer
• Died 27/05/1915, Age 31
• H.M.S. "Princess Irene." Royal Naval Reserve
• Son of George Watson Rennie and Jane Seaton Rennie, of 954 S. Hampshire Rd., Oak Bay. Native of Scotland.
• Commemorated at  Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire, UK

Rowley, Harold George

• Lieutenant
• Died 17/03/1916, Age 31
• 61st Field Coy. Royal Engineers
• Son of John and Harriet Augusta Rowley of 1050 St. Patrick St., Oak Bay. Born at Streatham, London, England on 1 Aug 1884.  He graduated from the Faculty of Engineering, Kings College, London and spent two years working for an engineering company in India before returning to England.  In 1909 he joined the Royal Reserve Engineers as a 2nd Lieutenant, but subsequently moved to Canada. But when war broke out he left Victoria to return to England to join the Royal Engineers. He was serving with the 61st Field Company when he contracted meningitis and died on 17 March 1916.
• Buried in Faubourg D’Amiens Cemetery, Arras
• Inscription: “FEAR NOT... I AM THY SHIELD AND THY EXCEEDING GREAT REWARD GEN.15.1”

Lieutenant Harold George Rowley, Faubourg-D'Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France (Photo: C. Duncan, 2018)

SAMPSON, Wilfred John Victor

• Lieutenant Sampson, RAF (UK), 81 Squadron, was the son of William and Louise Sampson; husband of Etta Sampson, of 465, 48th Avenue East, Vancouver, Canada. Born Watford England 25 Sep 1895. He died on 2nd December 1918, age 23, in a flight training accident at Port Meadow - Upper Heyford, Oxford (UK).
• Commonwealth War Graves Commission entry
• Find a Grave entry - includes photo

Slater, Isaac

• Private | Service Number 180727
• Died 22/05/1917, Age 39
• 29th Bn. Canadian Infantry
• Private Slater was born on 4 March 1878 in Stoke-on-Trent, England. He was married to Annie Slater, 1053 Haultain Street, Victoria. He served in the war in South Africa before coming to Canada. In 1907 he was employed by the Oak Bay Municipality.  He enlisted in the 88th Battalion Canadian Infantry on 17 December 1915. He fought and survived at Vimy Ridge but subsequently was wounded. He died of these wounds in a military hospital in Chatham, Kent England on 22 May 1917.  
• Buried in the local Fort Pitt Military Cemetery, Kent, UK

Suckling, Arthur

• Private | Service Number 116944
• Died 14/04/1917, Age 18
• 7th Bn. Canadian Infantry
• Private Suckling was born on 13 September 1898 in Burnley, England. Son of Mary A Suckling of 925 Monterey Avenue and 2464 Saratoga Avenue, Oak Bay. Stepson of Constable Suckling, Oak Bay Police. Private Suckling was working as a farmer in the Interior but returned to Victoria to enlist in the 7th Battalion, Canadian Infantry on 15 May 1916. He was killed on 14 April 1917.
• Buried in Bois-Carre British Cemetery, Thelus, Pas de Calais, France

Private Arthur Suckling, Bois-Carre British Cemetery, France (Photo: C. Duncan, 2018)

SWEET, John Hales

• Major
• Died 09/04/1917, Age 38
• 72nd Bn. Canadian Infantry
• Son of The Ven. Archdeacon J. H. S. Sweet and Mrs. Sweet of 1613 Wilmot Place, Oak Bay.
•  B.A., New Brunswick University.
• Member of the firm of Messrs. Bond and Sweet, Barristers, & Co. of Vancouver.
• Born in Dalhousie, New Brunswick.
• Buried at Villers Station Cemetery, Villers-au-Bois, France
• Inscription: “ONLY SON OF VEN. ARCHDEACON SWEET VICTORIA,B.C. A MAN GREATLY BELOVED”

Tapley, Bernard Cyril

• Sergeant | Service Number 706077
• Died 28/10/1916, Age 21
• 103rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
• Son of Walter Edward and Sarah Jane Tapley of 2138 Central Avenue, Oak Bay. Born in Bromley, Kent, England on 18 December 1894. Sergeant Tapley was a salesman before enlisting on 22 February 1915. He served as Paymaster in the 50th Gordon Highlanders.  He transferred to the 103rd Battalion but was hospitalized when they sailed to France.  He died of cancer on 28 Oct 1916, age 21.
• Buried in Ross Bay Cemetery, Victoria, BC

Taylor, Thomas Joseph MC

• Lieutenant
• Died 10/08/1918, Age 31
• 78th Bn. Canadian Infantry attd. Canadian Light Trench Mortar Battery
• Husband of Marion Taylor of 1590 Wilmot Place, Oak Bay. Thomas Joseph Taylor was born in Leicester, England on 18 December 1887. After leaving England he was employed by the Grand Trunk Pacific in Winnipeg as a Civil Engineer. He enlisted in Victoria on 7 January 1916 and in May left Victoria with the 88th Battalion in command of the signalling section. He later transferred to the Trench Mortar Battery in France where he was awarded the Military Cross. He was killed on 11 August 1918 during the Battle of Amiens.
• Buried in Hillside Cemetery, Les Quesnel, Somme, France
• Inscription: “AT REST SADLY MISSED BY HIS LOVING WIFE AND THREE CHILDREN”

Thompson, Conway Bennett

• Captain
• Died 23/05/1916, Age 36
• 14th Bn. Middlesex Regiment
• Son of Mr. and Mrs. Bennett Thompson; husband of E. B. Bennett Thompson of 1274 Mitchell St, Oak Bay. Born in Dublin.
• Buried at Brighton City (Bear Road) Cemetery, Sussex, UK
• Inscription: “AT REST”

Thorpe, Harry

• Private | Service Number 2247
• Died 31/03/1918
• 8th (King's Royal Irish) Hussars
• Son of Walter Thorpe of 2086 Chaucer Street, Oak Bay.  He was a member of the 8th (Kings Royal Irish) Hussars of the British Army. He was killed on 31 March 1918 during the final German advance.
• Commemorated in the Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France

   

Private Harry Thorpe, Pozieres Memorial, France (Photo: C. Duncan, 2018)

Vooght, Samuel James

• Private | Service Number 200102
• Died 22/11/1917
• 47th Bn. Canadian Infantry
• Buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
• Inscription: “IN LOVING AND EVER PRESENT MEMORY OF OUR DARLING SAM FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH”

Private Samuel James Vooght, Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium (Photo: C. Duncan, 2018)

VOWELL, Edward Arthur MM

• Corporal | Service Number 430758
• 3rd Bn., Canadian Pioneers
• Died 15/09/1916
• Son of Mrs Jane Vowell of 2365 McNeill, Oak Bay.
• Buried at Pozieres British Cemetery, France

Webb, William John

• Private | Service Number 706640
• Died 31/10/1917, Age 34
• 27th Bn. Canadian Forestry Corps
• Private Webb was born in Bassingstoke, England on 15 July 1888 to Mr and Mrs C Webb. He was married to Olive Louisa McTavish (formally Webb), 1177 Newport Avenue, Oak Bay. He was a bricklayer before enlisting in the 103rd Battalion on 12 January 1916. He was with the 27th Company, Canadian Forestry Corps when he was killed on 31 October 1917.
• Buried in Aveluy Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France
• Inscription: “HE GIVETH HIS BELOVED SLEEP”

Private William John Webb, Aveluy Communal Cemetery Extension, France (Photo: C. Duncan, 2018)

Whittier, Douglas H.

• Flight Sub-Lieutenant
• Died 20/07/1916, Age 24
• Royal Naval Air Service
• Son of Anson Dudley Whittier and Amelia Whittier of 1972 St. Ann St, Oak Bay. He was born in Victoria on 26 September 1891. Prior to the war he was employed by Watkins and Hooper, Architects.  He attended the Curtis Aviation School and after qualifying as a flying Sub-Lieutenant he left Canada for England where he joined the Royal Naval Air Service and served in France. He was killed in a flying accident at the Isle of Thanet, Kent, England.
• Buried at Minster (Thanet) Cemetery, Kent, UK
• Inscription: “HE GIVETH HIS BELOVED SLEEP”

Whittingham, Albert Stanley

• Lance Corporal | Service Number 116460
• Died 03/06/1918, Age 27
• 29th Bn. Canadian Infantry
• Son of Thomas and Louisa Charlotte Whittingham, of Davenport Avenue, Hessle, Yorks, England. Native of Hull, Yorks. Born on 26 August 1890. Brother of Arthur William Whittingham of Bon Marche, Oak Bay.  He came to Victoria prior to the start of the war. He enlisted in the 29th Battalion, Canadian Infantry on 5 July 1915. He was wounded during action at Vimy Ridge, but returned to the front only to be wounded again. Again he returned to the front but was killed on 3 June 3 1918.
• Buried in Wailly Orchard Cemetery, France
• Inscription: “HE DIED FOR HIS COUNTRY”

Lance Corporal Albert Stanley Whittingham, Wailly Orchard Cemetery, France (Photo: C. Duncan, 2018)

 

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In the news:

Oak Bay News, 4 Apr 2017 Oak Bay man memorialized at Vimy

Oak Bay News, 5 Apr 2017 Vimy Ridge visit inspires Oak Bay wreath laying

Project Update

16 Oct 2018:  In September 2018, then Oak Bay Archivist Caroline Duncan visited the graves and memorials of twenty-two of Oak Bay's First World War dead in France and Belgium. Photographs of the visit can be viewed in the individual biographies above.

Caroline Duncan visiting WWI cemeteries in France and Belgium, Sep 2018

October 2024: information added for Wilfred Sampson and Benjamin Buss, project description moved to top of page, resource links added.

 

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Contact Us

The Archives are open to visitors & researchers in person by appointment in advance during staffed hours, normally on Tuesdays and Fridays 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Drop-in hours: Tuesdays 10-1. Enquiries are also welcome by email, phone and post. For all archives enquiries and appointment requests:

Email: archives@oakbay.ca
Tel: 250-598-3290 (please include an email address in your message if possible)
Oak Bay Archives
2167 Oak Bay Avenue
Victoria, British Columbia V8R 1G2