Sad
Death of Returned Soldier
One more of Simcoe's heroic
soldiers has laid down his life, not on the field of battle in
conflict, but in an ineffectual struggle with disease.
Private George Sherlock,
barely more than a week after his return home from overseas
service died from pneumonia.
The story is a sad one.
Arriving home on Thursday,
20 Feb 1919, on Saturday he became ill, the disease involving both
lungs. He was removed to the military hospital in Hamilton on
Tuesday, and three days later, on Friday, 29 Feb 1919, he passed
away.
The body was brought to his
home on King street Friday evening and arrangements were made for
a military funeral. He is the second soldier accorded that honor
here during the war, the first being Capt. Hilton
Paulin.
The cortege left the home
of Private Sherlock on Monday afternoon at 2.30, and proceeded to
Trinity church. The firing squad, with arms reverted, in charge of
Sergt. Tees, was followed by the band, under the leadership of
former Warrant-Officer John Sutton. Then came the gun carriage
bearing the coffin, covered with the Union Jack, and drawn by a
number of mates of the dead soldier.
The bearers, three on each
side of the carriage, were returned men: Albert Wakeford, Wm.
VanBrocklin, Wellington Hocking, Richardson Weir, George Culver
and Simeon Buckle, all having been members of the 133rd battalion.
A number of other returned
men marched behind the carriage. About 30 high school cadets
brought up the rear of the procession. Colonel Aiken was officer
in charge, and Lieut. Edward [...oad] also attended.
Rev. A. B. Farney was
the officiating clergyman at Trinity church and the grave. The
church was crowded to the doors by those who were anxious to pay
their last respects to the dead soldier. Many who were unable to
find room inside were grouped about the church and the square
adjacent.
Private Sherlock leaves a
widow, and three sons, the oldest six years of age, and twins of
three years, who were born shortly before their father left for
overseas. Mrs. Woodey of Simcoe is a sister. Their mother lives in
the old country.
Deceased, who was in his
33rd year, was gassed twice and wounded in France, and also had a
serious illness from pneumonia.
Friends who had talked with
him in the brief interval between his homecoming and his illness
relate that he was overjoyed to be back home again.
The bereaved family has the
sincerest sympathy of the townspeople in this sorrow, which seems
doubly sad coming so close on the return of the soldier who had
lived through pain and privations abroad, and had returned to
enjoy a life of peace.
The floral tributes were as
follows: Wreaths from the G.W.V.A., Ladies Auxiliary of Simcoe,
C.O.C.F. No. 289, Mr. an Mrs. R. Lambe; crosses: Mrs. Sherlock and
Women's Institute, St. Williams; sprays from Private Sherlock's
little boys, Signaler and Mrs. Layland,
Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Holmes and Miles Holmes,
Mrs. Woodey and family, Mrs. Lister.
