Johnny_H02
04-02-2007, 01:52 AM
Let me just start by saying I was going to post this in the Family History thread. It is going to be quite the write up so I decided to create a thread.
With only a Picture, envelope and a letter written to my Great Great Grand Mother. I have been able to within a shadow of a doubt find my Great Grand Uncle in the book of rememberance.
I remember my mom telling me the following
- That I had a great great grand father, and Great uncle that fought in World War 1
- That my Great Grand mothers brother ( uncle to me ) never returned and died young in the closing months of the war.
- That Father and Son initially served together, but were seperated befor wars end.
- My Great grand uncles name was "Rex Gordon" as was told to me.
Now to accompany this story I have the following items
A Letter, Envelope, Hankerchief for his sister, and a photograph of Rex.
Here are pics of the items
letter
http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/4944/dsc00149mt7.th.jpg (http://img101.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00149mt7.jpg)
A closer up shot of the circumstances and date of death, and burial information
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/4179/dsc00150oe6.th.jpg (http://img147.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00150oe6.jpg)
His envelope that he had in his personal effects
http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/9270/dsc00153ev5.th.jpg (http://img249.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00153ev5.jpg)
His regimental Photograph
http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/5922/dsc00151ep6.th.jpg (http://img144.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00151ep6.jpg)
This is important information it becomes very handy later on.
So I looked up "Rex" "Gordon" in the book of Rememberance.
I found this
http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/sub.cfm?source=collections/virtualmem/Detail&casualty=467922
Now Hold on a second? RCR? how? Clearly he was in a Highland unit.
So I began thinking, Home raised Battalions were disbanded and sent as reinforcements to other units almost daily as the losses were high. Also its possible that he was mis-identified as a RCR which is unlikely due to the differances in Uniform and he wasnt blown up he was wounded, and died of his wounds. So he had to at some point been put into the RCR's or I have another Rex Gordon who happened to be from Oxford NS and happened to die the same day.
So I dug these up on the archives of Canada website.
pay attention that it says that his Father was Alfred Gordon, who was married to Carrie Gordon.
Alfred Peck Gordons enlistment papers.
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/7254/alfredpeckgordonenlistmlf9.th.gif (http://img183.imageshack.us/my.php?image=alfredpeckgordonenlistmlf9.gif)
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/4730/alfredpeckgordonenlistmlg0.th.gif (http://img90.imageshack.us/my.php?image=alfredpeckgordonenlistmlg0.gif)
Note his Wifes name Caroline from Oxford NS, his age also suggest he was old enough to have a son of the age of 20 easily. Back in those days folks got married at a early age, and started families.
George Rex Gordons Enlistment Papers
http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/1338/rexgordonenlistmentpapece7.th.gif (http://img177.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rexgordonenlistmentpapece7.gif)
http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/5297/rexgordonenlistmentpapekz3.th.gif (http://img139.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rexgordonenlistmentpapekz3.gif)
Several important pieces of information here
Carrie Gordon is listed as his mother on his enlistment papers, and on the website information showing his information linked and shown above.
This is very co-incidental and most likely connected, that Alfred was married to a "Caroline" and his mothers name was Carrie Gordona and her husband was Alfred Peck Gordon, all from Oxford NS. Both joined within months of each other in 1916.
Now, some things still are hazey IE the Battalion. The envelope I have says 185th Battaltion Cape Breton Highlanders, and the enlistment papers state 193rd Batt CEF. So are these two units connected at all?
yes they are if you check this website
Which I found by Googling "193 battalion CEF" which is listed on the enlistment papers as their unit they started in.
This lists all the units that they have cap badges for.
http://www.glengarryhats.com/metal_insignia.php
What caught my eye was the following
http://www.glengarryhats.com/metal_badges/CEF_193rd.php
Motto: Siol Na Fear Fearail
(A Breed of Manly Men)
Raised:
Truro, Nova Scotia
Organized:
1916
Strength:
1,020
March Past:
"Scotland The Brave"
Affiliations:
85th and 185th Battalions
Which Co-incides with the envelope could of been a trench mates, could of been a friend from his unit or one could of been folded into another as re-inforcements.
Here is where it gets interesting
If you wikipedia the 193rd Battalion, you find this.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/193rd_%28Nova_Scotia_Highlanders%29_Battalion,_CEF#column-one), search (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/193rd_%28Nova_Scotia_Highlanders%29_Battalion,_CEF#searchInput)
The 193rd (Nova Scotia Highlanders) Battalion, CEF was a unit in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Expeditionary_Force) during the First World War (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_World_War). Based in Truro, Nova Scotia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truro%2C_Nova_Scotia), the unit began recruiting during the winter of 1915/16 throughout Nova Scotia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nova_Scotia). After sailing to England in October 1916 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1916), the battalion was absorbed into the 17th Reserve Battalion (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=17th_Reserve_Battalion&action=edit) on January 20, 1917 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1917). The 193rd (Nova Scotia Highlanders) Battalion, CEF had one Officer Commanding: Lieut-Col. R. J. S. Langford.
So what about the 185th?
The 185th (Cape Breton Highlanders) Battalion, CEF was a unit in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Expeditionary_Force) during the First World War (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_World_War). Based in Broughton, Cape Breton (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Broughton%2C_Cape_Breton&action=edit), the unit began recruiting during the winter of 1915/16 throughout Cape Breton Island (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Breton_Island), Nova Scotia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nova_Scotia). After sailing to England in October 1916 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1916), the battalion was absorbed into the 17th Reserve Battalion (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=17th_Reserve_Battalion&action=edit) on February 15, 1918 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1918). The 185th (Cape Breton Highlanders) Battalion, CEF had one Officer Commanding: Lieut-Col. F. P. Day.
So he would of ended up in the 17th Reserve Battalion, I was unable to find a hell of allot on that battalion as it was only very briefly a unit, but I did stumble upon this. In regards to 55th Battalion CEF from NB and PEI. which was absorbed into the 40th Battalion and this unit was also absorbed into the 17th Reserve Battalion
The remaining personnel were absorbed into the 40th Battalion July 6th, 1916. The 40th Battalion was absorbed into the 26th Reserve Battalion in England January 4th, 1917, and was responsible for supplying reinforcements to the Royal Canadian Regiment and the 25th Battalion in the field. The 26th Reserve Battalion was absorbed into the 17th Reserve Battalion in England October 9, 1917, which supplied reinforcements to the R.C.R., 25th and 85th Battalions in France.
http://www.cefresearch.com/matrix/Army%20Corps/Divisions/Reorganized%20Units/Absorbed%20by%20Reserves/55th%20Battalion.htm
So based off that you can see that those two highland units were sent into a reserve Battalion which gave replacements to the RCR's, George Rex Gordon is listed as KIA as a member or the RCR's. I believe I have filled that gap at least to a credible degree to find out why if he was a Highlander, he was listed as a RCR.
The RCR part is substanciated both in the Veterans Affairs site listing and th RCR Role of Honour listed here.
902516Pte.George RexGORDON 27 Aug 1918 Ligny-St. Flochel British Cemetery; Pas de Calais, France http://thercr.ca/roll_of_honour/rh-1914-1919_a-g.htm
and listed on the Veterans affairs information shown above near the beggning of this post. Also look in the letter where hes buried, same location of burial, same date of Death, same Name and they were from the same area Oxford NS. Same Date of Birth on the enlistment papers, and death information as listed above.
Also a important note
Look at the serial No. 902516 listed on Rex Gordons Enlistment papers, match those listed in the roll of honour. I have nothing in my possesion that matches that serial no. This is what I have though.
George Rex Gordon was from Oxford NS, quite possibly the son of Alfred and Carrie Gordon of Oxford NS. He was wounded in action and later died in the closing months of the war, his unit was broken up which would explain why he was seperated from his father if they were posted together.
None of this is concrete but it has absorbed the last few hours of my life, and its amazing what you can dig up online, what are the chances? further more how would I go about confirming all this?
Any Suggestions as to where to go next?
Furthermore, How likely is it I have found my great grand mothers brother, based off what I have found am I strong enough evidence wise to think its not only very likely but damn near impossible to be co-incidental?
With only a Picture, envelope and a letter written to my Great Great Grand Mother. I have been able to within a shadow of a doubt find my Great Grand Uncle in the book of rememberance.
I remember my mom telling me the following
- That I had a great great grand father, and Great uncle that fought in World War 1
- That my Great Grand mothers brother ( uncle to me ) never returned and died young in the closing months of the war.
- That Father and Son initially served together, but were seperated befor wars end.
- My Great grand uncles name was "Rex Gordon" as was told to me.
Now to accompany this story I have the following items
A Letter, Envelope, Hankerchief for his sister, and a photograph of Rex.
Here are pics of the items
letter
http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/4944/dsc00149mt7.th.jpg (http://img101.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00149mt7.jpg)
A closer up shot of the circumstances and date of death, and burial information
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/4179/dsc00150oe6.th.jpg (http://img147.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00150oe6.jpg)
His envelope that he had in his personal effects
http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/9270/dsc00153ev5.th.jpg (http://img249.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00153ev5.jpg)
His regimental Photograph
http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/5922/dsc00151ep6.th.jpg (http://img144.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00151ep6.jpg)
This is important information it becomes very handy later on.
So I looked up "Rex" "Gordon" in the book of Rememberance.
I found this
http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/sub.cfm?source=collections/virtualmem/Detail&casualty=467922
Now Hold on a second? RCR? how? Clearly he was in a Highland unit.
So I began thinking, Home raised Battalions were disbanded and sent as reinforcements to other units almost daily as the losses were high. Also its possible that he was mis-identified as a RCR which is unlikely due to the differances in Uniform and he wasnt blown up he was wounded, and died of his wounds. So he had to at some point been put into the RCR's or I have another Rex Gordon who happened to be from Oxford NS and happened to die the same day.
So I dug these up on the archives of Canada website.
pay attention that it says that his Father was Alfred Gordon, who was married to Carrie Gordon.
Alfred Peck Gordons enlistment papers.
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/7254/alfredpeckgordonenlistmlf9.th.gif (http://img183.imageshack.us/my.php?image=alfredpeckgordonenlistmlf9.gif)
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/4730/alfredpeckgordonenlistmlg0.th.gif (http://img90.imageshack.us/my.php?image=alfredpeckgordonenlistmlg0.gif)
Note his Wifes name Caroline from Oxford NS, his age also suggest he was old enough to have a son of the age of 20 easily. Back in those days folks got married at a early age, and started families.
George Rex Gordons Enlistment Papers
http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/1338/rexgordonenlistmentpapece7.th.gif (http://img177.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rexgordonenlistmentpapece7.gif)
http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/5297/rexgordonenlistmentpapekz3.th.gif (http://img139.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rexgordonenlistmentpapekz3.gif)
Several important pieces of information here
Carrie Gordon is listed as his mother on his enlistment papers, and on the website information showing his information linked and shown above.
This is very co-incidental and most likely connected, that Alfred was married to a "Caroline" and his mothers name was Carrie Gordona and her husband was Alfred Peck Gordon, all from Oxford NS. Both joined within months of each other in 1916.
Now, some things still are hazey IE the Battalion. The envelope I have says 185th Battaltion Cape Breton Highlanders, and the enlistment papers state 193rd Batt CEF. So are these two units connected at all?
yes they are if you check this website
Which I found by Googling "193 battalion CEF" which is listed on the enlistment papers as their unit they started in.
This lists all the units that they have cap badges for.
http://www.glengarryhats.com/metal_insignia.php
What caught my eye was the following
http://www.glengarryhats.com/metal_badges/CEF_193rd.php
Motto: Siol Na Fear Fearail
(A Breed of Manly Men)
Raised:
Truro, Nova Scotia
Organized:
1916
Strength:
1,020
March Past:
"Scotland The Brave"
Affiliations:
85th and 185th Battalions
Which Co-incides with the envelope could of been a trench mates, could of been a friend from his unit or one could of been folded into another as re-inforcements.
Here is where it gets interesting
If you wikipedia the 193rd Battalion, you find this.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/193rd_%28Nova_Scotia_Highlanders%29_Battalion,_CEF#column-one), search (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/193rd_%28Nova_Scotia_Highlanders%29_Battalion,_CEF#searchInput)
The 193rd (Nova Scotia Highlanders) Battalion, CEF was a unit in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Expeditionary_Force) during the First World War (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_World_War). Based in Truro, Nova Scotia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truro%2C_Nova_Scotia), the unit began recruiting during the winter of 1915/16 throughout Nova Scotia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nova_Scotia). After sailing to England in October 1916 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1916), the battalion was absorbed into the 17th Reserve Battalion (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=17th_Reserve_Battalion&action=edit) on January 20, 1917 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1917). The 193rd (Nova Scotia Highlanders) Battalion, CEF had one Officer Commanding: Lieut-Col. R. J. S. Langford.
So what about the 185th?
The 185th (Cape Breton Highlanders) Battalion, CEF was a unit in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Expeditionary_Force) during the First World War (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_World_War). Based in Broughton, Cape Breton (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Broughton%2C_Cape_Breton&action=edit), the unit began recruiting during the winter of 1915/16 throughout Cape Breton Island (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Breton_Island), Nova Scotia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nova_Scotia). After sailing to England in October 1916 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1916), the battalion was absorbed into the 17th Reserve Battalion (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=17th_Reserve_Battalion&action=edit) on February 15, 1918 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1918). The 185th (Cape Breton Highlanders) Battalion, CEF had one Officer Commanding: Lieut-Col. F. P. Day.
So he would of ended up in the 17th Reserve Battalion, I was unable to find a hell of allot on that battalion as it was only very briefly a unit, but I did stumble upon this. In regards to 55th Battalion CEF from NB and PEI. which was absorbed into the 40th Battalion and this unit was also absorbed into the 17th Reserve Battalion
The remaining personnel were absorbed into the 40th Battalion July 6th, 1916. The 40th Battalion was absorbed into the 26th Reserve Battalion in England January 4th, 1917, and was responsible for supplying reinforcements to the Royal Canadian Regiment and the 25th Battalion in the field. The 26th Reserve Battalion was absorbed into the 17th Reserve Battalion in England October 9, 1917, which supplied reinforcements to the R.C.R., 25th and 85th Battalions in France.
http://www.cefresearch.com/matrix/Army%20Corps/Divisions/Reorganized%20Units/Absorbed%20by%20Reserves/55th%20Battalion.htm
So based off that you can see that those two highland units were sent into a reserve Battalion which gave replacements to the RCR's, George Rex Gordon is listed as KIA as a member or the RCR's. I believe I have filled that gap at least to a credible degree to find out why if he was a Highlander, he was listed as a RCR.
The RCR part is substanciated both in the Veterans Affairs site listing and th RCR Role of Honour listed here.
902516Pte.George RexGORDON 27 Aug 1918 Ligny-St. Flochel British Cemetery; Pas de Calais, France http://thercr.ca/roll_of_honour/rh-1914-1919_a-g.htm
and listed on the Veterans affairs information shown above near the beggning of this post. Also look in the letter where hes buried, same location of burial, same date of Death, same Name and they were from the same area Oxford NS. Same Date of Birth on the enlistment papers, and death information as listed above.
Also a important note
Look at the serial No. 902516 listed on Rex Gordons Enlistment papers, match those listed in the roll of honour. I have nothing in my possesion that matches that serial no. This is what I have though.
George Rex Gordon was from Oxford NS, quite possibly the son of Alfred and Carrie Gordon of Oxford NS. He was wounded in action and later died in the closing months of the war, his unit was broken up which would explain why he was seperated from his father if they were posted together.
None of this is concrete but it has absorbed the last few hours of my life, and its amazing what you can dig up online, what are the chances? further more how would I go about confirming all this?
Any Suggestions as to where to go next?
Furthermore, How likely is it I have found my great grand mothers brother, based off what I have found am I strong enough evidence wise to think its not only very likely but damn near impossible to be co-incidental?