Coming Home 1919

On November 11th 1918 the First World War was officially over when Armistice was signed. However, the war continued well into 1919 for many Canadian soldiers. At the end of the war there were approximately 300,000 Canadians in Britain and Europe. Bringing everyone home was a huge endeavour. One this date 100 years ago my grandfather William Thomas Brooks was one of these Canadians anxiously waiting to come home. Here is his official service photo. 

I had written about his war service in an early blog post: click here to read Bill had spent the war in the Canadian Service Corps using his skills as a stenographer. On Armistice Day he was stationed in France at the CASC Depot at Beaurainville He finished the war with the rank of Corporal with his promotion going through on March 24 1919. 

He returned to England and was assigned to General Head Quarters. He celebrated Easter there on April 20th 1919.

Shortly after, in May, he was transferred to Rhyl, located on the north shore of Wales. There he worked as a Clerk.

The Town of Rhyl did its best to deal with the troops while they were stationed there. Due to shortage of large ships and post war strikes by working class Britons it took some time to ship the Canadians home. Rhyl experienced rioting in March 1919 before Bill's arrival. A mutiny at a camp for Canadian soldiers resulted in several deaths. 

From 2019 exhibit at the Canadian War Museum

Here are some adverts for entertainment that took place during Bill's stay in May of 1919. Since he kept these flyers he likely attended at least some of these events!

On June 2nd 1919 it was Bill's turn to return home:

This is the ship he sailed on, S.S. Lapland. When she returned to being a passenger ship after the war she could carry roughly 2000 first, second and third class passengers. As a troop ship she would have carried about the same number. On this voyage the Lapland carried 79 regular passengers and the remainder of the ship was filled with returning soldiers. 

From 2019 exhibit at the Canadian War Museum

On the page listing Corporal Brooks there were 178 soldiers listed so the ship was overflowing. Unfortunately the list with my grandfather's name is covered with another page but I spotted his number 510813: 

The Lapland docked in Halifax on June 6th 1919 and Bill was home. He was discharged on June 11th 1919. 

Bill was one of the lucky ones - he made it home without sustaining major injuries, though the experience was still likely difficult. Others were not so lucky - you can read about the experiences of Frederick Moorecroft 

From 2019 exhibit at the Canadian War Museum

and Percival, Arthur and Herman Moorecroft  

From 2019 exhibit at the Canadian War Museum

There were welcome home parades and a lot of excitement at the return of the soldiers.

From 2019 exhibit at the Canadian War Museum

These photos were taken by my grandmother Gertrude Kingswell at a welcome home parade in her hometown Kingston Ontario, exact date unknown.

In Toronto the celebrations continued into the summer with the CNE celebrating both Victory and a 40 year anniversary

But once all the parades were over it was time to try and return to normal life. The former soldiers were provided with assistance. This pamphlet, published by local churches, provided useful information:


And local businesses offered discounts:

It's possible that my grandfather took advantage of Mr. Walker's offer. He quickly found work and a place to live. The 1920 Toronto City Directory (which was compiled in 1919) listed him

My grandfather's war ended well with a job, and soon after a wife and family. He might not have spoken about his experiences during the Great War but no doubt they shaped the rest of his life. One hundred years later I'm glad that he returned home safely.

Bill and Gertie - A love story

In honour of Valentine’s Day my blog this month is the story of my paternal grandparents Bill and Gertie Brooks. When I was a child I never thought of my grandparents as young people meeting and falling in love. They were just, you know, old! Yet it happened!

William Thomas Brooks was born in Scarborough then moved to Toronto to begin his career as a bookkeeper. He spent 1916-1919 in England and France as a member of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces, returning to Toronto when he was demobilized (see my November 2016 blog for further details). The 1920 Toronto City Directory (prepared in 1919) showed him boarding at 64 Homewood Avenue.

Gertrude Maud Kingswell was born in Kingston Ontario. She spent her formative years living at 32B Clergy Street with her parents and 6 siblings. By 1917 her brothers Ernest and William had moved to Toronto. Gertrude had been working as a stenographer in Kingston. Her employer at the Oddfellows Association provided her with a glowing reference as she prepared to move in 1919. 

The 1920 Toronto City Directory shows her boarding at 29 Saulter Street with her sister Elizabeth and Elizabeth’s husband James Essex.

I have no idea how my grandparents met. They both lived in the east end of the city which was a start. Gertie was Anglican and Bill was Presbyterian so the likely didn't meet at church. Bill worked at John Hillock and Co on George Street, Gertie worked at Eaton’s on Yonge Street which was nearby. Maybe they met at a lunch counter? Maybe they were introduced by friends? Or they met at a dance? We'll never know.

What I do know is that by 1920 they were an item. I have a few mementos of their early days together. This postcard was sent by Bill from Wingham. Not sure why he was in Wingham - there is no family connection that I know of, maybe work? 

He also sent flowers. The card and some petals were carefully saved so the bouquet must have been important to her.

And a birthday card 

The 1921 census was taken on June 2^nd 1921. Gertie was listed with her family living on 471 Queen Street East. I couldn't find Bill or his brothers anywhere in east Toronto or Scarborough. I like to think they were celebrating Bill 's upcoming marriage - Bill and Gertie were married on June 7^th. 

Gertie carefully preserved some flowers from her wedding bouquet as well as her headdress. 

As you can see from the picture she was a flapper bride.

Bill and Gertie had a long marriage. We had a Golden Wedding anniversary party for them in June of 1971. I know they loved having this certificate signed by Bill Davis, as they were both staunch Tories.

Unfortunately, Bill's health began to decline as he entered his 80's. He resided in Sunnybrook Hospital's K Wing with other WW1 veterans for several years. Gertie made the trip every day to visit him and help him eat his lunch. It was a long bus ride from her apartment on Cosburn Avenue – I took the trip with her a few times. Bill’s Alzheimer’s grew progressively worse but Gertie continued with her visits. He likely did not know who exactly she was by the end of his life. Bill died on March 26 1981. In June of that year they would have been married 60 years. 

Gertie died on March 30th 1985 and was laid to rest in Highland Memory Gardens next to her husband of 59 years. Happy Valentine's Day to them both!

Work, work, work...

First post of the year! A little late I know but my full time job has taken up a large part of my time and energy to date. It seems appropriate therefore to write about work on this Labour Day weekend. In particular, the work of my ancestors. I have personal knowledge of what my parents and grandparents did for a living. Through voter lists. census returns and death/marriage certificates I have been able to document how my earlier ancestors earned their keep.

My parents are easy. After graduating from high school my father worked as a sales clerk at Birks Jewelers in Toronto. That experience left him with a love of jewelry that we always appreciated! He completed a degree in Music at the University of Toronto then earned his teaching certificate. He spent many enjoyable years as a high school teacher teaching Music, English and Art. 

Originally he taught vocal music as not all schools could afford the cost of instruments for a full band. 

Teaching vocal music in Uxbridge. From the writer's collection.

Newmarket High School eventually developed an instrumental program. Many of his former students will remember this look!

Mr. Brooks in class. From the writer's collection

As was common at the time my mother stopped working when she had me. Before that time she worked as a bookkeeper for several companies using her excellent math skills. I love this picture of her at work at her first job at Sinnott News in Winnipeg.

Nellie Besler at work. From the writer's collection

Many of my ancestors were farmers as many people were in earlier times. My maternal grandfather Jacob Besler emigrated from Galicia to McNutt Saskatchewan to become a farmer. The Depression was difficult for prairie farmers and Jacob lost the farm. The family later moved to Winnipeg where my grandfather worked for Canadian National Railway. Here is one of the few photographs that we have of the farm.

Jacob Besler in McNutt Saskatchewan, date unknown. From the writer's collection

I know a bit more about my paternal grandparents. My grandfather William Thomas Brooks trained as a stenographer. After serving in World War One he found work with the John Hillock Company, a refrigerator manufacturer in Toronto.

William T. Brooks, from the writer's collection

He worked there for several years until he lost his job in the Depression. After moving around to Brantford and Owen Sound the family returned to Toronto and Bill began working for the East York Fire department. He worked there for many years before retiring.

Member of the fire department, with Gertie in the background, from the writer's collection

This picture makes me smile - the firemen were testing the equipment at the new fire station for an article in the Evening Telegram. Not sure what year this was but my grandfather was the test subject!

Tough day at the office, from the writer's collection

Finally my paternal grandmother Gertrude Kingswell Brooks was also trained as a stenographer. However, she stopped working when she was married in 1921 as was the custom at the time. She eventually did go back to work in the offices of the Toronto Telegram. Here's a picture taken at her retirement party.

Gardening time anyone? From the writer's collection

Retirement sounds good but until then Happy Labour Day everyone!