Remembering Mississauga's Boys at Vimy

We recently received an inquiry asking about soldiers from historic Mississauga who served and fell during the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 1917, and we thought it would be appropriate to share that story here, connecting to the anniversary of the battle.

The Battle of Vimy Ridge during the First World War took place from April 9 to 12, 1917, as part of the Arras Offensive. For the young nation of Canada, it became a symbol of Canadian nationalism. Within a few hours of the initial advance, the main part of the ridge was in Canadian hands, including the strategic points of Hill 135 and the village of Thelus. The entrenched German position on Hill 145 was captured on April 10, and finally, on April 12, Hill 120 (also referred to as “The Pimple”) fell to the Canadian Corps. Newspapers in Canada hailed the success of the Canadian army at Vimy, and it was seen as a unifying symbol at home – Canadians from across the country fighting together and achieving a great military success on the world stage. While Canadian soldiers continued to serve, and distinguish themselves, throughout the remainder of the war, Vimy stood out in the public consciousness at home across Canada, including for those who lived here in historic Mississauga.

Amongst those who served at Vimy there are known to be 7 killed and 11 wounded from historic Mississauga. Those who fell at Vimy include Private Dennis Ainger of Erindale, Sergeant Thomas Cartwright of Erindale, Private Joseph Clarke of Streetsville, Private William Kidd of Clarkson, Private Eli Rossiter of Clarkson, Private Jack Young of Clarkson, and Private James Fawcett of Streetsville.

Private Dennis Ainger

Dennis Ainger was born on January 11, 1893 in Norfolk, England to George and Sophia Ainger. He immigrated to Canada in 1912 and found work as a farmhand near Erindale in 1913, where he attended St. Peter’s Anglican Church. Dennis enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force on August 2nd, 1915. As a Private, he was posted with the 75th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry. Private Ainger was killed in action on March 1, 1917 during a reconnaissance raid while reconnoitering enemy position leading up to the Battle of Vimy Ridge. It is recorded that he was killed while attempting to aid an officer, who had been wounded by an enemy sniper. Private Ainger was 24 years old. He was buried in the Zouave Valley Cemetery, Souchez, near Pas de Calais, France and is remembered on the Honour Roll at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Erindale.

Sergeant Thomas Cartwright

Thomas Cartwright was born in England on September 8, 1886 to Joseph and Susan Cartwright. Thomas came to Canada in 1912. He attended St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Erindale, was a member of the Erindale baseball team, and served with the 36th Peel Active Militia. Thomas enlisted with the 75th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry on July 20, 1915, in Toronto. He trained at the Exhibition Camp in the winter of 1915 and went overseas in March of 1916. Thomas fought in the trenches for about two years and attained the rank of Sergeant. He was killed in action on the morning of April 9, 1917 during the initial Canadian advance at Vimy. He was 21 years old. Thomas is buried in the Zouave Valley Cemetery, Souchez, Pas de Calais, France, and is remembered on the Honour Roll at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Erindale.

Private Joseph Clarke

Joseph Clarke was born in Devonshire, England on October 25, 1886. He later immigrated without family to Streetsville in 1909, where he was working as a cook, and was an aspiring baker. He enlisted in May of 1916 and served with the 75th Battalion. Joseph was killed in action on the morning of April 9, 1917 at the Battle of Vimy Ridge during a shell attack on Canadian lines. He was 31 years old. He is buried at the Givenchy Road Canadian Cemetery (Canadian Cemetery No. 2) at Neuville-St.Vaast.

Private William Kidd

William Walter (“Billy”) Kidd was born on August 27, 1885 in Norfolk, England. He came to Canada in 1912 and was employed as gardener in Clarkson on the George Adamson farm. Billy lived in Toronto, so likely commuted to his place of work in Clarkson. Billy enlisted on December 15, 1915 in Toronto with the 123rd Battalion. He departed from Halifax on August 9, 1916 aboard the SS Cameronia and was later transferred to the 3rd Battalion. Private Kidd was killed in action in the early morning hours on April 9, 1917, during the first phase of the Canadian advance on Vimy Ridge. He was 31 years old and unmarried. Private Kidd is buried at the Bois-Carre British Cemetery in Thelus, France, and is remembered at the Vimy Memorial.

Private Eli Rossiter

Eli Rossiter was born on February 22, 1885 in West Comforth County, Durham, England, to parents Eli and Jane Rossiter. He immigrated to Canada in 1911, where he married Hannah Godfrey of Riceville, Pennsylvania. They lived together in Clarkson, where Eli worked as a labourer and miner prior to enlisting with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry in December of 1915. Private Rossiter was killed in action on April 9, 1917 during the Canadian advance on the village of Thelus during the Battle of Vimy Ridge. He left behind his wife and an infant son, Arthur. He is buried at the Givenchy Road Canadian Cemetery (Canadian Cemetery No. 2) at Neuville-St.Vaast.

Lieutenant James Howard Fawcett

James Howard Fawcett was born in Streetsville in 1889, son of Alexander Fawcett, editor of the Streetsville Review newspaper. When James enlisted, he was living in Burk’s Falls, Ontario where he had established the Burk’s Falls Arrow newspaper. His family still resided in Streetsville, and James himself played hockey and lacrosse in Streetsville where he was a well-regarded athlete. Prior to serving with the Canadian Expeditionary Force, James belonged to the Active Militia, 23rd Regiment and had undergone 3 years of cadet training. He enlisted as a Lieutenant with a Parry Sound Regiment on April 19, 1916 and reached France the following January. James was wounded in the Canadian attack at Vimy on April 10 and died of his wounds on April 11, 1917 at the age of 28. His is remembered on the Streetsville Cenotaph and is buried at the Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension outside of Arras, France.

Private John “Jack” Young

John “Jack” Young was born in 1897 in Liverpool, England. In 1911 he came to Canada, where he found work on the Shook farm in Clarkson. He enlisted on September 4, 1915 with the 83rd Battalion in Toronto. He sailed from Halifax to England on April 28, 1916 aboard the S.S. Olympic. In June of 1916 he was transferred to the 12th Battalion, and then was taken on strength into the 2nd Battalion on October 12, 1916. Private Young was wounded in action on December 14, 1916, with a gunshot wound to the scalp. Private Jack Young was wounded on April 9, 1917 at Vimy, and died of his wounds on April 11, 1917. Private Young is buried at the Bois-Carre British Cemetery in Thelus, France and is remembered on the Vimy Memorial. A special memorial service was held for him at Carmen Methodist Church in Clarkson.

Others from historic Mississauga who served at Vimy include Lieutenant Colonel Agar Adamson of the Princess Patricia’s Light Infantry, brothers Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Thomson and Lieutenant Douglas Thomson of Port Credit, Captain Reverend George Petrie Duncan and his son, Lieutenant Wallace Duncan, as well as Captain Franklin Walter Ott of Port Credit.

Many soldiers also received individual honours for their service at Vimy. Corporal Harold Kee, an electrical worker from Streetsville who attended Dixie Presbyterian Church, won a Military Medal for “gallantry and devotion to duty during the advance on Vimy Ridge April 9th 1917.” After the Brigade Wiring Party was hit by a shell, he took initiative to organize another wiring party and secured communication to the Report Centre before going on to organize a stretcher party to aid wounded men. 

Private Christopher Sullivan of Port Credit fought and was wounded at Vimy. In his civilian life he was a labourer who attended St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Port Credit. He would later receive a Military Medal shortly before falling in action in August of 1918. Another Port Credit boy, George Arthur Watson, was also wounded and received a Military Medal for his service at Vimy. The Streetsville Review printed his take on the battle, which echoes the sentiments felt by many Canadians, despite the pain and losses of war: “We gave Fritz just what we’ve been waiting to give him for a long time. Some wonderful things happened that morning.”

Others from historic Mississauga who were wounded at Vimy include Lieutenant Jeffrey Filder Smith (Cooksville), Sergeant David Edgar Kissock (Dixie), Private Arthur Durie (Clarkson), Lieutenant George Osborne Hall (Port Credit), Private Ernest Victor Hare (Port Credit), Private William Fawcett Taylor (Lorne Park), Lieutenant Angus Douglas Gray (Port Credit) and Private Sylvester Osborne (Burnhamthorpe).

We remember them.