BX June 30, 1916
Two Veterans Welcomed home After Being Returned Invalided – Gunner E. Storor and Pte. William Dawson – Reception Given to Heroes by Local Citizens – Their Experiences – Address Given
Brantford welcomed two more of her soldier sons last evening, when Gunner Edgar Storor and Pte. William Dawson, who have been invalided home, arrived from Toronto on the 8.32 train. Hundreds of citizens had gathered at the station, as well as a body of returned soldiers and several hundred men from the local battalions. After heart touching greetings from relatives, the soldiers who arrived home were taken to the Market Square. A cheering crowd lined Market Street, and the square was packed with people.
Ex Mayor J.H. Spence, J.H. Ham, M.A.A. and Capt. S.E. McKegney of the 215th Battalion spoke briefly, expressing the pleasure all took in welcoming them home. Capt. McKegney made a short recruiting speech. Seeing the soldiers back, he said, would inspire those now in khaki to do their best and those not in the King’s uniform to don it. There were local battalions for them to join.
Tremendous ovations were given both heroes. At the station friends of Pte. Dawson lifted him to their shoulders and triumphantly carried him to a waiting automobile amidst the cheers of the crowd. When Capt. McKegney was speaking at the market and pointing out the fact that men were needed, a voice in the crowd called out “the 125th needs 40 men.”
Both Dawson and Storor spoke briefly, but they being tired out, their voices did not carry far through the crowd. Both looked remarkably well, but were thoroughly tanned. Pte. Dawson, in the course of his remarks referred to a number of Brantfordites, and particularly mentioned the good work Nurse Ruddy and Dr. Wilkes (sergeant in the 25th Dragoons when he left) were doing at the front. To the fact that they were in the hospital when he was taken to be operated on he claims he owes his life.
Brought Back Souvenirs
Two metal souvenirs were brought back by Pte. Dawson in his body. In all 18 pieces of shrapnel entered his body, but 16 pieces have been removed. One of the two left is in his knee, and the other the muscle of his right arm. He was wounded by shrapnel in six places.
Pte. Dawson crossed over with the First Contingent and was first wounded by a German sniper on March 21 of last year. From this wound he recovered and returned to the front to receive the casualties, from which he is now suffering, at Kemmel, Belgium, on December 19. Pte. Dawson is incapacitated by reason of incurable stiffness in the right arm. Otherwise he believes he is none the worse for his war injuries.
Gunner E. Storor
Gunner Edgar Storor, who walked with a cane having had one of his knees injured, is a veteran of the siege of Ladysmith in the South African war. He went to the front with the 32nd Battery. He is 40 years of age and resides at 15 Gordon Street. Gunner Storor has had extensive military experience, being for 13 years in the 3rd Bedford Regiment, and in both the Indian (Chitral) and South African campaigns. He went overseas in December 1914. Gunner Storer is a married man with a family of several children.
