Edward William Cahill

Rank:

Private

Regimental number:

S/13006

Unit at enlistment:

9th Battalion

Force:

B.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Date of death:

April 15th, 1916

Cemetery:

Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No. 1 - Somme, France - I.E.17.

Commemorated at:

Balfour Street Presbyterian Church, Sons of England Memorial Plaque

Birth country:

England

Birth county:

Greater London

Birth city:

London, Southwark

Address at enlistment:

55 Winnett Street, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

55 Winnett Street, Brantford, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Labourer

Employer:

Massey-Harris Co.

Religious denominations:

Presbyterian

Marital status:

Single

Age at enlistment:

Image gallery:

Letters and documents

Circumstances of service: Killed

BX May 4, 1916

Private Edward William Cahill, Thrice Rejected Has Made the Supreme Sacrifice – Turned Down Three Times in Canada, He Went to England and Enlisted With the Canadians – Died in Clearing Station the Day After He Was Wounded

Still another Brantford hero, Private Edward William Cahill has made the supreme sacrifice in laying down his life on the battlefield in defence of his country. Word was received yesterday by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. Cahill, 55 ½ Winnett Street, to the effect that he had died on April 15 from wounds. He had only been admitted to the 19th casualty clearing station the previous day, then being reported seriously wounded.

Private Edward Cahill was only 22 years of age. Although turned down three times by military doctors in Canada his resolve to do “his bit” overcame all obstacles, and he went over to England, where he was accepted. He went to the front with the 12th Battalion of the first contingent. He enlisted in June, 1915, and had been in the trenches eleven weeks at one stretch, following which he was in the firing line at intervals.

Before enlisting he was an active member of Balfour Street Church and worked at the Massey-Harris factory. His remains were buried with military honors in the 12th Battalion cemetery, one officer and 30 of his comrades attending the funeral.

BX May 10, 1916

He Bore His Pain in Splendid Way – Rev. H. Kidd Writes that Rifleman Edward William Cahill Was Brave

Further particulars of the death of Private E.W. Cahill have been received by his parents here in a letter from the front. The letter reads as follows:

Dear Mrs. Cahill,

You will have heard I expect, before this letter reaches you that your son, Rifleman E. Cahill died of wounds on April 15, at the 19th Casualty Clearing Station, B.E.F., France.

He was buried on April 15, in the evening, in a single grave in the local cemetery here, with military honors. One officer and 30 men attended the funeral. The coffin, which was covered with the Union Jack, was borne from the gate of the cemetery to the grave by a party of six men. The Church of England service was used at the burial. A cross will be erected over the grave in a couple of days, and I shall have a box edging and some flowers planted as soon as possible. Everything that could be done to save his life was done by the doctors and sisters, but from the beginning there was practically no hope of his recovering. He was brought here on April 14.

I fear that this letter will bring you little comfort, but I think that you will like to know about his funeral. I saw him two or three times before he died. He bore his pain and weakness splendidly and he had a calm peaceful death.

May God be with you in your trouble and bless you in it. I am the Church of England Chaplain at the 19th Casualty Clearing Station.

Yours Sincerely,

H. Kidd