BX May 3, 1916
Three Brantford Men Wounded – Privates Norman Mackenzie, David Linn, and G. Batson Wounded
Three more casualties to Brantford men have been learned of within the past few days through the medium of letters or the casualty list.
Private Norman McKenzie, formerly of Terrace Hill, who left with the Second Contingent, has been wounded according to a letter received in the city from Mrs. McKenzie. About the time he left for overseas Mrs. McKenzie returned to her old home in Scotland. After a rest in Scotland with his family he has returned to the trenches. The casualty of Private Dave Linn was learned of by a card received from him by Mr. Thomas McCormack. On the card he said that he had been admitted to hospital, but was doing well. He formerly played football with the Thistle club and worked at the Waterous Engine Works.
In this morning’s casualty list appears the name of Pte. G. Batson of 111 Murray Street amongst the wounded. Batson left Brantford with the First Contingent.
BX May 8, 1916
Two More Local Men Wounded
Two more Brantford casualties were reported on Sunday morning through private messages. Pte. George Batson, who left here with Lt.-Col. Colquhoun, in the First Contingent is reported, struck off the list seriously ill, in No. 1 Canadian General Hospital at Etaples, having been admitted there on May 4. Word was received here by his mother, who resides at 111 Murray Street.
Suffering from shell shock is the casualty happening to Pte. James Turner. He was admitted to No. 3 Canadian Ambulance Hospital April 13.
BX October 30, 1916
Five Returned Heroes are Home on Furlough – Sergeants. Stodden and Pilley and Privates Houlding, Batson and Taylor – Acted as Escort
Five more Brantford heroes, Sergeants Stodden and Pilley and Privates Harry Houlding, George Batson and Taylor, all of whom have been wounded, returned to the city on Saturday evening on a short furlough. These men all came back as an escort of soldiers whose minds have given way under the strain of war.
All five men were members of the original Fourth Battalion, and all wear the gold stripes which quietly acclaim the fact that they have been wounded. Pte. Houlding, who is a brother of Mrs. Frank Leeming, was wounded three times and spent some months in the hospital. He was first wounded at Ypres in April of last year, then again in October, and in December he received two more wounds during bombardments.
All of the five men are now much better and after they reach England, which they will do by November 25, they will return to France again.
That it is figured at the front that no more than 17 of the original Fourth Battalion, both officers and men, remain was a remark made by Pte. Houlding. He was born and brought up in Brantford and was greeted all along the street by old friends this morning.
Private George Batson is a son of Mrs. James Batson, 111 Murray Street. He was wounded last May and has since been in a convalescent home at Epsom, England, Sergt. G. Pilley formerly resided at 124 Spring Street. He is a married man and prior to enlisting had eight years service with the Welsh regiment and three years with the 38th D.R.S. Sergeant Stodden’s home is at 102 Aberdeen Street. He is also a married man and laborer. He was for 16 years a member of the 16th Dragoon Guards.
