George Blathwayt

Rank:

Sergeant

Regimental number:

55549

Unit at enlistment:

19th Battalion

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Yes

Cemetery:

Mount Hope Cemetery, Brantford, Ontario

Birth country:

Canada

Birth county:

Niagara Region

Birth city:

Niagara Falls, Ontario

Address at enlistment:

14 Alfred Street, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

14 Alfred Street, Brantford, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Labourer

Religious denominations:

Church of England

Marital status:

Single

Age at enlistment:

Image gallery:

Letters and documents

BX October 31, 1916

Civic Reception to Returned Men – Sergeant George Blathwayt and Privates S. Pearce and D. Linn Home – Given a Welcome – All Three Have Been Rendered Unfit for Military Service by Wounds Received on the Firing Line – Their Stories

After having taken their share in the big fight for a guaranteed nationhood, three Brantford heroes – Sergeant George Blathwayt and Privates Samuel Pearce and David Linn – who have all been invalided home through injuries sustained on the battlefield, arrived in the city last evening.

To martial strains from the 215th band and the thunderous cheers of the hundreds of khaki-clad and civilian citizens gathered at the G.T.R. station, the three heroes stepped off the 7.32 train from Toronto. Privates Linn and Pearce were looked for, but Sergt. Blathwayt came in earlier than expected.

Three members of the Soldiers’ Aid Commission, ex-Mayor Spence, vice-chairman, and H.W. Fitton and James Harley, were present and extended the glad hand of welcome to the soldiers, who were speedily surrounded by friends. J.H. Fisher, M.P., and Dr. Lovett of Paris were at the station to welcome Pte. Brown of that town back, but he did not arrive.

The three heroes were immediately taken to Mr. Fitton’s automobile and headed by other cars and the band. A procession was formed with the Market Square as its destination. Here the crowd gathered round and Mr. Spence formally welcomed the men back and made an earnest appeal to the men in “civies” to answer the call for men that was ringing throughout Canada, and to go to fill the places made vacant. Cheers were repeatedly given for the returned men before they were taken to their destinations.

Sergt. Blathwayt and Pte. Pearce were both of the 19th Battalion, in which the former, to a reporter, last evening said very few of the men in the original battalion could be found. Lt.-Col. Turnbull of Hamilton is now in charge. The third member of the party, Pte. Linn was with the 21st Battalion.

All three men have sustained wounds which will prevent their taking any further share in the fight for liberty. Sergt. Blathwayt was blown up by a high explosive shell the day after the O’Neill brothers and two other Brantford men were killed by one shell. It was in October that he was injured and although badly shaken up he did not leave the front till February. Although now suffering seriously from shock, he does not think his injuries will be permanent. Pte. Pearce’s right arm is practically useless and Pte. Linn was wounded in the leg and has a decided limp.

These three men went overseas early in the war, going across with the 2nd Contingent and all have seen a goodly share of the fighting. Sergt. Blathwayt went to the home of his brother last evening, 24 Brock Street, Pte. Linn’s address was 130 West Street, and Pte. Pearce, the Victoria Café, Market Street. All three are unmarried.

BX April 20, 1963

South African War Vet G.H. Blathwayt Dies

One of the few surviving members I Brantford of the South African War, George H. Blathwayt, 85, formerly of Wiarton, died Friday in the Brantford General Hospital.

Mr. Blathwayt, a son of the late Charles P. and Mary Elizabeth Blathwayt was born in Niagara Falls.

A veteran of two wars, the South African War and the First World War, Mr. Blathwayt enlisted in the British Army in 1897 in the Yorkshire Regiment. He saw action at Gibraltar, Relief of Kimberly, at Paardeberg, Diamond Hill and Belfast.

Hon his discharge from the British Army he came to Canada and began working in the Brantford post office where he served for 35 years. Retiring in 1943 from postal duties he moved to Colpoys Bay.

Mr. Blathwayt was instrumental in the formation of the Springbok Association of South African Veterans and was a life member of the British Ex-Imperial Club in Brantford.

Surviving is his wife, the former Marjorie Davison. Mr. Blathwayt is at the Hill and Robinson Funeral Home. Service will be conducted Monday at 3.30 p.m. with interment in Mount Hope Cemetery, Rev. W.G. Pelly will officiate.