BX March 10, 1944
Death Calls George DeVille – Veteran of India, South Africa and First Great War Died Today
George Abraham DeVille, 17 Darling Street, veteran of campaigns in India, the South African and First Great Wars, and one of Brantford’s most popular and highly esteemed residents, died in the Brantford General Hospital early this morning. Three sons, a son-in-law and a niece are serving in the armed forces in this war.
He was one of three war veterans here who, on February 28 this year, recalled the undying story of the Siege of Ladysmith, memorable episode in the South African War. He was in it. The others were James O. Cooke and Frank K. Taylor. February 28 was the 44th anniversary of the relief of the garrison, which had been beleaguered for 122 days, one of the longest and most arduous sieges on record.
In the First Great War, he enlisted and went overseas with the 125th Battalion C.E.F.
George DeVille was born in London, England, and was in his 64th year. He came to Canada 30 years ago and lately was employed at Waterous Limited. The deceased was a member of Grace Anglican Church and was one of the oldest members of Branch 90 Canadian Legion here.
Mourning his loss are his widow, formerly Annie Smartt; three sons, Cpl. George A. DeVille, R.C.A.F. overseas; Sgt. Thomas DeVille, R.C.A.F., St. Thomas, and LAC Donald R. DeVille, R.C.A.F. overseas; two daughters, Mrs. A.S. Jane (Dorothy), City and Mrs. John Partridge (Gladys) Windsor and two brothers, Alex and Albert DeVille, both in England.
Mr. DeVille is resting at the McCleister Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements later.
BX March 13, 1944
George A. DeVille
The funeral of George A. DeVille, 17 Darling Street, veteran of many Empire wars, was conducted from the McCleister Funeral Home, Sunday afternoon. Impressive tribute was paid to his memory by the large attendance of relatives and friends among whom were representatives of the Canadian Legion, the Springboks, and other military organizations. The high esteem in which Mr. DeVille was held was further evidenced by the profusion of floral tributes. Ven. Archdeacon A.L.G. Clarke of Grace Anglican Church was in charge of the memorial service and of the committal rites at the graveside in the Soldiers’ Plot, Mount Hope Cemetery. The flag draped casket was borne to its last resting place by Comrades J. Cooke, A. Smartt, F. Taylor, J. Small, D. McKellar and A. Mattice, all of the Canadian Legion. Last Post and Reveille were sounded at the graveside by Bugler Cpt. William Bessant, of No. 20 C.I.B.T.C.
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Although not serving from our community, William DeVille would later immigrate to Canada to be with his brother George. William passed in 1938 and is honoured with his brother in the Soldiers’ Plot section of Mount Hope Cemetery.
The DeVille family had 4 sons who enlisted during the First World War, and all 4 survived. They are: George Abraham, William Thomas, Albert Edward and Alex DeVille.
BX June 13, 1938
The death of William T. DeVille took place Sunday afternoon in the Brantford General Hospital in his fifty-seventh year. He was the Staff Sergeant of the 2nd 10th Brant Dragoons. He served with the King’s Royal Rifle Corps from 1914 to 1919 and saw service at Gallipoli and was in the landing at Cape Helles. He has served with the 10th Brant Dragoons from 1924 to 1936 and was promoted to be Orderly Room Sergeant and continued in that position until the amalgamation of the 2nd and 10th Dragoons when he was reappointed to the same position. He was well known and active in that capacity until his illness, which lasted about a month. His war decorations were the 1914 Star and the General Service and Victory Medal. His loss will be keenly felt by commanding officers, the officers and members of his regiment which he served so well. The late Mr. DeVille is resting at the Beckett Funeral Home from where the funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon with interment in the Soldiers’ Plot in Mount Hope Cemetery. He leaves to mourn his loss his wife, Florence DeVille, England; one daughter, Mrs. Lillian Ludlow, England; three brothers, George, Brantford and Alex and Bert, England.
BX June 15, 1938
William T. DeVille
The funeral of William T. DeVille was conducted Tuesday afternoon from the Beckett Funeral Home, with interment in the Soldiers’ Plot in Mount Hope Cemetery war veterans and militia representatives were among the very large gathering of friends and associates in attendance, and there were many beautiful floral tributes from all military organizations in the city and from individual friends. Rev. F.W. Schaffter, Rector of St. Jude’s Anglican Church, conducted the services at the funeral home and at the graveside where “Last Post” and “Reveille” were sounded by Bugle-Major J. Frost. The pallbearers were Sergeant N. Windle and Sergeant J. Lesperance, representing the 2nd-10th Dragoons, T. Hall and W. Menhennet, representing the Ex-Imperials, and A. Smartt and J.O. Cook, representing the Canadian Legion. Official representatives attending included: The 2nd-10th Dragoons, Major E.Pl Randle, Officer Commanding, and Lieutenant-Colonel L.F. Bishop, E.D.; the United Sergeants’ Mess, Brigade Sergeant-Major Gordon Huff of the First Cavalry Brigade, and Farrier-Quartermaster-Sergeant Dave Cook; the Dufferin and Haldimand Rifles, Lieutenant-Colonel A.P. VanSomeren, V.D., Officer Commanding; the N.C.O.’s of the Dufferin and Haldimand Rifles (of which the deceased was an honorary member”, Brigade Sergeant-Major R.F. Wakeling; the Canadian Artillery, Captain Dr. J.R. Calder; the Overseas Cavalry Association, B.J. Lester, local President, the Canadian Legion, R.H. Mann representing Major J.R.R. Thomson, President.
