Circumstances of Casualty: Killed in Action. 
Location of Unit at Time of Casualty: Positions South of Bois Carre, South East Thelus.

BX May 2, 1917

With three sons, all they had, enlisted in the 54th Battery and overseas doing their “bit” to bring a lasting peace, Mr. and Mrs. John Houison, 21 Greenwich Street, today had the fateful news that one had paid the supreme price. Gunner George Walker Houison is the hero who is today reported as having been killed in action. It was only a few days ago that a brother, Sergt. Jack Houison, a former employee of The Expositor, was reported wounded, being now in the Australian hospital in France. All three brothers felt the call of King and Country at the same time and enlisted together in a battery, going overseas together. Casualties came to two of them almost together.

BX May 7, 1917

Memorial Service Held at Alexandra for Sergeant George Houison, Who Was Killed in Action

A message has also come to the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Houison, 21 Greenwich Street, that their son, Sergt. George Walker Houison had been killed in action on April 21. Separation from these young men was specially trying inasmuch as the loved ones could not render the last loving service, which made dying easier. There was not even the poor comfort of a funeral in which they could see that the body was laid away respectfully. But dark as the night was there were gleams of light across it. He had been a member of the church. He had rendered service in the choir and Young People’s Society. He heard the call of duty and conscience and obeyed. Nothing better could be said of any man that that he had been true to the call of duty, that “stern daughter of the voice of God.”  The doing of our duty here at home was pleasant, comfortable and safe. 

He did his duty in the company of death every hour of the night and day, and he did it not by compulsion for he was a volunteer. He need not have died. He might have remained at home, made good money and had a good time. But his was his glory, the glory of the Cross, that while he could have lived, he chose the path that led not to the grave, but to that fair and deathless city, where the war drum beats and there were no lonely graves such a life could not be in vain, and could never be lost. His loved ones will never look upon his picture or mention his name to visiting friends with a blush of shame, but always with pride, for he lived nobly and died bravely.

When the weary ones we love
Enter on their rest above,
Seems the earth so poor and vast
All our life-joy overcast
Hush! Be every murmur dumb,
It is only till he come

The music at this service included a duet, “That Beautiful Land,” sung by the Misses Mallette and Heath. The hymns “Here We Suffer Grief and Pain” and “Asleep in Jesus” were sung by the choir and congregation.

BX March 3, 1920

A Memorial Pulpit at Alexandra Church

Mr. and Mrs. Houison have presented Alexandra Church with a new pulpit and three altar chairs for the newly refitted basement as a memorial to their two sons who were killed in France.  Miss Houison has presented the church with a clock. The gifts were received on Monday by Rev. C.S. Oke, the pastor, on the occasion being the fourth anniversary of the departure of the Houison boys for France.

Sergeant George Houison was killed at Vimy on April 21, 1917, and Signaller Alex Houison made the supreme sacrifice at Valenciennes November 4, 1918.  Another Son, Sergeant John Houison, has returned home safely though suffering from shell-shock.  All three who were prominently identified with Alexandra choir, Sunday school and Young People’s Society, enlisted with the 54th Battery.