We Remember

George Wreaks MM

Rank: 
Sergeant
Regimental number: 
422897
Unit at enlistment: 
44th Battalion
Force: 
C.E.F.
Volunteered or conscripted: 
Volunteered
Survived the war: 
Yes
Cemetery: 
Mount Hope Cemetery, Brantford, Ontario
Awards or decorations: 
Military Medal and Bar
Birth country: 
Canada
Birth county: 
Brant
Birth city: 
Harrisburg, Ontario
Address at enlistment: 
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Next of kin address: 
Harrisburg, Ontario
Trade or calling: 
Electrical Wireman
Religious denominations: 
Methodist
Marital status: 
Single
Age at enlistment: 
22
Gallantry medals: 
Yes

Letters and documents

London Gazette: 29854
Date: December 9, 1916
Honour and Award: Military Medal 
Authority: R.O. 808 Byng, October 15, 1916
Name: George Wreaks (422897) 
Unit: 29th Battalion

Details: For conspicuous bravery in handling his Lewis Gun during the attack on September 26th 1916 at Courcelette. He kept a little in front of the first wave and fired from the shoulder at the Germans in their trench, and thus succeeded in keeping them down. He did great execution among the retiring enemy when they were driven out, and showed great initiative in sniping and annoying the enemy to our flanks with his Lewis Gun fire after trench was captured and during consolidation.

London Gazette: 30540
Date: February 23, 1918
Honour or Award: Bar to Military Medal
Authority: R.O. 3914 Burstall, December 5, 1917
Name: George Wreaks (422897)
Unit:  29th Battalion

Details: On the night 4/5th November 1917, and again on the night of 5/6th November during the action at Passchendaele Cpl. Wreaks showed great gallantry and coolness in establishing outposts within thirty yards of the enemy and succeeded in holding this portion under great difficulty owing to the openness of the ground until the assembly of the Brigade was completed successfully. He Displayed resourcefulness in maintaining communication between these posts and in organizing his Lewis Gun crews to protect the area.

BX December 15, 1916

Military Medal for Private George Wreaks

Official word was received in the city today that Pte. George Wreaks has been awarded a Military Medal for gallantry in the field. Private Wreaks is a former Brantford boy, but enlisted in Winnipeg on April 1, 1915, going overseas with the 44th Battalion, later being transferred to the 29th Western Battalion, and has been in the trenches for nearly a year. Joe and Ed. Wreaks of this city are brothers.

BX March 9, 1918

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Wreaks, Harrisburg, Ont. Have received word that their son, Sergeant George Wreaks has been awarded a bar to his medal. Sergeant George Wreaks enlisted as a private going overseas with the 44th Winnipeg Battalion. He was later transferred to a Vancouver battalion and promoted to a sergeant. He was awarded a medal for bravery on the battlefield one year ago.

BX September 5, 1967

George Wreaks

George Wreaks, 73, of 80 Sarah Street, died Monday at his residence.  He was born at Harrisburg, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Wreaks, and had been a resident of Brantford most of his life.  Mr. Wreaks was a veteran of the First World War serving overseas, enlisting with the 84th Battalion in Vancouver and served with the rank of sergeant-major.  During the Second World War Mr. Wreaks served with the Dufferin and Haldimand Rifles at Nanaimo Camp as an instructor.  He was a former employee of the Massey-Ferguson Verity Works for a number of years, retiring in 1963.  Surviving are his wife, the former Grace Dinsmore; one son, Keith; two daughters, Mrs. Joseph (Evelyn) Sutton and Mrs. Keith (Patricia) Kellas; one brother, Archie, all of Brantford; also 12 grandchildren.  A son, Ronald, predeceased him.  Mr. Wreaks is at the Hill and Robinson Funeral Home until Thursday, for service in the chapel at 2 p.m.  Interment will be in Mount Hope Cemetery with Rev. John MacCallum officiating.

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