Harold John Stratford

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit at enlistment:

125th Battalion

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Yes

Cemetery:

Greenwood Cemetery, Brantford, Ontario

Commemorated at:

Grace Anglican Church

Birth country:

Canada

Birth county:

Brant

Birth city:

Brantford, Ontario

Address at enlistment:

Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

Brantford, Ontario, Idlewyld

Religious denominations:

Church of England

Image gallery:

Letters and documents

BX March 13, 1917

Two Officers of 125th Casualties – Lieut. Harold Stratford Had Pleurisy – Lieut. Cameron Thorburn Dislocated Shoulder

Lieutenant Harold John Stratford of the 125th Battalion, who has recently been in hospital on account of pleurisy has been granted six months’ leave of absence and will leave shortly for Canada according to a letter just received from a member of the battalion.

The letter also brings the information that Lieutenant Cameron Thorburn the battalion signalling officer fell into a sewer trench in front of the officers’ mess after dark and dislocated his shoulder. One of the bones, in an X-ray examination was found to be cracked. He was taken to Bramshott Hospital, where he will likely remain for a few weeks. His injury, however, is not serious.

BX August 6, 1927

Harold John Stratford

There passed away this morning at his residence in Gravenhurst Harold John Stratford, beloved husband of Katherine Zimmerman, and second son of Mrs. Joseph Stratford and the late Joseph Stratford of this city. Deceased, who was in his 42nd year was a native of Brantford and had many friends here who will be exceedingly sorry to learn of his demise. He was overseas, he and five brothers enlisting for service in the Great War and his many admirable characteristics endeared him to all with whom he came in contact. In addition to the bereaved wife and mother he leaves five brothers and two sisters to mourn his loss. Graham, Brantford; John, Toronto; Arthur , British Colombia; Reginald, Sarnia; David, Sarnia; Mrs. R.G.O. Thompson, Toronto, and Mrs. Mayden, Brantford. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.

BX August 9, 1927

Harold John Stratford

The funeral of the late Harold John Stratford took place yesterday afternoon from the residence of his mother, Mrs. Joseph Stratford, 89 Charlotte Street, to Greenwood cemetery. There was a large attendance of friends of the family, and military comrades were also represented. Ven. Archdeacon Fotheringham, of Grace church, officiated and the pallbearers were four brothers, Graham, Jack, Reginald and David; K.V. Bunnell and C. Waterous. The floral tributes were exceedingly numerous and beautiful.

BX June 10, 1929

Memorial Tablet To Three Brothers Unveiled at Grace – Unique and Impressive Service Held Sunday Morning – Also Occasion of Church Parade of 10th Brant Dragoons

A service unique in the history of Grace Church and perhaps without precedent in the province was conducted on Sunday morning when the rector, the Venerable Archdeacon J.B. Fotheringham unveiled a beautiful memorial tablet to three brothers, Harold John, Joseph Benjamin and George Stacey, sons of Joseph and Mary Elizabeth Stratford, all three officers in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, two being killed n action and the third passing away after being invalided home. Appropriately, at the same service there were present the officers commanding, officers and all ranks of the Tenth Brant Dragoons, attending the annual church parade of that unit.

The Inscription

The tablet, beautifully executed in brass, bore the inscription:

“In memory of these brothers, sons of Joseph and Mary Elizabeth Stratford.

“George Stacey, killed in action, Passchendaele, November 17, 1917, aged 25 years. Buried Passchendaele, France. Enlisted June 1915, 2nd Universities company, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. Joined battalion in France August, 1915. Wounded Sanctuary Wood, June 1916. Appointed Lieutenant before rejoining battalion May 1917. Served on Somme, Armentieres, Vimy, Lens, Hill 70 and Passchendaele fronts.

“Joseph Benjamin, killed in action Bois de Sencat, April 2, 1918, aged 28 years. Buried Dommartin, France. Appointed lieutenant 7th Canadian Mounted Rifles, January 6, 1915. Promoted to captain before transferring to Fort Garry Horse in England. Proceeded to France with the regiment February 25, 1916. Awarded Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty while commanding squadron at Bois des Essarts, March 26, 1918.

“Harold John, died at Gravenhurst Ont., August 6, 1927, aged 41 years. Buried at Brantford, Canada. Appointed lieutenant, 128th Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force, December 14, 1915. Proceeded overseas, August 6, 1916. Incapacitated during training at Witley, England. Invalided home March 22, 1917.

“Who fights for freedom goes with joyous tread.”

The tablet was unveiled for Mrs. Stratford by His Honor Judge A.D. Hardy and dedicated by the rector in the simple, impressive ritual of the Anglican Church.

In preaching the memorial sermon, Archdeacon Fotheringham made reference to the unique character of the service. The occasion, he declared was one that called for silence rather than words and any words that might be spoken were but an attempt to express feelings that were deep. There was a unity in love such as these men had – a love of home, of fellows and of the empire. And there was a oneness that came not only in a common love but in a common life and finally there was the oneness of sacrifice. So had these three brothers been one in companionship, one in comradeship and love, one in life and service and one in sacrifice. “They were lovely and pleasant in their lives and in death they were not divided.”

During the service the choir rendered Woodward’s beautiful anthem, “Crossing the Bar.” Following the dedication the “Last Post.” And “Reveille” was sounded and the hymn “O Valiant Hearts” sung. During the offertory the band of the Tenth Brant Dragoons played “Serenade” and later the National Anthem.

The rector was assisted in the service by Capt. the Rev. Joseph Tully, chaplain of the regiment, and Rev. C. Hallowell, new rector of St. James.