Cause and Place of Death: Died of Wounds, Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley
BX August 4, 1915
Private Hugh Denzil Wilford Was Wounded
An official telegram was received yesterday morning by Mr. N. Wilford of Palmerston, Ontario, announcing that his son, Pte. Hugh Wilford had been wounded by gunshot and was now in the Victoria Hospital. Private Hugh Wilford was born in Palmerston and was employed as a locomotive engineer on the Grand Trunk railway previous to his enlistment with the Dufferin Rifles’ first active service contingent at the outbreak of the war. Private Wilford was later transferred to the 48th Highlanders of Toronto (15th Battalion) and was a member of the Divisional Cyclist Corp when injured. Private Wilford belonged to the 38th Dufferin Rifles for two and a half years prior to the outbreak of hostilities. He is unmarried.
BX August 16, 1915
Enlisted Here
Official word from Ottawa yesterday informed the parents of Pte. Hugh Denzil Wilford at Palmerston that he had died in a hospital of wounds received some days ago. The notice followed two previous reports to the effect that he had been wounded in the head and had a small chance of recovery. Private Wilford is a Canadian by birth and a Palmerston boy, having lived in Palmerston practically all his life. He was married last August just before joining the first contingent. He was employed as a locomotive engineer on the Grand Trunk railway, and enlisted at Brantford.
BX August 16, 1915
Enlisted Here
The official casualty lists report that Pte. Harry Wilford of the Divisional Cyclist Co., died on August 9 of his wounds. He was a Palmerston resident, employed as an engineer on the G.T.R., but enlisted at Brantford.
BX September 28, 1915
Enlisted Here
The body of Private Hugh Wilford, of the Divisional Cyclists, who died of wounds in France, arrived in Palmerston today for interment, with military honors. He enlisted in Brantford, and was wounded in July in the head and shoulders.
BX September 30, 1915
Aunt Resides Here
Private Hugh Wilford, who enlisted here, and whose body has been brought home to Palmerston for interment with military honors, was a nephew of Mrs. Cox, 1 Darling Street. The heroic young man was married just one day previous to leaving here with the first contingent. A younger brother is now in France with the 18th Battalion. It cost the family $500 to get the body.
BX October 1, 1915
Military Funeral – Body of Private Hugh Wilford, Who Enlisted Here, Interred at Palmerston
PALMERSTON, Ont., Sept. 30 – A military funeral was given today in honor of Private Hugh Wilford, of the 17th Nova Scotia Highlanders, who enlisted in Brantford and has relatives there, who died Aug. 9 in Victoria Hospital, London England from wounds received on cycle corps. duty in France. The full band, with Maj. Fletcher commanding 160 men, escorted the casket from the home of Alderman Wilford, father of the fallen hero, to the skating rink, where seating accommodation was soon overflowed. Beautiful wreaths from the G.T.R. and other organizations decked the platform, while the British made white oak casket was enshrouded with the Union Jack, and upon it the dead soldiers cap and belt. The procession was fully a mile long. The usual three rifle volleys over the grave, and the sounding of the last bugle call closed the services.
