James Lamont Brandon

Rank:

Flight Lieutenant

Unit at enlistment:

Royal Flying Corps

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Yes

Commemorated at:

Victoria Public School Honour Roll

Birth country:

U.S.A.

Birth county:

Wayne

Birth city:

Detroit, Michigan

Address at enlistment:

17 Dufferin Avenue, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

17 Dufferin Avenue, Brantford, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Shoemaker

Employer:

Brandon Shoe Co.

Religious denominations:

Presbyterian

Marital status:

Single

Age at enlistment:

Letters and documents

Miscellaneous

BX September 8, 1917

Lieutenant James Brandon Now in England – Felt that Winning War Was More Important Than Shoe Making

Shoe and Leather Journal

Flight-Lieutenant James Lamont Brandon, son of Mr. A. Brandon of the Brandon Shoe Co., Brantford, is 21 years of age, and was educated in Brantford public schools, and passed his matriculation at the Collegiate Institute in the Telephone City. On completion of his education he became associated with his father in the Brandon Shoe Co., his intention being to learn the business from the ground up. This was in 1914. In 1915 “Monty,” as he is familiarly known to his friends, arrived at the conclusion that winning the war was very much more important than shoe making, and so came to Toronto and took a course at Stanley Barracks, qualifying for a lieutenant of cavalry.

As demand for mounted troops was limited, and there was not any great possibility of getting to the front, he joined the Imperial Aviation in 1916, and was instructed to leave for England. This was just about the time that the Imperial government decided to train the Flying Corp in Canada, so the subject of this reference was then instructed to train in Toronto and finish his course at Camp Borden. That he did, qualifying for Flight-Lieutenant and in July was ordered overseas, arriving at Liverpool early in August. He was presented with his wings before leaving Canada.

"Monty" is an excellent specimen of Canadian manhood, being very fond of athletics, particularly rugby and basketball and will no doubt give a good account of himself.