James Bayne Weatherston

Rank:

Private

Regimental number:

406214

Unit at enlistment:

36th Battalion

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Wounded:

Yes

Date of death:

May 3rd, 1917

Cemetery:

Orchard Dump Cemetery - Pas de Calais, France - VII.J.29.

Commemorated at:

Zion Presbyterian Church, I.O.O.F. Memorial Tablet and Obelisk Harmony Lodge, Massey-Harris Memorial Plaque (Toronto)

Birth country:

Canada

Birth county:

Wellington

Birth city:

Guelph, Ontario

Address at enlistment:

Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

357 Cumberland Avenue, Hamilton, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Machinist

Employer:

Massey-Harris Co.

Religious denominations:

Presbyterian

Marital status:

Single

Age at enlistment:

Image gallery:

Letters and documents

Cause and Place of Death: Previously Reported Wounded and Missing, now for Official Purposes Presumed to Have Died on or Since – 3-5-7

BX May 28, 1917

Word has been received locally that Private James Bayne Weatherston of this city, has been wounded, but to what extent is not known.

He left here early in the war with a company under the late Findley Fraser, and this is the second time he has been wounded, the first time being about a year ago.

BX July 7, 1917

A telegram has been received by “Nick” Weatherston, Dalhousie Street, from the Director of Records, as follows:

“Sincerely regret to inform you that Pte. James Bayne Weatherston, infantry, previously reported wounded, now officially reported wounded and missing since May 3, will send further particulars.”

Private Weatherston has been reported on two previous occasions. He left here with the late Capt. Finlay Frazer’s company a couple of years ago, and has seen much active fighting. His fellow members in Harmony Lodge, I.O.O.F., along with the relatives and friends, are hoping for some better news in the near future.

BX January 9, 1918

No Word Yet

No further word from that received some time ago that he was missing, has been heard from Private James Bayne Weatherston, who left here with the 36th Battalion and who was transferred to the 1st Battalion in France. "Dos," as he was familiarly known to local friends, was reported missing in May. His chums, appealed to for information, have been unable to give any details. Official presumption of his death has not been received and there is still hope that he may turn up as a prisoner in Germany somewhere.

BX January 16, 1918

Jim Weatherston Presumed Dead By Authorities

That Private James Bayne Weatherston, who left here with the late Capt. Finley Frazer and who since May 3, 1917, has been missing, is probably dead, is the purport of an official notice received from Ottawa by his brother, “Nick” Weatherston, today. The communication reads:

N. Weatherston, Esq.,
7 Burns Block,
Brantford, Ont.
Sir,

With reference to the casualty to 406214 Pte. James Bayne Weatherston, who was officially reported as wounded and missing, May 3, 1917, I have the honor to state that owing to the length of time that has elapsed since he was reported missing, and to the fact that his name has not appeared on any official list of prisoners of war, nor that, after full enquiry made, has any information been received which would indicated that he is still alive. It is regretted that the only conclusion which can be arrived at is that he is dead. For official purposes, therefore, his death has been presumed to have occurred on or since the above mentioned date.

Frank Beard,
For Adjutant-General

Private Weatherston was well and favorably known locally, being an expert machinist, and a popular member of Harmony Lodge, I.O.O.F., and Brant Encampment, and, while the communication from Ottawa would indicate that the worst fears have been realized, it is hoped that even yet “Jim” will be located.

BX June 24, 1916

Private James Bayne Weatherston is reported wounded in this morning’s casualty list. Although Hamilton is given as Private Weatherston’s place of residence, it is thought he is a Brantford man. Early in the war a James Weatherston enlisted here, but was later transferred to the machine gun section of a Hamilton Battalion.

BX March 18, 1915

To Machine Gun Section

Private James Bayne Weatherston formerly employed at Massey-Harris, as a machinist, and now a member of the Dufferin Rifles Company of the 36th active service battalion, has been transferred to the machine gun section of the regiment, and will join that section at Hamilton. Only first class machinists are being signed on for this section, owing to the intricate nature of the machine guns.