We Remember

John Drake

John Drake
Rank: 
Sergeant
Regimental number: 
55604
Unit at enlistment: 
19th Battalion
Force: 
C.E.F.
Volunteered or conscripted: 
Volunteered
Survived the war: 
Yes
Cemetery: 
Mount Hope Cemetery, Soldiers' Plot, Brantford, Ontario
Birth country: 
England
Birth county: 
Kent
Birth city: 
Dover
Address at enlistment: 
84 Spring Street, Brantford, Ontario
Next of kin address: 
84 Spring Street, Brantford, Ontario
Trade or calling: 
Carpenter
Religious denominations: 
Church of England
Marital status: 
Married
Age at enlistment: 
29
Image gallery: 

Letters and documents

BX July 13, 1915

Anxious for Firing Line – Boys of the 19th Battalion Not Yet in France But Want to Be

That the boys of the 19th Battalion are anxious to get in the firing line, though contrary to certain reports none of them up to June 26 had left England, is the message Lance Corporal John Drake of the Brantford company sends to his wife in the following letter received yesterday:

June 26, 1915
Lance-Corp. J. Drake,
C. Company, 19th Battalion,
4th Brigade

My Dear Wife,

I received your letter of June 13 today and I am surprised at the press on that side of the water publishing the news that we were in France; we are, of course, still in England.

Time and again the 19th Battalion has been complimented on its efficiency, and, of course, it goes without saying we are all anxious to be in the fighting line to avenge those gallant boys of ours of the First Contingent who have been tortured by gas and by other despicable German means.

C. Company, that is the company which the second Brantford boys are in, is the second shooting company of the 19th Battalion. B. Company takes first place. No. 9 Platoon, that is the leading platoon, has 19 of the 33 first-class shots in the company – some shooting eh?

They spare neither time nor energy here in keeping us fit. Here is a list of daily routine which is only altered by a 12 mile route march or a night bivouac and outpost work. Reveille, 5.30; roll call, 6; breakfast, 6.30; physical drill, 7.30-8.30; C.O.’s parade, 9.

We then parade in heavy marching order and march up to the top of a steep hill (no doubt put here for the purpose), and the morning’s amusement is usually trench-digging and bayonet fighting using instead of men, bags hung up on a wire stuffed with twigs and straw. We get back to camp at 12. Dinner 12 to 1. Afternoon parade 1.15 until 4.30, so you see they keep us busy enough, but the remark has been passed by more than one inspector-general that the 19th Battalion is a credit to the country it represents, and the only wish we know of at present is that we will still deserve that compliment after we have been given a chance to uphold the name so gallantly made by our comrades of the First Canadian Contingent.

I might add, my dear, although I know as far as our own particular family circle is concerned, we are all with the colors. I can count ten at any rate and seven of them have their surname spelt beginning with “D,” but the fighting as yet is still good all along the line and I still say to those who can, to dig in and get their names up, because we do not know yet what resources we may be called on to supply.

This is an awful war and we would all like to see it ended, but there can be no end until the militarism of Germany is broken. The Dominion of Canada is doing her share nobly in helping to achieve this object, and I am sure there is none prouder than I and my comrades of the 19th Battalion that we are willing to do our share.

I have seen several of the fourth since I have been here and I hope the time is not far distant when I can shake hands with Harry and Albert and I earnestly pray that we may all return together.

Your affectionate husband,
Jack

BX January 9, 1917

Hopes “Unfits” Can Return – R.S.M. Drake Writes to Salisbury Lodge From France

Lodge Salisbury, S.O.E., has received the following letter from R.S.M. John Drake of the Canadian General Base Depot, France.

Can. Lab. Pool, C.G.B.D.

Dear Secretary,

I received your parcel this morning. Please accept my sincerest thanks and convey my thanks and best wishes to the brethren.

I have a new job now, I am looking after all unfits in our Canadian Army Corps, that is to say, I distribute them after they evacuate hospital. In my old capacity as R.S.M. of the second division I had to send an awful lot of men to the front. Well, now I send them to very place with exception of the front. I like it better because I have every opportunity for looking after the boys who have done their bit. It is just like a big labor bureau. A man is categorized so that he can still be useful to the army, i.e., if he is fit to work at his trade he will be sent to some P.B. unit to work at his trade. But even an organization like this is, is just another shame that I hope the return of the present government will eradicate. These boys have done their bit, and if we could get the necessary reinforcements from Canada these men, or lots of them, would be back home in Canada. I might add that as far as I know my men, they are solid for conscription, and I am not wrong, I think, in saying you and the lodge are also. These boys who are with me have fought and bled and voted for this government, and I am anxiously waiting now to see if some of my rolls will be addressed “Canada.”  Accept all my best wishes. 

Believe me, ever yours fraternally,

Jack

BX October 14, 1914

Every Man at the Front – Splendid Record of J.H. Davis Family of This City

A proud record is that of the family of J.H. Davis, of this city, every male member of which, four in all, is either at the front, or on the way there through the Canadian training camps.

The first member to enlist was Pte. H.B. Davis, who went from this city with the First Contingent from the Dufferin Rifles, and who became a member of the 4th (Mad Fourth) Battalion, C.E.F. He went into the actual firing line in France in February, and was wounded on May 27, at Festubert, where the gas was used by the Huns. He is now in the Convalescent Hospital, Monkshorten, Kent England.

Sergeant A. Davis, another son, also answered the call when it was first made, becoming, as did his brother, a member of the Mad Fourth. He was at the time Col. Sergeant of G. Company, Dufferin Rifles. He has been on the firing line since February, and has been very fortunate.

With the Second Canadian Division went Corp. J. Drake, he becoming a member of the 19th Battalion, which crossed over to the battle front on Saturday last. He is a son-in-law of Mr. J.H. Davis.

The last male member of the family, Private J.H. Davis, the father, enlisted recently and left this week for Niagara to which he was transferred from the squad of recruits now stationed here. The 58th is commanded by a Brantford man, Lieut.-Col. Genet, and has many Brantford men in it, hence Private Davis’ desire to be transferred.

Davis, Albert Henry (11304)
Davis, Harry Bullard (11342)
Davis, Joseph Henry (451123)
Drake, John (55604)

BX December 22, 1955

John F.G. Drake

John Frederick George Drake died suddenly Wednesday at his residence, 41Charlotte Street.  He was born in Dover, Kent, England and came to Brantford 45 years ago.  He served overseas with the 19th Battalion in the First World War and was a member of the Canadian Legion.  For a number of years he operated the Maple Leaf Fish and Chip Store.  Surviving, besides his widow, the former Ellen Elizabeth Davis, are one son, Cyril, of Brantford; two daughters, Miss Irene Drake, Cayuga, and Mrs. Bruce (Sylvia) Miller, Brantford; three grandchildren and a number of nephews and nieces.  Mr. Drake is resting at the Beckett Funeral Home, where the service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday.  Interment will be in Mount Hope Cemetery.

BX December 27, 1955

John F. Drake

The funeral of John F. Drake was conducted Saturday afternoon at the Becket Funeral Home with Brig. W.B. Jones of the Salvation Army officiating.  A hymn, “The Old Rugged Cross,” was sung by Mrs. Edward Amos.  There was a gathering of relatives and friends, and the Daughters and Maids of England attended the service.  The pallbearers were D. Monkman, T. Barr, J. Longbottom, B. Varey, K. Crabb and G. Rickwood, all fellow members of the Canadian Legion.  Comrade E.R. Edwards was in charge of the Legion party.  Interment was in Mount Hope Cemetery.

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