John Austin Dufferin Slemin

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit at enlistment:

125th Battalion

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Yes

Wounded:

Yes

Cemetery:

Farringdon Cemetery, Brantford, Ontario

Commemorated at:

Victoria Public School Honour Roll

Birth country:

Canada

Birth county:

York

Birth city:

Toronto, Ontario

Address at enlistment:

28 Lorne Crescent, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

28 Lorne Crescent, Brantford, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Lawyer

Religious denominations:

Methodist

Marital status:

Single

Age at enlistment:

Letters and documents

BX August 13, 1918

Four Brantford Officers Are On Honor Roll – Lieuts. Slemin, Waterous, Seago and Millar Wounded Today in Allied Drive – Casualties Happened Last Thursday as Boys Went Over the Top

Four Brantford officers, all formerly of the First Brants, the 125th Battalion, are officially reported today as having been wounded in the big drive on the Picardy front. They are as follows: Lieut. Duff Slemin, Lieut. Don Waterous, Lieut. Sam Seago and Lieut. Lorne Millar.

The official advices came through this morning from the department of records at Ottawa, and the casualties occurred Aug. 8, the initial day of the big advance by the Canadians who went over the top on Thursday morning last.

In only one case was the nature of the wounds received reported as severe. Chief Slemin this morning received the following: “Regret to report that Lieut. Charles Dufferin Slemin has been admitted to hospital at Le Treport, suffering from gunshot wound, right thigh; severe.” In the other cases the advice from Ottawa merely mentioned the fact that the officers above mentioned had been wounded. The word concerning Lieut. Lorne Millar came from his mother in Toronto, who was notified yesterday.

Lieut. Slemin belonged to the original 125th Battalion and was later transferred to the 215th Battalion with which he left for overseas. On arrival in England he was transferred back to the 125th at Witley, and reverted from the rank of captain to that of lieutenant in order to get across to France. Lieuts. Millar, Waterous and Seago all belonged to the original First Brants, and went through the rigorous training for the fifth Division in England, prior to that division being broken up. They left for France last spring, and all belong to the Third Division, which has been recently engaged in the great advance.

Lieut. Lorne Millar has already arrived in England, having been admitted to the third southern General hospital at Southampton. Particulars of the casualties are being eagerly and anxiously awaited by the relatives and friends of the boys today reported in the Dominion’s honor roll.

It was stated this morning that it must have been only recently that Lieut. Duff Slemin could have returned to the front, as advices had been received a few days ago that he had been in hospital suffering from a knockout from a big shell. Evidently he must have recovered in time in order to get back to the big show.

BX August 15, 1918

“Not Serious,” is the Message – Re-assuring News Received by Chief Slemin and Sergt. Wallace From Their Sons

Chief Slemin has received a cable from Mr. Duff Slemin in England announcing that her husband, Lieutenant Duff Slemin had been wounded, but that the wound was not serious. This week, the chief also received a letter from his son, telling of being knocked out by a big shell for a few days, but expecting to get back into line at once.

Captain Stanley Ross Wallace has been admitted to the hospital at Rouen, according to an official telegram received by his father yesterday. Capt. Wallace also sent a message himself with cheering news that he was all right, though wounded in the ankle.

BX August 19, 1918

Chief Slemin received a cable today from Major E. Sweet announcing that Lieutenant Duff Slemin had arrived at the Royal Free Hospital, London and that he received a shrapnel wound in the thigh. He was doing well.

BX June 3, 1933

Honor Conferred on Brantford Lawyers – J.A.D. Slemin and A.H. Boddy Named King’s Counsel in Announcement of Hon. William H. Price, Attorney General and Acting Prime Minister – Tribute Paid to 83 Lawyers Who Served King and Country

Barristers of this city were honored in the announcement last night by Hon. William H. Price, attorney-general of Ontario and acting prime minister, that two Brantford barristers were included in the 155 new King’s Counsel appointed in the province, 83 of them who at various times, in various capacities, served their King and Country during the Great War. An outstanding feature of the King’s birthday honor list, which covers a two-year period, is the selection of the lawyers who saw service at the front and have been allowed a K.C., though many of them have not practiced the requisite 15 years. The Ontario Government had chosen to waive the regulatory requirement in their cases, in tribute to their soldier service, and John Austin Dufferin Slemin, and Albert Hawley Boddy, to of Brantford’s best known lawyers, who were in France and England during the Great War were among those granted the distinction of King’s Counsel.

J.A.D. Slemin, who is with the firm of Harley, Slemin and Slemin, is one of those number who have the deserved favor of the government, as he still is a few short months away from a 15 year period of law practice, due to active service in France. A.H. Boddy of Henderson and Boddy, has completed his necessary term, but he, too, is included in the soldier list.

There are eight barrister members of the legislature who were not King’s Counsel heretofore, included in the general list. And here again the Government has permitted relaxation of the practicing requirement, and now these younger members of the legal representation in the provincial house attain the same level as the older lawyers there.

Brilliant Records

Many brilliant records, achieved not only in khaki, but in legal work of the post war years, are to be found in the list of honored soldier K.C.’s and not by far the dimmest of them all are the records of Mr. Boddy and Mr. Slemin, who many times have worked well for the community good and have held positions of responsibility in community life. Mr. Slemin for two years mayor of Brantford and Mr. Boddy has served on the City Council and Board of Education.

Careers Parallel

The careers of the two men parallel each other in many instances. They came to this city each at the age of 12, although not known to one another at that time, started public school here in the same year, attended the Brantford Collegiate Institute at the same time, and graduated from Toronto University and Osgoode Hall in the same years. They have held many offices of the same nature, and both have been aldermen. On many occasions they have worked together for the good of the community, and they have advanced along parallel lines in a professional way with equal rapidity. Both were very much interested in sport, and players of note in rugby, basketball and baseball. Mr. Boddy in the former two and Mr. Slemin in rugby and baseball. They have known each other since boyhood and it is fitting that in this year they be named together as King’s Counsel.

J.A.D. Slemin

John Austin Dufferin Slemin was born at Toronto, the son of Charles S. Slemin and the late Mrs. Slemin. He came to this city with his parents at the age of 12 years. He received his education in the public schools here and the Brantford Collegiate Institute, graduated from Toronto University in 1913 and from Osgoode Hall in 1916. Following his graduation he enlisted with the 125th Battalion with the rank of captain. He left for overseas with the 215th Battalion. On arrival in England was transferred to the 52nd Battalion, C.E.F., with the rank of captain, and he went to France to the Third Division.

He had an active military career, was wounded at the battle of Amiens in 1918 and sent to hospital returning to Brantford in 1919 where he started practice along. Two years later he was joined by his brother C.C. Slemin the firm taking the name of Slemin and Slemin. Last April the firm amalgamated with Harley and Sweet and he at present is a member of the firm of Harley, Sweet and Slemin.

His activities in municipal politics were extensive and for two years he was mayor of this city, 1926-1927. Prior to that time Mr. Slemin was an alderman for two years and at the time of his election in 1925 to an aldermanic chair for Ward 1 he received the largest majority in the field. He was chairman of the finance committee of the City Council in 1925.

A past president of the Great War Veterans Association and the Canadian Legion, of which he is a charter member, Mr. Slemin has been greatly interested in the work of returned soldiers and his activity in their interest has been extensive. He is also a past president of the Brantford Conservative Association, and a member of the Rotary Club.

In sports he took an active interest and for a number of years was noted for his ability as a baseball player. While at Toronto University he was captain of the Victoria College rugby team that won the Sir William Mullock Cup in 1912 and following that he played professional baseball in this city in the old Canadian league and the Michigan-Ontario league.

A.H. Boddy

Albert Hawley Boddy who has practiced here for the past 15 years was born in Forest, Ontario, the son of Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Boddy. He is 40 years of age. When he came to this city with his parents, at the age of 12, he entered the public schools and later the Brantford Collegiate Institute, where he graduated in matriculation. His further education was received at Toronto University. He graduated there in 1913 with a B.A. and from Osgood Hall in 1916.

In that year, prior to being called to the bar, he accepted the post as company commander with the 162nd Battalion, Parry Sound, with rank of captain. He went overseas and on his arrival in England was transferred to the 36th Battalion, C.E.F., with the rank of captain. He was invalided home in 1917, and he began his first practice with W.A. Hollinrake, K.C., having his name incorporated in the firm of Hollinrake and Boddy. Mr. Hollinrake later left the firm, when appointed surrogate court clerk. Mr. Boddy continued practice alone for one year, going into partnership with W.T. Henderson K.C. in 1919, and since that time the firm has been known as Henderson and Boddy.

He has been active in municipal politics. In 1918 he was elected alderman for Ward 3, was a member of the Board of Education for three years, and chairman of the board in 1931. He is a past president of the Brantford Conservative Association, the Kiwanis Club, and Great War Veterans Association, and the Brantford Club. He is a member of Kiwanis and the Delta Upsilon fraternity and senior major in the 1st Battalion Dufferin Rifles of Canada, where, it is expected he will shortly be named commanding officer.

While attending university he was very prominent in sports. Captain of the senior basketball team for two years and a member of the Varsity football team he played both games well, and was active in all other sports. Following his graduation he played rugby for the Parkdale Canoe Club when they reached the Dominion finals in 1914 to be beaten out by the Hamilton Tigers.

BX September 27, 1980

Former Mayor J.A.D. Slemin Dies

John Austin Dufferin (Duff) Slemin, Q.C. a former Brantford mayor, died at his 9 Lafayette Avenue home Friday evening. He was 89.

Mr. Slemin, a senior partner in the law firm of Harley, Sweet, Slemin and Wynn, was a former alderman, becoming mayor in 1925-26. He also served as city solicitor.

He was solicitor and a member of the Board of Directors of S.C. Johnson and Son Ltd., for many years, and since 1973 was an honorary director of the company.

He was first elected to the governing body of the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1956 and became a life-bencher.

Mr. Slemin was a captain with the 125th Battalion in World War One and was seriously wounded at the battle of Amiens.

He became the first president of Branch 90 of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Mr. Slemin was a senator of the Stratford Festival Theatre and collected original costume sketches for Shakespearean productions at Stratford.

He was past-president of the Brantford Rotary Club and an honorary member, a former president of Brantford’s Schubert Choir, a member of Ozias Masonic Lodge and on the board of trustees of Brant Avenue United Church.

Keenly interested in sports Mr. Slemin once played professional baseball.

He was also a member of the University of Toronto’s Psi Upsilon Fraternity and a member of the University Club.

Mr. Slemin is survived by his wife the former Marjorie Helen Sweet, two daughters, Mrs. Ross (Edith) Foster) Misener and Mrs. Henry (Mary Russell) Forde; five grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Friends are being received at the Beckett-Glaves Funeral Home, 88 Brant Avenue from 2 p.m. Sunday Service will be in Brant Avenue United Church on Monday at 3.30 p.m. with Rev. Lloyd Brown and rev. Mel Boyd officiating. Interment will be in Farringdon Burial Ground.

BX September 30, 1980 - Editorial

J.A.D. Slemin

It was entirely appropriate that a Canadian Legion honor guard took part in the services for J.A.D. Slemin yesterday, and that the mourners included so many others whose lives had been touched by his lifetime of service to his country and his community.

In his 89 years Duff Slemin wore many hats – athlete, soldier, lawyer, alderman, mayor, family man, company director, churchman and more. The common factor in every facet of this rich life was service to others, from his enlistment in the First Word War, to his work for war veterans, to his active involvement with the Stratford Festival, as a governor.

His professional dedication was equally remarkable; called to the bar in 1919, he was still practicing law, on a regular basis, 60 years later.

Just two months ago, Mr. Slemin reminisced about his days as mayor of Brantford and said, “I look back with a great deal of pleasure, and feel in all modesty that I made a small contribution.”

Today Brantford can look back over the long, full life of one of its outstanding citizens, and recognize the large and lasting contributions of Duff Slemin.