Percy Russell Mead

Rank: 
Private
Regimental number: 
772356
Unit at enlistment: 
125th Battalion
Force: 
C.E.F.
Volunteered or conscripted: 
Volunteered
Survived the war: 
Yes
Wounded: 
Yes
Prisoner of war: 
Yes
Cemetery: 
Mount Hope Cemetery, Brantford, Ontario
Commemorated at: 
Victoria Public School Honour Roll
Birth country: 
Canada
Birth county: 
Brant
Birth city: 
Brantford, Ontario
Address at enlistment: 
40 Sheridan Street, Brantford, Ontario
Next of kin address: 
40 Sheridan Street, Brantford, Ontario
Trade or calling: 
Paper hanger
Religious denominations: 
Methodist
Marital status: 
Married
Age at enlistment: 
30

Letters and documents

BX September 16, 1918

Mrs. Percy Mead, 48 Colborne Street, has received word that her husband, Private Percy Russell Mead is reported officially as missing since August 30.  He was goal tender for the first professional hockey team Brantford had.  He was a painter working for Mr. Grummet before enlisting with the 125th Battalion.  Later he transferred to the first Canadian Battalion in France, and he was wounded April 9th, 1917, with gunshot in the right leg.  Just recently went in the trenches again.  Mrs. Mead lost her brother, Jack Hubert, killed in action on November 6, 1917.  Her other brother Edward, was with her Husband.

BX October 18, 1918

Mrs. P. Mead, 48 Colborne Street, yesterday received official advice that her husband, Pte. Percy Russell Mead; was a prisoner of war. He was previously reported missing on Aug. 30 last.  Mrs. Mead has not yet been advised what camp her husband has been taken to.  He left here with the 125th Battalion.

BX December 12, 1918 

In the list of casualties from Ottawa this morning Percy Russell Mead, 24 Campbell Street, is reported among the repatriated prisoners, also Alexander Inglis McNicol, 167 Rawdon Street.

BX January 31, 1919

Prisoners of War Repatriated, Reach Home – Privates Albert Victor Stuart and Percy Russell Mead were in Hun hands 

Private Mead’s Story

Private Mead, who will be remembered as the former goal tender of the Brantford pro hockey team was taken at Arras August 30, 1918. With four others they were completely surrounded and cut off.   Pte. Meade belonged to the First Battalion.  When examined with other prisoners, he had a unique experience.  The German corporal, who spoke perfectly good English, asked him if he was from Ontario.

“Are you from Brantford?”  was another question, and Mead nearly fell over when he was asked if he knew Charlie Slemin.  Then the German corporal told him that he had worked in a Brantford factory for ten years, and recalled several things which happened here, and which Mead remembered well, including a miniature riot one night over the arrest of a drunk on Dalhousie Street.  This information staggered the Brantford prisoner, and he thought momentarily he was among friends.  The German corporal said he could give him nothing to eat because he had nothing himself.  He handed out some cigarettes, and said that was all he could do.  Incidentally, he remarked that he was coming back to Brantford after the old job after the war was over.

BX April 20, 1917
 
Twelve Brantford Men Are Reported Wounded – Canadian Casualty List Included Half Score From This City All of Whom Have Been Wounded – Gunshot in Arms and Legs Cause of Majority of Hospital Cases – First Brant Battalion Draft Hit

Private word received in this city yesterday afternoon and today added 11 new names to the already large casualty list.  All were wounded on or about April 9, this being in the attack on Vimy Ridge, which resulted so gloriously for the Canadian forces.

Mrs. Percy Mead, 40 Sheridan Street, received word from Ottawa this morning that her husband, Pte. Percy Mead, who enlisted with the 125th Battalion, and who for some time past has been attached to the 4th Brigade overseas, has been wounded in the right foot and been admitted to No. 8 Stationary Hospital at Wimereux.  Pte. “Dick” Mead, as he was more familiarly known here, was the goalkeeper for the Brantford professional hockey team during the first year of its existence.

BX July 16, 1952

Percy R. Mead

The death of Percy R. (Pick) Mead occurred Tuesday in Brantford in his 67th year.  A resident of 44 Bridge Street, Mr. Mead was a painter by trade and for 5 years was employed with H. Butcher, decorator.  He served during the First World War with the 125th Battalion and was taken prisoner of war.  His wife predeceased him 14 years ago.  He is survived by two sons, Leonard J. Mead, Detroit, and Clarence R. Mead, Ecorse, Mich.; one sister, Mrs. Charles Trumper, Port Dover.  Mr. Mead is resting at the Beckett Funeral Home, where a service will be conducted Thursday at 2 p.m., with interment in Mount Hope Cemetery.