Sgt. Instructor Thomas Francis Cheevers
Sgt. Instructor Thomas Francis (Tom) Cheevers, one of Brantford's best known and most highly esteemed soldier sons, died on August 21, 1940, in military hospital at Toronto, the victim of injuries suffered in a motor accident while returning to his duties at Camp Borden following a visit at his home here. He was buried with full military honors in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Brantford. A veteran of the First Great War, having served 18 months in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, he was anxious to fight for the Empire again in its second great struggle and he was one of the happiest men when sent to Camp Borden as a sergeant-instructor. Prior to going on active service, he was a member of the Dufferin and Haldimand Rifles and one of its most valued and experienced non-commissioned officers for many years. He was treasurer of the "Duffs" Sergeants' Mess for nine years, and a member of the Canadian Legion. Sgt. Cheevers' interests also centred in the activities of his church, St. Basil's, where he was a member of the Holy Name Society and secretary of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. He belonged to the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Order of Foresters. Born in Brantford in 1898, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Cheevers, he was educated in St. Mary's and St. Basil's Parish Schools and at the Collegiate Institute. Before his enlistment he was employed at the Brantford Paper Box Company. To mourn him is his widow and a son, Robert Thomas, who served as an able seaman in the R.C.N.V.R.
Note: The Album of Honour for Brant County was compiled in 1946 by the Brantford Kinsmen Club to commemorate those of Brantford, the County of Brant and the peoples of the Six Nations who served Canada during the Second World War.