BX December 7, 1916
Two Brantford Men Returning
Included in a draft of invalided soldiers who arrived at St. John, N.B., early in the week from the C.P.R. liner Missanabie and arrived at Quebec yesterday are two Brantford men, Privates S. Godfrey and T. Walton. It is thought that the Pte. Godfrey returning is Sam Godfrey, formerly of 11 Gordon Street, and employed at the Massey-Harris plant. He is a married man and a veteran of the Royal Navy, in which he had 12 years service. He went overseas in the first month of the war with a draft from the 38th Regiment. T. Walton is thought to have formerly lived at 78 Richardson Street. He is a single man, laborer, and went over in the First Contingent with a draft from the 2nd Dragoons.
BX December 8, 1916
Two Returning
Mention was made in yesterday’s Expositor that two more Brantford men, invalided home from the front, - Pte. S. Godfrey and Pte. T. Walton – had arrived at Quebec. Word was received today that these heroes would likely arrive back in Brantford on Sunday night.
BX December 12, 1916
Two Brantford Men Returned – Ptes T. Walton and S. Godfrey of “Mad Fourth” Are Home Again – A Big Welcome
In the midst of a typical Canadian snow storm two more Brantford heroes, Privates T. Walton and S. Godfrey – invalided home from the “Mad Fourth” battalion, were welcomed back to Brantford last night on the arrival of the 7.32 G.T.R. train from Toronto. A hearty welcome was given the returned men by the large crowd which had gathered despite the disagreeable weather. To help in the welcome the band of the 215th Battalion and a number of the members of that unit were on hand.
No time was lost after the men had been welcomed by their relatives in getting them into the waiting motorcars which had been provided by members of the Soldier’s Aid Commission. The men were first conveyed to the Market Square where another big welcome awaited them. Here ex-Mayor J.H. Spence and W.F. Cockshutt publicly welcomed the heroes back.
Then amidst cheers the returned men were asked to step on to the running board to give the crowd a chance to see them. This was done by both, they expressing their pleasure at the reception accorded them. Lusty cheers were then given and the men whisked away to their homes and waiting families.
Both of the men who returned last evening were members of the 4th Battalion. Pte. S. Godfrey had been seriously ill all the time he was in England where he underwent two operations for an internal trouble. This prevented his reaching the firing line and he is now home for further treatment. After a couple of weeks spent at his home at 137 Eagle Avenue he will go to the military hospital in Toronto. Pte. Godfrey was in the Manor House at Salisbury and Moore Barracks hospital, Shorncliffe, during his sojourn in England. He is a married man.
One of the first men to answer the call for volunteers when war broke out was Pte. T. Walton of 78 Richardson Street who returned last evening. Pte. Walton was in the trenches up till a few weeks ago. His return was necessitated by his nerves becoming shattered through shell shock.
