Wilfred Maitland Acret

Rank:

Private

Regimental number:

651737

Unit at enlistment:

160th Battalion

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Date of death:

October 1st, 1918

Cemetery:

Sancourt British Cemetery - Nord, France - I.C.3.

Commemorated at:

Grace Anglican Church

Birth country:

Canada

Birth county:

Brant

Birth city:

Brantford, Ontario

Address at enlistment:

Paisley, Ontario

Next of kin address:

67 Brant Avenue, Brantford, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Clerk

Employer:

Standard Bank

Religious denominations:

Church of England

Marital status:

Single

Age at enlistment:

Image gallery:

Letters and documents

Circumstances of service: Killed

Circumstances of Casualty: Private Acret was taking part with his Battalion in Military Operations, just North of Sancourt, and while digging in, after the objective had been gained, was wounded by a bullet through the spine. His wounds were dressed and he proceeded to the rear. His body was found later, but no further details are available relative to the actual circumstances under which he was killed.

BX November 18, 1918

Wilfred Maitland Acret Died of Wounds

The Great War has taken toll of another bright young Brantford life, the news of which coming a week after the declaration of the armistice renders the circumstances infinitely sadder. Mrs. J.R.W. Acret, 67 Brant Avenue, received the official intelligence yesterday that her only son, Wilfred Maitland Acret, had been killed in action on October 1. Private Acret was well known and greatly beloved Brantford boy, who was formerly employed at the Standard Bank here, and was transferred in due course of promotion to Paisley, where he heard the call of empire and joined the 160th Battalion, training at London. He had been overseas for two years and was in the regimental pay department until he transferred to the machine gun section in France. It was with the later unit that he met death, the date of which was in a period of some of the most severe fighting on the western front, when the Canadians were doing great things. The brave young fellow was only 24 years of age, and was a most filial son. His sister, Mabel Louise Acret, is at present a nurse overseas and his brother-in-law, Sapper E.T. McLaren, is also in France. Besides his sorrowing but proud mother he leaves three sisters, Mrs. Roberts, Markdale, Theresa and Jean at home. In England, a second cousin, Dr. Charles Acret, died some months ago, having left Wilfrid Acret, his heir. The two were the only male members of the family of Acret surviving, and the death of Pte. Acret thus stops a life of great promise. Private Acret was the only grandson of the late William Lovejoy, one of the pioneers of this county.