William Robert Bacon

Rank:

Lance Corporal

Regimental number:

772655

Unit at enlistment:

125th Battalion

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Yes

Wounded:

Yes

Cemetery:

Mount Hope Cemetery, Brantford, Ontario

Birth country:

England

Birth county:

Norfolk

Birth city:

Norwich

Address at enlistment:

50 Emilie Street, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

50 Emilie Street, Brantford, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Labourer

Employer:

Massey-Harris Co.

Religious denominations:

Church of England

Marital status:

Single

Age at enlistment:

Letters and documents

BX September 14, 1917

Mrs. Emma Bacon, 278 Wellington Street, yesterday afternoon received word from Ottawa that her son, Private William Robert Bacon, Mounted Rifles, had been admitted to the Sixth Casualty Clearing station on Sept. 5 with gas poisoning. He was an employee of the Massey-Harris Company previous to enlistment with the first overseas battalion of the Dufferin Rifles.

BX September 17, 1917

In this morning’s casualty list appears the name of Private William Robert Bacon of Brantford reported gassed. He was a laborer, English, single, and lived at 50 Emilie Street. He went overseas with the first overseas battalion from the Dufferin Rifles.

BX September 19, 1917

Six Men Returned Home

Six more Brantford men and one Paris man, invalided home from the front arrived back in the city yesterday afternoon. Of the five men who are home three were members of the 215th Battalion. Yesterday’s arrivals are: Pte. H.A. Dillmar, 4 Kennedy Street, injured foot; Pte. Joseph Saggese, over age; Pte. Chard, broken knee, all of the 215th; Pte. W. Bacon, 278 Wellington Street, 58th Battalion, wounded; Pte. Pyke of Oakland, and Sergt Barker of Paris.

A deputation from the Soldiers’ Aid Commission and the Great War Veterans’ Association met Privates Bacon and Dillmer, who arrived, back on the 3.52 p.m. G.T.R. train. Pte. Pyke returned via the T.H. and B. and was taken to the home of A.E. [?], at Oakland by Mr. George [?], Pyke formerly worked [?]. Saggese was over age, 58 [?] Dillmer not Chard reached [?] both suffering injuries to [?] limbs. Sergt. Barker was also over age and physically unfit.

[?] Lieut. Kenneth Wood, who went overseas with the 215th Battalion and to France with the 116th Battalion and was the first to reach the firing line from that battalion according to Pte. Dillmer. Pte. Dillmer’s conversation with a reporter gave credit the rumor that Capt. [?] had been killed in action. [?], he points out, on a communication line in France.

Pte. Dillmer had a good word for the food in England, which is plentiful and substantial. Anyone who lacks he says does not know what he is talking about. He also had a lot of praise for the work being done by the Y.M.C.A. Dillmer spent some time at East Sandling where there are a number of Brantford boys. Sergt. Thornthwaite is taking a drill instructor’s course. And “Jimmie” Robinson is still in the pay corp. The [?] Bros., are both drill sergeants-majors there. Corp. Wakeling the orderly corporal for the 2nd C.O.R.D. Pte. Green injured his [?] while wrestling and expects his discharge.

BX September 2, 1983

BACON, William R. – Suddenly at home, on Thursday, September 1, 1983, William Robert Bacon in his 87th year; husband of the late Leta Ireland; dear brother of Grace Bacon of Brantford; survived by one nephew, Roy Ireland of Michigan and one niece, Pearl Ireland of New York State. Mr. Bacon served in both World Wars, retired employee of Canada Post and a lifetime member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 90. Resting at Hill and Robinson Funeral Home, Nelson and Queen Streets, after 2 p.m. Friday. Funeral and committal in the chapel on Saturday, September 3 at 2 p.m. Rev. David Irwin will officiate. Interment in Mount Hope Cemetery.