Cause of Death: Tubercular Kidney
Location: Paris, Ontario
BX March 9, 1919
Two Veterans of Paris Dead
PARIS, March 19 – Paris mourns today two veterans of the Great War. Last night at his home on Willow Street, William Mears passed away in his 41st year. He was born in London, England and had been married 21 years, coming to Canada with his wife in 1902, and settling in Montreal for a while and later coming to Stratford and finally to Paris nine years ago. He enlisted in August, 1914 and was sent home from Valcartier, later joining the Dragoons to be transferred to the 84th Battalion and still later becoming a member of the 215th Battalion from which he was sent to the base hospital. He became more or less of an invalid, and had been ill for about nine weeks at his home. Besides his widow, he leaves one son, Ernest, and five daughters, Florence, Clara, Mamie, Ethel and Dorothy. In London, England his is survived by his mother, two sisters, also one brother in the Imperials. One brother was killed in the war. A military funeral will be given the deceased, which will take place tomorrow afternoon at 1.30 from the late residence.
BX March 21, 1919
Last Honors to Paris Veterans – Privates William Mears and William MacDowell Laid to Rest
PARIS, March 21 – With fitting military honors, the remains of two Paris returned veterans who passed away at their homes, were tenderly laid at rest here on Thursday. The members of the Paris G.W.V.A. were assisted by a number of the members of the Brantford branch, who thus paid a last fitting farewell to their deceased brothers-in-arms, a band formed of Brantford veterans, producing the music.
Private William Mears was laid to rest in the Paris cemetery after funeral services had been held at St. James’ Church, where Rev. Rural Dean Seton-Adamson had charge of the services. The remains of Private William MacDowell, of Brantford Township, a veteran of the 125th, who had been discharged at Camp Borden, were also laid to rest in the cemetery, the services being conducted by Rev. W.H. Laughton.
The attendance at the funerals was large, the citizens at large and the veterans in particular in this manner paying their tribute of respect to the two heroic dead.
