William Yellowlees Vair

Rank:

Sergeant

Regimental number:

270128

Unit at enlistment:

215th Battalion

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Yes

Cemetery:

Farringdon Cemetery, Brantford, Ontario

Commemorated at:

Zion Presbyterian Church, Ancient Order of Foresters

Birth country:

England

Birth county:

Norfolk

Birth city:

Tilne, St. Lawrence

Address at enlistment:

39 Mohawk Street, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

39 Mohawk Street, Brantford, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Woodworker

Employer:

Cockshutt Plow Co.

Religious denominations:

Presbyterian

Marital status:

Married

Age at enlistment:

Image gallery:

Letters and documents

BX November 7, 1917

Returning Soldiers

In all probability the following men will leave for Brantford at the end of this week: G.L. Atkins, 12 Duke Street; A.V. Bellingham, G.P.O.; W. Borthwick, 131 Dundas Street; J. Johnson, Ohsweken P.O., Brant County; J.A. Kerr, 80 Eagle Avenue; A. McIntyre, 283 West Street; J. Pointon, 18 Sarah Street, J.H. Rourke, 97 Murray Street; E. Sims, 30 Lewis Street; W.Y. Vair, 39 Mohawk Street; F.L. Van Sickle, 78 Marlborough Street; F.J. Wickson, 2 Park Avenue east.

BX November 13, 1917

Six Veterans Back in Homes Here

Unknown to all six more men slipped back into the city either Sunday afternoon or evening. The blame for their not being met is attributed by the Soldiers’ Aid Commission to the failure of the Canadian Pacific Telegraph Company to deliver a telegram. Apparently a telegram arrived at 4.30 on Sunday afternoon for the secretary, Mr. George MacDonald, and he did not receive it until after 9 o’clock on Monday morning. The men who returned are: Privates G. Aitkins, 12 Duke Street; A.V. Bellingham, W. Borthwick, 131 Dundas; J. Johnson, Ohsweken P.O., and J.A. Kerr, 80. Eight more are expected home today, Privates A. McIntyre, 283 West Street; J. Pointon, 18 Sarah; J.H. Rourke, 97 Murray Street; E. Sims, 30 Lewis; W.Y. Vair, 39 Mohawk, F.L. Vansickle, 78 Marlborough, F.J. Wickson, 2 Park Avenue.

BX November 15, 1917

Veterans Returned

The veterans who returned to the city on Monday were: Privates A. McIntyre, 283 West Street; J.H. Rourke, 97 Murray Street; W.Y. Vair, 39 Mohawk; F.L. Vansickle, 78 Marlborough came in on the radial from Hamilton, and Messrs, J. Pointon, 18 Sarah; E. Sims, 30 Lewis and F.J. Wickson, 2 Park came in at intervals during the day.

BX October 29, 1948

William Y. Vair

The news of the sudden passing early Thursday morning, of William Y. Vair, 39 Mohawk Street, came as a great shock to hosts of friends in business, fraternal and other circles throughout the city. Mr. Vair was born at Tilne, St. Lawrence, Norfolk County, England, and had been a highly respected resident of this city since 1910. For the past 30 years he had been a valued employee of the Barber-Ellis Company, and at the time of his death was superintendent. He was a member of Central Presbyterian Church, and throughout his residence here was very active in Odd Fellowship circles. He was a past grand of Gore Lodge and for many years held the office of secretary in that lodge. He was also a past chief patriarch of Brant Encampment No. 4 and was a past district deputy grand master of District No. 18, I.O.O.F. He was a member of the United Commercial Travellers’ Association here.

Mr. Vair was a veteran of the First Great War, serving overseas as a sergeant with the 215th Infantry Battalion. He is survived by his widow, formerly Miss Mary McCormack; one son, John P. Vair; three brothers, Robert Vair, city, John P. Vair, Tillsonburg, and Andrew Vair, Calgary; one sister, Mrs. Cyril Bailey (Ethel), Highgate, Surrey, England, and three grandchildren, Linda, Mary and Barbara Vair. Mr. Vair is resting at the McCleister Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at Central Presbyterian Church on Saturday afternoon. Interment will be in Farringdon Burial Ground.

BX November 1, 1948

William Y. Vair

A largely attended funeral service for William Y. Vair, 39 Mohawk Street, was held at Central Presbyterian Church on Saturday afternoon. Large representation from the Barber-Ellis Company Ltd., the I.O.O.F., the Commercial Travellers’ Association, and friends and relatives from many points were in attendance. Their presence and the profusion of floral tributes marked the very high regard in which Mr. Vair was held in industrial, fraternal and many other walks in life. His minister, Rev. G. Deane Johnston, officiated at the funeral and at the committal rites at the graveside in Farringdon Burial Ground. Joseph B. Blow accompanied at the organ and a sol, “Shadows,” was rendered by Mrs. George Corman. The pallbearers were Chester Sills, Robert Templeman, Frank Fensom, Edward J. Sparks, D. Lyall Lindsay, and A. Frank Elcombe.