Descendants of Richard & Mary GAMMOND



previous  Fourth Generation  Next



88. Margaret USSHER (Catherine Mary GAMMOND15, Richard William2, William "Richard"1) was born on August 15, 1870 in Walkerton, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada,8,20 died on July 14, 1948 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA4 aged 77, and was buried in Glendale, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Events

• She emigrated to the USA in 1890 from , , Ontario, Canada.

Margaret married Whitney Lynes LAWRENCE, son of Joel LAWRENCE and Lovinia (__?__), in 1899 in , , California, USA. Whitney was born on October 5, 1862 in , , New York, USA,19,20 died on April 23, 1944 in , Los Angeles Co, California, USA19 aged 81, and was buried in Glendale, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Events

• He worked as a store clerk in 1880 in Barnard, Nodaway, Missouri, USA.

• He worked as a stock clerk in grocery and lived at 1038 South Flower in 1900 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.

• He worked as a clerk in Wholesale Grocery and lived at 4413 Russell Ave. In 1910 in Cahuenga, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Children from this marriage were:

   206 F    i. Pauline D. LAWRENCE was born in February 1900 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.20,21

   207 F    ii. Elizabeth M. LAWRENCE was born in 1903 in , , California, USA.21

   208 M    iii. Frederick Ussher LAWRENCE was born on August 2, 1903 in , , California, USA21 and died on September 19, 1987 in Walnut Creek, Contra Costa, California, United States19 aged 84.

Frederick married Carol Blanch JESSOP, daughter of Jessie G. JESSOP and Unknown, in 1927 in , , California, USA.19 Carol was born on February 16, 1906 in , , Nebraska, USA19 and died in March 1969 in La Mesa, San Diego, California, United States19 aged 63.

90. Frederick Edgeworth USSHER (Catherine Mary GAMMOND15, Richard William2, William "Richard"1) was born on May 6, 1880 in Walkerton, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada and died on October 29, 1962 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA aged 82.

Events

• He worked as a salesman for drug company in 1920 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Frederick married Anna May SHEILDS. Anna was born on February 18, 1881 in , , Indiana, USA and died on October 11, 1960 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA aged 79.

The child from this marriage was:

   209 F    i. Catherine Jewel USSHER was born on October 23, 1904 in , , California, USA19 and died on December 20, 1992 in , Los Angeles Co, California, USA19 aged 88.

Catherine married John J. CARNEY on February 21, 1970 in Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, USA.19 John was born about 1901.19

93. Charles Allen GAMMOND (William Richard16, Richard William2, William "Richard"1) was born on March 28, 1876 in Ware Twp, Thunder Bay Dist, Ontario, Canada8,13,14,23 and died on January 11, 195023 aged 73.

Charles married Sarah Ann McCULLUM, daughter of John McCULLUM and Emma GOODE, on October 12, 1898 in Port Arthur, Thunder Bay Dist, Ontario, Canada.13 Sarah was born on October 16, 1862 in Toronto, York Co, Ontario, Canada13 and died on October 20, 1908 in Fort William, Thunder Bay Dist, Ontario, Canada aged 46.

• Marriage witnessed by Orlando GAMMOND of Ware Twp and Isabella EVERETT of Oliver Twp.

The child from this marriage was:

   210 M    i. Charles Edgar GAMMOND was born on November 10, 1900 in Oliver Twp, Thunder Bay Dist, Ontario, Canada.7,23

Charles next married Diana BROWNLEE, daughter of William Joseph BROWNLEE and Ann WHALEN, on May 15, 1912 in Port Arthur, Thunder Bay Dist, Ontario, Canada.11 Diana was born in 1873 in Ottawa, Carleton Co, Ontario, Canada11 and died on October 15, 192223 aged 49.

Charles next married Sarah HUSTON, daughter of Robert HUSTON and Sarah REDFORD, on September 24, 1923 in Fort William, Thunder Bay Dist, Ontario, Canada.11 Sarah was born on September 15, 1876 in Elmwood, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada.11

94. Orlando James GAMMOND (William Richard16, Richard William2, William "Richard"1) was born on March 31, 1878 in Ware Twp, Thunder Bay Dist, Ontario, Canada8,14 and died on February 19, 1917 in Vimy, , Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France aged 38.

Apparently Orlando also served in South Africa with the Strathcona Horse Regiment prior to 1915.
He died at the battle of Vimy Ridge on Feb. 19th 1917 and was a Sergeant in the Canadian Pioneers at that time.

Events

• He worked as a policeman in September 1915 in Kamloops, , British Columbia, Canada.

Orlando married Jennie HYNSON, daughter of Robt. HYNSON and Margt Ann PIRSELEY, on April 26, 1904 in Ottawa, Carleton Co, Ontario, Canada.11 Jennie was born in 1877 in , , , Ireland.

The child from this marriage was:

   211 M    i. Leonard Orlando GAMMOND was born on October 1, 190723 and died on May 31, 196723 aged 59.

95. Melvin Westfort GAMMOND (William Richard16, Richard William2, William "Richard"1) was born on November 2, 1880 in Ware Twp, Thunder Bay Dist, Ontario, Canada,8,14 died on November 10, 19319 aged 51, and was buried in Bend, Deschutes, Oregon, USA.

Events

• He worked as a Section Foreman CPR at Kaministikwia in 1907 in Ware Twp, Thunder Bay Dist, Ontario, Canada.

• Melvin resided at the English River along the CPR in the Thunder Bay / Rainy River Disrict in 1911.

Melvin married Hannah W. ERICKSON, daughter of Axel ERICKSON and Louisa LINDQUIST, in 1902 in Duluth, St. Louis Co, Minnesota, USA.9 Hannah was born in April 1882 in , , , Sweden,16 died on April 8, 19649 aged 82, and was buried in Bend, Deschutes, Oregon, USA.

Events

• She emigrated from , , , Sweden in 1902.

• Hannah W. Relocated to Oregon following her husband Melvin's death.

Children from this marriage were:

+ 212 M    i. William Henry "Harry" GAMMOND was born on June 23, 1903 in Ware Twp, Thunder Bay Dist, Ontario, Canada.14,16

   213 M    ii. Raymond Allen GAMMOND was born on February 10, 1905 in Ware Twp, Thunder Bay Dist, Ontario, Canada.14

   214 F    iii. Viola May Gladys GAMMOND was born on December 13, 1906 in Ware Twp, Thunder Bay Dist, Ontario, Canada.9

Viola married Elba TAYLOR ____________.9

   215 F    iv. Onola GAMMOND was born in January 1908 in , Thunder Bay Dist, Ontario, Canada.16

   216 M    v. Clifford Morris Westfort GAMMOND was born on April 5, 1909 in Ware Twp, Thunder Bay Dist, Ontario, Canada3,9 and died on August 6, 1978 in Bend, Deschutes, Oregon, USA3,9 aged 69.

Clifford married Hazel M. HYDE ____________.33

   217 F    vi. Clara Laura GAMMOND was born on October 23, 1911 in Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Dist, Ontario, Canada9 and died on July 14, 1979 aged 67.

Clara married Leslie CHAPMAN ____________.3

97. Mary Louisa GAMMOND (William Richard16, Richard William2, William "Richard"1) was born on July 1, 1883 in Matawin, Algoma Dist, Ontario, Canada,7,14 died on July 18, 1970 aged 87, and was buried in Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Dist, Ontario, Canada.

Mary married Sidney Thomson JACKSON, son of James William JACKSON and Henrietta May SHEPPARD, on June 6, 1904 in Fort William, Thunder Bay Dist, Ontario, Canada.13 Sidney was born on January 8, 1880 in Scarborough, York Co, Ontario, Canada13,14 and died on November 20, 1956 in Toronto, York Co, Ontario, Canada aged 76.

• Marriage witnessed by A. McMICHAEL of Murills and Maggie FOLSTER of Kaministikwia.

Events

• He worked as a teamster in Kaministikwia in 1905 in Ware Twp, Thunder Bay Dist, Ontario, Canada.

• He worked as a teamster living at 303 Main St. In 1907 in Toronto, York Co, Ontario, Canada.

• He worked as an engineer in 1916 in Eyebrow, , Saskatchewan, Canada.

Children from this marriage were:

   218 M    i. Elmer Russell JACKSON was born on February 3, 1905 in Ware Twp, Thunder Bay Dist, Ontario, Canada.14

   219 M    ii. James Edward JACKSON was born on May 3, 1907 in Toronto, York Co, Ontario, Canada.14

   220 M    iii. Howard Edward Norman JACKSON was born on May 20, 1908 in Toronto, York Co, Ontario, Canada.14

   221 F    iv. Henrietta JACKSON was born in 1911 in , , Ontario, Canada.34

   222 F    v. Edna JACKSON was born in 1913 in , , Saskachewan, Canada.34

   223 F    vi. Rena JACKSON was born in 1914 in , , Saskachewan, Canada.34

   224 F    vii. Reta JACKSON was born in 1915 in , , Saskachewan, Canada.34

+ 225 F    viii. Ellen "Ruth" JACKSON was born on March 26, 191835 and died on January 14, 200635 aged 87.

105. Catherine Ann "Kate" GUINN (Emily Jane GAMMOND18, Richard William2, William "Richard"1) was born on November 13, 1875 in Brant Twp, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada9 and died on July 23, 1898 in Oak Lake, , Manitoba, Canada24 aged 22. She was usually called Kate.

Kate married George MICKIE on April 25, 1894 in Oak Lake, , Manitoba, Canada.24 George was born on May 31, 1858 in , , Ontario, Canada.7

Children from this marriage were:

   226 F    i. Lora A. MICKIE was born on March 14, 1895 in , Woodworth RM, Manitoba, Canada.7

   227 M    ii. Loran A. MICKIE was born on May 16, 1897 in , Woodworth RM, Manitoba, Canada.7

111. Caroline Jane "Carrie" GUINN (Emily Jane GAMMOND18, Richard William2, William "Richard"1) was born on December 28, 1886 in Oak Lake, , Manitoba, Canada7,9 and died on December 5, 1974 in Malta, Phillips, Montana, USA24 aged 87. She was usually called Carrie.

Carrie married Albert Grant DRUMMOND, son of John DRUMMOND and Alexa (__?__), on July 18, 1906 in Arcola, , Saskatchewan, Canada.3 Albert was born on March 22, 1880 in Bruce Twp, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada.7

Children from this marriage were:

   228 M    i. Melvin DRUMMOND was born in July 1907 in , Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, Canada.16

   229 M    ii. Edward DRUMMOND was born in November 1908 in , Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, Canada.16

   230 M    iii. Gordon DRUMMOND was born in June 1910 in , Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, Canada.16

116. Melbourne Cresswood GAMMOND (Orlando19, Richard William2, William "Richard"1) was born on October 23, 1880 in Toronto, York Co, Ontario, Canada10 and died on February 22, 19393 aged 58.

Events

• Melbourne resided in Toronto, York Co, Ontario, Canada in 1901 .

Melbourne married Ethel (__?__) about 1906 in Toronto, York Co, Ontario, Canada. Ethel was born in December 1889.16

Children from this marriage were:

   231 F    i. Evelyn GAMMOND was born in October 1907 in Toronto, York Co, Ontario, Canada.16

   232 F    ii. Jean GAMMOND was born in February 1911 in Toronto, York Co, Ontario, Canada.16

Melbourne next married Grace SANDFORD, daughter of Leonard SANDFORD and Edmonds IVERSON, on February 7, 1907 in Toronto, York Co, Ontario, Canada.11 Grace was born on February 17, 1882 in Brooklyn, Jackson, Michigan, USA.7,11

Events

• She emigrated from , , , U.S.A. In 1900.

118. Jane Jamison Vivian Pearl GAMMOND (Orlando19, Richard William2, William "Richard"1) was born on March 22, 1887 in Toronto, York Co, Ontario, Canada7,10 and died on November 12, 19793 aged 92.

Jane married John Frederick MARTIN, son of John A. MARTIN and Mary Jane WILEY, on April 21, 1904 in Toronto, York Co, Ontario, Canada.11 John was born in 1884 in Brampton, Peel Co, Ontario, Canada.11

Events

• He worked as a stock keeper and lived at 163 Langley in 1909 in Toronto, York Co, Ontario, Canada.

Children from this marriage were:

   233 M    i. Wilbert Cecil MARTIN was born on June 19, 1904 in Toronto, York Co, Ontario, Canada.14

   234 M    ii. Fraser Gammond MARTIN was born on September 23, 1909 in Toronto, York Co, Ontario, Canada.14

125. Frederick Bond GAMMOND (Frederick22, Richard William2, William "Richard"1) was born on July 6, 1884 in Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Dist, Ontario, Canada.7

Frederick married Florence Lillian BLUNDON.

Children from this marriage were:

   235 F    i. Irene Dorothy GAMMOND was born on June 30, 1917 in , Thunder Bay Dist, Ontario, Canada3 and died on July 18, 19823 aged 65.

   236 F    ii. Doris Frances GAMMOND was born on June 30, 1918 in , Thunder Bay Dist, Ontario, Canada3 and died on February 23, 1919 in , Thunder Bay Dist, Ontario, Canada.3

   237 M    iii. Raymond Wilfrid GAMMOND was born in October 1915 in , Thunder Bay Dist, Ontario, Canada3 and died on February 23, 1916.3

129. Herbert Glenn GAMMOND (Frederick22, Richard William2, William "Richard"1) was born on September 12, 1898 in Neebing Twp, Thunder Bay Dist, Ontario, Canada.10

Herbert married Ethel Mary CALDWELL, daughter of Robert CALDWELL and Sarah FOSTER. Ethel was born in 1899 in Ottawa, Carleton Co, Ontario, Canada,4 died on July 22, 1920 in Slate River, Thunder Bay Dist, Ontario, Canada aged 21, and was buried in Fort William, Thunder Bay Dist, Ontario, Canada.

The child from this marriage was:

+ 238 M    i. Glenn GAMMOND

130. Harold GAMMOND (Frederick22, Richard William2, William "Richard"1) was born on May 16, 1900 in Neebing Twp, Thunder Bay Dist, Ontario, Canada.

Harold married (__?__) SCHUTTE.

The child from this marriage was:

   239 U    i. Six Children GAMMOND

145. William Cecil McCONNELL (Louisa Jane WIDDIS34, Mary GAMMOND8, William "Richard"1) was born on May 30, 1879 in Brant Twp, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada26 and died on December 24, 1941 in Renton, King, Washington, USA26 aged 62.

William married Edna Blanch MILLER ____________.26

Children from this marriage were:

   240 M    i. Oliver Ward McCONNELL was born on October 16, 1907.26

+ 241 F    ii. Eleanor Isabel McCONNELL was born on September 18, 1910 in Sioux Falls, Minnehaha, South Dakota, USA3,26 and died on February 14, 1998 in Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona, USA3 aged 87.

   242 F    iii. June McCONNELL

162. Walter Theodore BLACKWELL (Louise SHEANE65, Lucinda "Lucy" GAMMOND12, William "Richard"1) was born on May 29, 1892 in Kincardine Twp, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada7,14 and died on May 2, 1965 in Walkerton, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada aged 72.

Events

• He worked as a Teamster in 1918 in Walkerton, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada.

Walter married Ann Carola Devere LONG, daughter of William LONG and Harriett Ann WILSON, on November 6, 1918 in Walkerton, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada.11 Ann was born in 1894 in , Brant Co, Ontario, Canada11 and died in November 1972 in Walkerton, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada aged 78.

• Marriage witnessed by Ansley Garland of Cargill and Hattie King of Walkerton.

The child from this marriage was:

+ 243 M    i. William George Brock BLACKWELL was born on March 18, 1921 and died on April 11, 1990 aged 69.

163. Frederick Gammond BLACKWELL (Louise SHEANE65, Lucinda "Lucy" GAMMOND12, William "Richard"1) was born on March 11, 1894 in Kincardine Twp, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada.7

Frederick married Mary Irene Elizabeth THOMPSON, daughter of John THOMPSON and Jennie NESBITT, on June 29, 1920 in Huron Twp, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada. Mary was born on October 12, 1900 in Huron Twp, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada.

Events

• Mary resided at the home of her grandparents George & Louisa BLACKWELL in Huron Twp, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada in 1901.

The child from this marriage was:

   244 U    i. Seven Children BLACKWELL

164. Lula May BLACKWELL (Louise SHEANE65, Lucinda "Lucy" GAMMOND12, William "Richard"1) was born on February 18, 1897 in Kincardine Twp, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada3,7 and died on July 11, 1979 in Kincardine, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada3 aged 82.

Lula married Gordon Moffat CLARK, son of George CLARK and Flora Gordon McFADYEN, on December 8, 1926.3 Gordon was born on March 31, 1891 in Kincardine Twp, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada3 and died on December 28, 1972 in Kincardine, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada3 aged 81.

The child from this marriage was:

   245 M    i. Lynn CLARK

169. Mary Ruth SHEANE (George Davis SHEANE66, Lucinda "Lucy" GAMMOND12, William "Richard"1) was born on August 19, 1898 in Huron Twp, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada7 and died in 196429 aged 66.

Mary married Rev. Duncan Morvan GUEST, son of William A. GUEST and Anna Maria COLLINS, on July 27, 1921 in Kincardine Twp, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada.11 Duncan was born in April 1895 in Kincardine Twp, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada,29 died on January 11, 1978 in Sarnia, Lambton County, Ontario, Canada29 aged 82, and was buried in London, Middlesex Co, Ontario, Canada.

Children from this marriage were:

+ 246 M    i. Dr. James Arnold GUEST

   247 F    ii. Jean Marilyn GUEST

Jean married Morris RIDDELL.

192. Florence May SHEANE (Charles Gammon SHEANE71, Lucinda "Lucy" GAMMOND12, William "Richard"1) was born in June 1902 in Kinloss Twp, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada16,30 and was buried in Pakenham Twp, Lanark Co, Ontario, Canada.

Florence married Fred HODGINS. Fred was born in 1883, died in 1973 aged 90, and was buried in Pakenham Twp, Lanark Co, Ontario, Canada.

Children from this marriage were:

+ 248 M    i. Wilbert HODGINS

+ 249 F    ii. Eunice HODGINS

193. Thomas "Wilbert" SHEANE (Charles Gammon SHEANE71, Lucinda "Lucy" GAMMOND12, William "Richard"1) was born on July 5, 1904 in Kinloss Twp, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada,30 died in 195217 aged 48, and was buried in Pakenham Twp, Lanark Co, Ontario, Canada. He was usually called Wilbert.

Wilbert married Mary McKENZIE.

Children from this marriage were:

+ 250 M    i. Son SHEANE

+ 251 M    ii. Son SHEANE

+ 252 F    iii. Dau. SHEANE

196. Elgin M. BELL (Lucy "Emma" SHEANE72, Lucinda "Lucy" GAMMOND12, William "Richard"1) was born in 1903 in Brant Twp, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada,6 died on October 16, 1942 in Hamilton, Wentworth Co, Ontario, Canada6 aged 39, and was buried in Walkerton Cemetery, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada.

Obituary for Elgin BELL from local newspaper

Walkerton boy passes in Hamilton. Mr. Elgin Bell stricken suddenly with fatal heart attack at home in ambitious city on Friday evening. Was in his 40th year. Remains brought to Walkerton for burial on Tuesday.
Startingly sudden was the death of Mr. Elgin Bell, only son of Mr, and Mrs. W. A. Bell of Walkerton, which occurred at his home in Hamilton on Friday evening.
Mr. Bell, who was on the night shift of the Ottis-Fensome Company, in Hamilton, engaged producing war materials, while preparing to go to his place of employment early Friday evening complained of feeling ill and before a doctor who was hastily summoned, reached the home, he had expired, his death being attributed to a heart seiz­ure.
The late Elgin Matthew Bell, was born in Walkerton forty years ago and attended public and high schools here. He moved to Hamilton some years ago and has since made his home in that city.
Surviving are his wife (the former Merle Koenig of Hanover) and two daughters, June aged 13 and Marguerite aged 11; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Bell of town and three sisters (Mil­dred) Mrs. Ray Pauli of Toronto, (Jean) Mrs. Peter Gutter of Dun­dalk and (Elda), Mrs. Eldon Mill­er of Walkerton.
The deceased was prominent is Masonic circles in Hamilton having been a member of Buchanan Lodge. The brethren of which conducted a special funeral service at the family home on Monday morning, following which the remains were brought to the home of his parents here when the funeral service was conduct­ed at 2.30 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon. Rev. A. K. Edmison pastor of St. Paul's United church, was in charge and was assisted by Rev. H. E. Secord, pastor of the Baptist church.
The high esteem in which the deceased was held by his fellow Masons is evidenced by the fact that five of brethren from Hamilton to be in attendance at the obsequies here and together with Mr. Walter Black­well of town, acted as pall-bearers. They were Messrs. John Richard­son, Thomas McKee, Roy Jewell, Pat. Jewell and Claude Kenny.
The remains were interred in the family plot in the Walkerton cemetery.

Events

• Elgin resided at 11 Huron Street in Hamilton, Wentworth Co, Ontario, Canada in 1942.

Elgin married Merle KOENIG, daughter of Jacob KOENIG and Jessie (__?__). Merle was born in December 1903 in Hanover, Grey Co, Ontario, Canada.16

Children from this marriage were:

   253 F    i. June BELL

   254 F    ii. Marguerite BELL

199. Elda Agnes BELL (Lucy "Emma" SHEANE72, Lucinda "Lucy" GAMMOND12, William "Richard"1) was born in 1914 in Brant Twp, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada,32 died in 1997 in Walkerton, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada32 aged 83, and was buried in Walkerton Cemetery, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada.

Elda married Elden Victor "Baldy" MILLER. Baldy was born in 1914,32 died in November 2004 in Walkerton, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada32 aged 90, and was buried in Walkerton Cemetery, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada. He was usually called Baldy.

SURVIVAL AT SEA
At 8:10 p.m. on April 13, 1945, Elden (Baldy) Miller, along with the rest of the R.C.A.F. crew, headed out in their Lancaster bomber on a mission to bomb a German submarine base. All went well until after the bombs had been dropped and then all hell let loose when they were suddenly hit with anti-aircraft fire that wounded the Skipper and pierced the gas tanks. The crew thought they might make it home, but within half an hour the motors coughed and cut out one after the other. With one engine still operating they were still hoping to make base, but it was not to be. Just after midnight they were forced to ditch when the last engine cut out. It was pitch black with a medium sea running, but by the expertise of the pilot and the grace of God the plane bellied in and didn't break up. They estimated their position to be about 25 miles off the coast of Denmark.
Baldy, who was Wireless Air Gunner, sent out the S.O.S. calls and then screwed the key down so the call would continue until the plane sank. In the ditching the Pilot was thrown through the inch thick windscreen, still strapped in his seat. He was badly battered, but he was conscious. The crew meanwhile, proceeded to crawl out the escape hatch, and in the darkness find their way to the wing where the dinghy was stored. Baldy found himself in the ice cold water and had to swim all the way around the huge plane to the side where the raft was stored. The first prior-ity was to get the injured men into the dinghy. The Engineer was barely con-scious when he was helped on board the Susie Q. Then the Pilot, seat and all, was pulled in. All this was happening in the darkness of midnight.
The next morning the men assessed their situation. Of the crew of seven, six were on board. One of the crew, Upper Gunner F/S Vardy from Bancroft, had not been able to escape, and was drowned. Three of the men aboard were injured and the first priority was to do all they could for them. The Skipper had flak in his leg, the Air bomber's face was badly bashed and the rear gunner had a broken leg and a broken shoulder. The crew knew they would have to be rescued soon, as there was a skimpy supply of water and mini-mum rations on board.
Now the ordeal started. For the first couple of days the weather wasn't too bad. The men were crowded and uncom-fortable, but they had some rations and help would come soon. They sometimes could hear planes, but they never saw one. On the third day the weather turned cold and nasty. Some shelter was pro-vided by the dinghy cover, but it gave little protection when the high seas washed aboard. Baldy had the only watch and it finally stopped from the salt water, but they finally got it going again. He still has the watch, and it still goes.
For almost twelve days the men were adrift in the small dinghy, on the cold waters of the North Atlantic in mid April. They were all soaked through and never got dried out because of the continual slopping aboard of sea water. After a few days the men noticed the raft was losing pressure. It was only with the greatest of difficulty that the weakened men were able to open the pressure valve so air could be pumped in with a hand bellows. This had to be done almost daily after the first few days.
The limited rations were soon gone, as was the water. The men could still hear planes from time to time, but because of the foggy conditions they never did see one. By the eighth day the men were desperate for water. Then some rain came and they were able to catch some in the dinghy cover that was acting as their only shelter. Night and day they grew steadily weaker as they waited and waited for help. By day eleven some of them were getting delirious, as they were again out of water. Then they started to see shore birds. The next morning they found that they were in very shallow water and they could see lands. It turned out that they had drifted into the estuary of the Elbe River at low tide. They decided to try and walk to the land, but found none of them could walk when they got out of the dinghy.
About then a small German fishing sail boat came by. He couldn't tow the heavy raft, so he signaled that he would send help. Meanwhile the tide came up and they were swept back out to sea. A few hours later a German Red Cross boat came to their aid. After eleven days and fifteen hours the men were taken ashore as prisoners, to a German hospital. Now comes the unbelievable!
The war was ending and the men were transferred to a huge hangar at an airfield that was being used as a holding hospital. It housed about five thousand stretcher cases. The M.O. in charge was a Dr. Brian. During his rounds one morning he stopped beside Baldy Miller's stretcher and asked who he was and where he was from. Baldy said, "You will never have heard of the place." "It's a small town called Walkerton in Ontario". To Baldy's amazement Dr. Brian asked him if he knew Mildred Appel. "Well", the Dr. said, "She's my wife." Then he said, "I suppose you would like to get out of here". At this time Baldy and the Engin-eer were the only members of the crew at this location. In twenty minutes the men were on their way.
One more thing! One of the men had a New Testament with him on the dinghy and part of the effort to stay alive con-sisted of a vesper service that the men took turns conducting each evening. The men all felt this helped with their sur-vival.
P.S. Mildred Appel was a Walkerton girl whose father owned a shop here.


Children from this marriage were:

   255 M    i. Dan MILLER

   256 F    ii. Susan MILLER

200. Laural "Jean" BELL (Lucy "Emma" SHEANE72, Lucinda "Lucy" GAMMOND12, William "Richard"1) was born on April 25, 1912 in Brant Twp, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada, died on April 9, 1965 in Wingham, Huron Co, Ontario, Canada aged 52, and was buried in Starkvale Cemetery, Bruce County, Greenock Twp. She was usually called Jean.

Jean married Piet "Peter" CUTTER, son of Albert GUTTER and Jannetje MOLENAAR, on July 10, 1941 in Brampton, Peel Co, Ontario, Canada. Peter was born on March 4, 1911 in Sint Pancras, , Noord-Holland, Netherlands, died on June 17, 1998 in Port Elgin, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada aged 87, and was buried in Starkvale Cemetery, Bruce County, Greenock Twp.. Another name for Peter was GUTTER. He was usually called Peter.

Pieter Gutter left home for Canada in 1928 at age 17. He worked on a farm for the Switzer family near Kitchener, Ontario and then on to Guelph Agricultural College for a degree in the Dairy feild. he worked in Walkerton, Ontario where he met and married Jean BELL. They lived for a while in Dundalk where Pete managed the Creamery and then on to Paisley, Ontario where they purchased the Paisley Creamery.In the late fifties Peter was a partner in the 4-Way Milk Plant in Tara which he sold and moved to Wingham managing the Creamery there. Jean died in Wingham and Peter relocated to St. Mary's Ontario. Eventually he moved to port Elgin where he was a Real Estate salesman for many years before his retirement.


Children from this marriage were:

   257 F    i. Laurel Bonnie Jane CUTTER was born on March 5, 1945 in Flesherton, Grey Co, Ontario, Canada, died on July 1, 1961 in Paisley, Bruce Co, Ontario, Canada aged 16, and was buried in Starkvale Cemetery, Bruce County, Greenock Twp. The cause of her death was Auto accident.

+ 258 F    ii. Patricia Janette CUTTER

204. Lawrence SHEANE (Robert Theodore Baker SHEANE76, Lucinda "Lucy" GAMMOND12, William "Richard"1)

Lawrence married someone.

His child was:

   259 U    i. Two Children SHEANE

Return to top of Page
Deep Roots and Tall Trees
Return to top of Page