Two men - a former soldier and a soldier

The picture was taken in the side yard of the house where my dad grew up in Lachute. It was also on Princess Street close to where Kathi and I grew up.

I did a bit of research online and in the family archives in my basement. Unfortunately there are fewer records about my dad’s side of the family.

The Gallipoli campaign ended in January 1916. Sometime around that time or earlier my grandfather went home to England. My dad was born in July 1917.

I have a feeling that my grandfather was enrolled with the Lancashire Fusiliers. I found them online quite easily. They have a museum and their headquarters are in Bury where my dad was born.

There are other famous folks in this regiment.
- Duke of Wellington- Battle of Waterloo
- James Wolfe - Battle of the Plains of Abraham
- J.R.R. Tolkien - Lord of the Rings
- Earl Grey - a tea was named after him

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My dad took his dad to a performance of a Military Tattoo in Montreal. I think I found the program from this performance when I was cleaning up the house in Lachute. My grandfather was most impressed by the Tattoo.

I share an interest in military music. My grandfather and my aunt (his second wife) would take an extended holiday in Florida in the winter. My dad would go into the house to check on things and I would often go with him. For entertainment he would put on some of the military marches on the record player - maybe a stereo system?

When my grandfather’s household was being dismantled I got these records. I kept them until I disposed of my stereo a few years ago. Not too long after this I bought some Cds of military music.

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This remembering of World War I veterans was highlighted this year as the last one in England died. There is only one Canadian left and he is living in the U.S.