The following list of solders are represented by the following information:
NAME & Service #
DATE OF BIRTH & DEATH + AGE
FORCE, REGIMENT + RANK
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
COLTER, Charles Flerke #322
B: approx. 1869 in Strathroy, Ontario D: Unknown
Royal Canadian Field Artillery “D” Battery Gunner – Sergeant
Former Corps – 27th Regiment, Lambton
Son of Charles Colter and Elizabeth Colter (nee Howe), both of Ireland, family resided in Petrolia, Ontario. Enlisted December 28, 1899 in London, Ontario. Honourably discharged January 10, 1901.
Married Lillian May Colter (nee Foster), October 18, 1902, in County of Hastings. Two children; Charles (b: 1903) and Elinore (b: 1910). Charles Coulter would be a dentist in Petrolia, family resided in Toronto in 1911.
CRONE, Daniel Jeffrey #216
B: January 24, 1876 in Sarnia, Ont. D: August 5,1900 in Johannesburg, South Africa Age: 24
Army: Royal Canadian Dragoons (1st Armoured Regiment) Private
Former Corps- 27th Regiment, Lambton
Son of William Crone and Catherine Crone, of Bosanquet, Lambton County. Enlisted January 2, 1900 in London, Ontario. *Daniel Crone was the only Sarnian to lose his life serving in the Boer War. Daniel died of Enteric fever (typhoid), in Johannesburg. Awarded Johannesburg and Diamond Hill Clasps.
Buried in Braamfontein Garden of Remembrance, Johannesburg, South Africa.
There is also a memorial dedicated to him at Irwin Cemetery, Sarnia, Lambton County, and a memorial plaque in the Federal Building on the corner of Christina and Davis Streets, Sarnia.
*MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON DANIEL CRONE FOLLOWS THE CHART
GORMAN, Frederick #7154
B: October 13, 1876 in Lodon, Ontario D: September 7, 1941 Age: 65
Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry Sergeant
Former Corps – 27th Regiment, Lambton
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Gorman, of 556 North Christina Street, Sarnia. Sisters Harriett and Winnifred Gorman. Both of Frederick’s grandfathers were veterans of the old British army, both served together in the 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Frederick’s paternal grandfather’s last name was O’Gorman (of Ireland). When grandfather O’Gorman enlisted, somehow the ‘O’ was dropped from the name, never to be restored. Frederick’s father, Henry Gorman, served with the Hundredth Regiment, in the Indian Mutiny of 1857-8. Henry Gorman was employed as editor and proprietor of the Sarnia Daily Observer for many years and later a local magistrate.
Frederick served as Observer reporter and advertising solicitor for a time. As a youth, was a member of the St. Clair Borderer’s Band; later Frederick joined the 27th Battalion and then the Seventh Company attaining the rank of Lieutenant. He enlisted in the RCR on October 21, 1899 in London, Ontario for service in the Boer War.
In South Africa, as a Sergeant, he was in engagements at Paardeburg, Bloomfontein, Hout Nek and Vet River in the Orange Free State and in Pretoria. He was discharged December 25, 1900.
On return to Sarnia, he rejoined the Seventh Company, where he remained until 1913, retiring as a Major. He was also made a member of the Canadian Order of Foresters, Sarnia.
Frederick would enlist and serve in World War I. He initially joined the 70th Battalion, C.E.F. in July 1915 as a Major. Sometime after enlisting, he married Mrs. Fannie Clark Gorman (who served as a nurse at Camp Borden in WWI). Couple resided at 329 North Vidal Street.
In England, in the spring of 1916, he served with the Canadian Army Service Corps and the Forestry Corps, seeing service on the Swiss border. In September 1916, Frederick was transferred to Canadian Cavalry brigade. He took part in operations at Cambrai in November 1917 and Amiens in April 1918. Later he was attached to the Royal Canadian Regiment, participating in engagements at Amiens, Arras and Cambrai. He rejoined the Cavalry Brigade in November 1918, and after the Armistice, followed the German army back to the Rhine. He served in England with the C.A.S.C. in 1919 until it was demobilized in Canada in July 1919.
After WWI, Frederick was a member of Sarnia customs and excise staff beginning in 1920 and was stationed at Imperial Oil Refinery. He was also an honorary member of Lambton Garrison Officers’ Mess and Sarnia Branch 62 Canadian Legion. He was a resident of Sarnia for 70 years. His funeral was held at St. George’s Anglican Church and a full military burial at Lakeview Cemetery. His casket was draped with a Union Jack and bearing the cap and sword of the deceased soldier.
HARLEY, John Arthur #103
B: January 2, 1873 in Petrolia, Ontario D:
Lord Strathcona’s Horse
Son of James Rennie Harley and Janet Harley (nee Ovans), of Petrolia, Ontario.
Siblings: Catharine, Jane, Jennett, Rachel, Mary, Thomas and William.
Enlisted January 2, 1900 in Petrolia. Discharged March 8, 1901.
Married Mary Louise Harley, couple resided in Edmonton, Alberta. Employed as a civil servant, post office.
Enlisted in April 1916 in Edmonton, to serve in World War I.
HUME, Alexander Harvey #333
B: December 7, 1874 in Fort Erie, Welland, Ont. D: 1934 in Detroit, Michigan Age: approx. 60
Royal Canadian Field Artillery 6th Field Battery – Driver
Former Corps – 27th Regiment, Lambton
Son of William Walker Hume and Emma Elizabeth Walker, of Fort Erie, Ontario.
Siblings: Mary, Eleanor, William, James, Jennie & Frederick.
Employed at Grand Trunk Rail, Freight Office, Sarnia. Was residing at the Hotel Vendome, Sarnia at enlistment. Enlisted December 28, 1899 in London, Ont., with the “D” Battery of Artillery, Canadian Contingent. Discharged January 10, 1901.
Married Catherine “Kate” Hume (nee Ronan). In 1910, resided in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan. Children: Margaret, Mable, John, Alexandria, Ruth, Patricia and Donald.
JOHNSTON, Kenneth George #7207
B: November 2, 1878 in Sarnia, Ontario D: November 7, 1928 Age: 50
2nd Special Services Battalion R.C.R. Private
Former Corps – 27th Regiment, Lambton
Son of Dr. Thomas George Johnston and Frances Johnston (nee Brown). Father Thomas was mayor of Sarnia in 1896 and 1897, and elected House of Commons Member of Parliament for Lambton West in December 1898.
Kenneth’s siblings: Frances Grace, Marion Sutherland, Bertha Helen and Geoffrey Maurice.
Enlisted October 23, 1899 in London, Ontario. Discharged December 25, 1900.
An employee of Imperial Oil C. Works, Sarnia.
Upon return, made a member of the Canadian Order of Foresters, Sarnia.
Married Kate Stuart Johnston (nee MacVicar of Sarnia) on November 28, 1903. Two children, Thomas Stuart Johnston (b: 1906) & Ruth Isobel (b: 1910, d: 1910). Emigrated to the U.S. in February 1912. In 1917, family resided in Buffalo, Erie, New York and Kenneth completed his WWI Draft Registration Card.
Buried in Lakeview Cemetery, Sarnia.
MACKENZIE, Harold #316
B: January 30, 1877 in Lambton County D: approx. 1933 Age: approx. 56
16th Field Battery “D” Battery R.C.A. Private
Former Corps – 27th Regiment, Lambton
Son of John Alexander MacKenzie and Helen MacKenzie (nee Crawford) of Sarnia.
Siblings: George, Norman and Helen. Father John was a Sarnia barrister.
In 1901, Harold resided in Guelph. He was employed as a bank clerk, Bank of Commerce, Guelph.
Enlisted January 4, 1900 in Guelph, Ont., in the “D” Battery of Artillery of the Second Canadian Contingent. Discharged January 10, 1901.
In 1906, resided in Saskatchewan. He is buried in Lakeview Cemetery, Sarnia.
McMILLAN, Daniel Clarence #7214
B: April 5, 1876 in Thedford, Ontario D: January 29, 1964 Age: 87
2nd Special Service Battalion R.C.R. Private
Former Corps – 27th Regiment, Lambton
Son of Daniel Donald McMillan (farmer) and Elizabeth McMillan (nee Jones), of Lake Road East, Thedford. Siblings: Annie, Ida, Minnie, Thomas, Catherine, Finlay Walter, Bessie (Betsy), Alfred, Martin and Gordon.
Employed as a clerk at the White Front drug store, Sarnia.
Enlisted October 21, 1899 in London, Ont. Discharged December 25, 1900, then lived in Sarnia.
Upon return, made a member of the Canadian Order of Foresters, Sarnia.
Married Mabel Etta McMillan (nee Boale) on February 9, 1910 in York, Toronto, Ontario. In 1911, resided in Moosejaw, Saskatchewan. In 1916, resided in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan. Occupation druggist. One child, Peter McMillan, born 1913.
NEAR, Benjamin #233
B: approx. 1876 in St. Mary’s, Ontario D:
1st Canadian Mounted Rifles Private
Son of Henry Near, of St. Mary’s, Ont.
Enlisted January 2, 1900 in Regina, Saskatchewan. Discharged January 14, 1901.
NEVILE, Harry M. NOTE: On the Sarnia Memorial, his name is inscribed as H.M. Neville
B: approx. 1881 in Ontario D:
Son of Cavendish Neville and Mary Neville (nee Smith) of England. Siblings; Elizabeth, Arabella Katherine, Sarah, Mary (May), Georgina, Frederick, Emily, John Cavendish, Lucy Edith, Herbert Sandford (see below), Alice Maude, and Henry Martin.
In 1861, family was residing in Lambton West until at least 1891. In 1901, family was residing in Wapella, Saskatchewan.
NEVILE, Herbert Sandford 232 and 1408 NOTE: On the Sarnia Memorial, his name is inscribed as H.S. Neville
B: July 1876 in Lambton County D: June 4, 1944 in Chilliwack, British Columbia Age: 67
1st Canadian Mounted Rifles, and later the South African Constabulary (SAC)
Son of Cavendish Neville and Mary Neville (nee Smith) of England. Siblings; Elizabeth, Arabella Katherine, Sarah, Mary (May), Georgina, Frederick, Emily, John Cavendish, Lucy Edith, Harry (see above), Alice Maude, and Henry Martin.
In 1861, family was residing in Lambton West until at least 1891. In 1901, family was residing in Wapella, Saskatchewan. Living in Saskatchewan at his enlistment. Enlisted in army in 1900 in Ottawa, and the SAC on June 6, 1901.s
Married Muriel Hampton Neville (nee Walton) in 1907 in Gladstone, Manitoba. Together they had two children; Morris (b: 1908) and Hilda Claire (b:1915). In 1916, family was residing in Regina, Saskatchewan.
NEVILLE, J.F. #101
Lord Strathcona Horse Private
PARDEE, John Blair #7423
B: April 12, 1871 in Sarnia D: June 6, 1927 in Sarnia Age: 56
2nd Special Service Battalion R.C.R.
Member of local militia prior to war.
Son of Timothy Blair (a barrister) and Emma Kerby Pardee (nee Forsyth), of Sarnia.
Siblings; Louisa Helen, Frederick Forsyth (would become a senator), Edwin Charles, Henry Mason, Timothy Blair, and Emma Kathleen.
Enlisted March 10, 1900 in Toronto. Discharged November 5, 1900.
Upon return, made a member of the Canadian Order of Foresters, Sarnia.
Married Alice Maud Pardee (nee Clark) on June 28, 1904 in County of Essex, Ontario. Occupation in 1904 recorded as real estate broker. In 1911, couple residing in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario with their two children; Helen Blair and Edward. Buried in Lakeview Cemetery, Sarnia.
REYNOLDS, Richard Henry 215
B: approx. 1877 D:
Royal Canadian Dragoons Former Corps – 1st Hussars Regiment Private
Brother of Phillip Reynolds, of Warwick, Ont.
Enlisted December 30, 1899 in London, Ont. Discharged January 21, 1901
Returned to Canada February 15, 1901, needing treatment for enteric fever.
SCOTT, Charles Reade 7239
B: October 7, 1880 in Forest, Ontario D: 1926 in Jacksonville, Florida Age: approx. 46
2nd Special Service Battalion R.C.R Private
Former Corps – 27th Regiment, Lambton
Son of Alexander Scott (of Ireland) and Emma Scott (nee Richardson, of England), of Forest, Ontario. Siblings; George Alexander, Edith Elizabeth and Reginald Faber.
Enlisted October 24, 1899 in London, Ontario
Charles Scott was a prisoner from about May 29 – Jun 18, 1900. At one time, he was reported killed at the Battle of Paardaberg. Discharged December 25, 1900.
Married Hester Ann Hall on January 30, 1907 in Lambton, Ontario. In September 1918, signed World War I Draft Registration Card in Portland, Oregon, occupation recorded as saleman. Wife Hester died in 1922. Second marriage to Brenda Rehada Alamada Taylor on April 27, 1922 in London, Middlesex, Ontario. Occupation recorded as merchant. Two children in second marriage; unknown and Rosemary Taylor (b: 1924). Died in 1926. Buried in West Evergreen Cemetery, Jacksonville, Florida.
VAN TUYL, Thomas Walter
B: February 2, 1871 in Petrolia, Ontario D: August 16, 1903 in Petrolia, Ontario Age: 32
An honour graduate and winner of the Governor General’s Bronze Medal at the Royal Military College, Kingston in 1891. During Boer War, served in the Second Contingent “D” Battery as First Lieutenant. Returned to Petrolia in January 1901.
Son of Major Benjamin Stoddard Van Tuyl (of New York, served in American Civil War, Union Army) and Kate Van Tuyl (nee Cheney, of New York). Major Benjamin Van Tuyl relocated to Petrolia after the Civil War to become an oil man. Originally employred as a drilling contractor/oil operator. In 1874, Major Van Tuyl joined forces with J.H. Fairbank forming Van Tuyl and Fairbank Inc. Hardware in Petrolia, originally established in 1865, and still in business today. Thomas’ siblings; Benjamin Blossom (engaged in explosives business in Petrolia) and Louis Gleeson (graduate of the Royal Military College, later employed in the Intelligence branch of the Ottawa Defence Department). Thomas’ mother Kate died in August 1886, his father Benjamin died in December 1900 (both parents died in Petrolia).
Thomas Van Tuyl died of Typhoid fever in 1903. He is buried in Hillside Cemetery, Petrolia, Ont.
[separator style_type=”double” top_margin=”40″ bottom_margin=”40″ sep_color=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””]The Boer War Memorial Fountain was erected in Sarnia in 1908. The Memorial lists sixteen men from Sarnia-Lambton County who participated in the South Africa War of 1899-1901. Of the sixteen names on the Boer War Memorial, only one man died while serving.
The following is the story of the only Sarnian to lose his life while serving in the Boer War:
CRONE, Daniel Jeffrey (#216)
Daniel Crone was born in Sarnia on January 24, 1876, the son of William Crone (born in Whitby, Ontario) and Catherine (nee McKellar) Crone, of Sarnia Township, later Mandaumin, Ontario. His parents William (a farmer) and Catherine were married on September 30, 1869, in Bosanquet. His siblings included: Francis J. (born 1871), Margaret (born 1875), Sarah A. (born 1879), James Scott (born 1880) Christina Catherine (born 1882), John Thomas (born 1883, died at age 3), and William J. (born 1895). At enlistment, he was employed at the C.P.R. Express and Telegraph Office, in Sarnia. Daniel enlisted on January 2, 1900 in London, Ontario. He was initially a member of the 27th Battallion, St. Clair Borderers, headquartered in Sarnia. The following is the story from the Sarnia Observer following his enlistment:
Daniel Crone, lately employed in connection with the express department of the C.P.R. here, went to London Saturday and after being examined enlisted in the second Canadian contingent for South Africa. He was allowed home for Sunday and Monday and left this morning again for London to take up his active duties as a member of the London Company. Before leaving, a number of young men met at the oyster parlor of Alex Kelly and entertained Mr. Crone to an oyster supper. Dan, as he was familiarly called, has many friends in Sarnia and vicinity who wish him a safe return to his home and friends.
Prior to going overseas, some citizens of Sarnia collected and presented a draft for fifty dollars to him. Daniel was also a member of the Cawdor Camp, Sons of Scotland Club in Sarnia. At the Cawder Camp meeting after Daniel had enlisted, the club wrote and delivered a complimentary address to him accompanied by $25 in gold. The following is an excerpt from that address:
Upon your leaving for South Africa, the officers and members of Cawdor Camp, Sons of Scotland, desire to express their high appreciation of your patriotism and valor and observe with delight that the patriotism and chivalry so characteristic of our Scottish ancestors has descended to their sons and is now so practically displayed by the valorous step which you have taken in offering your services at such a moment and time in defence of the Empire. We all unite in expressing our admiration of the spirit displayed by you, and hope that you will have an opportunity of rendering efficient service to our country and that you will be spared to return to us.
Peter Symington, Secretary John Cowan, Chief
In his first few weeks, Daniel was training for the Mounted Rifles at Stanley Barracks, in Toronto. The following is a portion of a letter he wrote to the Sarnia Observer:
This place is named the workhouse, by the boys, which it certainly is. We have to get out at bugle call in the morning, at half past six o’clock, and parade to stables and tend horses. We get back to barracks about eight and get dry bread and coffee, sometimes a little meat, for breakfast. We are called out at nine again and do not get back till about one. The first day we were here, we were sent out on mounted parade without saddles for about two hours. A good many of the horses were young and had never been ridden before. Lots of the boys were thrown off time and again. Some were sent home because they could not ride their horses.My riding was counted good, and I tell you I was greatly relieved when I was told so. Hardly anything could induce me to turn back now. Although there are a good many things I do not like, I never was so happy in my life.
Initially a Trooper with the Canadian Mounted Rifles, Daniel would become a member of the Army, Royal Canadian Dragoons (1st Armoured Regiment), with the rank of Private. On June 25, 1900, Daniel wrote his parents a letter, which they would receive one week prior to his death. The following is an excerpt from that letter:
Dear Father and Mother,
This is nearly the first opportunity I have had to write since I left Kroonstad. No doubt you have read a few of our doings since we left there, so I need not relate too many of them. We did not have any opposition at the Vaal River, where we most expected it and where the enemy could or should have made a great stand. We, however, had a hot time with them at Krugerederp, near Johannesburg. It was a miracle that we were not cut to pieces there. About 600 of us were ordered to take a kopje which was about 1500 yards from the Boer lines. We had no sooner got started
towards it, when they started to shell us at a furious rate. We galloped on to shelter of the kopje without a scratch, although their shells fell right among us. We had to fall behind rocks all day and night. I thought I would freeze. I do not think I ever suffered as much with the cold at home. We got thawed out next day, as the sun is always intensely hot… I might say I have never missed a ride since I came out, nor an engagement that our column was in. When we marched through Pretoria I thought, well, it is all over; but soon found out it was not. The warmest engagement we have been in was north of Pretoria, where you no doubt read of one of our fellows being killed by a 40lb shell. He belonged to D squadron, so did not know him. After two days’ hard fighting the Boers escaped at sun down… I will have to close for the present and go and cook my dinner before leaving. For a good while we got nothing to eat but flour, which we had to make pancakes out of. You can imagine flour, salt and water. I will have to write out a few recipes for cooking fine dishes when I get home. Remember me to all. With love to all, your loving son, Dan
On August 5, 1900, Daniel would lose his life while serving. He died of Enteric fever (typhoid), in Johannesburg, Africa. He was awarded posthumously the Johannesburg and Diamond Hill Clasps. Twenty-four year old Daniel Crone is buried alongside his comrades in Braamfontein Garden of Remembrance, Johannesburg, South Africa. On Daniel Crone’s headstone are inscribed the words, In Memory of Pte. D. Crone. Born in Lambton, Canada. Died 4-8-00. Aged 24. Erected by his Comrades.
One week after Daniel Crone’s death, the Sarnia Observer reported on his death. The following is a portion of that report:
Private Dan Crone Succumbs to Fever. His Death took place on Sunday at Johannesburg.
Sarnia citizens were in sorrow last evening when the news of the death of Private D.J. Crone, of the Canadian Mounted Rifles in South Africa, came to hand. THE OBSERVER received an unofficial dispatch during the afternoon that Private Crone had died of enteric fever, but some doubt was entertained as to its authenticity. The worst fears of our citizens were realized later on however, when an official dispatch from Sir Alfred Milner at Capetown to Lord Minto was received by THE OBSERVER, stating that Private Crone, No. 216, of the 27th Battalion, Sarnia, died of enteric fever on August 5th at Johannesburg. The sad news travelled fast, and on the streets on every side could be heard expressions of sorrow and regret. Dr. Johnston, M.P. was notified and he at once telegraphed to Ottawa for information. A reply was received from the Deputy Minister of Militia, confirming the sad intelligence and all hopes that Pte. Crone might yet be alive were abandoned. During the evening Dr. Johnston, M.P. and Sutherland Johnston drove out to the home of Private Crone’s parents in Sarnia township, and broke the sad news to them, The scene was a heartrending and sorrowful one.
Dan Crone, as he was familiarly called by his many Sarnia friends, was a young man of sterling qualities. He was aged about 23 years, and prior to his leaving for South Africa with the Canadian Mounted Rifles, was in the employ of the C.P.R. Telegraph and Express Company. When the Mounted Rifles were being organized for service in South Africa, Dan Crone was eagerly the first to offer his services. He passed his examination for qualification and was accepted.
Private Crone was an honored and valued member of the Albert Street Presbyterian Church and also of the Christian Endeavor society in connection therewith. He was also a member of Cawdor Camp, Sons of Scotland, of this town. To say that the sympathy of the entire community is extended to the bereaved parents in their hour of affliction is only repeating what is a universal sentiment throughout the town.
Approximately one month after Daniel’s death, his parents received the a letter from one of his chum’s from Sarnia, also in South Africa, dated August 7th, 1900. The following is a portion of that letter:
Mrs. Crone, Sarnia, Ont., Canada
To Mrs. Crone and Family,
I suppose you have already received word about your son’s death. My last letter said he was getting better and his death was such a surprise to all around. I generally try and go down to see him every day, so I went down on Saturday, 4th of Aug. in the afternoon, and the nurse told me he was a lot better, and I thought he looked it myself. It was the first time after he had the bad spell that he really knew me and I had on a new suit of khaki and he noticed it right away. I was going down to see him on Sunday, the 5th, but I was on duty so late that I did not get the chance, so as soon as I got my breakfast I went down to see him, as I expected he would be able to have quite a talk, but on entering the hospital I saw the bed empty and the nurse came up and said I suppose you know what has happened, and she told me all. She said a little after I left on Saturday he took a spell of coughing and it lasted for about three hours, then he stopped for awhile and about half past ten on Saturday, the 4th of Aug, he gave three sighs and passed away. The orderly ran for a doctor but when he got there all was quiet. I asked the nurse if I could see the body and she told me it had been sent down to the Victoria hospital, so I went down there and they told me he had been taken from there to the undertaker’s. I was making for there when I saw a funeral and I asked the officer who he was burying. He told me it was Dan, so I followed the hearse to the cemetery and saw him laid away. I was the only Canadian that was at the funeral, because none of the rest knew about it. After he was buried the preacher came up to me and said I see your friend has gone at last, and I was speechless. He asked me your address and said he would write to you. Dan had a very respectable funeral, the band was out and played the dead march and three volleys were fired over his grave. I am glad for one thing to tell you and that is that Dan has lived a Christian life all through the war and I am sure he will spend the rest of his days with his God above. After I left the cemetery I went back to the hospital and asked for his clothes and things and the Major said he could not give them to me, so I went to the C.M.R. captain. His name is Captain Greenwood, and he drove me back to the Wesleyan Hospital and I got two rings, one he brought from home and one he found in Capetown, a little silver watch which a friend by the name of Dowling, of Toronto, had given him before he left. There was also a photo of a young lady in a leather case, of which I will send you the proof in this letter. His last request was to one of the orderlies of the hospital to take the Maple Leaf off his hat and send it to me to give to his mother. I have got everything in Capt. Greenwood’s charge and will bring them home to you if God spares me… I will close now with the sympathy of all the boys of 4 troop, A Squadron, C.M.R.
From Dan’s friend,
Richard H. Reynolds No. 215, 2nd contingent, 4 troop, A Squadron, C.M.R., South Africa
The nurse that took care of Dan was Nurse Pourie, P.O. box 2804, Johannesburg, South Africa.
The preacher that buried him Rev. Mr. Morrise, Johannesburg, South Africa.
He was buried by the East Lancaster Regiment.
There is a Kruger three-penny piece that was in one of Dan’s pockets. If there are any letters come for him I will send them back to you.
Rich H. Reynolds
As promised in his letter, Private Reynolds of Sarnia would visit the Crone family in March of 1901, to return Daniel Crone’s last belongings from South Africa.
In mid-August of 1900, one week after receiving the above letter, the Crone family would receive the following letter:
Miss L. Crone, Sarnia, Ont., Canada
I write you these few lines to let you know that I got three letters for Dan. I asked the Capt. What I would do with them and he told me to look at the address and send them back to the parties, but I could not see any address, so I sent them all to you and may be you know who they are from. I opened them but I never read a word of them only the headling and the name at the last. I went up to the police barracks at Pretoria to see some of the boys about putting up a headstone for Dan and I formed a committee to see about putting it up. I got over L20, and I am going to order a stone tomorrow and when it
is up I will have some pictures taken of the grave and stone and bring them home with me for you. I will send you a list of the subscribers. I could not get up to the squadron, which is at Middleburg, but I saw most of the boys that were on the police. Anything else that comes for Dan I will send right back to you. All the boys send their sympathy to all your family and we will do anything for you while we are out here. If you let me know I will send his things or bring them home when I come. We do not expect to leave Africa for two months yet. I will close now, from your brother’s friend.
Rich Reynolds, No. 215, 2nd contingent, 4 troop, A Squadron, C.M.R. South Africa.
This is the committee: R.H. Reynolds, of London, Ont.; J. Heron, of Toronto, Ont.; A.F. Stover, of Woodstock.
Fred Gorman, fellow Sarnian and Boer War veteran wrote;
We were all very much grieved to learn at Pretoria of young Crone’s death at Johannesburg. It is impossible for you to understand how closely we from Sarnia keep track of one another out here and the interest we care in one another is 1st rate…. Crone was a fine young man.
The following letter was written by Daniel’s father William, to the Canadian South Africa Memorial Association:
Mandaumin, March 24th
Dear Sir,
We are much in sympathy with your movement to erect suitable memorials to the Canadian boys who lost their lives in S. Africa but there was a stone erected to our son by his comrades but we will be willing to subscribe to help erect a monument to others.
Yours faithfully
Wm. Crone
Daniel Crone was Sarnia’s first ever soldier to die overseas while in service to his country. On August 12, 1900, there was a Memorial Service held in Sarnia for Daniel Crone at the Albert Street Presbyterian Church. At the memorial service, Reverand J.R. Hall said, “We have graves in the Country of the boys who fell in defence of our country, but I do not know of a grave of any soldier who died in the defence of the Empire.”
Aside from his actual grave in Braamfontein Garden of Remembrance, Johannesburg, South Africa, there are two memorials dedicated to Daniel Crone in Lambton County. A memorial at Irwin Cemetery, Sarnia, Lambton County reads: In Memoriam Daniel J. Crone Son of Wm. & Catherine Crone of Sarnia Township. Born Jan. 24, 1876, Died Johannesburg, South Africa Aug. 4, 1900. A member of the First Battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles Serving the British Empire in the South Africa War, 1900.
There is also a memorial plaque in the Federal Building on the corner of Christina and Davis Streets, Sarnia reads: 1899-1902. South Africa. In Memorium. This tablet is erected by the citizens of Sarnia, Canada. In Memory of Daniel J. Crone, a resident of Sarnia, Ont. Died Aug. 4th 1900 at Johannesburg, South Africa while serving as a soldier of the British Empire, 1st Batt. Canadian Mounted Rifles.
SOURCES (Boer War and Daniel Crone): B, C, D, E, F, L, N, 2D, 2I
* The following article is courtesy of Dan McCaffrey, a Sarnia-Lambton reporter and author, who wrote this column in November 2005, on the only Sarnian to lose his life in the Boer War.
When local residents pause to remember the nation’s war dead today, they might want to spend at least a moment reflecting on the story of Dan Crone.
Crone, the first Sarnian ever to die on a foreign battlefield, fought in the Boer War, a campaign that has all but disappeared from the nation’s collective memory. Indeed, when commentators eulogize Canada’s war dead they invariably refer to “the two world wars and the Korean conflict.”
Dan Crone’s war is rarely mentioned. He is, in other words, a forgotten hero. It’s as if the term “Lest We Forget’ doesn’t apply to the men of his generation. And if we can forget them, what’s to stop us from eventually forgetting about the soldiers of other conflicts? Crone’s story should be remembered because it tells us a great deal about the sacrifices young Canadians have made over the decades.
When war broke out in 1899, the twenty-three year old employee of the CPR Telegraph and Express Company quickly joined the cavalry. Before long, he found out there was nothing glorious about war. In his letters home, he described sweltering days, cold nights, hunger, homesickness, and fear. On one occasion, he recalled sleeping on an African hillside. “We had to lie on the rocks all night. I thought I would freeze,” he said. After weeks of eating “hardtack,” he rejoiced in telling the story of how he caught a few ducks and chickens and immediately “began plucking and roasting.”
In his dreams, he sometimes returned to Sarnia. “I was home one night,” he wrote. “Oh! Was I not having a good square meal. I had just cleaned the table when I was awakened to find myself as hungry as ever.
I had not eaten for two days at that time.” His first taste of combat was scary. “I admit it gives a person a funny feeling when you hear the shells whizzing by you,” he told his parents.
Once, while crossing a river, he was caught in an ambush. “Their shells fell right amongst us,” he wrote. “One passed within a foot of me and shot another fellow’s horse’s ear off. We were ordered to advance and cross the river, which we did on the dead run through water, mud and everything. Some had to dismount and wade through, as it was too deep for horses.”
Crone made national headlines in May 1900 when he rode behind enemy lines to rescue a wounded soldier trapped under an exhausted horse. The pair made it to safety, only to learn they’d been reported missing in action. “When neother turned up for a couple of days it was concluded that they had been wiped out or gobbled up by the enemy,” the Toronto Globe reported.
In August 1900 Crone’s luck ran out. Like many soldiers, his death was anything but glorious. In fact, he succumbed to a bout of fever.
At his memorial service, Rev. J.R. Hall blasted Sarnians who were enthusiastic about the war. “It seems to me that our town, led by some of our citizens, has gone wild—simply wild. Whereto is the glory of war now?” he asked. He added, “Within the past week there has come very near to us something of the realities of war. The only way we could understand something of it would be to go over to South Africa, stand on one of the hilltops there, and see what has taken place. I am afraid that if some of our shoouters were there, they would no longer shout.”
*Dan McCaffery is a reporter, historian and the author of eight books, including six books on military history. He can be contacted at [email protected]
The Reaper
So now it’s done
Once more the shining field
Has gone to feed the reaper’s blade
All silent now
The stubble it lies still
With blood-red poppies overlaid
“Where are my sons?” the mother cries
“Justly barely grown, yet gone away.”
“Away, away,” the reaper sighs
“Cut down like corn on an autumn day”
And so once more
The Seed of life is sown
And in the loving earth is laid
But it’s never done
Once more the young men all
Must go to feed the reaper’s blade.
By Bill Caddick