Sylvester Simmons was born in Petrolia, Ontario, on May 1, 1894, the youngest son of Charles Solomon Simmons (of Stratford, Ontario, a machinist) and Ellen Jane (nee Cleland, of Adelaide, Ontario) Simmons, of 257 South Christina Street, Sarnia. His siblings included John Edward (born 1885, who would later be employed with Mueller Manufacturing Co.) and Melville James (born 1889). The middle brother, Melville James, would also join the Canadian Army, 1st Battalion (see above). In 1911, eighteen-year old Sylvester was living with his parents and brother Melville, at 112 Euphemia Street, Sarnia. On August 12, 1912, Sylvester married Cora Wagner, of Oil Springs, in Petrolia, Ontario.
On January 26, 1916, Sylvester enlisted in Sarnia with the 149th Battalion, along with his brother Melville. At the time, Sylvester recorded that he was employed as a machinist, and that he and his wife Cora were residing at 299 Vidal Street, Sarnia. On July 27, 1918, Sylvester enlisted a second time, with the Army, Canadian Infantry, 1st Depot Battalion, Central Ontario Regiment in Toronto, Ontario. For whatever reason, this time he recorded his birthdate as May 1, 1893 in Sarnia and listed his address as Independence Road, Kansas City, Missouri. Sylvester’s occupation was as a machinist and he stated that he was married. His next of kin, Mrs. H. Simmons, his wife, was residing at 257 Christina Street, Sarnia. He also recorded that he had 10 ½ months prior military experience with the 149th Battalion. He would attain the rank of Private.
In mid-April of 1918, Sylvester’s parents Charles and Ellen Simmons in Sarnia, would receive news that their middle son, Private Melville James was officially reported dead, having passed away from wounds received in France. Only eight months later, on December 17, 1918, their youngest son, Sylvester Simmons, would lose his life suddenly while in Sarnia. At the time of his death, the Sarnia Observer reported that, “he was a returned soldier, having been up and about the city up to almost the time of his death, which resulted from heart trouble”. On the official death report, the doctor recorded that his death was the result of accidental poisoning at home.
A few days before Christmas of 1918, the Simmons family would bid goodbye to their second child. Sylvester’s funeral was held with full military honors, from the family home on Christina Street. Services were conducted by Rev. George Hazen of the Devine Street Methodist Church, and included members of the Great War Veteran’s Association, the Sarnia Citizen’s band, a firing party and a bugler playing the “Last Post”. Twenty-five year old Sylvester Simmons is buried in Lakeview Cemetery, Sarnia. On the lower part of Sylvester’s headstone in Sarnia, are inscribed the words, Also 845299 Sapper Mel J. Simmons 11th Field Co. C.E.F Died of wounds in France 6.4.18. After the war, Charles and Ellen Simmons moved to Fort Madison, Iowa, U.S.A.
SOURCES: C, D, E, F, L, N, 2C, 2D, 2G