Person Page - 1542

Predeceased: Ron Burton, James Hamilton and Elizabeth Smith.²

Pat Allen wrote: "Rena's full name was Edgarena and she was named after her Mother's youngest brother who died shortly after the battle of Vimy Ridge. It seems he survived that battle and was reassigned to a French battalion. We tried to find out more but that is all I know."¹

Garage Explosion With Fatal Effects
     Cecil Gatchell Burned To Death - - Hately's Garage and Five Autos Destroyed By Fire
     An explosion of unknown origin occurred Wednesday night shortly before 10 o'clock in Hately's Garage which resulted in the burning to death of Cecil Gatchell, mechanic, and the complete destruction by fire of the garage and its contents including four or five automobiles and one truck.
     The blast from the explosion could be distinctly felt in the buildings along King St. which brought people rushing to the street. Flames in the rear of the Royal Bank already could be seen leaping skyward and completely enveloped the garage almost instantaneously.
     It was learned that W. J. Challis, agent for Dodge and Plymouth cars, W. J. Bagnell, merchant. and Cecil Gatchell, motor mechanic, were conversing just outside the garage at the time of the explosion which threw them into the street. Mr. Challis had just locked the garage door and they were about to leave for their homes. In some inexplainable manner Gatchell was blown back into the garage by the explosion.
     Ross McKnight and Dave Tordiff who were nearby attempted to extricate Gatchell from the building who was apparently caught in the floor which had fallen to the cellar. Although they were able to grab his coat they were forced to release their hold being driven from the building by the raging flames.
     So sudden was the explosion no one is able to give any satisfactory explanation as to the cause of the fatal catastrophe. Some advance the idea that a leak from an acetylene plant became ignited, but so far there is no proof to verify this theory or any other. Mr. Challis escaped with a slight bruise to one of his arms while Mr. Bagnell received cut and bruises. Both men suffered from shock.
     A fire alarm was immediately sent in and when the brigade arrived they directed streams to save the adjoining buildings as the garage was a complete wreck. As soon as they subsided the flames in the garage efforts were made to find the body of Gatchell whose charred and unrecognizable remains were located among the debris after an hour's search. The unfortunate victim leaves a wife and two small children.
     John Hately, owner of the garage, in company with Dr. John Spencer, is out of town on a fishing trip in north Hastings and cannot be located.
     Dr. V. H. Storey, coroner, has ordered an inquest.⁵

EXPLOSION VICTIM BURIED
     Funeral of Cecil H. Gatchell Largely Attended Friday Afternoon
     The funeral of Cecil Henry Gatchell, victim of the tragic explosion at Hately's Garage last Wednesday night. was held at his late residence. Lovers' Lane, Bowmanville, on Friday, August 22nd, in the presence of a large number of grieving relatives and friends.
     Mr. Gatchell, who was 33 years of age, was born in Kinmount, Ontario, I the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Gatchell, now of Pontypool. During the war he joined the 258th Battalion at Lindsay. Proceeding overseas with that unit he was debarred from service in France on account of eye trouble. He was married in England in 1918 to Bessie Cooper of Oxfordshire, and upon his return to Canada in 1919 settled in this community, where his cheery disposition soon made and held many friends.
     Being deeply interested in all things mechanical, his occupation naturally turned to automobiles, and, it was in that business, as mechanic at Hately's garage, he became so popularly known. He also for some years drove the mail route between Bowmanville and Enniskillen.
     Deceased was an active member of the Orange Association, having been connected with the local L. 0. L. No. 2384 for many years. He was also a knight of Devitt R. B. P., Blackstock, having obtained the highest degree in that association.
     He is survived by his wife and two sons, Tommy and Stanley, his parents, and three brothers, Mervyn of Toronto, Peter and David of Pontypool, and one sister, also of Pontypool. In addition to many friends and relatives from a distance, representatives of five Orange Lodges, Bowmanvile, Orono, Pontypool, Clarke and Blackstock, attended the funeral.
The service was conducted by Rev. R. J. Shires, rector of St. John's Anglican Church, assisted by Rev. D. W. Best. pastor of St. Paul's United Church.
     At Bowmanville Cemetery members of the local order of the Orange Lodge took charge of the burial service. Pall bearers were Messrs. Henry Thompson and Herb. Hooey of Blackstock, A. Brookham, W. Irwin, T. Hayes and H. Wakelin, Bowmanville. The flower bearers were members of the Purple Guards Lodge of Bowmanville.
     Among the beautiful floral tributes to the memory of the deceased were offerings from: Wife and Children, Brothers, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Swindells. Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Raby, Mr. and Mrs. T. Richards, Miss C. Anderson. Mrs. Black and Miss Gay, Leslie Phillips, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Challis, Mrs. Ethel White, Mr. and Mrs. Carl B. Kent, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Gould. Mr. and Mrs. Hammersly of Toronto, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Needham and Harold, Mr. and Mrs. J. Hately, Mr. and Mrs. C. and E. Clapp and children, Mr. and Mrs. Aunger, Mr. W. Berry. Mr. and Mrs. D. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Alexander, Mr. and Mrs. G. Jones, Mr. and Mrs. H. Wakelin and family and Mrs. Reid, Mr. David Gilfillan, Purple Guards L.O.L. No. 2384. Royal Black Preceptory No. 298 of Blackstock, Bowmanville Loyal True Blues, Bowmanville Soldiers' Club, White Shield Club, and Maple Leaf Circle Companions of the Forest.²

Survivor(s): Tom Gatchell and Stanley Gatchell. Predeceased by her husband, Cecil H. Gatchell.²

Predeceased by his wife, Doris Towns and Bessie Towns. Predeceased by his parents: Rueben Towns and Edna Towns. Predeceased: Linda Hampson, Steve Patterson and Archie Patterson.¹

Bessie Louisa Stacey Weds G. R. Pritchard
     CARTWRIGHT, Man.-- A wedding took place Saturday, June 18, at the home of the bride in t he Clearwater district when Miss Bessie Louisa Stacey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Stacey, became the bride of Mr. Garnet Reginald Pritchard, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Pritchard, of Holmfield. The ceremony was performed at high noon by Rev. W. A. McKim Young, of Cartwright.
     Miss Evelyn P. Pritchard, sister of the bridegroom, was bridesmaid. Mr. Edward Stacey was hest man. Miss Mabel Pritchard played the wedding music. During the signing of the register the Misses Doris and Pearl Stacey, sisters of the bride, and Miss Dorothy Pritchard, sister of the bridegroom, sang "I Love You Truly." After a short stay in Carman and Winnipeg, Mr. and Mrs. Pritchard will reside near Holmfield.⁶

Survivor(s): Orville Towns. Predeceased by her parents: Doris Towns and Archie Patterson. Predeceased: Steven Patterson.¹