Person Page - 1985

     He was born on 1 April 1872 at Osprey Twp., Grey County, Ontario, Canada.^1,2 Alternatively, he may have been born circa 1876 at York County, Ontario, Canada, according to his marriage registration⁴; or, circa 1881 at Ontario, Canada, according to the 1921 census.³ Matthew married Frances Ida Green on 7 February 1906 at Maxwell, Osprey Twp., Grey County, Ontario, Canada, according to Ontario Marriage Registration 009286. He was a farmer and she was a servant.^1,4
     Matthew Ellis died on 15 May 1930 at Collingwood, Nottawasaga Twp., Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada, at age 58.^1,2 The informant on his death registration was his wife, Ida Ellis.¹
     Matthew Ellis was buried on 17 May 1930 at Bethel Cemetery (near Feversham), Osprey Twp., Grey County, Ontario, Canada.^1,2
     Matthew Ellis and Frances Ellis appeared on the 1911 Canadian Census of Collingwood Twp., Grey County, Ontario, enumerated 5 June 1911, described as a farm labourer and a Methodist. Their daughter Hazel was listed as living with them.⁷
     Matthew Ellis and Francis I Ellis appeared on the 1921 Canadian Census of Collingwood, Nottawasaga Twp., Simcoe County, Ontario, enumerated 1 June 1921, described as a labourer on a farm. Their daughter Hazel Irene was listed as living with them.³

     He was born circa 1823 at England.^1,2 George married Mary Dobson.^1,2
     George Ellis died on 21 March 1876.²
     George Ellis was buried at Bethel Cemetery (near Feversham), Osprey Twp., Grey County, Ontario, Canada.²

     She was born circa 1820 at England.^1,2 Mary married George Ellis.^1,3
     Mary Dobson died on 14 April 1893.²
     Mary Dobson was buried at Bethel Cemetery (near Feversham), Osprey Twp., Grey County, Ontario, Canada.²

     She was born in June 1909 at Ontario, Canada.^1,2
     Hazel Ellis appeared in the 1911 Canadian Census of Collingwood Twp., Grey County, Ontario in the household of her parents, Matthew and Frances Ellis.²
     Hazel Irene Ellis appeared in the 1921 Canadian Census of Collingwood, Nottawasaga Twp., Simcoe County, Ontario in the household of her parents, Matthew and Francis I Ellis.¹

     John married Kathleen Kennedy.¹

     Kathleen married John William Palmer.¹

     He was born on 28 December 1896 at Port Perry, Scugog Twp., Northumberland and Durham County, Ontario, Canada, according to his BC Death Registration. Note that on his conscription enlistment (1918) papers and delayed birth registration (1962) he gave his birthplace as Oshawa, Ontario.^2,3,1
     Floyd Willis Winacott died on 15 January 1974, when he was pronounced dead on arrival, at Okanagan General Hospital, Oliver, British Columbia, Canada, at age 77.^4,1
     The following selected information is extracted from the obituary of Floyd Willis Winacott.⁴ The informant on his death registration was his wife.¹
     Floyd W. Winacott was buried on 21 January 1974 at Arelee Cemetery, RM of Eagle Creek No. 376, Saskatchewan, Canada.^5,4
     Asquith and District Honour Roll:
     "Winnacott (sic) Floyd" of Hurdman Lodge (later, Environ).
Other comments:
     Floyd was already married to Pearl Annie Currie prior to his conscription in July 1918. He was demobilized before he could be deployed.⁶

Canadian Military Service - WWI

     Floyd Willis Winacott of Hurdman Lodge P.O. (Environ) was conscripted on 2 July 1918 at Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, joining the 1st Depot Battalion, Saskatchewan Regiment. He was a married farmer with no previous military experience. He was described as being 5' 6" witht a fresh complexion, grey eyes and light brown hair. He was assigned regimental number 3353993.² Pte. Floyd Willis Winacott ended military service as part of general demobilization on 3 March 1919 at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, before being deployed outside of Sasskatchewan.

End of WWI Military Service section.²

     See the footnotes below for a link to his obituary that appeared in the newspaper the Star-Phoenix published in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, 18 January 1974.⁴
     In the obituary of Charles Edward Winacott who died 24 August 1993, Floyd Winacott, was listed as predeceased.⁷

     He was born in 1867 at Ontario, Canada.^1,2 William married Martha Mills.^1,2
     William Winacott was buried at Eagle Creek Cemetery, RM of Eagle Creek No. 376, Saskatchewan, Canada.²
     William Winacott died in 1932.²

     She was born in 1877 at Isle of Wight, England.^1,2 Martha married William Winacott.^1,3
     Martha Mills was buried at Eagle Creek Cemetery, RM of Eagle Creek No. 376, Saskatchewan, Canada.²
     Martha Mills died in 1935.²

     He was born on 9 October 1892 at Somercotes, Derbyshire, England, or else Ripley, Derbyshire according to his enlistment papers.^1,2
     Bernard Matthew Topham died on 10 November 1917 at France at age 25.¹ He is remembered at Ypres, Belgium, on the Menin Gate which was dedicated on 24 July 1927.^5,6

     Asquith and District Honour Roll:
     'Topham, B. M." died on field of honor of Asquith.
Family Background:
     Walter and Maria Topham, their two sons and three daughters immigrated from England to Asquith in the spring of 1909. He was a tailor and purchased a dry goods and tailor shop in town. He was active in WWI Victory Loan campaigns, and later served as a Justice of the Peace and Magistrate in Asquith. They remained in Asquith until 1932 when they moved to Tisdale to be near their son Lawrie who was a pharmacist there.
Other comments:
     In December 1917, thier older son, Bernard went missing and was later declared Killed In Action.⁷

Canadian Military Service - WWI

     Bernard Matthew Topham of Asquith began military service on 2 May 1916 at the age of 23 at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, joining the 203rd Battalion.. He was an unmarried chauffer (sic). He was described as being 5' 6.5" with a fair complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. On his Attestation (enlistment) papers, he listed his next-of-kin/contact as his father, Walter Topham of Asquith. He was assigned regimental number 234887.¹
     On 20 April 1917, he joined the 8th Battalion in France.¹ Pte. Bernard Matthew Topham was killed in action on 10 November 1917. He was initially reported missing but on 24 July 1918 this was officially changed to presumed Killed In Action

End of WWI Military Service section.¹

     Barnard M. Topham appeared on the 1901 British Census of Ripley, at Derbyshire, England, in the household of his parents, Walter and Maria Topham.³ Bernard Topham immigrated with his parents, Walter Topham and Maria Booth circa April 1909 to Asquith, Saskatchewan, Canada, from Ripley, Derbyshire.²
     Bernard Topham appeared in the 1911 Canadian Census of Asquith, RM of Loganton, Saskatchewan in the household of his parents, Walter and Maria Topham.²
     In the obituary of Walter Topham who died June 1941, his son, who died in the Great War, Bernard Topham was listed as predeceased.⁸

     He was born in July 1865 at Swanwick, Derbyshire, England.^6,3,4,5 Alternatively, he may have been born in 1864 at Derbyshire, England, according to his obituary.⁷ Walter married Maria Booth, in the parish church by banns, on 1 August 1887 at Swanwick, Derbyshire, England, according to the parish church register.^8,2,3,4,5
     Walter Topham died in June 1941 at Tisdale, Saskatchewan, Canada, at age 75.^8,2,7
     
     Walter Topham was buried on 9 August 1941 at Asquith Cemetery, RM of Vanscoy No. 345, Saskatchewan, Canada.^2,6,7
     Walter Topham of Asquith was listed as next-of-kin/contact on his son Bernard's attestation (enlistment) papers.¹
     Walter and Maria Topham appeared on the 1901 British Census of England, at Ripley, Derbyshire, enumerated effective 31 Mar 1901, described as a tailor, employing other workers. Their children Clarice M. B., Barnard M., Lawrence W. and Marion E. were listed as living with them.⁵ Walter and Maria Booth immigrated circa April 1909 to Asquith, Saskatchewan, Canada, from Ripley, Derbyshire, accompanied by Clarice, Bernard, Lawrence, Marion and Nora.³
     Walter and Maria Topham appeared on the 1911 Canadian Census of Asquith, RM of Loganton, Saskatchewan, enumerated 5 June 1911. Walter was described as a farmer (although this is not clearly written). Their children Clarice, Bernard, Lawrence, Maria and Nora were listed as living with them.³
     The following article appeared in the Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Star-Phoenix, 20 June 1932 :

     The following obituary appeared in the newspaper the Star-Phoenix published in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 13 June 1941:

     She was born in 1867 at Swanwick, Derbyshire, England.^4,2,3 Maria married Walter Topham, in the parish church by banns, on 1 August 1887 at Swanwick, Derbyshire, England, according to the parish church register.^5,6,1,2,3
     Maria Booth died in 1939.^5,4
     Maria Booth was buried at Asquith Cemetery, RM of Vanscoy No. 345, Saskatchewan, Canada.^5,4
     Walter and Maria Topham appeared on the 1901 British Census of England, Ripley, at Derbyshire, enumerated effective 31 Mar 1901, described as a tailor, employing other workers. Their children Clarice M. B., Barnard M., Lawrence W. and Marion E. were listed as living with them.³ Walter and Maria Booth immigrated circa April 1909 to Asquith, Saskatchewan, Canada, from Ripley, Derbyshire, accompanied by Clarice, Bernard, Lawrence, Marion and Nora.¹
     Walter and Maria Topham appeared on the 1911 Canadian Census of Asquith, RM of Loganton, Saskatchewan, enumerated 5 June 1911. Walter was described as a farmer (although this is not clearly written). Their children Clarice, Bernard, Lawrence, Maria and Nora were listed as living with them.¹

     She was born on 11 September 1901, probably at Ripley, Derbyshire, at England.^1,2
     Norah Yvonne Topham died on 1 October 1914 at Saskatchewan, Canada, at age 13.¹
     Norah Yvonne Topham was buried at Asquith Cemetery, RM of Vanscoy No. 345, Saskatchewan, Canada.¹
     She immigrated with her parents, Walter Topham and Maria Booth circa April 1909 to Asquith, Saskatchewan, Canada, from Ripley, Derbyshire.²
     Nora Topham appeared in the 1911 Canadian Census of Asquith, RM of Loganton, Saskatchewan in the household of her parents, Walter and Maria Topham.²

     She was born in May 1890 at Somercotes, Derbyshire, England.^2,1
     Clarice M. B. Topham appeared on the 1901 British Census of Ripley, at Derbyshire, England, in the household of her parents, Walter and Maria Topham.¹ Clarice Topham immigrated with her parents, Walter Topham and Maria Booth circa April 1909 to Asquith, Saskatchewan, Canada, from Ripley, Derbyshire.³
     Clarice Topham appeared in the 1911 Canadian Census of Asquith, RM of Loganton, Saskatchewan in the household of her parents, Walter and Maria Topham.³

     He was born in February 1897 at Ripley, Derbyshire, England.^2,1
     Lawrence W. Topham appeared on the 1901 British Census of Ripley, at Derbyshire, England, in the household of his parents, Walter and Maria Topham.¹ Lawrence Topham immigrated with his parents, Walter Topham and Maria Booth circa April 1909 to Asquith, Saskatchewan, Canada, from Ripley, Derbyshire.²
     Lawrence Topham appeared in the 1911 Canadian Census of Asquith, RM of Loganton, Saskatchewan in the household of his parents, Walter and Maria Topham.²
     In the obituary of Walter Topham who died June 1941, his son, Laurie Topham of Tisdale, was listed as a survivor.³

     She was born in November 1899 at Ripley, Derbyshire, England.^2,1
     Marion E. Topham appeared on the 1901 British Census of Ripley, at Derbyshire, England, in the household of her parents, Walter and Maria Topham.¹ Marion Topham immigrated with her parents, Walter Topham and Maria Booth circa April 1909 to Asquith, Saskatchewan, Canada, from Ripley, Derbyshire.²
     Maria Topham appeared in the 1911 Canadian Census of Asquith, RM of Loganton, Saskatchewan in the household of her parents, Walter and Maria Topham.²
     In the obituary of Walter Topham who died June 1941, his daughter, Marie of Tisdale, was listed as a survivor.³

     He was born on 10 March 1897 at Renfrew County, Ontario, Canada, according to Ontario Birth Registration 037340.^1,2,3
     Donald Elmer MacTavish died on 8 October 1918, in the military hospital, at Bramshot Common, Hampshire, England, at age 21.¹
     Donald Elmer MacTavish was buried at Bramshott (St. Mary) Churchyard, Bramshott, Hampshire, England.⁴
     Asquith and District Honour Roll:
     "McTavish (sic) Donald" of P.O. Box 111, Asquith.
Commemorated on the Asquith Cemetery WWI Plaque:
     "D. McTAVISH"
Family Background:
     Today the family surname is usally spelled wiith the prefix "Mc" but 100 years ago, names were more fluid. On his enlistment papers, Donald signed his surname with the prefix 'Mac."
     Alex McTavish, an uncle of Donald, came to the Asquith district to file a homestead in 1903. He returned to Ontario and the following year brought his father Hugh, and several brothers to the area. Another brother, Donald's father, James worked in railroad construction in Saskatchewan, but died in 1907 of tuberculosis (according to Donald's medical history in his service file.) The family history in TAR states that he died in an accident. In 1915, Donald's widowed mother married William McQuitty
Other comments:
     Donald was conscripted in June 1918. By August he was in England, and in October he died of influenza and broncho pneumonia. A sad story indeed.⁵

Canadian Military Service - WWI

     Donald Elmer MacTavish of Asquith was conscripted on 18 June 1918 at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, joining the 1st Depot Battalion, Saskatchewan Regiment. He had had his medical examination in Saskatoon on 27 Oct 1917.. He was an unmarried farmer with no previous military experience. He was described as being 5' 8 1/2" with a fresh complexion, browneys and dark hair. On his conscription papers he listed his next-of-kin as his mother, Nettie McQuitty of P.O. Box 111, Asquith. He was assigned regimental number 3352704.¹
     On 15 August 1918, he arrived in England on "HMS Cassandra", joining the 15th Reserve Battalion, Saskatchewan Regiment the next day.¹ Pte. Donald Elmer McTavish ended his military service on 8 October 1918 at #12 Canadian General Hospital, Bramshott Camp, Hampshire, England, upon his death from influenza and broncho pneumonia. He had been hospitalized for 5 days.

End of WWI Military Service section.¹

     His name was recorded as Donald McTavish on his birth registration.^2,3
     Donald McTavish appeared on the 1901 Canadian Census of Horton Twp., Renfrew County, Ontario in the household of his mother, Mrs. James McTavish.³