Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Accession # |
A2011.146 |
Title |
McGowan family correspondence and scrapbook, 1915-1926. |
Date |
1915-1926 |
Description |
McGowan family correspondence and scrapbook, 1915-1926. Correspondence and scrapbook created and kept by members of the John and Margaret McGowan family of Elora, most of which focuses on their son Charles who was killed in battle during the First World War. John McGowan (1845-1922) was born in Greenock, Scotland to Duncan McGowan (1802-1879) and Margaret McIlwraith (1820-1871). The family emigrated to Peel Township, Wellington County, Ontario, in 1857. John McGowan became a prominent businessman operating flax mills in Alma and Aboyne, and manufacturing linseed oil. He served as Reeve of Peel Township, and from 1874-1879, served as a Conservative MPP in the Ontario Legislature, representing Wellington North. From 1900-1904, he served as a Conservative MP in the Canadian House of Commons, representing the riding of Centre Wellington. In 1880 John McGowan wed Margaret Hawley (1860-1934), daughter of early Peel Township settlers Ezra Hawley (1829-1902) and Sarah Glassco (1834-1905). John, Margaret, and their growing family lived in Peel Township, just outside Alma Village, and later moved to Elora. John and Margaret had eight children: John Jr. (1881-1937), Margaret (1882-1939), Duncan (1885-1899), Sara (1887-1962), Charles (1888-1916), Grace (1891-1975), Jean (1894-1982), and Jessie (1896-1990). Duncan was killed on 18 Nov. 1899 near Alma, during a hunting accident when his gun exploded. Sara McGowan married Ben Broughton of Nebraska in 1909, and they moved out west to Saskatchewan. Ben then worked as an optometrist in St. Catharines, ON. He died there on 27 Nov. 1947, and Sara on 05 August 1962. Jane (called Jean) McGowan wed Timothy Clark Wardley (1893-1947) in 1916. He was the managing director of the T.E. Bissell Company, Elora, and the couple remained in Elora. Grace graduated from Alma Ladies College and from Wellesley Hospital in 1917, then spent three and a half years working for the Canadian Army. In 1923 she married James Argo Watt (1886-1952), a widower, whose first wife, Mae Irene Mundell, had died in 1918. Watt was a shorthorn breeder in Pilkington Township, and he and Grace remained in the Elora area. Jessie graduated with a degree in Classics from the University of Toronto. She married medical student Don Strebig in 1924. Strebig was from Pennsylvania and on 26 Sep. 1914, in Allentown, PA, married Sara Frace by whom he had two children, Marian and Miller. During the First World War he separated from his first wife and moved to Canada to join the Canadian Army. He graduated from the University of Toronto in 1926, lived and worked as a medical doctor in Toronto, where he and Jessie had three children. Donald Strebig died 13 Sep. 1987, and Jessie in 1990. John Jr. was the manager of the Dominion Linseed Oil Company's mill at Elora, and later worked as a hardware merchant in Aylmer, Ontario; he died while wintering in Florida, on 13 March 1937. Margaret McGowan married Robert Johnston (1856-1913) of Caledon Township in 1903, and they lived in Brampton. Johnston was a Conservative, and successful farmer in Caledon who acted as Warden of Peel County, before being elected as the last sitting member for Cardwell in the Canadian House of Commons, from 1900-1904. He then worked as Peel County Land Registrar until his death in 1913. Margaret died in Brampton from surgery complications, on 30 Aug. 1939. Charles McGowan grew up in Elora, and as a young man, moved to Manitoba. During the trip to Winnipeg, he overhead friends of Chicago politician, William Lorimer, discussing their bribery tactics, and once back in Ontario, was called to Washington D.C. to testify at an inquiry on the subject. Lorimer's men bribed him and he lied under oath, but after being confronted by detectives from the William J. Burns Detective Agency of Chicago, he confessed to his initial perjury during a subsequent investigation in 1912. Burns had tried to gather evidence against both William Lorimer and Edward Hines; in the end, Lorimer was convicted of using illegal means to gain votes in an election. In February 1912 McGowan returned to Elora, and in April 1912, bought the Bowes Block and went into business selling boots and shoes. That same year he joined the reserves of the 30th Wellington Regiment. He enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force on 22 Sep. 1915. During a British counterattack on the Germans on 03 June 1916, he was killed in action at Mount Sorrel, east of Ypres, Belgium. Much of the documentation listed below concerns Charles' military career and death. SERIES 1: Correspondence between Charles McGowan and his family, 1915-1916; 2011. [ MU 1046 ] File 1: Original letters, 1915-1916. [ MU 1046 ] - Item 1: Charles McGowan, No.2 Company, 36 Battalion C.E.F., Hamilton, Ontario, to his father, John McGowan of Elora, undated [1915]; written on letterhead with image of soldiers and text, "Y.M.C.A. with his majesty's Canadian forces on active service / for God, for king, and for country"; and logo and text for the Patron Military Service Department, H.R.H. The Duke of Connaught, Governor-General of Canada"; re. his father paying off Charles' accounts, leaving soon for the old country; 2 pages. - Item 2: Charles McGowan, 411 King Street, London, Ontario, to his mother, Margaret McGowan of Elora, 29 Jul. 1915; written on letterhead of "Chas. McGowan / Boot and Shoe Dealer / Elora, Ont."; re. feeling sorry for himself, enjoying military life, a man named Savage; 2 pages plus envelope. - item 3: Charles McGowan, 34th Battalion C.E.F., London, Ontario, to his mother, 30 Aug. 1915; on Chas. McGowan, boot and shoe dealer, letterhead; re. health; men from 34th Battalion being sent overseas; invitation to come and see the show during the inspection by the "dook of C" [Duke of Connaught]; 2 pages, torn. - Item 4: Charles McGowan, 34th Battalion C.E.F., London, Ontario, to his mother, 06 Sep. 1915; on Chas. McGowan, boot and shoe dealer, letterhead; re. all but about 400 men from the battalion sent to Stratford, list of McGowan's duties while staying behind, new rank and pay, the Duke of Connaught's inspection, and anticipating visits home; 3 pages. - item 5: Charles McGowan, Bramshott Camp near Lipkoon, Hants, England, to his mother, 07 Nov. 1915; on Chas. McGowan, boot and shoe dealer, letterhead; re. British people in England vs. those in Canada, British and French attitudes towards Canadians, high prices, beautiful countryside, hedges everywhere, living conditions; 3 pages. - item 6: Charles McGowan, 34th Battalion C.E.F., Bramshott Camp, Hants, England, to his father, 14 Dec. 1915; re. weather, visit to his mother's relatives: Mrs. McIlwraith and her sister, Miss Ritchie, in Ayr, Scotland, the reverence with which Robbie Burns is held there, impressive visits to the city of London, training; 10 pages [4 sheets] plus envelope. - Item 7: Charles McGowan, London [England], to his father, 12 Feb. 1916; on Regent Palace Hotel, Piccadilly Circus, London, letterhead; re. taking machine gun course, 34th Battalion broken up with some officers staying at Bramshott and others transferred to Shorncliffe, drafts coming from Canada; 1 page. - Item 8: Charles McGowan, 17th Res. Battalion C.E.F., East Sandling, Kent, England, to Jean McGowan of Elora, 23 Mar. 1916; re. Jean's impending marriage to Tim [Timothy C. Wardley], being transferred to the Scottish 17th Res. Battalion, wearing kilts, the split up of the 34th Battalion, daylight air raid by Germans; 3 pages plus envelope. - Item 9: Charles McGowan, 17th Res. Battalion C.E.F., East Sandling, Kent, England, to his sister Jessie McGowan of Toronto, 10 Apr. 1916; re. wearing glasses, breaking up of the 34th Battalion, country beautiful when the mud dries up, Roman occupation of Britain, Jean McGowan and Tim Wardley's marriage; 2 pages plus envelope. - Item 10: Charles McGowan, Regent Palace Hotel, Piccadilly Circus, London, to his father John McGowan of Elora, 27 Apr. 1916; on Regent Palace Hotel letterhead; re. request to borrow money, wedding gift sent to Jean, weather, parcel received from Mrs. McIlwraith [in Scotland], going to France with the 25th Canadians; 3 pages [1 sheet] plus envelope. - Item 11: Charles McGowan, 25th Battalion Canadians, 2nd Division, B.E.F., Boulogne- Sur-Mer, France, to his father, 05 May 1916; embossed "Officers Club, Boulogne-Sur-Mer"; re. Son of J.K. McLean of Elora with the 17th Battalion in East Sandling, thanks for money, learning French language and culture; 3 pages [1 sheet]. - Item 12: Charles McGowan, 25th Battalion Canadians, 2nd Division, B.E.F., Boulogne- Sur-Mer, France, to his mother, 05 May 1916; embossed "Officers Club, Boulogne-Sur-Mer"; re. Elora Express clippings of Jean's wedding, "wandering Willie", nerves before battle, package received from Mrs. McIlwraith; 3 pages [1 sheet]. - Item 13: Form postcard from Charles McGowan to John McGowan Sr. of Elora, 10 May 1916; re. being well, having received a letter and planning to write one. - Item 14: Charles McGowan, Flanders, Belgium, to his father, 15 May 1916; re. life at the front, mud and rats, shelling by Germans, Canadians fighting well; 1 page. - Item 15: Charles McGowan, France, to his father, 26 May 1916; re. being shelled by Germans and Canadian response, running into Jack Knox (MacDonald) of the 18th Battalion Signallers, and other acquaintances, having received the piece of Jean and Tim Wardley's wedding cake, request for the Elora Express, having escaped harm thus far; 2 pages [1 sheet]. - Item 16: John McGowan of Elora, to his son, Lieutenant Charles McGowan, 25th Battalion, 2nd Division C.E.F., France, 05 June 1916; re. received letter of 15 May, 153rd Battalion movements, Col. Cray being forced to resign, praying to God that He preserve's Charles' life; stamped and returned to sender with notation on envelope "Killed in Action"; 1 page plus envelope. File 2: Transcriptions of letters listed in Series 1 [with the exception of item 13], transcribed by Hawley Johnston, 2011; 13 pages. [ MU 1046 ] SERIES 2: Scrapbook kept by Mrs. Margaret McGowan (1860-1934) and her husband John McGowan (1845-1922) of Elora, 1915-1926. Includes letters of condolence re. the death of Charles McGowan in 1916 [includes nominal index to letters, by John McGowan, at beginning of scrapbook], poems, and photographs; most items have been glued into the scrapbook but other materials were also tucked loosely inside. [MU 1046] [note: newspaper clippings copied and documents removed from scrapbook for conservation purposes, October 2011.] File 1: Index to scrapbook in the hand of John McGowan. File 2: Scrapbook contents. Inside front cover, left page: -Poetry, clipped from unidentified newspapers, ca.1916-1920; "Pharaoh and the Sergeant", "Glory", "He did his bit", "In Flanders' Fields", "The Boy who died", "O Valiant Hearts!", and "The Supreme Sacrifice". Inside front cover, right page - ph 36320: photo of Charles McGowan [at right] and two other soldiers, ca. 1916. [ STACKS ] - Newspaper death notices of Charles McGowan, newspaper clipping of Canadian battles during the war, ca. 1918. - Item 1: hand-written poem "A voice from Heaven", ca. 1916. - Item 2: 34th Battalion Christmas card from Charles that includes image of the Battalion; card embossed, "Calf &[?] Polden Ltd., Aldershot," 1915. Page 1 - Item 3: Letter to Mr. and Mrs. McGowan from George Salmon of Berwyn, Illinois, 27 Dec. 1916; re. sympathy at Charles' death, Christmas; typed, 1 sheet. - Item 4: Letter to Mrs. John McGowan from Thompson J. Farrelly, CH Cable Section, Canadian Army Signal Corps, B.E.F., France, 29 July 1916; re. having seen Charlie in Folkstone, sympathy at his death, life at the front and predictions for the war; 2 sheets. Page 2 - Item 5: Letter to Mrs. Margaret McGowan of Elora, from her brother Charles Hawley of Spring Valley, Saskatchewan, 08 June 1916; re. sympathy for the loss of Charlie, words of encouragement; 2 sheets. Page 3 - Item 6: Letter to Mr. and Mrs. McGowan from A.S.[?] and Mrs. Colwell, Centennial Parsonage, 612 David St., Victoria [British Columbia], 07 June 1916; re. sympathy, encouraging words; 1 sheet. Page 4 - Item 7: Letter to Mr. and Mrs. McGowan from F[?] Rudd of Riverhurst, Saskatchewan, 10 June 1916; re. sympathy in the death of Charlie, whom he describes as courageous, a bright boy, and "a favourite with us all"; 1 sheet. Page 5 - Item 8: Note card to Mr. and Mrs. McGowan from Mr. and Mrs. Norris of Toronto, Ontario, [1916]; re. sympathy; 1 sheet. Page 6 - Item 9: Form letter of sympathy from W.W. A[___?___], on behalf of the King and Queen, [1916]; 1 sheet. Page 7 [blank] Page 8 - Item 10: Letter to Mr. and Mrs. John McGowan and family, from A.W. Newell, A.J. Kerr, R.J. Cardno, and Tom Brown, on behalf of the officers and members of Court, Aberdeen No.384 of the Canadian Order of Foresters, 20 June 1916; re. sympathy in the death of Lt. Charles McGowan, who was "our brother in this Court and Order for several years", the role he played in their organization, how appreciated he was; 1 sheet. Page 9 - Item 11: Letter to Mr. and Mrs. McGowan from W.S. Duncan, on behalf of Elora Lodge No.231 Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 12 June 1916; re. sympathy; 1 sheet. Page 10 - Item 12: Letter to Mr. McGowan of Elora, from Major General Sam Hughes, Minister of Militia and Defence for Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, 06 June 1916; re. sympathy in death of Lt. Charles McGowan; 1 sheet. Page 11 - Item 13: Letter to Mr. McGowan from T.J. Hamilton of Fergus, Ontario, 06 June 1916; re. sympathy in the death of Charles McGowan; 1 sheet. Page 12 - Item 14: Letter to Mr. and Mrs. McGowan and family, from Robert Stoddart, Moosomin, Saskatchewan, 22 Dec. 1916; re. sympathy in the death of Charles, Christmas, blessings. Page 13 - Item 15: Letter to John McGowan from Frank Beard, Adjutant-General of the Canadian Militia, Ottawa, Ontario, 20 Nov. 1916; includes enclosure of a copy made by military in England of the burial report of Lt. Charles McGowan of the 25th Battalion, Canadians, killed in action 03 June 1916, buried Reninghelst New Military Cemetery, Belgium; includes reference number and description of the marker over his grave; 2 sheets. Page 14 - Item 16: Letter to John McGowan of Elora from Dr. Robert Lucy, Guelph, Ontario, 07 June 1916; re. sympathy in death of Charles, possibility that he is still alive; 1 sheet. Page 15 - Item 17: Letter to John McGowan of Elora from Lt. Col. [?]as. Stanton, Governor General's Secretary, Ottawa, Ontario, 06 June 1916; re. Field Marshall, the Duke of Connaught's sorrow at the death of Lt. Charles McGowan; 1 sheet. Page 16 - Item 18: Letter to John McGowan of Elora, from D.W. Snider of The Ontario Lord's Day Alliance, Toronto, 08 June 1916; re. sympathy and encouragement; 1 page. Page 17 - Item 19: Letter to Mrs. John McGowan of Elora from Edward Hines (1863-1931) of Chicago, Illinois, 27 Dec. 1916; re. learning of Charles' death through Mrs. McGowan's letter to Mr. [George] Salmon, sympathy, difficulty of Christmas, reminiscence of time spent at the McGowan house in Elora, Senator Dillingham, death of Mrs. Hines' mother, appreciation of Mrs. McGowan allowing Charles to come to Washington, D.C. to assist in clearing Edward Hines' name [re. charges of Chicago senator William Lorimer having bribed voters; the New York Times of 04 Jan. 1912, p.2, ran a story headlined, "Lorimer Inquiry in Club: Chicago Union League Hears Charges Against Edward Hines]; 1 sheet. Page 18 - Item 20: Letter to Mr. McGowan from Fred C. Carter, Toronto, Ontario, 19 June 1916; re. sympathy in learning of the death of his old schoolmate, Charles McGowan, and assurance that he will be remembered by future generations; 2 pages, 1 sheet. - Item 21: Letter to Mrs. McGowan from her friend Mabel Spragge of Guelph, Ontario, 17 June 1916; re. sympathy at the death of Charlie, who will be greatly missed; 2 pages, 1 sheet. Page 19 - Item 22: Letter to John McGowan of Elora from David Clapp, Barrister and Solicitor, The Pas, Manitoba, 15 June 1916; re. received Fergus News Record from Rev. John A. Cormie, forced resignation of Col. J.J. Craig, sympathy in death of Charles McGowan, reminiscence of the death of Duncan McGowan when the author was in Office [as Public School Inspector] in Wellington County, references to other members of the McGowan family, John McGowan Jr. a member of the "Elora Lodge of A. F. & A. M.", state of lodge branch at The Pas, having charged several people under the new MacDonald Act, having sat through 28 court cases at Easter when "our Russian friends broke loose", learning the legal profession, work done as school inspector in North Wellington, disparaging remarks about Maryborough Township politician Jim McEwing, work on local school board, new school opened at The Pas; 2 pages, 1 sheet. Page 20 - Item 23: Letter to Mrs. McGowan from Elizabeth J. Darling of Hamilton, Ontario, 15 June 1916; re. sympathy in the death of Charles McGowan, whom the author remembers Mrs. McGowan telling her about in church at Elora; 2 pages, 1 sheet. - Item 24: Letter to Mrs. John McGowan from her friend, Mrs. William A. McElroy (formerly May Aiken), Toronto, 13 June 1916; re. sympathy in the death of Charles. Page 21 - Item 25: Letter to Mr. or Mrs. McGowan from A.H. Stratton of A.H. Stratton & Co. Real Estate, Insurance, and Brokerage, in Peterborough, Ontario, 07 June 1916; re. sympathy in the death of C. McGowan, state of fighting along the Canadian front, the loss of Lord Kitchener, Sir W. Robertson filling his place, wanting to avenge British and Canadian losses; 1 sheet. Page 22 - Item 26: Letter to Mrs. McGowan from Annie B. Overend of R.R.2, Tavistock, Ontario, 11 June 1916; re. sympathy on behalf of her, her mother, and Fred, and thoughts going out to Mr. and Mrs. McGowan, and to Sara and Ben; 2 pages, 1 sheet. [the author was the sister of Ben Broughton, and the wife of Rev. Frederick Overend]. Page 23 - Item 27: Letter to Mrs. McGowan from Kathleen [last name not given] of 510 Carlaw Ave., Toronto, 07 June 1916; re. sympathy in the death of Charles, British mothers "responding to the call in giving up their sons", the good cause for which he died; 3 pages, 1 sheet. - Item 28: Letter to Mrs. McGowan from Minnie L. Bowes of Calgary, Alberta, 08 June 1916; re. sympathy and love; 2 pages, 1 sheet. Page 24 - Item 29: Letter to Mrs. McGowan from W.R. McIntosh, Convenor of the Board of Sabbath Schools and Young People's Societies for the Presbyterian Church In Canada, London, Ontario, 06 June [1916]; re. sorrow at hearing of Charles' death, remembering the night the author's church entertained Charlie and his platoon, the speech Charles gave at that occasion, stating that "they could be counted on to do their duty"; 1 sheet. - Item 30: Letter to Mr. and Mrs. McGowan from Grace[?] Mowat, Lakeshore Drive, Hanlan's Point, Toronto, 08 June 1916; re. sympathy at the death of Charles, the love he received. Page 25 - Item 31: Letter to Mrs. McGowan from Annie D. Martin, Chicora Ave., Toronto, 07 June 1916; re. sympathy at the death of Charles, fear for the fate of [the author's son?] Arthur, who had enlisted and was training at Niagara Camp; 3 pages, 1 sheet. [the author was the daughter of Martha Hawley; Martha was the sister of Sarah Glassco's husband, Ezra Hawley]. Page 26 - Item 32: Letter to Mrs. McGowan from Fannie Norris of Main Street East, Hamilton, 08 June 1916; re. sympathy at the death of Charlie, on behalf of the author and the Waind family; 2 sheets. - Item 33: Letter to Mrs. McGowan from M. S. Tucker (wife of James Tucker), Arthur, Ontario, 13 June 1916; re. sympathy at the death of Charles. Page 27 - Item 34: Letter to Margaret and John [McGowan] from "Aunt Elizabeth" [Glassco], Palace Street, Brantford, Ontario, 07 June 1916; re. love and sympathy at Charles death, methods by which to cope with grief, visiting, family illnesses, difficulty in finding hired domestic help; 4 pages, 1 sheet. [the author was the sister Sarah Glassco; Sarah Margaret McGowan (nee Hawley)'s mother. - Item 35: Note card to Mr. and Mrs. McGowan from Mr. and Mrs. Mundell, undated [1916]; re. sympathy. [the authors were the parents of Mae Watt (nee Mundell), who was the first wife of Grace McGowan's husband, James Argo Watt. - Item 36: Note card to Mrs. McGowan from Janet Hamilton of Louis Ave., Windsor, Ontario, 06 June 1916; re. "poor dear old Charlie", sympathy at his death. Page 28 - Item 37: Letter to John McGowan of Elora from Hugh Guthrie, Guelph, 07 June 1916; on House of Commons Canada letterhead; re. sympathy; 1 sheet. Page 29 - Item 38: Letter to John McGowan of Elora from Rev. W. S. Griffin of Toronto, 13 June 1916; re. sympathy and prayers; 1 sheet. Page 30 - Item 39: Letter to Mr. and Mrs. McGowan from B[en] Broughton, Rouleau, Saskatchewan, 06 June 1916; re. received their message last night about Charley's death, he and Sara still in shock, grieving, Charley's name published in casualty list today; 1 sheet. Page 31 - Item 40: Letter to Mr and Mrs. McGowan from Hannah Dalby of Elora, Ontario, 06 June 1916; re. sympathy in the death of Charles. Page 32 - Item 41: Letter to Mrs. McGowan from Jessie Castell of Belmont [Manitoba], 07 June 1916; re. sympathy, May Holmes' husband having enlisted, a bad winter, Mr. Castell's business, Isabel working at a bank, Margaret in school and busy with horseback riding, Red Cross work and church work, Jessie about to start school, Helen Eleanor fifteen months old, Mrs. Frank Clarke [in Elora], family of Nellie ok except for her eldest son who was taken to Calgary hospital to have his tonsils and adenoids removed, Mary working as stenographer in Brandon, Jim and family; 4 pages, 1 sheet. - Item 42: Note card to "Friends" from Capt. Andrew D. Robb, undated [1916]; re. sympathy at the death of Charlie. Page 33 - Item 43: Telegraph to John McGowan of Elora from [Canadian Prime Minister] R. L. Borden, Ottawa, Ontario, 06 June [1916]; re. sympathy at the death of Charles; on letterhead of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company's Telegraph; 1 sheet. Page 34 - Item 44: Letter to Mr. McGowan from Capt. H.W. Burnett, 25th Battalion, 2nd Canadian Division, Chaplain's Quarters, France, 08 June 1916; re. having buried Lt. Charles McGowan, details about the cemetery and marker, details about how he died, sympathy expressed; 1 sheet. - Item 45: Letter to Mrs. Wardley [née Jean McGowan] from Capt. H.W. Burnett, Chaplain, 25th Infantry Battalion, 21 Aug. 1916; re. being away on sick leave, taking a photo of Charles McGowan's grave, personal belongings having been forwarded, sympathy, having received letter from John McGowan; 1 sheet. Page 35 - Item 46: Letter to Mrs. Hew McIlwraith, Gracecairn, Hunter's Quarry, Scotland, from Capt. J. Lancey, Adjutant of the 25th Canadian Battalion, Headquarters, 14 June 1916; written on behalf of the Commanding Officer; re. Charles McGowan killed instantly by shell fire and buried in Reninghelst Cemetery, sympathy; 1 sheet. [see also item 53] Page 36 - Item 47: Letter to John McGowan from Alex Moir of Nichol Township, 06 June 1916; re. grieving Charlie, expression of sympathy, praises for Charlie's character; 1 sheet. Page 37 - Item 48: Letter to Mrs. Jno McGowan of Elora from her friend Annie Mills of Hanover, Ontario, 10 June 1916; re. sympathy extended, questioning how civilized their society is, the author's youngest brother having enlisted as despatch rider and going to Europe in the fall, illness of author's mother; 4 pages, 1 sheet. - Item 49: Note to Mrs. McGowan from Jeannette M. Snyder, undated [1916]; re. sympathy; 1 sheet. Page 38 - Item 50: Telegraph sent to John McGowan, Elora, from the Officer in Charge of the Records Office, Ottawa, 05 June 1916; re. Lt. Charles McGowan killed in action; on letterhead of the The Great North Western Telegraph Company of Canada; 1 sheet. - Item 51: Telegraph sent to John McGowan of Elora from Col. Hilliam, 06 June 1916; re. Lt. Charles McGowan killed in action; The Great North Western Telegraph Company of Canada letterhead; 1 sheet. - Item 52: Letter sent to "my Dear Cousin" from Grace Harper of Colborne St., London, Ontario, 07 June 1916; re. sympathy, understanding their grief as "dear Nelson fell in South Africa", missing Charlie, requesting a photo of him, enclosure of verses that had been sent to them when Nelson died [no longer enclosed at time of donation]; 4 pages, 1 sheet. [Grace Harper was the daughter of Ezra Hawley's sister Martha Hawley; she makes reference to the death on 06 Nov. 1900 of her brother, Sgt. Nelson D. Builder, who was killed in the battle of Belfast, during the Boer War. Nelson was the son of Martha Hawley and her husband John Builder.] Page 39 - Item 53: Letter to Mrs. Hew McIlwraith, Gracecairn, Hunter's Quay, Scotland, from Capt. J. A. D. Lancey, Adjutant of the 25th Canadian Battalion, Headquarters, 14 June 1916; written on behalf of the Commanding Officer; re. Charles McGowan killed instantly by shell fire and buried in Reninghelst Cemetery, sympathy; 2 copies (one pink, one white), 2 sheets. [see also item 46] Page 40 - Item 54: List of personal effects of Lt. C. McGowan of the 25th Battalion, despatched to The Secretary, Militia Council, Headquarters, Ottawa, Canada, 1916; 1 sheet. Page 41 - Item 55: Letter to John McGowan of Elora from A.G. Ralph[?], the Officer of Estates, Militia Headquarters, Ottawa, Ontario, 05 Dec. 1916; re. sending along Charles McGowan's personal effects; 1 sheet. Page 42 [blank] Page 43 - Item 56: Letter to "Dear Sister" from Duncan [McGowan] of Alma, Ontario, 08 Nov. 1897; on letterhead of the Canada Life Assurance Agency; re. father having put up telegraph poles but not running telephone to the house, new Alma Literary Society, Sara and Nellie, trip to Buffalo, having dental work done, Aggie giving Georgie "the Grand Bounce", John coming home at Thanksgiving, photos from Daisy Fairweather, recalling how Harry Scuse[?] choked Charlie Adams (of Brantford) for giving chips to his horse; 1 sheet. [Charlie Adam's mother was Margaret McGowan's sister, Mary Hawley]. Pages 44 through 80 [blank] Loose papers tucked into scrapbook: - ph 36321: Postcard with group of soldiers identified as "Elora Platoon 153rd Battalion", posed in front of the Elora Town Hall, ca. 1915; photographer unknown; unused. [ STACKS ] - ph 36322: Postcard of Charles McGowan and friends posed in a sleigh in winter, ca. 1915; photographer unknown; unused. [ STACKS ] - ph 36323: Photograph of soldiers lined up for inspection, likely the 34th Battalion C.E.F. in London, Ontario, ca. 1915; photographer unknown. [ STACKS ] - ph 36324: Photograph of soldiers lined up for inspection, likely the 34th Battalion C.E.F. in London, Ontario, ca. 1915; photographer unknown. [ STACKS ] - Item 57: Note card to Mrs. McGowan from M.B. Ggeell[?] of Elora, undated [1916]. - Item 58: Letter to John McGowan of Elora from M. W. Candy[?], Office of the Canadian Minister of Militia and Defence, Ottawa, 04 Oct. 1916; re. apology for the delay in returning Charles McGowan's effects; 1 sheet. - Item 59: Programme for service held at St. Paul's Church, Hamilton, 08 June 1919, entitled "For King and Country"; described as a "service held by the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church in Canada, in memory of the men of her Communion who fell in the Great War"; led by Lt. Col (Rev.) John Pringle; includes words to religious song, sung to the tune of O Canada; 3 pages, 1 sheet. - Item 60: Letter to John McGowan of Elora, from M. Sturgeon, Director of Military Estates, Department of Militia and Defence, Ottawa, 24 Feb. 1920; re. photograph of Charles McGowan's grave, received from Canadian authorities in France; 1 sheet; includes enclosure of note by official photographer Al Jarché, that he is enclosing a photo of Lt. C. McGowan's grave; 1 sheet; includes enclosure in which photograph was sent [photograph not included at time of donation], with text "Overseas Military Forces of Canada / Lieut. C. McGowan / 25th Canadian battalion / Gave his life for his country / 3-6-16 / and is buried at / Reninghelst New Military / Cemetery"; 1 sheet. - Item 61: Obituary of John McGowan from the Guelph Mercury, October 1922. - Item 62: Letter to Mrs. John McGowan of Elora from Hugh Guthrie, 21 Oct. 1922; written on House of Commons Canada letterhead; re. sorrow at death of John McGowan whom the author had known for forty years, and had been friends with the author's father; 3 pages, 1 sheet, plus envelope. - Item 63: Magazine clipping, untitled, re. the unveiling of the Imperial War Graves Commission table to the [British] Empire's Million Dead, published 06 Nov. 1926; 2 pieces. SERIES 3: DVD of digital reproductions of items in Series 1 and 2. [ AVC 14 ] |
Creator \ Maker |
McGowan, Charles |
Creator \ Maker |
McGowan, John McGowan, Margaret Johnston, Hawley |
Item Name |
Correspondence Dvd List Poem Obituary Postcard Scrapbook Telegram Transcript |
Person \ Organization |
153rd Battalion Canadian Forces 17th Scottish Reserve Battalion 18th Battalion Signallers 25th Canadian Battalion 30th Wellington Rifles 36th Battalion A. H. Stratton and Company Real Estate Adams, Charles Aiken, Mae Alma Ladies College Alma Literary Society Beard, Frank Borden, Robert Bowes, Minnie Bramshott Military Camp British Expeditionary Forces Broughton, Ben Broughton, Sara Brown, Tom Builder, John Builder, Martha Builder, Nelson Burnett, H. Burns, Robbie Burns, William Calgary Hospital Canada Life Assurance Company Canadian Armed Forces Canadian Army Signal Corps Canadian Expeditionary Force Canadian House of Commons Canadian Militia Canadian Order of Foresters Canadian Pacific Railway Candy, M. Cardno, R. Carter, Fred Castell, Jessie Johnston Chicago Union League Clapp, David Clarke, Frank (Mrs.) Colwell Cormie, John Court Aberdeen No. 384 Canada Order of Foresters Craig, J. J. (Lt.-Col.) Cray Dalby, Hannah Darling, Elizabeth Dillingham Dominion Linseed Oil Company Duke of Connaught Duncan, W. S. Elora Express Elora Lodge No. 231 I.O.O.F. Elora Town Hall Fairweather, Daisy Farrelly, Thompson Fergus News Record Frace, Sara Glassco, Elizabeth Glassco, Sarah Great North Western Telegraph Company of Canada Griffin, W. Guelph Mercury Guthrie, Hugh C. Hamilton, T. J. (Mr.) Harper, Grace Hawley, Charles Hawley, Ezra Hawley, Margaret Hawley, Martha Hawley, Mary Hilliam Hines, Edward Holmes, May Hughes, Samuel Imperial War Graves Commission Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I. O. O. F.) Jarche, Al Johnston, Robert Kerr, A. King George V Lancey, J. Legislative Assembly of Ontario Lord Kitchener Lorimer, William Lucy, Robert MacDonald, J. Knox MacDonald, Jack Martin, Annie McElroy, William (Mrs.) McEwing, James McGowan, Charles McGowan, Duncan McGowan, Jane (Jean) McGowan, Jessie McGowan, John McGowan, Margaret McGowan, Sara McIlwraith, Hugh (Mrs.) McIlwraith, Margaret McIntosh, W. McLean, J. K. Mills, Annie Ministry of National Defence Moir, Alex Mowat, Grace Mundell Mundell, Mae New Apostolic Church New York Times Newell, A. Niagara Military Training Camp Norris Norris, Fannie Ontario Lord's Day Alliance Overend, Annie Overend, Frederick (Rev.) Patron Military Service Department Presbyterian Church In Canada Pringle, John Queen Mary Ralph Red and White Food Market Red Cross Society Regent Palace Hotel Reninghelst New Military Cemetery Ritchie Robb, Andrew Robertson, W. (Sir) Rudd Salmon, George Savage Snider, D. Snyder, Jeanette Spragge, Mabel St. Agnes School St. Paul's Church Stanton Stoddart, Robert Stratton, A. H. Strebig, Donald Strebig, Jessie Strebig, Marian Strebig, Miller Strebig, Sara Sturgeon, M. T. E. Bissell Company Limited Tucker, James Tucker, M. University of Toronto Waind Wardley, Jane Wardley, Timothy C. (Mrs.) Wardley, Timothy Clark Watt, James Watt, Mae Wellesley Hospital William J. Burns Detective Agency Young Men's Christian Association |
Place |
Aboyne Alberta Allentown Alma Arthur Aylmer Ayr Belmont Belgium Berwyn Bowes Block Brampton Brandon Brantford British Columbia Buffalo Caledon Twp. Calgary Canada Cardwell Centre Wellington Chicago Connaught East Sandling Elora England Fergus Flanders Florida France Germany Greenock Guelph Hamilton Hanover Hants Illinois Kent London Manitoba Maryborough Twp. Moosomin Nebraska Nichol Twp. Ontario Ottawa Peel County Peel Twp. Pennsylvania Peterborough Pilkington Twp. Riverhurst Rouleau Russia Saskatchewan Scotland Shorncliffe South Africa Spring Valley St. Catharines Stratford Tavistock The Pas Toronto Victoria Washington, D. C. Wellington County Wellington North Windsor Winnipeg Ypres |
Subject |
Animals Boer War Christmas Commercial Crime Education Fraternal organizations Funeral Records Government Hunting Immigration Medical Military Poetry Political Portrait Religion Romance Royalty Telephone War Wedding World War I |
Photo, Map # |
ph 36320 - ph 36324 ph 36320 ph 36321 ph 36322 ph 36323 ph 36324 |
Year Range from |
1915 |
Year Range to |
1926 |
Accession # |
A2011.146 |
Containers |
MU 1046 Stacks |