Joseph "Joe" Thomas Hurst
On April 6, 1908, Newton and Sarah welcomed the birth of a son, Joseph Thomas Hurst at their 112 Bower Avenue residence in Acton. Joe was brother to Frances, Vera, Newton and Adelaide. Three years later the children lost their father, who passed away six months after injuries from an accident at the fire station while responding to a call. As a child and teenager in Acton, Joe attended local schools and worked at Beardmore Tannery part time. Following his school graduation, he worked with the Bank of Nova Scotia in Acton, Milton and Toronto, then returned to Acton to begin employment at Beardmore Tannery. Joe rose to become the supervisor of the finishing department, which employed from 40 to 60 men in the rolling room and dry dip department. He was described by his employer as an “intelligent, conscientious worker who was capable in the handling of men”. Those men appreciated what they described as the “courteous and mannerly way” in which he carried out his duties toward them.
Joe was a staunch Presbyterian, of Scottish-Irish descent, and in his 20’s, was a lay minister in Acton and surrounding are churches. He was a popular and gifted speaker and writer of his own sermons and speeches. He also directed many plays which were put on at the Acton Town Hall stage.
Joe met Kathleen (Nan) Hale who lived in Georgetown and following their courtship, they were married in 1938 and soon moved into Joe’s home on Bower Avenue.
Prior to WW2, Joe was a member of the Guelph 11th Field Ambulance Corps (Militia). In the early months of the war, with a wife and two boys at home, and at the age of 32, with the strong desire to serve his country, Joe resigned from Beardmore Tannery and enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force on September 11, 1940. He began his service in Trenton as a Clerk Accountant Group “C” and was very soon remustered to Nursing Orderly at the request of a medical officer who hoped to have him as an assistant. He was posted to this station almost as his remustering became effective on the 12th of December 1940. In January 1941, Joe was remustered to Hospital Steward Group “B”, and in June of 1941 to Sick Quarters Steward Group “B”. In that capacity, he was responsible for discipline, the work of the Orderly Room in particular, and the remainder of the Hospital in general. He also had to carry out all dieting and equipment accounting as Sick Quarters Steward. He was recognized by his superiors as having shown a high degree of administrative ability in his work, and for his efforts resulting in the efficient functioning of the section. On July 17th, 1942, on the recommendation by recommendation by representatives from Ottawa and Command Headquarters, Flight Lieutenant J.T. Hurst was remustered to Hospital Supervisor. To increase his knowledge and supervisory skills, Joe attended a course of instruction in first aid, nursing, hygiene and sanitation and received the Certificate in First Aid to the Injured. At one point, knowing that the other Acton service members were overseas, Joe submitted a memorandum to the Principal Medical Officer requesting that every consideration be given to his request for service in an overseas theatre of war. That request was not granted, due most likely to his age and value in his present position. At the conclusion of the war, in a letter of recommendation, Wing Commander J.C. Findlay, Chief Medical Officer wrote the following: “The above noted officer F/L J.T. Hurst served with me as medical administrative for over two years. During this period, F/L Hurst assumed all staff supervision, office organization and acted as deputy in my absence. During his career with the medical branch, he has acquired a remarkable working knowledge of medical terminology. I have no hesitation in highly recommending him for any supervisory position”.
After discharge in 1946, Joe worked for Metropolitan Insurance Company and Orneda Engine, before becoming assistant Clerk of the Town of Acton, and later Clerk Administrator, the position he held until his retirement in 1973. Throughout his career in local government, he was dedicated to the betterment of Acton. He was a member of Town Council in the 50’s and was a Halton Hill’s Councillor in the first term of regional government in 1974 with Pat McKenzie and Les Duby. Joe was respected by his fellow councillors for his commitment, enthusiastic participation and his warmth and consistent good humour. Joe was a member of many local service clubs and a member of Branch 197 of the Royal Canadian Legion. After the war, for many years Joe and fellow veteran Pat McKenzie attended the local schools to speak to students about the two world wars and need for, and importance of, Remembrance Day. Joe’s flair for writing led him to authorship of the book “The Golden Years” in 1981 for the Acton Legion’s 50th Anniversary. Joe was also on the board of Georgetown & District Memorial Hospital, where he was a member of the Finance Committee. Due to his service and commitment to Acton, in a new housing development called East Acton, street was name “Hurst Street” in his honour.
In earlier years, holidays with his family were spent at the cottage he built at Lake Simcoe. After retirement, as an avid traveller, Joe and Nan visited countries world-wide, and his leisure time, he enjoyed woodworking, reading, gardening at home at 294 Arthur St., sports and family.
On September 21, 1992, Joe passed away suddenly at the age of eighty-four and is buried at Fairview Cemetery in Acton.
“That best portion of a good man’s life, his little nameless unremembered acts of kindness and love”. W.W.
Truly a Canadian Hero. His story lives on.
*Submitted to Homes of Heroes Halton Hills by Jon Hurst.
