Elmer John Kennedy
Elmer J. Kennedy, farmer, son of Annie and the late William Cyrus Kennedy. Born at Burk’s Falls, living in Georgetown with his mother when he enlisted in 1915 with the 76th Overseas Battalion. Reported his religion as Baptist. Elmer joined the 18th Battalion in the field on July 27, 1916 and two months later to the day, was reported as missing in action, later amended to killed in action, Rouen, France. His file records that he was buried by the 15th Battalion, although officially his grave is unknown. He is listed on the Vimy Memorial and is memorialized on the Georgetown Cenotaph in Remembrance Park.
Dear Mrs. Kennedy,
Just a line of sympathy with you upon the falling asleep of your dear boy Elmer J. Kennedy, 442598, 18th Batt. He was killed in action on the 15th of September 1916 at Courcelette and buried with some of his comrades at Martinpuich, France. I knew your dear boy quite well. He was a fine fellow and had already proved himself a good soldier. During the awful bombardment he displayed great courage. He was hit just after the advance began, death being instantaneous. His coolness under fire for one so young was an inspiration to his comrades. He was young but not too young to die a splendid death for England. He, like many others in this magnificent battalion were always keen to go forward and his glory would have been that he met his death in the advance. I hope that you may have comfort in knowing that he died at his post, doing his bit, cheerfully laying down his life for his friends. God comfort you in this. May the Father’s richest comfort be yours in your hours of loneliness.
Yours very faithfully, Harold Dobson Peacock, (Capt.) Church of England Chaplain
Truly a Canadian Hero. His story lives on. Information provided by Rick Ruggle (Historian Lorne Scots Regiment) and taken from Canadiangreatwarproject.com and Ancestry.ca
