Private Joseph Shannon
Joseph Shannon was born in Blenheim Township, near Richwood, on February 7, 1898, the son of George and Martha Shannon. The family had moved to Brantford Township 12 years before Joseph enlisted, just outside of Paris. Joseph attended Paris High School, preparing for his matriculation. He was a member of the Methodist Church and also the Paris YMCA. Joseph had also served with the25th Brant Dragoons when he enlisted with the 215th Battalion on April 26, 1916.
Joseph died on March 16, 1917. He was taking a signaling course in Toronto where he contracted pneumonia. He spent several weeks in the Military Base Hospital in Toronto before he succumbed to his illness. Besides his parents, he left behind a brother and two sisters. His funeral with full military honours took place at St. Paul’s Methodist Church. Private Joseph Shannon is buried in the Paris cemetery.