The Thirty Men Who Were First to Go

The First contingent of Norfolk soldiers that went to 
the war left the G.B. and L.E. depot at seven o'clock, 
20 August 1914, bound for Toronto, thence to 
Valeartier, Salisbury Plain, Langemarck, Ypres, etc.

There were thirty young men in that party. Without stipulations as to pay, allowance or pensions, they responded to the first call.

Some seven have paid the supreme penalty of their patriotism, falling upon the field of glory. A number wear honorable scars. A few still "carry on."

Norfolk people should keep a place of special honor 
in the lengthening roll of the county's heros for the names of these ever memorable first thirty.

Their names and later history are:

Sergt. Frank Bennett,
English, Simcoe. Was returned from Valcartier owing to eye trouble. Afterwards enlisted in the 38th Battalion. Was wounded and returned to Canada.

Pte. Geo. Cook,
English, single, Simcoe.
Returned from Valeartier.
Re-enlisted with 58th Battalion.
Now fighting in France.

Pte. J. E. Cook,
Canadian, single, Simcoe.
Returned from Valeartier.
Afterwards enlisted in 168th.

Corporal David Cormack,
Scotch, single, Simcoe.
Wounded. Returned to duty.

Pte. Harry Dixon,
Canadian, single, Simcoe.
On duty.

Pte. Jack Dowdney [sic],
English, single, Simcoe.
Killed in Action.

Pte. H. L. Geddes,
Scotch, married, Simcoe.
Returned from Valeartier.
Re-enlisted with 20th.
Wounded and discharged.

Pte. Chas. Glover,
Canadian, married, Simcoe.
Returned from Valeartier.
Re-enlisted with 133rd.
Transferred to 180th.
Now despatch [sic] runner in France.

Bugler E. Geo. Green,
English, single, Simcoe.
In France with the 2nd Dragoons.

Alfred Hatch
English, single, Simcoe.
Wounded. Returned to duty.

Sergt. Geo. Hucklebridge,
English, married, Simcoe. 
Returned to Canada. 
Now serving at Camp Borden.

Pte. Chas. Lankey,
English, single, Simcoe.
Wounded; returned to Canada
and discharged on pension.

Sergt. Jack Lawrence,
English, single, Simcoe.
In France with the 2nd Dragoons.

Pte. W. Manning,
English, single, Simcoe.
Now with Second Dragoons.

Pte. Wm. Marsden,
English, single, Simcoe.
Was wounded, is now in England.

Pte. Alex. McLeod,
Canadian, single, Simcoe.
Killed in Action.

Color-Sergt. Malcolm McMaster, 
in command; Irish, single, Simcoe.
At the front still and without interruption. 
Company Quartermaster, A Company, 4th Battalion.
The first Norfolk man to offer to serve.

Pte. Geo. Plant,
Scotch, single, Simcoe.
Wounded twice; now in England.

Pte. Geo. Pratt,
English, single, Simcoe.
Killed in Action.

Signal-Sergt. R. Rowling,
English, married, Simcoe. 
Wounded and now caretaker of armories.

Pte. Neil Sloat,
Canadian, single, Simcoe.
Killed in Action.

Pte. Gordon Thompson,
Canadian, single, Simcoe.
Returned to Simcoe on Saturday last. Listed permanently unfit.

Pte. Robert Towland,
Scotch, Simcoe.
Killed in Action recently.

Pte. David Wade,
English, married, Port Dover.
Wounded and discharged.

Pte. Percy Wallace,
Canadian single, Simcoe.
Killed in Action.

Pte. Jack Whatmought [sic],
English, single, Simcoe.
Killed in Action. 
First Norfolk man to fall.

Pte. R. Wilson,
Canadian, single.
Wilson worked here for the Gas Co., but had no relatives in Simcoe. His present whereabouts are unknown but he is supposed to be still in France.

Pte. Melvin Winter,
Canadian, single, Simcoe.
Now with 2nd Dragoons.

Pte. Guy Winters,
Canadian, single, Simcoe.
Returned to Simcoe on Saturday last. Listed permanently unfit.

Corporal Geo. Wisson,
Canadian, single, Simcoe.
Wounded. Returned to Canada.
Discharged on pension.