Remembering Our Veterans

On this page we recognize those family members who served in the armed forces of their respective countries in times of war or conflict. While we can identify some of those who served, the list is far from complete, and in many cases we have little knowledge of their service. Further information on the military service of these or other family veterans would be much appreciated.

Pre World War I

Henry McElroy served in the Royal Artillery from 1794 to 1802 and in the 37th Regiment of Foot from 1812 to 1819. He was not part of the War of 1812 but rather served in the Napoleonic Wars in Europe. The 37th was in the vicinity of Waterloo but was not engaged in the battle (in reserve?). The 37th was then deployed to Canada. Upon discharge, Colour Sergeant Henry McElroy took up land in the military settlement at Richmond, Ontario.

John Wright served in Dennison's Troop in the 1837 Rebellion. He died while on active duty. His widow, Sarah Wright, when she died in 1902 was the last living recipient of an pension (£10 per year) originating from the 1837 Rebellion. Dennison's Troop later became the Queen's Light Dragoons and continues today as the Governor General's Horse Guard.

Trooper George Eldon McElroy of the Lord Strathcona Horse in South Africa

Trooper George McElroy of the Lord Strathcona horse at Green Point Camp, Cape Town, South Africa. Trooper McElroy is fourth from the right, with the prominent bandana.

George Eldon McElroy Sr. originally joined the North West Mounted Police. He left the NWMP to join the Lord Strathcona Horse and served in the Boer War in South Africa. Upon return from South Africa he was unable to rejoin the NWMP due to health reasons. He then pursued a career in art.

World War I

John Davis

John Davis

John Davis served in the Canadian Army during WW I.

Andrew Dods served in the Canadian Army during WW I.

Foster Melville Graham

Foster Melville Graham

Foster Melville Graham served in the Canadian Army during WW I.

Dr. Grattan Clifford Graham served in WW I.

James Johnston Magill Jr.

James Johnston Magill Jr.

James Johnston Magill Jr. served in the RFC during WW I.

George Masters Sr. served in WW I.

207th Ottawa-Carleton Battalion, C.E.F., 1916.

207th Ottawa-Carleton Battalion, C.E.F., 1916: Francis Chevers McElroy is third from the left in the third row. (A larger version of this photograph is available here: 207th Ottawa-Carleton Battalion. The larger version is sufficient to examine the individual faces and read the names of all of the officers.)

Francis Chevers McElroy served with the 207th Ottawa-Carleton Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He was wounded in action.

Picture of Flight Lieut. Victor Henry McElroy, D.F.C.

Flight Lieut. Victor Henry McElroy, D.F.C. in his Royal Engineers uniform.

Henry Victor McElroy went overseas with the Royal Canadian Engineers and was subsequently seconded to the RAF. He was killed in action over France in 1918 September. He was awarded the DFC posthumously. It was presented to his father William on Parliament Hill in 1919 by His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII). The citation for Harry's decoration reads as follows:

This officer has been conspicuous for his courage and determination in attacking enemy troops, transport, huts, etc. on bombing raids. Carrying out this service at low altitudes, his success has been marked, and he has inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy, his machine being frequently badly shot about owing to heavy hostile fire which he had encountered.

Herbert Hood McElroy was an active member of the 5th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards prior to the First World war. On the outbreak of war, he transferred to the First Artillery Brigade and was among the first Canadians to go overseas in 1914. Specializing in signaling, he was promoted sergeant and assigned to staff work. He was wounded in the Second Battle of Ypres. Returning to action, he was subsequently recommended for a commission. He returned to Canada after the war as a lieutenant.

Charles Moule and shipmates

Charles James Moule (left front) and shipmates

Charles James Moule served in the Royal Navy from 1915 March until 1925 December. From 1915 June until 1918 August he served on the Duke of Edinburgh, and from 1918 August until the end of the war on the Pembroke.

Bert Pettifor served in the Royal Navy in both WW I and WW II.

Francis Roberts served in the British Army -- Horse Artillery -- in WW I.

Harry Roberts served in the British Army in WW I. While on active duty, he contacted pneumonia and died. He is buried in the West Hampstead Veterans Area.

Robert Roberts served in the British Army -- Horse Artillery -- in WW I.

William Roberts served in the Royal Navy in WW I. He was at the Battle of the Dardanelles. In WW II he served on the H.M.S. Cumberland. The Cumberland was involved in the Battle of the River Plate; it was not present for the initial encounter with the Graf Spee, but was on station for the Graf Spee's emergence from habour and subsequent scuttling. The Cumberland was also deployed on escort duty for the Murmansk run.

Anold Thomas served in the British Army during WW I.

Kenneth Thomas served in the British Army during WW I.

Leslie Thomas served in the British Army during WW I.

Richard Thomas

Richard Thomas

Richard Thomas served in the Canadian Army during WW I.

World War II

Rev. James Albert Alley served in the U.S. Navy during WW II.

Grattan Donald Graham served as a pilot during WW II.

Hugh Murray Graham served in the Artillery and then the Infantry during WW II.

Thomas Ross Graham served in the RCAF during WW II.

Thomas Edward Rielly served with the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment during WW II.

Dr. William Malcolm Graham served during WW II.

Donald MacDougall served in the Canadian Army in WW II.

Lorne MacDougall served in WW II.

Stewart MacDougall served in the Royal Canadian Air Force in WW II.

George Masters Jr. served in WW II.

Royal inspection of officer cadets

HRH George VI and Queen Elizabeth inspects officer cadets, 1944. George McElroy is left front.

George Eldon McElroy joined the Active Service Force in 1939 and served with the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment during the Italian Campaign. He was recommended for the Military Medal. He was commissioned in October 1944. After the war he remained in the Permanent Force, and in 1952 was once again on active service, this time in Korea. In 1954, he transferred to the Regiment of Canadian Guards, served on two separate tours of duty with the second battalion and retired in 1965 to pursue a career in art and history.

Arthur Moule was in the RAF Coastal Command during WW II. He died in a crash near the Azores.

Bonar Paul Magill served in the Essex Scottish Regiment during WW II. He was a prisoner of war in Belgium.

George Moule served in the British Army in WW II.

Thomas Edward Rielly served with the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment during WW II.

Alfred Roberts served with the British Army in WW II in Burma.

Arthur Roberts served with the RAF in WW II.

Kenneth Roberts served in the British Army in WW II. He was killed in action in Italy.

William George Roberts served in the U.S. Army during WW II.