Stories of Remembrance

These names, stories, and photos have been shared by members of the Scugog Island United Church community. They are friends and family members who served or are currently serving. We will remember them.

Information about the individuals named will be updated as research is done and information is collected. If there is someone you would like to add please contact Rev. Ned Wells.

George Herbert Jannings

Served in WWI with Queen Victoria Rifles

Was wounded in November 1914 and transported to Dublin Ireland. He died of his wounds in early 1915 and was laid to rest.

Story of Remembrance Shared by his Great Nephew Ian McLeod

Why do I remember him?

If he hadn’t been killed he would have gone on to marry his fiancé, my grandmother, leaving my grandfather to look elsewhere for a bride..

Yes. You read it correctly.

My grandfather did what many other bereaved brothers did and married their dead brother’s fiancé .

In today’s society to marry ones brother’s fiancé seems a strange thing to do but at the time it was viewed as being the “noble” thing to do

So today I wanted to acknowledge that George did play a role in my life albeit vicariously !

Let me introduce you to George Herbert Jannings

Cicra 1912 ; no identified team :  certainly soccer given the number of players.  George Jannings is sitting in the middle row second from the right.  Standing behind him on his left shoulder third from the right is my grandfather Gordon Jannings 

He was wounded in his very first battle in November 1914, and immediately taken to the French coast and evacuated aboard a hospital shop to Dublin, Ireland only to die of his wounds early in 1915.

Fast forward 102 years to 2017 and Lynne and I made our first ever visit to Dublin during which I visited the military cemetery in which he is buried. Interestingly when I was there early on a Sunday morning there was no-one around to ask where his grave was. I assumed ( wrongly ) that his gravestone would be similar to the military graves that we are all familiar with. I went up and down the rows of military graves looking for his name to no avail. . So it wasn’t until I got home to Canada and made enquiries that I discovered that the deceased soldiers family had the option of arranging with a local stone mason to create their own memorial which the Jannings' family elected to do.

In 2018 I arranged for a wreath to be laid at his grave, a photograph of which was sent to me after The Remembrance Day commemoration.

So spare a thought for my Great Uncle George this Remembrance Day.

Gordon Hoover

A Story of Remembrance from his Great Niece Elizabeth Freeman

“Uncle Gord was the first casualty of war in Stouffville, and the third of the second war. My Grandmother told me the story of how they were sitting around the table eating dinner when the Military Police knocked on the door and told them he was missing in action. As it turned out he was killed exactly two months after arriving overseas. He was in the second front line.”

Thelma Rennick

A Story of Remembrance from her Son Tom Rennick

"My Mother Thelma Rennick, never made it overseas but was a Test Pilot, and Engineer for DeHaviland. They wouldn't let her fly the planes over because they needed her engineering ability here as a test pilot."

William John Packard

Served in France during WWI

This photo of him was from 1918 when he was in England.

While serving he sent post cards home to his wife. Later he gave those post cards to his friend Brenda Stowell-Smith (who shared these photos with the church)

Right: Mr. Packard and his wife Lulu Alda Black in 1973.

James Walter Stowell-Smith

Joined the Merchant Navy Able Seaman at 15 years of age May 1945 - Sep 1948

Joined the Royal Marines at 18 years of age Nov 1948 - May 1950

Royal Marines Reserve

Jan 1951 - Apr 1971 (Colour Sergeant)

Ontario Regiment

Nov 17, 1971 - (date uncertain)

ended up as a Warrant Officer

Sgt James Sloss Taylor

Canadian Forestry Corps, Canadian Expeditionary Force, First World War.

Peter Taylor

Nelson Taylor

Corporal Nelson ‘Nick’ Taylor

Storesman with the Canadian Army Second World War 1940 - 1945;

served in England and Continental Europe

George Beaudoin

Infantry with the Royal 22nd Regiment, served in Italy during Second World War

Sergeant Wanda Beaudoin

Canadian Forces Photographic Technician 1974 – 2015

Petty Officer 1st Class Tom Beaudoin

Marine Engineer Technician, Canadian Forces (Navy)

1971 – 1997

Sergeant Tim Beaudoin

Aero Engine/Aviation Technician, Canadian Forces

1984 – 2004

Master Warrant Officer Normand Marion

Infantry/Airborne

and Photographic Technician,

Canadian Forces 1973 - 2013

James Vietch Baird

John Brown

active service

Chris Brown

active service

Private Ryan Singer

active service

Private Ryan Morely

active service

Alan Carter

"Alan Gordon Carter served in World War 2 from March 12 1943 to November 10, 1945. He did 6 weeks basic training in Bradford, ON. Followed by another 6 weeks of intense training in Camp Borden. Dad and 20,000 troops boarded The Queen Mary from Halifax to Scotland in May 1943. He took the train from Scotland to England were he was enrolled in the 2nd Infantry Division, He was stationed in Brighton England for a few months completing more training. Alan was permitted a transfer to The Canadian Provost Corps for traffic control with The Military Police, patrolling different towns. He also had an opportunity to travel to Belgium and Holland."

Karen Carter-Payne (daughter)

A Story of Remembrance from Karen Davis, his neighbour

"I remember Alan sharing this story about the Black Watch. They asked for volunteers who could ride a motorcycle and he volunteered...and it probably saved his life because most of his unit (if not all...as I can't remember all the details) died in service.

I had the pleasure of typing up his memoirs in 2002 and this included his military years. I recall him telling us many stories of his service and he was thankful he was transferred to the Military Police from the Black Watch Regiment. The Black Watch Regiment had the highest rate of casualties of any Regiment in the Canadian Army in WW II. Alan was a fine gentleman who we called "Uncle Alan." We miss him but we are thankful for his service and that God granted him his life to come home to Scugog Island. This photo was taken at the Canada Day Celebration in 2011 in Palmer Park, Port Perry."