MILITARY HISTORY
SERGEANT ROBERT “PERCY” BORLAND – No. 412366 – Active Service (World War I)
On March 18th, 1915, Robert Percy Borland completed the Attestation Paper for the Canadian Active Service Force (CASF) at Peterborough, Ontario.
He was 19 years old when, as an unmarried man, he enlisted for the duration of the War. Robert was born in Hastings, Ontario, and gave his birthdate as January 14th, 1896. He listed his present address as 669 Water Street, Peterborough. Ontario. Robert’s next of kin was Bertha Borland (mother) of Peterborough.
Robert indicated that he had previous Military experience of 2 years, 57th Regiment militia, Peterborough but he had not served in an Active Formation or Unit of The Canadian Army. Robert indicated he had previously worked as a banker. He was described as standing 5 feet 6 inches with a dark complexion and gray eyes and black hair.
He was trained in Kingston and Halifax and Robert was assigned to the Canadian 2nd Battalion sent to England with the 2nd Canadian Infantry and arrived in England on the 13th of September 1915.
History 2nd Canadian Battalion
On 8 February 1915, the battalion was mobilized for war. They sailed out of England aboard the S.S. Blackwell, bound for France.
The 2nd Battalion also fought at the battles of Ypres, St. Julien, Festubert, Pozieres, Vimy (1917), Arleux, Hill 70, Passchendaele, Amiens, and Canal du Nord, to name only a few. By the end of the war, 242 officers and 5,084 other ranks had fought with the battalion. Of those, 52 officers and 1,227 other ranks were killed in action, accidentally killed, or died of their injuries.
Sergeant Borland received a gunshot wound to his right thigh on January 5th, 1916, and was operated on to remove the shrapnel in the hospital in Etaples. He was discharged for duty on July 6th, 1916.
Sergeant Borland was appointed Acting Sergeant AR on October 1, 1917, and transferred to General Auditor in England as he could only walk short distances after his injury in combat. He continued in this role until the end of the war.
Sergeant Borland sailed for Canada on June 8th, 1919, and was discharged on July 11th, 1919, in Kingston Ontario, and returned to live with his mother at RR1 Norwood.
He had served 4 years 3 months years, 1 year in France and 3 years in England. He was eligible for the Volunteer Service Medal, British War Medal (England – France).
An excerpt from an article in McLean’s magazine by Barbara Amiel, September 1996:
The military is the single calling in the world with job specifications that include a commitment to die for your nation. What could be more honorable?
PERSONAL HISTORY
ROBERT “PERCY” BORLAND
Percy Borland was born in Hastings, Ontario on January 14, 1896, oldest son of Bertha Annie Parsons and Thomas Borland. The family moved around a bit as his father was a butter and cheesemaker. By 1901, the family was living in Smith Township, Peterborough County and in 1911 they were living in Peterborough, Ontario. Percy was working in a bank.
On March 18, 1915, Percy enlisted in Peterborough to serve his King and Country serving until 1919. Percy returned home to Peterborough to live with his family and heal from his war injuries. In the 1930’s the family moved to Lakefield and resided on Caroline Street. Percy never married. Robert “Percy” Borland passed away on December 5, 1952 and is buried in the family plot in Little Lake Cemetery in Peterborough, ON.
Robert “Percy” Borland is remembered on a Memorial Plaque that hung in Knox Presbyterian Church which remembers with honour their members who served in the Armed Forces during World War I. This plaque was later moved to the Sanctuary of Lakefield United Church on Regent Street in 1932 after the two churches merged to form Lakefield United Church.
FAMILY HISTORY OF ROBERT “PERCY” BORLAND
The paternal grandparents of Robert “Percy” Borland were Agnes and Robert Borland who resided in Otonabee Township after marriage. Robert was farming and they had a family of three sons – Thomas, Robert and William Borland. Agnes died before 1901 and Robert was living in Smith Township with his son Thomas and his wife Bertha. Robert died on July 20, 1910 and is buried beside his wife in Little Lake Cemetery in Peterborough, ON.
The parents of Robert “Percy” Borland were Bertha Annie Parsons born in Hastings, Ontario on May 24, 1875 and Thomas Borland born in Otonabee Township, Peterborough County on October 30, 1867. They married in December 1896 in Hastings, Ontario. Thomas was a cheese and butter maker so the family moved around a bit. Thomas worked in Norwood, Killarney, Lakefield, Selwyn and Warminster cheese factories. Their children included Robert “Percy”, Edna, Thomas “Earl” and Mary Borland. Thomas retired and the family settled in Lakefield living on Caroline Street in Lakefield. Thomas passed away on February 10, 1937 after suffering a stroke. Bertha died on December 27, 1960; both are buried in Little Lake Cemetery in Peterborough, ON.