MILITARY HISTORY
Private Everett Wesley Dunford — 3060245 — ACTIVE SERVICE (World War I)
On November 15, 1917, Everett Wesley Dunford completed the Particulars Of Recruit, Drafted Under Military Service Act, 1917 (Letter and Service No. P.C. 922392) to enlist in the Canadian Army (CA) Active [A], Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). He was 22 years, 1 month and 15 days old, when as a married man he enlisted in Peterborough, Ontario for the duration of the War. Everett Wesley was living at RR 2 Lakefield, Ontario; he was born in Lakefield and gave his birth-date as September 30, 1895. Everett Wesley indicated “he had never served with a Militia Force nor any other Military Force”. There is nothing in his Records to indicate where he was educated or to what level. As far as employment is concerned, he lists Farmer. Everett Wesley had a ruddy complexion, brown eyes and brown hair; he was 5′ 7” tall, with a 37” chest (expanded); his weight was 160 pounds. His next-of-kin was listed as his wife, Mrs. Lillie Dunford of Lakefield; Everett Wesley’s medical examination was done November 15, 1918 he had a scar on his left knee, Category A2 and was deemed fit for Overseas duty with the Canadian Army. Also on November 15, 1918, on a Medical History Sheet, Everett Wesley listed “c/o B. Dench, Lakefield, Ontario” as an address; he signed the Declaration of Recruit at Peterborough on November 15, 1918 too. He was taken-on-strength to the 1st Depot Battalion, Easter Ontario Regiment (Depot Bn, EOR), CEF as a Private (Pte) with Regimental Number 3060245. The ensuing 6½ month period is not documented in Pte Dunford’s Military records. He most likely was involved it training and performing assigned duties with the 1st Depot Bn, EOR CEF.
On June 1, 1918 Everett Wesley Dunford enlisted in the CA (A), CEF at Barriefield, Ontario. On July 1, 1918 his latest address was P.O. Box 584 Lakefield. The same day Pte Dunford made Pay Assignments and Separation Allowances, a total of $45. 00 monthly to his wife, Mrs. Lillie Dunford. July 7, 1918 he embarked the SS Tunisian with the 79th Draft, 1st Depot Bn EOR at Halifax, Nova Scotia and disembarked at England on July 22, 1918.
June 23, 1919 Pte Dunford was struck-off-strength from Canada (Overseas) on transfer to Canada, CEF at Seaford.
July 22, 1918 Pte Dunford was struck-off-strength from the 1st Depot Bn, EOR, CEF to the 6th Reserve Battalion (Res Bn) at Seaford, England. The next year and 1 month period of time has no documentation in Pte Dunford’s Military records. He most likely was involved it extensive training and performing assigned duties with the 6th Res Bn.
August 23, 1919 Pte Dunford embarked the SS Belgic at Liverpool, England for Canada; he disembarked at Halifax, Nova Scotia on July 1, 1919. July 2, 1919 Private Everett Wesley Dunford was struck-off-strength from the CA (A) at Kingston and discharged due to demobilization.
Based on his Military Service Records, Private Everett Wesley Dunford was not eligible to be awarded any medals or decorations but he was awarded War Service Badge (WSB) Class “C”. His WSB was dispatched to him on March 26, 1919.
According to Private Everett Wesley Dunford’s Military File he served a total of about 1 year, 1 month, and 2 days: about 1 month and 7 days in Canada; about 1 year and 1 month in England and 25 days travel time.
An excerpt from an article in Maclean’s by Barbara Ameil, 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
EVERETT WESLEY DUNFORD
Everett Wesley Dunford was born on October 1, 1895, in Douro Township, one of thirteen children born to William Lazarus Dunford and Martha Crowe. He went by the nickname “Evy” which stands for Everett, Everet and Evard. He grew up on the family farm and took up carpentry work.
On March 27, 1918, Everett Wesley Dunford age 22, married Lillian “Lily” Hurl age 18, in Peterborough. Lily was born on June 27, 1899, the youngest of fourteen children born to William “James” Hurl and Margaret “Maggie” Lavina Curtain. About three months later Evy enlisted to serve his King and Country. They raised a family of eight children: Betty; Marjorie Margaret; Irma Madeline; Clifford Archibald; Alexander Hurl; Braden William James; Royden and Evelyn Elizabeth Ann Dunford. They lived in Smith Township for a time and Evy farmed. After the war Evy and Lily lived in Smith Township and during World War II Evy worked as a guard at the Canadian General Electric Company in Peterborough. Later they moved to Albert Street in Lakefield. Evy was a devoted Christian and did not drink alcohol.
In 1974 their son Braden passed away and in 1976 both Evy and Lily were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease; this took a toll on their health. Evy passed away on April 24, 1979 and Lily died on October 8, 1982; both are buried in the Lakefield Cemetery.
THE EVERETT WESLEY DUNFORD FAMIY OF LAKEFIELD
Everett’s paternal great grandparents were John Dunford born in 1809 and Mary Ann Payne born in 1813. They married in 1834 in England, came to Canada and settled in Dummer Township. They had a family of at least ten children. John died on January 4, 1864 and Mary Ann died on March 27, 1865.
Everett’s maternal great grandparents were Francis Crowe born in 1808 and Mary Ann Batten born in 1819. They came to Canada and were married in the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Lakefield on February 12, 1835. They made their home in Dummer Township and had a family of ten children. Francis died on January 19, 1877 and Mary Ann died on January 2, 1897; both are buried in the Batten Cemetery in Dummer Township.
Everett’s paternal grandparents were William Lazarus “Lazzy” Dunford born April 11, 1827 and Susan Margaret Bolton born on November 18, 1838. They were married in Christ Church in Lakefield on May 26, 1858. They resided in Douro Township and raised a family of eleven children: Joseph; William Lazarus; George Albert; Martha Jane; Edwin Knell; Elizabeth Anne; Walter James; James Homer; Elizabeth V.; Arthur and Roland Dunford. Susan passed away on September 1, 1905 and William Lazarus died on February 4, 1907; both are buried in St. Mark’s Cemetery in Warsaw, Ontario.
Everett’s maternal grandparents were William Francis “Hatch” Crowe born on September 12, 1842 and Martha “Mattie” Mathews born on August 10, 1847. They were married in the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Lakefield on June 17, 1864 and made their home in Dummer Township. They had a family of fourteen children: Richard; Elizabeth; Etta; Lona; Clara; Joseph; Florence; George; Gordon and Evan Crowe. Martha passed away on May 4, 1928 and William died February 12, 1864; both are buried in St. Mark’s Cemetery in Warsaw, Ontario.
Everett’s parents were William “Billy” Lazarus Dunford born on January 5, 1861 and Martha Crowe born on July 10, 1866. They married on September 22, 1885 and resided in Douro Township. William was a farmer and they had a family of thirteen children: William Melville; Vincent Harry; Garfield Cecil; Clara Blanche; Essie Adeline; Everett Wesley; Archibald Rufus; William Alfred; Ernest Theodore; Hilliard Melville; Ettie Eveline; John and Susan Elva Dunford. Sadly William passed away young from Pleurisy and Emphysema on February 24, 1912 leaving Martha with young children. She died April 13, 1940 and both are buried in St. Mark’s Cemetery in Warsaw, Ontario.