MILITARY HISTORY

Corporal Allen Ernest Graham – B 20176 — ACTIVE SERVICE (World War II)

Allen Ernest was 22 years, 1 month old when, as a single man, he enlisted in the No. 11 Company (Coy), Canadian Forestry Corps (CFC), Timmins Ontario on August 16, 1940 with the Canadian Active Service Force (CASF). He lived in Connaught Ontario, gave his birth‑date as July 6, 1918 and indicate that he had no previous military experience. His previous employment was listed farming and as a bush-man. At the time he was 5′ 6 ½” tall, weighed 140 pounds, hazel eyes and brown hair. Allen Ernest had a scar on his right hand and left knee. His next-of-kin was his mother, Clara Graham [his father passed away February 18, 1931] and was insured with the Prudential Life Insurance Co. He entered the CFC as a Private (Pte) with service number B 20176 and was posted to No. 11 Coy, CFC at Haileybury Ontario on August 16, 1940.

Pte Graham was in Haileyburg for about seven months and was given his basic Infantry training of drill and instruction. On March 7, 1941 he was located in Valcartier Québec when he was granted a furlough prior to being shipped to Scotland. Pte Graham embarked April 5, 1941 from Halifax, Nova Scotia and was taken off strength from Canada to be taken on strength by Canada Overseas on April 6, 1941. The ship arrived and disembarked at Greenock, Scotland on April 20, 1941, they then moved on to Kinloch, Rannock where he was assigned to the Utility Squadron. Pte Graham was granted 5 days Landing Leave on April 20, 1941 with Travel Warrant supplied. On April 24, 1941 Pte Graham was promoted to Acting/Corporal (A/Cpl) and attached to 5 Coy for quarters and rations but still a member of 11 Coy CFC. On April 29, 1941 he ceased to be attached to 5 Coy and was reverted back to the rank of Private.

On October 16, 1941 Pte Graham was granted first Privileged Leave of 7 days, without a Travel Warrant. On February 18, 1942 he was granted 7 days Privileged Leave with a Travel Warrant. Then on May 21, 1942 he was granted another 7 days Privileged Leave with a Travel Warrant. On August 3, 1942 Pte Graham was promoted to Acting/Lance/Corporal (A/L/Cpl) with pay and on August 24, 1942 he granted another 7 days Privileged Leaved with a Travel Warrant. Then on September 1, 1942 – still with 11 Coy CFC – he was awarded his first “Good Conduct” badge.

On November 4, 1942 A/L/Cpl Graham became a Lance/Corporal (L/Cpl) then on November 24, 1942 he was granted 7 days Privileged Leave with Meal Allowance (MA). On January 14, 1943 L/Cpl Graham qualified as Foreman Departmental (Forestry) Class 3 “C”; he was granted trades pay effective January 5, 1943. Also, on January 1, 1943 he received an increase in Regimental pay from $1.50 to $1.60 per day. A month plus later L/Cpl Graham, on February 19, 1943 he was granted 9 days Privileged Leave with MA.

On May 18, 1943 L/Cpl Graham was admitted to the Raigmore Hospital. Upon admission to the Hospital he was struck off strength from 11 Coy CFC to the Reinforcement Section Canadian Forestry Corps (RSCFC) on May 19, 1943. On May 30, 1943 L/Cpl Graham was transferred to Aultmore Auxiliary Hospital from whence he was discharged on June 7, 1943. On June 8, 1943 he was struck off strength from the RSCFC and taken on strength by 11 Coy CFC on June 9, 1943. On June 25, 1943 L/Cpl Graham, he was granted 9 days Privileged Leave with MA to July 4, 1943. Following this, on September 24, 1943, L/Cpl Graham, he was granted 9 days Privileged Leave with MA to October 3, 1943.

On November 26, 1943 L/Cpl Graham was admitted to the Raigmore Hospital due to being sick. Upon admission to the Hospital he was struck off strength from 11 Coy CFC to the RSCFC on November 27, 1943. On November 30, 1943 L/Cpl Graham was transferred to Achnagairn Auxiliary Hospital from whence he was discharged on January 6, 1944. On January 13, 1944 he was struck off strength from the RSCFC and taken on strength by 11 Coy CFC on January 14, 1944, from the RSCFC.

L/Cpl Graham was awarded the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp on January 15, 1944. As of January 21, 1944 L/Cpl Graham was granted 9 days Privileged Leave with a MA to January 30, 1944. On January 28, 1944 L/Cpl Graham remustered as a Foreman of Works (Mill) (Forestry) Group “C”. On July 7, 1944 L/Cpl Graham was admitted to 11 Coy MRD as he was sick. The next day, July 8, 1944 he was discharged from the MRD. July 14, 1944 ceases trade rate and pay as a Foreman of Works (Mill) (Forestry) Group “C” and July 15, 1944 qualified and entitled for rate and pay of Foreman of Works “B”. On August 11, 1944 L/Cpl Graham was appointed Acting/Corporal (A/Cpl). September 9, 1944 A/Cpl Graham was granted 7 days Privileged Leave plus 48 hours Short Leave with Travel Warrant and MA in lieu of rations.

November 25, 1944 A/Cpl Graham was granted 7 days Privileged Leave plus 48 hours Short Leave with Travel Warrant and MA to December 4, 1944. February 17, 1945 A/Cpl Graham was granted 7 days Privileged Leave plus 48 hours Short Leave with Travel Warrant and MA to 0200 hours, February 26, 1945. May 12, 1945 A/Cpl Graham was granted 9 days Privileged Leave to May 21, 1945. On May 25, 1945 A/Cpl Graham was posted to 6 Coy CFC and taken on strength May 26, 1945. As of May 30, 1945 L/Cpl Graham was confirmed in the rank of Corporal (Cpl).

Corporal Graham was awarded the following medals:
Defence Medal;
Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Bar; and
War Medal 1939 – 45.
He also qualified for War Service Badge A.

Corporal Graham embarked England June 12, 1945 aboard the SS Île de France bound for Canada. He returned on the same ship as his brother Arnold and Eddie Morin; they had known each other well when growing-up in the Village of Lakefield, they had lots of time to reminisce. On June 13, 1945 Corporal Graham was taken on strength with the Canadian Army from the Canadian Army Overseas, he disembarked at Halifax, Nova Scotia June 22, 1945.

Corporal Graham reported to No 2 District Depot (DD) in Toronto Ontario on June 23, 1945. He was granted 30 days Disembarkation Leave from June 24, 1945 to July 23, 1945 and authorized to draw rations allowance for the period of leave. Corporal Graham was discharged on August 3, 1945 from No 2 DD, Toronto Ontario, he was paid a clothing allowance and the Rehabilitation Grant.

Although Allen Graham’s Military History tends to consist of periods of leave and hospital visits, all of the rest of his tour of duty was spent in training and working as a Forester in Scotland. Allen Graham became a Foreman of Works, Class III, Group “B” in the Canadian Forestry Corps. His employment prior to his discharge consisted of management duties in the operation of a saw-mill.

Allen Graham served for seven months in Canada and four years, 2 months in the United Kingdom. During his time in the Service he would have allotted about $20.00 per month of his pay to his mother.

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

ALLEN ERNEST GRAHAM

Allen Ernest was born July 6, 1918 in Smith Township, Peterborough County, Ontario, the ninth of 12 children, 10 boys, 2 girls, born to Clara and Isaiah Graham. His father passed away when he was 8 years of age. His mother, a remarkable lady, kept the household together in their own home on Nelson St. with the assistance of the older children, and by keeping boarders. To know any of the Graham family was to readily become aware of the love, respect and devotion they shared for their mother, Clara.

In 1935, at the age of 17 years, Allen left school due to financial reasons after completing grade IX. Prior to enlisting with the Canadian Foresters Corps (CFC) in World War 2 he worked from about June 1935 to September 1939 as a hired hand for Albert Bulmer, a farmer at RR #4, Peterborough Ontario. He was engaged in mixed-farming, bush work in the winter months and a year working in a creamery plus he took a course in Dairying. Allen could use and drive all usual farm machinery including; the tractor, automobiles and power launch. From September 1939 to April 1940 Allen was running a Pasteurization machine for Herbert Kemp’s Dairy in Lakefield Ontario. Allen, like most of his other brothers, loved to hunt and fish. He also enjoyed swimming, ice hockey, rugby and snap.

Before his discharge from the RCA Allen prearranged his employment in a creamery for after his discharge employment. Allen likely moved north in April/May 1940 as he lived in Connaught Ontario when he enlisted with the Canadian Active Service Force at Timmins Ontario on August 16, 1940.

Allen married Margaret A. McKay March 25, 1947 and they had twins; Heather Isabelle Graham and Douglas Graham. Margaret died November 16, 1968. Heather married Malcolm Florence and had one child Graham Malcolm Florence born June 25, 1977. She was divorced and married Bill Dummitt September 6,1986 and had two children; Paul Francis Allen Dummitt born August 21, 1987 and Lacey Margaret Ann Alice Dummitt born June 13, 1990. Douglas married Elyse McIntyre and have two children Lindsay and Ross. Elyse passed away March 17, 2009. Sometime later in 1973, Allen married Edith Florence Spence who died July 18, 1990. Then July 10, 1993 Allen married Elizabeth “Marjorie” Pammett (nee Johnston).

Allen Ernest Graham passed away on May 11, 2011 at 92 years of age and Marjorie passed away on July 27, 2011; both are buried in the Lakefield Cemetery.

THE GRAHAM FAMILY OF LAKEFIELD

Isaiah Graham, born April 3, 1873 in Smith Township, Peterborough County died Feb 18, 1931 in St. Joseph’s Hospital, Peterborough Ontario due to a brain tumour. He married Karen Marie (Clara) Rasmussen, born 1880 in Denmark, on February 2, 1902 in Duluth Minnesota, USA. She died October 25, 1968, in Lakefield Ontario. Isaiah, a farmer, moved his family to Lakefield in 1923/24. Isaiah’s father was Henry Graham, born in Ireland; his mother was Annie McConkey, born in Scotland.

Isaiah and Clara Graham had 12 children; ten boys and two girls in the following order: Ena (Annie) Graham, born August 24, 1903 in Duluth Minnesota; George Henry Graham, born April 23, 1905 in Duluth Minnesota; Walter Edward Graham, born April 10, 1907 in Duluth Minnesota; Mary Ellen Graham born June 2, 1909 in Smith Township, Peterborough County; Gerald Graham, born July 17, 1911 in Smith Township, Peterborough County; Norman Graham, born May 27, 1913 in Smith Township, Peterborough County; Theodore Graham, born March 21, 1915 in Smith Township, Peterborough County; Wesley James Graham, born July 15, 1916 in Smith Township, Peterborough County; Allen Ernest Graham, born July 6, 1918 in Smith Township, Peterborough County; Beverly Garnet Graham, born July 26, 1920 in Smith Township, Peterborough County; Elmer Fraser Graham, born June 23, 1923 in Smith Township, Peterborough County; and Arnold Mervin Graham, born December 12, 1925 in Lakefield Ontario.

Their mother, Clara, a remarkable lady, kept the household together in their own home on Nelson St. with the assistance of the older children, and by having boarders. To know any of the Graham family was to readily become aware of the love, respect and devotion they shared for their mother, Clara.

In Lakefield, during the WW II times, it was a common sight to see Mrs. Clara Graham coming out of the Post Office with a bundle of mail. All seven of her sons wrote to her on a frequent basis.