MILITARY HISTORY

Private Wellington Robert Northey – 3060419 – ACTIVE SERVICE (World War I)

On October 18, 1917 Wellington Robert Northey signed the Declaration of Recruit in Peterborough, Ontario upon being drafted under the Military Service Act of 1917. He was 20 years, 9 months and 13 days old when, as a single man, he signed this document for the duration of the War. Wellington Robert was born in Smith Township, Peterborough County, Ontario and gave his birth-date as January 5, 1897. He indicated that he had no previous Military experience. There is nothing on his File to indicate where he was educated or to what level. As far as his Trade or Calling, he lists Farmer. Northey’s Medical was completed at Camp Barriefield in Kingston, Ontario on his Call Up. He is shown as 5′ 7” tall with a 35″ chest (expanded). His weight was 125 pounds. He had a ruddy complexion, with blue eyes and brown hair. Medical Records indicate that other than a mole on his left breast, he had no physical limitations and as such was deemed fit for Overseas duty with the Canadian Army, Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). His next-of-kin was listed as his father, Mr. John J. Northey of Lakefield, Ontario. Wellington Robert Northey ”Attested” at Camp Barriefield on June 7, 1918 and was assigned the Rank of Private (Pte) and was taken-on-strength with the 1st Depot Battalion, Eastern Ontario Regiment (EOR), CEF. Private Northey was assigned Service Number 3060419.

On July 6, 1918 Pte Northey embarked from Halifax, Nova Scotia with the 1st Depot Battalion, EOR aboard the SS Tunisian.
The SS Tunisian, Pte Northey’s transport to England from Halifax, Nova Scotia

Pte Northey disembarked in England on July 22, 1918. The Port where the Battalion disembarked is not indicated. On the same day, he was taken-on-strength with the 6th Canadian Reserve Battalion (Cdn Res BN) stationed at Seaford, England. On August 8, 1918, he was admitted to the No 14 Canadian General Hospital (CGH) at Eastbourne, England with what was diagnosed as ”Mumps”. On September 25, 1918 he was posted to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot (EORD) on discharge from the No 14 CGH to No 3 Canadian Convalescent Depot (CCD). The CCD was where soldiers would go after discharge to rebuild their strength before returning to active duty. On November 14, 1918 he was posted from the EORD on reporting from No 3 CCD at Witley. On the same day, he was taken-on-strength with the 6th Cdn Res Bn.
There is no reference as to where Pte Northey was from November 14, 1918 and June 23, 1919. He would have spent this time training or doing assigned Military duties.

Pte Northey was struck-off-strength from the Canadian Army (Overseas), CEF on embarking from Liverpool, England for Canada on June 23, 1919. There is no reference in the File indicating the Ship that he was aboard. On the same day he is shown as taken-on-strength with the No 3 District Depot in Kingston Ontario. Pte Wellington Robert Northey was discharged from the Canadian Army (Active Force) on July 4, 1919.

There is no mention in Wellington Robert Northey’s File with regards to Military Medals that he may be eligible to receive. Since he did not serve in the War he is not eligible to receive any medals, however, he would receive the CEF Class “C” War Service Badge.

Based on his Military File, Private Wellington Robert Northey served a total of 1 year, and 27 days with the Canadian Expeditionary Force: 1 month and 8 days in Canada, and 11 months and 18 days in England.

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

WELLINGTON ROBERT NORTHEY

Wellington Robert Northey* was born in Smith Township, Peterborough County, Ontario on January 05, 1897, son of John James Northey, and Margaret Effie Sage. Wellington Robert went by the name “Wellie”. Wellie grew up on the family farm in Smith Township. He went to a one-room schoolhouse.
* Wellington Robert Northey was named Wellington Robert Henry Northey on his birth notice.

After the War, Wellington Robert Northey married Ethel Mae McIlmoyle, daughter of Herbert Leslie McIlmoyle and Margaret “Daisy” Anne Butler, in Lakefield on March 30, 1921. Wellie continued to farm in Smith Township where they raised their children: Lenore Margaret and John “David” Northey. Wellington Robert Henry Northey died December 10, 1950 in Smith Township and Ethel died on September 26, 1976; both are interred in Lakefield Cemetery.

THE WELLINGTON ROBERT NORTHEY FAMILY OF SMITH TOWNSHIP

Wellington Robert Northey’s paternal great grandparents are William “John” Northey born in 1823 and Ann Northcott born in 1825. They married on January 20, 1846 and had a family of 8 children: William John; Robert Millan; Elizabeth Ann; Absolom B.; Jemima Anne; Aldus; Mary Margaret and Harriet Anne Northey. Ann died on August 16, 1846 and William John died January 3, 1887.

Wellington Robert Northey’s paternal grandparents are Robert Milan Northey born May 16, 1847 and Elizabeth “Eliza” Jane Nicholls born July 28, 1844. Robert and Eliza were married on February 21, 1872. They had 9 Children: John James; Ann Jeannette “Nettie”; Herbert; Jemima Jane Ann; Ida Alberta; Robert Millan; Aldus Austin; Roy and Wesley. Eliza died June 5, 1915 and Robert died December 16, 1927; both are interred in Lakefield Cemetery.

Wellington Robert Northey’s maternal great grandparents are Henry Sage born December 14, 1839 and Effie Freeburn born in 1843. They married in Peterborough on October 30, 1862. They had a family of 10 children: Elizabeth Ann; Sarah Marie; Emma “Jane”; George Henry; Redina “Victoria”; Margaret Effie; Isaac; Edith Louisa; Albert W.; and Walter R. Sage. Effie died September 10, 1891 and Henry died July 5, 1916; both are interred in Lakefield Cemetery.

Note: Effie Freeburn was first married to Mr. McCall and they had two sons Herbert & Wilbert McCall. After the death of Effie Freeburn at age 48 years, Henry Sage married Margaret McCall in Bridgenorth on August 2, 1893 and they had four children – Wilbert Henry, Herbert, Baby and Orville Sage.

Wellington Robert Northey’s parents are John James Northey, born February 7, 1873 in Smith Township, Ontario and Margaret Effie Sage born on March 14, 1875. John and Margaret had 4 children: Wellington Robert Henry, born January 5, 1897; John “Garnet”, born April 1, 1899 and Warren Lloyd, born June 13, 1903. John James died on February 23, 1943 and Margaret Effie died July 1, 1963; both are interred in Lakefield Cemetery.