MILITARY HISTORY

Captain Harold James Deacon Wilford — ACTIVE SERVICE (World War II)

Harold James Deacon Wilford was 42 years, 2 months old when, as a married man, he enlisted in Lindsay, Ontario on April 21, 1942 at the Military Depot (MD). He was taken on strength at his current Rank* of 2nd Lieutenant (2nd Lt) with the 56th Anti-tank Battery (A-tk Bty) Royal Canadian Artillery (RCA) Active (A) for duty in Canada. Harold James Deacon stated that he was born in Iroquois, Ontario on May 15, 1900; that he is 5′ 8″ tall, has brown hair, blue eyes and weighs 160 pounds. He indicated that he had previous military experience the 56th Field Battery (Fd Bty), Royal Canadian Artillery (RCA) Reserve Force (RF) in 1940 – 42. His previous employment was listed as a Civil Engineer. Harold James Deacon Wilford lived in Lindsay at 4 Colborne St. W. and his next-of-kin was listed as his wife, Mrs. Helene Marjorie Wilford, also of Lindsay. He had one child and both of his parents were living. 2nd Lt Harold James Deacon Wilford’s entry medical was done in Lindsay Ontario, April 21, 1942. *He was promoted to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant on February 3, 1942.

From April to June 1942 2nd Lt Wilford was with the 56th Fd Bty, RCA Active Force (AF). In April to June 1942 he attended a 2-week Camp in Petawawa, Ontario and a 3-week Camp at Connaught Ranges, Ottawa.

April 21, 1942 2nd Lt Wilford is with the 56th Anti-tank (A-tk) Battery (Bty) RCA in Lindsay. On June 12, 1942 he proceeded On-Command to the Officers Training Centre (OTC) at Brockville, Ontario for all purposes except Pay. June 13, 1942 2nd Lt Wilford was attached from the 56th A-tk Bty RCA, Lindsay to the OTC, Brockville for qualifications and was taken-on-strength for all purposes. June 30, 1942 2nd Lt Wilford was sick and was admitted to the Brockville Military Hospital (BMH). On July 10, 1942 he was discharged from the BMH and returned to the OTC.

October 16, 1942 2nd Lt Wilford successfully completed his Course and ceased to be attached to the OTC, Brockville for all purposes including Pay. He was then struck-off-strength from the 56th A-tk Bty RCA, Lindsay on posting to the A-2 Canadian Army Training Centre (CATC), Petawawa, Ontario. October 17, 1942 2nd Lt Wilford was taken-on-strength to the A-2 CATC for all purposes.

December 16, 1942 2nd Lt Wilford was struck-off-strength from the A-2 CATC, Petawawa on transfer to the 6th A/tk Regiment PMC and ceases to be attached to the A-2 CATC. On December 19, 1942 2nd Lt Wilford qualified for the Rank of Lieutenant (Lt) and is promoted to that Rank. December 22. 1942 Lt Wilford is granted Christmas Leave to December 28, 1942 (7 days) and is authorized to receive $0.50 per diem in lieu of Rations.

January 5, 1943 a Special Leave and a Furlough Warrant have been issued for Lt Wilford. January 7, 1943 he is granted a Leave of Absence (Ordinary) from January 7 to 20, 1943, inclusive (14 days) and is authorized to receive $0.50 per diem in lieu of Rations for period shown. Lt Wilford is also qualified as Driver i/c of a Motor Vehicle (MV) or Motorcycle (MC).

March 19, 1943 Lt Wilford is granted a Weekend Leave to March 22, 1943 (4 days) and is authorized to receive $0.50 per diem in lieu of Rations. March 23, 1943 Lt Wilford is attached to No 8 Engineer Services & Works Company (ES&W), Royal Canadian Engineers (RCE) (A) for all purposes except Pay. He will occupy public quarters and is attached to Camp Petawawa, Headquarters Officers Mess for Rations. June 10, 1943 Lt Wilford is taken-on-strength to No 8 Company ES&W, RCE (A) on posting from No 3 District Depot (DD) RCE and is to be carried supernumerary to the establishment.

September 2, 1943 Lt Wilford’s next-of-kin, Mrs. Helene Marjorie Wilford (Wife) changed her address to Lakefield Ontario. September 29, 1943 a Special Leave and Furlough to Peterborough had been issued for Lt Wilford. October 5, 1943 Lt Wilford was granted a Furlough to October 18, 1943 and is authorized to receive $0.50 per diem in lieu of Rations. October 21, 1943 Lt Wilford qualifies for award of the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and is authorized to wear the ribbon.

April 16, 1944 Lt Wilford proceeded On-Command from No 14 Company ES&W, RCE (A) to Toronto from No 8 Company ES&W, RCE (A) at Petawawa for the purpose of attending a Conference, Engineer Stores, Accounting, etc. April 21, 1944 he ceased to be On-Command and returned from Toronto at 1930 hrs. July 7, 1944 Lt Wilford was granted Weekend Leave and Furlough to 17 July 1944 and is entitled to receive $0.50 per diem Ration Allowance. July 15, 1944 a Furlough Warrant was issued.

October 3, 1944 Lt Wilford was granted Weekend Leave, Furlough and Special Leave November 3 to 15, 1944; Lt Wilford and is entitled to receive $0.50 per diem Ration Allowance. October 10, 1944 Lt Wilford is promoted to the Rank of Acting Captain (A/Capt) and immediately appointed to the Rank of Captain (Capt).

June 2, 1945 Capt Wilford was granted 48 hrs. Leave and 2 days Special Leave plus Ration Allowance (total of e days) of $0.50 per diem. October 23, 1945 Capt Wilford was struck-off-strength to the No 3 DD at Kingston. October 24, 1945 he was taken-on-strength from the No 14 Company ES&W, RCE (A), Petawawa. October 25, 1945 Capt Wilford was granted Preretirement Leave and Ration Allowance to October 31, 1945.

November 1, 1945 Captain Harold James Deacon Wilford was struck-off-strength to Reserve Status at his own request. He was granted $100.00 Clothing Allowance and a Rehabilitation Grant. His post-discharge mailing address was Court House, Lindsay, Ontario.

Captain Harold James Deacon Wilford’s Military File indicates that he was eligible to receive the following Medals:

Canadian Volunteer Service Medal; and
War Medal 1939 – 45.
He also qualified for the General Service Badge.

According to Captain Wilford’s Military File he served a total of 3 years, 6 months, and 10 days in Canada with the Canadian Active Service Force, Royal Canadian Artillery.

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

HAROLD JAMES DEACON WILFORD

Harold James Deacon Wilford was born May 15, 1900 in County of Dundas; Iroquois, Ontario, to parents Frederick Richard Wilford and Maud Mary Deacon. He went by the name Harold but Marjorie would call him “Doder”. Harold’s education was Lindsay Collegiate Institute 1913 1918 Honour Matriculant. University of Toronto B.A. Sc. 1918 1923 Mechanical Engineering.

Harold James Deacon Wilford, married Helene “Marjorie” Taylor, on June 18, 1924 in York, Toronto. Harold, was a 24 year old Contractor living in Lindsay and Helene, was a 23 year old Bank Clerk living in Toronto. Harold’s parents were Frederick Richard Wilford and Maud Mary Deacon; Helene’s parents were Albert Ernest Taylor and Ada F. Davidson. Harold and Helene had 5 children: Barbara; Dorothy; Peter; Frederick Derry and Richard.

Harold’s occupations were with Frederick Richard Wi1ford & Co. Ltd. Contractors, Lindsay, Ontario (father’s business) 1923 30 Superintendent & General Construction. County of Victoria Court House, Lindsay, Ontario. 1930 42 County Road Superintendent.
Harold’s sports related interests were Ontario Hockey Association Semi-Pro Hockey, in Toronto he played defence with Lionel Conacher on the Canoe Club Junior Team; also played Hockey at Lindsay and at the University of Toronto team Captain and Manager; Golf, Secretary, Lindsay Golf Country Club for one term; he was the Ontario Badminton Champion and he played Bridge.
Harold selected the Royal Canadian Artillery (RCA) to serve as it was the only Unit in Lindsay. He spent 1½ years as 2nd Lt RCA Reserves (R). His inclination was to stick with the 56th Field Battery, RCA and on an interview it was stated that he was rated as a Potential Officer, RCA.

From an Interview at No 3 District Depot, Ontario on October 24, 1945:
This 45 year old man of good build, sturdy physique, neat appearance and pleasant cooperative manner impresses as alert and business like and responsible.
Prior to enlistment he was employed as a County Road Superintendant and is now returning to former employment.
No rehabilitation problem is anticipated in this case.

THE HAROLD JAMES DEACON WILFORD FAMILY OF LINDSAY

Harold James Deacon’s parents Frederick Richard Wilford and Maud Mary Deacon were married, probably in Lindsay. Frederick and Maud had two children: John Richard and Harold James Deacon. John Richard Wilford married Grace Alberta Palen on May 20, 1925 at Lindsay, Victoria County, Ontario. John and Grace had one child, Susan. Frederick Richard Wilford was born in Cookshire, Québec; Albert Franklin Palen was born in Lindsay.

Harold Wilford is remembered and honoured on a framed document that hangs in St. John the Baptist Anglican Church in Lakefield Ontario.