1915-01-15oo

It was a scene that would be repeated many, many times in the future, but in January 1915, it was still unusual enough to warrant an article in Hamilton’s daily press.

Sydney Hall was the son of Mrs. Ellen Haylock’s first marriage. She had come to Canada to live, but Sydney had remained in England. Upon the outbreak of hostilities, Sydney had enlisted with the Royal Engineers for active service.

On January 14, 1915, Mrs. Haylock received a most unwanted communication from the Imperial War Office stating that they regretted to inform her of the death of her son at the front:

“Mrs. Haylock has sent four of her sons to the front, of whom this one has now been killed, and another is now in the hospital, having been injured by shrapnel.  Two are still on the firing line. Another son, making the fifth, is now drilling in the armories, in this city, to go with the Third Canadian contingent.

“Mrs. Haylock resides at 74 ½ Walnut street south, and was completely broken up last evening over the news.”¹

¹ “Son Killed on Battlefield : Mrs. Haylock, Walnut Street, Received Some Bad News”

Hamilton Times.           January 15, 1915.