The web site of the Milton Historical Society contains considerable detail on Milton Soldiers and in particular the Milton Soldiers of the First World War, as all of their records are in the public domain. That information is in the process of being updated with the Service Files that are being digitized by Library and Archives Canada. Once available, those links appear on the MHS web site in the section on WWI Service Records.

In the future, we will also be going back to all the records that were posted to the old MHS site so that all the links are up-to-date. In addition we will be adding information for those that were KIA (killed in action) that have no known grave, thus they are listed on one of the major memorials for the unknown (Vimy Memorial, Menin Gate Memorial, Arras Flying Services Memorial, Halifax Memorial or the Canada Book of Remembrance).

To provide an example of how this will work, we have added the new information to the file for Private Orville Fletcher #410093 who served with the 38th Infantry Battalion, 12th Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Division, Canadian Expeditionary Force. Private Fletcher was killed in the Battle of Ancre Heights in the area between Courcelette and Grandcourt (France) on November 18, 1916. To date it is unknown if his remains were recovered, thus he has no recorded burial and his name is inscribed on the Vimy Memorial (Pas-de-Calais, France). With information now available, coupled with the advent of computers, we can locate the area where many of the CEF soldiers were when they fell in battle and from that determine where they are (or may be) buried.

We know the exact location where Private Fletcher was killed in action and we are working on his case to try to locate his burial site. All of the details are in his file on the MHS web site at the link provided above.

Private Fletcher KIA at 57d.R16.c.4.5 SE of Grandcourt, France.

If you lost an ancestor in the Great War (First World War) and you are seeking additional information, just e-mail the MHS at miltonsoldiers@gmail.com.

In the past year, the Canadian Expeditionary Force Study Group (which is closely associated with the MHS Soldiers Project) has identified the burial location of more than 50 soldiers of the First World War. Reports on those investigations are sent to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission – Canadian Agency Offices in Ottawa, Ontario for review. Once approved the documents are forwarded to the CWGC Head Office in Maidenhead, U.K. to request a change in commemoration for the soldier. For details on how the process works and the results to date, please refer to the CEFSG Unknowns Project.

Military / First World War / WWI Service Records

The digitization of all Canadian Service Files is being undertaken by Library and Archives Canada. For more information on that project please see:

Digitization of Canadian Expeditionary Force Service Files

For more information on any of the projects relating to the “Milton Soldiers” (War of 1812 – Current), please send an e-mail to miltonsoldiers@gmail.com at your convenience.