Arthur, Harold and George Oakley

Arthur Oakley was born 1892 in Holloway, Debyshire. He was the son of William and Mary Oakley.

Arthur and his brother Harold emigrated to Canada in 1910.

Arthur attested April 5, 1916 at Empress, Alberta. He originally attested to the 212th Canadian Americans but this was broken up to strengthen the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.

Army number: 261154. Rank: Private. Unit: 2nd Division, Canadian Expeditionary Force, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.

Arthur arrived at Liverpool November 21, 1916. In France he fought in the first wave of assault at Vimy Ridge. The PPCLI were central and hidden in Grange Tunnel.

Arthur was wounded 4 times: first a gunshot wound to the forehead, 2 shrapnel wounds to his back and legs, and finally by a mustard gas shell. He was blinded and unable to speak for 2 months. Arthur spent more than a year recovering, primarily at Lord Derby Military Hospital (for respiratory conditions) just north of Warrington. Here he met Lucy Algie, who became his wife.

The only decoration Arthur would wear was a small after-service lapel pin "For service at the front". He received 2 service medals.

Arthur is remembered in Christ Church, Holloway.

Arthur Oakley is the grandfather of Brian Oakley of Canada, who has kindly sent the information about his grandfather and great uncles.

 

Arthur Oakley WW1

Arthur Oakley, 1917

All photographs courtesy of Brian Oakley of Canada

Arthur Oakley WW1 1917

Arthur Oakley

Harold Oakley was born May 28, 1896 in Holloway, Derbyshire.

Harold and his elder brother Arthur emigrated to Canada in 1910.

Army number: 105122. Rank: Corporal. Unit: 16th Battalion, Canadian Scottish (Princess Mary's Own) Regiment.

Attested: November 4, 1915 in Regina, Saskatchewan (near Fosters of Abernethy). He joined the Canadian Over-seas Expeditionary Force.

Harold was living at Arbernethy, Saskatchewan. He was a farmer. He was 5' 9 3/4" tall, had a dark complexion, and brown eyes and hair. His brother George was named as his next of kin.

He arrived in England August 14, 1916.

From a letter he went to Smedley's Mill in Holloway in his Scots uniform, kilt and tam. Neither his brother George, nor his father William recognized him.

The 16th Battalion were in a line west of Courcelette to attack the Regina Trench.

Harold died of shell wounds to his legs at the No. 9 Casualty Clearing Station, September 27, 1916.

Harold is buried at Contay British Cemetery, Grave II.D.3.

This cemetery is 2 miles west of Warloy-Baillon and 7 1/4 miles west of Albert, France.

Harold is commemorated in Christ Church, Holloway and on the WW1 Memorial, Long Lane, Holloway.

Harold is the great uncle of George Oakley of Newton Aycliffe, and of Brian Oakley of Canada.

Harold Oakley WW1 training

Harold Oakley in training

Harold Oakley WW1 wearing Scot uniform

Harold Oakley

George Oakley, born 1885 in Hyson, Nottingham, elder brother of Arthur and Harold.

Attested: November 27, 1915 in Matlock, Derbyshire.

Army number: 312441. Rank: Private. Unit: Tank Corps.

George was called up September 3, 1918 and demobilized September 25, 1919.

George is the grandfather of George Oakley of Newton Aycliffe and great uncle of Brian Oakley of Canada.

 

 

 

George Oakley

George Oakley