Ezra Isaac Fawcett (1883 - abt. 1954)

Born 7 Jan 1883 in Euphrasia Twp., Grey Co., Ontario, Canada

Ancestors

Biography

Ezra Fawcett was born on 7 January, 1883 in Euphrasia Township, Grey County, Ontario, Canada, likely at the family home near Kimberley. His parents were William Fawcett and Sarah Jane Stafford. ^[1]

Ezra enlisted in the 37th Battalion, Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 28 May, 1915 at Camp Niagara (a.k.a. Butler's Barracks) in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. He was assigned regimental number, 47853. His military attestation papers describe him as 32 years of age, height 5'7" with a chest size of 36". They also state that he was of fair complexion with blue eyes and fair hair. ^[2]

Despite the events unfolding in Ypres, Belgium at the time, Ezra's impending departure to the frontline was reported by the newspaper with the optimism and patriotic enthusiasm which still prevailed on the home front in the early years of World War I:

Mr. Ezra Fawcett who enlisted with the third contingent, was down from Owen Sound last week visiting at his parental home prior to his departure for the front. The third contingent expects to sail for England in the course of a few days. Ezra is a good, strong, manly, clean living young man, and we feel sure that he will prove his mettle on the battle field. Here's hoping that he may come back from the war with a whole hide and have 2 or 3 dozen German scalps on his belt. ^[3]

According to a mailing address published in the Flesherton Advance he started his overseas service with Captain Macdonell's Company, 17th Battalion C.E.F. ^[4] He was subsequently transferred to the front line with the 2nd company of the 15th Battalion, C.E.F. on the 17th of July, 1915. ^[5]

During his service in World War I Ezra was wounded three times, a fact that did not escape being reported in the newspapers at home in Canada. ^[6] Four months into his front-line duty, in heavy shelling of the Canadian trenches near Ypres on December 13th, 1915, he was 'invalided' and transferred to a hospital in England. He rejoined the 15th Battalion at the end of March, 1916. About two months later, on the 3rd of June he took shrapnel wounds in his left arm in the fighting at Mount Sorrell and was once again returned to England. It is likely while he was recovering from these wounds at the 13th General hospital in Folkestone, England that he met his wife-to-be, Winnifred Rose Ranger. Ezra's Commanding Officer granted permission for him to be married on 17 January, 1917. Ezra once again rejoined the 15th Battalion at the front in early May of that year. Six months later, on the 3rd of November, 1917 while his unit was tasked as stretcher-bearers fetching the wounded from the nightmarish muds of Passchendaele, Ezra was wounded for the third time. ^[7] He never rejoined his unit after that injury, and remained in England until the end of the war returning to Canada with his war bride at the end of January, 1919. ^[8]

Shortly after his marriage, Ezra had been promoted to acting Lance Corporal, but this acting promotion was never made substantive; he returned home to Canada at the rank of Private. ^[9][10] Regardless of the rank he returned home at, his family and friends had much cause to celebrate. Not only had he safely returned home from the war, but there was also a wedding reception two years overdue; the local newspaper reported:

On Monday evening last a reception was wild in the public hall for Pte Ezra Fawcett, who has returned after nearly 4 years absence overseas. He was presented with a well-filled purse of over one hundred dollars and an address, which was read by Mrs B. A. Carruthers, the presentation being made by Misses Vera Magee and Marion Fawcett. Ezra replied in a few well chosen words for himself and his bride. ^[11]

Ezra and Winnifred had 5 children including Connie, Nora, Roy, Guy, and Reg. ^[12]

Sometime after Winnifred's death in 1935, Ezra married Lucy Sybil UNKNOWN (b.27 Nov 1921; d.16 Nov 2006). Lucy and Ezra had 5 children together: Francis Harry, Bob, Edward "Ted", Sybil, and Erma. ^[13][14]

Ezra passed away in Toronto in 1954. ^[15]

Sources

1. ↑ "Ontario Births, 1869-1912," index, FamilySearch ([[link]), Ezra Isaac Fawcett, 1883. Registration 009731 (Grey Co.)
2. ↑ "Soldiers of the First World War - CEF", Library and Archives Canada ([link]), [digital image], "Attestation Paper, Canadian Over-seas Expeditionary Force"
3. ↑ "Kimberley Budget", Flesherton Advance, vol. 34, No. 48, ([Flesherton, ON]: 20 May 1915), ([link]) p.1 col. 3. [Visiting parents before embarking for the front.]
4. ↑ "Kimberley Budget", Flesherton Advance, vol. 35, No. 9, ([Flesherton, ON]: 5 August 1915), ([link]) p.1 col. 3. [Mailing address in Shorncliffe, England.]

   The address of Ezra I. Fawcett, who went with the third contingent to England is as follows; Mr. E. I. Fawcett,, 17th Battalion, C.E.F., Co. Capt Macdonnell, Risbor's Barracks, Shorncliffe, Eng.

5. ↑ Record of Services Card, 15th Battalion C.E.F. Memorial Project, ( ), ([link]). See Image
6. ↑ "Ezra Fawcett Wounded", Flesherton Advance, vol. 37, No. 26, ([Flesherton, ON]: 15 Nov 1917), ([link]) p.5 col. 2. [Third time being wounded.]

   Pte. Ezra Fawcett, son of Mr. Wm. Fawcett of Kimberley, has been wounded in the arm and face. This is the third time Pte. Fawcett has been wounded.

7. ↑ Record of Services Card
8. ↑ "Kimberley", Flesherton Advance, vol. 38, No. 38, ([Flesherton, ON]: 20 Feb 1919), ([link]) p.1 col. 3. [Ezra arrives home with his bride.]

   Pte. Ezra Fawcett and his estimable English bride arrived home on Thursday last. He is looking the picture of health. A monster reception will be held in his honor on Monday evening next in the public hall.

9. ↑ Record of Services Card
10. ↑ Flesherton Advance, 20 Feb 1919
11. ↑ "Kimberley", Flesherton Advance, vol. 38, No. 40, ([Flesherton, ON]: 6 Mar 1919), ([link]) p.1 col. 3. [A reception is held for Ezra and Mrs. Fawcett.]
12. ↑ Francis Harry Fawcett. Personal memories. Genealogy.com Forums
13. ↑ CanadaGenWeb Cemetery Project, Headstone of Winnifred Ranger.
14. ↑ Francis H. Fawcett gives Lucy's middle name as Rosalie
15. ↑ Francis H. Fawcett

See Also:

• 1891 Census of Canada, Grey East, Ontario, Schedule No. 1 Population, Euphrasia, 13, ED 67, Sub C, Div. 1, family 54 (amended), line 11, Ezra Isaac Fawcett; [digital image], Library and Archives Canada, ([link]). [enumerated 10 April 1891 by Thomas Abercrombie.]
• 1901 Census of Canada, Grey County, Ontario, Schedule No. 1 Return of the Living, Euphrasia Twp., 2, ED 64, Sub C, Div. 4, household 22, family 22, line 43, Ezra Isaac Fawcett; [digital image], Library and Archives Canada, ([link]). [enumerated by William Stuart. Date of Birth is given as 7 Jan 1883, age 18 and he is listed as being a student.]
• 1901 Census of Canada, Grey County, Ontario, Schedule No. 2 buildings and Lands, Churches and Schools, Euphrasia Twp., pp. 1, ED 64, Sub C, Div. 4, line 22, Fawcett Home; [digital image], Library and Archives Canada, ([link]). [enumerated 8 April 1901 by William Stuart. The Fawcett home was located at Concession 5 Lot 3, described as a 6 room wooden dwelling with 2 outbuildings set on 50 acres.]
• 1911 Census of Canada, Grey County, Ontario, Schedule No. 1 Population by Name, Personal Description, etc., Euphrasia Twp., pp. 3, ED (72), Sub (9), Div. 4, household 27, family 27 (amended), line 26, Ezra Isaac Fawcett; [digital image], Library and Archives Canada, ([link]). [enumerated by Stanley Wiley.]
• 1921 Census of Canada, Grey County, Ontario, Form 1 Population, Euphrasia Twp., pp. 4, ED 83, Sub 9, household 35, family 36 (amended), line 18, Ezra Isaac Fawcett; [digital image], Ancestry.com, ([link] free registration required); citing Library and Archives Canada. Sixth Census of Canada, 1921. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: Library and Archives Canada, Series RG31. Folder 60. [enumerated 10-13 June 1921 by W. Ellis. Ezra is listed as the owner of a detached 5 room wooden home.]
• "Kimberley Budget", Flesherton Advance, vol. 35, No. 3, ([Flesherton, ON]: 30 December 1915), ([link]) p.1 col. 2. [First time being wounded.]

  Mr. Wm. Fawcett received a telegram from Ottawa one day last week, apprising him of the fact that his son, who is at the front somewhere in Belgium, had been wounded in the neck and arms. Whether his wounds are of a serious nature is not known, but we trust they are not. This brings the war much nearer to us.

• "Kimberley Budget", Flesherton Advance, vol. 36, No. 6, ([Flesherton, ON]: 15 June 1916), ([link]) p.1 col. 3. [Second time being wounded.]

  Mr. Wm. Fawcett received a telegram on Monday, stating that his son, Ezra, who is at the front somewhere in Belgium, has been wounded again, this time in the arm. We don't know whether it is serious or not.

• "Kimberley", Flesherton Advance, vol. 38, No. 37, ([Flesherton, ON]: 13 Feb 1919), ([link]) p.1 col. 4. [Ezra sailing home.]

  Mrs. Wm. E. Fawcett received a cablegram last week from her son, Corp. Ezra Fawcett, stating that he had sailed on the Tunisian on Jan 31st. He will arrive home sometime this week.

• "Kimberley", Flesherton Advance, vol. 38, No. 43, ([Flesherton, ON]: 27 Mar 1919), ([link]) p.1 col. 2.[A supper is held for Ezra by the Loyal Orange Lodge]

  Kimberley L.O.L. [Loyal Orange Lodge] No. 1340 held an oyster supper on Monday evening last in honor of Pte. Ezra Fawcett. He was presented with a set of silver knives and forks.

• Headstone of Winnifred Ranger hosted by CanadaGenWeb Cemetery Project
• Library and Archives Canada, "War Diaries of the First World War", ArchiviaNet: On-line Research Tool, ( ), accessed 25 Dec 2013, ([link]). [Search term: 15th Battalion. No specific mention is made of Ezra, however we can cross-reference the dates he was wounded to determine his likely location and activities]