BREAR, PTE EDWARD FRANCIS - Regimental #3034310
Edward Francis Brear was born November 10, 1895 at Maple Island. His medical examination was on Nov. 7, 1917 and on March 22, 1918 he formally enlisted in the C.E. F. (Canadian Expeditionary Force).
Edward Francis Brear
As part of the 10th draft of the 1st Battalion, 1st COR. (Central Ontario Regiment) Edward arrived in England on the Valencia May 27, 1918.
He was transferred to the 12th Reserve Battallion where he served for 6 months. He was transferred to the 20th Battalion on October 29, 1918 where he served for a further 6 months.
While in the 20th, he served in France.
The 20th battalion was composed of volunteers from militia units in central Ontario. Much of the unit was drawn from the 12th York Regiment, the Rangers, with men coming from ten other militia regiments – of which four still exist.[1] The unit fought in France and Flanders as part of the 4th Infantry brigade, 2nd Canadian Division.[2] Notable actions include the Somme, Vimy Ridge, Hill 70, Passchendaele, Amiens, the advance along the Scarpe, Canal du Nord, Canal de le Escault and the advance to Mons in the Last Hundred Days.
Edward was discharged May 24, 1919.
Pages that follow the particulars related to the service of Edward Brear:
Edward Francis Brear was born November 10, 1894 at Maple Island (died January 14, 1982 in Parry Sound). Eddie married Frances Pearl Wager (Born May 15, 1904) on February 8, 1921 in the Parsonage of the Parry Sound United Church.
During the second world war, Eddie worked at Defense Industries Limited, Nobel, Ontario during the war years. This plant made cordite explosives which were shipped to the Ajax Munitions Factories in Ajax, Ontario
Eddie Brear with Ellen (Harris) Brear, wife of George Brear
Ed and Francis lived in the frame home on old homestead on Maple Island. Through Ed's war allowance he was able to start up his home and his family on the old homestead.
The home was the birthplace of Eddie’s two sons Gerald and Donald. It was during the winter of 1923/24 that the home was lost to fire.
The next home owned by Ed Brear was in Dunchurch. It was located at the top of Grange Hill. Eddie bought the home from the Simpsons and later sold the house to William Crisp. Eventually he moved his family to Parry Sound and began working for Mark Taylor.
Ed and Frances had 6 children: Gerald Edward Brear born November 25, 1921; Donald Lames Brear born April 22, 1923; Betty Frances Brear born July 22, 1924; William ‘Harold’ Brear born November 21, 1926; Robert Ralph Brear born November 8, 1932; and Howard Russell Brear born February 18, 1942.
Both Gerald and Donald, born at Maple Island served in WWII and are discussed in a later Chapter.
