BX September 14, 1914
Wants to Return to Home Land
Mrs. George Starling and her three little children, none of whom is five years of age, made an appeal this morning to the township authorities to be sent back to her home in the Old Land. Her husband was a British reservist, belonging to the 2nd Norfolk’s and was called back home to defend his country. Mrs. Starling, who is residing on Aberdeen Avenue, was left behind, and though up to the present she has been getting along nicely, she would like to get back to her old home. In the old land the pay of her husband, with the separation allowance given by the military authorities would keep her nicely, while it would be very small here. As her husband is a reservist, she does not receive the allowance of $20 from the Dominion government, and not being in the city has not received any assistance from the city. The township authorities are endeavouring to comply with her request, as her keep during the war would approximate the cost of her return to her own people.
BX October 28, 1914
To Return To Old Land
Arrangements have been completed whereby Mrs. Starling and Mrs. Williams, the wives of two reservists who went to the war from the county, will return with their little ones in the old land, and live on their husband’s pay and allowances, which they cannot do here and in case of anything happening they would be near their husbands and their friends. From the county standpoint the move was a good one as the expense will be much less than if they were assisted here. They will leave the city on November 3 and sail on the S.S. Megantic on November 5.
BX July 5, 1915
Starling Lucky Man – One of Reservists Who First Left Brantford, He Has Come Through Scathless
Pte. George Starling, one of the reservists to leave Brantford first, is alive and well, though somewhat pinched by the stress of winter fighting in the trenches. This is the information contained in a letter to The Expositor, written by James Cutbush, who left Brantford last November, and who is with the British forces in France working at his trade as a carpenter. The letter follows:
June 13, 1915
Somewhere in France
Dear Sir,
An old Brantfordite, having left Brantford for England last November, I started work in France at my trade (carpenter) under British military law, and have been in this country four months. I did not run across any of the Brantford boys until tonight. I took a stroll to Lady Angela Forbes’ soldiers’ buffet here where the soldiers were having a bit of a sing-song amongst themselves, and I was more than surprised when one of the “Tommies” came and tapped me on the shoulder and said: “I beg your pardon, but I think I have met you before.” I said “Yes, you have in Brantford, Canada.” Well, he was George Starling, a bricklayer by trade. He was called up on the reserve at the outbreak of the war, with P.C. Cobden and another fellow, I think also of the police force. He is here on leave for a few days rest. He has been at the front since August; he left Cobden at Euston station (London), and has not seen either of them since. He has been very fortunate so far, coming through without a scratch, only looking a little pinched through the hardships of the winter in the trenches when he was up to the knees in water at times. I am writing this at Starling’s request and he wishes to be remembered to all his old Brantford friends, and chiefly Mayor Spence. I might also add I think it might interest a few Brantford people that whilst on a visit to Boulogne one Sunday I was surprised to see a car drawn alongside presented by Major R.W. Leonard to the Canadian government, or words to that effect, and it was well loaded up, too, doing useful work.
Sincerely yours,
Jim Cutbush
