BX October 30, 1916

Five Returned Heroes are Home on Furlough – Sergeants. Stodden and Pilley and Privates Houlding, Batson and Taylor – Acted as Escort

Five more Brantford heroes, Sergeants Stodden and Pilley and Privates Harry Houlding, George Batson and Taylor, all of whom have been wounded, returned to the city on Saturday evening on a short furlough. These men all came back as an escort of soldiers whose minds have given way under the strain of war.

All five men were members of the original Fourth Battalion, and all wear the gold stripes which quietly acclaim the fact that they have been wounded. Pte. Houlding, who is a brother of Mrs. Frank Leeming, was wounded three times and spent some months in the hospital. He was first wounded at Ypres in April of last year, then again in October, and in December he received two more wounds during bombardments.

All of the five men are now much better and after they reach England, which they will do by November 25, they will return to France again.

That it is figured at the front that no more than 17 of the original Fourth Battalion, both officers and men, remain was a remark made by Pte. Houlding. He was born and brought up in Brantford and was greeted all along the street by old friends this morning.

Private George Batson is a son of Mrs. James Batson, 111 Murray Street. He was wounded last May and has since been in a convalescent home at Epsom, England, Sergt. G. Pilley formerly resided at 124 Spring Street. He is a married man and prior to enlisting had eight years service with the Welsh regiment and three years with the 38th D.R.S. Sergeant Stodden’s home is at 102 Aberdeen Street. He is also a married man and laborer. He was for 16 years a member of the 16th Dragoon Guards.