Circumstances of Casualty: Killed in Action.
Location of Unit at Time of Casualty: Attack in Vicinity of St. Julien.
BX May 18, 1915
Though his name has not yet appeared in any casualty lists published from Ottawa, and though no official intimation has been received in this city, there is reason to believe that Pte. William Lofty, who left here with the first contingent of Dufferin Rifles, is missing from his battalion, and it is thought that he is either in the hands of the enemy or has died on the field of battle.
In a letter received yesterday by Mrs. J. Davis, of this city, from her son, Sergeant A. Davis, who is with Capt. Colquhoun’s command in the trenches in Flanders, in which he states that Pte. Lofty is missing and believed to be dead. Sergeant Davis vouchsafes the hope that his fellow soldier may yet turn up, as stragglers who have lost their way or who have remained in hiding rather than be captured by the German soldiers, are rejoining their regiments daily.
Mrs. Lofty and her little son left their former residence at 156 Brock Street shortly after the departure of her husband for the front, and no relatives, so far as is known now reside in this city. Private Lofty had four years experience with the Dufferin Rifles, and formerly served for five years with the King’s Liverpool Regiment in the old country. He is a labourer.
BX July 2, 1915
Two Brantford Men are Reported Killed – Pte. W. Lofty and Pte. C. Dudden – Pte. Dudden Had Been Unofficially Reported to Have Been Killed – Pte. Lofty Had Previously Been Reported Wounded in Langemarck Fighting – Local Recruiting On
The official casualty lists published at Ottawa this morning contains the names of two Brantford volunteers, they being reported as having given up their lives on the field of battle.
The other name contained in the list of casualties is that of Private William Lofty, who was reported to have been wounded in the battle of Langemarck, and who is this morning reported killed in action. Shortly after the outbreak of the war, Mrs. Lofty, who resided at 15 Brock Street, left for her parental home in the Old Country, and none of Brantford’s latest hero’s relatives is known to still reside here. Private Lofty was by trade a laborer, and had several years’ military experience to his credit prior to the present war. He served for five years with the King’s Liverpool Regiment in England, and since coming to Canada, for four years with the Dufferin Rifles.
