William Albert O'Heron

Rank:

Private

Regimental number:

772032

Unit at enlistment:

125th Battalion

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Yes

Cemetery:

Greenwood Cemetery, Brantford, Ontario

Birth country:

Canada

Birth county:

Norfolk

Birth city:

Simcoe, Ontario

Address at enlistment:

12 Bowes Avenue, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

12 Bowes Avenue, Brantford, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Letter carrier

Employer:

Brantford Post Office

Religious denominations:

Methodist

Marital status:

Married

Age at enlistment:

Letters and documents

BX September 29, 1917

Returned Invalided Soldiers

The following Brantford men are expected to leave Halifax on Saturday, Sept. 29 by the intercolonial and Grand Trunk. They may reach Toronto Sunday Morning, Sept. 30. Cpl. E. Van Sickle, Privates H. Reeve, W. O’Heron, E. Hall, H. Baird, C. Wells.

BX October 3, 1917

Veterans Were Not Met Here – No Word of Their Coming had Preceded Them – Were Unwelcomed

As a result of a laxness somewhere no word was received here yesterday as to the time of arrival of the expected party of returned veterans, so they arrived home unwelcomed. A deputation of returned soldiers, members of the Soldiers’ Aid Commission and citizens, met the 7.33 train from Toronto but the men were all home by that time. Seven men in all arrived, four of them at 6.52 and the other three during the afternoon.

The party was not long held in Toronto as they just reached there at noon yesterday. The London bunch went through Brantford about the middle of the afternoon and a few relatives of the men expected were on hand but no Brantford men came with the party and the expectation was that they would arrive as usual at 7.33.

The men who returned yesterday are as far as is known the following: Corp. E. Vansickle, Private Harry Baird, H. Reeve, W. O’Heron, and E. Hall. In this party Lance Corp. Vansickle had probably suffered the most. He had been wounded 23 times at Vimy Ridge, as the result of a bursting shell. Pte. Harry Baird, who before enlisting was a brakeman on the G.T.R., has been at the front for three years. He is also badly off, having suffered seven wounds and is still suffering from shock.

Ald. M.M. MacBride returned from Toronto on the same train as the veterans last evening and he was thanked for assisting one home with his baggage. One of the veterans who came in last evening stated that he saw more lights in Brantford than he has seen in three years. He also remarked on the pleasure the men took in cleaning up huge platters of white bread when they reached Halifax. White bread and butter were great luxuries overseas and were enjoyed to the full on the return.

A veteran states that the Bantam Battalion has been found unfit for active service, conditions owing to their size, as a result of which, he states about half of them are returning to Canada, the balance having been absorbed by the Engineers.

BC May 28, 1917

Interesting Letter Sent by Bert O’Heron From the Front

Bert O’Heron writes the following letter to his friend Mr. Alfred Stewart, letter carrier:

May 6, 1917
France

Dear Friend Alfred

I do not remember if I answered your last letter or not, but if I did not I hope you will excuse my thoughtlessness, for life here is just one thing after another. I have been touring France since last Saturday week, and the Lord only knows where I will end up. I have been up the line since leaving the Corp School, the beginning of March. I met all the Brantford boys, among them Billy Bell, the same old Bill; Leonard Mears (or Dad) I should say, looking well and fit. My son Leo, gee, he is a fine boy, had a close call the night Ernest Aitcheson received his wounds which proved fatal; Leo was the length of his mule in front of him.

I was over near Vimy Ridge Easter Monday, to see the big advance. Well, Alfred, there is no use trying to describe it to you, you could not realize it unless you were there to see. The bombardment that we gave Fritz was simply awful; you could follow the direction of the 15 inch Howitzer shells, until they took the curve in the air. The earth fairly rocked for miles, and the smaller guns were just one continual roar. It took the heart out of the Bosche, and the prisoners began to pour in to the cages. I was unfortunate not to have some bully and biscuits for they would give anything they possessed for it. Once chap got a beautiful gold watch and chain for a tin of bully and a biscuit. They sure were glad to be out of the game and made no bones of saying so.

Our boys deserve all the credit that is due them. The position was a remarkably strong one and Fritz made several efforts to regain it, but nothing doing, he could not move that wall of Canadian bone and muscle.

Well, Alfred, a little more about myself and then to ring off for a while. I was warned by the Medical Board to report to the nearest Hospital, so away I goes to No. 13 Field examined by two Doctors and sent down the line marked D.A.H. which is disorganized Action Heart and Bronchitis, passed through the C.C.S. casualty clearing station a week ago today, left there at half past twelve noon, in the Princess Christian hospital train and landed in No. 3 Convalescent Camp at Boulogne, marked out of there on Friday as (T.B.S.) Temporary Base Special Board and sent to Base details which is run in conjunction with the Hospitals and Convalescent Camps, had a board of three Doctors and marked D.A.H., P.B. passed out of there to this place which is known as No. 3 destruction camp. I will send you my address as soon as I find out where my permanent abode will be. Well, as I said before life is one etc., etc. I hope you and family are enjoying the best of health and also all the boys at the office, remember me to all.

I remain as ever your old Pal,

Bert

BX October 23, 1934

Death’s Call Came Suddenly – W.A. “Bert” O’Heron Expired While at Work at Post Office

Death’s call came with shocking suddenness at about 10 o’clock this morning to William A. “Bert” O’Heron, one of the most popular members of the Post Office letter carriers’ staff, who resided at 142 William Street.

Mr. O’Heron, who had not been in the best of health lately, reported for work at the usual time this morning. At the time he was stricken he was sitting in a chair talking to Alfred Goodhew, one of the inside clerks.

His death cast a pail of gloom over the whole Post Office staff with whom he was very popular. Postmaster H.J. Hartley, who was present at the time said afterwards: “Bert O’Heron will be greatly misses here. He was a very capable and efficient servant, possessing in addition a genial personality that endeared him to all with whom he came in contact.”

The deceased joined the postal service here in 1912, his continuous service being interrupted when he enlisted in the 125th Battalion and served overseas during the Great War. For many years he was carrier on Walk No. 2, embracing portions of Brant Avenue and William Street. Latterly, however, he has owing to poor health, been in the parcel post department, spending considerable of his time inside. Fraternally he was an active member of Calanthe Lodge, Knights of Pythias. He was also well known as a softball umpire.

The late Mr. O’Heron, was, however, essentially a home man and particularly fond of gardening, the grounds surrounding his home reflecting in their beauty the meticulous work of his hand. To many friends who knew him his sudden demise will be deeply regretted, and sincere sympathy will be extended to the sorrowing members of his family.

He is survived besides his widow by four daughters and three sons; Mrs. V.A. Masterson, Mrs. Kenneth Valance and Miss Delma O’Heron of this city, and Mrs. Drummond of Detroit, and W. Leo, Victor H. and Gordon H., also of this city.

Funeral arrangements will be announced later.

BX October 26, 1934

William Albert O’Heron

In the presence of an unusually large assembly of relatives and friends, funeral services were conducted Thursday afternoon for William Albert O’Heron, popular letter-carrier who passed away suddenly while at work last Monday. Rev. G. Norris Grey, Pastor of Wellington Street United Church, conducted the services at Beckett’s Funeral Home and at Greenwood Cemetery, where interment took place. Officially represented in the large gathering were the Canadian Legion, the Knights of Pythias, the Canadian Order of Foresters, the Independent Order of Foresters, and the letter carriers who attended in a body, marching in uniform from the Funeral Home to the cemetery. Many beautiful floral tributes conveyed the silent sympathy of a wide circle of friends in Brantford and elsewhere. The casket was draped with the Union Jack, and at the graveside “Last Post” was sounded by Bugler Jack Fossey. K. of P., members conducted the last rites of the order, C. Murray officiating as C.C.; I. Crow as V.C.; W. Attlebury as Prelate; and W.W. Prior as M. of W. The pallbearers were two Post Office representatives, Thomas Snodgrass and Alf. Stuart; two C.O.F. representatives, B. Leishman and W. Bannister; and two K. of P. representatives, F. Hall and W.W. Prior.