Source: Per post at Facebook Group from Sharon Munro referencing a news article from the Barrie Examiner about the discovery of this soldier’s medals.
SISTERS HAVE BECOME WIDOWS THROUGH WAR
Privates John Hadley and Issac Smith are Both Reorted Killed.
CORP. LUKEY IS HURT
Pte. F.S. Swait of the 20th Battalion Dead of Wounds Recieved Some Time Ago.War has struck a cruel blow at the home of 480 Carlaw avenue, where two war-widows sisters, Mrs. John Haldley and Mrs. Issac Smith reside. Withing six months these two sisters have lost their respective husbands, both killed in action.
To-day John Haldey of the 18th Battalion, formerly of the 39th , is reported killed in action. He was killed on February 28. Last October his brother-in-law, Issac Smith, a sapper in the 5th Field Co. Divisional Engineers, lost his life in a sapping operation.
Hadley’s death can hardly be realized by his wife He had only been in France 25 days when he was killed. He left England on February 3rd with a draft from the 39th Battalion as reinforcements for the 18th, and on Sunday Mrs. Hadley was informed by Ottawa that her husband had been killed. The last letter he wrote was dated February 2nd, the night before he left for France. He sent an army post card on February 9th from France.
Missed Father’s Funeral.
The day before Hadley left England his father died at Worcestershire, England, and on account of the draft leaving for France the next day, Hadley was unable to secure a pass to attend the funeral. Hadley enlisted with the 39th Battalion at Lindsay and went overseas last June. The battalion was stationed at West Sandling Camp, Kent, England. Pte. Hadley was born in Worcestshire, Birmingham, England, and had lived in Toronto for thirteen years. He was a bricklayer and well known in labor circles.
Writing from Kent on February 2nd, the last letter Mrs. Hadley received, he said:
“Father passed away two days ago and was buried to-day. I was unable to get a pass home to attend the funeral on account of our draft leaving for France to-morrow. I am glad to get out of here and into action. Remember me to Willie and tell him to be good to his mother.” Willie is Mrs. Hadley’s only child, a bright eight-year-old boy, who attends Pape Avenue School.
Source: Newspaper Clipping – From the Toronto Star. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me. Source: CVWM
When engaged in pushing trucks on the Elzenwalle Switch, near Elzenwalle, at about 10.40 o’clock on the morning of February 28th, 1916 an enemy high explosive shell burst within twenty feet of him. Two of his companions were wounded and he was instantly killed by severe concussion about the head.
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 