Family Search: When Private Maurice Arthur Searle was born on 6 November 1898, in Croydon, London, England, United Kingdom, his father, William Thomas Searle, was 29 and his mother, Kate Lee, was 26. He married Doris Trickett on 17 September 1927, in York, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He immigrated to Toronto, York, Ontario, Canada in 1913 and lived in Croydon, Surrey, England, United Kingdom in 1911 and Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1972. He registered for military service in 1915. In 1920, his occupation is listed as soldier’s aid commision, veteran affairs canada in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He died on 13 November 1972, at the age of 74, and was buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Maurice Searle, former pensions advocate for the federal Department of Veterans’ Affairs, died Monday at his Shallmar Blvd. home. He was 74.
For 40 years he acted as business administrator for thousands of veterans of two world wars. His job began with the Soldiers Aid Commission in 1920 and continued under the Department of Veterans’ Affairs until 1960.
He was responsible for gathering information on individual applications for pensions to be considered by pension boards. He processed thousands of applications but was most proud of investigations that resulted in granting of pensions previously refused. One of his investigations resulted in a $15,000 lump-sum payment to a veteran and his family.
More than 30 military and Masonic organizations acquainted with his work honored him with honorary lifetime memberships.
Born in England, Searle came to Canada shortly before World War I in which he was a Canadian army corporal.
He leaves his wife, May.
The Toronto Star Wed, Nov 15, 1972 ·Page 105.
SEARLE, Maurice — Formerly of the Department of Veterans Affairs (Veterans W.W. I, 18th Batt.), passed away at his residence, 24 Sallmar Blvd., on Monday, November 13, 1972. Beloved husband of May Boyd and dear brother of Mrs. Clarence Rose (Olive), deceased. Friends may call at the Humphrey Funeral Home, 1403 Bayview Ave. (at Davisville Ave.). Funeral service will be held in Forest Hill United Church on Friday afternoon at one o’clock. Interment Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Donations to the Ontario Heart Foundation, 310 Davenport Rd., would be appreciated.
The Toronto Star Tue, Nov 14, 1972 ·Page 44
Article mentioning M.A. Searle. He was involved with the 18th Battalion Association. Montreal Gazette, June 11, 1934.
MOTHER HAD PRESENTIMENT In a Dream Mrs. Searle Heard Voice of Wounded Son.
On the day that Pte. Wm. Lyon [Lywnn] Searle landed in England, his mother left for Canada. She had not seen him for four years. Now he is reported missing since April 9 [1917]. On the day he entered Bramshott Camp, his brother, Pte. Morris. [Maurice] A. Searle, left for France. Now Morris is reported wounded. No particulars in either case have reached the mother from Ottawa; possibly they have gone to her former address in England. But in the dead of night two weeks ago. there came an intimation to her, “Come and kiss me, mother,” she heard Morris say; and she has been ever since expecting the ill news which the Star brought her today. Both boys have been in Canada for years. Morris was 18. William 19 years of age. The former worked for the T. Eaton Company, the latter for the Wm. Davies Co. Morris went overseas last August. William went after training in Bermuda with a Lindsay battalion.
Source: Toronto Star – June 18th, 1917
Enl in 38 BN at Lindsay ON on May 28, 1915. Carpenter. Brother Maurice Arthur Searle 769422 born Nov 6 1897 in Croydon, Surrey, England. Mail Carrier at Eatons. He enl Toronto De 28, 1915 in 124 BN.
Born – Croydon, England, 6 November, 1898, came to Canada as a boy in 1911.
Parents – William and Kate Searle.
Religion – Member of Eglinton United Church, Toronto.
War Record –
Enlisted at the age of 16 1/2 years, December 1915, soin after he went to France with the 18th Battalion, 2nd Canadian Division, 25th of May, 1917, he was wounded at Merricourt on the Lens Front, and was invalided in France for some time. Later he saw action in several capacities and remained in France until December 1918. On New Year’s eve, 1918-19 he returned to England. He returned to Canada, and received his discharge at the Exhibition Grounds, Toronto.
Business –
After he was discharged from the army he took advantage of the educational courses provided by the Department of Soldiers Re-establishment. Later he was posted to the accounting department of the Soldiers’ Aid Commission. In 1924 he became assistant supervisor in the Pension Claims Branch. September, 1930, saw another chance in the Pensions Department of Canada, and our Grand Z was appointed Pensions Advocate with the Department of Pensions and National Health. The 1st of September, 1939, saw another change for him by being appointed District Pensions Advocate, a position he still maintains (to quote from The Veterans’ Advocate, a monthly magazine) “and files admirably.” In 1953 the Ontario government honoured him by appointing him a Commissioner of the Soldiers’ Aid Commission of Ontario.
MASONIC RECORD
Initiated, Passed, and Raised in Alpha Lodge, No. 384, G.R.C., A.F. & A.M., in 1922, became Worshipful Master in 1938, elected D.D.G.M., Toronto District D, 1950 – 51. Received Honorary Rank as P.M. in Ulster Lodge No. 537, G.R.C. and Remembrance Lodge No 586, G.R.C., Toronto. Exalted in the St. Patrick Chapter No. 145, G.R.C., in 1926 became First Principal, 1942, elected Grand Superintendent 1948, elected to Grand Chapter Executive Executive Committee 1951 – 5, elected Grand J. 1955 – 6, and Grand First Principal, April 25, 1957. he has served Grand Chapter in many ways and at the present time is the representative of the Grand Chapter of Delaware, near the Grand Chapter of Canada. He served Royal Arch Masonry in the Toronto District’s Principal’s Association and was elected President. Past Thrice III. Master of Adoniram Council No. 2, Royal and Select Masters of Ontario, and Past Grand Inspector General; Past Commander Noah Royal Ark Mariners of Ontario, he is a member of Geoffrey de St. Aldemar Preceptory No. 2 Knights Templars, a Kt. Comp. of the Red Cross of Constantine and Appendant Orders.
Other activities: Our Grand Z. in his younger days was one of Canada’s well known soccer football players and was highly rated. Now his chief recreation is golf, being a member of the Islington Golf Club.
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 