| Fact & Fantasy: A History of Tavistock & District |
Tavistock's Military Record - Page 85-87 |
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Tavistock's Military Record
Tavistock and District has a proud military record. Her sons and daughters have served on many fronts, at home and abroad, on land, on sea and in the air. Our founder is given credit for forming a militia unit in the 1850's when danger threatened our borders.
In the early 1900's Capt. John Krug is reported to be attending parades: The files of the Gazette report the following activities prior to World War I: June 2, 1910 Capt. Krug of the Grey's Horse was in town and conferred with Sgt. Maj. Osborne relative to camp at Niagara. Austin Hahn along with Quartermaster Capt. John F. Krug, Lt. W.H. Yung, Orderly E. Fuhr and Troopers Gordon and Berger attended. All returned, on June 23, with Trooper Hahn having won his Corporal's stripes. May 16, 1912The 24th Regt. of Grey's Horse were camping this year at Goderich, wIth pay of $1 per man and $1 per horse. Quartermaster J .F. Krug along with Trp. Fred Scott and Fred Challis attended. July 25, 1912 Rev. J.W. Freed, the Baptist minister, received a cheque for $ 100, a grant for service in the Fenian Raids in 1863 and a call for duty along the Welland Canal in 1870. 1914 - 18 To honour the men who served in the First World War from 1914 - 18, the Women's Institute has erected a bronze plaque on the inside wall of the Public Library. On it we find: Killed in action: Milton Capling Died in training: Frederick W. Ratz. Armstrong, Ernest D. Bowman, Norval Capling, Fred Dietz, Victor Duval, Elroy Eckstein, Russell Eifert, Arnold Ferguson, Reginald Foerster, Arthurv McMillan, John McMillan, Louis Murray, Duncan Pearson, Walter F. Quehl, George Ratz, Charles H. Ratz, Gord on L. Schmidt, Fred Schmidt, Roy Hahn, Arthur Hahn, Austin E. Hansen, Richard Hartung, Edward Hartung, Miltonv Klein, Charles J. Klein, Lloyd Leinweber, Wesley Mather, Henry McKay, Harry J. McKellar, John Schmidt, William Sims, Norman Sims, Oscar Sims, Reuben Stock, Edward Stock, Fred W. Stock, Valentine F. Walter, Fred Weicker, Julius Woelfle, Peter Wilker, Theodore 
1939 - 45When Canada declared war on Germany in 1939, the boys again, and girls too, heard the call of king and country; how eloquently, this letter expresses their devotion and dedication: No complete and accurate list of all who joined the colours is available. The following one has been gleaned from the Tweedsmuir Book, which secured names from the various churches, and from the Honour Roll maintained by the Principals of the Public and Continuation Schools and inscribed by the late Reginald Selfe, and from the letters written to the Men's Club in thanks for cigarettes, rings, and lighter or identification discs, presented to each enlistee. These letters have been kept by Mr. K. Hart Brown, who received most of them as the Club's secretary.  OXFORD RIFLES (Reserve Unit) Mention here should also be made of those who served in a lesser capacity in the Reserve Units, who because of age or category were not subject to call. Under the leadership of Charles J. Kaufman, Lt. Col. Hersee of the Oxford Rifles, organized Platoon No. 12, B Coy. of the 2nd Reserve Battalion. A Drill Hall was built above the dressing-rooms of the Arena, with side entrance, and regular parades were held. The Tavistock platoon always won high praise for its efficiency from the commanding officer, Lt. Col. Hersee, Capt. Fred Brown 2 i/c and Sgt.-Maj. Jackson. Many of the younger men on reaching the ir majority joined the regulars. On September 26, 1944 the roster was as follows: 
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