On his attestation papers Cecil gives a friend Ben Johnston as his next of kin, he states Ben is no relation to him. He is a farmer and enlisted in Peterborough, Ontario on October 20 1915.
In May of 2014 I met Wilda Hay who was the Granddaughter of Ben Johnston. Ben was the farmer to whom Cecil was indentured to work. The Johnson family treated Cecil with love and respect. Cecil, unlike a lot of British Home Children was treated very well, he was educated before he was expected to work on the farm. When Cecil died, Ben kept all his documents and items in his family. Wilda has loaned these items to the British Home Children Advocacy & Research Association for use in their displays. Cecil's items have become the foundation for an exhibit at the Canadian Museum of History.
Cecil died in the Battle of Vimy Ridge. His body was found on the battle field. A farmer by trade, he enlisted in the CEF on 7 Oct 1915 in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
On his attestation papers Cecil gives a friend Ben Johnston as his next of kin, he states Ben is no relation to him. He is a farmer and enlisted in Peterborough, Ontario on October 20 1915.
In May of 2014 I met Wilda Hay who was the Granddaughter of Ben Johnston. Ben was the farmer to whom Cecil was indentured to work. The Johnson family treated Cecil with love and respect. Cecil, unlike a lot of British Home Children was treated very well, he was educated before he was expected to work on the farm. When Cecil died, Ben kept all his documents and items in his family. Wilda has loaned these items to the British Home Children Advocacy & Research Association for use in their displays. Cecil's items have become the foundation for an exhibit at the Canadian Museum of History.
Cecil died in the Battle of Vimy Ridge. His body was found on the battle field. A farmer by trade, he enlisted in the CEF on 7 Oct 1915 in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
Inscription
195028 Private
C. Bennett
20th BN Canadian Inf
9th April 1917
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