Pvt. Roy Telford #177764 was born Jan 15, 1884 in Montague, ON to Walter W. and Armanella (Smith) Telford who worked as farmers. He was the youngest of five children including James, Russell, Gordon, Sydney, Annie and Julia who died young. His mother died on Mar 11, 1888 when Roy was four years old. He did have a nanny Barbara Chapman who lived with his family and later cousin Jennie Tripney. His family lived beside the Philip Barber and William Tallman families. His father died on Dec. 5 1909 and was buried in Merrickville Union Cemetery with his wife. Roy was living in Rock Island, Quebec at the time of his enlistment. His pay also went to his brother, Sidney.
Pvt. Telford enlisted on Nov. 16, 1915 in Montreal at the age of 31 and was assigned to the 87th Battalion Canadian Grenadiers. He was 5’5, 37” chest, 135 lbs, single, blue eyes and brown hair. He listed his brother Sidney also of Rock Island, Quebec as his next of kin, his occupation as manufacturer and his religion as Methodist. His medals and decorations were sent to his brother, Sidney of Rock Island, Quebec and his plaque and scroll to another brother, James Telford of 7th Avenue West of Vancouver, BC.
He sailed on April 23, 1916 on the SS Empress of Britain with the 87th battalion and arrived in Liverpool, England. On June 20, 1916, he wrote a will leaving everything to the Telford Brothers Garment Factory of Rock Island, Quebec at the Vermont border which produced men’s overalls and shoes. He remained with the 87th and headed to France on August 12, 1916.
On Oct. 10, 1916, the 87th battalion was transported by train then marched to Albert in preparation of the attack at Courcelette and the Regina Trench. On Oct. 13, it was noted that Pvt. Telford and Scouts were killed at Courcelette. On Oct. 17, the 87th was sent in to relieve the 54th battalion and attacked the Regina Trench on Oct. 21 where they sustained heavy casualties.
Pvt Telford died Oct 13, 1916 while with the 87th battalion and his body was not recovered. He is memorialized on the Vimy Memorial. The Vimy Memorial overlooks the Douai Plain from the highest point of Vimy Ridge. Located north of Arras in France, the Vimy Memorial is Canada’s largest overseas National Memorial. It commemorates more than 11,000 men of the Canadian Expeditionary Force killed during the First World War in France and who have no known grave. Many of them died in the Battle of Vimy Ridge. He is commemorated on page 172 of the Book of Remembrance.The telegram telling of his death is said to have met his brother Gordon at the Merrickville Post Office when he was on his way to mail a Christmas package. A stone marker is erected in the Merrickville Union Cemetery in the Telford family plot.
Pvt. Telford enlisted on Nov. 16, 1915 in Montreal at the age of 31 and was assigned to the 87th Battalion Canadian Grenadiers. He was 5’5, 37” chest, 135 lbs, single, blue eyes and brown hair. He listed his brother Sidney also of Rock Island, Quebec as his next of kin, his occupation as manufacturer and his religion as Methodist. His medals and decorations were sent to his brother, Sidney of Rock Island, Quebec and his plaque and scroll to another brother, James Telford of 7th Avenue West of Vancouver, BC.
He sailed on April 23, 1916 on the SS Empress of Britain with the 87th battalion and arrived in Liverpool, England. On June 20, 1916, he wrote a will leaving everything to the Telford Brothers Garment Factory of Rock Island, Quebec at the Vermont border which produced men’s overalls and shoes. He remained with the 87th and headed to France on August 12, 1916.
On Oct. 10, 1916, the 87th battalion was transported by train then marched to Albert in preparation of the attack at Courcelette and the Regina Trench. On Oct. 13, it was noted that Pvt. Telford and Scouts were killed at Courcelette. On Oct. 17, the 87th was sent in to relieve the 54th battalion and attacked the Regina Trench on Oct. 21 where they sustained heavy casualties.
Pvt Telford died Oct 13, 1916 while with the 87th battalion and his body was not recovered. He is memorialized on the Vimy Memorial. The Vimy Memorial overlooks the Douai Plain from the highest point of Vimy Ridge. Located north of Arras in France, the Vimy Memorial is Canada’s largest overseas National Memorial. It commemorates more than 11,000 men of the Canadian Expeditionary Force killed during the First World War in France and who have no known grave. Many of them died in the Battle of Vimy Ridge. He is commemorated on page 172 of the Book of Remembrance.The telegram telling of his death is said to have met his brother Gordon at the Merrickville Post Office when he was on his way to mail a Christmas package. A stone marker is erected in the Merrickville Union Cemetery in the Telford family plot.