Sleep On Dear Son…

Meditating Deer, Ross Bay Cemetery

Meditating deer, Ross Bay Cemetery, Victoria, B.C.
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

Ross Bay’s Great War

A recent weekend provided opportunity for a wandering about of Victoria’s Ross Bay Cemetery. Stretched alongside Dallas Road with refreshing views and sounds of water pondering at the nearby shoreline…I breathe deeply…there is salt in the air today. A goodly time has passed since I last truly wandered this story-scape – in between the markers and with ample time for searching. There are no restrictions to impede my interests today.

European Wall Lizard, Ross Bay Cemetery

Seldom stationary, a skittish European Wall Lizard basks in the sun at Ross Bay Cemetery.
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

My gaze is intermittently-interrupted by numerous deer who, though occasionally curious, are more interested in meditating amongst this nature or tugging at the grass. A striding crow or two bounces about and seagulls flow passing amongst and sometimes alighting upon the markers. There is tranquility here though the ricocheting activities of springtime squirrels, the darting of heat-seeking lizards and low-level fuzzy “bumbles” also adds delight to the day’s sun and ambience.

Bumblebee, Ross Bay Cemetery

The steady drone of a bumblebee adds to the day’s tranquility.
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

My survey, over these recent two days, has produced new learning that I share today with earlier findings. I especially search for family memorials that record Great War and Second World War losses though within the mix I stop to photograph various War Graves and Veterans headstones…but that work is for another time. In all I will spend some eight hours here amongst the nature and read the stone story books calling me towards their direction. The air is fresh, there is more to discover, something missed, something found…something re-found as well as known markers not found. I like it this way…steady roaming…a good day here amongst my meditations.

Ross Bay Cemetery Survey

Ablett Family Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery.

Ablett Family Memorial.
(P. Ferguson image, September 2019)

George Henry Ablett

George H. Ablett

George H. Ablett
1872 – 1917
KILLED AT VIMY
(P. Ferguson image, September 2019)

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Agnew Family Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery, Victoria, B.C.

Agnew Family Memorial
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

Augustus Waterous Agnew

Augusts Waterous Agnew, Courcelette, France

AND ALSO OF THEIR SON
AUGUSTUS WATEROUS AGNEW
BORN IN MONTREAL, QUEBEC
MAJOR 3RD CANADIAN PIONEERS
48th BATTN. CEF
WHO FELL IN ACTION
AT COURCELETTE, SEPTEMBER 1916
BURIED AT CONTAY, FRANCE
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

—————0—————

Archer Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery

Archer Memorial
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

Irving Archer

Archer Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery

IN MEMORY OF
IRVING ARCHER
BORN IN LONDON, ENG.
KILLED IN ACTION
AUGUST 10TH 1918
AGED 37
BURIED IN FRANCE
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

—————0—————

Beyon Family Memorial

Beynon Family Memorial.
(P. Ferguson image, September 2004)

George Philip Beynon

Ross Bay Cemetery Beynon Memorial

In
loving memory of
PTE.
GEORGE PHILIP BEYNON
of 67th Rgt.
Killed in Action
June 10, 1917
At the Battle of
Vimy Ridge
Aged 19
(P. Ferguson image, 2014)

—————0—————

Brewster Family Memorial

Brewster Family Memorial
(P. Ferguson image, September 2019)

Raymond Harlan Brewster

Brewster Family Memorial

RAYMOND HARLAN
BREWSTER
BORN
DEC. 25. 1893
AT WINTER HILL
SOMERVILLE, MASS
KILLED IN ACTION
NOV .1.1918.FRANCE
(P. Ferguson image, September 2019)

—————0—————

Campbell Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery

Campbell Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery.
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

W.A. Campbell

Campbell Memorial

IN LOVING MEMORY OF
CAPT. W.A. CAMPBELL
SON OF
W.A. CAMPBELL
CHATHAM ONT
DIED AFTER ACTIVE SERVICE
IN FRANCE
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

—————0—————

Lovick and Cutt Family Memorial

Lovick and Cutt Family Memorial.
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

A.H.G. (Hubert) Cutt

Lovick and Cutt Family Memorial

A.H.G. (HUBERT) CUTT
C.E.F., 7 BATT. 1914 – 1919
1894 – 1948
BELOVED BY ALL
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

—————0—————

Davies Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery

Davies Family Memorial
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

John T. Davies

Davies Family Memorial

IN LOVING MEMORY OF
JOHN T. DAVIES,
BORN AUG. 22. 1892
50 GORDONS 16 BATT. 1ST C.E.F.
FELL IN ACTION MAY 20. 1915
HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR ME
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

—————0—————

Dowler and Williams Family Memorial.

Dowler and Williams Family Memorial.
(P. Ferguson image, May 2019)

J.W. Dowler

LIEUT. J.W. DOWLER VIMY 1917

LIEUT. J.W. DOWLER VIMY 1917
(P. Ferguson image, May 2019)

—————0—————

Dunsmuir Family Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery

Dunsmuir Family Memorial
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

James Dunsmuir Jr.

Dunsmuir Memorial

IN MEMORY OF
JAMES DUNSMUIR JR.
LOST IN THE “LUSITANIA” ON MAY 7TH 1915,
AGED 21 YEARS
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

—————0—————

Eaton Family Memorial

Eaton Family Memorial.
(P. Ferguson image, January 2020)

R.W. Eaton

Albert Eaton, Rupert William Eaton, Military Cross, 54th Canadian Infantry Battalion

Also
LIEUT. R.W. EATON M.C.
only son of the above (Albert Eaton)
who was killed in action
Sep. 27.1918 Aged 22 Yr.
God judges by a light that
baffles human sight
And the fallen soldier boy
a crown has won
In his vast world above
a world of broader to be
God hath some grand
employment for his son
(P. Ferguson image, January 2020)

—————0—————

Elliott Family Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery

Elliott Family Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery.
(P. Ferguson image, September 2018)

George W. Elliott and Fred Fletcher Elliott

Elliott Family Memorial Ross Bay Cemetery

PTE. GEORGE W.
born April 7, 1893
and
Lieut. F.
Fletcher
born Jan. 26, 1891
sons of
Rev. Wm. & Mrs.
ELLIOTT
fell at Ypres
Apr. 24, 1915
and
June 3, 1916
respectively
(P. Ferguson image, September 2018)

—————0—————

Roderick Hamilton Finlayson

Finlayson Family Memorial

BURIED AT LE TOUQUET, FRANCE
LIEUT. RODERICK HAMILTON FINLAYSON
7TH BATTN 1st CANADIAN B.E.F.
DIED OF WOUNDS APRIL 20TH 1917, AFTER VIMY RIDGE
AGED 21 YEARS
ONLY SON OF W.H. AND JANE FINLAYSON
AND GRANDSON OF RODERICK AND SARAH FINLAYSON
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

 —————0—————

Galt Family Memorial. (P. Ferguson image, May 2019)

Galt Family Memorial.
(Plot to right).
(P. Ferguson image, May 2019)

John Galt

Lieutenant John Galt.

LIEUT. JOHN GALT
KILLED IN THE GREAT WAR
1915, AGED 24
(P. Ferguson image, May 2019).

—————0—————

Gray Family Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery

Gray Family Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery.
(P. Ferguson image, September 2004)

George Robert Gray

Gray family Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery

GEORGE ROBERT GRAY (ROBIN)
KILLED IN ACTION IN FRANCE
OCT. 31 1917. AGED 19 YEARS
(P/ Ferguson image, March 2019)

—————0—————

Holmes Family Memorial.

Holmes Family Memorial.
(P. Ferguson image, May 2019).

William Dumbleton Holmes

Captain William Dumbleton Holmes D.S.O., M.C.

HOLMES
1893 CAPTAIN WILLIAM DUMBLETON 1916
D.S.O. M.C. K/A YPRES
(P. Ferguson image, May 2019)

—————0—————

Irving Family Memorial.

Irving Family Memorial.
(P. Ferguson image, May 2019).

A. Beaufin Irving

Lieutenant A. Beaufin Irving.

IN MEMORY OF
LT A. BEAUFIN IRVING
KILLED IN ACTION
NOVEMBER 1916
AGED 26 YEARS
(P. Ferguson image, May 2019).

—————0—————

C.B. Johnston

Johnston Memorial

PTE. C.B. JOHNSTON
7TH CDN. INF. BN.
DIED DEC. 30TH 1920
AGED 26 YEARS
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

—————0—————

Litchfield Family Memorial.

Litchfield Family Memorial.
(P. Ferguson image, May 2019).

Richard Litchfield

Cadet Richard William Reginald Litchfield.

CADET RICHARD WILLIAM
REGINALD LITCHFIELD
ROYAL AIR FORCE
DIED AT CAMP BEAMSVILLE, ONT.
MAY 2, 1918
AGED 22 YEARS AND 10 MONTHS
(P. Ferguson image, May 2019).

—————0—————

Gerald D. Miller

Miller Memorial

IN LOVING MEMORY OF
LIEUT GERALD D. MILLER
SERVED OVERSEAS WITH
1ST DIV. C.F.A.
DIED SEPT 14, 1919
AGED 24 YEARS
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

—————0—————

Nation Family Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery

Nation Family Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery.
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

George Walter Nation

Nation Family Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery


AND OF THEIR DEAR SON
LIEUT. GEORGE WALTER
NATION
7TH BATTALION CANADIAN LIGHT
INFANTRY, BORN JULY 31ST 1894
KILLED IN ACTION NEAR ZILLEBEKE
FLANDERS, JULY 25TH 1916.
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

—————0—————

Patton Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery

Patton Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery.
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

Robert Patton

Patton Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery

16345
PTE ROBERT PATTON, 7TH BN C.E.F.
ACCIDENTLY DROWNED NEAR RESTHAVEN M.C.H.
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

—————0—————

Paul Family Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery

Paul Family Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery.
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

Horace (Tod) John Stewart Paul

Paul Family Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery

BELOVED SON
1891 HORACE (TOD) J.S. 1917
KILLED IN ACTION AT VIMY RIDGE
BURIED AT LA TARGETTE
NEAR NEUVILLE ST. VAAST, FRANCE
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

—————0—————

Edward Eric Pearson

Pearson Memorial

IN MEMORY OF
EDWARD ERIC PEARSON
5TH BATTN.
BORN JULY 19. 1895
DIED FEB. 26. 1920.
HE DID HIS DUTY
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

—————0—————

Pemberton Family Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery

Pemberton Family Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery.
(P. Ferguson image, September 2004)

F. Despard Pemberton and Warren C. Pemberton

Permberton Family Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery

[IN LOVING MEMORY OF]

CAPT. F. DESPARD PEMBERTON R.F.C.
BORN 15 SEP. 1893
KILLED IN ACTION 21 AUG. 1917
AND
LIEUT. WARREN C. PEMBERTON R.F.C.
BORN 1 DEC, 1895
KILLED OVERSEAS 25 APRIL 1916
(P. Ferguson image, September 2004)

—————0—————

Peters Family Memorial.

Peters Family Memorial.
(P. Ferguson image, May 2019).

John [Jack] Franklyn Peters and Gerald Hamilton Peters

Peters Family Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery

IN PROUD AND UNDYING
MEMORY OF
JACK PTE 7TH BN
MISSING SINCE ST JULIEN
APRIL 24TH 1915 AGED 22
OH BRAVE TRUE HEART
GOD BLESS THEE
WHERE SO ER THOU ART
(P. Ferguson image, September 2018)

Peters Family Memorial

IN PROUD AND ADORING
MEMORY OF
GERALD LIEUT 7TH BN.
KILLED IN ACTION ZILLEBEKE
JUNE 3RD 1916 AGED 2_
SOUL OF MY SOUL WE
SHALL MEET AGAIN
WITH GOD BE THE REST
(P. Ferguson image, September 2018)

—————0—————

Scott Family Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery

Blayney Scott Family Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery.
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

Blayney Scott

Scott Family Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery

IN LOVING MEMORY OF
LIEUT. BLAYNEY SCOTT
SERVED OVERSEAS WITH
2ND C.M.R. C.F.A. R.A.F.
DIED NOV. 9. 1919
AGED 28 YEARS
(WELL DONE BLAYNEY)
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

—————0—————

Scott Family Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery

Tom Scott Family Memorial
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

Tom H. Scott

Scott Family Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery

SERGT TOM H. SCOTT
SON OF THE ABOVE
KILLED IN ACTION IN FRANCE
SEPT. 22. 1918.
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

—————0—————

Spencer Family Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery

Spencer Family Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery.
(P. Ferguson image, September 2004)

John Norman Spencer

Spencer Family Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery

In Loving Memory
of
JOHN NORMAN SPENCER
BORN JANUARY 25TH 1892
KILLED IN ACTION, FRANCE
JULY 13TH, 1917
SLEEP ON DEAR SON
IN A SOLDIER’S GRAVE,
YOUR LIFE FOR YOUR
COUNTRY, YOU NOBLY GAVE
(P. Ferguson image, September 2004)

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Stewart Family Plot, Ross Bay Cemetery

Stewart Family Plot, Ross Bay Cemetery.
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

Geo. A.C. Stewart

Stewart Family Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery

[IN LOVING MEMORY OF]

GUNNER GEO. A.C.
2nd DIV. 16TH BATTY.
SON OF
JAMES & JENNIE
STEWART
DIED IN
LONDON. ENG. 1919
AGED 21 YEARS
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

—————0—————

Tait Family Memorial.

Tait Family Memorial.
(P. Ferguson image, May 2019).

Mortimer H. Tait

Private Latimer H. Tait.

PTE. LATIMER H. TAIT
7TH CANADIAN BATTALION
FEB 19 1896 AUG 15 1917
AT HILL 70 FRANCE.
(P. Ferguson image, May 2019).

 —————0—————

Wilkinson Family Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery

Wilkinson Family Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery.
(P. Ferguson image, July 2015)

John Wilkinson

Gnr. John Wilkinson, Gassed at Passchendaele, March 9, 1919

Wilkinson Family Memorial.

In
Loving Memory
of
GUNNER JOHN
WILKINSON
Beloved Husband
of
MARGARET CURRAN
WILKINSON
Gassed at
Passchendaele
Nov. 16, 1917
Died March 9, 1919
Aged 28 Years
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

  —————0—————

Wolfe Family Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery

Wolfe Family Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery.
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

R.C. Wolfe

Wolfe Family Memorial, Ross Bay Cemetery

IN MEMORY OF
OUR BELOVED SON
PTE. R.C. WOLFE 7TH BATT. C.E.F.
DIED IN GERMANY NOV 7TH 1918
AGE 23 YEARS
GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS THAT
A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS
(P. Ferguson image, March 2019)

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Did you know?

Victoria’s Ross Bay Cemetery was established in 1873 and occupies an area of 27.5 acres comprising some 27,000 graves.

Ross Bay Cemetery Records are available online and can be searched at the City of Victoria Archives.

Ross Bay Cemetery Map.

Several tours are offered throughout the year hosted by members of the Old Cemeteries Society of Victoria.

Biographical details of these Ross Bay commemorations to follow.


About The Author

pferguson
Paul has worked with the Paradigm Motion Picture Company since 2009 as producer, historian and research specialist. Paul first met Casey and Ian WIlliams of Paradigm in April 2007 at Ieper (Ypres), Belgium when ceremonies were being held for the re-dedication of the Vimy Memorial, France. Paul's sensitivity to film was developed at an early age seeing his first films at RCAF Zweibrucken, Germany and in Sardinia. Paul returned to Canada in 1967 and was further amazed by David Lean's "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Bridge on the River Kwai". Film captivated Paul and with time he became increasingly interested in storytelling, content development, character, direction, cinematography and soundtracks. At the University of Victoria, Paul studied and compared Japanese and Australian film and became interested in Australian film maker Peter Weir and his film "Gallipoli" (1981). Paul was entranced when he learned Weir had visited the beaches, ridges and ravines of the peninsula. The film "Gallipoli" alone led Paul on many journeys to sites of conflict in England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Malta, Hawaii, Gallipoli and Salonika. It was, however, when Paul watched documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, "The Civil War", that Paul understood how his own experience and insight could be effective and perhaps influential in film-making. Combining his knowledge of Museums and Archives, exhibitions and idea strategies with his film interests would be a natural progression. Paul thinks like a film-maker. His passion for history and storytelling brings to Paradigm an eye (and ear) to the keen and sensitive interests of; content development, the understanding of successful and relational use of collections, imagery and voice. Like Paul's favorite actor, Peter O'Toole, he believes in the adage “To deepen not broaden.” While on this path Paul always remembers his grandmother whose father did not return from the Great War and how his loss shaped her life and how her experience continues to guide him.

Comments

3 Responses to “Sleep On Dear Son…”

  1. Don Bourdon says:

    Poignant as always, Paul. Many thanks for this presentation.
    Don

  2. pferguson pferguson says:

    There is always more to discover in these places of history. During a recent visit to Ross Bay Cemetery 19 August 2019 I came across the Ablett Family Memorial. I returned this day for better images.

  3. pferguson pferguson says:

    Eaton family Memorial marker imaged added 1 January 2020.
    A recent review of images taken at Ross Bay Cemetery some years ago resulted in the rediscovery of the R.W. Eaton marker. This New Year’s day (2020) provided an opportunity to re-visit Ross Bay Cemetery. Sadly the Eaton marker is not as easily read as it once was – the elements having taken their toll.

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