Commonwealth War Graves Commission

In Memory of

Private Wilbur Hiram Ladd

5th Canadian Mounted Rifles (Quebec Regt.) who died aged 35 on Thursday, 5th July 1917. Private Ladd was the son of Ira M. and Mary I. Ladd, of Coaticook, Quebec, Canada. Remembered with honour EASTBOURNE (OCKLYNGE) CEMETERY.

In the perpetual care of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Wilbur was 12 years old when his father died. Because he was so needed on the farm, he took his last two years of high school at home in one year. In 1909, he graduated from Johnson Normal School in Johnson, Vermont and went on to get a degree from Bishops College in Lennoxville, Quebec. He taught school and was the principal of Waterloo High School. His salary was $1,100.00. a year. He and his Brother-in-law Isaac Drew built a cottage at Bacon's Bay on Lake Massawippi. Lumber for this was cut on Isaac Drew's farm and hauled on a double wagon from Barnston to Bacon's Bay Wilbur was engaged to marry Beatrice Meade who lived with her brother Bert and his ailing wife. The story goes that Bert was reluctant to have his sister marry as he needed her to care for his wife and managed to break up the love affair. Whether or not he had such influence cannot be known for sure. In any case, Beatrice did break the engagement, an action which prompted Wilbur to enlist in the army. Beatrice never did marry.
Wilbur had never been too strong and perhaps would not have passed the physical had not the
country's need for soldiers been so great. His last leave before being shipped overseas was
spent at the cottage at Bacon's Bay.
He was wounded, April 9, 1917 at Vimy Ridge, France and sent to a hospital in England. He
recovered from his wounds but died on May 5, 1917 following an abdominal operation for what
was believed to have been appendicitis. He is buried in Eastbourn, England. His niece Vivian
Drew visited his grave when she was in the Canadian Air force, stationed in England during
WW2.

INCLUDED IN THE BOOK OF MEMORIES : are copies of letters sent to his mother from
Wilbur, the nurses and volunteers at the Hospital.
This was compiled by the daughters of Eleanor May Ladd [sister to Wilbur]: Vivian, Doris and
Florence Drew to whom we owe a hearty thank you for sharing their precious memories with the
family.