Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Circumstances of Death Registers – Source: Library and Archives Canada. CIRCUMSTANCES OF DEATH REGISTERS, FIRST WORLD WAR Surnames: CHILD TO CLAYTON. Microform Sequence 20; Volume Number 31829_B016729. Reference RG150, 1992-93/314, 164. Page 981 of 1068.

Photo of Charles "Elroy" Clarkson

Envelope – Letter written May 5, 1918 from Elroy to his sister Sylvia. Envelope

Letter – Letter written May 5. 1918 by Elroy to his sister Sylvia. Interpreted by a family member

Letter – Page 1 of letter written by Elroy to his sister Sylvia on May 5, 1918.

Letter – Page 2 of letter written by Elroy to his sister Sylvia on May 5, 1918.

Letter – Page 3 of letter written by Elroy to his sister Sylvia on May 5, 1918.

Letter – Page 4 of letter written by Elroy to his sister Sylvia on May 5, 1918.

Photo of Charles Elroy Clarkson – Elroy 1915.

Group photo – Elroy and his sister, Sylvia 1915.

Id Card – Charles Elroy Clarkson, young man from Ancaster, emerged from a dusty 91-year past into the clear light of the present. Elroy found a friend in fellow Hamiltonian Harry Clark. And they made a pact. If one of them should die, the other would take some special memento home to the deceased's parents. Harry Clark came home with Elroy's brown leather, military issue wallet. No one will ever know why Harry Clark failed to return that wallet to Elroy's grieving family. The approach of Remembrance Day spurred Harry's grandson to track down any living Clarksons. He found them, Clarksons and their descendants were coming out of the woodwork, all incredulous at seeing their long-dead ancestor's story in the paper. He is just happy that the wallet, which his grandfather was supposed to return to Elroy's family but never did, will be back with Elroy's family. "The wallet is finally going home."

Group photo – Charles Elroy Clarkson (left side) with girlfriend Helen Hammond with friends (right).

Photo of Charles Elroy Clarkson