- Kenneth Joseph Mitchner
The death of Kenneth Joseph Mitchner, son of the late Simeon and Alberta Davison Mitchner occurred very suddenly at his home here from apoplexy at an early hour on Wednesday morning, at the age of fifty-two years. Mr. Mitchner was a direct descendant of one of the first settlers of this place, who came here from Rhode Island, U.S.A. He followed the sea at the age of eighteen and suffered shipwreck and other disasters of the deep. He was a member of the crew of the bark Africa, last of the large ships built here by E. Churchill and sons, manned by an entire Hantsport crew. The vessel was commanded by Capt. Lewis Fielding and met shipwreck off Libby Island on the coast of Maine, in a fall storm. Later Mr. Mitchner sailed in the United Fruit Company\'s fleet, and later in private yachts. When the Great War broke out he enlisted here as a private in the 193rd Batt. C.E.F. on March 2, 1916. He served in France and Belgium and was transferred to the Black Watch Highlanders and saw active service at Vimy Ridge and at Passchendale. During this battle, while holding the position with others for sometime, their machine guns would not work, and ammunition and grenades gave out; they were surrounded and captured by the enemy, and on Nov. 3, 1917, were taken to a German prison where the deceased was held for thirteen months.
Although his sudden passing was a great shock to his many friends, be had never been robust since his grilling experience during the war, and his long confinement in a German prison. The deceased was a member of the Hantsport Baptist Church, a member of the Hants Co. Canadian Legion, and a former member of the I.O.F. He is survived by his wife, formerly Miss Ruie Jordan, of Canning, and one daughter Doris; three brothers, Hibbert G., of Hantsport; Cyrus D. and Robert L. of Saskatoon; and two sisters, (Eva) Mrs. H. Campbell; (Leona) Mrs. W. McBride, of Dodsland, Alberta.
The funeral services were held at 2.30 o\'clock on Friday afternoon from the Baptist Church, conducted by the Pastor, Rev. B. R. Hamilton. The deceased\'s favorite hymns were sung, viz.: “There is a rGeen Hill,” “Brightly Gleams Our Father\'s Mercy” and “Jesus, Saviour, Pilot Me.”
The members of the Hants County Branch Canadian Legion attended in a body and assisted at the graveside service. The flowers were very profuse and beautiful, among them being a wreath from the Legion. Interment took place in the family lot in Riverbank Cemetery.
|
1884 - 1936 (52 years)
