Next of Kin: Mrs. Libby Elizabeth Bell (aunt) of R. R. # 1 Dresden. Clinton lived with Mr. and Mrs. Ball since he was six years old, after the death of his parents.

Clinton enlisted in October of 1942 and trained at Camp Ipperwash. He went overseas in the spring of 1943, serving in the Italian theater of war. Mrs. Ball received a card from Pte Brown which confirmed that he was a POW from him stating “he was fine and being treated well”. CDN 22/03/44

The DT 13/05/43 reported that Clinton, a foster child, who was living at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ball of Camden Twsp., Kent Co. ON., had arrived safely in England.

He was taken as prisoner of war in Italy by German Forces after action December 5th in Italy. He was released from Stalag 2 on May 8th, 1945, and subsequently repatriated to Canada. Clinton was reported as missing in 1975, and was on the Ontario Provincial Police Missing persons file as of January 1981.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ball received word that Pte, Brown was a prisoner of war in Germany. Clinton had been reported as missing in action in Italy “some months ago“. A very restricted letter received from Clinton he was in good health and had not been wounded, there was no indication as to how he was captured. DT 23/03/44. The CDN 22/03/44 reported that he was a POW. 

Curator’s Note: Generally the first communication between a POW and his family or in this case friends, was a simple card that you checked off, it would also include his POW number and mailing address. JRH.

An actual letter from Clinton dated 8 October, 1944 was received by the Mr. and Mrs Ball was in the DT 30/11/44 as follows:

Dear Mother and Dad.

How are you? I am fine and hope you are the same. The weather is rather cool in the mornings and it feels like winter is coming on. I received my first parcel the 3^rd of October and was very glad to get it. I wish to thank you for all the good things that you and the Red Cross have sent to me. It is sure appreciated very much. I don’t know how I can ever repay you for all that you have done for me, and I also wish to thank the Red Cross again.

I was glad to hear that you had such good crops, also lots of plums and grapes. Please give my best regards to the neighbours and all of the folks. I was glad to hear that Mary Gronenbery is married and I also wish to send he my best regards, with all the happiness in the world. I also wish Ruth the best of luck with her new school.

I was glad to hear that “Bud” Gibson is still in the same place. I suppose Lloys and Harry don’t get home very often and that Wesley is in Windsor. I received a letter from Mr. and Mrs. Walter McFadden and was glad to her at Walter is getting along so nicely having his tonsils removed.

I hope the Dresden Fair was a real success. Well space is running short so I will have to close for now. Hoping to see you all soon and until then much love from.

Clinton  

Reported liberated from German POW camp. CDN 11/05/45.

The CDN 29/06/45 reported that he and eleven other men would be returning to Canada aboard Vessel 889 and there after would arrive in London, ON. Next of Kin: Mrs. L. E. Ball (aunt) of R.R.#1, Dresden, ON.

Clinton was reported as missing in 1975.  His whereabouts were not known until April of 2010 when his remains were identified using his military dental records. Human skeletal remains had been found in a cistern. Foul play was not suspected. Clinton was sixty one years old when he went missing in 1975. The CDN 13/08/2010 reported that the investigation is ongoing for the C-K Police.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Awards	C.V.S.M. with Bar, Italy Medal
Sources	IODE-CM(P), CDN (11/05/45 (POW)), CKFA, CDN (22/06/10)

Age	27
Birthplace	Born- September 1915
When Enlisted	December 31st, 1942
Next of Kin	Parents- Mr. John & Mrs. Lena Elaine (Lindsay) Brown

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