| Rank | Private |
| Service # | 401393 |
| Resident | Tilbury |
Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 5914 – 11 Date of Birth 28/08/1896 at Tilbury, ON. Son of Godfrey and Helen Marchand of Tilbury, brother of Lula (Ward), Dora (Beechie), Sylvia (Daniels), Lucille (Mousseau), Stella, Anna (Goulet), Godfrey Jr. Henry, Harold, Deo and Archie.. A single farmer. Attestation: 9/08/1915 at London, ON. to 33rd Bn.
The Tilbury Times, Thursday
24 January, 1918.
Letters From the Front.
Canadian Convalescent Hospital
Monks Horton, Kent 23 Dec. 17.
To the IODE Tilbury.
Dear Friends—
I have the pleasure to thank you for the parcel which I received yesterday I have to say that I was very pleased to receive it and it was in fine condition. I am attached to this hospital driving an ambulance, it is a beautiful place and the boys seem to have a good time and they very busy fixing up for Xmas. By the looks of things we are going to have some time on that day. We had a little fall of snow a few days ago, but not like you get in Canada (God’s Country). I had the pleasure of seeing some of the boys from Tilbury some time ago and they were James Reaume, F. Billings, Pte. Shepperd and Alf Connor, the latter two I see everyday, also G. Dromley. I met F. Billings just as he was leaving England for France. I expected to be home Christmas for three months leave, but just now it is very hard. It mostly depends on the voting. I expect by the time you receive this note that conscription will be in force. I believe that every soldier hereis for the Union Government. Poor old Laurier I think I shall have to come to a close as the time is getting late (lights out), but before I close I wish again to express my thanks to all the members of the I.O.D.E. and wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year and that we may spend the coming year in good old Tilbury.
I am yours sincerely,
Pte. S. Marchand
No. 401393
C.A.S.C.M.T. [Canadian Army Service Corps – Motor Transport]
Monks Horton
As later reported in June of 1919 Stephen did not make it to “good old Tilbury’ in 1918, the German ‘spring offensive’ and the Canadian Corps ‘last 100 days’ of the Great War would have dashed that dream for the poor enlistment.
He did however make it back as recorded in the following:
The Tilbury Times, Thursday
26 June, 1919.
Tilbury Boy Home from War.
Dispatch rider Stephen marchand, whose return was announced in last weeks Times, went overseas with the 33rd Battalion early in 1915 and was transferred to the 18th Battalion. He was wounded in the right shoulder at Ypres the same year, but soon recovered and returned to action. He has been a dispatch rider for the Canadian Engineers for the last twelve months and has many thrilling experiences. He was with the Army of Occupation in Germany. He states that parcels sent by the I.O.D.E. were godsends many a time and he can never thank the ladies for their kindness. He is 22 years old and is the youngest son of GodfreyMarchand.
Stephen passed away at Wichita Falls, Texas, USA., 22/10/1984, at the age of 87 years. Stephen had moved to Texas some time after the war with two friends to work for an oil company. There he married Annie (nee Kinney who died in 1979), they had a son Stephen Jr. and daughters Genevieve (Cape) and and Matha (Calloway) Internment at Burkburnett Cemetery, Texas.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| Sources | Royal Canadian Legion Br. 206 - Tilbury - List of Veterans, RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 5914 – 11, TDHS, TT (24/01/18, 26/06/19), TT-Obit (17/10/84) |
| Birthplace | 28/08/1896 at Tilbury, ON. |
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