James Lachlan Kingsbury
Soldier Details:
Private Kingsbury’s name appears on the Haltonville Cenotaph.
Haltonville Memorial, photo by R. Laughton
Kingsbury, Lachlan James
Private 164th Battalion 663268
September 13, 1916
Ebenezer United Church Cemetery
Campbellville, Ontario Canada
Parents from Campbellville (Milton)
Maple Leaf Legacy Project
Commemorative Details:
Private Kingsbury is unique in that he is the only Milton Soldier buried in the Ebenezer United Church Cemetery (7th stone from Guelph Line, 1st row by south fence).
The CWGC has been notified about the state of the stone and action will be taken.
Milton Soldiers burial grounds (Google Earth).
Soldier Summary:
Private Kingsbury was a true Milton lad, born and farmer raised in the Township of Nassagaweya, on a rural route of Campbellville, now incorporated into the Town of Milton. He attested on January 24, 1916 to the 116th Battalion of this area (Halton-Dufferin). His parents were from Campbellville.
His official records indicate that he died on September 13, 1916 at Camp Borden, Ontario when he jumped from a train. Private Kingsbury is one of many hundred Canadian soldiers that died before they ever made it to Europe to fight in the Great War, whether from sickness, accidents or “friendly fire”. Many soldiers made it from Canada, but were similarly killed while training in England.
Private Kingsbury is unique to our list as he is the only Milton Soldier buried in the Ebenezer United Church Cemetery. His grave stone is now shown on the international Commonwealth War Graves Commission site as the photograph for this cemetery. CWGC staff are aware of the deteriorating condition of his stone and have it scheduled for repair or replacement.
John Meek wrote of the 164th as a typical Canadian Battalion:
During the months of December 1915 and January to April, 1916, recruiting was brisk, and at the end of April, the Battalion had a strength of about 800 all ranks. From that time on it was increasingly difficult to secure men, consequently the 164th Battalion never reached full strength.
Until June 1916, the Battalion was divided into several detachments stationed throughout the two counties. On June 5, 1916, the Battalion was mobilized at Orangeville Fair Grounds, remaining there under canvas until July 6, when they were moved by train to Camp Borden. The Battalion remained at Camp Borden until October 16, 1916, and on this day they began their long trek to the city of Hamilton, Ontario for further winter training.
A photograph of Private Kingsbury, along with other digital images, are provided on the Virtual War Memorial, Ottawa Canada.
MHS Members routinely visit the grave site of Private Kingsbury and of course we always include him in the tours of the grave sites of Milton’s Fallen of the Great War.
Pte. Kingsbury Information for Remembrance Day Tour
Other Links: