Five of six Waldrum Brothers served in the Great War. All gave some, one gave all. The eldest, Lt William Waldrum MC & Bar, twice decorated in battle, shellshocked, and loses use of his left arm.
Second eldest, Private James Young Waldrum, wounded in June of 1917, loses use of his left hand. The middle brother, Sergeant Daniel Dewar Kay Waldrum, makes the ultimate sacrifice – killed in action on a relatively quiet day in January 1918.
Private Alexander Young Waldrum served with the 116th Battalion and 1st Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Corps. Alexander made it all the way to Cologne, Germany, during the March to the Rhine, as did the youngest, and smallest brother, Bugler Thomas Waldrum, who arrived in Bonn, Germany with the 2nd Canadian Division.
Five Waldrum Brothers enlisted with various units in Toronto during the Great War. All but one would come back to Canada. After his return, Alexander Waldrum would help found The Canadian Legion of the British Empire League.
Lieutenant William Waldrum MC & Bar
Lieutenant William Waldrum born 1885-07-04 in Dundee, Scotland. First of eleven children born to William Clark Waldrum and Christina Buchanan Dunn.
Pte William Waldrum 56188 enlisted 23 April 1915 with the 19th Overseas Battalion in Toronto, Ontario. At this time, 29 years, 9 months of age, 172 pounds, standing 5′ 8″ tall with dark complexion, brown eyes, and dark hair. Five years previous experience with the Black Watch – 42nd Battalion. Married to Mary Waldrum of 6 Derby Street, Dundee, Scotland.
Pte William Waldrum’s unit sailed 13 May 1915.
Private William Waldrum transferred from 35th Reserve Battalion at West Sandling to the 19th Battalion, 13 June 1915.
To be Lance Corporal 8 September 1915.
France
L/Cpl William Waldrum embarked for France 14 September 1915.
L/Cpl William Waldrum promoted Corporal, In the Field, 10 January 1916. Corporal Waldrum granted 8 days Leave to England, 14 February 1916.
Shell Shock
Cpl Waldrum admitted for shell shock at a Regimental Aid Post, 11 April 1916, later returned to duty on 13 April 1916.
Cpl Waldrum promoted Sergeant, In the Field, 14 September 1916.
Commission
Sergeant William Waldrum to be Temporary Lieutenant, 3 April 1917. Granted 10 days leave to England, 2 June 1917.
Military Cross
Lieutenant William Waldrum awarded the Military Cross, London Gazette No 30340, 18 October 1917.
Citation
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When an enemy party gained a footing in our trenches this officer at once organized and personally led a counter attack with great dash and determination, which successfully drove out the enemy and inflicted numerous casualties as well as secured many prisoners. Under this officer’s direction the remainder of the defeated hostile force was entirely destroyed by rifle fire.”
London Gazette No 30340, 18 October 1917
Granted 14 days leave of absence, 13 December 1917.
Lt Waldrum admitted No 4 Canadian Field Ambulance, inflamed ankle joints, 14 February 1918.
To be Acting Captain, 21 April 1917, London Gazette No 307714.
Granted 14 days leave of absence, 21 June 1918.
Wounded
On 15 August 1918, at Fransart, Lt Waldrum hit by a bullet, fracturing his right arm during the Battle of Amiens. His injury ending his days at the front – loss of use of his right forearm.
Lt Waldrum admitted No 8 General Hospital, Rouen, GSW right arm (slight), fractured humerus, 18 August 1918.
Bar to Military Cross
Captain William Waldrum MC awarded the Bar to the Military Cross, 16 September 1918, London Gazette No 30901.
Capt Waldrum relinquishes A/Rank of Captain, 29 November 1918, London Gazette No 31036.
To Prince of Wales Hospital, London in September, London General Hospital in November. Readmitted after 1 month Special Leave to London General Hospital in February 1919, then transferred to Canadian Red Cross Hospital, Matlock on 4 April 1919. Noted on 10 March 1919 – no union of fracture.
Lieutenant William Waldrum MC & Bar returned to Canada per HMAT ARAGUAYA from Liverpool on 21 May 1919.
Private James Young Waldrum
The second of the Waldrum Brothers, James Young Waldrum born 1897-12-23 in Dundee, Scotland.
Private James Young Waldrum 669444 enlisted 17 January 1916 with the 166th Overseas Battalion, Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada in Toronto, Ontario. Next of kin noted as his mother, Christina Waldrum.
Pte James Young Waldrum enlisted 17 January 1916 with the 166th Overseas Battalion, Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada in Toronto, Ontario. Next of kin noted as his mother, Christina Waldrum of 702 Shaw St, Toronto, Ontario. At this time, 18 years, 1 month of age, 145 pounds, standing 5′ 4″ tall with fair complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair. A Provision man.
Private James Young Waldrum’s unit sailed 12 October 1916. With No 12 Reserve Battalion in England. To be A/L/Cpl with pay, Seaford Camp. 5 January 1917.
Reverts in Ranks, 20 April 1917, and entered the Western Front on 21 April 1917 with the 75th Canadian Infantry Battalion.
Wounded
Private James Young Waldrum admitted to No 1 Canadian General Hospital, Etaples, SW arms, neck, slight, 10 June 1917. Evacuated to Military Hospital, Chatam, 14 June 1917. Doing very well, 14 July 1917. MGH, Epsom, 21 August 1917. Finally discharged on 24 October 1917.
With partial loss of his left hand, Pte James Young Waldrum spends the rest of the war at West Sandling, Shorncliffe, Branshott, Witley, and finally Rhyl before returning home on 3 April 1919.
Sergeant Daniel Dewar Kay Waldrum
The middle of the Waldrum Brothers, Daniel Dewar Kay Waldrum born 1888-03-02 in Dundee, Scotland.
Private Daniel Dewar Kay Waldrum 228441 enlisted 5 May 1916 with the 170th Overseas Battalion, Mississauga Horse in Toronto, Ontario.
Four years previous service wth 1st Forfarshire Regiment. Transferred to 201st Overseas Battalion. At this time, 28 years, 2 months of age, 128 pounds, standing 5′ 10″ tall with fresh complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair. A construction worker married to Mary Bessy Waldrum of 1151 Dufferin Street, Toronto.
Pte Daniel Dewar Kay Waldrum’s unit sailed 25 October 1916.
Private Daniel Dewar Kay Waldrum to be A/Cpl, Bramshott, 24 October 1916. Reverts in ranks for having a dirty bunk, 16 December 1916. SoS on transfer to 116th Battalion, 8 December 1916.
116th Battalion
Pte Daniel Dewar Kay Waldrum Promoted Corporal, In the Field, 30 July 1917.
Corporal Daniel Dewar Kay Waldrum appointed L/Sgt, 27 October 1917. Promoted Sergeant, In the Field, 28 October 1917.
Sergeant Daniel Dewar Kay Waldrum killed in action, 17 January 1918.
Daniel buried in the Communal Cemetery Extension in the small town of Mazingarbe in the Pas de Calais region of France. Daniel’s second wife, Mary Bessie, working as a nurse in Sturgeon Falls, Ontario. Tragically, she too died young, succumbing to a melanoma on 14 January 1923 in the Toronto General Hospital.
Private Alexander Young Waldrum
Private Alexander Young Waldrum born 1892-07-14 in Dundee, Scotland
Alexander Young Waldrum enlisted 31 Janaury 1916 with 166th Overseas Battalion, Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada in Toronto, Ontario. At this time, 23 years, 6 months of age, standing 5′ 5″ tall, 136 pounds. A butcher by trade.
Pte Alexander Young Waldrum appointed A/Cpl 11 April 1916.
A/Cpl Alexander Young Waldrum married 4 September 1916 to Isabella Ferguson Reid of 14 Norman Avenue, Toronto.
Cpl Alexander Young Waldrum sailed from Halifax per SS OLYMPIC 12 October 1916.
12 Reserve Battalion
Corporal Alexander Young Waldrum appointed Sergeant 5 January 1917.
Sgt Alexander Young Waldrum admited Etchinghill Hospital, VDG, 26 June 1917. Reverts in ranks, 27 June 1917. Finally discharged 15 August 1917.
Private Alexander Young Waldrum appointed A/Cpl 13 September 1917.
Corporal Alexander Young Waldrum appointed A/Sgt 12 November 1917.
Sgt Alexander Young Waldrum reverts in ranks in order to proceed overseas and entered Western Front on 30 November 1917 with the 3rd Canadian Infantry Battalion.
Pte Alexander Young Waldrum attached to 1st Can Div Machine Gun Company 13 April 1918.
Private Waldrum transferred to CMGC, 13 May 1918.
1st Bn CMGC
Pte Alexander Young Waldrum joined 1st Bn CMGC in the Field on 3 October 1918.
Private Alexander Young Waldrum granted 14 Days Leave to UK, 9 November 1918.
Pte Alexander Young Waldrum proceeded to England, 25 March 1919.
Private Alexander Young Waldrum returned to Canada on 6 April 1919.
Bugler Thomas Waldrum
Thomas Waldrum born 1895-02-03 in Dundee, Scotland.
Bugler Thomas Waldrum 678221 enlisted 24 January 1916 with the 169th Overseas Battalion in Toronto, Ontario. Aged 21, standing only 5′ 1″ tall, 115 pounds, with clear complexion, dark brown eyes and hair. Single, and a stove finisher by trade.
Private Thomas Waldrum’s unit sailed 17 October 1916.
Pioneer Thomas Waldrum entered the Western Front on 29 November 1916 at Boulogne-sur-Mer, drafted by the 2nd Canadian Pioneers.
Pioneer Joseph Peter Paul
Thomas Waldrum arrived at his unit along with 24 Other Ranks on 19 December 1916 at FOSSE 10. The same day, Pioneer Joseph Peter Paul 444953 instantly killed by a shot through the head while working with a party in Kellet Right. The war diary identifies Paul as an Indigenous soldier.
Photo of Pioneer Joseph Peter Paul – Born on 15 August 1885. Married twice. His first wife died of child birth while giving birth to his son Sylvester Peter Paul in 1903. He remarried again in 1905 and his second wife died of child birth on April 15, 1906 while giving birth Joe Peter Paul. His mother from Big Cove and her name Sophia Milliea. Joseph Peter Paul a widow at the time of his death at age 31.
The new recruits posted to a company two days after Paul’s death, with one exception – Bugler Thomas Waldrum.
Return to England
Having no need of a Bugler is his unit, the commanding officer promptly returned Thomas to England, where he arrived on 30 December 1916.
Pte Thomas Waldrum admitted for Scabies at Hastings, 13 February 1917. Later admitted for bronchitis, 19 March 1917.
SoS to Base Depot, Hastings, 31 March 1917. SoS to 2nd Canadian Division Employment Company, 8 June 1917.
Return to France
Thomas transferred to 9th Can Div Emp Coy, 25 July 1918. Pte Thomas Waldrum at Frevent, Pas-de-Calais in August of 1918. At the time of the Armistice, Thomas in Arras, but soon moved to Mons, then Namur, and finally participated in the March to the Rhine with the 2nd Canadian Division. Stationed in Bonn, Germany until the start of February 1919, when he returned to Namur, Belgium. His brother William’s former battalion, the 19th, crossed the Rhine along with Thomas on 13 December 1918.
Rather promptly on his return from Germany, Private Thomas Waldrum admitted No 8 Stationary Hospital (VDS), Wimereux, 2 February 1919. To No 3 CGH, Boulogne, 27 February 1919. To No 9 Cdn Stat Hosp, Camiers, 23 March 1919. Evacuated to Military Hospital, Woodcote Park, 18 May 1919. Finally discharged on 8 June 1919.
Thomas the last of the Waldrum Brothers returned to Canada per Sailing No 99, SS SATURNIA, 4 August 1919.
The Waldrum Brothers Epilogue
William Waldrum died of carcinoma of the pancreas 8 January 1931. His wife Mary residing in Toronto.
James Waldrum took a job as a clerk until 1923 when he obtained a sales position with A. Martin Ltd., the firm where his brothers Alexander and Thomas also worked. By 1931, James had moved to the A & P grocery on Roncesvalles Avenue in Toronto where he managed the meat department. James remained a bachelor and died in Toronto 22 September 1952.
The Canadian Legion of the British Empire League
Several Veterans of the Great War decided to form a Legion where they would bring together all the local men who had fought. In 1926 they held their first meeting in one of the member’s basements. They called the group The Canadian Legion of the British Empire League.
The charter members of Post #86 were Fred Anderson, George Bradley, Arthur Bent, William Bolton, George Fourster, Thomas Graham, Thomas Groves, Thomas Hands, Joseph Kelly, William McMahon, Robert Townsend, Charles and John Wood, Alexander Waldrum, and also W. O. Scott, the Secretary.
Alexander Waldrum died in 1977.
Thomas Waldrum died circa 1969.
Brigadier-General Alexander John Waldrum Waldrum
Alexander Waldrum also the grandfather of BGN Alexander John (Butch) Waldrum. Brigadier-General Waldrum deputy force commander of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) and Commander of the Canadian Contingent United Nations Forces (Middle East) in 1990 and 1991. During his tenure, he rationalized the organization and administration of the Canadian Contingent to improve its efficiency. As Chief of Staff, UNDOF, he assisted with the complex negotiations that led to the release of Western hostages in Lebanon. He performed his duties in an exemplary manner and made an outstanding contribution to international peacekeeping.
Meritorious Service Cross
Awarded on: July 30, 1992
Invested on: February 12, 1993
Rank: Brigadier-General
Officer of Military Merit
Awarded on: June 13, 1983
Invested on: November 23, 1983
Rank: Lieutenant-Colonel
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