George Heron

Born: 1864

Enlistment: May 1915 – Port Hope, Ontario

Deceased: 1916 – Battle of Ypres

Information provided by Great-Granddaughter of George Heron, Elaine Mendicino.

George Heron enlisted in the Great European War in May of 1915, and died "somewhere near the French/Belgian border” during the Battle of Ypres in 1916 at 52 years old.

In September of '02, my late husband and I had traveled to Paris, France for a weeks vacation and were able to arrange a train trip to Brussels, Belgium then on to the town of Ypres to see the enormous monument that had been erected to memorialize those lost in that battle so many years before. The monument was enormous and names covered it stories high, so many young men. We doubted we would locate his name but were blessed to find it (thanks to the DVA information) and it was within reach. I've enclosed a few pictures (below) that don't do the place justice, with me near his name.

My great grandfather was 52 when he died, just a year older than I was when I visited that monument. It was incredibly moving for me.

It was 102 years ago this month that he enlisted so I am compelled to buy a tree in his name, that I hope can be planted somewhere along the town of Port Hope corridor, where his widow, his 2 daughters and 2 grandchildren, my father one of them, rest forever, so far away from him. His is just 1 of so many stories of sacrifice and loss.

“His (George Heron) is just 1 of so many stories of sacrifice and loss.” - Great Granddaughter of George Heron, Elaine Mendicino