Private George William Powers

The name of Private George William Powers appears on the Cenotaph in conjunction with the other thirty one individuals from Oxford, Nova Scotia, who bravely fought and lost their lives in World War I.

Private George William Powers only served in the war for a little over a year when his life suddenly ended.

Private Powers was born on March 6th 1889 in Tatamagouche, Colchester County, Nova Scotia and later moved to Oxford, Nova Scotia

Private Powers made his living as a carpenter without a wife or dependents. He was a Presbyterian, born to Mrs. Jessie Powers-Tattrie of Beacon Hill, Nova Scotia and Mr. Henry Tattrie of Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia.

Private Powers was a tall, thin man of 5’10”, weighing 160 lbs with light brown hair and a clear complexion. He was in good health considering the only known illness that he had previously had, was small pox to which he did not require to be vaccinated for.

At the age of 27, Private Powers enlisted in the Canadian Over- Seas Expeditionary Force on March 08, 1916 where he was to serve in World War I and provide 6 months of additional service.

The pay received for duty overseas was noted to be very minimal considering the service he was providing to his country. Of the money that was spent, one has to wonder what it was spent on if it wasn’t sent home.

He originally served in the 193rd Battalion, Regimental Number sailing from Halifax, Nova Scotia on October 12, 1916, to Liverpool, England where he was transferred to the 42nd Battalion of Canadian Infantry on May 12th, 1916.

He arrived in France on June 12, 1916 and died only seven days later, on June 19, 1917 from unknown wounds received on the field in action while being transported by a Canadian Field Ambulance.

A telegram of the news of his death was sent on June 21, 1917.

VILLERS STATION CEMETERY Private George William Powers was liad to rest in the Villers Station Cemetary which is about 2 KM north-west of the Villers-au-bois village in France

A Memorial Cross was issued to his mother on April 15, 1921, as a momento of her personal loss and his sacrifice during the war operations of World War I.

All of his belongings were bequeathed to his Mother through his last will and testament.

Beaumont, Hamel France

In Flanders Fields In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe! To you from failing hands, we throw The torch-Be yours to hold it high! If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. John McCrae