In Search of
Alfred W. Sherritt
By: Evan Habkirk
1
Thank you to all who helped me on this project including:
Lorie Fosty
Norma Sherritt
Grayson Sherritt
Dr. Peter Farrugia
Richard Wager
Ken Liggens
Rick Shaver
The Canadian Military Heritage Museum
Brant County Museum and Archives
Brantford Public Library
2
Table of Contents
The Essay...............................................................................................................Page 1
Appendix One.......................................................................................................Page 15
Appendix Two.......................................................................................................Page 16
Appendix Three.....................................................................................................Page 17
Appendix Four......................................................................................................Page 18
3
In Search of Alfred Sherritt
As you go over Lorne Bridge and enter downtown Brantford, on your left-hand
side stands an impressive site: an old castle like structure with a cannon and a
monument on its front lawn. As you whisk by this sight, you hardly ever give thought to
what the building and the monument stand for. When talking to a man who has lived in
Brantford all his life, it came to my attention that he (and probably more) did not know
that the above mentioned monument was dedicated to three men who lost there lives in
the Anglo-Boer war. I might have been ignorant of this fact also, but for the fact that a
distant relative of one of the men on the monument, pointed it out to me. On that
monument, the lives of three different men are represented. The monument even
shows scenes of the battles in which the men lost their lives. Missing from the
monument though, are the details of the mens full lives.
One name present on the monument is Alfred W. Sherritt. He is a man with a
life story that, according to his descendants, has never been told.1 He was more than
an ordinary man who happened to be killed in a far off place in a war; he was a life. His
life was marked by a series of events that make him unique. From his beginnings to the
tragic early end of his life, Alfred W. Sherritt lived a fascinating life, a life that would
leave its mark on the city of Brantford.
1
“Letter from Norma Sheritt to myself, September 26, 2003"
4
Alfred Wesley Sherritt was born December 28, 1887, and was the son of first
generation Irish Canadian Father and a Scottish Canadian mother. His father was a
Methodist Clergyman in the London area and his mother Janetta Johnston came from
the family of a general labourer. They married in 1868 in Lambeth County, Enniskillen
Township (near London, Ontario).2 The couple moved to Middlesex East, London
where they stared a family. In the 1881 census of the area, the Rev. William and
Janetta Sherritt are listed as having five children (Amelia, Isabella [called Bella], William,
Lillie [possibly called Nellie] and Alfred) and a Scottish female servant named Catharine
Mc Williams.3 The family moved with Rev. William’s work and during this constant
moving, another sibling (Violet) was born.4 Though all of the parishes to which William
was posted are unknown, his posting to Whitechurch, Ontario would be the first where
tragedy would face the Sherritt’s. During a buggy accident, Rev. William was kicked in
the head by a horse wearing a horseshoe, causing blindness and mental
repercussions5. The family moved to Simcoe where the last of Alfred’s siblings was
born (Stanton).6 They lived there until around 1880, when Rev. William’s sister invited
him to her home in Memphis, Michigan for a visit. He ended up staying there for the
rest of his life. Rev. William Sherritt would die in 1888 at the age of 47.7 Following the
death of her husband, Janetta moved all seven children to Brantford to start a new life.
2
“Letter from Norma Sheritt to myself, September 26, 2003"
“1881 Canadian Census of London, Middlesex east, Ontario,” cited at
http://www.familyserch.org/Eng/Search.frameset_search.asp (accessed November 9, 2003)
4
The Brantford Expositor, June 2, 1904
5
“Phone conversation with Norma Sheritt, September 21, 2003"
6
“Phone conversation with Norma Sheritt, November 7, 2003"
7
“Greenwood Cemetery records” in the Brant Museum and archives and “Phone conversation
with Norma Sheritt, November 7, 2003"
3
2
Janetta moved herself and her family to 71 King Street (which no longer exists)
above Hartley’s Grocery store.8 Though it is not known how the single mother of seven
children supported the family, Alfred and his siblings did attend school. The Brantford
Expositor claims that Alfred attended elementary school and later, Brantford Collegiate
Institute. It was there that Alfred joined the B.C.I. cadets and took a fancy to bicycling.9
This hobby would soon propel Alfred to the top of his field. The Brantford Expositor and
The Brantford Courier claim that Alfred raced in amateur races though the years 18961898, and became one of “the fastest riders in the Dominion.”10 Alfred would win “more
amateur championships than any other man in Canada.”11
In the summer of 1898, Alfred would travel to Toronto with his Brantford Red Bird
Special bicycle12 to compete for a place on the Canadian team for in the World Cycling
Championship in Vienna. The meet was held at the Rosedale Park Grounds with a
crowd of about one thousand. Alfred would race in three races to qualify for his chance
to represent Canada in the World Championship. In the half-mile race, Alfred would
place first; in the one mile race, he would place second; and in the five mile race, he
would again place first.13 Alfred would win the Toronto meet and would go on to
8
Brantford Courier, Monday April 7, 1902 and “The Brantford City Directory 1896-1897
Vol.2" in the Brant County Museum and Archives
9
The Brantford Expositor, Thursday April 10, 1902
10
Ibid.
11
Ibid.
12
The Toronto Star, July 18, 1898
13
The Toronto Star, July 18, 1898
3
represent Canada in Vienna.14 After the meet, The Goold Bicycle Company of
Brantford used Alfred’s new cycling celebrity status in its ads in Toronto to sell bicycles
parts, claiming they were the reason Alfred won the meet.15 Though it is unknown how
Alfred fared in Vienna, the meet in Toronto proved that Alfred Sherritt was one of the
best amateur cyclists in Canada.
Also while in Brantford, Alfred joined the 38th Dufferin rifles. His first enlistment
record was on October 26, 1894 at the age eighteen.16 While in the army, he received
the unflattering, but meant with affection, nickname of Gander because of his unusually
long neck.17 Alfred would reenlist once his four year term was over in 1898 at the age
of twenty-two.18 This move would shape Alfred’s life for the remainder of his years.
In 1899, the call went out to Canada from Britain to raise mounted infantry units
for service in the Boer war in South Africa. Canada sent its first contingent in 1899
comprised of volunteers. Alfred would travel to Toronto to enlist with the 48th Artillery
Battery while still with the 38th Dufferin rifles.19 The Dufferin Rifle records show that he
was an active member of there unit until his death in 1902.
14
The Simcoe Reformer, July 21 1898
The Toronto Star, July 18, 1898
16
“Enlistment Records of the 38th Dufferin Rifles,” From the private collection of Richard W.
Shaver.
17
“Phone conversation with Norma Sherritt, October 2, 2003"
18
“Enlistment Records of the 38th Dufferin Rifles,” From the private collection of Richard W.
Shaver.
19
The Toronto Star, January 3, 1900
15
4
Alfred and Sergeant Noble (also of Brantford) received a grand send off on
October 25, 1899 by the city of Brantford in which an estimated “three or four thousand”
showed up to wish them well. Unable to understand the magnitude of the send off,
when Alfred was asked what he thought of it, he is quoted as saying “search me.”20
With the support of Brantford behind them, Sargent Noble and Private Sherritt were off
to war in South Africa.
Once in South Africa, Alfred would not stay with the Royal Canadian Field
Artillery. It is not known when he changed his division of service, but his South Africa
military service records show that Alfred served with the Royal Canadian Regiment
(infantry) and the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles. The records go further to say Alfred
participated in the battles of Paardeberg, Dreifontein, Johannesburg, and Cape
Colony.21
Since the dates of Alfred’s transfers are unknown, it is hard to determine in
what capacity Alfred served during these battles. The Brantford Expositor claims that
he was fighting as early as January 1, 1900 in the battle of Sunnyside.22 By November
9, 1900, the Expositor claimed that Alfred had been in twenty-nine battles.
Finally, after eleven months of fighting, Alfred Sherritt returned home to
Brantford. As with his departure, the citizens of Brantford would not let this occasion go
unnoticed. Before Sherritt’s train left Harrisburg, it was impossible to even get on the
platform of the train station. The crowd extended down Market Street to the Armories
20
The Brantford Expositor, October 26, 1899
“Canadian Special Service Forces Records, South Africa, 1899-1900"
22
Ibid.
21
5
and its size was estimated at around five thousand. Everyone from Mayor Cockshutt to
the B.C.I. cadets and the Dufferin Rifles were present.23
Once off the train, Sherritt was greeted with the shouts praise from the citizens of
Brantford. Officers from the Dufferin Rifles escorted Alfred to an open carriage that
would take him to the Armories for a celebration. The crowd was so large that when the
Dufferin Rifles tried to follow the carriage in marching order, they had to break rank and
walk. Once inside the Armories, Mayor Cockshutt told the crowd that it was good to see
Alfred home, alive and well, and then called on Alfred to make a speech. The crowd
once again could not contain itself and cheered until Alfred was ready to speak. Alfred’s
speech was short and simple: he gave three cheers to the queen and then told the
crowd, “it would be impossible for him to make a speech as it was all together out of his
line.”24 He did thank the people for their warm reception. After all the speeches were
over, three more cheers for the queen were given and then the Dufferin Rifles formed
back up and escorted Sherritt to his house. The house was decorated and the military
band played on the Sherritt family’s front lawn. After a while, the crowd finally
disappeared and left Sherritt to his family.
In 1901, the Canadian government once again started to raise another
contingent (the third) of Mounted Infantry to fight in South Africa. Alfred traveled to
23
24
The Brantford Expositor, November 8, 1900
The Brantford Expositor, November 8, 1900
6
Guelph to enlist under Captain Nelles.25 He once again was accepted and found
himself in the 2nd battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles (only 25% of the third contingent
were returning veterans). At full strength, the 2nd battalion had nine hundred and
twenty-five men. Alfred was part of “C” company which consisted of somewhere
between twenty to forty men.26 Before leaving Brantford, Alfred told an Expositor staff
member that he might not come back. He said that the war was getting more
dangerous and if he did make it, he might stay in South Africa as part of the South
African Mounted Constabulary, a policing force that the British government wanted to
set up once the war was over.27 By December, he was off to Halifax and from there, off
to South Africa.
In South Africa, Private Alfred W. Sherritt was promoted to Corporal. In his last
letter home, Alfred was complaining about his inaction. In the closing line to his mother,
Alfred wrote, “although I could tell nothing, I thought I would write, just to let you know I
was living.”28 By April, The Brantford Expositor would claim Alfred had taken part in fifty
battles as opposed to the twenty-nine battles that they reported November 7, 1900.29
Alfred’s last battle would be the battle of Kline Harts River.
The battle of Kline Harts River (Boschbult Farm) is controversial. Following the
Boer war, there was little written about it. In the book, Earl Roberts V.C., Lord Kitchener
25
The Brantford Expositor, April 10, 1902
“From Canadian Military Heritage and Vintage Motorcycle Museum”
27
The Brantford Expositor, April 10, 1902
28
Brantford Courier, Monday April 7, 1902
29
The Brantford Expositor, April 10, 1902
26
7
and the Great Boer War by T.G. Marquis, the battle receives little mention except to say
that there was a small Canadian group who were guarding a baggage train, when the
British were surprised by a great Boer attack. Though the account does say that the
Canadians did not back down, it still does not give the full account of the battle.30
According to John Goldi, in his documentary The Great Anglo-Boer War: The Canadian
Experience and Brian A. Reid in his book Our Little Army in the Field, the battle of Hart’s
River was a British failure. The battle was part of the chase to capture Boer General
Koos de la Rey. The British and Canadian troops ran into a small group of Boer
commandos who quickly fled. The British/Canadian force made camp, but the British
did not secure the area properly and allowed around two thousand Boer troops to
almost surround the farm. A battle soon followed.31
On March 31, 1902, Alfred’s “C” company was in charge of a baggage train.
Under the command of Lieut. Bruce Carruthers, “C” company was about to enter its last
battle. Around 10:00 a.m. that day, the baggage train neared Boschbult Farm and
quickly wired the wagons in a defensive fashion to guard the British flank. Far removed
from the battle, the twenty-one Canadian men of “C” company had no idea that at about
3:30 p.m. during the battle, the British commander pulled his forces out and left the
Canadians to deal with the Boer force of two thousand.32 What ensued was a
massacre in which Alfred and the men of “C” company fought hard until bullets ran out.
30
T.G. Marquis, Earl Roberts V.C., Lord Kitchener and the Great Boer War (London: Roberts
and Kitchener Publishers, 1902), 538-539
31
Reid, Our Little Army in the Field: The Canadians in South Africa 1899-1902, 167-198 and
“The Great Anglo-Boer War: The Canadian Experience” Produced by John Goldi, 2000
32
Reid, Our Little Army in the Field: The Canadians in South Africa 1899-1902, 167-198
8
Once out of bullets, the company destroyed their guns so the Boers could not use
them.33
During the fighting, Alfred preformed an act of heroism that received attention in
the Canadian media. Amongst the fighting, Private Stanley Russell became separated
from the company. Alfred, realizing the precarious position of Russell, mounted his
horse, rode out to Russell, put him on the back of his horse, and was wounded on the
way back. In a letter home, Private Stanley Russell would say “[i]t was Sherritt who
saved my life.”34
Only four of the twenty-one men escaped the slaughter. The four men were
chased down for three days. During those three days, two of the four men were killed.
The two that would survive were captured, stripped of their uniforms and weapons, and
left to find the British camp. They were found by a scouting party and reassigned to a
new command. “C”company, after the battle, no longer existed. Out of the twenty-one
men, seventeen were killed or wounded.35 One of the killed was Sergeant36 Alfred
Wesley Sherritt; (Sherritt’s South Africa war records claim he was received a promotion
to the rank of Sergeant) of Brantford) age 23.
33
“The Great Anglo-Boer War: The Canadian Experience” Produced by John Goldi, 2000
The Toronto Star, May 1902
35
“Personal battle account by William Mc Call, survivor of “C” company, Harts River”
36
South African War Service Records 1898-1902 (RG38, volumes 1-116) Microfilm. National
Archives of Canada, T-2085.
34
9
News of the battle itself was not relayed until April 6, 1902 and Alfred’s death
was wired back shortly thereafter. The family was notified on April 6, but details
regarding the announcement are conflicting. The Brantford Expositor reported that the
newspaper sent Amelia Sherritt’s manager at the Bell telephone company to intercept
the Sherritt family and tell them before the news was announced during mass at their
church. The manager missed them, but the news was broken to them in the back of the
church by a representative of The Expositor.37 The Daily Courier reported that the
dispatch was given to the pastor in the middle of him reading the parish
announcements. He continued with the service, announced the final hymn, and retired
to the vestry where he told the ushers to break the news.38 Either way, the effects were
still the same: The Sherritt’s were so distraught over the news, that they needed
assistance to walk home.39
Descendants of the Sherritt family reported that all of Alfred’s family took it hard,
but Janetta took it the hardest.40 In a letter dated April 22, 1902, Janetta wrote back to
a Major Maude who was asking if she could donate money for the purpose of putting up
a grave stone on the site of Alfred’s death. In her reply, she responded that she thought
the monument was a wonderful idea, but she was financially unable to help, as her only
source of income at the time was half of Alfred’s pay which he had signed over to her
before he left. Now that Alfred was gone, there was no more income. Janetta also
37
The Brantford Expositor, April 10, 1902
Brantford Courier, Monday April 7, 1902
39
The Brantford Expositor, April 10, 1902
40
“Phone conversation with Norma Sheritt, September 21, 2003"
38
10
wondered if it would be possible to get any information about her sons death because
all she had received was the news he was dead and nothing more.41 Major Maude
responded to Janetta’s letter saying that they too were trying to figure out the
circumstances of Alfred’s death, but the news would be a long time coming.42
On Thursday May, 15, 1902, The Toronto Star published a story on the
circumstances of Alfred’s death. The story told of a Dr. A.L. Hoops writing to Janetta
explaining that Alfred did not die in combat. According to the published letter, after
Alfred was wounded bringing Private Russell back to the lines and was sent to Dr.
Hoops’ medical station. He explains that the Canadians were outnumbered five to one
and at about two in the afternoon, the Boers rushed the Canadians. At about two thirty
in the afternoon, Alfred came in with a leg wound and as he (Dr. Hoops) was talking to
Alfred and dressing his wounds, a Boer bullet stuck Alfred in the head, killing him
instantly. Dr. Hoops further explains that “while I was still holding him, I was shot
through the right knee.”43
41
“Letter from Janetta Sherritt to Major Maude, April 22, 1902," cited at Veterans Affairs
Canada at
http://198.103.134.2/general/sub.cfm?source=collections/virtualmem/photos&casualty=8000072
2 (accessed November 5, 2003)
42
“Letter from Major Maude to Janetta Sherritt, April 28, 1902," cited at Veterans Affairs
Canada at
http://198.103.134.2/general/sub.cfm?source=collections/virtualmem/photos&casualty=8000072
2 (accessed November 5, 2003)
43
The Toronto Star, Thursday May 15, 1902
11
Janetta would die in June 1904 in her home, of natural causes.44 Five of the
remaining Sherritts would leave Brantford with most of them going out west to be
teachers.45 Only Alfred’s oldest brother William would stay behind and would die a
bachelor in 1956. He was buried beside his mother in Greenwood Cemetery.46 On
April 5, 1902, the proposal for a Brantford Boer War memorial was published. In it,
there is no mention of Alfred W. Sherritt being on it. He was added later as his death
happened very late in the war. The Brantford Expositor explained “[a]nother panel will
be added to the Soldiers monument, and the name of Alfred Sherritt and Hart’s river will
be emblazoned thereon, as a memorial to the latest sacrifice this city has made for the
cause of the Empire.”47
A monument is not just a pretty statue. It represents thoughts, ideas, and lives.
Alfred Sherritt was a life that should be remembered not only as a war hero, but as
person. His life was scared with tragedy and defeat, but also saw joy and triumph. He
was a person who did not always want the spot light. He felt that he was doing his duty
to his country and his family. The acclaim he received was something he never
expected and never understood. He was an adventurous man who felt he could do
something good in the world, never thinking of fame. The loss of his life affected more
than just his family. Alfred might have been a loss to Brantford and maybe South Africa.
No one will ever know what Alfred might have done if he had not been killed at twenty-
44
The Brantford Expositor, June 2, 1904
“Phone Conversation with Norma Sherritt, October 2, 2003"
46
“Greenwood Cemetery Records” in the Brant County Museum and Archives
47
The Brantford Expositor, April 10, 1902
45
12
three in a battle in a land far away. His life was taken before he had a chance to make
his mark on society. His monuments in Ottosdal and Brantford and his gave stones at
Harts River and Brantford are his memorials. His life and all that he represented are
embodied in these lumps of stone. It is up to us that his life is not forgotten.
13
Appendix One
Above are the faces of the three men from
Brantford that died in the in the Boer War. This
is the front panel of Brantford’s Boer War
Monument. Alfred’ picture is the located at the
bottom to the left.
Above is a frontal view of Brantford’s Boer
War monument.
Above it the panel on Brantford’s Boer War
monument depicting the battle of Hart’s River.
In the center of the picture is Alfred on his
horse saving Private Russell.
14
Appendix Two
Above is Alfred’s grave stone at Hart’s
River. The body was exhumed and brought
to Ottosdal where is currently lies.
Above is where Alfred Sherritt’s body currently lies.
15
Appendix Three
To the left is Alfred’s name in the book
of remembrance in Ottawa. He is only
listed as a Corporal as his Sergeant rank
was either a field promotion or given
posthumously.
Below is a picture of the Canadian
Mounted rifles. This was Alfred’s
battalion during his second term of
service.
16
Appendix Four
To the right is one of the only
pictures of Alfred in his army
uniform. It is the uniform of
the 38th Dufferin Rifles.
Below is the gravestone of Janetta Sherritt
in Greenwood Cemetery in Brantford.
Alfred and his father Rev. William also
appear on the stone, but they are not buried
here. Alfred’s brother William is said to be
buried to the right of this stone, though there
is no marker.
Above is the gravestone of Alfred’s father in
Memphis, Michigan.
17