JACK KING - Born Dec 23, 1895 Died Aug 10, 1963

I never knew my paternal grandfather, Jack King, although I would have met him a couple of
times. As a baby, I received two teddy bears - one was brown and one was white. I was told that
my grandfather had given me the white one. I don’t know where the brown teddy bear came
from but it was my favorite, the one with which I would snuggle up to every night before going
to sleep. But then, periodically, I would feel guilty about the well being of the white teddy bear,
and so I would crawl out of my warm, cozy bed to look for him; invariably I would find him
underneath my bed, rescue him and, my feelings of guilt having been somewhat assuaged, I
would fall asleep cuddling my brown teddy bear.

I did meet my grandfather when I was four years old; my Mother arranged for my cousin Bob
Miller and me to meet him for lunch in a restaurant. We were seated in a booth. I do not
remember much about that experience except that I was a bit of a brat, crawling underneath the
table for example. In her later years, mom told me that Bob was the bratty one and that I was
well behaved. We will never know for sure!

I had always assumed that that luncheon took place in Winnipeg because that’s where we lived
when I was age one to six. And I assumed that my grandfather lived in Winnipeg, or somewhere
other than Edmonton. I thought so because we would travel to Edmonton just about every year to
visit with my grandmothers, aunts, uncles and cousins but never with my grandfather. I later
found out that my grandparents had divorced and that all their children, with the exception of
Auntie Marj, picked sides which meant that I never saw my grandfather again. I still didn't think
that he resided in Edmonton.

I do remember being at home alone in the summer of 1963 and receiving a phone call from
Auntie Muriel. (Long distance phone calls were not very common at that time.) She informed me
that my grandfather had passed away. The news did not make much of an impression on me at
the time as I had never known the man. It turns out that my recollection of the time of his death
turned out to be accurate. This past Christmas, my daughter Dana gave me the best present ever -
it was the records of Jack King’s service in the Canadian Army during World War I which she
obtained from Library & Archives Canada in Ottawa. Jack King was born on Dec 23, 1895 and
died on August 10, 1963 at the age of 67. He died at Royal Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton,
Alberta. That was the hospital where I was born, as were probably many of my cousins on the
King side of the family.
In the summer of 1973, I backpacked around Europe for six weeks - England, France,
Switzerland, Italy and Greece. Prior to leaving, my mother gave me some names and addresses
of aunts, uncles and cousins who lived in England. I believe that they were all on the King side
of the family; at least those were the people with whom I was able to get in touch. I was reluctant
to contact people that I didn’t know but I called my mother’s cousin, Dodie. She arranged for me
to meet with her family as well as Jack’s three brothers - George (1889), William (1893) and
Robert, the youngest (1897). I think that they had two sisters as well but I never did meet them.
So there we sat in Bill’s backyard in Folkestone,Kent on a warm sunny afternoon in July and I
listened to them recount stories of their youth, specifically times spent with their brother Jack. I
can’t really remember any specific stories but I do remember that they revelled in telling them. I
recall feeling thrilled at hearing stories about my grandfather as a young man. (I also remember
looking at a family tree, which I think that my mother created, and determined that there were
more offspring from Jack’s side of the family in Canada than all the King side of the family who
stayed in England put together. (That was attributed to the cold Canadian winters!) They were
good stock and I believe that Jack was of good stock as well. George had been the chief of police
for the city of London. Bill told a story about an unusually large apple which grew on one of his
trees. So he picked it and walked down to the local greengrocer to have it weighed. The
greengrocer complied and said “That’ll be one pound three pence please.” Bill responded by
saying: “But that’s MY apple!”

I also remember first entering the backyard at Bill’s house. Bill’s wife Nan greeted me and
immediately led me to a monument dedicated to her son Ernie who had been killed at Dunkirk in
1940.. She was still grieving as if it had only just happened. My mom had often mentioned that
she had had a cousin Ernie who was killed at Dunkirk. He was the same age as Uncle John. I did
visit Ernie’s grave sight in Dover on a trip in 2019. Ernie was the same age as Uncle John, both
born in 1920 It took quite a while to find the graveyard as we were given inaccurate information
when entering Dover castle. But we stopped at a local Pub; there were only 2 customers and one
bartender. When I explained the situation, they were all quite moved that I would travel so far to
visit the gravesight of a fallen cousin. The bartender was able to get directions as to where the
graveyard was located and it took me a good half hour to finally locate Ernie's tomb. I should
mention that it was Ernie's granddaughter Christine, who had actually lived with her husband
Tony in Toronto in the mid 1970's and with whom we had connected in Westminster on that trip
who suggested that, since we were going to be in Dover, that we might want to visit the grave
sight.

Jack King left England for Canada in the spring of 1914; he settled in Portage La Prairie,
Manitoba. On July 28, 1914 war was declared between England, France, Belgium, Holland,
Russia and Germany and its allies. It is interesting to note that King George V of England,
Kaiser Wilhem of Germany and Czar Nicholas II of Russia were all related. There are pictures
taken of them together as adults and they looked like triplets. They were all related to Queen
Victoria. Up to that point, there had been peace in Europe for over 40 years; however, during that
period of time, England and Germany had engaged in an arms race, building bigger and more
powerful warships, machine guns, artillery, tanks etcetera. The populations of both countries
were led to believe that their respective armies,navies and airforces were invincible and that
victory was inevitable. There was actually cheering in the streets of London and Berlin when war
was declared and young men enlisted enthusiastically and en masse, convinced that the war
would be of short duration and that they would return as heroes. Jack King, although living in
Canada when war was declared, was one of those young men who signed up.

Jack King headed east to Quebec. He had a medical examination in Valcartier, Quebec on Sept
8, 1914. He was listed as 18 years, 9 months, 5 ‘ 8’’ Brown Eyes, Brown Hair and Dark
complexion. He had 4 vaccination marks on his left arm - those would have been smallpox
vaccinations. His occupation was listed as Shop Assistant in the Boot Trade. His next of kin was
listed as his mother, Mrs Keturah King, 33 Hatcham Park Road, New Cross S.E 14. (Note: My
mother told me on many occasions that her maternal grandmother, whom she had never met, was
French and that her maiden name was Marchand.) I assume that Jack’s father was deceased but
that may not have been the case. Jack was formally enlisted in the 8th Canadian Battalion on
Sept 22, 1914. His battalion sailed from Quebec City on Oct 4, 1918.

It seems that, according to the records contained in his Canadian Army File, Jack was ill while
on the HMS Franconia. He suffered from both tonsillitis and quinsy, which are different but both
present as an extremely sore throat. (Oct 12-16, 1914)

It is not clear from the documentation that I have received exactly when Jack went to
France/Belgium but it was in January of 1915. However, it is important to know how the war
was developing. It was very different from previous wars in which soldiers, some on foot and
some on horseback would line up and attack one another. With the advent of artillery, machine
guns and tanks, the odds of large numbers of soldiers on both sides getting killed in a short
period of time were very high. To reduce the possibility of injury, soldiers dug trenches. These
were not pleasant places to be as they were often damp, cold and rat infested but at least, to some
degree, reduced the possibility of being hit by a bullet. Sometimes soldiers were ordered to ‘go
over the top’ which meant they were told to climb out of their trenches and attack the enemy who
were similarily hunkered down in their own trenches. This tactic can best be described as
suicidal. The chances of getting shot were extremely high; some soldiers were fearful and would
run the other way. This was considered cowardly and treasonness. Those who did so would be
arrested, tried and executed by a firing squad; partly as punishment and partly to act as a
deterrent for other soldiers who might be inclined to run away.

Another method of warfare that was used in WW I was poisonous gas. The first such gas to be
used was chlorine. It was dispensed in canisters as a liquid but when the canisters exploded it
would turn into a gas which was 2 ½ times heavier than air and would therefore fall into the
trenches. It was first used by the Germans, who had invented the weapon, on April 22,2015

in Ypres, Belgium. Between 800 -1400 soldiers were killed and about 4000 wounded. The 2nd
time it was used was on April 25, 1915 and it was on that day that Jack King was gassed.

NOTE: My mother had always said that her father was exposed to mustard gas. Mustard gas is
much more lethal than chlorine gas; it too was invented by the Germans but first used in 1917.
Jack was in England after 1915.

The information below is taken directly from Jack King's records contained in his military ile.

The following MEDICAL REPORT ON AN INVALID regarding Jack King issued on August
16, 1915

DISABILITY: Shortness of breath and rheumatism

“Received gas poisoning on April 25, 1915. Was not bothered by it at the time by it. Was in wet
clothes several times and began to have rheumatic pains in back and knees and ankles. Invalided
to hospital with rheumatism for six weeks; since then, back recovered but knees and ankles still
troublesome and patient is unable to walk far on account of pains in them. Shortness of breath on
exertion marked. General condition good. “

WHAT IS HIS PRESENT CONDITION?

“Complains of rheumatism pains in knees and ankles. Movements in knees and ankles normal
but painful on flexion”

IF THE DISABILITY IS AN INJURY, WAS IT CAUSED:

 a. In action Not Applicable
b. On field Service Not Applicable
c. On Duty Not Applicable
d. Off Duty Not Applicable

WAS A COURT OF INQUIRY HELD ON THIS INJURY? Not Applicable

WAS AN OPERATION PERFORMED? No

WAS ON OPERATION ADVISED AND DECLINED No

DO YOU RECOMMEND: a) Discharged as permanently unfit? No

b) Change to England? Yes

OPINION OF THE MEDICAL BOARD

NOTE: Below are the guidelines which the Medical Board were required to follow in assessing
Jack's medical condition.

Clear and decisive answers to the following questions should be carefully filled in by the Board
as, in the event of the man being invalided, it is essential that the commissioners of Chelsea
Hospital should be in possession of the most reliable information to enable them to decide upon
the man’s claim to pension.

Expressions such as “may”, “might”, “probably” etc should be avoided.

The rates of pension vary directly according to whether the disability is attributed to a) active
service, b) climate or c) ordinary military service.

The Board should be careful to discriminate between disease resulting from military conditions
and disease to which the soldier would have been equally liable in civilian life.

A disability is to be regarded as due to climate when it is caused by military service abroad in a

climate where the soldier would have been equally liable in civil life.

A disability is to be regarded as due to climate when it is caused by military service where there
is a special liability to contract the disease.

State weather the disability is due to:

i) active service - YES

ii) climate - YES

iii) ordinary military service - YES

Has the disability been aggravated by:

i) Intemperance - YES

ii) Misconduct - YES

Is the disability permanent? - NO

If not permanent, what is the probable minimum duration? - 2 months

To what extent is the ability to earn a living in the general labour market reduced?

(¼, ½, ¾ or total) - ½

Does the Board recommend discharge as permanently unfit? NO

Oct 25 – Nov 11, 1915: In London General Hospital – treated for gonorrhea. Slight discharge for
6 days before admission which appears 8 days after response to infection. Discharge ceased.
Patient discharged Nov 11, 1915.

Mar 8, 1916 Admitted to London General Hospital for gonorrhea but they could find no
appreciable signs of the disease.

RECORD OF PROMOTIONS, REDUCTIONS ETC

Nov 27, 1915 – Discharged to Duty. Forfeits 18 days allowance.

July 19, 1916 – Deprived of L/rank for conduct to the prejudice of good order and military
discipline.

May 27, 1917 – SOS on posting to Manitoba Regiment Depot

May 30, 1917 – Ceases to be attached to Canadian Records Office

Jun 2, 1917 – Ceases to be detailed to Dep C. Detailed to Dep HQ Administartive Staff

On commission to HQ Canadian Troops

Aug 31, 1917 – T O B from MRD to comp Est ???

Nov 17, 1917 PROCEEEDINGS OF A MEDICAL BOARD

Disability – CHRONIC BRONCHITIS

TACHYCARDIA – the medical term for a heart beat of over 100 beats per minute. Many types
of heart rhythms (arrhythmias) can cause tachycardia (Jan 8, 2022)

PRESENT CONDITION:

In France 3 months. Returned gased. Has been on office duty the past 2 years

Complains of shortnessof breath, which is aggravated by damp weather.

Examination: Breathing considerably roughened. No rales* detected.

Pulse 140 but regular.

Appears slightly debilitated but physical condition fairly good

Other systems normal

 C

Dec 12, 1917 – appointed to A/Cpl

Dec 18, 1917 – reverts to permanent grade of corporal

Jul 7, 1917 – Granted permission to marry – Mrs. J King, c/o Hythe Golf Club, Hythe, Kent

( I believe that Granny's maiden name was Hobbs. I don't know where they met but they were
both born in 1895 and I believe that they were both born and raised in Kent )

Nov 6, 1918 – Applied as Sargeant with to Com Est – Do

Note: The war ended on Nov 11, 1918

Jan 4, 1919 – Applied as Sargeant HQ Can Phyl

Feb 27, 1919 – att for duty

Sep 1, 1919 – TOS Prom HQ

Nov 3, 1919 – SOS Canada (Sails back to Canada)

This is all very confusing. My general sense was that from the time of his hospitalization in April
of 1915, he was assigned office duty and it seems that his that his assignments changed quite
often – a series of promotions followed by demotions, often because of bad behaviour.

Jack King was discharged Nov 15, 1919. The reason for the discharge was two fold:

a) Demobilization as the war had ended

b) He was medically unfit for active service

His intended destination at the time of his discharge was Portage La Prairie, Manitoba. I believe
that Muriel and John were born in Manitoba but I have no idea why they moved to Edmonton
where Irene, Marjorie and Doreen were born. Warmer weather?

CANADIAN TREATMENT OF WOUNDED VETERANS RETURNING FROM WORLD

WAR I

“ From humble beginings, Ottawa by war's end administered a large medical system, long term
care facilities, soldier insurance, a land settlement program, and many other benefits and types of
aid. It offered employment preferences for returning troops, led most nations in programs for
disabled training, and had the world's most generous pension rates. In 1920, veterans' pensions
would consume more than 20% of federal revenues; in 1914, it had been 0.5%. “ I doubt if PTSD
victims, of which there must have been many, were accorded the same benefits as were those
who had been physically wounded.

My Mom use to say that her father spent about 6 months of every year for about 10 years in the
hospital because of his lung condition, until they collapsed one of his lungs. However, a
collapsed lung is a medical problem, not a solution. I suggested to my sister that it would have
been more likely that he had a lung surgically removed and she concurred, as a person can
manage quite well with one healthy lung.
Mom use to say that although they were not rich, there was always food on the table and shelter
for a family of 7. They had a car and in the good summer weather they would all pile in and head
to the beach. That was during the depression when unemployment rates exceded 25%. Jack had a
50% pension because of his injuries suffered during the War. He also had a business making
crosses for grave sights. He also made 78 RPM records on which he recorded the family singing;
somewhere along the line those records were lost which is a shame. He also made wine out of
various fruits. I think that he had many talents. During WW II, Jack worked for the government
in Ottawa. Muriel was there as well. Muriel told my mom that Jack was doing some filandering
while in Ottawa.

When I was growing up, Mom would often tell stories about her father and the family. Most
were positive. But she also mentioned that periodically he would get all dressed up in his suit and
go to the local watering hole. She told about how, on more than one occasion, they would get a
phone call late at night, from whatever establishment Jack was visiting, informing them that Mr.
King has passed out and that somebody would have to come and pick him up. That person was
Uncle John who would have been a young teenager at the time. I think that Jack was quite hard
on John.

In 1970, I was in Edmonton and for Thanksgiving John, Marj, Sandra, Laurel and I drove to visit
Stan, Marj and Kenny in Calgary. We had all had a few drinks and John told of how, after the
war, he had conatcted his father to arrange a luncheon date which they did. I think John wanted
to establish a relationship with his father. It did not work out; Uncle John was quite upset when
telling the story. I believe they never saw one another again.

In her later years, my Mom use to get very upset when talking about her father. One story she
told was that as teenager she was skating when a young boy approached her and asked her what
her name was. She said “Irene King.” He asked: “Do you know Jack King?” and she answered;
“Yes, he's my father.” The boy responded: “Jack King is over at our place all the time.” Mom
said: “And what does your father think about that?” His reply was: “Oh, my father left years
ago.” My mom sobbed as she told that story. “I was so embarrassed.” she said.

Mom also said that periodically, her father would get all dressed up in his suit and go to the local
tavern and be gone for 3 days, “ Always 3 days.” she would say. And she would ask Granny why
she didn't just kick him out. In her later years, she would cry when she told that story.
Another story that my mom told was that one day Granny was taking her monthly trip to
downtown Edmonton to pay the various utility bills. She looked out the window and saw Jack
driving a car with a woman sitting beside him in the front seat. It was not his car. The woman
was apparently a widow. Her husband owned a business and died. She needed help with the
books and so hired Jack. Granny assumed that there was more to the relationship and that and it
was totally inappropriate for Jack to be driving around town with another woman.

Auntie Marj told me that she was working but still living at home; the last one to leave. By that
point, Granny was living upstairs and Jack was living on the main level. One day, Marj went
home for lunch. There was a knock on the door. A man had a letter to give to Jack King. It was a
summons which stated that Jack was required by law to vacate the premises within a specified
period of time. And so he did.

So what does one conclude from all this? Jack King obviously had some glaring short comings
as a human being. However, he also endured circumstances i.e. World War I and being gassed,
that none of us have ever had to endure so I am reluctant to pass judgement. I do wish that I had
had the opportunity to meet him and get to know him but my mom did not facilitate that on any
of our many trips to Edmonton, with one exception.

Having met Jack's brothers and their wives and children, I know that he came from good stock.
No one I talked to ever described him as being the 'black sheep of the family.' His brothers spoke
positively about him. They had good memories of their brother Jack.

Auntie Marj was the only one of the King children who maintained contact with Jack. He and his
girl friend Elsie visited with Marj and Stan and Kenny often and they traveled together on
occasion; once to Salt Lake City. Marj says that they had wonderful times together. I believe that
Stan and Marj maintained contact with Elsie after Jack's death; I believe that Stan and Marj
thought that she was a lovely person. I would like to have met her. And I would have liked to
know my Grandfather, warts and all.

My son Ryan and his wife Zuzanna have a baby boy, born on Jan 13, 2021. They named him
Jack. Interesting I thought, as I had never talked much to my children about a grandfather whom
I never knew. It turns out that Zuzannah, who emigrated to Canada from Poland when she was
two years old, had a father whose Polish name translated into Jack. He passed away when
Zuzanna was 8 years old and so their son was named after him. So ultimately, I do have a Jack in
my life – Jack Krook. (By the way, my paternal Grandfather's last name was not Krook – it was
Krutz. He came to Canada from KYIV in 1912. The immigration official in Canada misspelt his
name.)

Shauna and I are looking forward to visiting with you next week. I am sending a copy of this to
you, my thinking being that you may have a chance to read it over prior to our getting together
and perhaps have things you wish to things to add or amend. I will aslo bring the original
documents which came from the department of Library and Archives so that you can get a sense
of what they look like.. Dana also requested information regarding my Dad as he was in the Air
Force in WW ll. So you may choose to request documentation regarding your fathers.

See you soon!

Take care,

Dave