30 Burwell Street

George William Elson

James Frederick Elson and Emily Maud Hobbs emigrated from England and Scotland respectively and lived for a time in Ayr Ontario. Three of their sons were born in Ayr, but by the time they entered school, the family had moved to 30 Burwell Street in Paris. All four of their sons were destined for a military life.

The next brother was Corporal George William Elson, born in Ayr in 1924. He dropped out of school at the age of 16 and enlisted in the Canadian Army at 17. He served with the Governor General’s Horse Guards and the Armoured Division in the Italian campaign as a tank commander.

George had a varied life after the war. He married three times and had a wide variety of occupations: a stock keeper, an OPP officer, an owner of a nursing home and of a hardware store. While married to his third wife, he was ordained as an Anglican priest serving Brockville, Bancroft, Tyendaga and Massena New York. He died at the age of 93 and is buried in the Anglican Cemetery in Paris.

Elson Brothers:

• Elson, James Frederick
• Elson, Charles
• Elson, George William
• Elson, Edward Arthur