Kenora Great War Project

 

Personal Details
Date of BirthFebruary 24, 1892
Place of BirthKenora, Ontario
CountryCanada
Marital StatusSingle
Next of KinMr. J.R. Bunn, father, 160 Spence St. Winnipeg, Manitoba
Trade / CallingDrug Clerk
ReligionChurch of England
Service Details
Regimental Number622062
Service Record Link to Service Record
Battalion44th Battalion
ForceCanadian Expeditionary Force
BranchCanadian Infantry
Enlisted / ConscriptedEnlisted
Date of EnlistmentJanuary 1, 1915
Age at Enlistment22
Theatre of ServiceEurope
Prisoner of WarNo
Survived WarYes
Death Details
Date of DeathJuly 14, 1972
Age at Death80
Buried AtSt. John's Cemetery, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Bunn, Thomas Drake

Thomas Drake Bunn was born on 24 February in Rat Portage (Kenora) Ontario.  His parents were John Robert Bunn and Vashti Elizabeth Gunne.  Siblings included Charles (born 1886), Victor (born 1890), Margaret (born 1893) and John (born 1895).

Thomas’ father, John, had just rejoined the Hudson Bay Company and was serving as a clerk in the Rat Portage District when Victor was born. In 1893 John was in charge of the saleshop for the HBC, a position he held until 1901 when he went into business for himself. By 1906 the family had left Kenora and was living in Selkirk, Manitoba. Thomas worked as a drug clerk.

Thomas enlisted with the 44th Battalion on 01 January 1915 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  He did his training at Camp Sewell, Manitoba. When his unit embarked from Halifax aboard the S.S. Lapland in October of 1915, Thomas had the rank of Lance Corporal. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on 14 June 1916 at Bramshott, England. In August 1916 Thomas went to France with the 44th Battalion. After just five months service he became ill – collapsing suddenly, feeling dizzy and having shortness of breath. Thomas spent ten days in hospital in France where he was diagnosed with valvular disease of the heart. He was  returned to England where he spent five weeks in a convalescent hospital. On 28 March 1917 he was invalided to Canada aboard the S.S. Grampian. Thomas spent six months in the Military Hospital in Winnipeg before being discharged as medically unfit for further service on 27 November 1917.

Thomas gained  employed in the Inspection Department of the Board of Grain Commissioners in Winnipeg.   He married Mary Ann Bird on 15 August 1944.   Thomas retired in 1958.

Thomas died at Deer Lodge Hospital in Winnipeg on 14 July 1972.   He is buried in St. John’s Cemetery, Winnipeg.

Two of Thomas’ brothers, Charles and Victor,   also served in WW1.

Photo of Thomas: courtesy of his niece Barbara Hampson
Grave marker photos: courtesy of Bocephus on findagrave.com

Bunn-Thomas-Drake-2 Bunn-Thomas-Drake-3 Bunn-Thomas-Drake-4


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