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Cenotaph Stories


Kylie, Edward Joseph



Edward Joseph Kylie

Edward Joseph Kylie was born 17 January 1880 in Lindsay ON, the only child of Richard and Nora (Regan) Kylie. The family was well known in the Lindsay area, with Richard being the former Mayor of Lindsay and a prominent manufacturer of carriages.

After graduating with high honours from the University of Toronto, Edward was awarded a scholarship to Oxford for 2 years through the Flavelle Travelling Scholarship. While there, he was the first person outside of Britain to be elected president of the Oxford Debating Union. Upon his return to Canada, he was appointed as a Lecturer and then Associate Professor in the History Department at the University of Toronto. In Sept 1915 he was admitted as a law student and began articling under MC Cameron of the firm Blake, Lash, Anglin & Cassels in Toronto.

Edward enlisted with the 147th Battalion in Owen Sound on 16 December 1915, and took the courses needed to fit him for a commission as a captain and major. Shortly after the 147th Battalion was authorized, he was appointed the role of senior adjutant and made his way to Owen Sound to begin training with his battalion.

After being inoculated against typhoid, Edward contracted the illness and quickly became very ill. A doctor from Toronto was called in to consult and ordered oxygen to be driven to Owen Sound in a last ditch effort to make progress against the illness. Despite these efforts, Edward died on the morning of Sunday May 15, 1916.

Edward Kylie is buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Lindsay ON. He was 36 years old.


Transcriptions:

Capt. Kylie of 147th is dead.

One of Battalion's most valued workers Succumbs.
TYPHOID is the cause.

Owen Sound, May 14. Flags on the public buildings and headquarters of the 117th Battalion are at half mast today out of respect to Capt. Edward Joseph Kylie, senior adjutant of the 147th Grey Battalion, who died this morning at the General and Marine Hospital of typhoid fever. Three weeks ago, when he was taken to the hospital it was thought then that he was suffering from a light indisposition. He had been inoculated for typhoid a short time previously, and it was expected that he would soon be able to attend his duties in connection with the battalion. Dr. Thistle, of Toronto, was called in for consultation, and yesterday, accompanied by Dr. McPhedran, he motored up from Toronto, with oxygen to save Capt. Kytlie’s life.

Last night it was thought that an improvement was shown, but it was only temporary, and at 8 o'clock this morning he succumbed. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Kylie, of Lindsay, who had been in town for the past fortnight, were at his bedside when life ent out.

Native of Lindsay.

Deceased was born in Lindsay, Ont. He was educated at the separate school of that town and the Collegiate Institute. He entered Toronto University, and on graduating won the Jos. W. Flavelle scholarship, which gave him three years at Oxford University. On his return to Toronto was appointed to the professorship of history at Toronto University.

When the war broke out he at once volunteered his services and took the necessary course to fit him for captain and major, showing the same high proficiency that he had displayed in his educational career. Last winter, when the l47th Grey Battalion was authorized, he received te appointment of senior adjutant, coming to Owen Sound shortly after.

May Have Overworked

No officer in the headquarters staff was more industrious or took a larger share of the work than did the adjutant, and his ilness at first was thought to have been caused by overwork. The address before the Canadian Club on “The Foreign Office" during the winter was among the best of the serias. He was the only surviving child of Richard Kylie and his wife, Nora Regan, and was a member of the Roman Catholic church. The remains were brought from th hospital today and placed in the public hall of the municipal buildings with a guard of honor. Tomorrow morning they will be taken to Lindsay and the Interment will take place on Wednesday morning. Several of the officers of the 147th will accompany the remains to the home town.