Digging up the story of an unknown soldier
Donald Teuma-Castelletti
SHEENBORO Nov. 11, 2018
One Chichester casualty of the First World War had largely gone forgotten until last Sunday, when Sheenboro’s Remembrance Day ceremony paid special tribute to him and his story was taught to all in attendance.
Pte. Arthur Francis Furlong, a soldier across five battles in WWI, was honoured at the service, after 100 years of relative anonymity in the area, and his name left off war memorials.
However, his story came to light this past summer, as Ray Heney dug further into his genealogy. Doing a bit of research online, Heney learned that Furlong was his first cousin, twice removed, and through some further digging through service records, pieced together the soldier’s journey.
Furlong enlisted voluntarily on Aug. 7, 1917, joining the 102nd Battalion in Toronto and arrived in Liverpool, England on Nov. 1. It would be nearly a year later before Furlong would see combat, as he took part in the Battle of Amiens on Aug. 8, 1918.
He fought in four more battles following, including the Battle of the Scarpe, the Battle of Drocourt-Quéant Line, the Battle of the Hindenburg Line, and the Battle of Canal du Nord. On Oct. 1, he was killed in action in Blécourt, France, a mere 45 days shy of the war’s end.
Heney shared his relative’s story during the ceremony, reading a well-detailed account of Furlong’s life growing up in Chichester, before setting off for war. He also found where the soldier’s name can be found in the Books of Remembrance – page 411, of the first book – listing all Canadian casualties of war since Confederation.
The story was preceded by a church service, led by Father Fitzpatrick, and Larry Gleason introduced Heney subsequently.
After this account, Francis Downey read the names of all veterans from Sheenboro and the surrounding community, as well as the names of those killed in the First and Second World Wars.
Over 30 wreaths were laid in the service, quickly filling the chancel of St. Paul the Hermit Church. Jamie Brennan read out the dedications for the wreath-laying ceremony, as Warrant Officer Todd Kunschuh and Sgt. Bobby Hull escorted those placing wreaths.
Joanne McCann led the Act of Remembrance, and Cindy Wheeler performed both the “Last Post” and the “Reveille.”
As well, Kyle Gleason sang “O Canada” before Sheenboro Mayor Doris Ranger closed out the ceremony.
