Category Archives: Genealogical Research and Related Articles

The Medlicott Brothers Go To War

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On Remembrance Day, we Canadians pause to honour the men and women who have served and continue to serve Canada during times of war, conflict, and peace. Many of us where a red poppy to symbolize our respect to those that served and paid the ultimate price in service to their country. Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae beautifully captured this symbolism of the blood-red flowers in his 1915 poem “In Flanders Fields.” The poem which has received international acclaim, was written to honour those who had fallen during the Battle of Ypres in WWI, as he noticed how quickly the poppies grew over the graves of soldiers who had earlier died during this battle. It is a moving tribute and a reminder that their sacrifice should always be remembered.
Here is my second article in my effort “not to break faith” but to REMEMBER…..
“If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields”

The Moral Tragedy of War: The Story of a Distinguished WWI Recipient of the Victoria Cross and the Discovery of a Lost Family Connection

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A recent genealogical discovery is worthy of being documented as I found that a distant relative in WWI was awarded the rare Victoria Cross for gallantry and bravery.  As we approach November 11th, and honour those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for love of country, his story is worth sharing as we discover one of the many “real” moral tragedies of war. LEST WE FORGET

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A Genealogical “Cold” Case Originating from Medicine Hat -The Story of “Thomas Wallace” and Reuniting a Handsome “Medal” and Family Heirloom to its Rightful Owner

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As an amateur genealogist and historian, I have been recently involved in several interesting research projects. I have written extensively regarding my family history (Anhorn/Medlicott/McIvor) and in doing so, I have endeavored, whenever possible, to put the story in some … Continue reading →

“Through the Looking Glass”-The Story of the Munro and Glass Families from Scotland And the Quest to Find the Antecedents of James Glass

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Following the research, writing and posting on my personal homepage an article on a local Medicine Hat “character” entitled, “Lost in the Shadows-The Untold  Story Of Phoebe Munro of Medicine Hat”, I received a phone call from someone mentioned in … Continue reading →

Fact or Fiction: The Relationship of the Scott Family of Medicine Hat to the Famous Explorer Captain James Cook

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Fact or Fiction: The Relationship of the Scott Family of Medicine Hat to the Famous Explorer Captain James Cook At the request of my good friend Gary Scott and consistent with my unabated enthusiasm for genealogical research, I began to … Continue reading →

“Now Keep The Glory!”-The Story of a Fallen Soldier from WWI

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The Story of a Fallen Soldier from WW1 and Why is important to remember them?

I have always being interested in the study of history and in particular the history of WWI. This keen interest in one of the darkest times in world history was no doubt inspired by my research into the family history of my wife’s family-Medlicott, when during the course of looking through some old photographs, I found pictures of her grandfather and great uncle, who were members of the Canadian Expeditionary Force and who both served gallantly in the Great War. Unlike so many others, they both returned home from the war.

More recently, I had occasion to travel to travel to France and Belgium and to visit such historic WWI sites as Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele, Hill 60 and Ypres. Only in visiting such places does one fully appreciate the full nature and extent of the carnage and the terrible loss of life that occurred as so many young men who heeded the patriotic call and paid paid the ultimate sacrifice. This is a simple but compelling story of a fallen soldier from WW1 and a story which was far too often repeated in the towns and villages throughout the British Empire as the Great War raged on.   Read On

The Holten Canadian War Cemetery Memorial Project and a Tribute to the Fallen Soldiers from Medicine Hat

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I have always had a keen interest in history and more recently genealogy and from time to time have researched and endeavoured to document my family history, for what purpose, I was not exactly sure. I have always enjoyed researching and writing, which was a natural mainstay of my chosen profession. In my retirement, I continued with this passion for writing and created my own blog, where I posted many of my articles on genealogy and other topics that I found of interest. (https://wjanhorn.ca or simply search William J Anhorn QC). Most recently, my genealogical research and interest in history intersected resulting in this fascinating article entitled, “The Holten War Cemetery Memorial Project and a Tribute to the Fallen Canadian Soldiers from Medicine Hat”.
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