Harry Bury was born in Sombra, Ontario, on October 3, 1890, the son of George H. Bury (a farmer) and Martha (nee Wells) Bury, of Sombra (living on River Road, two miles north of Sombra) and later 357 Devine Street, Sarnia. He had one brother, Russell V., who was four years younger than Harry, and was living in Detroit at the time of Harry’s death. Prior to enlisting, Harry was a sailor on the Great Lakes. Harry enlisted September 23, 1914 in Valcartier Camp, Quebec. Single at the time of his enlistment, he listed his occupation as a sailor. He would become a member of the Army, Canadian Infantry, Eastern Ontario Regiment, 2nd Battalion, as a Private. On April 24, 1915, Harry Bury would lose his life during fighting at the Second Battle of Ypres, Belgium on the Ypres Salient. Harry Bury was the second Sarnian to lose his life in the Great War. He would later be officially listed as, Killed in action. He was killed on the morning of April 24th, 1915 during the occupation of a recaptured enemy trench. Twenty-four year old Harry Bury has no known grave. He is memorialized on the Menin Gate (Ypres) Memorial in Belgium, Panel 10-18-26-28. Harry Bury was the first Lambton born casualty of the Great War.
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, L, N, 2C, 2D, 2G