Edward Causley was born in Sarnia, on November 24, 1897, the eldest child of Levi Francis Causley and Margaret (nee Ward, of Selby, England) Causley, of RR#3 Sarnia Township, later 124 Bright Street, Sarnia. His siblings included: Mary Teresa (born 1899); Leo (born 1901); Andrew (born 1904); Arthur Aloysius (born 1906); and Margaret Eileen (born 1909). He also had a half sibling, Margaret Mary. Edward enlisted January 26, 1916 in Sarnia with the 149th Battalion. A bachelor at the time, he listed his occupation as a labourer. He became a member of the Army, Canadian Infantry, Western Ontario Regiment, 1st Battalion, as a Private. On August 30, 1918, Edward Causley would lose his life while fighting in France during Canada’s final Hundred Days Campaign. In September 1918, Edward’s father Levi Causley of RR #3, Sarnia, would receive word from Ottawa that his son, Pte. Edward F. Causley, previously reported missing, was now listed as killed in action, August 30th. Edward Causley would later be officially listed as, Previously reported missing, now killed in action. He was hit in the head by shrapnel and died a few minutes later. Vicinity of Upton Wood, France.

In October 1918, Edward’s mother, Mrs. Margaret Causley would receive a letter from her brother, Jim, informing her of her son’s death. The following is a portion of that letter:

France, Sept. 22, 1918

My Dear Sister,

I really don’t know how to start this letter. May God give you strength to bear this terrible news of our brave hero, Eddie, who was killed, charging Upton Woods in France. I was inquiring for Eddie, thinking I would see his smiling face, but when they told me the news and how brave he was, I nearly fainted. I could not believe it until I saw his grave. He was to communion a few days before, when I last saw him. How pleased I was to see him. I thought the world of him, our dear, darling boy that is gone….

He had no pain; he did not know what hit him. It was a machine gun bullet. He fought all day and went about thirteen miles on, then had the misfortune to get killed, just as they had driven the Germans out. There are three hundred in the cemetery. I will go over to his grave every day and say the beads. I have the Rosary beads he gave me in England. I am heart-broken and sorry over your terrible loss. Well, my dear sister, this is terrible and you don’t know how I feel. I really loved the ground he walked on. I will write to you again soon and tell you more. With love to you and your dear family, I remain

Your loving brother, Jim

Twenty year old Edward Causley is buried in Upton Wood Cemetery, France, Grave B.30.

SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, L, N, 2C, 2D, 2G