George Doxstater was born at the Sarnia Indian Reserve, on August 4, 1896, the eldest child of Edward Doxstater (of Oneida Settlement, Middlesex County, Ontario) and Sarah (nee George) Doxstater, of 391 Confederation Street, Sarnia. His siblings included: Eva Millicent (born 1898); Mattie Lavinia (born 1900); Norah Hazel (born 1902); Reuben Edward (born 1904); Beatrice Winnefred (born 1905); Lucinda Violet (born 1907); William Henry (born 1908); Julia (born 1909); George Leonard (born 1910); and Austin (born 1914). Before enlisting, Frederick had been employed as car inspector on the Pere Marquette. Frederick enlisted December 16, 1915 in Sarnia, with the 149th Lambton Battalion, Canadian Infantry. A bachelor at the time, he was residing at 304 Rose Street, Sarnia, and recorded his occupation as a labourer. While in England, Frederick would be transferred, becoming a member of the Army, Canadian Engineers, 4th Battalion, with the rank of Private/Sapper. He went with that branch of the service to France, serving with them at the Front.
Frederick Doxstater served at the Front in France for about a year when he became ill. He was sent to England due to his ill health, which had been brought on by the hardships at the Front. He would be discharged from England and sent home, reaching as far as Halifax. Frederick did not make it home alive. On November 11, 1918, the day the Great War ended and the world was celebrating, Frederick’s father Edward Doxstater in Sarnia, would receive a telegram informing him that his son, Sapper Frederick Doxstater, of the Canadian Engineers was dangerously ill at the Cogswell Street Military Hospital, Halifax. No particulars as to his ailment were given in the official telegram. On November 15, 1918, Frederick Doxstater would lose his life in Halifax, having been there for one week. Shortly afterwards, Frederick’s mother Sarah would receive the following telegram:
Mrs. Ed Doxstater, 391 Confederation street,
Regret to inform you 844252, Sapper Fred Doxstater, died at 6:55 p.m. November 15. M.O. Cogswell Street Military Hospital.
Frederick Doxstater would later be officially listed as, Death due to tuberculosis, at Military Hospital, Halifax. At Frederick Doxstater’s funeral in November 1918 in Sarnia, he was given full military honours, with members of the Great War Veterans and Sarnia Citizens’ band in attendance. The funeral procession began at the family residence on Confederation Street and ended at the Indian Reserve Cemetery. Services were conducted by Rev. Alford of the Sarnia Reserve, assisted by Rev. Hazen, pastor of the Devine Street Methodist church. A firing squad paid their last respect of the deceased soldier. Twenty-two year old Frederick Doxstater is buried in Sarnia Chippewas First Nations Cemetery, Sarnia. On the Sarnia cenotaph, his name is inscribed as F. Doxtator. His name is also inscribed on the Aamjiwnaang First Nations cenotaph in Sarnia. The central column of the Aamjiwnaang cenotaph is inscribed, To our glorious veterans who have served our nation and its allies for peace and freedom – Lest We Forget. One of the side column’s is inscribed, World War I – In memory of the young men from this nation who served King and country throughout the world 1914-1919 – Frederick Doxstater.
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, L, N, 2C, 2D, 2G, 4D, t