Percival Guertin was born in Chatham, Ontario, on September 29, 1886, the son of Alexander Napolean Guertin (born in U.S.A.) and Julian (nee Turcotte) Guertin, of 352 Maxwell Street, later 143 Elgin Street, Sarnia. Percival’s many siblings included: Herbert Joseph (born 1882); Florence Adelaide (born 1884); William John (born 1885); Clyde Alexander (born 1888); Mary Stella (born 1892); Norman Peter (born 1893); Charles Edmond (born 1895); and Rena Margaret (born 1900). Father Alexander would be a long-time worker of the Dominion Salt Company, employed there for 40 years. Alexander’s grandfather was a veteran of the Civil War, and his great-grandfather a veteran of the War of 1812. Four of Alexander’s sons, William, Clyde, Norman and Percival, would fight with Canadian regiments during the First World War. During the Second World War, three of Alexander’s grandsons would follow the family tradition: Lt. T.J. Forlan, son of Florence Forlan (nee Guertin) would be a flight commander overseas with the American Air Force; Sgt. William Guertin, son of Norman Guertin would serve with the R.C.A.F. becoming a prisoner of war in an Italian prison camp; and Pte. Vincent Guertin, the son of Percival Edward Guertin would serve in the Canadian Armored Car Division. Patriarch of the family, Alexander Guertin would reside in Sarnia for 53 years, dying at the age 85 in June of 1943, interned at Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery, Sarnia.
Percival Guertin would marry Maud Grace (nee Noel, of Bay City, Michigan) Guertin. Maud Grace Noel came from a family of nine children. One of her brothers, younger than her by eight years, was Urban Joseph Noel. Urban Noel would also serve in the Great War, losing his life in action at the age 22, on August 8, 1918 in Somme, France. He is included in this Project.
Percival and Maud Grace Guertin were married on September 27, 1908 in Sarnia. The couple resided at South Porcupine, later 214 Parker Street, and then 109 Collingwood Street, Sarnia. Percival and Maud Grace had four children together: Vincent (as mentioned, would serve in WWII); Percy Edward (born 1909); Francis Alexander (born 1911); Genevieve Laura (born 1912) and Marguerite Louise (born 1914). Percival enlisted May 23, 1916 in South Porcupine, Ontario with the 159th Battalion. At the time, he recorded his occupation as a moulder, and that he had prior experience in the 97th Regiment. Percival Guertin became a member of the Army, Canadian Infantry, Quebec Regiment, 24th Battalion, with the rank of Private.
Percival’s brothers William John and Clyde Alexander, would both also serve in the war. Both would receive wounds later in the war (in August 1918): William with gunshot wounds in his right hand; and Clyde a scalp wound. In August 1916, Clyde sent a letter home from France to their sixteen-year old sister, Miss Rena (Margaret) Guertin of 351 Maxwell Street. The following is a portion of that letter:
Dear Sister,
We have just been over a few days, and its pretty much like England. I guess they took me for a Scot for I am in the 78th (a Scotch Battalion) from Winnipeg…. There isn’t many more of my old Battalion in it. I am well and happy and hope all at home are the same. Do your best to keep mother cheered up. I know she worries like the mischief having four sons out of five in the army, but the only thing to do is to look on the bright side. I am glad I’m here, and the other boys are in it…, if it should happen that I am one of the ones that don’t come back, don’t feel sorry, as I’ll give a good account of myself over here. You can bet your sweet life on that…. Well dear, be a good girl and I’ll bring you back a lock of the Kaiser’s hair – or at least a German helmet. With lots of love and kisses, I will say goodbye to the dearest sis in the world.
P.S. Give my best to everyone at home. Your brother Clyde.
Brothers Clyde and Percival were able to meet-up for a brief time prior to Percival’s death. On April 11, 1918, Percival Guertin would lose his life while fighting in France, less than two years after he had enlisted. He would officially be listed as, Killed in action. At trenches east of Neuville Vitasse. In late April 1918, Percival’s wife Maud, living at 109 Collingwood Street, would receive the following telegram:
Ottawa, Ont., April 23
Mrs. Maud Guertin, Sarnia, Ont.
Deeply regret to inform you that 649389 Private Percy Ed. Guertin, infantry, officially reported killed in action, April 11th. Director of Records
Percival would leave behind his wife Maud and four children. Thirty-one year old Percival Guertin has no known grave. He is memorialized on the Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Four months later, Percival’s wife Maud Grace would lose her brother Urban Joseph Noel, who was killed in action in Somme, France.
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, L, N, 2C, 2D, 2G, v