Myles Vokes was born on August 23, 1922, the son of William Vokes (born in Peel County) and Alice May (nee Mason) Vokes of 137 John Street, Sarnia. Myles had one sister, Martha (born 1913) and one brother, Mason (born 1914). At the age of three, Myles would lose his mother Alice May, who died in 1925. He joined the Canadian Army, becoming a member of the Corps of Military Staff Clerks, with the rank of Corporal. On January 9, 1942, Myles Vokes lost his life in London, Ontario in a motorcycle accident involving a collision between an automobile and a motorcycle with side-car attached.
Petrolia soldier Gnr. Robert Burns, 18, was driving the motorcycle and in the side car were Pte. Frederick Heatherly, 18, of London and Cpl. Myles Vokes. Burns and Heatherly were employed as dispatch riders, stationed at No. 1 District Depot, Wolsely Barracks. The tragic mishap happened at the corner of Piccadilly and Colborne Streets. The motorcycle attempted to pass the automobile at the intersection and struck the front bumper of the car. Out of control, the motorcycle careened into a curb and the impact hurled Vokes 20 feet through the air onto the roadway. When police and an ambulance arrived, Vokes was lying face down on the road; both Burns and Heatherly were lying conscious beside their machine. They were all taken to Trafalgar Hospital, where Myles Vokes was dead upon arrival.
Nineteen year-old Myles Vokes is buried in Sarnia (Lakeview) Cemetery, Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, Sec. E. Lot 154. On Myles Vokes’ headstone are inscribed the words, At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember him.
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, J, L, 2C, 2D