The memory of a fallen solider will live on over a 100 years after the First World War, thanks to the efforts of the Orillia Public Library. Months of research and planning have led to an upcoming memorial ceremony for James Allison Wheatley, a solider who was killed in action at Passchendaele, Belgium, in 1917. According to research done by Jayne Poolton-Turvey, projects and events manager at the library, Wheatley often went by just his middle name, Allison. He enlisted in Orillia and trained at Camp Borden. During his life before service, Poolton-Turvey uncovered that Wheatley was the son of a minister, which meant he moved around to various communities in central Ontario. Wheatley enrolled at Orillia Collegiate, where he stayed to finish his education even after his parents moved. Shortly there after, he began his career as a teacher and principal. He then put his career on hold to enlist and fight for Canada in the First World War. He served with the 157th Simcoes and was later transferred to the 116th. Poolton-Turvey says Wheatley’s name is nowhere to be found on the cenotaph in Orillia or any other community where his father worked, such as Elmvale or Coldwater. Thanks to Poolton-Turvey’s efforts, the Orillia Legion will now be hosting a memorial event for Wheatly. Many members of his family plan to attend. The event will take place on Sept. 27, starting with a small parade from the legion to Veterans Memorial Park, followed by a short ceremony at the park where his name will be unveiled on the cenotaph at 1 p.m. Further presentations will continue at the legion after the unveiling.
