Donald Munro Alsop

British War Medal, Victory Medal

107th Overseas “Timber Wolves” Battalion

16th Battalion (The Canadian Scottish)

WW I

Donald Munro Alsop was born 11 July 1893 in Inverurie, Scotland. Donald came from a large family, having 4 brothers: Bill (his twin), John, James and Alex as well as 5 sisters; Grace, Anne, Margaret, Isabella and Mary. He left Scotland in 1910, when he was 17, and immigrated to Canada to join his brother Alex, who had made the journey years before. He was given a job at the Lumgair Brother’s farm just south of Thornhill and stayed there until he enlisted for World War I. Donald enlisted with the infantry and embarked for active duty with the 107th Overseas Battalion “Timber Wolves” in August 1916. He was later transferred to the 16th Battalion also known as (The Canadian Scottish).

Private Alsop served on the “front lines” all across Europe and while he was there his battalion fought at Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele (also known as The Third Battle of Ypres), Cambrai, Mons, Lens and Hill 70. Donald was returned to Canada in May 1919, he went back to Thornhill and got his old job back.

Donald had met Bessie Florence Birt while he was in training at Winnipeg. Bessie had come to Winnipeg in 1912 to join her sister Emma. They came from their father’s farm at Peakes Station, Kings County, Prince Edward Island. Donald and Bessie married in May 1920 at the Lumgair farm and set up their own farm home just east of the Thornhill corner. Here Donald worked the farm with his best friend, James Simpson Mackie while Bessie looked after the home and their 6 children, Isabella, Margaret, Douglas (Buck), Emma, Gladys and Donald (Sammy). Donald was also a mail porter (carrier) for the Thornhill area, a member of The Royal Canadian Legion and a dedicated member of the Conservative Party. He loved hockey, boxing, playing bridge, reading and telling stories.

Donald and Bessie retired from the farm in 1948 and took up residence in Morden where Donald worked for Carman Plumbing & Heating as a shop foreman. Bessie Alsop (Birt) died 27 March 1970 at the age of 78.

Private Donald Munro Alsop died 26 October 1956 at the age of 63 and is buried with his wife at the Hillside Cemetery in Morden, Manitoba.

Information from Library and Archives Canada and the family.