By Lorraine (DeBruyne) Weise – Gibbons, Alta.
Private Thomas Ernest Hone (1896-1917) was killed in action during WWI. Thomas Hone was an uncle of my late husband, Allan Weise. Thomas was the brother of Allan’s mother, Bessie Weise.
He came to Canada from England in Sept. 1913 – port of arrival was Port Huron, Michigan, USA – and made his way to Weyburn and the Ceylon, Sask. District. He was 18 years old and worked for farmers in the area.
The following year, his parents, William and Alice Hone, sister Bessie and brother Albert, followed him to Canada on the ship Alaunia of the Cunard Shipping Line. Their port of entry was Montreal, Que. from Southampton, England, and made their way to Ceylon.
When WWI broke out, Thomas enlisted in the Weyburn enlistment office on March 11, 1916. He was 20 years old. He joined the 5th Battalion as Private T.E. Hone #925485. He was a bugler.
His description on enlistment on March 11, 1916 in Weyburn was listed as 20 years and 5 months. He was 5 feet 10½ inches tall, of ruddy complexion, with grey eyes and brown hair, and was of Presbyterian religion.
A year and five days after he enlisted, he was killed in action on March 16, 1917 at 21 years of age. He is buried in Roclincourt Cemetery in France.
Thomas Hone’s cousin, Arthur Edward Hone, enlisted on March 20, 1916, but before he went overseas he died on April 26, 1916 of pneumonia at the age of 22 years in Weyburn. Arthur Edward Hone is buried in the military cemetery in Weyburn.
