Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Photo of FRANK WILSON HONEY – Frank Wilson Honey was born on a farm near Fleming, Saskatchewan on September 23, 1886. His father, James McIntyre Honey, was a railroader from Scotland, and his mother, Ann Wilson Honey, was a weaver from Ireland. Both immigrated to Canada in the early 1880s. They met and married in Winnipeg in 1883.

Attestation Paper (page 1) – Frank was born in 1886 on the homestead on NE 32-10-30 "The Territories", before Saskatchewan became a province of Canada in 1905. By 1905, Frank was homesteading on SW 14-10-30, near his older brother Jim Jr. On January 19, 1916, his younger brother George signed up to serve in the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Forces, and on April 23, 1916 Frank too signed up. Both brothers were farmers; neither brother was married. In the Attestation papers, George named his mother, "Mrs. Annie Honey" as his next-of-kin, and Frank named his father, "James M. Honey", both of Maryfield, Saskatchewan.

Postcard – On July 6, 1917, Frank wrote this post card to his sister, Annie Catherine (Honey) Gould, whom he nicknamed Kate: "Dear Kate - Had this taken just after I left hospital to go to convo [convalescent] camp. I was feeling rather "fed up + far from home" and look it. I am going on ten days furlough Monday. Adress all letters to 9th Reserve. Am getting along first rate. Haven't heard from Geo. for two weeks. He was all right then. So long - Frank."

Letter (part 1) – Frank returned to the front lines after his convalescence. On February 18, 1918, he was killed in action in France. His father received the attached letter from his platoon leader: "Dear Mr. Honey, I would tender you the sincere sympathy of myself + the whole of No 3 Platoon, in your loss. Your son L/Corpl Frank Wilson Honey M.M. was killed instantaneously by a machine gun bullet through the head - his death was painless. Frank has been in my platoon ever since he came back to France last fall + I got to know him very well. He was a splendid fellow + everybody loved and" (continued on separate page)

Letter (part 2) – (letter, continued) "respected him. In his life he set a fine example to all who knew him here - a brave clean living and great hearted man whose influence was always good, and who died doing his duty. Again assuring you of our sincere sympathy, Yours faithfully," Frank's brother George returned home safely to farm in Saskatchewan, but never married. His nephews, Howie and Geordie Gould, were allowed to take water in the canteen their Uncle Geordie brought home from the Great War, when they went gopher hunting.

Photo of Frank Honey – Howie and Geordie Gould were sons of Frank's sister, Annie Catherine (Honey) Gould. Only 25 years after Frank gave his life in World War I, his nephews joined up to serve in World War II. Howie was shot down over Germany in 1943. To learn more about his life, please see Howard James Gould, on the Canadian Virtual War Memorial. Geordie Gould, like his namesake, returned home safely after the war. He and his family enjoy happy lives in Canada, and remember Frank and the enormous sacrifice he made with love and gratitude.