Private George Edward Dillow

Son of Joseph and Fannie E. Dillow of 3418, Versailles Avenue, McKeesport, Pennsylvania.

Cousin of Private Cyril Henry Edward Cox, who died while serving with the Canadian Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment).

Close in age, the two boys were first cousins once removed. Cyril became a tin worker and George worked as a butcher before they enlisted together on 13 August 1918. Both men joined the 1st Depot Battalion, Eastern Ontario Regiment at Belleville, Ontario and were allocated consecutive regimental numbers. Both were not fully fit for general service and categorized to serve at home only. They began training at Belleville that summer.

When the influenza pandemic hit Belleville, both young men fell ill. Dillow was admitted to Belleville General Hospital suffering from influenza on 4 October 1918 and Cox followed on 8 October. Both men died of pneumonia within hours of each other—Dillow on 14 October and Cox the next day. They appeared on the same casualty list.