153rd Battalion “C” Company of Wellington County, taken in London Ontario, 1916. The Company was comprised of one platoon from Arthur, two from Mount Forest, and one from Harriston. (Courtesy Wellington County Museum and Archives, ph 6064)
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LOOKING BACK
From the Advocate – 110 years ago (1916) Fred Mclean of Erin Village has enlisted in the 153rd (Wellington Battalion) and has been made a Sergeant. “Buster” is the right type of Patriot. Not having secured a Commission, as he expected, he enlisted in the ranks. Invitations have been sent out for a Farewell Dance to be given by the Erin Unit of the 153rd Battalion, in the Town Hall. The boys, who will be leaving soon, are working hard to make this event a great success. Pte. Ernest McLellan of West Garafraxa was killed in action on April 5. At the time when the telegram came conveying the news, his father was on his way to Toronto to say farewell to another son, Pte. Percy McLellan, who is leaving shortly for England. From the Advocate – 55 years ago (1971) The Erin District High School Variety Night featured a Tarzan and Jane skit with Lorraine Burt, Sherry Taylor, Debbie Myles and Patti Perron. A play called The Ghost of Green Mansion, about henpecked husbands escaping from their wives, featured Jimmy Blankenslip, Sean Richardson, Eleanor Dawson, Mary Wetering, Elmer Ellerby, Paul Herbison, Doug Snow, John McAdam, Kathy Copeland and Deborah Cornish. From the Advocate – 45 years ago (1981) A Swiss dairy goat from Orton has a date with royalty. It is one of four Ontario goats to be presented as a gift to the royal couple, Prince Charles and Lady Diana, due to be married in July. Orton resident Suzanne Bishop, editor of the Ontario Dairy Goat Society magazine, is organizing a school contest to name the goats. Overhead telephone wires are about to disappear in Erin village. Bell Canada is seeking tenders to bury the lines on the east side of Main Street this year.
From the Advocate – 35 years ago (1991) Erin Township is finally getting Blue Boxes for recycling. About 1,520 of them are piled high at the Hillsburgh Community Centre, to be distributed by Councillor Doris Topolsek this Sunday. Township residents have been recycling their paper, tin, glass and plastic waste for many years at the Erin Township Waste Transfer Depot on Eighth Line, but now they can transport the material there in blue boxes. Topolsek said roadside collection of garbage and recyclables is not expected any time soon. Ron Brandon of Brandon & Lodder Architects and Bruce McLeod of Eldale Structures presented the gold key of the newly-opened St. John Brebeuf Catholic School to Board Chair Reginald DiCola and Education Director John Wheatley, at the grand opening ceremonies last Tuesday. From the Advocate – 25 years ago (2001) Erin Mayor Rod Finnie was one of only three Wellington councillors to vote against the County’s 2001 budget. The County will spend 25 per cent more this year, partly due to the takeover of garbage disposal. The average residential tax bill will rise by 11 per cent, or $230. Erin Councillor Deb Sutherland supported the budget. Wellington County has set the fee for dropping off garbage at transfer stations at $1 per bag, $15 per car
Erin Summer camp registration is open all summer! The registration for each week of camp remains open until the Monday of each week for last minute bookings and childcare options. Come discover a summer of fun at:
The 153rd Battalion Wellington militia being presented with colours of the 153rd Battalion by the ladies of Guelph and Wellington County, 19 July 1916. (Courtesy Wellington County Museum and Archives, ph 589)
load, $30 per pick-up truck or $55 per tonne, with no charge for clean fill. Water Works Foreman Frank Smedley warned Town Councillors that water costs will rise substantially. “Since Walkerton, everything has changed,” he said. A report by Triton Engineering, ordered by the province, found it would cost $4.1 million to bring Erin village and Hillsburgh systems in line with provincial regulations. Smedley said even if the average annual water bill went from $220 to $443, “it’s still a bargain.” The Erin Tennis Club is planning a grand opening and ribbon cutting for its new courts behind Centre 2000 in July. A novice local band, Settler’s Creek, was the Week 6 winner of the Project Discovery competition, at the Stampede Corral in Kitchener. Bryce Butcher of Erin is the lead guitarist. Phil Gravelle is a local historian and a former columnist with the Erin Advocate newspaper where his popular Looking Back history column was published weekly for many years. As an ode to Erin’s rural heritage, we at Discover Erin are pleased to share Looking Back with you and hope you enjoy a trip down memory lane with us.
• Shamrock Adventure Camp • Crafty Kids Camp • Sports Camp • Performing Arts Camp • Dance Camp • Tennis Activity Camp • Hockey Skills & Development Camp • Outdoor Explorers Camp • Art in the Park Camp • Leader in Training Camp
Registration can be done in person at Erin Community Centre, over the phone at 519-833-2114 Ext. 426, or on our website erin.ca
SCAN HERE to learn more or register for Erin Summer Camps
Wellington County Council and Officials, 2001. (Courtesy Wellington County Museum and Archives, ph 15066)
54 | SPRING SUMMER 2026 | DISCOVER ERIN
DISCOVER ERIN | SPRING SUMMER 2026 | 55
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