Private Kenneth Leighton McCausland

1. Private (Army).
2. Private (Army).

KENNETH LEIGHTON McCAUSLAND

Kenneth L. McCausland was a son of Robert McCausland (1856-1923), head of Robert McCausland, Ltd., 141-143 Spadina Ave., a well-known stained glass window firm based in Toronto, Ontario. His mother was Maud E. S. Paterson (1864-1942). His parents are buried at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto.

His grandparents were Joseph McCausland and Elizabeth Key. Joseph McCausland came to Canada from Armagh, Ireland in the 1830s.1 They were buried in a family plot at the Toronto Necropolis Cemetery.2

On May 11th, 1917, the Toronto Star published a list of former school cadets from the Ogden School. Kenneth McCausland was one of 27 students named on this list.

K. L. McCausland was a student at Upper Canada College. His photo and a short bio appear in the Upper Canada College, Roll of Service:

McCAUSLAND, KENNETH LEIGHTON;
12 Oakwood Ave., Toronto; E[ntered] Prep. Sch.,
Nov. [19]11; aged 12; L. '15; son of R. McCausland,
McCauslands Ltd., Toronto.
Enlisted, June, 1915; 74th Bn., C.E.F., Pte.; Sergt.;
discharged, owing to disability, December, 1916.

This biography indicates that he was 12 years old in 1911. Therefore, his birthdate was likely not 1897, as entered on the military attestation, but actually 1899 (as indicated in other sources as well), making him underage to enlist.

Kenneth McCausland's photograph in uniform appeared in the Toronto Star on December 27th, 1915 with a large group of photos of individuals from the 74th Battalion. The photo group is titled "PLATOON 3, "A" Co. 74th Battalion". He is identified as Pte. K. McCausland, 273 Russell Hill.

McCausland's military file is now digitized and online. His service with the 74th Battalion is described as being between 31 July 1915 to 02 March 1916 while he trained at the Exhibition Camp in Toronto (located on the grounds of the C.N.E.). He was discharged due to disability. The medical documents within this file indicate that he was operated on for appendicitis, and the outcome rendered him unfit. Another note in the file indicates that he still wished to re-enlist after this discharge. He also served with the 234th Battalion C.E.F. in Canada.

He married Emily Adeline (or Adelene) Cornwall (1900-1956), daughter of George Cornwall and Ada McGaffin on July 11th, 1916 in Toronto, Ontario. An Application for Divorce (24 October 1922)appeared in the Canada Gazette, Vol. 56, No. 19, published November 4th, 1922.

McCausland was elected President and General Manager of Reed Canadian Engravers on February 26th, 1932.

A son, Charles Donald McCausland, was born in 1918. The following appeared in the Oakville Beaver on January 27, 1993, pg. 23:

McCAUSLAND, Charles Donald - (World War II Veteran, Squadron 118 R.A.F. & Squadron 922 R.C.A.F. and Pilot and Instructor No. 6, S.F.T.S., in Dunnville, Ontario. Retired Teacher from Homelands School in Mississauga, Peel Board of Education. Member of Waterdown Legion Branch No. 551. Proprietor of McCausland's Book Store, Oakville and previous involvement with scouting and minor hockey in Oakville. Peacefully after a valiant struggle at the Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital on Saturday, January 23, 1993. Charlie McCausland, beloved husband of Eve (nee Funston) and the late Frances Margaret Taylor and Frances Jean Lean. Loving father of Ted and his wife Bernice of Oakville, Doug and his wife Gina of North Bay and the late Donald Dear stepfather of Bill and Kevin McCausland and Robert and his wife Mary Funston. Sadly missed by eight grandchildren, Amanda, Erin and Charlie McCausland, and Rebecca, Naomi, Christopher, Dale and Brett Funston. Brother of George House of Switzerland. Friends were received at the Ward Funeral Home "Oakville Chapel" (109 Reynolds St.) on Monday from 2 to 1 and 7 to 9 pm. Service in the chapel on Tuesday at 11 a.m. Interment in the family plot at St. Jude's Cemetery. If so desired, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family.

1Obituary / Joseph McCausland, Toronto Star - May 4th, 1905.
2Toronto Necropolis, 200 Winchester St., Toronto, Ont.

Researched by Marika Pirie, 2006.

Researched and compiled by M. I. Pirie, 2006, updated 2017. Kenneth Leighton McCausland was a cousin to Gnr. Russell Fraser Pirie and Pte. Goldwin McCausland Pirie.