Captain Edward Watson Hachborn

1. Lieutenant (Army).
2. Captain (British Army). 1916-12-01 ?

EDWARD WATSON HACHBORN

Lt. Hachborn was the son of a prominent Toronto businessman.

Prior military experience (per attestation): 9th Battery C.F.A., Toronto, Ont.

Note on attestation: "Transferred from 48th Battery to 12th Brigade 2-6-16".

The following notice regarding Major Hachborn's promotion appeared in the Toronto Star on December 15th, 1916:

TORONTO MAN IS CHIEF OF BATTERY.
Given a Command at the Front - Canadians Promoted.

Special Cable to The Star by Windermere.

London, Dec. 15. - Lieut. E. W. Hachborn, of Toronto, recently of the Canadians, who was transferred to the Royal Garrison Artillery, has been promoted to captain, and is now commanding a siege battery at the front.

His return from the war was reported in the Toronto Star on March 11th, 1919:

MAJOR E. W. HACHBORN

Special Reserve Royal Artillery, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Hachborn, 131 South Drive, returned home on Saturday. He had been overseas three years, and in France two years. Last May he was home on sick leave, following an attack of pleurisy. He has been wounded.

Major Hachborn was married on June 12th, 1919 to Miss Elsie Gowan Pirie (1892-1933) at Old St. Andrew's Church, Jarvis St., Toronto. The reception was held at 143 Crescent Rd., the home of Miss Pirie's aunt and uncle, Major and Mrs. Boyce Thomspon. Major Thompson was a long time member of the Queen's Own Rifles of Toronto. Miss Pirie was a native of Dundas, Ontario.

Mr. and Mrs. Hachborn had one child - Hester Pirie Hachborn (Mrs. Douglas Baird). Her 2011 obituary was published in the Telegram (Newfoundland):

BAIRD (nee Hachborn), Hester Pirie - 1921-2011: Died peacefully at St. Patrick's Mercy Home in St. John's on Monday, August 22, 2011 at the age of 90. Hester was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Douglas Baird in 1984 and her son Andrew in 2008. She is survived by her son David, his wife Jeanie, grandson David and granddaughter Amy and Amy's husband Matthew Parsons; her daughter Deborah and husband Stephen Wadhams; her daughter-in-law, Iola and grandchildren Siobhan and Alexander. Hester also leaves her cousins Alex Pirie in Toronto, Sylvia Edgar (Tony) in Sydney, Australia, Paul Pirie (Irena) in Burlington, Ontario, Gordon Pirie (Deborah) in Asheville, North Carolina USA, Bob Hackborn and Gordon Hachborn (Pamela Thomson) in Toronto and a number of nieces and nephews. Hester's family is deeply grateful to Dr. Patrick O'Shea and to Mary Jane Bennett and the staff and volunteers on 3 East and West at St. Patrick's Mercy Home for their unfailing kindness and professionalism to our mother during her years in their care. We also thank Edwina Kirkland and her staff for providing excellent assisted living to Hester in Elizabeth Towers before she went to St. Pat's. Cremation has taken place. There will be no visitation. A memorial service for Hester will be held at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in St. John's on Friday, August 26, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. A reception will follow the service in the Church Hall next door.

Source: M. I. Pirie, 2006

Compiled by M. I. Pirie. Mr. Hachborn was married to my grandfather's (R. F. Pirie) sister Elsie Pirie.

Promotion noted in the Toronto Star on December 15th, 1916.

Source: Windermere, London, England.