Private David John Aghstawensrronthah Powless

1. Private (Army). 1918-06-17 to 1918-11-06
2. Private (Army). 1918-03-14 to 1918-06-16
3. Private, 15th Battalion, Infantry (Army). 1916-10-10 to 1918-03-13
4. Private, 134th Battalion, Infantry (Army). 1916-01-17 to 1916-10-10

Son of Jacob Powless and Nancy Powless (nee Zachariah) of Deseronto, Ontario; husband of Louisa Jane Powless (nee Maracle) married 1890; husband of Rose Hannah Powless (nee Hawkins, formerly Mepham) married October 28, 1910 of 913 Dundas Street, Toronto, Ontario

Date of Birth declared on Attestation papers was January 5, 1971 but birth record confirms the correct Date of Birth was January 5, 1869

Discharged November 6, 1918 Medically Unfit

The family's history after the war was covered in this report: "Widow and Kiddies Facing Starvation - Soldier-Husband Died Just After Discharge, and Pension is Refused" (Toronto Star - January 31, 1919)

Described as a worse case than the Tarringtons (I covered this in the past - Pte. James Tarrington, 9 children), Mrs. J. D. Powless, 913 Dundas street west, facing starvation, with 5 children all under 14. Pte. J. D. Powless returned home recently from active service in France, contracted influenza-pneumonia and died. She was told by the Pension Commissioners at Ottawa that she is not entitled to any Pension because Pte. Powless died after discharge. Powless described as over-age when enlisted, Canadian born Mohawk, with two sons also in France with the CEF. A photo of two of the children and the house were included in this report.

A full pension of $936/year was granted to Mrs. Powless and her children after supporters had the case reopened. Another report appeared in the Toronto Star on February 20th 1919, in part:

Pte. J. D. Powless enlisted while over age, and after 22 months in France, was discharged in Toronto last December, physical unfitness being the written reason for his release from the army. Two weeks after discharge the soldier husband fell victim to an attack of influenza, to which he succumbed a few days later. The attending physician gave his certificate that Pte. Powless would undoubtedly have recovered had it not been for the fact that service overseas had undermined his constitution. But owing to the fact that death occurred after discharge, and there was no disability on record, no pension was granted to the widow on her application. The board at Ottawa wrote that the regulations did not permit it.

134th Battalion Nominal Roll

Compiled by M. I. Pirie, 2014