The McDiarmid Brothers of Carleton Place and World War I–Emma Kinsman-Please watch Emma’s video
The McDiarmid Brothers of Carleton Place and World War I
I was searching for something about a Munroe child being an acrobat in the New York World’s Fair and somehow I came across this video and text from the Carleton Place Library. This fits right in with our upcoming Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum Gala Dinner featuring Julian Smith who will discuss his work on the restoration of the Vimy Ridge Memorial– I thought this was great.
McDiarmid Brothers— from The Carleton Place Library
We are so honoured and proud to share with you this local documentary prepared in 2007 to commemorate the 90thanniversary of the Battle at Vimy Ridge produced by our summer student, Emma Kinsman. The video was presented and placed at the Perth Regional Historica Fair in 2007.
From the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum
The video centers on the McDiarmid brothers of Carleton Place. Four of the six McDiarmid brothers enlisted in the First World War with only 1 returning home. Harold and Victor McDiarmid were killed at Vimy Ridge, and Arthur, who returned home to die after being exposed to poisonous gas.
Following the war, Mary McDiarmid and her only surviving veteran son, Leo, unveiled the Cenotaph in Carleton Place which was created to honour the town’s fallen sons.
his documentary was made in 2007 to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Battle at Vimy Ridge. It was produced by Emma Kinsman about the McDiarmid brothers of Carleton Place. Four of the sixMcDiarmid brothers enlisted in the First World War with only one returning home. Harold and Victor McDiarmid were killed at Vimy Ridge, and Arthur returned home to die after being exposed to poisonous gas. Following the war, Mary McDiarmid and her only surviving veteran son, Leo, unveiled the new Cenotaph in Carleton Place which was created to honour the town’s fallen sons.
Please check out the event page here..
It’s Canada’s 150th birthday…
It’s the 120th anniversary of the Carleton Place Town Hall…
We are also honouring the 100th anniversary of Vimy Ridge.
Join us this year at our annual fundraising Heritage Dinner as we honour these milstones. Architect Julian Smith will discuss his work on the restoration of the Memorial. Recently named to the Order of Canada, Mr. Smith has worked in both the heritage and contemporary fields on culturally significant sites in Canada (including Carelton Place), the U.S., Europe and Asia.
Tickets are $50 per person (with a $25 tax receipt). Dinner by Leatherworks Catering, with live musical entertainment and a silent auction. More details to follow.
All proceeds raised enable the Society’s continuing support of the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum, their exhibitions, programming and public education events. This is our major fundraising event of the year. Other annual fundraisers include the Junk and Disorderly Sale on March 25/26 and our Vintage Clothing Sale held this year from April 21 – 23.
Tickets available beginning January 23 at the Carleton Place Chamber of Commerce and at the Museum.–Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum
Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read.
Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in Hometown News and now in The Townships Sun
Photo—Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum
Victor McDiarmid, age 18, poses with his sisters Jane and Evangeline at the Carleton Place Train Station in 1916. Victor was on his way overseas to fight in WWI with the 75th Battalion, 1st Central Ontario Regiment.
A high school student and skilled hockey player, Victor was one of four brothers who served in WWI. Only one came home.
Victor was reported “missing, presumed dead” at Vimy Ridge, April 8, 1917. Victor’s body was never found. His name is on the Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. We will remember.
Photo of a McDiarmid lunch c. 1914 at their home on McArthur Avenue-Photo—Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum


Perth Courier, May 20, 1881
Perth Courier, Sept. 8, 1899
We regret to announce the death of Mrs. W.R. McGinnis of Carleton Place, from Bright’s Disease, on Friday morning last in her 48th (?) year. The maiden name of the deceased was Matilda McDiarmid and she was a sister of Messrs. William, Duncan, and Robert McDiarmid of Carleton Place. She was a member of the Baptist Church. Her husband died 13 years ago of typhoid fever at Toronto
Perth Courier, July 30, 1897
James H. Reilly, once a resident of Carleton Place, died at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on Thursday of last week. The body was brought to Carleton Place by William McDiarmid, Jr., to be buried from the home of his uncle D. McNeely in Cram’s Cemetery.
Wow, thanks for featuring my family and video! I strive to keep their memory alive!
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You are welcome.. that is what we have to do.. trying to document everything so it is here forever
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Thanks Linda and Emma. I just watched your video now, (great job!) as I’m digging into the complex McDiarmid family inter-relationships in Beckwith Twp. at this time, and trying to determine the parents of Jessie Mabel McDiarmid, the Nurse who died on the hospital ship “Llandovery Castle” in WW I.
Ken Godfrey
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Thanks Ken
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