A Family of Heroes - John Vincent & Elizabeth Johnstone

Bessie was the daughter of James Johnstone & Janet Warick and she married our John 'Robert' Vincent - the son of George S Vincent & Sarah Morrison out of Barney's River.  

Unknown Paper - 12 Mar 1948

Elizabeth Vincent - There passed peacefully: to her eternal Home on March 6 Mrs. Elizabeth Vincent, widow of the late J.R. Vincent of New Annan, at the age of 83 years.   Mrs. Vincent was formerly Elizabeth Johnstone, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Johnstone of New Annan.

With the exception of a few temporary visits elsewhere her life was spent in the vicinity of her birth place, where she was known and loved by a wide circle of relatives and friends.  Of a kindly, patient and self-sacrificing spirit she was affectionately known as Gram, not only to her own children and grandchildren, but to many beyond the confines of her own family. 

In her immediate family she leaves to mourn the loss of a loving and devoted mother, two daughters, Mrs. M.D. Mackenzie of Pictou and Mrs. J.W. Miller of Truro.   Also two sons, Earl J. Vincent of Halifax and Delmar E. Vincent with whom she made her home.   She was predeceased by her eldest son Ira and youngest daughter Marguerite.   One brother Harvie Johnstone of New Annan survives, as well as a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was tenderly and competently cared for during her brief illness by her daughter-in-law Mrs. Delmar E. Vincent.  The funeral from the United Church was conducted by Rev. Eric Koffend, followed by interment in the family lot in Bell Gift Cemetery.

 

Their sons Lt Earl Johnstone Vincent & Delmar Lauriston 'Lloyd' vincent both served with A Co of the 85^th Battalion of the Nova Scotia Highland Brigade which is credited with capturing Hill 145 in their first battle – the hill of the Vimy Memorial. 85th Battalion, NS Highland Regiment

Earl received a Medal of Honour for bravery during the action on Passchendaele on Oct 30 & 31st, 1917.  As written on the citation card, “He was foremost in locating positions for advanced posts and the best locations for the consolidation of the line being almost continually exposed to the heaviest fire.  Througout the whole operation he was very cool and collected and showed great courage as well as being instrumental in obtaining valuable information for his OC.”  Earl was shot in the chest and the bullet landed near so near his heart that it was never removed.  

Chronicle Herald, 28 Sep 1964

Delmar Lauriston Vincent - The funeral service was held yesterday at West New Annan United Church for the late Delmar Lauriston Vincent, who died September 27 at Camp Hill Hospital, Halifax, at the ago of 70.  Interment was at Bell Gift Cemetery, West New Annan. Rev. Keith Rodgerson conducted the service, which was largely attended, and the floral pieces were many and beautiful. Members of the Royal Canadian Legion attended the service in a body.  The hymn sung was "O Love That Will Not Let Me Go."  Prior to the funeral service members of the Masonic Lodge held a service at the Bonnyman Funeral Home in Tatamagouche.

A native of West New Annan, the late Mr. Vincent was the son of the late John Robert Vincent and Elizabeth Johnstone Vincent.

He served in two world wars - in the First War with the 85th Battalion and in the Second War with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders.  He was a member of Keystone Masonic Lodge, Victoria Lodge of Perfection (Scottish Rite) and of the Royal Canadian Legion.  He was also active in the United Church and for a number of years taught a senior class in the Sunday School.

The late Mr. Vincent is survived by his widow, the former Greta Katherine Cox, West New Annan, a son Ian and two grandchildren, St. Eleanor's, P.E.I., a brother Earl Vincent, of Halifax, and a number of nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his parents as well as three sisters and one brother.

Their grandson, Lt Maurice Doherty Mackenzie, the son of their daughter Sylvia Irene Vincent and her husband Marsden Day MacKenzie was a pilot for the Canadian Air Force and on a mission to Essen, crashed at Burdinne, Belgium.