William Robert Jordan (1852 - 1938)

Born 24 Dec 1852 in Quebec City, Canada

Husband of Anastasia Reddy — married 5 Jun 1872 in Quebec City, Canada

Husband of Agnes Brown — married 2 Sep 1881 in Kingston, Frontenac, Ontario, Canada

Husband of Ellen Martha Gibbs — married 3 Apr 1913 in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

Descendants

Died 27 Sep 1938 at age 85 in Quebec City, Canada

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Biography

The Windsor Star 31 Mar 1930 pg2

Veterans are Going Home Oldest R.C.H.A. Members to Attend Reunion at Kingston Have Long Records Quebec and Saskatchewan Men Will be ‘Daddies’ at Rally

Kingston, Ont., March 31. Among the “boys of the Old Brigade” who are looking forward to the muster parade on the historic barrack square here, on the occasion of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery reunion, May 23 and 24 next, are William Jordan, of Quebec City, and W.R. Abbott, of Maple Creek and Abbott Township, Sask.

Oldest Members Both are former sergeant-majors with the gunners and are believed to be the oldest living members respectively of “A” and “B” batteries, from which the present R.C.H.A. developed. The Royal Canadian Artillery, the oldest permanent force unit in the Dominion of Canada, was first established with the formation of “A” Battery School of Gunnery at Kingston and “B” Battery School of Gunnery in Quebec in October 20, 1871. Ex-Sergeant-Major William Jordan, of Quebec, has a record of 46 years of military service to his credit. He first enlisted as a boy in the 8th Royal Rifles (now the Royal Rifles of Canada) in Quebec. On the formation of “B” Battery School of Gunnery when that until took over the Citadel of Quebec from the 60th Rifles of the Imperial Army, he signed on as a trumpeter in “B” Battery (now Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, stationed at Kingston) Jordan’s age at that time was 16 years and seven months. Jordon had the distinction of being the first member of the Canadian Permanent Force to pass the required medical examination for enlistment, he was the first trumpeter to sound the call for a parade in the permanent force, and one of the first members of the Canadian Military Forces to do sentry duty at the Quebec Citadel when the old fortress was taken over by the Canadian government on the withdrawal of the British regular troops. He served in “B” Battery continuously until 1905 while that until was stationed in Quebec and Kingston. In 1883 he attained the rank of sergeant and was with the guns of “B” Battery at the fight at Cut Knife Hill during the North West Rebellion when the gunners covered themselves with glory. During this campaign Sgt. Jordan received an injury to his ears owing to his proximity to the guns, which has remained with him as a permanent disability.

Trained Trumpeters

While with “B” Battery Jordan acted as trumpeter-major, training many trumpeters of different regiments, both here and in Quebec, who will recall his name as that of a most efficient instructor. He also acted as gymnast instructor, becoming famous for his expert swordsmanship and his adept use of the single-stick. Taking part in an assault-at-arms in the citadel at Quebec, before Princess Louise and the Marquis of Lorne, he came out best man in the sword and bayonet encounters in competition with naval men from the British fleet as well as all members of the Quebec garrison. In 1887 Sgt. Maj. Jordan was challenged by Petty Officer Williams, representing the British fleet then in Quebec harbour, to a bout in single-sticks. He accepted and won by 19 cuts to seven. Jordan has held the feather and lightweight boxing championships in Quebec province and also of Kingston city and garrison, while during his service he was also noted for his prowess at football, both rugby and association codes. Jordan has two sons, Lieut. Samuel Jordan of Kingston, and Captain John Jordan of Quebec, the former serving for many years in the R.C.H.A. while the latter served in the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps. Both attaining commissioned rank during the Great War. In spite of the fact that Mr. Jordan is well past the allotted span of three score years and ten, he is still upright in his carriage and most active. He expects to attend the re-union.

Sources

See also:

• Library and Archives Canada Pension to Wm [William] Jordan of the Royal Canadian Garrison Artillery - Min. M. and D. [Minister of Militia and Defence], 1906/03/21

Hierarchical level:FileOrder in Council number:1906-0507Date introduced:1906-03-24Date considered:1906-05-19Date approved:1906-05-21Reference:RG2, Privy Council Office, Series A-1-a. For Order in Council see volume 909, Access Code 90Type of material:Textual recordsFound in:Archives / Orders-in-CouncilItem ID number:139623 http://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.redirect?app=ordincou&id=139623&lang=eng

• "Canada Census, 1891," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MW56-MLC : 3 August 2016), William Jordan, St Louis Ward, Québec City, Quebec, Canada; Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario; Library and Archives Canada film number 30953_148217.

• "Canada Census, 1901," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KH5Y-4HG : 23 February 2021), William Jordan, Québec (city/cité) (centre), Quebec, Canada; citing p. 14, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa.

• "Recensement du Canada de 1911," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVBC-54RF : 16 March 2018), William Jordan, 1911; citing Census, Québec West Sub-Districts 1-10, Quebec, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,418,566.