George Robert Douglas Lyon (1880 - 1932)

Born 30 Jun 1880 in Ottawa, Carleton, Ontario, Canada

Ancestors

Died 30 Jul 1932 at age 52 in Rivers, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada

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Biography

George Robert Douglas Lyon was the son of George Robert Lyon, a Commission Merchant in Ottawa, and Charlotte Douglas.^[1] He married Gertrude Eva McCaffrey (1882–1973).

He was educated at Ottawa Collegiate Institute (today known as Lisgar Collegiate Institute). During his time there, he was recognised for bravery in attempting to save two boys that had gone under the ice while skating on the Rideau Canal. He went under with a garden hose tied around his waist and recovered one of the boys. The boy could not be revived and the other, he could not find. In recognition of his bravery, City of Ottawa presented him a gold watch with a medal. His commander, Major Basil Bell of the 43rd Rifles, sent the details to the Royal Humane Society. This resulted in Lord Aberdeen presenting Lyon with their medal in front of his battalion on 22 Jun 1897 as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.^[2][3]

Before university he was a drug clerk^[4] and for a time employed by A. E. Brethour of Ottawa.^[5]

He was a corporal in the 43rd Rifles in the late 1890s.^[6] While still in high school, he joined the Royal Canadian Regiment as Lance Corporal for service in the Boer War in Ottawa on 18 Oct 1899 while a drug clerk. He was discharged 5 Nov 1900 and earned the Queen's Medal, South Africa, with four clasps, (Paardeberg, Dreifontein, Johannesburg, Cape Colony).^[4] After the war he finished school and was selected to be a member of the contingent of veterans sent to the coronation of King Edward VII.^[2]

He was a graduate of the McGill University medical school in 1906, with post­graduate work in London, Dublin and Edinburgh. He practised at Innisfail, Alberta, 1907-09 and Castor, Alberta until 1915.^[5] A well known rugby football player in the East; played with the early Ottawa Rough Riders and McGill University.^[5]

He was a member of the Royal Army Medical Corps as a doctor during the Great War serving in the Mediterranean area.^[7][8] He served on the HM Hospital Ship Mauretania, at the Dardanelles, during the Battle of Gallipoli and was Medical Officer to Army Service Corps at Grove Park, near London, England.^[5]

He is buried, alongside his wife, in Beechwood Cemetery, Ottawa, Carleton, Ontario, Canada.^[9]

Memberships and Positions: British, Canadian, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba Medical Associations, Medical Health Officer for the town of Rivers. Medical Health Officer for the rural municipality of Daly. Coroner for Manitoba. Member of the Rivers School Board. Member of the Masonic Fraternity. Past Worshipful Master of Beaver Lodge, Castor, Alberta. Member, R.A.M. Preceptory. Shriner.

1901 Central Ward, Ottawa, Carleton, Ontario, Canada.^[10]

Household Role Sex Age Birthplace

Geo R Lyon Head Male 50 - 21 Mar 1851 Ontario Commission Agent

Charlotte Lyon Wife Female 50 - 13 May 1850 Ontario

G R D Lyon Son Male 20 - 30 May 1881 Ontario

Ruby H Lyon Son Female 19 - 19 Dec 1881 Ontario

Wm R Lyon Son Male 17 - 7 Jul 1883 Ontario Dry Goods Clerk

Red E Lyon Son Male 13 - 23 Jun 1887 Ontario

1926 Canadian Prairie Census, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada.^[11]

Household Role Sex Age Birthplace

G R Douglas Lyon Head of Household M 46 Ontario, Canada

Gertrude E Lyon Wife F 44 Ontario, Canada

Charlotte Lyon Daughter F 15 Alta

Dawn Lyon Daughter F 14 Alberta

William Lyon Son M 11 Alberta

Eileen Lyon Daughter F 12 Alberta

Sources

1. ↑ "Canada Births and Baptisms, 1661-1959," George Robert Douglas Lyon, 30 Jun 1880; citing Ottawa, Carleton, Ontario, 30 Jun 1880, reference item 3 p 501
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} A History of the Ottawa Collegiate Institute, 1843-1903. Ottawa Collegiate Institute Ex-pupils' Association. Lisgar Alumni Association, 1904 - Ottawa (Ont.) - 256 pages. p. 102, 108-109.
3. ↑ Today in Ottawa's History. 17 Feb 2018. "Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee: 22 Jun 1897".
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} South Africa Service File, Library and Archives Canada
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3} Pioneers and Prominent People of Manitoba, Winnipeg: Canadian Publicity Company, 1925.
6. ↑ Chambers. 1903."The Duke of Cornwall's Own Rifles: A Regimental History of the Forty-Third Regiment, Active Canadian Militia". E L Ruddy. Ottawa.
7. ↑ London Gazette. 17 Aug 1915.
8. ↑ McGill honour roll, 1914-1918. McGill University. 1926.
9. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/177013108/george-robert_douglas-lyon
10. ↑ 1901 Canada Census. Library and Archives Canada.
11. ↑ 1926 Prairie Census, Library and Archives Canada