Gladys Winifred Fowler finally home after 92 years

November 15th, 2009 -- Hammondvale, NB -- After 92 years, the remains of Gladys Winifred Fowler were finally buried with her parents in the family lot at the Hammondvale Cemetery, outside of Sussex. Earlier in afternoon there was a private funeral service at the Wallace Funeral Home in Sussex. Gladys Winifred Fowler died 92 years ago in London was the daughter of the late Hon. George William Fowler, lawyer, military officer, Kings county councillor and warden, MLA, MP, and Senator.

The reason she was in London was the fact that her father, a lieutenant-colonel in the 104th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, was serving in England during the war. Her father had spent 20 years with the 8th Canadian Hussars prior to heading overseas.

During her time in London she helped the Red Cross and continued to study piano. During the war the family's home was bombed, and they moved into Berner's Hotel. She took ill and died after a brief illness. Following her death her coffin had been placed in a shipping crate prepared to be sent home to Canada and stored at the Kensal Green Cemetery in London. 1924 saw the death of her father, and her mother passed away in 1936 so her coffin remained in the Kensal Green Cemetery catacombs for 92 years.

Two years ago officials with the Kensal Green Cemetery became curious as to why the shipping crate was there. They opened the shipping crate and found the coffin bearing a plaque engraved with Gladys Winifred Fowler's name. Thus began the search for relatives, eventually leading to Jane Fowler Morse and John Fowler from Pennsylvania, children of Cedric Fowler, brother to Gladys Winifred. The niece and nephew became involved in having their Aunt's remains returned to Canada.

Honorary pallbearers included Kings East MLA Bruce Northrup, Fundy Royal MP Rob Moore, Senator John Wallace, MP Rodney Weston, MP Brian Murphy and Ontario MP Alan Tonks. The 8th Canadian Hussars carried her coffin to its final resting place. Following the burial MP Rob Moore hosted a reception for the family and the officials from Kensal Green Cemetery London.

"I think today was the right thing to do. I think the more you hear about it the more you feel a kinship. Like most of us, I felt a connection to this story, and it really means a lot to me to see this day come," Moore said.

Rob Moore is the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and the MP for Fundy Royal.

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William Spisso
Special Assistant - Communications
Office of Rob Moore, M.P. Fundy Royal
(613) 996-2316