Peter Wilson Pick b. 15 Apr 1883 Guelph Township, Wellington County, Ontario d. 15 Jun 1915

1883 - 1915 (32 years)

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Name	Peter Wilson Pick
Born	15 Apr 1883	Guelph Township, Wellington County, Ontario
Gender	Male
Died	15 Jun 1915
Person ID	I20787	All
Last Modified	24 Sep 2010

Father	Richard Pick, b. 25 Dec 1847, England , d. Aft 1920 (Age 73 years)
Mother	Isabella Wilson, b. 25 Mar 1848, Scotland , d. 17 Sep 1920, Fergus, Wellington County, Ontario (Age 72 years)
Family ID	F5806	Group Sheet \| Family Chart

Histories

Rockwood War Memorial
This war memorial sits at the corner of Main Street and Guelph Street in Rockwood, Ontario to commemorate the services and sacrifices of our soldiers during World War 1, World War 2 and the Korean War.

Notes

Captain Peter Wilson Pick (1883 - 1915)

Peter Pick was born on April 15, 1883 in Guelph Township, Wellington County, Ontario to Richard Pick and Isabella Wilson. His father had immigrated from England. His mother hailed from Scotland and was raised in Eden Mills, daughter of Peter and Isabella Wilson. Richard and Isabella married in 1878 and had three children.

Prior to signing up for overseas service on September 23, 1914, Peter Pick was a member of the 30th Wellington Rifles for 14 years. He worked at a woodworking factory where he held the position of Superintendent.

A photograph of Lt. P.W. Pick taken at Bustard Camp, Salisbury Plain in December 1914 can be viewed here. Peter was a member of the 1st Canadian Battalion (Western Ontario).

Captain Peter Wilson Pick fought in the battles of Ypres, Festubert and Givenchy. He was struck by a shell at Givenchy on June 15, 1915 and killed instantly. Captain Pick was buried with full military honours at the Beuvry Communal Cemetery in Pas de Calais, France.

Fergus News-Record Thursday, June 24, 1915

Captain Pick Killed in Action.

Monday's rural mail brought sad news to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Pick for it contained a telegram from Ottawa notifying them that their son, Capt. Peter W. Pick, was killed in action in France on June 15th, 1915. The news quickly spread around town where Capt. Pick was well known, and cast a gloom over the entire neighbourhood.

The war has been brought home very close to us in the deaths of Mess'rs Gregson and Pick, the only two Canadian-born boys who left here with the first contingent. They did nobly, gave up their lives for their country, and are honored by all.

Capt. Pick was born in Guelph Tp. 31 years ago, being the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Pick. The family later moved near Barrie's Church, and finally to Lower Nichol, near Ennotville, where the father and mother, and one daughter, Barbara, still reside. The only surviving son lives at Davidson, Sask.

When Capt. Pick enlisted he did so as a lieutenant, and was the first officer of the 30th to volunteer his services. He was foreman in the wood-working department of Beatty Bros. lower shops and was exceedingly popular with his men, as he was with all who knew him.

Private letters from our soldier boys at the front do not fail to mention Capt. Pick's bravery and his loss will be deeply deplored by them also. He was wounded in the arm in the severe fighting at St. Julien, but fought on, not even going to the hospital until the worst of the engagement was over. He later returned to the trenches. After the terrible fight at Langemarck, where he distinguished himself, he was promoted to the captaincy. In a letter received by his parents this week he stated that he had been lately on the transport service, in which he probably met his death.

Capt. Pick was a model young man in every way, and his parents have the sincere sympathy of a very large number of friends in this locality, in their sudden bereavement.

Fergus News-Record Thursday, July 1, 1915

MEMORIAL SERVICE

The memorial service last Sunday afternoon for Capt. Peter Pick, killed in action in France, held at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Pick at Ennotville will not soon be forgotten by the large number present. Shortly after dinner vehicles of all kinds left town for Capt. Pick's former home, several of them containing many of the employees of Beatty Bros. works where the Captain was engaged as foreman at the lower factory, at the time he enlisted, and in whose hearts he ever held a warm place.

Rev. J. A. Brown opened the service with prayer, after which Rev. R. W. Craw made the address, speaking in the highest terms of the bravery of Capt. Pick, of the clean life he lived, of his untiring devotion to duty, and finally the laying down of his life for King and Country, in a worthy cause. He appealed to the young men of the vicinity to volunteer to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Capt. Pick.

Rev. Mr. Kaye of Barrie Hill church read the scripture. It was at this church that the late Capt. Pick when but 14 years of age had taken communion and became one of its members. When 16 years old he joined the 30th regiment, and gradually rose until he became Captain.

Much sympathy is expressed for the aged parents and particularly for Mrs. Pick at this time as on Friday last she had the misfortune to stumble and break her leg.