Lieutenant Arthur Ross Ackerman
Portrait of Arthur Ross Ackerman
A. R. Ackerman's name in the book of remembrance. His name appears on the Ottawa peace tower every year on February 5,6,and 7.
Arthur Ross Ackerman was born September 14, 1893 in Peterborough, Ontario. He was the son of Benjamin F. Ackerman and his wife Frances. He had four older siblings: Estelle, William, Jennie and Charles. His father owned a harness factory at the corner of Dalhousie and George Streets, where Arthur later worked. His childhood home was 222 Dalhousie Street, in close proximity to the factory. Arthur was a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church.
With seven years previous experience in the 57th Regiment, Peterborough Rangers, Ackerman was eager to enlist with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. On September 22, 1914, at 21 years old he filled out and signed his attestation papers just weeks after Britain had declared war.
He stood 5 foot 9 inches tall, with a light complexion, blue eyes and light coloured hair. Ackerman had a mole on his centre spine two inches from the small of his back, a mole could be later used for identification purposes.
Basic Training was completed at Valcartier. In October 1914 he sailed to Britain and was deployed to the chalk fields of Salisbury near Stonehenge. In February 1915, Ackerman proceeded to France with the 2nd Canadian Infantry Battalion. In March he was promoted to Sergeant from his previous rank, Corporal.
In the Spring of 1915, Ackerman fought at Neuve Chapelle and at the Second Battle of Ypres. Once again moved up the ranks, Ackerman in November 1915 was promoted to Lieutenant. Ackerman was granted 14 days leave in March 1916 for a “nervous debility” commonly referred to as shell shock.
In July 1916, Arthur Ross Ackerman was awarded the Military Cross for “conspicuous gallantry in the field” according to his military file. The Military Cross is the third highest honour in the Canadian Expeditionary Force.
In August 1916, Ackerman was seconded to the 1st Canadian Trench Mortar Battery. He fought at the Battle of the Somme during this time. Ackerman’s job was to lob shells at the enemy from close range.
On September 24th Ackerman was shot in the abdomen. He was first admitted to the Red Cross Hospital in Boulogne. After more than a week of treatment, Ackerman was transferred to the 8th General Hospital Rouen and then to 1st London General Hospital in Camberwell, England. He succumbed to his injuries and complications on October 11, 1916.
Major Charles Ackerman and Major Sydney Medd were Arthur Ackerman’s brother and brother-in-law. Charles and Sydney were both serving in the CEF, and were granted leave in order to accompany Arthur’s body back to Peterborough. He was laid to rest in Little Lake Cemetery after a very large funeral at the Peterborough Armoury.
By military rules he should have been buried in England where he died but his parents paid to have his remains returned.
Burial Place
Procession of Ackerman's casket through Little Lake Cemetery
Ackerman's funeral at the Peterborough Armoury
Arthur Ross Ackerman was the only soldier from Peterborough repatriated during the First World War, as well as one of six First World War soldiers to be repatriated to their home community. Ackerman was laid to rest at Little Lake Cemetery in Peterborough, Ontario. His funeral took place at the Peterborough Armoury, and was well attended by Peterborough's residents. His casket was then transported to the cemetery by horse and carriage. Along with the Ackerman family monument Arthur's gravestone is located in Section Q, Range 13, Lot 4, (Can be located by the map of the cemetery below). In December 2014 Arthur's Ross Ackerman's gravestone was vandalized, damaged beyond repair. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission agreed to replace the headstone, and it still stands today in Little Lake Cemetery.
Ackerman's original gravestone before it was vandalized
The Ackerman family monument
Ackerman's replaced headstone
Map of Little Lake Cemetery
Military Cross
Arthur Ross Ackerman was awarded the Military Cross on August 19, 1916 for "conspicuous gallantry in the field". It is awarded to officers for admirable services in battle. This was the third highest decoration for British military at the time. The award was created in 1914 and was only issued to commissioned officers of the rank of Captain or below. Majors and Royal Air Force's actions on the ground were also eligible to receive the award as of 1931.
Ackerman's Life Before the War
Ackerman grew up in a privileged household. His father owned a successful harness factory. The Ackerman family lived on 222 Dalhousie Street in a large house, only blocks away from their factory. Arthur was the youngest of five siblings. The 1911 Canadian census indicated that they housed a servant by the name of Alice Worboy. When Arthur Ross Ackerman signed his attestation papers he listed his occupation as manufacturer. At this time he was working in his father's factory. he grew up with the assurance of a steady job as long as his father was in business.
Drawings of the Ackerman Harness Factory in the 1910's
The Ackerman family Harness Company building in present day
222 Dalhousie Street, the Ackerman family home in present day
"Historical Fiction"
