Clarence MacLaurin1

#23399, (1889 - 1922)
FatherLewis King McLaurin1 (1853 - 1927)
MotherMargaret Steel Graham1 (1853 - 1934)
Relationship4th great-grandson of James Graham
Extended Family
ChartsJames Graham & Agnes Finlayson - collapsible 7-generation descendant chart
Clarence MacLaurin
1889 - 1922
Clarence MacLaurin, DSC
1889 - 1922

Children of Clarence MacLaurin and Frances Luisa Goodall

Life Events

BirthClarence McLaurin was born on 31 Aug 1889 in Quebec.
His father's name was spelled McLaurin but at some point Clarence changed the spelling of his own name to MacLaurin.2 
(with Parents) 1891 CensusClarance appeared on the 1891 Census of Templeton, Ottawa County, Quebec with his parents. He was 2 years old and born in Quebec.1 
(Subject) Photograph3
(with Parents) 1911 CensusClarence appeared on the 1911 Census of Lachine, Quebec with his parents. He was 21 years old, born in August 1890 in Quebec and was a dessinateur [illustrator] working in a manufacture [factory]. He worked 52 weeks at 44 hours/week for $1500 and held $3000 of life insurance costing $200.4 
MarriageClarence MacLaurin married Frances Luisa Goodall on 27 Mar 1918 in Bembridge, Isle of Wight.
Details from certificate: Clarence MacLaurin, 27, bachelor, Flight Commander, residence Felixstowe, Suffolk, father Lewis King MacLaurin, lumberman (timber merchant);
Frances Luisa Goodall, 16, spinster, residence Bembridge, father Jeremiah Matthews Goodall, retired merchant;
They were married in the parish church and the witnesses were J M Goodall and F Nenie[? or Nevile] Smith.5 
Passenger ListClarence MacLaurin was not listed on the Canadian archives copy of the manifest dated 10 Sep 1918 for the SS Olympic, arriving in New York, having left Southampton on September 3rd. Information from the passenger list: Frances Luisa MacLaurin, ticket number 9517, age 17, married, housewife, birthplace Chili [sic], English race, religion Church of England, destination Washington USA, intends to permanently reside in Canada, had never been there before. There were no other MacLaurins or Goodalls on the ship. Some entries noted "with child" or "and 2 children" but not Frances'. Beside her entry were the words "not counted". [This list was from the Canadian Archives; as you can see below, the list from the U.S. included both Clarence and his wife].6 
Passenger ListMajor Clarence and Francis L McLourin [sic] were listed on a manifest dated 10 Sep 1918 for the SS Olympic, arriving in New York from London. Their head-tax status was "Diplomat" and they were the only two listed on the page. Clarence was 29, birthplace E Templeton, Canada, occupation R.A.F. Maj., last residence Montreal, Canada, passage paid by B. Govt and he was on appointment for British War Office. To be attached to the U.S. Navy Res. Flyg Corps. He had been in the U.S. several times before on vacation. His wife was 17, birthplace Tacna, Chili, last residence Bembridge, England, passage paid by husband, and hadn't been in the U.S. before. Their nearest relative in England was Frances' father J.M. Goodhall of Bembridge, England and their final destination was Washington, D.C Physical descriptions: Clarence 6' 0", light complexion, dark hair, blue eyes, small scar on right cheek; Frances 5'7", light complexion, gold hair, green eyes.7 
(Widowed) DeathHis wife Frances died on 12 Feb 1920.8  
Passenger ListClarence MacLaurin, his mother Maggie, and his son Cedric were listed on a manifest dated 3 May 1920 for the SS Vasari, arriving in New York from Liverpool. Maggie was 65, married, in Quebec, Canada from 1880 to 1920, birthplace Scotland, housewife. Clarence was 30, married [sic], born in Canada, occupation Air Service. Cedric was 10 months old and born in Canada. Their destination was Lachine, Quebec.9 
Passenger ListClarence MacLaurin filled out a Form 30A Canadian Ocean Arrivals Card for the SS Vasari which arrived 3 May 1920 in New York. Particulars from the form: age 30, widower, occupation Civil Servant, birthplace Canada, Presbyterian, destination Father Lewis King MacLaurin, address 25 - 41st Ave Lachine, Port of departure Halifax, date March [cut off], accompanied by mother Margaret Steel MacLaurin (65, born Scotland) and son Cedric King MacLaurin (11 months, born Canada)
Description: height 6', pale complexion, blue eyes, dark hair, small scar on right cheek.
The form was signed Apr 30th.10 
DeathClarence died on 11 Sep 1922 in Point Grey, British Columbia.
Details from the index: age 33 years 11 days, born 31 Aug 1889 in Quebec, widower, father T G Maclaurin [sic - TG was his brother].2 
Newspaper Published 12 Sep 1922 in the Montreal Gazette.

MAJOR MACLAURIN PERISHES IN WATER
Seaplane Plunges Down at English Bay, Vancouver -- Two Others Hurt

By Canadian Press.
Vancouver, September 11 - Major C MacLaurin, officer in charge of the Dominion Government air station here, was drowned today when a seaplane which he was piloting plunged into shallow water on the Point Grey shore of English Bay this afternoon. John R Duncan, of the Vulcan Iron Works here, a passenger, suffered a broken leg, broken ribs and other injuries, while A L Hartridge, mechanician, was injured about the back.
Major MacLaurin's body has not yet been recovered. It is under the seaplane, which is reported wrecked. The plane had left the Jericho station bound for Sumas, where Mr Duncan intended to inspect the progress being made there in reclamation work. It had not risen to any great height when something appeared to go wrong with the engine. The craft ran into the beach, where there was about four feet of water, and turned over. The two injured men were extricated, but the body of Major MacLaurin cannot be released until the machine is righted or hauled ashore.11
 
Newspaper The following day, September 13th, a story in the Vancouver Sun indicated that inquests were to be held that day. The passenger, John R Duncan, died from his injuries. Major MacLaurin's body was recovered at 4 a.m. at low tide. He was to be shipped that evening to Lachine, Quebec where his parents resided. The cause of the crash was a mystery.

A September 14th Vancouver Sun story reported that coroner's juries decided that no blame could be attached to anyone for the deaths from the crash of the flight boat G.C.Y.E.A.. The mechanic, who fell 600 feet with the plane and sustained minor injuries, stated that water was boiling over the radiator and the pilot decided to return to the station. Then the mechanic observed gasoline was leaking from the tank and passing dangerously near the exhaust pipe. The pilot switched off the engine to prevent fire and descended. The plane went out of control at 600 feet and they plunged into seven or eight of water. Hartridge held Duncan up for about 15 minutes until help came. A stiff wind blew them towards shore and they hit a sand bar about 100 yards out. The jury commended William Denholme for commandeering a nearby Japanese fishing boat and effecting a rescue. The Japanese fishermen were censured for not going promptly to the scene of the wreck. They apparently did not realize that an accident had occurred, although it was in full view.
The story went on to say:

A short service will be held at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church at 12:30 pm today in honor of Major MacLaurin. Rev J S Henderson, D.D. will officiate. The parade will be attended by members of the Air Force and militia. Permission has been granted all officers and men to wear uniforms.
Following the service the Royal Canadian Mounted Police will escort the body from the church to the CPR station. At the request of his parents the body is being forwarded to his home at Lachine, Que.12,13
 
ObituaryHis death notice was published back east.

MacLAURIN -- Accidentally drowned at Vancouver, B.C., September 11th, 1922, Major C. MacLaurin, Canadain Air Service, son of Mr and Mrs L K MacLaurin, Lachine, P.Q.
Funeral service at Wray's Undertaking Parlors, 290 Mountain Street, Tuesday, September 26th, at 3.30 p.m., whence remains shall be taken to S.S. Minnedosa for burial at Bembridge, Isle of Wight, England. Please omit flowers.14
 
BurialHe was buried in Bembridge, Isle of Wight. The inscription of the gravestone reads:
Frances Luisa (Pitita)
the beloved wife of
Major C Mac Laurin, D.S.C.
of Lachine, Quebec, Canada
Who Passed Away in Ottawa February 12th 1920

Also in ever loving memory of the above named
Major Claire Mac Laurin
Who Lost his Life by an Accident in the service of
The Canadian Air Force at Vancouver B.C.
September 11th 1922
"In Death Not Divided."15
Claire and Frances Luisa MacLaurin
Bembridge, Isle of Wight
Claire and Frances Luisa MacLaurin
Bembridge, Isle of Wight
close-up of inscription
Last Edited24 Oct 2013

Citations

  1. [S1572] 1891 Census for Canada. Image from Library and Archives Canada viewed at Ancestry.com. Quebec, Ottawa (175), Templeton East (1), page 70.
  2. [S2217] Family Search Record Search Indexes to British Columbia Deaths, 1872-1986, viewed online, Clarence MacLaurin, #1922-09-86792.
  3. [S2615] E-mails from Alison McLaurin Turnbull to J Kolthammer.
  4. [S951] 1911 Census for Canada. Image from Library and Archives Canada viewed at Ancestry.com. Quebec, Jacques-Cartier (162), subdistrict 20, page 15.
  5. [S2574] Copy marriage certificate of Clarence MacLaurin and Frances Luisa Goodall, married 27 March 1918 in the Registration District of Isle of Wight.
  6. [S1622] Passenger Lists, 1865-1935, Library and Archives Canada images, viewed at Ancestry. SS Olympic, arrived in New York September 1918.
  7. [S1091] New York Passenger Arrivals, images (www.ancestry.com) "Clarence & Francis L McLourin, SS Olympic, 10 September 1918."
  8. [S1006] Ontario Death Registration. Francis Louisa McLaurin, #011708 - 1901.
  9. [S1622] Passenger Lists, 1865-1935, Library and Archives Canada images, viewed at Ancestry. SS Vasari, arrived in New York May 1920.
  10. [S2138] Canada, Immigration Form 30A, 1919-1924, Library and Archives Canada (images viewed at ancestry.com) "Clarence MacLaurin, SS Vasari, 3 May 1920."
  11. [S2482] The Montreal Gazette, "Major MacLaurin Perishes in Water", 12 September 1922. Image viewed at Google news archives.
  12. [S2532] The Vancouver Sun, "Cause of 'Plane Crash is Mystery", 13 September 1922, page 14. Image viewed at Google news archives.
  13. [S2532] The Vancouver Sun, "Accidental Death Verdicts Are Returned at Coroner's Inquests", 14 September 1922, page 10. Image viewed at Google news archives.
  14. [S2615] E-mails from Alison McLaurin Turnbull to J Kolthammer, enclosing undated newspaper clipping of Major C MacLaurin's death.
  15. [S2609] E-mails from Bev Rankin, Glasgow, to J Kolthammer.