Gay Flier

[Cramond Brig]

We believe that this First Nations Canadian serving in Brock's Rangers (114th Haldimand Rifles) died at Merryflats, possibly in 1916, and that his burial was paid for by Walter Freer, who managed Glasgow Corporation halls and was later made a chief by Chief Clear Sky. We have been unable to find any details about where he is buried, but of course he may not have been buried using his First Nations name.

Any help would be appreciated.

[IMBER]

Some background information here:

https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle-2-15039/chief-clear-sky-and-his-men-made-ultimate-sacrifice-at-the-somme-1-4286126

Imber

[DonM]

I am very curious as to where the name came from.

Flier is not a name I recognize associated with the Six Nations.  That being said here is the list WWI and II http://www.vcn.bc.ca/~jeffrey1/tribute.htm

And there is a site from the old Department of Indian Affairs which has individual records.

Don

[Cramond Brig]

Some background information here:

https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle-2-15039/chief-clear-sky-and-his-men-made-ultimate-sacrifice-at-the-somme-1-4286126

Imber

Yes, thank you. That was written by my wife, now Professor Yvonne McEwen.

[Cramond Brig]

I am very curious as to where the name came from.

Flier is not a name I recognize associated with the Six Nations.  That being said here is the list WWI and II http://www.vcn.bc.ca/~jeffrey1/tribute.htm

And there is a site from the old Department of Indian Affairs which has individual records.

Don

Hi Don, thanks for that. It could have been "Flyer" or even "Guy". It came from an extract from a book written by Walter Freer, who managed the Glasgow Corporation halls and theatres. We believe he paid for the burial in Glasgow. Freer was eventually made a Chief by Chief Clear Sky.

Alistair

[DonM]

Flyer became the name of the 114 when it was absorbed in 1916.

I think you your best shot at finding who you seek will be at the Mitchell in Glasgow.  I would imagine there would have been a blurb about the burial in the Herald but perhaps not.

Did your wife ever read "The People of the Longhouse" highly recommend it if she hasn't. And one last thing about the photo.  The one wearing an Onondaga headdress is the one on the right not the one shaking hands who is wearing a western style headdress.  Here's an example http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/newhouse_seth_15E.html

Don

[Rosinish]

Just wondering if the request has anything to do with this link which I found on google as I thought Merryflats were houses rather than a hospital as the post didn't mention hospital hence my search;

https://wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/hospitals/hospital.php?pid=13120

Annie

[Lodger]

Merryflats was the Poorhouse for Govan Combination Parish and, if he died there, there is probably a record of his claim for poor relief. If you can send me the full details I will check at the City Archives tomorrow, as I plan to do some other research in the poor reliefs claims there anyway.

You will see a picture of the original Merryflats in this page

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_General_Hospital

[Cramond Brig]

Merryflats was the Poorhouse for Govan Combination Parish and, if he died there, there is probably a record of his claim for poor relief. If you can send me the full details I will check at the City Archives tomorrow, as I plan to do some other research in the poor reliefs claims there anyway.

You will see a picture of the original Merryflats in this page

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_General_Hospital

We believe he died in Merryflats Military Hospital in 1916.