On Line Event – For The Sake Of The Empire

By Special Request from the McNab Family. On Zoom.

For the Sake of the Empire

Presenter – Peter Middleton

A Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone in Witton Cemetery marks the last resting place of a Canadian soldier.
He had, in fact, been born only two miles away in Witton Lane, Handsworth. Peter will provide an account of his subjects life experiences (1879-1918) viewed against a family and social background which led him to take a leap into the unknown. Peter in his talk seeks to understand why James McNab took the decision in 1903 to leave his family behind and emigrate to Canada for a promise of a free grant of 160 acres of land. You will hear how Canadian resources, especially census returns were able to provide the means to pin-point exactly where he farmed. Learn how military records were able to provide a great deal of logistical information and help reveal the poignant details leading to a life of promise being tragically cut short.

An Online event using Zoom. Visit this page to find out how we do it.

To Register, click here – James McNab