ANNIS FAMILY HONOUR ROLL

Canada, Australia and New Zealand

This page is respectively dedicated to the Annis Family connection in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. As in the United States, the Annis Family men and women in these countries stepped forward, and with quiet resolve, made the sacrifices that ensured the continuation of Democracy, Freedom and our way of life.
Many of the standard variants found in the spelling of the surname ANNIS will be found in these records as it has been found in researching some of the families that these changes were made in their family name in the recent past.

"To a debt that can be paid only with the deepest respect, pride, and remembrance."

Colour Code

Canada

New Zealand

Australia

This page last updated December 13, 2020

World War One

Killed in Action or Died as a Result of Wounds

Served

Many of the following Annis men were part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force that served in France and elsewhere during World War One.
Some of them were Americans that volunteered to fight under the Canadian Flag before the United States entered the war in 1917.

Name	Birth	Death	Photo	Military Information	Personal Information/Lineage
Albert Annis
Alfred Annis
Alfred Annis
Arthur Ernest Annis	1893			Private, enlisted July 5, 1915 "D" Company, 30th Battalion, Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on board HMAT A72 Beltana on November 9, 1915. Age 22, next of kin: Mother, Mrs. Celia Sophia Annis, 'Veronia', Jersey Street, Marrickville, Sydney, New South Wales. Returned to Australia March 25, 1919.
Austin Reginald Annis	October 12, 1897	1981		Canadian Expeditionary Forces, 177th Overseas Battalion, Regimental No. 853434	Born at Simco, Ontario, Canada, the son of son of Richard & Margaret "Maggie" (Church) Annis
Berkley Alexander Annis	October 8, 1888			Canadian Expeditionary Forces, 230th Forestry Battalion, Attestation Paper signed at Vancouver, B.C., dated Dec 7th, 1916, Regimental No. 1012939	Born at North Orillia, Ontario, Canada, the son of Frederick Berkley Annis & Martha Jane(Kean)Annis
Cecil Edgar Annis	May 1, 1892	December 28, 1965		Lance Corporal, enlisted August 19, 1914 50th Battalion, Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board Transport A11 Ascanius on October 20, 1914 Age 22, next of kin: Father, John Henry Annis, 113 Leicester Street, Parkside, South Australia. War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, France, Belgium. Wounded, Gallipoli, May 30 1915; invalided to Luna Park, 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Heliopolis; recovered and rejoined unit. Wounded, second occasion, Pozieres, France, September 14 1916; invalided to No. 2 Canadian Hospital, Boulogne; rejoined unit. Wounded, third occasion, Passchendaele, Belgium, October 16 1917; invalided to 2nd Australian General Hospital, Wiencourt, L'Equiples; recovered. Contracted trench feet, April 8 1918; invalided to 26th British General Hospital, Etaples. Arrived back in Australia, 3 December 1918.
(Lorne) Clifton Annis	October 23, 1896		Clifton (Front) and his brother Percival Annis		Lorne Clifton Annis was born at Orillia, Ontario, Canada, the son of William Largo Annis & Mary (Webber) Annis.
Fernando Seaton Annis	August 12, 1896			Enlisted November 14, 1915 at Halifax. Served previously with the 29th Battery, Nova Scotia Highlanders	Born in Carleton, York Co., Nova Scotia, Canada - William Seeton, Daniel, Benjamin H., James, Thomas, Charles
Frederick Frost Annis	June 22, 1897	June 23, 1976		Served with the 29th Battery from September 8, 1915 to August 14, 1916. Reenlisted on November 13, 1916	Born in Caledonia, N.S., Canada; died Middelton, N.S. - Buried at Pine Grove Cemetery, Carleton, N.S. - Benjamin H., Benjamin H., Benjamin H., James, Thomas, Charles
George Annis	1887			Lance Corporal, enlisted May 17, 1915 Infantry Brigade 7, Field Ambulance 7, Section A. Unit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board HMAT A11 Ascanius on 24 May 1915. Age 38, next of kin: Mrs Ramsden, 'Rixton Lodge', Walley Range, Manchester, England. Arrived back in Australia, February 19, 1919.
George W. Annis
John James Annis
Joseph Gates Annis	February 1, 1897	August 18, 1969		Drafted under Military Service Act, 1917 on November 29, 1917 at Halifax, Nova Scotia	Born in Nicataux Falls, Nova Scotia, the son of Joseph Hall Annis. He was single, a farmer and a member of the Methodist Church
Hammond Annis	August 31, 1897			Enlisted April 12, 1917	Son of Harry Annis, born in Berwick, ME, he listed his residence at time of enlistement as 270 Lincoln St., Clifton Falls, MA
Harold Annis
Howard Franklin Annis	October 29, 1893	December 18, 1972		Sgt., Regimental No. 513078	Born at Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, the son of John and Margaret (Burrill) Annis. He married Elsie Herman and died at Saanich, British Columbia, Canada - John, Jeremiah, Levi, Charles, John, Abraham, Cormac Annis
James Alvia Annis	July 1895	October 14, 1979			Born at Caro, MI, the son of John L. and Rebecca J. (Liggett) Annis - John L., Anthony, Richard Annis
Lester Stuart Annis	October 28, 1898			Private, Serial # 282715, Enlisted Nov. 24, 1917 - 85th Battalion Nova Scotia Highlanders	Born at Boston, MA, resided at Kemp, Nova Scotia, Canada - Joshua S. F., John F., Thomas H., James, Thomas, Charles
Norman Annis	July 8, 1895			Drafted under Military Service Act, 1917 on June 25, 1918 at Regina, Sask., Canada	Born in Orillia, Ontario, Canada the son of Jennett Annis. At the time he was drafted he was residing at Twin Hill, Sask. He was single, a farmer and a member of the Methodist Church his
Oris Clayton Annis	September 25, 1886	1945		Enlisted June 2, 1916 at Moosejaw, Sask., Canada	Born September 25, 1889 at Middleton, Nova Scotia, Canada, the son of Herbert and Clara Annis of Nictaux Falls, Annapolis Co., Nova Scotia. At the time of his enlistment he stated he was a mail carrier, single and residing at Outlook, Sask., Canada
Percival Fairborn Annis	August 20, 1894	March 11, 1994	Percival (rear) and his brother Clifton Annis (front)	Regimental No. 57778. The following was received from Jenn Annis of Guelph, Ontario, Canada:"I would like to add to your information concerning my Great Grandfather Cpl. Percival Fairborn Annis. He was the only Canadian recipient of the Albert Medal for Conspicuous gallantry and extreme daring in saving life. He earned this very rare medal twice during his tour as a bombing instructor. The first time was Dec. 15, 1915 at Flanders, when during a lesson a bomb dropped out of the shoe of a French Catapult and he, at great personal risk, threw it over a parapet saving the squadron of 13 men he was instructing. The second time was February 11, 1916 when he seized a German Cylindrical stick (a form of grenade) and hurled it out of harms way. A few seconds later it exploded blinding him for 14 days. Great Grandfather Percy spent 32 months at the front line and was wounded 3 times. In May of 1918 he was taken with an attack of pleurisy and invalided home." 23 December 1915: Corporal Percy Annis, 20th Canadian Infantry. La Clytte (De Klijte). A lighted catapult grenade incident. 11 February 1916: Corporal Percy Annis, 20th Canadian Infantry. La Clytte (De Klijte). A second lighted catapult grenade incident. Second Class award in recognition of both incidents. Awarded the Albert Medal	Born at Orillia, Ontario, Canada, the son of William Largo Annis & Mary (Webber) Annis. He died at Toronto, Canada
Percy Joseph Annis	August 17, 1892			Drafted under Military Service Act, 1917 on December 4, 1917	Born at Little Ridge, New Brunswick. At the time he was drafted he was a single farmer and was a member of the Presbyterian Church. His next of kin was his mother, Mrs. Rose Annis
Percy Oliphant Annis	July 24, 1890	1923		Enlisted March 8, 1918. Prior service of one year with the 69th Regiment.	Born in Nictaux Falls, Nova Scotia, the son of Joseph Hall Annis. At the time of his enlistment he was single and a clerk.
Preston David Annis	May 15, 1898			Enlisted April 26, 1916, Canadian Expeditionary Forces, 177th Overseas Battalion, Regimental No. 853226	Born in Ardtrea, Ontario, Canada, the son of Richard William Annis and Margaret "Maggie" (Church) Annis. At the time of his enlistment he was single, a farmer and residing at Orillia, Ontario.
Robert Andrew Annis	March 25, 1897	January 26, 1966		Enlisted May 2, 1917. Served previously with the 164th Battalion.	Born in Ashana, Kent, England the son of Andrew E. Annis of Orangeville, Ontario, Canada. He survived the war and married Louise Davidson (1898-1998. He died at Orangeville, Ontario. Lineage: Andrew E., Andrew, William, Charles, John, Abraham, Cormac Annis
Robert Charles Annis	1891			Private, enlisted May 21, 1915 "D" Company, 20th Battalion, Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on board HMAT A35 Berrima on June 26, 1915. Age 24, next of kin: Mother, Mrs. Celia Sophia Annis, 'Veronia', Jersey Street, Marrickville, Sydney, New South Wales. Returned to Australia March 23, 1919.
Theodore Gladston Annis	December 29, 1895			Drafted May 16, 1918 at Regina, Sask, Canada	Born in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, the son of Elgin and Annie (Pascoe) Annis. He stated he was single, a farmer and a member of the Methodist Church. Resided at Creelman, Sask., Canada. Lineage: Elgin W., Andrew, William, Charles, John, Abraham, Cormac Annis
Thomas Austin Annis	October 19, 1891			Enlisted March 17, 1916 at Toronto, Regimental No. 678753	Born in Orillia, Ontario, Canada, the son of Joseph and Jemmima (Atkinson) Annis. At the time of his enlistment he was married, a labour and residing at Toronto, Canada. His next of kin was his wife, Mrs. Veronica Annis.
Utilles Spencer Annis	August 14, 1893	March 28, 1969		Enlisted March 27, 1916. Prior service with 4th Battalion. Served with Canadian Expeditionary Forces, 157th Overseas Battalion, Regimental No. 644151	Born at Ardtrea, Ontario, Canada, the son of Charles Herbert Annis and Julia Maud (James) Annis. At the time of his enlistment he was single, a farmer and residing at Ardtrea, Ontario.
Victor Annis	December 14, 1894			Enlisted June 10, 1916. Prior service with the 35th Regiment. Served with Canadian Expeditionary Forces, 177th Overseas Battalion, Regimental No. 853522.	Born at Ardtrea, Ontario, Canada, the son of Charles Herbert Annis and Julia Maud (James) Annis. At the time of his enlistment he was single, a carpenter and resided at Orillia, Ontario.
Wilfred Ernest Annis	January 19, 1890			Enlisted March 3, 1916	Born in Orillia, Ontario, Canada, the son of Joseph and Jemmima (Atkinson) Annis. At the time of his enlistment he was married, a teamster and residing at Toronto, Canada. His next of kin was his wife Lora May Annis.

World War Two

Killed in Action

Served

Cold War Era

Served

Name	Birth	Death	Photograph	Military Information	Personal Information
Edward Stewart Annis	November 25, 1918	January 29, 1999		Wing Commander Royal Canadian Air Force Service Number J12725,	Remained in postwar RCAF, retiring 22 June 1967 with the rank of Wing Commander. Died at Wasaga Beach, Ontario, 29 January 1999.
Clare Levi Annis	January 22, 1912	January 1, 1994		Air Marshall Royal Canadian Air Force Service Number C196, Europe, 1941-1945	Awarded Order of the British Empire. Postwar WW2 he rose to rank of Air Marshal, Chief of Technical Services in unified forces. **See footnote for details.
Ralph Hamilton Annis	January 14, 1932	May 14, 2018		Colonel Royal Canadian Air Force	See link: Ralph H. Annis Aircrews from 433 Escadrille Tactique de Combat, CFB Bagotville, Que., and 434 Squadron, CFB Cold Lake flew the CF-5s overseas via Greenland, Iceland and Scotland to Baden-Soellingen, Germany. The team spent approximately one month in Germany. Lieutenant-Colonel R.H. Annis, Canadian Forces Headquarters oversaw the trials. The team included seven pilots, 22 groundcrew, and engineering officer and scientific representatives.

* According to "A History of the First Hussars Regiment 1856-1980" "On leaving the beaches "B" Sqn.'s tanks helped the Regina Rifles to clear the town of Courseulles-sur-mer and then supported them through lighter opposition into Reviers, which was taken and quickly consolidated. This area was heavily mined. Lieut. Seaman's tank went up on a mine and his driver was injured.
After an Orders Group with the infantry it was decided that three troops of tanks would move behind Pierrepont and make a recce of the high ground. The troops moved off and for a considerable period encountered no opposition. Suddenly near Fountaine-Henry an anti-tank gun was seen on the left flank. Since the gun was not pointed at the tanks, they moved on keeping it covered. The gun, later discovered to be a dummy, had absorbed the attention of the crew commanders and suddenly an 88mm, concealed beside the road, opened fire and succeeded in knocking out five tanks before Sgt. Gariepy could neutralize it. Lieut. C.M. McLeod was wounded, but his crew were unhurt. Lieut. Pease' tank was less fortunate, and he, along with Tpr. H.H.M. Lismore, Cpl. P.F.Newton and Tpr. C.J. McAndrew, was killed. Only the co-driver, Tpr. Wilkes, escaped alive. In Cpl. Shire's tank Tprs. E.J. Annis and W. Feschuk were killed and in the tank commanded by Cpl. R. Pike Tpr. C.F. Homuth was killed."

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** ANNIS, W/C Clare Levi (C196) - Officer, Order of the British Empire - Eastern Air Command - Award effective 1 January 1943 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 55/43 dated 15 January 1943. Born in Highland Creek, Ontario, 22 January 1912. Enlisted in Toronto, 13 June 1936. Qualified for pilots wings, 4 May 1937. With No.10 (BR) Squadron at outbreak of war. Widely credited with Eastern Air Command's first attack on a U-Boat (25 October 1941), there is some doubt as to whether a U-Boat was in the area at the time). Reappointed to command of No.10 (BR) in February 1942; to AFHQ in July 1942 as Director, Anti-Submarine Warfare. Made CO, Station Ganger, August 1943. Overseas in 1944 as CO, Station Linton-on-Ouse. Postwar he rose to rank of Air Marshal, Chief of Technical Services in unified forces. Retired 1967 when he became General Manager of Canada Patents and Development Limited (Crown Corporation). Died at National Defence Medical Centre, Ottawa, 1 January 1994. See Fall 1976 issue, Journal of the Canadian Aviation Historical Society for his recollections of Eastern Air Command. Canadian Forces Photo Unit has many photographs including the following: HC-10812 (portrait, 1940); PL-8932 (in front of Digby aircraft); PL-110227 (portrait, 1951).

"Wing Commander Annis has been engaged on Reconnaissance work for a considerable period of time in various operational squadrons and has completed approximately 40 operational flights. He has always set a good example by taking more than his share of the hazardous sorties. He has rendered exceptionally valuable services in connection with important staff duties and other work of a specialized nature. Even while employed on these special duties he successfully accomplished several important and hazardous flight. As a squadron commander his ability to instil confidence, enthusiasm and morale into all personnel of his squadron made it possible for this officer to maintain the efficiency of the squadron at an extremely high level."
Mention in Dispatches - Station Linton-on-Ouse (No.62 Base in AFRO) - "Award effective 1 January 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 337/45 dated 23 February 1945. No citation in AFRO; DHist file 181.009 D.1719 (PAC RG.24 Volume 20606) has recommendation dated 15 August 1944 which errs by crediting Canadian service to BCATP when, in fact, he was more involved in Home Defence anti-submarine work."

"Prior to proceeding overseas, Group Captain Annis rendered valuable service in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan in Canada. Since his arrival in the United Kingdom he has been in command of RCAF Station Linton-on- Ouse. He is a tireless worker and by his personal example and ability has won the respect and whole hearted co-operation of all personnel on the station, which has reflected creditably in the high standard of operational efficiency."

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*** ANNIS, F/L Edward Stewart (J12725) - Mention in Despatches - Overseas - Award effective 14 June 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 1395/45 dated 31 August 1945. Born 25 November 1917. Home in Owen Sound, Ontario; enlisted in Hamilton 11 July 1941. Trained at No.1 ITS (graduated 19 February 1941), No.3 AOS (graduated 9 April 1942), No.2 BGS (graduated 23 May 1942) and No.1 ANS (graduated and commissioned 3 July 1942). Further trained at No.31 GRS, Charlottetown (3 July to 1 September 1942) and No.31 OTU, Debert (1 September to 6 November 1942). On strength of "Y" Depot, Halifax, 7-30 November 1942; on strength of No.3 PRC, Bournemouth, 30 November 1942 to 15 March 1943; with No.1 (C) OTU, 15 February to 23 April 1943 (32 hours on Hudsons); with No.224 Squadron, 25 April 1943 to 1 October 1944 (five hours on Blenheims, 700 hours on Liberators); with No.1674 HCU, 1 Auctioneer 1944 to 24 June 1945 (including detachment to LORAN Training Unit, Northern Ireland - flew 31 hours on Oxfords and 11 hours on Wellingtons with No.1674 HCU); with No.426 Squadron, 24 June 1945 to 6 January 1946 (275 hours on Liberators); with No.437 Squadron, 6 January to 20 April 1946 (165 hours on Dakotas); on special duties with Transport Command Headquarters, 15 June 1946 to 6 June 1947; Remained in postwar RCAF, retiring 22 June 1967 with the rank of Wing Commander. Died at Wasaga Beach, Ontario, 29 January 1999. PL-48357 shows F/L R. McKee, F/L E.G.F. Vrooman and F/L E.S. Annis while crew on round-the-world North Star flight with Lester Pearson, 1950; PL-133495 is portrait taken 1961.

This page is also dedicated to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and their monumental task in assuring the families of the Commonwealth that the loved ones that were lost would not be forgotten. The Commission has been responsible for locating, perserving, and recording the graves of 1.7 million Commonwealth soldiers, sailors and citizens who gave their lives defeating the greatest threat to free men in our history. Many of the details of these Annis' deaths are from the memorial and database that is available at the link provided on the bottom of this page.

Annis Family Association

corabe1638@yahoo.com

Outside Links

A Searchable Database sponsered by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Links

The Annis Family in the US and Canada Directory