Lives of the First World War

4th September 1920

The Globe, 4 September, 1920: "Sergt. John P. Hoar, a cripple, wearing two artificial legs, committed suicide today by inhaling gas in his small apartment at 2940 Prairie Avenue [Chicago]. Hoar received wounds in the world war which rendered him incapable of earning a living for himself and wife. He served in the Canadian army and was said to be a member of the Princess Pat's Regiment. On the floor beside Hoar's body was a letter from the Canadian government, informing him that it would be necessary to reduce his pension. There was no food in the cupboard. Mrs. Hoar had less than $1. 'He tried so hard,' sobbed Mrs. Hoar. 'He thought he was a burden to me because when he came back a cripple I kept the promise I made and married him. ... We rented a room and I got a job. He tried so hard to get one too, but everybody turned him down. Finally he found one, but after six weeks his wounds became infected and his boss told him he would have to get a job where he could sit down. He brooded because he was unable to find work that he could do.' Hoar was wounded at Vimy Ridge when a shell burst in a hole where he and six comrades were hiding. Hoar was the only one of the party to escape alive, but both his legs were gone."

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