April 6, 1906 - June 15, 1943
Gladys Lomax said she was born on April 6, 1906 in Reading, Berkshire, England. Her mother, Annie Hiscock, indicated Gladys was born in 1907. Her father was deceased by 1933. She had a full brother, William Henry Lomax, 44, who was in the Canadian Army, overseas. Her half brother, Charles Hiscock, 26, was also with the Canadian Army, posted in Alberta. The family moved to Ontario from England in 1917. They were Anglican.
Gladys left school at the age of 14. She had a variety of jobs including meat packer and a printing press feeder at Atlas Folding Box Co., prior to enlistment in Toronto, on March 11, 1942 at almost 36 years of age. She started her interviews with CWAC in Hamilton, Ontario, February 12, 1942. Gladys indicated she wanted to cook in a hospital after the war.
She stood 5' 2 1/2" tall, had blue eyes and dark brown hair. She weighed 116 1/2 pounds. She had a large mole on the inside of her right thigh and had her tonsils removed at some point prior to enlistment. Her last visit to a doctor was just prior to her enlistment.
On one evaluation form: "Doesn't look very robust. Teeth: Good. Breath sounds very roughened over bases. Has a slight cold. Otherwise well." She was also noted as a 'little' nervous.
She was posted to No. 49 Coy, Toronto. First she was a Recruit, then Volunteer and then Private. Her role in the CWAC was unclear from her files.
In February 1942, Pte Gladys Lomax had influenzal bronchitis pharyngitis. At that time, it was considered "induced by infection. Now completely recovered but should have a period of light duty under supervision of a Medical Officer." However, Pvt Lomax was discharged on November 13, 1942. "Medically unfit." Also, "Willing, reliable and cooperative." Capt. Barbara Miles, CWAC, Toronto
Gladys Lomax died on June 15, 1943 of tuberculous pleurisy with effusion, pulmonary tuberculosis, and tuberculosis meningitis suspected at the Mountain Sanatorium, Hamilton, Ontario. It was considered to be a pre-existing condition, aggravated during service. The Canadian Pension Commission deemed "the aggravation not pensionable as it did not arise out of, nor was it directly connected with military service." Pte Lomax served 8 months and 2 days.
As part of her personal effects, $15.00 was found. There was no record of a will. Mrs. Hiscock, Gladys's mother, received all of her daughter's belongings and monies, plus War Gratuity. In March 1950, her medals were sent to her brother, William. Mrs. Hiscock had died by this time.
One Pvt Gladys Lomax's headstone, the inscription reads: "In loving memory of my dear daughter. Rest in peace." She was buried at the Woodland Cemetery, Hamilton, Ontario.
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