Dr. Henry 'Harry' William Feldhans
Front Row Left to Right Heinrick (father), Anna, Bertha, Johanna (mother), Joseph; Back Row Left to Right George, Agnes, Harry, Josephine. www.ancestry.ca
Henry's father Heinrich Feldhans was born in Guetersloh, Prussia. He died March 27, 1927 in Copper Cliff. Henry's mother Johanna Kottmann, was born in Germany. She died December 23, 1910 at Cobalt, Ontario.
Their children were Joseph Henry Feldhans, born 1879 in Chalk River, Ontario; Josephine, born 1881; Henry (Harry) William, born 1883 in Chalk River; Anna (Annie) Theodora, born 1884; Agnes S., born 1888, married Charles J. Murphy on August 15, 1909 in Copper Cliff; George, born in 1890 and Mary Bertha, born in 1892, married George Anthony Grant June 16, 1917 in Copper Cliff. In 1900 the Feldhans family moved to Copper Cliff and lived in a house at the corner of Park and Diorite Streets. Noted for their musical talent, the Feldhans Family Orchestra, which included Copper Cliff pioneers, John Gribble and Thomas Stoddard, enhanced the social and cultural life of Sudbury and Copper Cliff. From St. Stanislaus Parish, The Early Years. Heinrich was employed in the Smelter Shops and was pensioned in 1920.
Henry William married Elizabeth Julia Fox, daughter of John Fox and Elizabeth Coleman on September 15, 1913. Elizabeth was a University of Toronto graduate who had come to Copper Cliff in 1912 to join the teaching staff in the old school on Union Street. Their children were Edna Mary, born in 1914 (Mrs. Ned Leore); Agnes, born 1916, a dietitian on the staff of Christie Street Hospital, Toronto, Henry John born December 8, 1923 and Mary a teacher of household economics at the Technical School in Sudbury. The Feldhans lived at 10 Park Street East.
Their children were Joseph Henry Feldhans, born 1879 in Chalk River, Ontario; Josephine, born 1881; Henry (Harry) William, born 1883 in Chalk River; Anna (Annie) Theodora, born 1884; Agnes S., born 1888, married Charles J. Murphy on August 15, 1909 in Copper Cliff; George, born in 1890 and Mary Bertha, born in 1892, married George Anthony Grant June 16, 1917 in Copper Cliff. In 1900 the Feldhans family moved to Copper Cliff and lived in a house at the corner of Park and Diorite Streets. Noted for their musical talent, the Feldhans Family Orchestra, which included Copper Cliff pioneers, John Gribble and Thomas Stoddard, enhanced the social and cultural life of Sudbury and Copper Cliff. From St. Stanislaus Parish, The Early Years. Heinrich was employed in the Smelter Shops and was pensioned in 1920.
Henry William married Elizabeth Julia Fox, daughter of John Fox and Elizabeth Coleman on September 15, 1913. Elizabeth was a University of Toronto graduate who had come to Copper Cliff in 1912 to join the teaching staff in the old school on Union Street. Their children were Edna Mary, born in 1914 (Mrs. Ned Leore); Agnes, born 1916, a dietitian on the staff of Christie Street Hospital, Toronto, Henry John born December 8, 1923 and Mary a teacher of household economics at the Technical School in Sudbury. The Feldhans lived at 10 Park Street East.
Casualty of WarHenry John Feldhans, son of Henry William and Elizabeth, was killed in World War II. Henry was an Engineering Student at the University of Toronto when he enlisted. He was awarded an Air Navigator’s Badge and commissioned (Pilot Officer) February 11, 1944; and subsequently promoted to Flying Officer August 11, 1944. Henry joined the Royal Canadian Air Force as Navigator. Henry planned to return to university after the war for Mining Engineering. An RACF Training Report indicated Henry was “one of best on course”. He flew 5 sorties and had 40 operational hours over enemy territory .
Henry was part of the 431 Squadron and was on a Lancaster Bomber# KB858. Targets at Chemnitz, Germany included factories producing military goods, an oil refinery was also situated in the area. The bombing left most of the city in ruins but not without cost to the allied bombers. Nine aircraft were lost shortly after take off due to very icy conditions and a further twenty-two aircraft were lost on the raid itself. Henry's Lancaster was reported missing, he died on March 5, 1945. From the Sudbury Star November 20, 1945 “Cliff Airman Now Presumed to Have Died – Failing to return to his operational base in England following a raid over Chimitz, Germany, on March 5 of this year, Flight Officer John H. Feldhans, son of Dr. and Mrs. H. W. Feldhans, of 10 Park Street Copper Cliff, is now presumed to have been killed in action. This word was received by the flier’s parents from air force headquarters on Monday. The 21-year-old Copper Cliff resident had been serving as a navigator with a Canadian Lancaster bomber squadron, and had made a number of operational flights before being listed as missing in action. Besides his parents, the flier is survived by a twin sister, Mary, at present attending the Faculty of Education, Toronto; and two other sisters, Mrs. Ned Leore at present making her home in Sudbury, and Agnes, of Washington, D. C.” From the Sudbury Star February 24, 1947 “Flight Officer John Feldhans Given Posthumous Air Award – Reported missing over Germany in March, 1945, while completing his first operational tour, Flying Officer John H. Feldhans, of Copper Cliff, has been posthumously awarded the gold operational wings of the RCAF. The decoration and parchment have been forwarded to the 21-year-old navigator’s parents, Dr. and Mrs. H. W. Feldhans, 10 Park Street East, Copper Cliff, by the Chief to the Air Staff, Ottawa, in recognition of their son’s gallant service. A graduate of Copper Cliff High School where he won fame as an athlete, Flying Officer Feldhans was completing his second year in mining engineering at the University of Toronto when he enlisted in May, 1943. During his university course, he was a member of the Varsity track team. He worked for the International Nickel Company at Copper Cliff during vacations. Sacrificing his college course for service with the RCAF he underwent basic training at Manning Depot, Toronto. The remainder of his training was completed at No. # Initial Training School, Victoriaville, Que., and No. 9 Air Observer School, St. John’s Que. He graduated with his commission in February, 1944, and served as a pilot officer at Maitland, N. S. until he went overseas in April, 1944. After finishing overseas operational training, Flying Officer Feldhans began his tour with the RCAF Iroquois Squadron flying Lancaster bombers. He was presumed dead after being reported missing for several months." |
Henry John Feldhans
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In 1948, Dr. Feldhans retired after 36 years as an Inco doctor. Dr. Feldhans delivered over 3,000 babies in the course of his employment. In the early days the majority of births took place in the homes. Harry grew up in Chalk River, until the family moved to Copper Cliff in 1900. He graduated from the University of Toronto in 1908, spent a year interning in Milwaukee and then practiced for a couple of years in South Dakota. Dr. Feldhans returned to Copper Cliff and joined Inco's medical staff in 1912.