By: Mark Holtsberry Canal Street Five – part 2 of 5
Forest Frederick Ours, the son of John Edward and Elma Lee (Guyton) Ours, was born, August 9, 1925, in Antwerp, Ohio. Forest’s Father John was born August 3, 1890, in Paulding County, Ohio,
John had registered for the draft in World War I, was medium build, medium height, black hair, brown eyes. Not finding any further records, John was not taken for service. John worked on the railroad until retirement in 1950. John passed away, May 1968. His wife, Elma Lee was born 1897, and died November 24, 1971.
John and Elma were married December 23, 1916. This marriage produced six children. In 1940, the family lived at 531 West Canal Street, Forest was working for the Pennsylvania Railroad out of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, when he decided to register for the draft, August 9, 1943 in Paulding, Ohio. He was light complected, brown eyes, brown hair, 5′-8″, 160 Pounds. His enlistment date was November 16, 1943 in Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio. His brother John R. enlisted and served in World War II and Korea, in the air force. His other brother Wayne E., also served in World War II, in Africa, Sicily, Italy and Germany.
Forest, while serving with the 141st Infantry in Italy, was hit with artillery shell fragments in the shoulder and upper torso. We was killed in action, June 17, 1944. His body was brought home for burial in Maumee Cemetery, Antwerp, Ohio. Forest was never married.
