Omar Leslie (Lestie) Macklem (1884-1961)

Dates

Birth: 12 June 1884 Essex, Ontario, Canada
Father: Albert Macklem 1850-1900
Mother: Antha Hill 1856-1906

Christening: Unknown

Marriage: 30 April 1908 Aylmer, Elgon, Ontario, Canada
Wife: Ethel Jane Fleury [Bacon, Redden] 1885-1977
Divorced: 31 October 1924 Wayne, Michigan, USA

Marriage: July-September 1930 W Ashford, Kent, UK
Wife: Edith Olive Mitchell [Coleman, Dixon] 1908-1992

Marriage: July-September 1946 Dartford, Kent, UK
Wife: Edith Maud Mary Luff [Maclean, Westaway] 1897-1988

Death: 2 November 1961 1961 Dartford, Kent, UK
Cremated: 6 November 1961 in Greenwich, London, UK

Children

Unknown

Notes

Entry in Ancestry Ontario, Canada Births, 1869-1913 for Omar Mclem Mc Klem on 12 June 1884 in Essex, Ontario, parents Albert and Antha Mc Klem - on the original it is McKlem, his father was a farmer in Tilbury West, and it was registered on 25 June.

Entry in the 1891 Canada Census for Omar Macklem aged 6, born in Ontario, and living with his parents (Albert and Antha, both born in Ontario), three brothers (Garnet, Morley and William), sister (Nancey) and a lodger (Robert F Shurtleff aged 45, born in Ontario, single and a public school teacher) and a living in Tilbury West, Essex North, Ontario.

His father died on 14 February 1900 in Tilbury West, Essex, Ontario.

In the 1901 census as Omar Macklim (sic) aged 17, born in Ontario, single, a farm laborer, and living with his widowed mother (Mrs R Macklim), four brothers (Albert, Garne, Morley and William), married sister (Gertrude Hardly), and four boarders (Moses J Handley aged 25, born in Ontario, married and a S operator and I assume brother-in-law, Robert Holland aged 66, single, born in Scotland and no stated employment, Irene Robb aged 18, born in Onatrio, single and a milliner, and Rose Murphy aged 16, born in Ontario, single and a dressmaker) in Tilbury, Kent, Ontario. Original almost illegible.

His mother died in Essex, Ontario in 1906.

Marriage of Omar Leslie Macklem and Ethel J Fleury in Aylmer, Elgon, Ontario, Canada.

Entry in Ancestry Canada, World War I CEF Personnel Files, 1914-1918 for Omar Leslie Macklem born on 12 June 1884, a moulder or toolmaker, in Tilbury, Ontario, height 5 ft 10 in, girth 35.5 in, range 2.5 in, medium complexion, blue eyes dak brown hair, scar from operation on his lips, relative Ethel Macklin (Macklem - wife on the orginal) living in North Bay, Ontario, enlisted 31 March 1915 in London, Ontario as Private 401718 10 Battn C.E.F, admitted to West Cliff Canadian Eye and Ear Hospital, Folkestone 31 August 1916 G.S.W. left eye to 14 November 1916, discharged 9 January 1917 in Hastings, Sussex with additional scars on left side of face, bridge of nose and right knee, and being no longer physically fit for war service, with a very good character, intended place of residence 5 Cresswell Gardens, South Kensington, London. He was struck by a rifle bullet on 4 June 1916 at Hill 60, Ypres which tore away the bridge of node, destroyed left eye and wounded temple. He could initially only open his mouth 0.5 cm , increased by wedge treatment to 2.5 cm. He was fitted with an artifical eye, and suffered shell-shock, concussion and frequent severe headaches. He also has a superficial wound from shrapnel on inner right knee. Awarded a pension for one year of 40% of $192. There is a lot more information.

Entry in Ancestry Detroit, Michigan, U.S., Border Crossings and Passenger and Crew Lists, 1905-1963 for Omar L Macklem aged 30, born in Tilbury, Ontario, Canada, a machinist, height 5 ft 9 in, dark complexion, black hair, brown eyes, with $1250, relative Garnet Maclem of Sunderland, Ontario, Canada, his brother, was previous in USA 1908-1909, arrived on 5 July 1914 in Detroit, Michigan, USA on D&W Ferry to visit his wife Ethel Macklem of 2285 Jefferson Avenue East, Detroit, Mich.

Entry in Ancestry All Border Crossings: From Canada to U.S., 1895-1956 for Omar L Macklem arrived at Detroit, Michigan on 24 July 1914 aged 30, of Irish decent, resident in Toronto, and a machinist with a brother G C Macklem in Sunderland, Ontario.

Entry in Ancestry All U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 for Omar Lestie Macklem in Wayne, Michagan.

There are four entries in Ancestry All Detroit Border Crossings and Passenger and Crew Lists, 1905-1957 for Omar L Macklem in Detroit, Michigan. On 5 July he was aged 30, born in Tilbury Ontario race English, a machinist, height 5ft 9 in dark complexion, black hair and brown eyes and landed at Detroit on 4 July on D&W ferry with $1250. He had been in the USA from 1908 to 1909 in Buffalo, New York. He had a brother Garnet Macklem of Sunderland Ontario and a wife Ethel of 2285 Jefferson Avenue, East Detroit, Michigan. On 5 November 1917 his age was 33, of Scottish Race, no occupation, height 5ft 10 in, ruddy complexion, brown hair and eyes, a glass left eye 26 organs sight, and a note "adjurned until after court proceedings have finished", had a wife Catharine of North Bay Ontario, and a sister-in-law Mrs Spencer Minkley of 848 St Clair, Detroit, Michigan. Another entry dated 14 November 1917 with note "Reopen the case of Omar L Maclem for completion of testimony", and another 29 December 1917.

There are three entries in Ancestry All Border Crossings: From Canada to U.S., 1895-1956 for Omar L Macklem at Detroit, Michigan. On 24 November 1917 he was aged 53, of Scottish descent, wife Elizabeth, resident in Toronto and a task master, but this entry is crossed out, and another entry on the same date his age as 33 and "on appeal".

Entry in Google Books Catalogue of Copyright Entries Library of Congress for Omar L Macklem in Detroit Free Press
2 December 1917 Ex-Detroiter tells why he went to war
23 December 1917 Macklem says German's crucify three
30 December 1917 Girkas Clip Teuton Ears as Souvenirs
6 January 1918 Life in No-man's Land Fire, Spy Signals, Foe by the Windmill
13 January 1918 Macklem stops shell

Kings College London has Correspondence and papers of Robertson collected by Brig Gen Cecil Courtenay Lucas, his former Aide de Camp, 1915-1918

ROBERTSON: 8/6/46 1918 Jan 3
Letter to Robertson from [Col] Walter Gow, Secretary to the Ministry of Overseas Forces in Canada, concerning the case of Col Omar Macklem, who is believed to be an impostor, and requesting corroboration as to whether or not Robertson sent a telegram confirming Macklem's status as a Col in the British Army, as is reported in the Toronto Globe. 2pp.
ROBERTSON: 8/6/47 1918 Jan 4
Letter and draft from Robertson to [Col] Walter Gow, Secretary to the Ministry of Overseas Forces in Canada, concerning the case of Col Omar Macklem, and denying all contact with the impostor. 2p.
ROBERTSON: 8/6/48 1918 Jan 5
Letter to Robertson from [Col] Walter Gow, Secretary to the Ministry of Overseas Forces in Canada, thanking him for his confirmation that he did not send a cable confirming the status of Col Omar Macklem. 1p.

Entry in Ancestry Eau Claire, Wisconsin 7 November 1917

Detroit Nov 5 Omar L Macklem, wined and dined by the city's leading financiers and clubmen for the last month as a colonel in the British Army, was arrested this afternoon and charged with forgery. The arrest was made on a warrant issued in March 1915 by Judge Jeffries on complaint of H E Peck. The check in question was for $150. "I cashed the check" was all Macklem would say. The Canadian Militia department wired Mayor Marx that Maclem although he had served in a Canadian regiment as a private and was wounded had not the right to wear a British uniform. Maclem insisted that he was an honorary colonel and blamed a political fight in England for the attempt to discredit him. Friends of Maclem declare that there is something in the attitude of the Ottawa deparment that ought to be investigated. Members of the British-Canadian recruiting office in Detroit insisted on Monday that Maclem was OK.

Entry in Ancestry The Indianapolis Star 16 November 1917

Detroit Mich Nov 14 Omar L Macklemwho had been lionized here for several months as a colonel in the Canadian Army and who made numerous addresses before the local Board of Commerce concerning his war experiences, was deported to Canada by Frederal authorities today. The deportation followed a short examination before United States commissioner C Oliver Frick, who based his order on the technical ground that Maclem might become a public charge. Although Maclem recently stated he never had claimed to be a colonel, he was introduced as such and appeared in uniform at various public meetings. Information received from Canada was to the effect that Maclem had been honorably discharged fro the army as a private.

Entry in Ludington Daily News - Nov 17, 1924

Fought in Army, Adrian Man May Be Deported
New York Nov 17
Because of having taken an oath of allegiance to Canada and the King of England when he joined the Canadian expeditionary forces, Omar L Macklem of Adrian, Mich., whose ancestors settled in the United States in 1807, may be deported, the American Civil Liberties union announced today.

A habeas corpus action seeking to prevent his deporatation will be heard in federal district court today.

Macklem was wounded, pensioned, and returned to this country to sell liberty bonds after the United States entered the war, the union report states. Later he was arrested by federal authorities as an alien who had entered the country "without inspection". After his deportation to Canada had been ordered he was kept on Ellis Island for three months without a lawyer, according to his counsel, Isaac Shore of this city.

Detroit Mich. Nov 17
Omar L Macklem, whose efforts to prevent his deportation as an alien reached federal courts in New York today, has experienced numerous exploits which have brought his into public print in Michigan.

Posing as a colonel of the Canadian colonial forces, he came to Detroit in 1917, and was received as a hero.

He professed to have entered the army as a private and returned as a colonel. He took a leading part in the liberty loans campaigns, telling of the battle front.

While at the height of his popularity here, word was received by Mayor Marx that Macklem was no colonel at all nor in fact anything he represented himself to be.

Later he was arrested on a charge of forgery in connection with a worthless check. In January of this year he was accused of being implicated in the theft of securities valued at $100,000 from a New York woman.

Entry in New York Evening Post Tuesday January 8 1924

War Hero Arrested
Omar Macklem of Hamilton, Ont. was held by the police of the Old Slip Station today on a warrent issued by that city charging theft of $2500. Detective Mintern, who made the arrest, said Macklem enlisted in the Canadian Army as a private and was discharged after the war as a colonel. Macklem denied the larceny charges.

Entry in Ancestry Michigan, U.S., Divorce Records, 1897-1952 for Omar L Macklem and Ethel J Macklem (libellant) married in Aylmer, Canada on 30 April 1908 granted 31 October 1924 in Wayne on grounds of desertion.

Entry in Ancestry U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 for Omar L Macklem address 99 S Fitzhugh, Rochester, New York and a broker in 1924.

Entry in Ancestry All New York, State Census, 1925 for Omar Macklem aged 40, born in the US and a salesman living at 231 96 West, New York City.

Entry in Ancestry All UK Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960 for Omar Macklem aged 42 arriving in Liverpool in 29 March 1926 from Boston on the Aurania, Cunard Steamship Company Ltd, occupation a buyer, and address 76 Henry Road, Nottingham.

Marriage of Oman (sic - on the typed original) L Maclem and Edith O Mitchell in FreeBMD in July-September 1930 in W Ashford (2a 3009).

Entry in 1939 England and Wales Register as Oman (sic - on original) Leslie Macklem born 12 June 1889, married, a port engineer chauff and living with one other (wife?) and three others at 32 Cleaver Street, Lambeth, London.

Marriage of Omar L Macklem and Edith M M Westaway in FreeBMD in July-September 1946 in Dartford (5b 1237).

Entry in Ancestry UK and Ireland, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960 for Omar Macklom (sic - on typed original) of 22 Sweterham Place, Plumstead WE18, aged 68 and retired, departed 15 May 1952 on Georgic, Cunard Steam Ship Company, Limited for New York accompanied by Edith Maclom (wife?) James Westaway (stepson?) and Mary Westaway (his wife?) and Janet Westaway (their daughter?).

Entry in Ancestry All New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 for O Macklem on on 24 May 1952 on Georgic tourist class from Southampton departing 15 May 1952 (together with Edith Macklem (wife?), James Westaway (stepson?), Mary Westaway (step daughter-in-law?) and Janet Westaway (step granddaughter?) all "in transit to Canada".

Entry in Ancestry U.S., Departing Passenger and Crew Lists, 1914-1966 for Omar Macklem aged 68 departed 6 March 1953 from New York on Queen Elizabeth accompanied by Edith Macklem (wife?).

Entry in Ancestry All UK Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960 for Omar Macklem aged 68 arriving in Southampton on 11 March 1953 on Queen Elizabeth, Cunard Steamship Company Ltd, from New York, occopation retired, address Canada House, London, together with Edith Macklem (wife?).

There are three entries in Ancestry All London, England, Electoral Registers, 1847-1965 results for Omar L Macklem living at 7 Kidbrook Grove, Blackheath, Greenwich in 1954, other occupants Edith M Mackclem (wife?) and two other families, and 28 West Park, Woolwich in 1955 to 1957, other occupants Edith M Macklem (wife?), James H Macklem (stepson?) and Mary Macklem (wife of James?).

Four entries in Ancestry Bexley, Kent, England, Electoral Registers, 1734-1965 for Omar L Macklem address 70 Dulverton Road, New Eltham, SE9, Sidcup, Chislehurst from 1959 to 1961, other occupants Edith M Macklem (wife?), James H Macklem (stepson?) and Mary Macklem (wife of James?).

Death of Omar L Macklem in FreeBMD in October-December 1961 aged 77 in Dartford (5b 528).

Entry in Deceased Online for Omar Leslie Macklem died 2 November 1961 cremated 6 November 1961 in Greenwich, London, UK.

There are fifty four entries in Ancestry Family Trees for Omar Leslie Macklem.

Relationship

Omar Leslie Macklem was the husband of Edith Maud Mary Luff, my half third cousin.

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