The records largely omit what battles Harstone actively participated in, but what we do know definitively from entries in the London Gazette in 1919 is that Harstone was present and active during the Hundred Days Offensive, specifically near Mons:
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty south of Mons, on 10th November, 1918. When the left flank was held up by heavy machine-gun fire, he rushed forward and established a series of machine-gun posts in the neighbouring houses. He then made his way to the right flank, under continuous fire, and the two companies were able to co-operate in alternate rushes, resulting in the capture of two enemy posts, which were holding up the attack.”
LONDON GAZETTE 9 DECEMBER 1919. SUPPLEMENT 31680. PAGE 15383.
For Harstone’s valiant effort and courage throughout the war, he was honoured with the Military Cross at Buckingham Palace by King George V on April 2nd, 1919 and left the 19th Battalion officially on May 25th, 1919.
After the First World War Harstone became a leading member of the Peterborough community. He would go on to practice law in Toronto as well as in Peterborough. He was appointed as the Registrar for the Supreme Court of Ontario in 1934 and would become Sheriff in that same year and would hold the position until 1962. He would later serve in the Second World War as a Colonel and leave his duties as Sheriff to his sister Marion. On his return, he lived out the rest of his days at 565 Water Street until his death on August 8th, 1981 at the age of 88.
Research by Alexander Mackenzie and Farhiya Mohamed
Sources
Library and Archives Canada, John A. Harstone, RG 150, Accession 1992093/166, Boc
4116 - 6. Canadian Expeditionary Force: 446033.
Lieut. J.A. Harstone. Peterborough Museum and Archives. Balsillie Collection Of Roy Studio
Images. Biographical Series #15925-1, 1915.
Lieut. J.A. Harstone. Peterborough Museum and Archives. Balsillie Collection Of Roy Studio
Images. Biographical Series #15925-2, 1915.
Trent Valley Archives. File 656 Water Street. Water Street, West Side. Williamson Harstone
House. By-law 1982-182. Dec. 6, 1982.
Unknown. “Supplement to the London Gazette.” The London Gazette. Accessed October 23,
2017. Supplement: 31670
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31680/supplement/15384