The Silent Toast

Perth Courier - World War I.

supplied by Christine M. Spencer of Northwestern University, Evanston, Il., USA.

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Lanark County in World War I

Document #10


The Silent Toast

They stand with reverent faces

And their merriment gives o’er

As they drink the toast to the unseen host

Who has fought and gone before.

It is only a passing moment

In the midst of the feast and song

But it grips the breath as the wing of death

In a vision that sweeps along.

No more they see the banquet

And the brilliant lights around

But they charge again on the hideous plain

Where the shell bursts rip the ground.

Or they creep at night like panthers

Through the waste of ‘No Man’s Land’.

Their hearts afire with wild desire

And death at every hand

And out of the roar and tumult

Or the black night loud with rain

Some faces come back on the fiery track

And you look in their eyes again.

And the love that is passing woman’s

And the bonds that are forged by death

Now grip the soul with a strange control

And speak what no man saith.

The vision dies off in the stillness

Once more the tables shine

But the eyes of all in the banquet hall

Are lit with a light divine.

Frederick George Scott, 1st Canadian Division, Vimy Ridge, April, 1917

(Printed in the Perth Courier after the Vimy Ridge Campaign with the following preface:  The Courier received a letter this week from George Dietrick enclosing some poetry for the Courier which he says is the “best the boys enjoyed reading very much over here.  The battle is still raging.  Fritz was over the other night and dropped some bombs in the midst of our small block killing three and wounding 12.  I am attached to the 1st A.S.P. now as they need some extra help and I was one of the boys picked to go on this special work.”  The Silent Toast was written by Capt. F.G. Scott and is in reference to the Vimy Ridge advance.)

Perth Courier, May 4, 1917

James Gamble received a card from his son Ronald Gamble on Wednesday.  Ronald is with the 240th Battalion and wrote from Truro, N.S.  The card was written Saturday, 28th April.  He said:  Just a line to let you know I am quite well and certainly enjoying the trip.  We made the trip from Renfrew a lot shorter by traveling through Maine.  We stopped in St. John, N.B. for a couple hours and arrived here at 11:00 am Friday.  We all have to stay on the train but had a couple of marches through this place.  We are about 50 miles from Halifax and there are seven troop trains waiting to get in there.  The 141st, 135th and 153rd are here.  The 141st has a great pipe band.  We expect to get in Halifax some time after dinner.

Brothers Fall at Vimy Ridge

(two photos accompany article)

Lance Corp. W.G. Knowles and Pte. Hugh L. Knowles

Sad indeed was the news received by Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Knowles of Merrickville and formerly of Balderson of their two sons Hugh and William falling in action.  Both men were well known in this district.  Hugh was born in Poland and was 28 years of age and William was born in Hopetown and was 23 years old.  William enlisted in November of 1915 with the 80th (Belleville) Battalion and when the 80th was about to go overseas Hugh went to say farewell to his brother and while there made up his mind to go with him.  He enlisted and the two brothers went overseas together and remained together throughout being on active service in France with the 102nd Canadian Battalion since August last; therefore, they enlisted together and they fell together in that memorable Vimy Ridge engagement.  Hugh married Miss Mabel Warren of Harper four years ago who survives him; while the parents, two brothers Harvey and Samuel and three sisters Bertha and Grace, all at home and Jennie of Perth, remain to mourn the loss of two affectionate sons and brothers.  Previous to joining the 80th William was with the Home Guards at Iroquois and Hugh in the office of the Percival Plow Company at Merrickville.

Photo of Pte Arthur Johnston

By telegraph this week Mr. and Mrs. Archie Johnston of town were informed of the admittance of their son Arthur Johnston to #1 Eastern Central Hospital in Cambridge on 17th April with a gunshot wound in the thigh.  During some 8 months of active service in France Arthur escaped injury until now and last week a letter was received from him which appeared in the Courier.

In Cambridge Hospital After the Battle

The following letter was received on Tuesday by Pte. Arthur Johnston who was rendered almost “hors de combat” at the Vimy Ridge engagement.  He is now in the 1st Eastern General Hospital in Cambridge England and in good spirits although the physicians say he will be confined to the cot for about two months.  Arthur has been a correspondent for the Courier.

It is just one week today since I was wounded and that day was the last of my 8 months in France.  I am quite proud I was with the Canadians at Vimy Ridge on Monday morning 9th April and I came through without a scratch.  Our battalion should have been relieved from there on Wednesday morning but relief  had not come before I left and we had been in the trenches since the 30th March.  I was hit on the left thigh with a piece of shrapnel and I am glad I held my head.  I noticed the boys and the oft heard words on the battlefield “stretcher bearer on the double” were quickly passed along.  I hustled off my equipment, gas respirators and tunic and had the wound ready for first aid when it came.  I also had my own field dressing ready in case it was needed.  When I was given first aid two comrades assisted me to the tunnel in which the first dressing station is located and we walked overland in zig zag course around shell holes and under continuous shell fire the distance of about 500 yards before we reached the entrance.  I was placed on a stretcher and the wound dressed by our own battalion doctor who satisfied me it would not be dangerous, no pieces of shrapnel were imbedded and the bone was untouched.  Then the four stretcher bearers arrived to carry me out.  When I informed them where I was from the fellow on my left rear side said he hailed from Lanark County and was a relative of A.J. McDonald, the well known Lanark merchant.  We crossed what was known as Death Valley for months before Monday’s advance but in a shell fire and all was quietness now.  The enemy there now was too busy shelling our new front lines.  I was placed in a motor ambulance and given another dressing and something good to eat and was placed in a nice cot with a hot brick at my feet and went to sleep and forgot all about the war and my wound.  Some time Friday I got to Bruny(?) and from there by hospital train to Boulougne, arrived at 2:30 am Saturday and it was a most comfortable trip and required about five hours.  The only Perth boys I met on the Vimy Ridge after the advance were Capt. J.A. Hope and Pte. Abe Robinson.

Casualties:

1.         Killed in action-Photo of Lt. Campbell Scott.

By telegram on Thursday morning Mr. and Mrs. J.G. Scott of McDonalds Corners were informed of the death of their son Lt. Campbell Craig Scott, who was officially reported killed in action on the 3rd May.  This is the 2nd bereavement Mr. and Mrs.. Scott have suffered within the last seven months as their eldest son Gunner Norman Scott was killed in action in October of last year.  Two other sons are engaged at the front, Sapper Bruce Scott and Pte. Jack Scott.  Bruce was wounded last October and went to France with Queen’s University Engineers unit the early part of 1915 but has been on active duty steadily of late while on Wednesday Jack was reported missing on the casualty list.  The late Lt. C. Scott was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. J.G. Scott and had just completed his fourth year in arts at Queen’s University, Kingston when he enlisted with his fellow students at the same time as his brother Bruce with the 6th Field Co. Canadian Divisional Engineers at Kingston.  He went overseas and to France with the rank of sapper with the engineers but his valiant work brought form him a promotion and he was given a lieutenancy and also won the Military Medal last summer for distinguished bravery in taking off wounded during a heavy action and in the face of almost certain death from shell and machine gun fire.  Campbell Scott was a lad of genial disposition and graduated from the Perth Collegiate Institute.  In town he was well known and his death cannot be learned of but with deep regret by many.

2.         Died of Wounds—Pte James Clement, son of Angus Clement, Mississippi Station, died of wounds at #6 Casualty Clearing Station in France on the 27th April.  The nature of his wounds were unknown.  The first information that he was wounded came with the telegram conveying the sad news of his demise.  He went overseas in the machine gun section of the 130th Battalion and was in his 25th year.  Before enlisting with the battalion he was engaged in farming at McDonald’s Corners.  His wife is at present living at her old home in Scotland and they were married several months before the departure of the 130th from Perth.  Pte Clement had been in France since March last.  The last letter received from him was on the 8th April last just before the Vimy Ridge battle.  He was in good health then.  He is survived by his wife and father and one sister Mrs. Alexander Rothwell of Perth, two half sisters Mrs. William McDougall of Elphin and Mrs. James Pepper of Beaufield, Sask. And one half brother John in Detroit.  Peter Clement of town is a cousin.

3.         Pte. W. Raffey, Missing.  He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Raffey of Lanark and was officially reported missing since the 9th April.  He was with the 130th when going overseas.  He has been engaged in much of the heavy fighting during the past two months.  Messages have been cabled to France by his parents for more information regarding his whereabouts.

4.         Pte. T. J. Irvine, brother of Mrs. Benjamin Kerr of Drummond, is officially reported missing since the 9th April.  He was in the infantry.

5.         Pte. Craig Greer of Maberly is reported wounded.

6.         Pte. A. Coates was admitted to St. John’s Ambulance Brigade hospital on the 28th April with a gunshot wound in his hand.  He enlisted from Perth.

7.         Lt. B. C. Grant, son of Mrs. (Dr.) Grant, Perth was officially reported on Wednesday evening as admitted to #20 General Hospital in France with a severe gunshot wound in the right arm.

Lt. Col. Russell H. Britton of Gananoque has been killed in action.  He left Gananoque at the outbreak of the war as major in command of the 3rd Field Battery.  After two years in France he was promoted to the rank of Lt. Col. and advanced to the rank of command of the 5th Artillery Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division.  He was mentioned by General Haig in dispatches about New Year’s time and received the Distinguished Service Medal at that time.

Franktown—Major J. H. Edwards has joined the ranks of war having gone away with the 240th Battalion on their overseas journey.  The gallant major has two overseas sons and also a nephew.

Photo accompanies this article—Mrs. J.R. McTavish of North Elmsley received the following letter from her nephew Pte. Charles E. Keller, son of Mr. Fred Keller of Portland, Oregon, who is now in France and before enlisting was attending the Perth Collegiate Institute

Good Friday, 6th April, 1917

Dear Auntie:

I was glad to hear everything is going on as usual in the old way and Uncle Peter is keeping about as usual.  Today brings my thoughts back to a year ago when I was still with you.  I can assure you our feasting is far from what we had then.  Nothing to remind us of Eastertide.  We all felt a little sad at the remembrance of it.  Quite a few of our boys are gone.  I can tell you it is hard times but let us hope it will not last forever.  I have had it easy so far.  We are camped in a beautiful place here about one mile from the seashore, a village runs right to the camp and another village 200 yards from the camp and a railroad between the two villages.  It is like Pike Falls and a mile from that a town just like our old town of Perth.  I hope to see some of the boys from town when I go up the line in the morning.  I certainly have seen some travel but enjoyed it all and am well and happy only I long sometimes for a little of the good things of home sweet home.  Home papers and letters and parcels are greatly welcomed here among the boys.  Hoping all is well around the old town with lots of love from your boy somewhere in France.  Don’t forget the Courier.  Goodbye. 

787090

Pte. Charles E. Keller

Section 18 APO Amyac M.G.D. F.

Photo accompanies this story

The following particulars are given by Pte. Herb Gibson of Bathurst who was wounded in the arm in a letter to his sister Mrs. Joseph Paul of Poland telling of the hospitals in which he is now receiving treatment. 

Dunsdale Royal Hospital Westerham Kent

Dear Sister:

I have been wanting to write you since I arrived here but had not the material.  Now I have so I will give you a few of my experiences.  I expect you know that some time ago I got put out of action.  We had a little scrap with Fritz and I got a bullet through my left arm.  It drilled a nice clean hole through just touching the bone.  I walked four miles out to the Ambulance Station and from there to the Clearing Station by motor ambulance.  Here I stayed two days then by train to the 20th General Hospital in France.  Here I spent a week when they told me to get ready to go to England.  England is like home to us after being in France.  We were delayed in the Channel by fog but finally landed at Dover and by Red Cross train to Gravesend Hospital twenty miles east of London.  This was not a very good place so I was not sorry to leave it after a week.  This is a grand place—best of attention from the doctors and sisters who are very nice. The food is good and all you can eat of it.  We can go out from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm so I go down to the village for a walk.  Westerham is a nice little place and being the birth place of General Wolfe the hero of Quebec is very interesting to me.  They have a fine monument for him on the village green.  This is a very large private residence and the owners turned it over to the Red Cross for a hospital.  It is a pretty old building but large great halls and winding staircases.  The rooms have high ceilings about 14 feet and large windows.  My ward has a bay window in it and an old fashioned fire place in which we keep a coal fire burning.  There are seven cots in our ward.  There is a fine library and rec room with lots of games.  The grounds and gardens are beautiful huge trees, shrubs and bushes of all kinds, water pools, gravel walks, bowling lawns, tennis courts and we have the freedom of it all.  It is a great relief to be away from the guns and to get a good bite to eat and a clear bed to sleep in.  My arm is doing nicely.  We have one Canadian nurse here a Toronto girl.  After she gave me a Toronto paper and I saw lots of 130th names on the casualty lists my own included.  But I got a shock when I saw my chum’s name on the list of killed.  Tom Butler and I were the only ones from Harper.  He had been in the hospital most of the winter and had just rejoined us a couple of weeks before.  I feel sorry for his father Tom being the only son.  It is a terrible war but God has his own purpose in it all and I think we are winning now.

Your loving brother Herb

Below is a letter from Arthur Johnston before he was wounded—only partially transcribed here.

I am starting to write this in a dugout in the front line trenches where we are to try and “rest” all day before going on duty for the night.  We came to the trenches again last Friday and on the way I passed George Meighen and he only had time to say that they had been having a hot time.  It got on my nerves for the first time after and I had to go to the doctor and he gave me three pills and I feel a little better.  Saturday 12 of us were at work detonating bombs which I think is about the most dangerous job in the army.  I had done it before and so had to be very careful and was glad when it was finished without an accident.  I was thinking of Herb Taylor at the time as that is the work he did and he was wounded.  I was wondering if you saw the bombs he had on display in Neil McNicholl’s window.  The morning before we came here I went to a canteen and got some biscuits and who should serve me but Fred McCallum and I showed him his article which appeared in the Courier a long time ago and he had never seen it so I gave it to him.  He added that he was instrumental in getting Jack Enright a good job as a machinist.  Last night we went on duty and had the worst snow storm I have yet seen in France.  Three of us were on gun alarm—two hours on and two hours off—so the night passed better than expected.  I was on from 10-12 and Fritz put up a big bombardment which lasted about half an hour after which it became quite cold and windy. 

The last letter receive by Arthur was written on Good Friday, 6th April.  He said in part:  we are now back in what is well known as the reserves back further from the front lines and we had an awful time getting here as enemy fire on Wednesday was so severe.  We were on our way out about 10:00 am and were led by our platoon officer Lt. Wilkinson.  I had just emerged a few yards from the mouth of the trench when he was hit by a shell and instantly killed. We are deeply sore of heart.  He was such a fine young officer and so zealous.  I could go and tell you many things which have happened but what is the good?  Many things will never be told until its all over.

Perth Courier, May 18, 1917

The following delayed letter has reached David McLean which was evidently the last letter written by his son the late Lt. William McLean:

France, 8th April, 1917

My Dear Dad:

I have not much time to write, Dad, but must write a line anyway.  I will come to the point.  Tomorrow morning I go over the top with my men.  I am quite confident that all will be well but should anything happen I want to tell you that I am going with the 1st, which is by the way not the worst place by any means.  This is something worthwhile and worthy of our greatest effort for it surely will have a bearing on the outcome and our country is at stake.  I will cable you should all be well.  In any case, you will know before this reaches you.

With Love to All, William

Mrs. D. J. Mitchell received the following letter this week from Miss Isobel McEwen of town, who is nursing in the hospital in which the late Denzil Mitchell died of wounds

France, 14th April, 1917

Dear Mrs. Mitchell:

I meant to have written you several nights ago and offer my sincere sympathy to you and all the family but we have been so terribly busy for the past week with very heavy casualties.  I have just had enough strength at night to crawl into my little bed at 9:00 and forget everything until the next morning.  However, I am determined tonight to get this off to you and let you know that I saw your boy and how much he was loved and thought of by all who came into contact with him here at #7 hospital.  I had just returned from two weeks leave in England and was told that a young chap from my home town wanted to see me in Ward 25 so I went over at once and had a long chat with Denzil—he looked so nice and was so bright and cheerful that I more than enjoyed the half hour’s talk with him.  He told me that Gordon Scott had been to see him the day before and that Wecky(?) O’Brien who is working as an orderly in one of the wards at the present time also was in.  Denzil had a very nasty wound—shot through the neck at the right side and the bullet went through the nose and out his eye causing the loss of that eye though Denzil never knew that as it was always dressed and bandaged.  The good eye was untouched.  He was very ill at first but succeeded in improving until he had a very bad hemorrhage followed by two more and of course in his weakened condition could not stand this loss of blood.  This loss of blood ended in his paying the price.  Mrs. Mitchell, you have no idea how the major who had charge of the ward loved him and the sister and the patients in the ward adored him for he was the best and most cheerful one in that crowd of 30 wounded men.  And he was so neat and manageable about his personal appearance that the sisters and orderlies used to love to make his bed each morning and fix him up for the day.  He had a very peaceful easy death, Mrs. Mitchell and left many sore hearts behind him here as well as in his own home for he had endeared himself to everyone who came in contact with him.

Isobel McEwen

Letter from the Chaplain:

Dear Mrs. Mitchell:

I deeply regret to tell you that your son Denzil Mitchell died this evening in the hospital.  He came in as you possibly know some days ago suffering from a very serious wound.  The bullet had penetrated his neck, mouth and eye.  He was, however, apparently doing well when hemorrhage occurred inside his throat and though everything that could be done was done form him, he died this evening.  He was tenderly nursed up to the last and suffered little or no pain at any rate the last two or three days.  I saw him often and found him brave and cheery always and we had become good friends.  He always greeted me with a smile.  He was a great favorite with the nurses and doctors as well as myself and we feel great sympathy for you in your loss.  I do not think I can tell you anything more about him but he was not with us very long.  I do not think he thought he was likely to die and indeed we all hoped he would get well until the bleeding began last night.  He did not leave any specific message but spoke often of his home and mother.  He will be buried in the military cemetery here with a little wooden cross to mark the spot where he will lie among so many of his comrades.

Yours Faithfully,

W.A. Ferguson, Chaplain, Co. E

Photo of Pte. James Clement—Died, of Wounds in #6 Casualty Clearing Station, France, 27th April.

Lt. W. G Williams, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Williams of Pembroke has been killed in action.  He went overseas with the Mounted Rifles on the 24th April, 1915.

Lt. H. C. McIntyre, formerly of the 240th Division, has been given the appointment as second in command of a Brockville Forestry Draft with Capt. W. G. Ferguson, O.C.

A letter has been received by Mrs. T. Lett Simpson of Carleton Place from her husband who was through the Vimy Ridge engagement.  During the battle the battalion went “over the top” three times in one day and night and had taken all they were supposed to take besides many prisoners and guns.  The only thing that caused casualties in their battalion was machine gun fire.

Casualties:

1.         Pte. Louis Bassett who enlisted at Perth, has been seriously wounded.

2.         Pte. John Desormeau of Mattawa who trained in Perth with the 130th Battalion has been wounded seriously.

3.         Pte. P.O. Mallin enlisted at Perth with the 130th and has been wounded.

4.         Pte. Mervin Campbell, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Campbell of Rideau Ferry, is reported this week admitted to #35 General Hospital in France on 4th May with gunshot wound in the hand.

5.         Pte. A. McNaughton, Cobden of the 130th Battalion, has been wounded.

6.         Pte. H. Gilmour, 130th Battalion, Almonte, wounded.

7.         Pte. E. Kelly, 130th Battalion, Arnprior, wounded.

8.         Pte. W. S. McNeill, Smith’s Falls, wounded.

9.         Lt. T. O. Malloy, Smith’s Falls, wounded.

10.       Pte. George Neilson, Appleton, seriously wounded.

Reported Missing:

1.         Pte. Victor L. McDiarmid, Carleton Place.

2.         Pte. A.E. Fallman, Toledo, Ontario

Killed In Action:

1.         Pte. P.A. Wilson, Pembroke

2.         Pte. Peter Lavelly, Combermere, Ontario

3.         Pte. H. L. Horn, Poland, Ontario

4.         Pte. M. T. G. Charbonneau, Arnprior

5.         Pte. T.R. Rinolds(?), Carleton Place

6.         Capt. W. J. Egan, Cobden, Ontario

7.         Sgt. William H. Cooke, Smith’s Falls

Ill:

Pte. E. J. Avery, Cordova Mines, Ontario

Died of Wounds:

1.         Gunner E. J. Avery

2.         Pte. John A. Ryan, R.R. #5, Renfrew

3.         Pte. Thomas Beatty, who was wounded some time ago

P. Kanelakas of town received notice on Monday morning from the Record Office in Ottawa that his brother, Pte. James Kanelakas, #A10792, infantry, Smith’s Falls, is officially reported admitted to the #30 General Hospital, Calais, France, 4th May, slightly wounded.

Photo of Pte. Jack W. Scott

Pte. Jack W. Scott, son of Gunner J.G. and Mrs. Scott, McDonald’s Corners, is reported missing.

Pte. James Orman, who enlisted at Smith’s Falls with the 80th Battalion had been officially reported as “accidentally killed in France by explosion” about the 1st April.  One sister survives him, Miss Mary Orman who lives with Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Spadden at Lombardy.  Before enlisting, Private Orman made his home with George Martin at South Elmsley.

Col. G. T. Dennison, police magistrate, Toronto, has received word that his son, Lt. Col. G.T. Dennison, Jr., was killed in action the early part of this week.  He went overseas with the Divisional Cyclist Corps. And was serving with an Ontario infantry battalion when he met his death.  He was a husband to Margaret Mair, once of this town and niece of Daniel Glossop.  The Dennison family is a military one and the deceased was only one of the many members of it who volunteered for duty.

Perth Courier, May 25, 1917

Mrs. Samuel Miller, Scotch Line, has received letters lately from her son Hugh Miller, presently recovering from wounds in England.  In the first letter dated 9th April he states he can now walk but always goes out on crutches.  He was wounded in the limb which apparently incapacitated him for some time.  He says that out of 37 that went into the hospital when he did all but 5 were gone.  In referring to the time just before he went over the parapet in an attack on the opposing lines he says:  “I remember the morning we went over the top.  About 15 minutes before we mounted the parapet in front of the trench the rum was passed along and none of us refused it either.  I never mentioned that to you but I always took my little bit of rum in the trenches in the winter.  I would have been frozen many a night without it—when sitting out on the listening post.  Don’t worry about me.  I am getting the best of care and in a Red Cross hospital at that.  I met Willie McLean and a young Armstrong fellow over in France a short time before I was wounded and I was certainly glad to see someone from home.  Jimmie Smith was only a half mile form where I was and he came over to see me but I had gone to the hospital.”  The second letter from Hugh Miller, who was with the artillery while in France, was dated the 29th April.  He says:  “I had another operation on Wednesday to have the wound cleaned up.  There is only one Canadian here now Leo Walker so we have a job of holding up the Canadian side.  We have argued every day over something.  Since we took Vimy Ridge however we have the upper end of the stick.  Please send me one of those glazed pictures I had taken in Peterboro—just to show them how smart the Canadian uniform looks.  As you know we have the Imperial suits here.”

Ex Pupils of the Perth Collegiate Institute Who Have Enlisted:

Adams, Fred Alexander, 130th Battalion Infantry

Affleck, Robert Dalton, Student of Science, Artillery

Affleck, John Knox, Student of Science, Artillery

Allan, Herbert Gordon, M.A.U. of T., Y.M.C.A., died in service

Bothwell, Austin McPhail, M.A.U. of T., and Oxford, Infantry

Bothwell, George Edward, B.A., Sc. U. of T., Lot., Infantry, Killed in Action, 1916

Brownlee, Fisher, B.A., Sc. U. of T., Oxford, Lt., Infantry, Killed in Action, 1916

Cameron, Clarence, R., C.A.M.C.

Campbell, Allan, Capt., Y.M.C.A.

Cavanagh, Bernard, Irish Rangers Infantry

Charlton, Wilfred, C.H.R., wounded and invalided home

Clarke, Lloyd Reginald, P.P.C.L.L., wounded and invalided home

Clarke, William Ross, Infantry

Code, Arthur Graham, B.A.C. U. of T., Royal End.(?), wounded and invalided home.

Coutts, Ernest Albert, C.A.M.C.

Cowan, Arthur Gordon, Student-at-law, C.A.S.C.

Currie, George Selkirk, B.A., McGill, Capt., P/P.C.L.I.

Cuthbertson, William B.A., Sc. Lt., Royal Engineers

Cuthbertson, James, Artillery

Daughen, William Joseph, wounded twice

Davis, William George Foxtone, Y.M.C.A., Died in Service

Dowson, Hubert S., Victoria College, Sgt., Engineers

Enright, John Vincent, 80th Batt. Infantry

Farmer, George, McMaster Univ., Sgt., Engineers

Ferguson, George, B.A., Infantry, Classical Master at P.C.I., 1905-1910

Grant, Donald, Infantry

Greenley, Clifford, Artillery

Hale, Fred, Artillery

Hope, William Ross, Lt., Infantry

Hope, John Andrew, Osgoode Hall Graduate, Capt., Infantry

Hartney, John Howard, Artillery

Inderwick, Cyril, Flying Corps

Inderwick, John P., Lt., Infantry

Inderwick, Basil Lees, Infantry, died in service

Johnston, Arthur Melville, 80th Battalion Infantry, wounded

Keller, Charles Edward, 130th Battalion Infantry

Kenyon, William A., B.A., McMaster, Sgt., Engineers

Kerr, Homer, C.A.S.C., Lt.

Knowles, William, Infantry

Leighton, Richard, Sgt., Engineers, wounded

Lappin, Wilfred Ignatious, P.P.C.L.I.

Leslie, Oliver Newton, C.A.D.C., Capt.

Mitchell, William Rupert, M.B., U.of T., R.A.M.C., Capt.

Meighen, George, Artillery

Moore, Kenneth, Royal Canadian Navy

McCallum, Fred John, Sgt., Engineers

McEwen, Kenneth P., Sgt., Engineers

McGowan, William Infantry

McIlraith, Earl Fraser, Flying Corps

McIntyre, Peter, School of Sciences, Artillery

McLean, William, D.D.S., Lt., 130th, Killed at Vimy Ridge, 9th April, 1917

Noonan, Orville, 130th Batt., wounded

Oatway, Arthur, Queen’s University, C.A.M.C.

Orr, Fred A., Artillery

Patterson, George Neattie(?)

Pierce, Clifford B.

(Note, one of the above two is shown as killed in action)

Relyea, William Arthur, Artillery

Rothwell, Lawrence, Infantry

Rock, George McLeod, Infantry

Richmond, Arthur, Artillery

Richmond, Roy, Artillery

Robertson, Ewart, B.A., U.Of T., 36th Batt., Infantry

Sabiston, Kenneth, Armour Inst., R.C.B.A.

Scott, Campbell Craig, Queen’s University, Lt. P.P.C.L.I. Military Medal, Killed 3rd May, 1917

Scott, Clyde Rutherford, Lt., 2nd Battery, Wounded and prisoner April, 1915

Scott, Gordon A., Artillery

Scott, Donald Russell, M.B., McGill, Capt. R.A.M.C.

Scott, John Wallace, 130th Batt., Missing, May, 1917

Sinclair, Archie, 2nd Batt. Infantry, Missing, April, 1915

Sinclair, Lindsay, Lt., Engineers

Spalding, Eric, 2nd Battalion Infantry, Missing, April, 19??

Stone, Everett, 87th Batt., Infantry

Stone, Harold C., Artillery

Thompson, Fred, Dental College, C.A.D.C.

Topping, Carol, M.A., Queen’s University, Lt., Infantry, Wounded, April, 1917

Walker, Alexander Kippen

Walker, Keith, C.A.S.C., Africa

Walker, Murray, 130th Battalion, Infantry

Wilson, Alvin, 130th Battalion Infantry, died of wounds, 19th April, 1917

Wilson, Edwin Donald, P.P.C.L.I., killed, July, 1916

Wilson, Edwin Herbert, Capt. C.A.D.C., D.D.

Wilson, Herbert John, Lt., 130th Batt., wounded

Wilson, Creighton, Infantry

Wilson, Thomas B., C.A.S.C.

Wilson, James Clyde, 130th Batt., Infantry

Wilson, Roy Reginald, 130th Batt., Infantry, Killed, March, 1917

Wilson, Allan, Artillery

Wright, Stewart, Artillery

(Transcriber’s note, there may be errors in the above, there were no lines across to keep the columnar information straight it was difficult to read.)

The war will end 27th January, 1918.  This date is set in the Bible according to a certain Presbyterian minister near Ottawa who believes that St. John predicted present day history in Revelations and determined to find the meaning of the mysterious numbers and prophecies found in the 13th Chapter of that book of the Bible which has remained more or less a conundrum through all the centuries in theological study.

Killed in Action—Pte George Dixon son of Mrs. John Dixon, Lewis Street, Perth, has been killed in action.  He had been in France with the 12th Battalion, 3rd Co., going overseas with the 130th and enlisting in Perth with the local unit.  He paid the supreme sacrifice in the Vimy Ridge battle.  The last word received from him was received by his mother on the 25th April last.  He is survived by four brothers, Ernest Dixon of Port McNichol(?); William Dixon of the 240th Battalion in England; Cecil and Joseph Dixon of Perth and six sisters:  Violet, Elizabeth, Christina, Adeline and Lena at home and May of Ottawa.

Lt. H. J. McIntyre of Lanark who is stationed at Brockville was in town this week.

Casualties:

Killed In Action:

1.         Major Horace Hutchins of Kemptville

2.         Lt. Robert Henderson of Smith’s Falls.

3.         Pte. Neil McM Sullivan, Pembroke.  He spent considerable time in Perth with the 130th Battalion and was quite well known here.

4.         Pte. George Dixon, mother resides in Perth.

5.         Pte. John Lee Carr, Carleton Place.

6.         Pte. Phillip E. Andrew, Arnprior

7.         Pte. David Villacourt(?), enlisted with the 130th at Carleton Place.

8.         Pte. Charles T. Robinson, Winchester.

Died of Wounds:

1.         Pte. Harold W. McDiarmid, Carleton Place

Missing:

1.         Pte. George Elmer, Sharbot Lake

2.         Pte. John Williams Battersea.

Wounded

1.         Pte. James R. Kelly, Eganville

Photo of Col. de Hertel—Col de Hertel arrived at Halifax on Tuesday morning from England.

Perth Courier, June 1, 1917

James H. Deachman was killed in action on the 29th April in France.  He is an old Lanark boy and was born on the homestead near Lanark on the 12th October, 1874.  He went to school in Lanark.  He later learned the cabinet trade and some 14 years ago left Lanark for Ft. William and a year later married Mary Kennedy of Lanark.  Two children were born to them both of whom are with their mother at Ft. William.  His mother, Mrs. John Deachman, survives and lives on the old homestead with her stepson John H. Deachman.  Isaac Deachman of Tisdale, Sask. Is a brother and Mrs. John Kerr of Crystal City, Manitoba is a sister.  John H. Deachman of Lanark and Robert and Thomas Deachman of Carleton Place are half brothers.  Mrs. Thomas James, Almonte, Mrs. Donald Bain of Union Hall and Mrs. James Henderson of Winnipeg are half sisters.

Photo accompanies this article

Mr. and Mrs. Abram Moodie of the 9th Line Burgess received on Saturday last a letter from their son Robert who is overseas with the 181st(?) (Brandon, Manitoba) Battalion at present stationed at Shorncliffe and which recently went overseas.  “14th April arrived Halifax and stayed until the 16th.  Very pretty country in this district.  A bunch of us explored the Waverly gold mines.  Left Windsor Junction 13 miles outside of Halifax at noon and embarked on the steamer Grampion.  17th April—Still in the harbor waiting for other troops to embark.  18th April—Still here but leaving at 6 pm for across accompanied by HMS Drake also other troop ships.  19th April—Sailing very smooth just met the Olympic a fast boat bound for Halifax.  20th April—In sailing we form a single file at night.  25th April—Rough weather everyone feeling sick but we still had a concert on the boat.  26th April—Troopships are zigzagging to miss submarines.  27th April—Cannons fired off two shots and then two more.  We do not know what they sighted but it gave everybody a start.  29th April—Torpedo boats, and destroyers met us at 4:00 this morning to escort us through the danger zone.  We are going very fast now.  1st May—Hurrah!  Land in sight and we can almost see Liverpool.  The bands have struck up and all danger is now past.  All baggage goes off first then we men next and go right onto a train after everything is in darkness.  2nd May—Arrived at Shorncliffe and walked a mile or so to the camp.  5th May—Dear Mother—in part I saw the first fight of war the other day at Folkstone.  A boatload of wounded landed.  It was a hard sight to see the boys are wounded.  It certain looked like war to me.  (Noted in his letter Robert stated that he had not received any word from his brother Stuart at that time.  Stuart was killed in action at the Vimy Ridge battle.

The following letter was received from Fred McCallum by his parents Mr. and Mrs. Neil McCallum.  He has been in France for over a year.

(Transcribed only partially)

As I told you, I am managing the battalion canteen and like it very much.  I do not go into the line much now and that sort of repays me for my work as when the 50th Battalion is out we work very hard but have it easy when the men are in the line.  It was hard luck for poor Roy Wilson.  I happened to be in the same attack myself and after coming out I heard from some of his battalion what happened.  Roy was in a shell hold with another man and jumped out to advance when he was hit by a bullet and killed instantly.  He died a credit to his people and Perth.  There are few battalions in France in the Canadian forces that have no Perth boys in them.  It has been a pleasure for me to say that I was born in Perth and Perth boys have done their bit and done it well.  Now as you will understand in an advance we are always on the move and it is hard to write but I know that some of my letters may have gone astray.  I now have some straw to sleep on and 7 blankets and I am down in a French trench where it is dry and fine.  I am as hearty as can be.

Your loving son, Fred

G. H. Ansley received the following letter this week from Gunner Allan Wright, son of Mr. and Mrs. B. H. Wright, town, who has been in France for some time and went overseas with a Kingston battery.

France, 2nd May, 1917

(Transcribed partially)

Dear Mr. Ansley:

Having a few minutes to spare, I though I would write you a few lines to answer your letter of 8th December, 1916.  No doubt you have been reading the war news  carefully and have noted the movements and progress of our Canadian troops in the last three or four weeks.  If you have you will understand that much progress is being made by hard, grueling work not only by the men who go “over the top” but by those who supply them with ammunition and rations.  Moreover, this has to be done under all sorts of weather.  I have in mind a night which will always remain in my memory.  About 6:30 it was starting to snow large flakes which clung to your clothes and melted immediately and as we groomed our horses we congratulated ourselves on having no work to do that night when suddenly a runner came in and slowly but surely my heart began to sink.  The Captain took the message and reading it said:  “Every available horse will be required tonight.  All teams will be hooked in at the gun park by 7:00 sharp” and at the time the snow kept coming.  We were at the “dump” and as the snow had turned to rain we were all thoroughly soaked to the skin and covered with much.  Certainly we were not in the most amiable frame of mind.  Soon we were loaded and for five miles solid we were struck in the dump until the traffic lanes opened.  Even then when we did get onto the road we moved at the rate of ten yards every ten minutes.  About 3:00 am we got a clear road and arrived at the dump, unloaded and were just pulling out when we heard a Corporal shout “Halt”.  Well, we knew what that meant.  A mule team was stuck and we had to unhook our leaders and pull them out.  That meant another hours wait and as a cold wind had sprung up we were all chilled to the bone.  However, we were on the road again and after two hours more we got back to our billets.  Talk about a cold, wet, hungry bunch we took the cake.  That night I think was the worst I have experienced but I have spent many similar too, sometimes under shell fire.  Just at present I am sitting by a coal fire in a good, warm dugout with my candle on a tin biscuit box on account of a division order prohibiting lights in camp.  Outside the guns are creating a disturbance like the roar of a cataract and the whole ridge is aflame with gun flashes.  I started this letter last night.  Fritz in his ignorance began dropping bombs from a plane and our anti aircraft resented it.  I left the letter aside to watch the fun.  However, he did not do much damage—a couple killed and some wounded and two horses killed.  The month of April last in this country was the worst I have seen but today the heat is terrific—worse still Fritz by a well placed shot severed a water pipe and therefore we are eating a dry dinner.  I see by your letter that L------  still remembers me.  Give her my best wishes and tell her that some day I will be back to see her but God only knows when.  Sometimes when I wake up in the morning with the sun shining and the birds singing I think the war will end soon and sometimes when it is wet, muddy and miserable I feel doubtful I will ever see the finish.

Yours truly, Allan

Photo of Pte. George Dixon—Killed in action, Vimy Ridge

Pte. Thomas McVeigh of Jaffray, B.C., and son of the late Joseph McVeigh, 8th Concession Bathurst, was reported missing since 9th April and later reported killed in action.  He enlisted about a year ago with a B.C. battalion and spent last summer at Vernon Camp, B.C. going overseas in November last.  Robert McVeigh and Mrs. A.E. Wilson of town are brother and sister of the deceased.

Miss Kathleen Shaw of town who is again nursing in France after her visit home, had the pleasurable experience in France of meeting a cousin from Australia in the person of Major McRae.  The meeting was quite accidental as neither knew of the other’s presence in France.

Lt. Melville M. Hart, B.A., son of Mr. S.R. Hart, Willcocks St., Toronto, has been promoted on the field to major.  He went overseas as a lieutenant with the Canadian Mounted Rifles and is a cousin of W. B. Hart, town.  Another cousin if the latter is Dr. William Hart of Toronto, who has also received a promotion to major in the field.

Sgt. Rennie who was with the 130th Battalion from the early days of its organization here has returned from England to Canada and was in Perth on Monday.  He is far from being in robust health and during his stay in England he spent six weeks in the hospital with rheumatic fever.  Sgt. Rennie is a veteran of the Boer War and regrets that his health would not permit of his going to France.

John Noonan, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Noonan of Balderson who has been in the Bank of Ottawa here has enlisted with the 72nd Queen’s Battery at Kingston and left Tuesday.

The Pembroke Observer refers to the late Neil McMillan Sullivan who was killed in action and who was quite well known in Perth, as follows:  “Another young Pembroke soldier has paid the full price in France.  He is the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Sullivan of Pembroke and whose sisters reside on Miller Street, town.  The young man who was familiarly known in town as Mac was before enlisting employed as a clerk in Delahey’s Ltd., and was very well known in town.  He enlisted with the 130th Battalion and was for a long time connected with the local recruiting officer under Lt. Duminy.  He went to England with the 130th and there was drafted into another unit for France where he was in service for six months before answering ‘last post’.  The message announcing his death stated that he had been killed in action on the 3rd May and thus another man is added to the rapidly growing list of Pembroke young men who have made the final sacrifice.  Pte. Sullivan’s father died some years ago and his mother passed away only in November last—about the time he went to France—so that this affliction is a particularly sad one to the brother and sisters who are as follows:  Richard Sullivan of the railway mail service in North Bay; Misses Alberta, Breda and Margaret Sullivan at home.”

Pte. Grant Mitchell who has been overseas since March of last year, returned to Canada last week and is at home in town.  He was with the Canadian Field Ambulance in France and Belgium for some time engaged in stretcher bearer work.  Latterly he spent 16 weeks in hospitals at Boulogne, France, where he underwent an operation on his head necessitated by suffering from concussion and also at Moore Barracks, Westcliffe and a special hospital in Ramsgate in England.  While overseas he visited Scotland seeing Inverness, Perth and Glasgow.  He is on a month’s leave.

The following letter was received by David McLean from Lt. Jas. McAmmond in regard to the burial of the late Lt. William McLean.

France, 1st May, 1917

Dear Mr. McLean:

I beg to inform you that I have had your son’s body raised and re-interred yesterday in the Ecoivres Military Cemetery.  The following location will get any information you wish in future years:  Plot #5, Row H. Grave 1, Ecoivres Military Cemetery, France.  I also had a special funeral service for him by Rev. C.K. Whaltey(?) of the 3rd Division Canadian Artillery.  As information I may say that he was killed on the morning of the 9th April.  He I understand it was first reported he was only wounded and as it is impossible to leave your post during an advance I was unable to get much information until our unit was relieved.  At the first possible opportunity I made inquiries and found that the burial party had already buried him in the field of battle and had him nicely fixed up.  As soon as I got the location I went to our C.O. and got permission to have him re-interred in the Military Cemetery which I did yesterday, 30th April.  I may say I can hardly tell you exactly how he met his death as I saw two slight wounds on him and our information says it was concussion which I am led to believe was the case.  He looked quite natural and peaceful in death and I would not think he suffered any pain.

Sincerely,

J. McAmmond

Photo of Pte. Mervin Campbell

Pte. Mervin Campbell, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.D. Campbell, Rideau Ferry, who went overseas with the 130th and was wounded on the 3rd May, writes from Coleridge East Ward, Edmonton Military Hospital.

Dear Folks At Home:

Just a few lines to let you know I am still alive but I was wounded on the 3rd May in an attack about 7:00 in the morning.  I was wounded in the left hand right in back of the knuckles and I tell you I did suffer for 3 or 4 days but it feels better now and it lets me sleep very good at night.  It was an explosive bullet; one of the worst kinds ever made.  It makes a hoe as big as a silver dollar.  Well, mother, there are very few of the 130th boys left, poor fellows, they were in the 3rd Battalion.  I have not known anything about Fred Armstrong or Ronnie Wilson since last winter but I have heard they were still alive.  There was a big drive on the 9th April and all the line advanced and mother you could not realize the lives that were lost.  When we went over we gained about three and a half miles straight country.  Russell Dickson from Perth was wounded but I heard he died of wounds later.

Perth Courier, June 8, 1917

Lt. H. C. McIntyre is in town this week.  He has received the appointment as second in command of the 230th Forestry Battalion at Brockville of which Capt. William Ferguson is O.C.  Drafts from this unit are going overseas regularly.

William Butler received the burial certificate of his son the late Pte. Thomas Butler on Friday last which stated that he was buried in Villiers Station Military Cemetery a recognized military burial ground in France.  A wooden cross with all particulars of the deceased inscribed thereon had been erected at the head of the grave.

Pte. Walter Ferrier sent from France recently some daisies that were growing on the top of the grave of the late Thomas Butler in France.  The women of France place many flowers on the graves.

Photo of Nursing Sister Norval Moodie

Nursing Sister Norval Moodie is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Moodie of Grand Prairie, western Canada and formerly of the Scotch Line who arrived safely in England.

Pte. Harold Edwards of Franktown who spent considerable time in Perth with the 130th Battalion and was wounded at Vimy Ridge has been awarded the Military Cross for distinguished conduct.  He was transferred to England after being wounded and the honor was conferred on him there.

Sgt. T. I. Briscoe of Renfrew who spent considerable time in Perth with the 130th Battalion has been awarded the Military Medal.  He went overseas as Sgt. Major in the 130th reverting to private to go to France.  He was later advanced to sergeant and as reported, some time ago was wounded.

Photo of Pte. Thomas McVeigh—Caption:  Killed in Action, Vimy Ridge

Sgt. Robert Newell, formerly in the office of H. K. Wampole and Co., Perth, who went overseas with the Queen’s Field Ambulance writes very interestingly to the Courier of the drive overseas some time ago and states that he is now in Witley Camp, England, being paymaster sergeant of the 14th, 15th, and 16th Field Ambulances and 3rd C.A.S.C. trains.  (Note, this letter is not transcribed in full, only partially)  We left eh harbor of Halifax, Nova Scotia on the 38th April about 5:30 p.m.  Four other boats besides our own, escorted by a cruiser bade goodbye to Canada’s shores—some of us never to return again………We had a good time on board in the day time.  We had lifeboat drill, boxing bouts, tug-o-war and in the evening the officers and sergeants would join together and have concerts and social gatherings.  The sergeants of our unit had a great blowout the last night on board being Good Friday as well, we wore life belts at all times during the day and when we reached the danger zone we were ordered to sleep with our clothes on too……….when we were in the most dangerous part we were met by an escort of destroyers.  They were certainly wicked looking little cruisers and heaven pity any German subs.  They travel like greased lightning.

Sincerely,

Bob

536040 Sgt. R.J. Newell

15th Canadian Field Ambulance

Witley Camp, Surrey, England

“The people of Canada have given $12,000,000 to the Red Cross in money and supplies and at that the estimate is a very low one” was the statement made by Mrs. H.P.. Plumptre of Toronto, Dominion Secretary to the Red Cross to a mass meeting of workers at Winnipeg.  More than $7,000,000 has already been invested in the war in savings certificates by the small investors of Canada.  The total number of certificates disposed of since they were issued last Saturday is slightly more than $100,000.  They are being sold at the rate of about 1,000 per day and the demand is keeping up steadily.


Posted: 15 July, 2004