Perth Courier - World War I.
supplied by Christine M. Spencer of Northwestern University, Evanston, Il., USA.
Lanark
Document #5
Perth
Courier,
W. P. Grant,
It is stated that Lt. W. F. Brownlee of McDonald’s
Corners and who is with the 21st Battalion is to return to
Dr. Ronald R. Scott writes home saying that he has
returned to duty at the front as medical officer of the Royal Scots Fusiliers at
the expiration of his first year’s service.
Dr. Scott has been promoted to Captain.
Lt. Clyde R. Scott also writes to his parents and gives
encouraging words as to his physical improvement in the German hospital.
At the time of his writing his last letter he was planning to spend a day
in
Mrs. John Dixon came in from Brooke on Wednesday morning to bid farewell to her son John Brooke who was leaving with the 130th. This is her fourth son in the Canadian army, three others having been in the trenches on the firing line for over eight months.
On Monday of last week Peter McBain, McDonald’s Corners, received a telegram from the Record Office in Ottawa stating that his brother John McBain who left for overseas on the 10th April last with the 62nd Vancouver Battalion is ill with pneumonia in England. Again on Friday a telegram was received stating that his brother had died as a result of his illness. His name also appeared on Saturday’s casualty list. John H. McBain was a son of Peter McBain of McDonald’s Corners and had been in western Canada for the past nine years. Old friends in Dalhousie will be sorry to hear of his death at England where interment will likely be made.
John Roberts Allen of Ottawa is visiting his parents Mr. and Mrs. James Allen of Balderson. He and his family have made their home in England for the past year and a half and Mr. Allen is doing his bit there as a director of a hospital for the wounded and recovering Canadian soldiers. His eldest son John Allen is an expert as an aviator and is on constant duty in the air in Flanders and Belgium observing, fighting, photographing, etc. This employment is very dangerous as well as an important one. Mr. Allen sailed on the Cameronia from Glasgow and called at Liverpool and had a pleasant passage not being inconvenienced in any way by enemy submarines.
That Canada is experiencing a shortage of horses on account of the heavy drain of supplying thousands for military purposes was the statement of John Bright, Dominion Livestock Commissioner, who attended the meeting of the National Livestock Record Board at Toronto. “There are not enough horses in Canada to work the land” he declared. “Something must be done to conserve the supply”.
Mrs. W. H. Hooper of Carleton Place had a letter recently from her husband Captain Hooper, a prisoner of war in Germany. It came through unmolested and was in his own handwriting. Captain Hooper is in good spirits and full of confidence. His captors allowed him the privilege of a period in the hospital during which he underwent an operation that gave him relief. There is no word of his being on the exchange list.
Mr. Pattie received a letter last week from his son Carleton Pattie who “went across” some weeks ago and is in camp preparing for the front says the Carleton Place Canadian. Having a few days leave of absence his first thought was to go to see the home of his mother in Edinburgh. He therefore journeyed there and had the pleasure of meeting several of her relatives. Among the precious household goods that had been religiously kept was a photo of his mother taken when she was but a mere child over 60 years ago.
Allan Craig, son of Mr. and Mrs. R. Craig of Smith’s Falls was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal on the 21st of May for bravery. The particular account for which he won the Distinguished Conduct Medal was in throwing a German bomb out of the trench he and a number of soldiers were occupying. The bomb lit at his feet and instantly he seized it and threw it over the parapet where it exploded.
Robert Russell, sub-collector of customs in Pembroke has four sons serving with the colors. All threw up positions to enlist with the Canadian forces and all entered early to serve their country. “Bob” was once well known in Perth with the curling fraternity and he was a prominent “skip” at bonspiels held here and elsewhere.
The 73rd Artillery Battery of Ottawa District is under the command of Capt. Donald Robertson of Almonte. Previous to Capt. Robertson’s promotion to the command of this battery he was in command of the 13th Brigade Ammunition Column. Since graduation from Toronto University in Engineering, Capt. Robertson has been engaged up to the outbreak of the war in railway locations and construction engineering work and surveying. About 150 more men are required to complete the strength of this battery.
Charlie Watt of town has joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and will have the rank of sub lieutenant. His work will consist of sweeping mines and snaring German submarines in the waters about Great Britain. His appointment is to the Motor Boat Patrol, a branch of the Royal Navy which is doing very effective work. The work of the Patrol is hazardous but of infinite value to the naval authorities since by this means submarines operating in the vicinity of Great Britain and the Mediterranean have been destroyed. He leaves on Friday for Montreal and will sail for overseas immediately.
Private Jas. L. McCann’s name appeared in the casualty list as wounded last week. He was formerly of Westport.
Private William B. Sinclair, Smith’s Falls, has been wounded in the right thigh and is in No. 1 Canadian General Hospital at Etapies(?).
Private Clarence Ferguson, son of Mrs. Emma Ferguson of Smith’s Falls died in the Red Cross Hospital in Paris on Tuesday, 30th May from a wound received while at the front. He was only 20 years of age and was formerly employed in the gents furnishings department of A.B. Scott and Co., Smith’s Falls and was an able salesman. He enlisted at the beginning of the war and had gone through a number of battles without a scratch in which the Canadian troops distinguished themselves. Besides the widowed mother he is survived by two sisters, Mrs. A. Barrager of Smith’s Falls and Mrs. H. E. Elbes(?) Lamond of Alberta.
Sapper James E. McGee, a former member of the staff of the Brockville Recorder, who enlisted at Pembroke with the No. 1 Canadian Engineers, draws a vivid picture of battle scarred Belgium in a letter to friends in Canada. He is a brother of Mrs. P.S. Brady of town and in his letter says: l “We have been experiencing what real 20th century warfare is like for the past two months but at the present time are enjoying a brief spell from the trenches and needless to say the rest is much appreciated. We have been stationed in Belgium and France since leaving England and have encountered experiences and witnessed sights I never dreamed that would fall to my lot. Yet through it all our unit has fortunately escaped with but few casualties. A short time ago a Hun shell dropped close to where some of our men were working with the result that two men were instantly killed. They belonged to Nova Scotia—one a mere lad of 17. The poor fellows were buried a short distance from where they fell and two wooden crosses severely new and plain now mark the last resting places of still two more brave Canadians whose blood has consecrated so many battlefields in France and Belgium.
One constantly has to be on the alert while in the trenches where any carelessness or mistakes in judgment very often spell death. This fact was brought to mind very recently when an Imperial soldier standing in the door of our dugout while I fetched him a cup of tea was hit by a bullet and fatally wounded. A faint ray of candle light very likely shown out through the half open door attracting the sniper’s fire. While in our billet a few nights later a piece of shell came crashing through the top portion of the window but fortunately four companions and myself escaped injury save for a few scratches from the broken glass. Whether quietly resting in our billets or doing our turn in the trenches amid the booming cannon and the bursting shells on miles of battlefronts one is constantly in danger—constantly witnessing scenes that touch the heart and furnish plenty of excitement. Happily we have thus far encountered no gas attacks but in case we do each man is equipped with a gas mask which is easily adjusted and a very effective prevention against the poisonous fumes. What seems the most deadly of the explosives used by the enemy are the trench mortars and arterial torpedoes (the boys call them sausages) which do frightful mischief when they hit anything.
Aircraft are frequently to be seen in large numbers circling high above the trenches like vultures scanning the desert in search of food. We have not, however, had the exciting experience of seeing one of the brought down. Some of these monster Zeppelins and British aeroplanes and battle biplanes are said to be capable of doing something like 100 miles per hour.
Nearly every city, town and hamlet that we have passed through bear unmistakable evidence of the terrible conflict that has swept over the country and the ruins of once happy homes and the emaciated looking old men and women associated with them tell the story of intense sorrow and suffering. Such pathetic scenes as these seem to inspire the soldiers with new courage and patient resignation to bear cheerfully whatever hardships they may confront in their daily movements.
Still, there are some exceptions to this rule. Take, for instance, a little city near where we are billeted amid the ruins of which I have spent some interesting hours. Quite a number of people of all classes remain. All men and women sit in the doorways of such houses as are not closed or in ruins—children play in the streets their shrill and merry games. In some cases whole streets are closed while in others people carry on as usual. The saloons are wide open and doing a thriving business; in the general stores there seems to be no lack of excellent food. The people appear quite undisturbed by the continual murmur of cannon and like the soldiers seem less afraid when danger is nearest at hand.
A short distance from where I am writing stands what remains of a once beautiful cathedral—now a mass of wreckage and blackened and ruined walls. The Huns must have used thousands of shells to accomplish their fiendish work. Like the mutilated cathedral of Rheims but less historic I fancy, its interior beauty was the boast of the whole countryside. Now it is bereft of life its splendor and glory destroyed. An old resident who had known the sacred edifice in happier days tells me it had been used for centuries and that painters and sculptors put forth their best in beautifying its walls.
In a quiet spot nestling at the foot of a hill on the road to the trenches is a touching scene. Like the wrecked cathedral it brings home to the casual observer in a strange and vivid way some of the terrible tragedies of war. I have reference to a plot of ground dotted with little avenues of crosses which mark the last resting places of some of the brave men who gave up their lives in France for Britain’s sake. It is a soldiers’ graveyard. I visited the place the other day to ascertain if any Canadians were buried in the plot that I might place some floral tributes on the turf above them. However, I found that most of these interred here belonged to the English and Irish divisions. On each of the plain crosses an inscription has been painted or burned in together with the soldier’s name and the regiment with which he served. Most of the graves are neatly kept indicating that Imperial soldiers do not forget their comrades—even in death. Some were little mounds of yellow earth on which no grass had time to grow while on many others flowers were unfolding their beauty in the soft spring sunshine.
We were for a time very close to the Canadian front, but were moved to another position a considerable distance away. For this reason we have not had the pleasure of meeting any of the lads from the homeland since arriving in France. I have, however, conversed with many Imperial soldiers who have fought side by side with them and proudly listened to some soul stirring tales of the gallantry and determination of the Canadian troops on many an occasion. Of their bravery one never tires of hearing even at the firing line—for those who are constantly facing death can best understand and appreciate.
The military authorities of Ottawa have authorized the raising of another battalion for the counties of Lanark and Renfrew and have already begun recruiting for the new battalion. It will be known as the 240th Battalion. The commander will be E. J. Watt of Perth, formerly of the 130th. Major Watts’ first military experience was in the year 1904 when he was a volunteer in the 42nd Regiment. In 1907 three years afterwards he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and in 1908 attained the rank of Captain in the 42nd. At the time of the organization of the 130th in the two counties he was advanced to the rank of Major and in all probability as commander of the 240th his rank will be advanced to that of Colonel.
Some time ago Mrs. James Sheridan of town put her name on a package of candies which were sent along with others by the Red Cross and was much surprised on viewing the following letter: France, 19th May, 1916 Dear Madam: Your kind gift of six dozen candies has reached us and has been distributed among the men in No’s 11,12 and 14 Departments Limit of Supply, Canadian Army Service Corps in France. Naturally, being Canadian they deeply appreciate anything from Canada and have requested me to send you their thanks for your thoughtfulness. They are all cheerful and happy and having the afternoon off are enjoying a game of ball. Again, thanks and I am sincerely, F.R. Sproule, Captain.
Andrew Miller of Bathurst received a letter this week from Driver David Carson, who is “somewhere in France” with the Royal Engineers of the Imperial Army having transferred from the Canadian artillery. The letter is dated 15th May. During the course of his letter Driver Carson who went from this district overseas says: “we are billeted in an old shed at present and our horses are tied out in the field. This place was held for 11 days by the Germans so things were not left in very good shape. They left sooner than they expected. However, we have some old straw to lie on which makes a very good bed for a soldier. We are faring well as regards to food but a good drink of water is not to be had. Tea and beer are drunk here at a penny a glass. We have not been with the Canadians for two months now. We are attached to the Royal Engineers of the Imperial Army. We are doing a great deal of moving and mostly at night. I expect to get my leave to England in 8 weeks time but leave is all stopped at present but may start again any day. By the time this reaches you it will be about time for the annual social, we have a concert here now and again which helps to break the monotony of the guns and shells. I am here six months now and have only a scratch but had a narrow escape the other night when a shell burst in front of me some thirty yards but if they never drop any closer it will be alright with me. The people here have all left their farms and there is no one besides soldiers—no crops growing so the land looks bare.”
Sgt. John Enright’s photo is in the paper with the caption: Sgt. John Enright of the 80th Battalion, son of Mrs. John Enright, of town, is overseas with the Battalion.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Taylor of town last Saturday morning had cause to mourn the death of their son Herb Taylor on receiving a telegram through the Records Office to the effect that he was dead. The call seemed all too true when coming from this official source. Mr. Taylor, however, cabled to Mrs. Herb Taylor at Bramschott England soon after receiving this telegram inquiring whether the report was authentic and on the following Sunday morning received a cable from Mrs. Taylor which said “report is wrong Herb OK”. Later a telegram was received from the Records Office also stating that the report was erroneous. They had made a mistake in the names. A Howard Taylor of Edmunton was mentioned in Friday’s casualty list as killed in action and his name was apparently confused with that of Herb Taylor and perhaps more so on account of both men having enlisted in western Canada. On receiving the first report it was thought by Mr. Taylor that his son had left Bramschott Camp in England where he was stationed for the front and that the fatality had occurred in France but this was not the case. Lt. Herb Taylor enlisted at Regina about a year ago with the 46th Battalion and in October left for overseas with the battalion. The battalion went to Bramschott Camp in England where it is a present stationed. Soon after arriving in England, Lt. Taylor took up bomb throwing work in connection with his battalion and becoming proficient he was appointed bomb officer for the 12th Brigade at Bramschott and is acting in this capacity at present. His work consists of giving lectures and practical demonstrations on bomb throwing to a number of men from several battalions at Bramschott and for his capable work has received considerable recognition from the camp commandant. It is altogether likely he will remain in this position for some time. Mrs. Taylor is presently with her husband and at present they are residing about three miles from the main camp at Bramschott.
Photo with caption: Rev. Major McIntosh of Lanark has been appointed by General Sam Hughes as Chaplain for the 130th Battalion.
It is officially announced that the 38th, 88th, 89th, 90th, 95th, and 99th, Battalions and the seven New Brunswick siege battery draft and details have arrived safely in England. Sgt. Thomas Fletcher, Bandsman William Fletcher, and Sgt. Earl all formerly of this town arrived on the 29th May with this group being in the 80th Battalion and went into camp at Bramschott. Sgt. John Enright and Drummer Arthur Johnson are also with the 80th which had a splendid trip across on the steamer Baltic.
Mrs. John Enright received a letter from her son John Enright this week who is in charge of the 80th Battalion Bugle Band. He writes from Horden Camp in England and in part says: “We were a long time getting here but we got here just the same via the Baltic. We set sail on Sunday morning the 22nd May and arrived at Liverpool on Monday the 29th. We docked on Tuesday the 30th and came in to Horden the same day. We are about 34 miles south of London in Hampshire County but may be moved to Bramschott which is about five miles from here. We went around the north coast of Ireland and down the Irish Sea to Liverpool. Ireland was very pretty and green. Not an inch of wasted space that could be farmed and no fences—all hedges. Some of the rocks were very pretty extending straight up in the air from the sea. England is a very pretty place too and well kept nearly equally all hedges. We passed through Birmingham and saw the university at Oxford. The Baltic, which we came over on, was simply a floating palace. I was all over the boat but failed to get sea sick. We saw several schools of porpoises and one whale in the Irish Sea. That sea was just as calm as the Perth basin. It certainly was a fine trip across and I like England just fine.
Mr. T. B. Caldwell of Lanark received a telegram Saturday last from the officer in charge of the record office stating that his son Major Tom Caldwell was severely wounded with gun shot in the arm and was in No. 4 General Hospital at Wimereux, France. The report had been received at the Ottawa Record Office on Friday. Again on Tuesday evening Mr. Caldwell received a telegram from Tom himself stating that he had been taken to England and was in the Royal Free Hospital in London with his right arm badly injured from shoulder to wrist, two small pieces of shrapnel still being imbedded in his arm. Doctors had advised him that he would be recovered inside of six weeks. He was with #2 Co., 21st Battalion when wounded. (photo accompanied story)
Rev. H. J. McDiarmid of town received word last Thursday that his son Archie McDiarmid was killed in action. Particulars also of the injuries of his son Captain C.A. McDiarmid, M.D. were received. He was injured by his horse stumbling into a hole in the ground and throwing him injuring his head and right shoulder. Capt. McDiarmid is now in No. 7 Hospital at Boulogne, France doing nicely and it is expected he will recover some from the shock. Another son, Captain John H. McDiarmid of the same hospital is there with a serious wound caused by a shell but he will recover. Miss Annie McDiarmid, sister of the wounded men is a nurse in #3 McGill Hospital and she is able to see her brothers daily and in a letter home gives the good news that they will recover in time.
Archibald H. McDiarmid who fell doing his duty at Ypres went overseas in June, 1915 from Vancouver, B.C., where he had resided for 13 yeas. After spending a month at Shorncliffe he went to France and was drafted into the 7th Battalion, 2nd Brigade and acted as a stretcher bearer. In regards to Archie his Captain F. W. Lees writes: “His daring at all times, in the trenches attending the wounded, his absolute fearlessness and his cheery smile will never be forgotten by anyone in the Battalion from the Colonel on down as he was well known as a soldier and a man. Archie had already been recommended several times by myself for bravery and excellent work in performing his duties under fire and he died along with a man down with a shell would to whom he was giving first aid. He fell at the Battle of Ypres 3rd July. In the London Times of recent date in the King’s Birthday list he was mentioned for the Military Medal. One particular advance in which he was engaged in was last December when with a small party he volunteered to go across 15 yards of ‘no man’s land’ into a German trench. It was a dark and stormy night. The men crawled through the mud to escape the German machine guns, etc. They bombed and killed 30 Germans and took 12 prisoners back to their lines and only lost one man.” In his last letter home to his father he said: “Before going into the scrap I prayed that if it was God’s will my life be spared and not crippled or maimed if wounded; but if it was His will that I should be killed, all right. I felt sorry thinking I might not be able to return and see you all again—a kind of little communion—ourselves as the congregation and God the minister. I would hate to be shot into eternity unprepared. But shortly I stopped worrying and the excitement of the conflict engaged my mind”. Accompanying this story was a photo of Archie McDiarmid
Lt. Col. Clyde A. Caldwell, eldest son of the late W. C. Caldwell, M.P.P. and Mrs. Caldwell of Lanark has been promoted to fill Colonelcy and will take charge of the work of the Canadian Royal Engineers which at the present time is an important one. The late chief of this department, Col. Mansell, has gone overseas and thus made a change necessary and on account of Lt. Col. Caldwell’s fitness and his efficient work in South Africa and elsewhere he was chosen to fill this position.
Private James McFaulds returned to Perth on Saturday afternoon last from the theater of war after an absence from this district of a little over a year. Private McFaulds was invalided home and is now on the next lap of recovery from being “gassed” by German shells. He was met at the station Saturday afternoon on the arrival of the 3:05 train by the Citizens’ Reception Committee and the Citizens Band and an address read by Mayor Hands. (this part of the article, the address, is not transcribed.) In May of last year Private McFaulds went with the 21st Battalion from Kingston to Shorncliffe Camp in England where he remained with the Battalion until September when he went to the firing line with the 21st his company being under the command of Captain Tom Caldwell. Other boys from this district with him were William Daughen, William Craig, Ernie Roe, John Newell, A. McMillan, and Harry Sutton. He was in the trenches ten months when a gas shell exploded near him, its noxious fumes in such proportion that he was nearly overcome and his lungs were seriously affected. These shells are of a particular kind which contain gas that spreads into a vapor like formation when they explode. He was taken from the trench and previous to his arrival in Canada he has been in hospitals in France and England upwards of six months. Private McFaulds says he would rather lose a limb than be gassed so racking are its effects on the system. From a weight of 140 pounds he dropped to 90 pounds in a very short time but happily he is now regaining his former health as fast as can be expected.
Speaking of conditions in the trenches, Private McFaulds says that during the winter months they are not in a very good condition. There is a plentiful supply of mud but in the summer time the trenches are comparatively dry. In the trenches in the daytime there is not much rifle fire but for the snipers. The artillery, however, keeps up an incessant fire from their protected point of advantage on either side of no man’s land hurling shells into and all about each other’s trenches. The men soon become enured to the shell fire. There is more rifle fire going on when the shades of evening have fallen while the glare of flying shells lights up the night at all times. After spending a time in the trenches the life takes on a certain glamour to the boys and when out of the trenches for any time they become anxious to get back again. Beef and biscuits are the two staple articles of food used by the men when on duty and a detachment spends the regular 18 days trench duty at one time very often getting about 4 hours sleep during every 48 hours. Private McFaulds still has a convalescent period of about six months to spend during which time he receives pay from the Militia Department. He came from England on the ship Missanable in company with 83 soldiers who were all furloughed home. Private McFaulds has a brother Joseph McFaulds who is with the 38th (?) Battalion which will go to the firing line in the very near future having left Bermuda.
Private John Burton Perkins, son of Mrs. M.E. Perkins of Smith’s Falls was killed in action between the 2nd and 4th of June. He enlisted about a year ago with the McGill reinforcements of the Princess Patricias and went into the trenches in September. He was about 25 years old and an only son.
Captain Ed Wilson and Sgt. Fred Thompson of the Canadian Army Dental Corps formerly attached to the 130th Battalion have been transferred to the Petawawa Camp and were in town on Tuesday. A dental clinic has been established for the artillery men at Petawawa and the same system will be in vogue as is customary at Barriefield. Captain Baird of Carleton Place and Captain Wright of Ottawa are also detailed for duty at this clinic.
Mrs. A. Johnson received a letter recently from her son Arthur Johnson who is with the 80th Battalion. In the letter he encloses a diary which gives an account of the trip across the ocean. The 80th Battalion left Canada’s shores on board the steamship Baltic on 22nd May and accompanying the Baltic were two other ships the Adriatic and the Empress of Britain. Perth men on board were Messrs. Albert Fielding, John Enright, Tom Fletcher, Will Fletcher, George Robinson, Ancy Gallagher and Arthur Johnson. The Baltic carried a most valuable cargo consisting of aeroplanes, machine guns, rifles, field kitchens, ammunition, and field supplies. During the trip across many were sea sick and altogether on the three ships there were over 10,000 men besides a large number of nurses. Victoria Day while on the sea Arthur says, reminded him of school days in Perth when the late Captain Johnny Manion shot off the old cannon on the banks of the Tay. When the Baltic reached the danger zone all quiet was ordered on board ship and the ship took a zig zag course. The Baltic was escorted in by the torpedo destroyer Ruby 89. The ship passed by the rock bound coast of Ireland which were pleasant to view and the Highlands of Scotland which were inspiring. While passing between these two lands a Zepplin from Scotland hovered over the ships and extended a welcome to the Canadians. The Baltic arrived safe and sound in Liverpool harbor on the 28th May. Some of those who had Kodaks with them were not allowed to take photos of the battleships, cruisers, transports, air crafts, harbors, etc. as it was a punishable offense. From Liverpool the 80th Battalion went to Bordon Camp five miles from Bramschott where it was stationed.
Private Thomas Lambert who has returned from France where he was wounded at Ypres realized the truth of the old saying that the world is really a small place after all. He tells a story of how he met a man with whom he was engaged at the Frontenac Hotel in Kingston. Private Lambert had been wounded and was being carried to the rear on a stretcher. He noticed that one of the men who was helping to carry the stretcher was a former employee at the Frontenac Hotel and his name was William Baker. After they had gone a short distance Lambert gave the old G.T.R. Inner Station cry “Hotel Frontenac” and the words coming from the wounded man caused Lambert to drop his end of the stretcher. On looking at the patient he found that it was an old fellow employee and the reunion on the field of battle was a happy one.
Mr. Shirley McDonell, son of Mr. P. J. C. MacDonnell of the Bank of Montreal here has joined the ambulance corps connected with Queen’s University and may leave any day to join his company. Dr. Scott of Lanark has two sons in this organization and Christopher Forbes of the same place has one son in it.
Private C. J. L. Rockwood (or Rickwood) formerly of Perth has been offered the position of bandmaster with the 199th Overseas Battalion (Irish Rangers), Montreal. Private Rockwood (or Rickwood) is now with the 130th Battalion at Barriefield and will likely accept the new position provided he can secure a transfer.
The Canadian Freeman of the 31st (?) inst., contains the following reference to one of our citizens Capt. E.C. Consitt, medical officer of the 130th Battalion now at camp at Barriefield and a graduate of Queen’s University, and well known in Kingston. The doctor worked here all winter recruiting and examining recruits at the different recruiting stations in the counties of Lanark and Renfrew. Capt. E.C. Consitt’s great grandfather was Commander Thomas Consitt, R.N. and fought under Lord Nelson.
The paper contains a photo of Orville Bays(?), and the caption says he was honorably discharged from the 130th Battalion on account of being under age.
Mrs. James Adams, Jr., McDonald’s Corners, received a letter a few days ago from her cousin Henry Crawford, Elphin, reported killed some time ago. He is quite well and alive.
Captain Tom Caldwell, wounded in the right arm which has been badly shattered is in a London hospital and is likely to come home shortly. The popular “Tommy” will get a warm reception from his host of friends.
George G. Graham, Smith’s Falls, who has been in England for the past year and a half in the interests of Frost & Wood Co., has returned and on Sunday last he joined the 240th Battalion at Smith’s Falls as a lieutenant.
John McGarry has given up his position in the Royal Victoria Hospital at Montreal and has enlisted with the 199th Irish Rangers, D. Co., of this city. This battalion is now at the training camp at Valcartier. John is the second son of P.C. McGarry of town. (note, not sure if this name is McGarcy or McGarry.)
Homer Kerr, son of John Kerr, town, has qualified as a lieutenant in the Army Service Corps and is at his home in this week. To pass the exam for lieutenant in this unit was difficult but by hard and patient study he qualified.
Henry McNaughton, who spent his boyhood days in Bathurst and who is a graduate of the Perth Collegiate Institute has joined the Toronto Light Infantry. Mr. McNaughton was principal of a public school at Collingwood and joined the light infantry at the close of the school year. A number of pupils from his school also joined the unit.
Russell Watt of town received a letter this week from his brother Charlie Watt. After a safe voyage of 12 days across the ocean he has arrived safe in Europe and is now at the Royal Naval College in Greenwich, England where he is taking a five weeks course in preparation for his work as a sub-lieutenant in the motor boat patrol in the waters about Great Britain.
Captain John McCallum, R.A.M.C., son of J. S. McCallum, Smith’s Falls, has been awarded the military cross. On his request, the papers said nothing about the honor conferred. The news has been since sent out from London and is now “public property”. Captain McCallum said he had done nothing more than hundreds of other Canadians but he had been lucky to come out alive and to have been mentioned for honors.
Mr. and Mrs. Jno. Paul of Lavant received a cable informing them that their son Private Robert Roilo(?) Paul, #73119 has been missing since the 6th June. Private Paul’s name has since appeared on the Canadian Honor Roll under the heading “Killed in Action” in several different daily papers but the particulars of his death are unknown. He was in the machine gun section of the 28th N.W. Battalion.
Sgt. Jas. McVesty, 130th Battalion, Valcartier, is visiting his mother in Elmsley.
James Hartney, town, received a letter from his son Jack Hartney this week who is right in the thick of the fighting in France. The letter was written on the 15th June and the previous Sunday and Monday nights Jack says he was up next to the front line trenches with a working party putting in a new stand for a trench mortar and also carrying some sixty pound bombs up to the front lines. He says “we were right up to the foremost part of the line (horseshoe) and Fritz certainly tried hard to get us. We had to crawl across three fields and believe me the machine guns and snipers made things whiz over our heads. They sent up those infernal star shells and made it as bright as day. Then they peppered us with machine gun fire. Luckily, only one of our fellows was hit which we put down as the work of a sniper in one of the trees. You cannot imagine what it is like and I cannot describe it we came through all right and returned safely after doing our work. When one has been on the front line with only fifty yards of barbed wire between you and the Germans it is certainly makes you think of home. There will be quite a large number of casualties go to Canada this week. I saw Jimmie Smith and he looks pretty good but is troubled with one of his legs and is now in a resting camp for a few days. I was in a dugout the other day and had the opportunity of sending some over to Fritz. While there seeing some of the boys the order came down for 40 rounds of section gun fire. I got on the gun seat and I certainly enjoyed it for I never stopped until I sent over the whole 40 rounds with an interval of five seconds between each round. When I got off the firer’s seat I was nearly dumb. There was an 18 pounder and they make an awful crash and Fritz would just as soon have any other gun fire against him as the 18 pounders and the French 75’s which are practically the same.” At the conclusion of the letter Jack says he has seen nearly all the boys from Perth who are at the front and they are all well but a wee bit lonesome.
Arthur Johnson of town who is at present in England
with the 80th Battalion at Bramschott Camp has compiled an
interesting little booklet which is entitled “Canadian Soldier’s Diary from
Belleville Camp to Bramschott Camp in England”.
This original booklet contains a diary of Arthur’s experiences from the
time he left Belleville with the 80th and arrived at Bramschott.
He is a most facile writer and no doubt will give a further account of
his experiences as time passes. The
booklet contains the names of many Perth boys at Bramschott Camp and the list is
as follows: Capt. Rev. Donald
McPhail, Lt. H. M. Taylor, Sgt. George Earl, Sergeant Tom Fletcher, Sgt. John
Enright, Privates Fred McCallu, Everett Doyle, Stanley Hudson, Everett Stone,
George Cardick, Jack O’Brien, Gerald Brown, Arnold Fuller, T.P. Smith, Albert
Fielding, William Fletcher, J. Irvin, George Robinson.
Lt. Gordon Hughes, son of Rev. S. J. Hughes, pastor of the Renfrew Methodist Church up to last June and now of St. John’s Church, Quebec, has been killed in action. His father was formerly a pastor with the Asbury Church in Perth.
Corp. Ernest Carr, a Belleville boy who left with the 34th Battery, has suffered the loss of both feet by amputation which was necessitated by the terrible wounds he sustained in the Ziffebeke fighting in Belgium.
Robert R. Paul, gunner in France, who was reported killed, is a prisoner in Germany. His parents are Mr. and Mrs. John Paul of Lavant and they received a card from him last week telling them where he is.
Word has been received that Capt. W. R. Caldwell has arrived at Halifax on his way home from England. He has been suffering from trench rheumatism and shell shock after spending some time at the front.
Photo in this issue of Gunner Alphonsus Thompson with a caption: son of Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Thompson of Burgess and formerly a printer in the Courier office who is with the 51st (?) 81st (?) Battery at Petawawa.
Photo in this issue of Private Letfore Miller, son of Mrs. Samuel Miller who is with the 130th Battalion at Valcartier.
Photo in this issue of Private Hugh Miller who is with the 93rd (Peterboro) and has left for overseas.
Bugler Delbert Love, 14, son of Mrs. A. W. Love of Smith’s Falls seems to be a regular young fire eater, says the Record. He went across with the 1st Contingent as a stow away and when in France for a while was gassed and sent back on account of being too young. Now he is off again to the front. He joined the 77th Battalion at Ottawa and from there was transferred to the 207th Battalion at Ottawa. Everything went nicely until orders came for the 77th to go overseas immediately. Bugler Love could not resist the desire to be at it again so he promptly pulled off the 207th badges, bade a hurried farewell and beat it for the 77th just in time to sail out with them a week ago Saturday.
Russell Watt, brother of Lt. Col. Watt, Commander of the 240th Battalion has enlisted with the 240th Battalion as a private and donned khaki Thursday. He is the third member of the firm of Watt Brothers, machinery agents, this town, to enlist and the business in town will disband under the firm name.
Ernest Reynolds of Carleton Place who has two brothers at the front, tells how his brother William Reynolds was in two engagements in Belgium with the British Navy when they were driven back by the Germans at Antwerp and Dixmude and escaped both times and was afterwards sent to the Dardanelles and was on two different ships when they were sunk and still escaped with his life and is at present on active service again with the navy. His surely is a charmed life. Sgt. Major W. R. Reynolds has been 23 years in the service.
Unveiling an honor roll at McDonald’s Corners (note, this ceremony has not been fully, only partially transcribed as it ran on into the remarks, etc., which were rather boring). The ceremony was held at Knox Church and in part the article said “the portent and significance of that Roll of Honor seemed to convey a silent message to the assembled people for on its white surplice were inscribed the names of boys who were brought up in this neighborhood. Boys who in their childhood and youth played on the village green and took part in the Sunday school and church, one of whom will return to us no more as his life went out while serving King and country. The whole service seemed filled with a deep import and solemnity which seemed to be imparted to the assemblage and evidenced by the hush which fell over the auditorium after the unveiling took place. The honor roll was mounted on the front wall of the interior immediately behind the pulpit and the choir gallery so it might occupy a prominent place in the church with the Union Jack draped gracefully around it and a British golden helmet and shield on one side of the Roll and a French helmet of steel engraved with the Fleur de Lis placed upon the other side representing the two Allies guarding the Roll of Honor.
1.) Lt. Fisher Brownlee who so signally distinguished himself in holding a trench under the enemy’s attack last spring at St. Elois in France. 2.) Lance Corp. Campbell Craig Scott who won the military medal for conspicuous bravery in carrying off the wounded to obtain medical assistance while under heavy shell fire and machine gun fire. 3.) Sapper Bruce Henderson Scott 4.) Corporal Jack Wallace Scott 5.) Private Stanley Joseph Jackson 6.) Private Duncan Munroe 7.) Private Stanley Hudson Gallinter 8.) Private Chester McKinnon 9.) Private Thomas Crawford 10.) Private James Clement.”
Dr. John McCallum, son of Dr. and Mrs. McCallum of Smith’s Falls, who has been on active military duty overseas for over a year arrived home on Thursday of last week safe and sound. He was attached to the Royal Army Medical Corps and has been doing service in the thick of the hardest engagements during the past year. For conspicuous service he has received the Military Cross. He enlisted for a year and now at the end of his term is home for a holiday. He has no plans for the future and does not know whether he will return or not.
The Courier received a card this week from Sergeant W. J. Baird, son of Mr. and Mrs. T. A. Baird, town, who is at Shorncliffe England with the Army Service Corps. He mentions Fred Lappin, George Rock, Arthur Relyus (?), Stewart Wright and George Dittrick as being Perth boys at Shorncliffe and all are doing fine.
Mrs. Hooper of Carleton Place had a letter recently from Capt. Hooper, her husband, who is still a prisoner of war in Germany. The letter was dated 7th June and he says in part: “A Lt. O’Grady from Edmonton who up to three months ago was in hospital with Clyde Scott, tells us there is no doubt in the world but Clyde will be sent to Switzerland. I am so glad for O’Grady says that with special attention and in time he will suffer only with a stiff knee. He says the brothers in the hospital all think the world of Clyde and they cannot do too much for him. O’Grady is here to appear before the Swiss Commission. He tells him he is a lucky devil. Three months ago I am sure I could have passed easily but by now I am so well finished that it is out of the question; only the muscles of my left leg still cause me anxiety. I am indeed lucky for had one of the wounds gone an inch deeper into the stomach it would have been fatal. I had a good walk on Saturday along up the Rhine this time and not too long with a good chance to sit down and rest. I am in a new room now. Artillery Leech and I from the old room and six others are here; it is crowded but the view from my window makes up for the discomfort. It looks right up the Rhine. I am afraid I will do little French this week most of my time will be spent looking out the window. I got the canned goods and the copies of McClure’s and Cosmo.”
Major G. V. White, M.P., Pembroke, who went over as second in command of the 224th Forrestry Battalion has returned to Canada and is expected to arrive in Pembroke shortly. Some time ago it is rumored that Major White was to take command of a new forestry battalion but it is not known whether he has come home for that purpose or whether he will return to Europe at all.
Lt. Col. G. H. Gillespie, headquarters staff at Barriefield Camp has been making strenuous efforts in the capacity of major with the 240th (?) 249th (?) Battalion. His efforts have not been crowned with success however, as a letter from Ottawa received last Friday finally vetoes the plan. His many duties on the staff must be discharged and a successor could not be conveniently found.
Three sons in the army—photo accompanies with the caption: These three sons (Private James Brown, Private Arthur E. Brown, Private George M. Brown) of the late Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Brown and formerly of Perth are with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces. James is a member of the 130th Brass Band now at Valcartier. Arthur went overseas with the First Contingent and has been one year five months in France with the Mechanical Transport. George enlisted in the Saskatchewan 53rd Battalion and went overseas in March and is not in France with the 14th Battalion.
Mrs. Jas. Thornton, town, received a handkerchief last week from her son Private Jas. Thornton of the 38th Battalion, England, on which was printed a map of Europe. It may be seen in the Courier window.
Having joined the Queen’s Field Ambulance at Kingston, Robert Newell left town on Monday morning to report for duty at Barriefield. He has been on the office staff of the H. K. Wampole Co. for over a year and on Saturday, as a token of remembrance, the staff presented him with a splendid wristlet watch.
The official return of Canadian casualties from the battlefield dated 27th July contained among the list of killed the name of Lance Corporal Edwin D. Wilson, Calgary, of the 2nd University contingent, a law student in that city. Edwin was the youngest son of Isaac Wilson, formerly of the Scotch Line and now postmaster at Frank, Alberta. The deceased was a promising young man with an apparently brilliant career before him who like so many other young Canadians, felt compelled to respond to the call of duty and of patriotism and a year or more ago he enlisted in the McGill University Contingent. He was on his way to promotion as his rank of junior corporal showed. Edwin was a member of the St. Andrew’s Church choir in Perth and had a fine bass voice which was very effective either in solo or in chorus work. Of a genial and buoyant disposition, Edwin was a general favorite and his friends in Perth, his school mates in the Collegiate Institute and especially his co-mates in the St. Andrew’s Church choir feel his death most deeply. Besides his father and mother, three brothers, Howard in Montreal, Lorne in Calgary and Norman at the front and one sister Mrs. Christina McKenzie of Calgary are living. Mr. W. J. Wilson of Perth, Gilbert Wilson of the Scotch Line and Isaac Wilson and Mary, Drummond, are cousins.
The members of the 130th Brass Band are on six
days leave from Valcartier this week and those in town were Privates Everett
Adams, Alvin Wilson, John Patterson, Walter Ferrier, Garnet King, Jas. Brown,
G.(?) G.(?) or C.(?0 C.(?) Galvin
and Corp. Pat O’Donovan, Sgt Finlayson, son of Lt. Bandmaster Finlayson,
formerly of Smith’s Falls were also in town this week.
Others of the 130th in town were Sgt. Roy Wilson, Corp. E.
Ferrier, Pte. Clifford Wilson, Pte. Joseph Bennett, Pte. Bouton (?), Pte
Lightford Miller and Pte Thomas Mundy and Pte. Lloyd Munroe.
Mr. J. L. P. McLaren of Perth, has joined the 238th Forestry Battalion and will have the rank of Captain. At present this battalion is about 800 in strength and is rapidly coming up to full strength when it will proceed overseas immediately. Col. W.R. Smyth is the officer in command. The battalion requires men especially adapted to lumbering work including millwrights, log makers and blacksmith engineers and saw filers (?). The work of the forestry battalion will be to cut down many of the available forests in the old country and provide lumber for the use of the troops at the front.
Mr. and Mrs. Angus McPhee of Carleton Place have been hoping against hope that their son Private Neil John McPhee who was with the First Contingent and was with Captain Hooper in the memorable battle of Langemarch in April, 1915 was still alive though nothing could be learned of his whereabouts but a letter from the department a few days ago rather caused the sorrowing parents to give up all hope, as it stated that as he is not among the prisoners of war or with any other units “he is presumed to have died on or near 22nd April, 1915” and a certificate to this effect has been forwarded.
Canadian maples are to be planted around the graves of Canadian soldiers in France. Seeds of red and silver maples ripened at Ottawa have been sent to London by Dominion Horticulturist W. T. Muroun (?) and planted in Kew Gardens. After the war the little trees from these seeds are to be transplanted in France. Seeds of the large leaved maple of British Columbia are to be sent to London for the same purpose as soon as ripened.
Edward Bryson who is a prisoner of war in Germany in writing to his wife in Almonte says he was wounded in the right breast and only for the Bible that was in his right pocket was he saved from being killed. As it was, the little Bible that he carried was cut in two and he suffered a nasty wound but is recovering nicely. He has been a prisoner of war in Germany since the 2nd of June last. After being wounded he was lying on the ground and says he must have been done for only for a kind German soldier who helped him along after the battle was over.
A photo appears in this issue of Gunner Frank O’Neil, Sergeant Tom O’Neil—Caption—Two sons of Mr. and Mrs. Michael O’Neil, town, who are with the Canadian militia. Frank is with the 2nd Reserve Battery at present at Shorncliffe, England while Tom is with the 130th Battalion at Valcartier.
Lance Corporal Drummer A. W. Cooper of the 130th was home from Valcartier visiting with his wife and family in town.
Capt. (Dr.) Ed Wilson of the dental clinic at Petawawa spent the weekend at his home in town.
Sgt. Fred Thompson of Petawawa spent a few hours in town on Monday with his parents Mr. and Mrs. George Thompson.
Sgt. John Cavanagh of the 227th Battalion, Sudbury is visiting with his parents Mr. and Mrs. Peter Cavanagh.
Captain R. M. Manahan of the 128th Battalion, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and formerly of Lanark who has been taking a course in training at Ottawa was a recent visitor in town. He was accompanied by his sister Nellie and Miss Hilda Kirby. Captain Manahan left for the west on Tuesday to join his battalion which leaves shortly for overseas.
Letters and postcards have been received from members of the 77th Battalion which arrived in England a short time ago. It seems the battalion has been disbanded and drafted into other units. They are now drilling at Bramschott, England.
Sgt. Ian McKinnon of Renfrew recently qualified for a lieutenant and may transfer from the 130th to the 240th. As of yet there is no Renfrew man among the officers.
Major Elmer W. Jones of the 21st Battalion, C.E.F., writes that he has been promoted to the rank of Lt. Col., command of the battalion in succession to Brig. General W. St. P. Hughes.
Photo of Capt. A.F. Matheson—caption: Retired manager of the Merchants Bank in town was with the Queen’s Own Regiment, Toronto, for 12 years and with the Governor General’s Foot Guards, Ottawa as Captain for five years.
News that the 80th Eastern Ontario Battalion which left Belleville on the 13th May and was afterwards drafted into the 74th in England has again been drafted this time to the 46th is contained in a letter received by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Donohue, Belleville, from their son Pte. C. Vincent Donohue. Pte. Donohue writes that the 80th may shortly be on the firing line.
About 2,500 artillery men now in training at Petawawa Camp have been warned that they are wanted for overseas duty in the immediate future. The men have been well trained under the able direction of Lt. Col. G. Roy, General Staff Officer. Col. A. T. Ogilvie, commandant of Petawawa, the batteries from the 3rd Military District there are the 50th (Queen’s), 51st, 52nd, 53rd, which constitute the 13th Brigade under Lt. Col. De Bury.
Capt. T.R. Caldwell of Lanark leaves again on Saturday for the battlefield “somewhere in France” after his four months of furlough. He has quite recovered from his injuries.
William J. Wright, son of Mrs. Robert Wright, Carleton Place, was killed in action on the 29th June. He was with the Princess Patricia Light Infantry and is survived by his wife and two children, his mother and three sisters and a brother.
Isaac Kenyon of Burgess received a letter from his son William A. Kenyon on Saturday last. At the time of writing he was in Halifax harbor on board ship ready for going overseas with an Ottawa Signal Section of which he is a member. On arrival in England he will be stationed at Shorncliffe.
Pte. Ed McAfee of the 42nd Guard, Renfrew, is in town this week.
Pte. Robert Newell, Queen’s Field Ambulance, Kingston, spent the weekend in town.
Pte. Thomas Moore of the 130th Battalion, Valcartier, spent the weekend with his parents Mr. and Mrs. Jason Moore, town.
Pte. Douglas Sheater, formerly of the Ottawa Bank, Perth, who is with the 240th Battalion, Renfrew, spent the weekend in town.
Lt. William McLean of the 130th Battalion who has been taking a military course at Ottawa spent the weekend with his father Mr. D. McLean.
Pte. William Mettiwan (?) son of Mrs. B. (?) Mettiwan who enlisted with the 121st Western Irish Regiment, New Westminster, B.C. passed through Smith’s Falls Saturday morning on his way overseas. His mother and members of his family met him there.
W. B. Hart of town received the following interesting letter from Grant Mitchell recently. Grant is with the Army Medical Corps and his letter is exceedingly interesting throughout and is perhaps one of the best first hand accounts of experiences at the front.
Somewhere in Belgium, 28 May, 1916
Dear Mr. Hart: No doubt you will be surprised to hear from me in this far off land of strife. We had a splendid voyage across the pond in the ship Adriatic. We had excellent accommodations occupying the first and second class cabins. I may state this was her first trip as a troopship and she carried no guns. I was both surprised and pleased to see Gerald Brown on board with the 73rd. He looked fine in his kilt. Very few of the men were seasick as we had fine weather across. We made an excellent voyage making the trip in 8 days. We were accompanied by the Baltic and the Empress of Britain and one cruiser. When within 100 miles of Liverpool we woke up one day to find another cruiser and four torpedo destroyers had joined us; a great welcome was given to us at Liverpool as we came into port hundreds of boats gave us the salute with the blowing of the whistles. There was great anxiety in particular as it was rumored the enemy were out to get at least one of us. We did not see much of Liverpool as we entrained for Liphook shortly after we disembarked. On arriving at Liphook we marched to Bramschott Camp and were more than delighted with the camp and the beautiful scenery surrounding it. We did not remain long at this camp but while there I had the pleasure of meeting three Perth boys, Herb Taylor, Fred McCallum and Tom Beatty. I had the good fortune to meet Fred a day or so after we arrived in camp and we had some very pleasant times together. I did not meet Tom Beatty until the day we were leaving. I may state the boys in the 46th were very sorry to lose Herb Taylor as he was very popular among them. He left them to be attached to headquarters. All were looking fine and in the best of spirits.
We remained at Bramschott about three weeks and then entrained at Liphook for Southampton from which place we sailed to a port in France and from there direct by train to a camp where we are now which is about 6 or 8 miles behind the firing line. I am writing by the light of a candle and lantern and can hear the report of guns, the whistle of shells and the great noise when they burst. The enemy are shelling a village about a mile from here. I have been in this village several times. The other night I sent up fairly close to the firing line in a motor ambulance to bring in some patients. We had just passed through the village on the way home when the enemy began to shell the place with some success.
We have charge of a hospital here with an average of 250 patients. We handle the less serious cases and the R.A.M.C. near us takes care of the more serious cases. Edwin Wilson (Woodrow, the boys call him) was a patient in our hospital for a few days. I first met him when I traveled about six miles (it seemed like ten as I walked) to the Princess Pat’s Regiment to see him. He was not aware we were over here and it was a pleasant surprise to see some one from the old home town. He looks very well indeed after his turn of a month in the trenches. He tells me interesting tales. He was here only a few days when he returned to his regiment. While he was here Sgt. Warren, Clareny (?) Cameron and myself celebrated the meeting of the clans by having a dinner in the back of the pack store.
The Red Cross Society is doing wonderful work. We received some wonderful articles for the boys through them. They leave us something every Wednesday and Saturday. In one consignment we received a large barrel of home made preserves. There were labels on some of them showing that the good ladies of Mt. Grove and Wallaceburg are doing their bit in a splendid manner. I can assure you that they would have been more than pleased if they could have seen the boys enjoying the preserves. I retained a jar of maple syrup for myself and we got the cooks to make us some griddle cakes.
We are quartered in a brick barn of which there are three belonging to this farmer who lives in a large brick house. We sleep in a barn where three of the enemy are supposed to have been hanged by Scottish troops for their fiendish treatment of some of the inhabitants here. We have many a good laugh going to bed wondering if ghosts will appear on the stroke of midnight as it is understood that the place of interment is in our section of the barn. We found the toe of a boot sticking up and endeavored to pull it out brought to notice that there was more than the boot coming. It is in the same place yet. It is a well known fact that the Huns were all through this locality. Our barn door is riddled with bullets.
Well, it is the 6th June and so many things have happened since I wrote pages 1-14. I have been up close and received my baptism. A number of us received a hurried call and had to leave for the front and I can tell you I was in the thick of it and saw some fearful sights. I am here save although we had many narrow escapes. I wish I could tell you about it but I cannot.
Posted: 09 March, 2004.