Perth Courier - World War I.
supplied by Christine M. Spencer of Northwestern University, Evanston, Il., USA.
Lanark
Document #6
I like the look of khaki and the cut of army wear
And the man of mettle sporting it, at home and over there.
But there’s something at the heartstrings that tightens when I meet
A blue-clad sailorman adrift on shore leave from the fleet.
From flapping togs his sea legs win some tinge of old romance
That’s proper to the keeper of the paths that lead to
For what were all the soldiers worth that over tossed a gun
Without the ships and sailormen to pit them ‘gainst the Hun?
There’s sunlight now and steady ground beneath the sailor’s tread
And every pleasure beckons him and every snare is spread—
Speed well this visitor whose home ‘twixt heaving decks is set
Whose playmates are the darkness and the bitter cold and wet!
His comrades these his foe is ours, the foe of law and right
The stealthy, murderous German “fish” that prowls and kills by night.
And none may sink him where he swims, floating God’s age built plan
None but the guardian of us all, the rolling sailorman.
His hands are often cruel cold, his heart is often warm
For in its depths he knows ‘tis he that shields the world from harm
Because I know it too, my heart beats warmer when I meet
A blue-clad sailorman adrift, on shore leave from the fleet.
From the
Major G. V. White, M.P., Pembroke will leave in a
day or so on his return overseas. He
will be accompanied by Mrs. White and the children and will take up residence in
Photo of Lt. G.S. Currie
Lt. G. S. Currie of
Pte. Edgar McKerracher has arrived back on duty after a six week sick leave.
Pte. Russell Watt of the 240th Battalion, Renfrew is home for a few days.
Sgt. Gunner Tom Scott and Gunner Harold Stone (?), 52nd Battary, Petawawa are visiting at their homes for a few days and left for camp again on Wednesday night.
Pte Ralph Traill Sinclair,
A memorial service in
Capt. Tom Caldwell sailed from
Photo of Sgt. Tom Scott
Sgt. Tom Scott of the 52nd
Photo of Pte.
Pte. Everett Stone of the Canadian Grenadier Guards,
Photo of Gunner Harold Stone
Gunner Harold Stone of the 52nd
Photo of Trooper William Hope
Trooper William Hope of the 2nd King
Edward’s Horse, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Hope of town.
He has been in
Photo of Capt. John Hope
Capt. John Hope is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Hope of town and went overseas as adjutant of the 59th Battery and is at present at Shorncliffe, England.
Sergeant E. Bradley of Petawawa was the guest of Miss Kathleen McGowan on Sunday.
Photo of Capt. J. L. P. McLaren
Capt. J. L. P. McLaren of town left for Halifax Monday to join the 238th Forestry Battalion which is assembled there preparing to go overseas in the near future. The 238th is considered over strength at the time of finishing recruiting and are numbered 1,400 men and 300 of these are remaining in Canada to form the nucleus of a new 242nd Forestry Battalion. The 238th being recruited from the Dominion, was made up of a splendid body of men who will be a big factor in furnishing timber and lumber for the forces in France.
Photo of Pte. William McGowan
Pte. William McGowan is the son of Mrs. B. McGowan of town and is in England at present with the 121st Western Irish Regiment of New Westminster, B.C.
Clarendon Station: Pte. George Crain has returned to Valcartier after spending a few days at home here.
Photo of Pte. Shirley MacDonnell
Pte. Shirley MacDonnell of Queen’s Field Ambulance, Kingston, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. P.J.C. MacDonnell of town.
Percy Ball received a card on Tuesday from his brother Gordon Ball, who has been in France for several months with a Canadian Signal Corps stating that he had been wounded. The card was one of the regulation cards issued by the military and therefore just stated that he was wounded and was written about two weeks before it arrived at its destination. However, it is thought that Gordon’s injuries are not too serious as he was able to write. Percy also received a letter from his brother Wesley Ball who is with the Canadian Engineers in England. He was seeing the sights in London being on his last leave before going across the Channel to France.
Walter Publow, son of Mr. G. G.(?) Publow, Dairy Inspector, has enlisted and has been promoted to the rank of pay sergeant of the 230th French Canadian Battalion, Ottawa. Another son is a captain in the Army Medical Corps and under orders for an appointment with an overseas unit. Sgt. Walter Publow has been traveling for a Toronto jewelry firm for the last year.
Photo of Gunner Donald McMaster
Gunner Donald McMaster is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John McMaster of town, and is with the 51st Battery at Petawawa.
Pte. Harvey Duke of town who went to the war with the 1st Canadian Contingent lost an eye in a late battle in France and has been mustered out with a pension in view. He has a wife in Perth and is therefore expected home as soon as his injuries allow him.
The 130th Battalion received its last pay in Canada on the 31st August. The 130th now numbers about 700 men and it will likely for a part of the 3rd Brigade under Brigadier Major Wilson of Toronto, Sr. Judge of Renfrew County.
Col. A.E. Ross, C.M.G. with the Canadian Medical Service at the front lines write that the medical work is improving all the time that there is not one third the sickness that there was a year ago. The highest number admitted to ambulance for July was 33. His division led the army for several weeks.
Major G. V. White of Pembroke is reported to have been give a lt. coloncey and appointed to command the 224th Forestry Battalion. In succession to the lt. coloncey, McDougall, officer commanding who will in all probability be promoted to a brigadier generalship with command of a brigade with four battalions. Two new forestry battalions are now being mobilized in Canada while the 224th has been in England for some months past and a fourth will likely be authorized shortly therefore constituting a brigade. Major White was second in command of the 224th Battalion and came home about a month ago on leave. He will leave shortly for England and will be accompanied by Mrs. White and family who will remain with him there.
Photo of Pte. Fred McCallum
Pte. Fred McCallum enlisted with the 50th (?) 56th (?) Batt. Calgary and spent about ten months in England and went to the firing line late in August. He is now serving with the Canadian Signaling Corps in the front line trenches. While in England he went to Scotland and visited with his cousins and also saw the place of his father’s birth Campbeltown, Argylshire, Scotland.
Pte John Mars, son of Mrs. Philip Mars of town who is on the firing line in France with the 38th Battalion was rumored to have been wounded. This is not correct.
The Winnipeg Free Press says Lt. G. C. Mills, Manitoba government aviator, has undergone a fourth operation, this time for appendicitis. He was recovering from the third operation when his thigh bone was broken for the third time during an x-ray exam. He was born in Playfairville in this county and is a relative of Mrs. Peter (Senator) McLaren.
A letter was received this week by the Courier from Pte. Arthur Johnson, formerly a member of the 80th Battalion Bugle Band. Since it was disbanded he has taken up a rifle and at the time of writing had seen three days service in France on the front trenches just 70 yards from the German lines. Arthur says the boys at the front cannot judge when the war will be over but if they can get back home in the Spring they will be lucky.
The following of the 130th Battalion were home
on leave this week: Pte. Charles
Keller with his uncle P.R. McTavish; Pte Walter Ferrier, Pte. W. Sloan, Lance
Corporal Arthur Cooper and Pte. Russell Jackson.
A returning soldier to Smith’s Falls with a limb missing is Corp. R.R. Mitchell of the 21st Battalion. He was obliged to have his leg amputated above the knee following shrapnel wounds received last November near Ypres.
Pte. Ed McAfee of town who has been a member of the 42nd Regimental Guard for a year, has completed his term and is again in civilian clothes. He has been engaged to work in the Renfrew Munitions Factory not being able to pass the military exam for overseas service.
Capt. J. H. Bates of the 130th Battalion who took a special course at the Royal Military College at Halifax during the summer attained his majority and is now Major Bates.
A train passed through Smith’s Falls last Friday night
carrying 700 soldiers from the Petawawa Camp to Halifax preparatory to going
overseas. A number of Perth people
went down to see relatives who were with the batteries going overseas.
Among the Perth boys who were with the 50th, 51st,
and 52nd Batteries were Sgt. Tom Scott, Gunners Russell Stone,
Gordon Barrie, Alphonse Thompson, Terrance McCaffrey and Donald McMaster and
George McLennan. There were 21
boys from Perth in all with the batteries at Petawawa.
Altogether five trains went through Smith’s Falls carrying over 4,000
soldiers from Winnipeg bound for overseas. Among
the infantry battalions were the 100th, 107th and 108th.
Those from Perth to bid the boys adieu were Judge and Mrs. Scott and
son Stanley Scott and daughter Mary Scott, Misses Edna and Isabel McMaster, Mr.
and Mrs. Charles Stone, and Messrs. Clark McLaren, Harry Adams, Roy Barrie and
John Noonan.
Company Sgt. Major William T. Brace who enlisted some months ago at Perth with the 130th Battalion C.E.F. has received his commission in the unit. Lt. Brace was employed by A. McKim Ltd., Montreal previous to his enlistment.
Word was received from some of the former members of the 77th Battalion from Carp (?) (now in the 73rd Highlanders) that indicate that they are now in the trenches. A letter received there says they are now in Belgium and quite near the firing line. The Germans since their arrival had put up a sign with the words “Welcome 73’s”.
Capt. H. J. Airth, quartermaster of the 130th Battalion was in town from 5:00 pm on Sunday until 1:00 pm on Monday. With a number of other officers of the 130th he had traveled from Valcartier to Perth for the purpose of depositing the colors of the 130th Battalion in the Anglican Church there until the return of the battalion from the war. This took place last Sunday after which Capt. Airth motored with friends from Perth to Carleton Place and there entrained for Renfrew. He does not expect to come this way again before a visit to Berlin.
Word was received by Mr. and Mrs. Bothwell of town on Wednesday that their son George Bothwell who had been on duty at the front in France was reported missing and was believed to have been killed in action on the 15th September. He has been serving as an intelligence officer with the Canadian Army and was also doing sniper duty. He enlisted in western Canada with the 51st Battalion and went overseas last June.
Captain John H. McDiarmid, son of Rev. and Mrs. H. J. McDiarmid, of town, died in a military hospital in Halifax on Friday last. He was invalided home from England and the family in town was notified of his arrival in Halifax on Sunday of last week. On his arrival he was taken to the hospital and apparently could not rally from the effects of the ocean voyage and passed to the beyond on the following Friday.
His brother, Capt. (Dr.) Collin A. McDiarmid, medical officer with the 29th (Vancouver) Battalion who was recently home on leave did not expect that the deceased brother was able to travel for another month and the circumstances were rendered more sad when he sailed from Halifax for overseas the very day of his brother’s arrival from England not knowing that he had arrived.
It was fully thought that Capt. John McDiarmid had
recovered sufficiently from his wounds to be free from any serious effects and
his death at Halifax was a great shock to the family who were making
arrangements for his home coming. Miss
Margaret McDiarmid of Vancouver, sister of the deceased being on her way
home, was to spend some time with her brother.
The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon at Kemptville on the
arrival of the train bringing the remains from Halifax.
Members of the family at the funeral were the daughters, parents and two
sisters Mrs. Douglas McCallum of Galt and Miss Mary McDiarmid of Toronto.
At the time of his receiving his wound on the 10th June last which was a shrapnel wound, his lung was pierced. He had been looking after the grave of his brother Archie in Zillebeke Cemetery near Ypres and was returning from the cemetery where his brother had been interred the same day when he was struck by shrapnel and was alone when wounded. He was forced to crawl 150 yards to a dugout where he fainted. He was given first aid there where he remained from 5:00 until 9:00 when finally he was taken in a field ambulance over a very rough road which caused intense sufferings, to a dressing station and had his wound properly attended to. The journey was continued in an ambulance to a casualty clearing station where he remained for ten days hovering on the brink of death and was operated on to locate the shrapnel lodged in his side.
Afterwards, on being sufficiently recovered to travel, he was taken to a hospital in Boulogne at which place his sister Annie was nursing in a hospital and was able to visit him every day. Later he went to London to a hospital for officers and was making good recovery although being very weak as a result of undergoing an operation.
His brother Captain (Dr.) McDiarmid had been injured the same week and was in another London hospital for Canadian officers. In these hospitals the medical attention and skill were wonderful. Previous to being wounded Capt. John McDiarmid had been at the front with the 1st Canadian Division to go on the firing line. He enlisted from Toronto where he had resided for ten years. The first month of the war he was an assistant musketry instructor later going to the front with the 4th Battalion. Before enlisting he had been a Lieutenant in the Royal Grenadiers and previously a member of the Essex Fusiliers. For several years he taught school near Ottawa and was engaged in newspaper work in Ottawa. In Toronto he was a broker. He is the second son of Rev. and Mrs. Scott to give his life for his country. His brother Archie who was killed in action in June had his name appear on the King’s Birthday List for distinguished conduct the very day he received his fatal injury in battle near Ypres.
Sad news was gleaned from the casualty lists on Saturday last when the name of Lt. W. F. Brownlee was reported as killed in action. His fatal injury had been received in the engagement on the western front around Courcelette and Martinpuich (???).
Lt. Brownlee was the second son of William Brownlee of McDonald’s Corners and was born in that township 33 years ago. At the beginning of the war he was in British Colombia. Coming east, he enlisted in the 42nd Regiment and at once took an officer’s course being later attached to the 21st Battalion at Kingston. The 21st was training there until May of 1915 when the battalion went overseas and was in training at Shorncliffe, England until September of 1915. He drafted from the 21st then went on active service in Belgium and Lt. Brownlee was selected among others as an officer to go with this draft. He has been on active service since that time practically one year.
During the course of the war he has been mentioned by official eye witnesses for outstanding bravery and heroism. Perhaps his most notable exploit was in the week of 28th March to 4th April. In the St. Eloi region on the 1st April the British were severely shelled and assistance being required from the Canadians a squad of bombers from the 21st and 18th Battalions went out under Lt. Brownlee and Lt. G. H. Speer. L They bombed the enemy out of his trenches in front of the large crater, establishing a new position and held it until daylight when fresh British troops relieved them. The position captured by the bombers proved valuable as a base of operations against the enemy holding the crater. Starting from this line on the following night the British troops assaulted and captured the crater. Four officers and 80 other ranks were taken prisoners. The new British lines were then joined up and consolidated.
Lt. Brownlee attended the Perth Collegiate Institute and later took his B.A. at Queen’s College. He spent six years in Europe returning to Canada in 1911. In 1912 he was successful in an examination at Ottawa for Provincial Land Surveyor and followed this calling in Manitoba and British Colombia until the commencement of the war.
All will grieve with the family in the loss of so valiant a young man who died as he lived, a hero.
Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Gallinger of Lanark received word on Wednesday of last week that their son Stanley Hudson Gallinger had received a gunshot wound in the chest during one of the recent drives on the western front and was admitted to School’s Military Hospital in Colchester, England on the 19th Sept. His wound is not at all serious and he will be around again in time.
Bruce Scott, son of James Scott of McDonald’s Corners, was reported wounded on Wednesday’s casualty list. An elder brother Norman Scott is reported to be killed in action after serving for some time in France. Four sons of James Scott are with the Canadian Expeditionary Force including Bruce and Norman, Campbell and Jack. The latter is a member of the 130th Battalion.
The 238th Forestry Battalion now overseas has been ordered to France where the battalion will likely assist in construction work besides providing timber for the troops. Capt. J. L. F. McLaren and others from this district are members of this battalion.
Judge Scott received a cablegram from his son Sgt. Tom Scott on Thursday at noon which briefly contained the following: “Arrived safely, fine voyage, good health, writing later”. Tom is with the 51st Battery which left for overseas recently.
Lt. Alex Rosamund, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Rosamund of Almonte, is reported killed in action during a battle of 15th September. No further particulars have been received. Lt. Rosamund went to England about two years ago and enlisted with the Royal Fusiliers and served with them for some time but when the Princess Pats were reorganizing he was chosen as one of them and since served with them in France. Following the death of lhis uncle Bennett Rosamund of Almonte he was appointed president of the Rosamund Company there, a position in which he made good. In connection with the foregoing a letter from Pte. Gallinger of the Princess Pats in France to his father Jacob Gallinger of Lanark says among other interesting things: “Did I ever tell you that we have A.G. Rosamund of Almonte 2nd in command of our company? You will remember that his uncle ran some years ago as a Conservative member for North Lanark.”
Capt. Ed Wilson and Sgt. Fred Thompson of town who have been with the Dental Corps at Petawawa lately are leaving for overseas next week.
Signaller Gordon Ball of town who received a Distinguished Conduct Medal for assisting wounded men back to the safety lines in France during an engagement and who was wounded, has completely recovered and returned to active service.
As the 130th was not up to full strength when going overseas several of the officers have been transferred to other units. Chaplain Major McIntosh shall remain at Valcartier. Lts. Kemp and Sparham have joined the 240th Battalion. Lt. McMinn is with the Special Service Battalion at Valcartier and Lt. Baxter has not officially taken an appointment.
Casualty Lists:
Killed in Action:
Pte. Cecil Elmus Bryce, kin at Carleton Place.
Lt. Fisher Brownlee, kin at McDonald’s Corners.
Pte. Archie Kean, kin at Almonte
Lance Corp. Harry S. Minnin (?), kin at Kingston.
Lt. Alexander George Rosamund, kin at Almonte.
Died of Wounds: Pte. Arnold L. Davidson, kin at Beachburg, Ontario
Wounded:
Pte. Archibald Brownlee, kin at Kingston
Lance Corporal Lee Casselman, kin at Williamsburg
Lance Corporal Laurence F. M. Dunning, kin at Van Sleek Hill
Pte. James Lunam (?), kin at Campbell’s Bay
Lance Corporal Colin Hickey, kin at Horton, Renfrew
Pte. Harold Gray McLaren, kin at Renfrew
Pte. Dennis Murphy, kin at Kingston
Pte. William McLean Nicoll, kin at Brockville
Pte. Walter Ruston (?), kin at Cobden
Lt. J. G. Copeland, kin at Cornwall
Pte. Charles Le Roche (?), kin at Cornwall
Sgt. Rob Roy Airth of Renfrew who was with the 21st Battalion was killed in action on the 12th Sept. He is a son of Capt. Harry Airth quartermaster of the (illegible number) Battalion. He had been on duty at the battlefront for a considerable time. He was a grandson of Sgt. Henry Airth, a pioneer of Renfrew. He represented the third generation of the family in soldier’s uniform. He enlisted at Renfrew as a private a few months after the outbreak of the war and soon rose to sergeant’s rank. Before enlisting Rob Roy Airth was a member of the Citizen’s Band at Renfrew and by vocation was a plumber. He was in his early 20’s.
The funeral of the late Capt. J. H. McDiarmid who died at Halifax was held at Kemptville on Wednesday of last week. The father, Rev. McDiarmid of Perth, was pastor of St. Paul’s Church at Kemptville for 18 years. The family were well known in Kemptville and hundreds turned out for the funeral to pay their last respects.
Photo of Pte. Robert A. Moodie and Private Stuart M. Moodie
Pte. Robert A. Mooded and Pte. Stuart M. Moodie are sons of Mr. and Mrs. Abram Moodie of Burgess. Stuart is with the (illegible number) Battalion at Shorncliffe, England while Robert is with the (illegible number, looks like three letters, maybe beginning and ending with 1’s??) Battalion at Camp Hughes, Sewell (?), Man.
The 50th, 51st, 52nd and
42nd Batteries arrived safely in England according to a dispatch
received on Tuesday evening. With
these batteries were Sgt. Tom Scott, Gunners Harold Stone, Gordon Barrie,
Alphonse Thompson, Donald McMaster, Terrence McCaffrey and George McLennan from
Perth.
The pluck of Capt. W. H. Hooper of the 42nd Regiment, now a prisoner of war in Germany, is related in an incident by Sgt. A. Gibbons, a returning prisoner, who resides in Toronto and is now in Ottawa with an exhibit for the Ontario government. “The heroism of the Canadians” says Sgt. Gibbons, “seemed to be well established in the minds of the prisoners at Gerssen (?) where he was held. He was asking a French prisoner there why it was that Canadians were considered so brave and he took a card from his pocket. It was Capt. Hooper’s card and the French soldier told me that after Capt. Hooper was taken he was being roughly treated when the officer snatched a small Union Jack from his pocket and waved it in the Germans’ faces. The French soldier seemed much impressed with the bravery of this officer and prized the card very highly”. Sgt. Gibbons has been in Canada for some time. He was one of the exchanged prisoners, being badly wounded. He went overseas with the 3rd Battalion and was wounded and captured at St. Julien (?). He says that the German treatment to the prisoners was anything but kindly. They frequently misused them and their diet consisted on black bread and soup.
Casualties:
1. Private Stanton Hudson, son of Mr. Daniel Hudson of Burritt’s Rapids and formerly of Perth was reported on the casualty list this week as being wounded. He was with the 73rd Highlander’s Black Watch.
2. Private Sidney Davidson—A telegram was received by Pte. Sidney Davidson’s mother in town on Wednesday stating that he had received a gunshot wound in one of his limbs. He was admitted to the 2nd Australian General Hospital in Boulogne on Monday of last week. He enlisted from Perth with the Canadian Grenadier Guards and had been in the front a few months.
3. Private George Cardick was reported Friday on the casualty list as being wounded. His was a gunshot wound in the head and although quite severe he will recover. He is the son of Mrs. Robert Cardick, Sr., of this town and brother of Messr. Richard, Robert and Samuel of town. He was in Porcupine at the time of enlistment with the Canadian Grenadier Guards and went to England with his regiment. In June he went to France with a draft from the Grenadiers and had been in the trenches since that time.
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Charlton received a letter on Tuesday from their son Wilfred Charlton stating that he would likely sale from England for Canada and in all probability would be in Toronto on Thanksgiving Day where he will remain at the convalescent home for some time.
Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Code of North Elmsley received official word on Wednesday morning of last week to the effect that their son Pte. Milford Code, Number 59179 has been admitted to the #8 General Hospital at Rouen, on the 16th Sept. wounded in the left leg. Pte. Code enlisted at Smith’s Falls 22 months ago and was attached to the infantry of the 21st Battalion at Kingston. He went overseas 16 months ago and had been in the trenches a year. Three months ago he was transferred to the machine gun section.
Two Carleton Place men’s names appeared on the casualty list recently, Ralph Simpson, son of W. R. Simpson and Albert H. Dowell. Both were wounded.
Photo of Sgt. Peter McIntyre
Sgt. Peter McIntyre is with the 67th (University) Battery at Petawawa.
Photo of Gunner Gordon Scott
Gunner Gordon Scott is the son of Rev. & Mrs. A. H. scott of Perth and is with the 67th (University) Battery at Petawawa.
Photo of Sapper Hubert Dawson
Sapper Hubert Dawson is the son of Mr. and Mrs. S.T. Dawson of town. He is with the Divisional Signaling Corps and leaves for overseas in the near future. He joined the unit in April while attending Toronto University.
Four photos of the four sons of Mrs. And Mrs. James G. Scott of McDonald’s Corners
Sapper Campbell C. Scott is in France, Gunner Norman G. G. Scott was killed in action, Sapper Bruce Scott was wounded and Private Jack Scott is with the 130th overseas Battalion.
Word was received on Tuesday evening, 26th September that Gunner Norman Gould Scott had died on the 17th September of gunshot wounds in the shoulder and chest received during the recent heavy engagement on the western front, says the Era. Norman was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. J.G. Scott of McDonald’s Corners and grandson of the late Alexander Henderson Mowat, Esq., of Toronto and also a nephew of the late J. Gordon Mowat of Toronto, who was well known in the literary world as a publisher and also an editor of the Canadian Magazine in its first years and formed part of the editorial staff of the Globe when the late Hon. G. Brown took a prominent part in its publication. Norman was born in Guelph on the 18th Sept., 1889 and would have seen his 28th birthday had he lived another day. He joined the ranks in January of 1915 in Porcupine and trained in Montreal with the Division Machine Gun Section for the Second Overseas Division. After further training in England, he went on active service on the western front with the Borden Armoured Machine Gun Battery and for the last year has fought bravely for his King and country in making the supreme sacrifice died a hero’s death. He was a lad of unselfish and genial disposition and is deeply mourned by his dear ones and friends.
On the morning of the same day the message was received of Norman’s death a message came from Ottawa stating that Bruce Henderson Scott, another brother, had been wounded by gunshot in the hip in heavy engagement and had on the 16th been removed to the Canadian General Hospital at Boulogne. Bruce enlisted in the early part of 1915 with the Queen’s University Unit at Kingston and formed part of the 6th Field Co. of Canadian Divisional Engineers at Ottawa. He trained there during the spring of 1915 and after some months also at Shorncliffe, England. Finally he went to eh western front trenches a year ago last September and up to the time of his wounding has been doing strenuous work in the engineer’s department and has shown great bravery under heavy shell and machine gun fire.
Campbell C. Scott, another brother of Norman and Bruce and second son of Mr. and Mrs. J.G. Scott had just completed his fourth year in the arts at Queen’s Unversity when he enlisted with his fellow students at the same time as his brother Bruce, with the 6th Field Company Canadian Divisional Engineers. Some months ago he won the Military Medal for Distinguished Bravery. He took off wounded during heavy action and in the face of almost certain death from shell and machine gun fire. He was a graduate of the Perth Collegiate Institute before entering Queen’s.
Still another brother, making four brothers from one family who have joined the colors and offered his service for his country is Jack Wallace Scott. He discontinued his studies at the Perth Collegiate Institute that he might serve Canada in going overseas to the western front. He was as keen and as in earnest as any of his brothers in serving his country and has just left Valcartier for England.
The three brothers, Norman, Campbell and Bruce often met in their billets in France although engaged in different military duties. When in Canada they had not met for years Bruce being out at the Pacific coast near Vancouver and Norman for some years engaged in mining and lumber in other districts of Ontario.
Mr. J.G. Scott’s brother David Scott and his two sons Gordon and Douglas have also enlisted from Saskatchewan and one sister Mrs. John Gould of Stratford, Ontario, has three sons, Bruce, Howard and Earl, who have joined the colors.
In a letter received by his mother of town, Private Arthur Johnston who is serving in the front line trenches makes mention of having met Messrs. Jack Sene (?), Jack Mars, Denzil Mitchell and Phillip Poline (?) all formerly of Perth. He also makes mention of David Simpson of Carleton Place who was recently wounded. Private Simpson was handing a sand bag to Arthur when he was hit in the neck by a bullet which finally passed through his shoulder. He will recover.
Private Shirley MacDonnell of the Queen’s Field Ambulance, Kingston was home over the weekend.
Mrs. Thomas Bothwell of town received a letter from Lt. George Currie, son of Dr. Currie in which he gives particulars of the death of Lt. George Bothwell at the front on the 15th Sept.
18 September, 1916
Dear Mrs. Bothwell:
By the time this letter reaches you, you will have heard the terrible tragedy which happened to your boy and my old and best friend, on the 15th September when he was killed. I have had many hard losses by this war but none to compare with the loss of George. My heart sank when I heard it and I find it hard to realize he is gone. I was not far away from him when it happened although he did not know of my presence.
A new attack was commenced by the British on a large frontage on the morning of the 15th which raided a German strong point at Mouquet Farm east of Albert (?). The raid was a complete success. One of the prisoners surrendered to George with his hands up but when George turned around to call for an escort the wretch shot him through the head. The German was at once killed by one of George’s men. It was a dastardly trick and one which cannot be forgiven to that dastardly race.
George was a gallant soldier and died for a great cause. I visited his battalion as soon as we came out and great regret was expressed by everybody on his account. Many, many kind things were said about him and I was given a most kind reception when I announced that I was one of his oldest friends.
Oh, I do wish I could really express in writing how I feel but I cannot! I wish I could speak to you personally and shake your hand but if I am spared to survive this cursed war I shall go to you immediately upon my return to Canada.
The attack made by the Canadians was a great and glorious success. My own regiment advanced to a depth of 2,000 yards on one place and took many prisoners but our losses were severe. The carnage was awful and the sights I have witnessed in this war have been enough to turn my heart to stone. I feel very lonely now being the only officer remaining now of those who came overseas with me. George McDonald was seriously wounded. He was, as you know, my partner in business as well as my cousin and I shall miss him here a great deal.
The war will last a long time yet but every Bosch I kill in the future will be revenge for George. My turn to be a casualty will come soon now in this strenuous fighting but I feel that I am prepared for any event. This war you cannot escape and I have so far been more fortunate then the great majority.
We are winning, however, slowly but surely giving the Germans some severe punishment for their unpardonable crime in starting this carnage. I for one will certainly never consent to give up until we give him all we can. The result may possibly mean the almost extinction of the fighting generation of both races. Some men at home are not playing the game and doing their duty but I should think that the punishment they are receiving from their own consciences will be some reward.
Please excuse this pessimistic tone to this letter but I am very tired and have just come out of the trenches and last night I slept on the ground in the open in pouring rain. My friends have been dropping off all around me and now the loss of George is a blow that almost knocks me out.
Please accept my deepest and heart felt sympathy. You, of course, know how I feel and I need not attempt to write down my thoughts. I only wish it were possible for me to replace George.
Yours, George S. Currie
Mr. and Mrs. S.T. Dowson of town received a cablegram Thursday morning from their son Hubert Dowson stating that the Signal Corps of which he was a member had arrived in England and was stationed at Shorncliffe Camp.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stone received a letter from their son Harold Stone who is with the 52nd Battery at Whitley Camp, England in which he gives some particulars of the trip across which was a safe one. The 50th, 51st, and 52nd Batteries recently went overseas and are at Whitley Camp in England.
A cablegram was received by Mrs. J.E. deHertel on Saturday morning from her husband Colonel deHertel stating that the steamer Lapland carrying the 130th Battalion had arrived safely in England on Friday afternoon. He also said that they would be stationed at Sandling Camp in England.
W.E. Earle of the Albion Hotel received a card this week from his nephew George Earle who is in the trenches in France in which he says: “We were in the trenches ten days. Most of our men were in the front lines. We hope to be going to rest camp for a few days rest. We had a few hot times still we got along very good. We lost three men and two were wounded. We had the pleasure of capturing two German prisoners so you see we did very good for a start.”
Photos of Capt. E. H. Wilson and Sgt. Fred Thompson
Capt. E. H. Wilson, A.D.D.S. of the Army Dental Corps has been at Petawawa for the better part of the summer. Sgt. Fred Thompson is an assistant to Capt. Wilson and both were recently home on leave for a last time in Perth before sailing overseas where dental work will be done for the Canadian troops.
Early in the war Hamilton Bliss, Smith’s Falls, son of Rev. Canon Bliss enlisted and went overseas as a private. He has been on active service until a couple of weeks ago. He went over to England on leave and had to go into hospital for treatment. While he was there his commanding officer recommended him for promotion and when he left the hospital quite recovered he was given a commission and attached as lieutenant to one of the Canadian units. The promotion came to him in recognition of his good work and is all the greater honor for him. He is now back in France on the firing line.
Photo of Private Walter Ferrier, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Ferrier of town, who is at present with the 130th Battalion Brass Band of Sandling Camp, England.
The following interesting letter was the last received by William Brownlee of McDonald’s Corners from his son Lt. Fisher Brownlee before he was killed in action:
Dear Father and Mother:
I am now quite bomb proof until the end of the month when I return to the Battalion. I have been here a week and it is a fine change. Only if I listen very hard do I hear any of the big guns and I try not to listen. We are in an old convent on top of a hill surrounded by lovely trees with shady paths all through and about. The people here seem to have the habit of building on the top of hills as a great number of them (the hills) have a convent or chateau on them. The view is simply grand. The ground is agricultural for miles around and slopes down gently to the river which almost encircles the hill at a distance of two or three miles. The grain is just now getting ripe. At least the wheat is and the checkerboard effect of one square of bright gold and then some green next to a white one and so on with the roads running zigzag through all and here and there the spire of a parish church marking the location of a village. I will be here for about three more weeks. Fisher (transcriber’s note, this letter was not transcribed in its entirety.)
Photo of Sgt. James F. McVeety, of the 120th Battalion, who is at present at Sandling Camp, England. He is the son of Mrs. James McVeety of Perth.
Photo of Corp. J. E. Ferrier, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Ferrier of the Scotch Line. He is attached to the quartermaster staff of the 130th Battalion.
Local Casualties:
1. Pte. James Douglas was officially reported wounded this week. His injury was a gunshot wound in the wrist. He is a son of Mrs. James Douglas of town and enlisted with a western regiment.
2. Gunner Norman Rogers of Gananoque was killed in action on the 27th September. He was with the 27th Brigade and was a nephew of Miss Riddell of town. Ronald Graham of London, another nephew, is reported missing.
3. Pte. G.M. Brown, 53rd Battalion Saskatchewan, son of Mrs. Alexander Brown of Lanark Village, was officially reported wounded by shrapnel in the hand this week and admitted to Norfolk War Hospital, Thorpe, Norwich, England. He has two brothers who went overseas also, Jas. Brown with the 130th Battalion Brass Band and Arthur Brown, who is serving in France with the Mechanical Transport.
4. Norman T. Stewart was killed in action “somewhere in Flanders” on the 20th Sept. last. He was 36 years old and was born at Balderson and as a child attended school there. When 12 years old, he, with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Stewart moved to Lanark and later than that moved to Ottawa. Before enlisting the deceased was a bookkeeper for Thrall & Sons of Lake Charles, Louisiana. He returned to his native land and enlisted with the 38th battalion. After training some time at Barriefield he spent the winter of 1915 at Bermuda and went to England last May. When volunteers were required for bombing and trench mortar work he offered his services and was accepted and sent to Flanders to engage in that most dangerous duty. He had been in the trenches four months when he died.
It is officially announced that the following troops have arrived safely in England: 111th, 130th, 136th, 146th (?), Ontario Battalions; 189th and (illegible number) French Canadian Battalions; 113th Highlanders Battalion, Alberta; 96th Highlanders Battalion, Saskatchewan; 148th Montreal Battalion; 140th and 145th New Brunswick Battalions; #5 Battery Siege Artillery PEI; #8(?) Battery Siege Artillery Halifax; Army Service Corps Signallers; Royal Free Corps.
Out of the 365,000 men enlisted in Canada since the war commenced, there are about 310,000 effectives left at the end of the 25 months. Of these, about 50,000 men or four full divisions are at the front. 120,000 are now in England and about 100,000 in Canada. The total casualties in Canadian forces since the beginning of the war are about 40,000 of whom over 6,000 have been killed in action and nearly 2,300 have died of wounds. Some 28,000 have been wounded and about 1,300 reported missing; the proportion of prisoners is noticeably small.
Photo of Pte. Keith Walker—Pte. Keith Walker, son of Mrs. John Walker of Perth, is with the Imperial Army Service Corps at present in German East Africa.
Photo of Gunner Gordon Barrie—Gunner Gordon Barrie, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Barrie of Perth, is with the 51st Battery in Witley Camp, England.
Capt. W.R. Caldwell of Carleton Place has gone on duty again in Canada for three months before returning to the front. He has been at home from France for some time. Capt. And Mrs. Caldwell left in Wednesday for London.
The Perth 2 Tay Chapter of the I.O.D.E. will hold a shower for Christmas gifts for the soldiers in the Town Hall on Wednesday evening 1st November from 3:30 to 8:00. We want every local boy and man in “khaki” overseas to get a box from Perth. The following suggestions are made for those wondering what to bring for their donation: socks, scarfs, mufflers, handkerchiefs, toothbrushes, toothpaste, writing paper, writing pads, lead pencils, cigarettes, tobacco, chocolate, gum, nuts, mouth organs, pipes, knives, playing cards, George Washington coffee, cocoa, peppermints, dates. An admission will be charged of ten cents for the afternoon tea which will help with the postage on the parcels. Those willing to help in any way should see Mrs. T. W. Beeman
This week William Earle received a letter from his nephew George Earle who is with the 73rd Battalion in France. The letter is written on the 22nd September and in part he says: “We have been in the trenches for 22 days but hope to be going out within the next few days. We have had a pretty hand these last few days—it rained quite a bit and in some parts of the trench we had a foot of mud and when Fritz started shelling us it was some job plowing through the mud to get under cover. Still we are coming through it all with very few casualties. I have been very lucky so far although I have had a few close calls but we do not mind that so long as we all pull through we are very well satisfied. I guess you have learned about the big bombardments that was on a few nights ago. All our big guns and machine guns were going together. It was some sight to see all the guns flashing in the darkness. I will bet anything Fritz said his prayers for quite a few hours that night for the shells just rained down on him and all he could give us was one now and then which did very little harm. I almost forgot to tell you that I met Arthur Johnson one morning. I was having a wash and a shave in a shell hole. I was delighted when I turned around and caught his eye on me.”
Sgt. A. Walsh, late of the Royal West Kents has arrived at his home in Smith’s Falls. He has been at the front since January of 1915. He was wounded at Ypres and took part in the great battle of Loos. He received his discharge being unfit for military service.
Mrs. R.A. Galbraith, Mrs. William Findlay and daughter and Miss Graham have arrived in Carleton Place from England their ocean trip accomplished on the Motagama. Their voyage to and from were pleasant and they had no problem from submarines. Each of the sons of Mrs. Galbraith and Mrs. Findlay are in the British Airship Service.
Gunner Norman Rogers the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Rogers, Gananoque and nephew of Miss Riddel of Perth, who was killed in action, enlisted here going with a Kingston battery and had only been at the front a few weeks. He was about 30 years of age. His father is the proprietor of a china shop in Gananoque. For about 8 years the deceased was connected with the Bank of Toronto in several places. Besides his parents he leaves two married sisters.
It is official: R.D. Sprague of Belleville received word that his son Pte. Milburn Sprague has been released from a German prison at Stuttgart and was now at the Queen Alexandria Hospital in England. His leg was shattered by shrapnel on 2nd June and he lay for five days in a dugout until discovered and captured by the Germans. His leg was amputated in Belgium the following day and he was removed to Stuttgart in July. Two brothers are fighting in the Somme and another brother is principal of Hamilton Technical School.
Local Casualties:
1. James McLean, a nephew of T.A. McLean of Ferry Road was killed in action recently. His parents are in western Canada and he enlisted at Edgeley, Saskatchewan.
2. Lloyd Clarke, son of Mr. Samuel Clarke of town has been wounded in the left arm while in France. Mr. Clarke has another son who is also with the Canadian forces in France.
3. Major S.W. Gilroy—Official notice has been received by Mrs. Gilroy of Smith’s Falls that her husband Major S.W. Gilroy was among the wounded and is now in a hospital in France. Major Gilroy is postmaster of Smith’s Falls Post Office.
4. Fred McMeekin—Mrs. W. McMeekin of town received word this week that her brother-in-law Fred who was with the Army Medical Corps in France was killed in action on the 27th September. Mrs. McMeekin’s husband is also in France with the Canadian forces.
5. Sgt. C. H. Mayberry was reported by Monday’s casualty list to have received a gunshot wound in the chest. He received the injury on the 22nd October. He is the son of the late Mr. Henry Mayberry of Perth and was born here. His mother lives in Montreal and he is a nephew of Mr. George Thompson of town.
The following letter was received by the father of the late Norman Scott.
France, 20th Sept. J.G. Scott, Esq., McDonald’s Corners
Sir: I regret very much to have to tell you that Pte. Norman G. G. Scott, #257 Machine Gun Battery, was wounded in action on the 17th Sept. and died about 6:00 the same evening. He was buried at a village called Warloy on the Somme. Pte Scott was in my machine gun section one of my very best men and is greatly missed by the boys especially those who, like myself, knew him in Cobalt(?) and Porcupine. He was very popular with everyone and always willing and obliging besides being a first class machine gunner. Yours Very Sincerely, Lt. W. F. Battersby
A cable received at Brockville states that Capt. The Reverend W.E. Kidd has been awarded the Military Cross. He brought in four wounded men under heavy fire and with Capt. The Reverend Mr. Thompson dug the graves and buried 150 men. All the help they had were shells dropping around them making holes in the earth. Capt. Kidd went overseas as Chaplain with the 21st Battalion.
Mrs. John Douglas received a telegram on Tuesday stating that her son James Douglas received a gunshot wound in the wrist while in France and was now in Bearwood Hospital, Workingham, Berkshire, England and the wound was improving nicely.
Word was received by his mother in town this week that Pte. Sydney Davison of the Canadian Grenadier Guards was in a critical condition in England as a result of wounds received in the face and one of his limbs while in France.
Letters were received from Ptes. Arthur Johnston and John Enright who are “somewhere in France”. They are both well and speak of the many Perth boys they are meeting in France.
Alfred Kennedy of this town received a letter this week from David Ferguson of the 2nd Royal Scots stating that he had been wounded while at the front in France, finally losing one eye and now in Queen Mary’s Military Hospital in Whaley (?) near the city of Blackburn in Lancashire, England. Before returning to the old country in the fall of last year he was a carpet weaver here and sang in Knox Church choir. He says: “don’t think for a moment that I have forgotten you. I was sure moved around while I was here. I was on the Somme front and took part in the big advance on the 15th Sept. I will never forget it, it was awful, machine guns and shrapnel. How I ever got out with only one bullet wound is a mystery. It would take me too long here to tell you of my experiences so I will just continue by telling you of the extent of my injuries. A bullet wound came through my face, a very close thing. I am marked down as severely wounded and there is no doubt about it. I have suffered some and am still suffering. My left eye has been taken out and I have had a half dozen plates taken with the X Ray. However, I am aye trying to look on the bright side and am always hoping for the best. I think there are more Canadians here then any other part of the forces. It will be a long time before I can get out of this place but I hope to be home for Christmas.
Local Casualties:
1. Lance Corporal Alexander McEwen of the Mounted Rifles reported last Friday on the list of Canadians killed in action. He was the son of Mr. Peter McEwen of Cowley, Alberta and a nephew of Mr. W. P. McEwen of Perth.
2. Gordon Mitchell—Word was received about two weeks ago by his mother at Guelph that Gordon Mitchell, formerly of this town, had received a wound in the knee and had also suffered serious injury to his head, being unconscious for 5 days while in France.
3. James Smith—Word was received in town this week to the effect that James Smith, a former townsman, and who played in the Perth Citizens Band, had been killed in action in France. The report came through an indirect source and it is not known whether it is correct or not.
4. Pte. Joseph King of Ottawa, who enlisted with the 59th Battalion at Brockville and went overseas in March, was on the list of those killed in action in Monday’s papers. He was killed on October 3. He leaves two daughters, Miss Alma King, an adopted daughter of John Lee, turnkey, Perth and Miss Lydia King of Renfrew.
5. Capt. Ronald Scott—R.R. Scott was reported wounded on Wednesday’s casualty list and although Rev. and Mrs. Scott of town have received no word to the effect that it is their son, they have cabled the war office to get particulars. His wounding would be reported in all probability to his wife who is in London at present. Captain Scott, who is a medical officer of the 1st Royal Fusiliers was on a brief visit to his parents in October, having had a short leave from his duties in France.
6. John A. Drysdale—Rev. A.W. Drysdale of Middleville received a cablegram notifying him that his brother John A. Drysdale was seriously wounded in the right leg in France. He was with the 79th Cameronian Highlanders and was an instructor of the Battalion orchestra. He was offered this position with stripes including that of paymaster but refused all being quite willing to remain with the boys he had enlisted with. He spent some time at Middleville and Appleton and at the time of his enlisting was with the auditing department of the C.P.R. at Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.
A telegram was received at Kingston on Sunday morning 14th October stating that Major John MacDonald Mowat, son of Mrs. J. B. Mowat of that city had been missing since 9th October and that he might have been killed on that date. Major Mowat went overseas with a Vancouver battalion which was broken up into drafts after it reached England. In order to get to the front as quickly as possible he accepted the temporary rank of Captain. He was in action with the Canadians on the Somme front. Major Mowat was one of Kingston’s most popular sons. After graduating from Queen’s he entered the legal profession and practiced in Kingston until he went to Vancouver in 1912 to join a leading law firm in that city. He was mayor of Kingston in 1906 and 1907. In 1911 he was a Liberal candidate there for the Commons but was defeated by W.F. Nickle. In British Colombia he was active in military circles since the war began and went overseas last summer. For some years he was an officer in the 14th P.W.O.R. His mother lives in Kingston. He is a nephew of the late Sir Oliver Mowat and brother of Herbert M. Mowat, K.C. Toronto.
Posted: 5 April, 2004.