Perth Courier - World War I.

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

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Lanark County in World War I

Document #15

Somewhere in France he lies at rest

For King and Country he did his best

With other comrades he did his part

And did his duty with a loyal heart

They laid him away in a khaki shroud

Underneath the sun kissed sod

For just as the vesper bell rang out

His soul was wafted up to God

In Memorium

Butler—In fond and loving memory of Private Thomas Butler of the 75^th Battalion who was killed 1^st March, 1917

Father and Sister

Perth Courier, March 1, 1918

The Home Town Paper

It’s like a smiling friendly face

It’s like a voice you long have known

You see it in some distant place

And rush to claim it for your own

The paper from the old home town

Has bridged the long and weary mile

And with it you can settle down

Among familiar tears and smiles.

It speaks for every friend you know

It tells of scenes you yearn to see

It brings back joys of long ago

And tells of joys there are to be.

And as you run its columns o’er

Your yesterdays come trooping back

You fancy you’re at home once again

And golden seem the letters black

It’s speech is one you understand

It tells you griefs that you can share

It brings you in that foreign land

Glad messages to banish care

There among scenes and faces strange

The old home paper seems to be

The faithful friend that does not change

A friend that you are glad to see.

I know not just what Heaven is like

Nor just what joys beyond life tides

Await for me when death shall strike

And I shall reach the other side

But this I know when I have gone

To dwell in realms divinely fair

My soul will yearn to look upon

The old home papers over there.

E.A.G.

Perth Courier, Feb. 15, 1918

The following letter was received by Miss Carrie Brown of Lanark on the 7^th December from her brother Pte. J.F. Brown, who was wounded on the 3^rd November during the Passchendacie(?) attack and is now in #7 Stationary Hospital in Boulogne

5^th November, 1917

Dear Sister and All:

Just to let you know I am well and getting on fine.  I suppose you heard I was slightly wounded and reported a casualty but glad to say I will be about again in a few days.  I met H. Reid coming out of action while I was going in; he looked well and is safe as far as I know.  R. Gamble was well when I left for the dressing station but a large number of the 240^th boys were gone the long trail fighting like heroes and died like men not afraid of doing all that Canada expected of her soldiers and more.  I must mention one who when severely wounded in the knee was ordered back to the rear when the word passed along Fritz is coming over.  He simply said I cannot run but I can shoot and fixing his bayonet charged over the parapet with the rest of the company which was the last I heard of him.  Then there is something else you would be interested in—how the Red Cross are doing their bit.  I saw them taking a wounded man on a stretcher and wading almost through knee deep mud and shells bursting everywhere carrying on coolly as if it were raining and carrying the stretcher for a distance of almost two miles, wounds dressed and placed in a motor ambulance then rushed to the hospital where they receive every attention imaginable for comfort.  I will write again soon so do not worry and I expect to be out of the hospital in a short time.

Your loving brother,

Pte. J.F. Brown #1042469

21^st Battery, Canada, France

Pte. John Gibson, Bathurst who lately returned from the battlefields suffering from physical weakness, was honored by his neighbors and friends at a public gathering in Campbell’s Hall, Fallbrook, on Thursday night, 24^th Jan., when an address was read and Reeve John Blair addressed the meeting and called to witness the unselfish spirit which prompted Pte. Gibson to leave the comforts of civil life for the sake of his country’s honor.  He had joined the ranks of that noble band of young lusty Canadians who had done so much to establish the name of Canada firm and lasting among the best of the earth who are determined that justice and truth shall not perish.  Many would never return but there names and the deeds they did will remain in the hearts and memories of all loyal Canadians who are proud that the might of her sons did not fail in the hour of peril.  Mr. George Kerr also added words of eulogy for gallant service and welcome to the hearts and affections of the people of the soldier’s old home.  Mr. DeQuitteville and Miss Margaret Blair added to the pleasure of the occasion by their singing of songs and also recitations by Miss Lake, Ruby Skillington and Jessie Anderson.  Pte. Gibson acknowledged all these kind marks of esteem and assured his hearers that he was proud to be a Canadian more than ever.  He enlisted in March of 1915 with the 130^th Battalion and continued in the ranks with his comrades to France and all through the important operations in which he took part.

Perth Courier, Feb. 22, 1918

Pte. Hugh Miller, son of Mrs. Benjamin Miller of North Burgess returned from overseas to his home on Monday last.  He went overseas with the 93^rd(Peterboro) Battalion and saw considerable service in France before being severely wounded in the limb in January of 1917.  He spent one year in hospitals in England.

Pte. Alf Fielding who has been overseas for two years returned home this week on leave.

Correction in the List of Appeals

In the list of Military Service Act appeals last week those given as disallowed were disallowed further exemptions by the Appeal Tribunal but exemption granted by the other local tribunals still remain as before.  Therefore, it must not be understood the original exemptions obtained by applicants were also disallowed.  A number of errors crept into the list which was quite lengthy and the current exemptions in these cases are as follows:

E. J. Sadley, allowed to October, 1920, Carleton Place

James Legary, allowed while farming, McDonald’s Corners

Robert W. Sargeant, exempt till Class 2, Maberly, #2

Fred L.  W- - i n -, allowed, Almonte, #4

Howard McCreary, exempt while farming, Carleton Place

Wallace M. Johnson, exempt till Class 2, Carleton Place

Byron Bolton Bowland, exempt as farmer, Carleton Place, @1

William J. Henry, exempt till Class 2, Carleton Place, #1

John W. Cram, allowed, Carleton Place

Donald N. McDougall, allowed, Carleton Place

Thomas Albert Armstrong, allowed, Carleton Place #1

John Alfred Lowe, allowed, Carleton Place #1

Russell Hammond Willows, allowed, Carleton Place #1

John Thomas Sadler(?), allowed, Carleton Place #1

Russell G. Burns, Category C., Lanark

Walter G. Cameron, allowed to Sept., 1918, Fallbrook

Lawrence Flemming, Category C

Stephen McArthur, Category E., Almonte

William Aubrey Hunt, allowed to September, 1918, Pakenham

Frances L. Galvin, allowed to January 15, 1919(?), Carleton Place

Albert Henry Cooper, allowed to Sept. 1, 1918, Stanleyville

James Joseph Pennett, allowed while farming, Perth #2

Thomas C. Morris, allowed to April, 1918, Carleton Place

The Epworth League and Sunday School of Carleton Place Methodist Church received a letter from Capt. Hooper still a prisoner of war in Switzerland acknowledging a Christmas parcel and stating that he is to have another chance for release.  If on examination he is 50 per cent physically unfit his release will be allowed.

Mrs. Robert Cordick of town received the following letter recently from the lieutenant commanding the platoon in which her son the late George Cordick was serving when he fell in Belgium.

Dear Mrs. Cordick:

I have put off many times writing you about your son’s death.  I had the honor to command the platoon which your son was in for most of the summer and I got to know him well.  We went through many bad places and had many lucky escapes then came the big fight in Belgium.  We all went into it with a splendid spirit which of course brought us a victory but at a great cost.  Your son and many of the old timers were killed.  It will be a consolation to you to know that your son gave his life gallantly doing his duty.  He was just lightly wounded but still kept on until he received the wound from which he later died.  He was recommended for conspicuous bravery and if he would have lived would have been decorated.  I often say when I write my own mother that there are many worse things that could happen to me then being killed out here.  I fell that we are really fighting for our own people at home and that eventually we will win and gain that freedom for humanity of which we Canadians are so proud.  Pray that we will be worthy of that victory soon.  I know that you will be a sorrowful mother and remember the sacrifice your son has made is for the most noble cause.

With my best wishes,

Your son’s friend

E. F. Malkin(?), Lt.

Lt. Stanley Kerfoot, son of Mr. George Kerfoot, Smith’s Falls, met with an accident Friday night at Brockville.  He was en route overseas and at about 6:30 Friday evening as the soldier train was pulling out of the station Lt. Kerfoot was walking from one coach to another and in the darkness mistook the direction and fell from the car.  He was picked up but as the train was moving slowly he got only a bad shaking up and several scratches about the face and body.  He was conveyed to the hospital in Brockville and is now resting comfortably.

John D. Brady left Sunday evening to join the Flying Corps and before his departure was presented with a handsome gold wristwatch by the choir of St. James Church of which he was a member.  (note, the address given with the presentation was not transcribed.)

Photo Sapper Fred Hale

Sapper Fred Hale, son of Mrs. Richard J. Hale of town who went overseas with the Canadian Engineers.  He is at present at a hospital in France ill with the trench fever and came through the Passchenduele(?) engagement.

Perth Courier, March 1, 1918

Balderson Theater

Night Performance

Monday, 4^th March

Sidney R. Ellis Presents

A. H. Wilson

In a Stirring New Song Play

The Irish 15^th

Each Song is a Musical Gelm

“I Want You Then McBree”

“My Mother’s Wedding”

“Ireland Is Your Home Sweet Home”

“A Lily From Heaven”

“The Irish Will Be There”

The Greatest Wilson Play Every Produced

The scenes of the play are laid in Ireland and France during the present war and the plot revolves around the adventures of a young Irish lieutenant Richard Dale, who resigns his commission and faces charges of cowardice to save a young girl from unmerited jeers and scorn.

Lt. John M. Airth, Renfrew, has been awarded the Military Cross for distinguished action during the Passchenduele(?) engagement.  Lt. Airth held the rank of Captain when crossing the Atlantic being chief engineer of the Renfrew Company of the 130^th Battalion.

Bugler Harold Pierce, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Pierce of Newboro, has been in uniform with the Canadian Army Medical Corps for 20 months but only recently did he receive leave from his duties.  In a letter received by his parents Pte. Pierce related his experiences. (Note, not transcribed, the letter deals with his leave, going to Napoleon’s Tomb, Versailles, etc.)

Flight Lt. Douglas Findlay, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Findlay of Carleton Place, arrived home on furlough Saturday morning.  He has been overseas two years most of the time with the R.N.A.S. in the Mediterranean Sea.  Last summer he was taken down with malarial fever which put him out of active service for quite a while.  He then got home leave and finally left England and shipped in one of the American transports for home but the vessel was torpedoed off the coast of Ireland and went down although all on board reached land.  However, he landed with less clothes upon him than the weather would warrant, losing absolutely all of his personal effects.  As a consequence he was delayed in the old country to refit and was late in getting across the seas.

Thursday evening of last week a number gathered at the home of Mrs. Samuel Miller of Burgess to welcome home her son Hugh from overseas.  Hugh Miller went overseas with the 93^rd (Peterboro) Battalion and was wounded severely in the right limb by gunshot.  For one year he was confined to the hospital in England.  He landed at Halifax 13^th Feb inst.,  He was presented with a handsome gold headed cane.  (note, the address in connection with the presentation of the cane is not transcribed.)

Perth Courier, March 8, 1918

Mrs. Michael Byrne of town received a letter from her son Jack Byrne who is with the Royal Flying Corps at Fort Worth, Texas.  He writes under a date of the 20^th Feb., and describes the trip to Fort Worth from Toronto as very enjoyable.  The cadets were allowed a half hour leave at each of the following places when passing through:  Detroit, Danville, Decatur and Texarcana.  The camp where the flyers are is situated is eleven miles west of Fort Worth.  He arrived at Fort Worth Tuesday morning, 19^th Feb., and that afternoon at 4:00 had flights of forty and thirty minutes duration.  This was rather out of the ordinary as the cadets do not usually fly at the camp until they are there for two weeks.  Describing a flight he made, Cadet Byrne says:  “My instructor’s name is Lt. Grant and he is just fine.  When we got up to about 1,000 feet on my first trip he told me to take control and I did and got along fine flying straight but I could not turn so he taught me to turn; I did not make out so well but he said I did find.  The second time we climbed up to 2,500 feet and did some great old turning around.  Autos are nothing compared to flying.  Next time I go up I will learn how to land and take off with my machine.  The weather here is very hot in the day and cold at night but there is some differences between here and Canada.  The country though which I traveled is very flat.  In some places trees are scant other places large forests.  As you come south civilization seems to be dying away and there are large tracts of land with only little dirty towns of wooden huts.  Instead of nice horses and carriages you see teams of mules and prairie schooners.  We have a beautiful aerodrome here nine miles square and you can land any place although it is unusual to see crashes.  Perth boys in this camp are Stewart Hanna, S. Wright, Laurie Thompson and Ray Drysdale.  I had a good talk with Stewart Hanna last night.  He is fine and fat.”

The information received on Wednesday last week by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Munroe of Drummond was that Sapper Edward Clinton Munroe #507541 of the Divisional Service Corps, Civil Engineers, had died in a Canadian hospital in England on the 23^rd Feb. of cerebro spinal meningitis.  Sapper Munroe was born in the township of Drummond 18 years ago last December.  He attended school there and of a bright intellect, passed his civil service exams at Brockville at an early age and was engaged in the Custom’s House at Ottawa.  A year ago he enlisted at Ottawa with the Divisional Signal Co. and went overseas as a telegraph operator in May last.  While training at Seaford Camp in England he was taken ill and was in November admitted to the hospital.  It was not thought that his illness was of a serious nature and relatives were anticipating his return to Canada at an early date as he had been rejected by medical boards in England.  Indeed, on the 3^rd Feb., his brother, Corp. Albert Munroe also of the Divisional Signallers, visited him and went for a walk with him.  The news of Sapper Munroe’s death was consequently a great shock to his parents and relatives.  Besides his parents Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Munroe of Drummond there survive five brothers:  George A. Munroe, Brockville, Corp. Albert Munroe, overseas; Harry Munroe, Perth; Arthur Munroe, Smith’s Falls; Russell Munroe, Drummond; and four sisters, Mrs. Clifford Peters of Leo, Alberta; Mrs. J.B. Hastings and Mrs. H.B. Perkins of Toronto; and Mrs. D. McCullough of Ottawa.

Photo of Sapper Edward Munroe

In Loving Memory of the Late Sapper Edward C. Munroe, who died at Buxton, England on the 23^rd Feb., 1918

No martial air disturbs his rest

No shriek of shell or bomb

Though gallantly he gave his life

Though France he had never seen.

No laurel wreath may crown his brow

No pillow shield his head

But glory guard for endless years

Our loved one who is dead.

And though at reveille’s loudest call

He will never more respond

He’s passed across the harbor bar

Into the great beyond.

Before the battlements of heaven

In lands beyond the sky

He’ll answer at the pearly gates

And say “Here, Lord, am I”.

--Loved Ones at Home

“Breathes there a man with soul so dead who never to himself hath said, this is my own my native land.”  Do we realize in order that we here in Canada in the future may be free to say this is “my own”, there are many brave men “somewhere” in France who said “they shall not pass”.  If someone asks you to assist the Red Cross to obtain their miles of coppers remember it is to buy yarn and socks for some of the men to whom we owe so much.

Red Cross Shipment:

February shipment of Red Cross supplies from Perth:

456 pairs of socks

432 suites of pajamas

564 slings

350 personal property bags

180 stretcher caps

160 face cloths

165 dozen handkerchiefs

19 convalescent robes

18 towels

17 shirts

14 quilts

2 pillows

21 dozen many tailed bandages

1 package of old linen

Phote of Gunner Arthur Fowler

Gunner Arthur Fowler is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Fowler, who arrived in England on Thursday of last week with the 167^th Battery.  A cable was received Sunday by his parents.

Pte. Morley H. Armstrong has recently been awarded the military medal for devotion to duty at Avion, France on the 26^th June, 1917. Pte. Armstrong went overseas with a Winnipeg unit and shortly afterwards joined the Machine Gun Corps with which he did considerable service at the front.  The news of his award came as a great surprise to him after months spent at the Ontario Military Hospital at Orpington, England, where he is now recovering from wounds.  Previous to enlisting he was an employee with the Canada Northern Railway.

A mile of copper’s shining bright

Would be a very welcome sight

It is up to you and is only right

To give for those who have to fight

So help the Red Cross get the mile

T’will cheer their hearts and be worthwhile

Lt. J. M. Airth of Renfrew who won the Military Cross is at Cemiers with a severe wound in the shoulder.

Balderson Theater

Edward Earle in “For France”

Mary Anderson in “Sunlight’s Last Raid”

Photo of Pte. Thomas Ryan

Pte. Thomas Ryan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ryan of town was among those given three months furlough in Canada.  He went overseas with the 38^th Battalion and has been in France three years.

Sgt. George Wilson who went overseas with the 240^th Battalion returns from England this week.

Capt. William K. Kennedy, a former Westport man on duty with a western battalion at the front, has been awarded the Military Cross for gallant conduct at Passchendarie(?).

Perth Courier, March 15, 1918

Cadet Elzwood Barker of Newboro and formerly of town stopped off at Perth on Friday while passing through.  He has completed the course in flying given in Canada and Texas and leaves for Europe shortly with an overseas draft.

Mr. and Mrs. A.F. Consitt received a cablegram last Friday morning from their son Lt. T.A. Consitt saying that he had arrived safely in England.  He is at Seaford Camp.  He is a conducting officer in the 42^nd Regiment of the First Eastern Ontario Depot Battalion.  All wish him safe return.

Charles Manion, son of Mr. William Manion of town left Syracuse on the 22^nd Feb. for Camp Devens, Ayer, Massachusetts having enlisted for overseas service with the 161^st Depot Brigade.  Before his departure, he was presented with a fountain pen and wristlet watch by the staff of the Post-Standard Printing Co with which he has been employed lately.

Sgt. Orville Newton Hyslop, son of Mrs. Walter Hyslop of Smith’s Falls, has died in a hospital in England of jaundice.  Sgt. Hyslop was one of five brothers in uniform and enlisted three years ago with the 38^th battalion while still a student.  He won the Military Medal at the front for bringing in a wounded soldier at the risk of his own life and later was himself wounded and invalided to England.

Photo of Sapper Harold D. Mather, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Mather of Balderson, who went overseas in April, 1917 with the 210^th Battalion of Moose Jaw and was wounded in January, 1918.

Perth Courier, March 22, 1918

Photo of Pte. A.M. Johnston

Smith’s Lawn, Windsor Park, England

18 Feb., 1918

In the army going on leave is a privilege which one in khaki always anxiously awaits.  Until last September and since leaving Canada, three days leave has been my limit.  On a bright sunshiny September morning last it was with light and happy hearts 200 convalescents from the Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Epsom were given their sick furlough to as many different points in the British Isles.  My objective was Kirkenldy(?), Scotland with side trips to Glasgow, Edinburgh and London and the visit to Fifeshire, the land of my ancestors.  This longing dates back to May, 1916 on board the transport Baltic from Halifax to Liverpool when we sailed close by the rugged coast and shores of Scotland.  Before the war I was unaware that I possessed fighting blood some of which was spent at Vimy Ridge but it is a fact that for ages Fifeshire in Scotland has predominated with fighting stock.  (The balance is not transcribed, it is nearly a page and deals with the leave.)

Perth Courier, March 29, 1918

Sgt. Gordon Mitchell, formerly of town, has returned to Canada.  He went overseas with a western unit and was wounded three times.  He is at Guelph at present.

Sgt. R. H. Holmes is in town this week.  He returned last seek from overseas and expects to be at the convalescent hospital in Kingston for a while.  He is remembered by many as one who took a prominent part in singing in the entertainments of the 130^th Battalion while in Perth.  He went to England wit this unit and to France with the 3^rd Battalion.  He was severely wounded in the right foot by shell and was in the hospital for several months.  He won the Military Medal for conspicuous work.

Pte. Gilbert Watchorn of Almonte is home.  He was 15 years of age when enlisting with the 130^th Battalion and has been discharged as too young for military service.  He was wounded it is stated while carrying a dispatch which saved a body of troops from disaster.

Charles D. Roberts, son of George Roberts of Cobden went west a few years go and was employed in a bank at Winnipeg.  From there he went further west and had the misfortune to be caught in a snow slide and the report went out that he had been killed.  But he had not and in the early days of the war he enlisted and went to the front.  There he was gassed and his sister Mrs. (Rev.) May saw his name in the casualty lists and wrote to the address given and to her surprise and joy she received a reply to her letter from her brother.

Lack of Food Threatens the Battle Line

The only thing that balks German ambition is the battle line in France - - - and the British navy.  The only thing that sustains our men on land and sea is food.

One year ago only the enemy was on rations.

Today Great Britain, France and Italy are on rations.

Today Germany controls the wheat lands of Roumania, Russia, Poland and Ukraine

Today the shadows of hunger, famine, disease and death hang over the Allies

Upon the 1918 crop from Canada and the U.S. depends the fate of the democratic people of the world.

If that crop is sufficient the Allies can be fed.

If that crop suffers the Allies may have to accept a German peace.

The battle line in France and Flanders must not want.

Do you realize what a German peace would mean to Canada?

Germany covets our natural resources—our agricultural and mineral wealth, our forests, our fisheries and everything that is Canada.

Germany will not be satisfied with European territory with teaming masses, wrangling factions and depleted natural resources.  She wants colonies, thinly populated countries in temperate zones for her sons and daughters to go to propagate their kind.

What can YOU do to help?

At all costs, production must be maintained.

That is why farmers and farmers sons are being exempted from military service.  Working on a farm is equivalent to service.  The second line trenches, 15,000 boys between the ages of 15 and 19 must be organized as “Soldiers of the Soil” to work on Ontario’s farms this season.  Unmarried men exempted from military service are urged to take up farm work.  Married men who have had previous experience on a farm are urged to resume farm work for a season.  Employees of labor are asked to assist men to take up farm work.

Perth Courier, April 5, 1918

Chafing under the restraints of being a prisoner of war in Germany, Lance Corporal Paul of Poland and Pte. William Watters of Toronto made a bold and successful attempt for home and country dear and succeeded in making their escape from a most carefully guarded camp getting by the guards and sentinels after spending 18 months under trying conditions.  These two young men have been addressing audiences in Lanark, Lavant and Poland and addressed a crowded hall in Perth Wednesday evening under the auspices of the Perth Red Cross.  The national anthem was sun followed by the opening remarks of the chairman F.W. Hall.  Lance Corp. Paul went overseas with a unit from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and was taken prisoner at Ypres in 1916 as was Pte. William Walters who went overseas with a unit from Toronto.  Both young men were together in the German prisoner of war camp before their escape.  Last December they arrived in England and since then relatives and friends in Canada have been eagerly awaiting their arrival home.  The letters from Lance Corp. Paul to his relatives one or two of which were published in the Courier have been realistic accounts of overseas conditions and aroused more than passing interest in this fine young soldier.  At Poland and Lanark he was accorded enthusiastic public reception upon his return.  Corp. Paul was held with rapt attention by the large audience in the hall Wednesday evening.  He was in fine spirits and possessed a keen sense of humor which he employed to excellent advantage in the vivid experiences of a prisoner of war from the time of his capture up to and including his escape which were recounted very impressively by Corp. Paul.  He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. John Paul of Lavant(?).  He has seen much active service but on account of his escape to a neutral country he is not allowed to take up arms again in the present war.

Lance Corp. Colin Campbell formerly of Chapleau, who went overseas with the 130^th N.C.O.’s was in town this week from overseas.

After two years as a prisoner of war in Germany and 6 months in Switzerland, Capt. W. H. Hooper was repatriated last week and sent to England, a telegram to Mrs. Hooper last week giving her the glad news.  Capt. Hooper ahs been in the fray since the outbreak of the war in 1914 and has won honors for himself and his loyal men.  He is maimed and not fit for active service at present but all trust he will recuperate with his freedom and good care.  He will probably get back to Canada shortly.

These are anxious days.

Never in the history of the world have the people lived under such tremendous nervous strain as today.  Millions awake each morning in the fearful dread of what that day may bring forth and live each hour with nerves at the highest tension.  While many fall under the strain others have found one means or other of fortifying the nervous system so as to maintain health and vigor.  The treatment most widely used, is Dr. Chase’s Nerve Food popularly known as the food cure because it feeds the exhausted nerves and stores up nerve force and nervous energy.

Photo of Pte. Alphonsus Murphy

Pte. Murphy returned to his home in Bathurst last week from overseas.  He has been granted a furlough after two years with the Canadian Army Medical Corps.

Honor Roll

Killed in Action:

1.)    That his son Flight Sub-Lt. Orville P. Adam of the Royal Naval Air Force was killed in action on the 1^st April, was the official notification received by Michael P. Adam of Westport on Sunday.  Flight Sub. Lt. Adam went overseas a year ago and had become an efficient flyer.  He was a bookkeeper for the Westport Manufacturing and Plating Company and for upwards of two years was a member of the staff of the separation allowance branch of the Department of Militia and Defense.  He left Ottawa last April.  No particulars of his death have as yet been received.  On three occasions Lt. Adam had been injured while flying and in a letter to Ottawa to a friend received a short time ago he remarked “I am soon off to the western front and suppose in another month or so I will be pushing up daisies in France”.  He is a nephew of William Adam of Balderson and cousin of Alf Kane of Montreal, formerly of town.  The young officer’s mother died since his enlistment and besides his father he is survived by one sister Miss Florence Adam of Westport and seven brothers, all younger.

2.)    Mrs. Matthew B. Dodds of Drummond Street received the sad news this week that her son Pte. Alexander Ralph Dodds had been killed in action on Good Friday, 29^th March.  He went overseas with the 130^th Battalion and was but 18 years of age.  Three years with the army he had been serving for the past months in France and made the supreme sacrifice in the recent big engagements.  His name is added to the list of Perth boys who have their last resting place in France made memorable for the cause in which they have taken part.  Wednesday morning Mrs. Dodds received the following letter from the Minister of Militia, General S.C. Newburn.  Minister’s Office, Ottawa, 9^th April, 1918 Dear Mrs. Dodds:  I try to express to you my very sincere sympathy in the recent decease of your son Pte. Ralph Dodds #787023, C.E.F., who in sacrificing his life at the front in action with the enemy has rendered the highest service of a worthy citizen.  The heavy loss which you and the nation have sustained would indeed be depressing were it not redeemed by the knowledge that the brave comrade for whom we mourn performed his duties fearlessly and as becomes a good soldier and gave his life for the great cause of humanity.  S.C. Newburn

Casualties:

1.      Mrs. Alex Brown, Lanark, received a telegram this week that her son, Pte. James Brown, #787101, who went overseas with the 130^th Battalion, had been admitted to the 6 Casualty Clearing Station 28^th March, with a shrapnel wound in the side.

2.      James Barrie, Watson’s Corners, was informed by telegram from the Record Office, this week, that his son Pte. Henry George Barrie #787129, was admitted to the 1^st Casualty Clearing Station 27^th March, with gunshot wound in the left arm and face.  Pte. Barrie went overseas with the 130^th Battalion.

3.      Mrs. James Patterson received a telegram the latter part of last week stating that her son Pte. John V. Patterson had been wounded.  He went overseas as a member of the 130^th Battalion Brass Band.

Perth Courier, April 19, 1918

Photo Pte. T.E. Horne

Mrs. Thomas Horne, Umpherson Mills, Dalhousie, received the following letter from her son Pte. T.E. Horne, Mansfield, England.  He is her second son in the army.  (This letter was not transcribed.)

Photo Pte. James Brown, son of Mrs. Alexander Brown of Lanark, reported seriously wounded with a shrapnel wound in the side.

T.C. Hudson, Carleton Place, formerly of Roy’s Corners, has been officially notified that his son Corp. George K. Hudson of the Canadian Railway Troops, was killed in action recently.  Corporal Hudson went overseas with a skilled railway employee unit recruited  in Montreal.  He was in his 21^st year.

Ptes. Murray Walker and James McVeety are in France with the Princess Pats.

Gunner Wilfred Byrne, son of Mr. and Mrs. Larry Byrne of town is home from seeing service in France where he was gassed.

Pte. R. H. Blair was in town this week on his way to visit his sister Mrs. John Cameron of Bathurst.  He is on furlough from overseas.

Lt. Ernest D. McIntosh, son of Dr. D.R. McIntosh of Carleton Place, is reported gassed.  This is the second time he has been gassed.

It has been necessary to put on a morning showing of “Lest We Forget”.  Three showings a day in Toronto and the crowds are being turned away.  The Balderson Theater has this one night only 26^th April.  25 to 75 cents.

Photo of Pte. Henry Barrie, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Barrie of Watson’s Corners, who was admitted to #1 Casualty Clearing Station on the 27^th March with gunshot wound in the left arm and face.  He went overseas with the 130^th Battalion.

Perth Courier, April 26, 1918

Magnificent production the most wonderful and thrilling was drama yet produced, which will be shown at the Balderson Theater Friday evening, 26^th April.  This picture play will give the citizens of Perth and surrounding country an opportunity to see the great was drama.  Marvelous in its construction and presenting one of the most thrilling accounts of the inside workings of the German spy network—the sinking of the Lusitania—the great destruction that has been wrought—the ruined cathedrals and the ruined life that the Huns have left in their wake.

Among the soldiers invalided home with the last party of Canadians from overseas are the following from this vicinity:  S. Anderson, R.J. Bovey and P.J. Kane of Gananoque; Corp G. Roy Atkinson of Bishop’s Mills; A.C. Baker of Poland; D.Swann of Kemptville.  First Contingent men on furlough included A. Baker and L.W. White of Gananoque.

Photo of Major W. H. Roberts

Mrs. W. H. Roberts has received word that her husband has been promoted to the rank of major.  Major Roberts went overseas with the infantry as a lieutenant and was in the trenches 14 months.  He has been in France altogether upwards of two years.  A civil engineer by profession, he is engaged with the Canadian Railway troops as chief engineer.

St. George’s Society Program

Capt. Clyde Scott Gives an Address

I have been told by the general officer commanding to go down to Perth tonight and tell you in my own words something of our brave boys fighting in France and Belgium.  I assure you I consider this a great privilege and there is no place I would sooner come than here when I consider what the people of Perth have done for me and how kind and thoughtful they have been to my father and mother when I was away.  I feel guilty not to have had the privilege to return my thanks to you one and all most sincerely.  I am informed that the St. George’s Society has been formed recently.  This is a good idea and I am pleased to see it. We people in Canada hear more of St. Patrick’s Day and St. Andrew’s Day than of St. George’s.  I do not think this should be the case.  During the last three years I have had the opportunity of meeting English men and women both in and away from England and I can assure you there are no better people on the globe then the English.  We Canadian soldiers have a great deal to be thankful for.  We have to thank the English people who were carrying on a great deal before we got over there and for a great deal of what we know about the art of waging war against our common foe the Hun.

When we left Canada there were 33 boats going together.  It took three weeks to go over and I assure you when we were told land was in sight and that we would anchor that night, we were all very glad.  Word came to Canada that we landed in every particular but the one we did.  We got into Plymouth one night about 5:00 but were told not to go on shore for two days.  This was my first experience with England and I shall never forget it.  It still have a very pleasing place in my memory.  We got onto the train and were taken to Salisbury Plain.  It was a very respectable looking place but we were not there very long until the grass began to get cut up and looked as bad as Valcartier when we left there.  The whole place soon became covered with dents.  The two brigades of infantry had huts built.  The tents were very much better and we stayed at Salisbury Plain until February, 1915. During this time we were kept very much busy.  The training there was very strict and we had to carry this training out but when we got to France we had learned to obey orders

The first culling out of the men took place at Valcartier and then again another culling out of men was made.  Some of the men were allowed to go while others had to go simply because it was thought that they could not stand the hardship. We got fairly tired of life in England and were very glad when we got the word to go to France.  We are marched down to the station, by the way, in a pouring rain and told to climb on board.  At Messoirs the men were given “teddies” that is fur suits and a good pair of warm mittens.  We were about two days in this way of traveling up country and on the morning of the third day we got to Baince.  We were taken down to our billet and we officers tried to get the men as comfortable as possible.  However, we got the men billeted in France.  Our first station was in barns which for months before had been used by the English.  It was wonderful how quickly the men adapted themselves to the customs of France.  After four or five days word came that we were to go to Armentiers.  After marching between 20 and 25 miles, we were billeted in an asylum.  Many of these buildings at that time were badly shelled.  My platoon was taken up by an English officer.  This regiment had been at the front from the very first of the war.  Each one of my men was posted with an English soldier who told him all he knew about the English war game.  They were there to learn and they did.

We went in at night of course.  I can remember very well indeed.  We came in a straight road right into the trench.  Communication trenches were unheard of then.  Not one Canadian man who went into the trenches that night was not scared.  We remained one full day.  The first trench we went into nothing much happened.  In some places we wee 75 yards and at others 30 yards from the guns.  We had lots of scope in which to exercise what we knew about the place.  The Huns took it into their hands to shell us.  A shell came into our trench and killed a poor fellow and wounded 7.  This was the first casualty and a shadow of gloom hung over our trench for some time.  We went back for about three weeks and one night after we had turned in we saw a lot of French troops rushing past our billet.  We could not get anything definite from them at all until the civilians started wandering back.  One of the saddest parts is to see the old men and women driven from their homes.  I am referring now to the Battle of Langemarche in April, 1916.  We were told to go up to the trenches but we never saw the country and knew nothing about it.  As we came nearer we could hear the noise more plainly and the light became bright and then we could see the wounded coming back.  As far as I remember, those were our orders that night.  #2 Company in which I was, was sent ahead.    We got out of touch on account of dark and rain.  Before we reached anyone we got together and put our scouts out in front and all went fairly well.

Report came back to us that there was a British trench ahead.  We started up always being careful.  When we got up 30 or 40 yards from it to open fire, some told us it was not a British trench.  We had very few casualties at the time.  As soon as they started, my men lay down and then we opened fire.  Finally we got to the trench and I do not think many of those men got away.  We got the trench and kept it. We extended our trench on the right we could see distinctly St. Julien.  On the left nothing but a big woods and we expected the Germans were in it which proved correct.  We had no British or Canadian artillery and the Germans had a splendid chance and certainly took advantage of it.  I was just thinking tonight that three years ago we were in France and I just wonder how things are going at the moment.

On the night of 23^rd April, 1916, things had almost reached their climax.  As far as I can see the Germans made one of their biggest mistakes.  We had no reserves and the Germans were at first very bold.  A good many machine guns were brought up to the trench and they started to come up in squares but at different angles but were mowed down.  Just at this point I would like to say that had it not been for Capt. Hooper who was just a little in advance of my trenches and his splendid work in the house I do not know what would have happened.  On the morning of the 24^th April we had a report by telephone.  It was saying that a division was coming up in support.  Another message said that the division would not be coming but  a brigade instead but to see if they could hold out.  A third message told us the brigade was cancelled.  The commander thought of retreating but we determined to stay where we were.  The Germans with all the devilish war materials, bombs and shells came and grabbed us.  Some of the boys got back and some – many I think were wounded and many of them stayed there.  To much cannot be said for those brave boys who stayed and those who came back.  I do not remember very much after that as I was hit myself.  When I came to a German was standing over me with a rifle at my head.  When I was taken to a dressing station the Germans were more interested in my badges than in dressing my wounds.  From the second dressing station we were put into a cattle truck.  All in this truck were prisoners.  The German hospitals are much the same as our own except for the nurses.  They do not look like Red Cross nurses at all.  The food at first was very good but did not last long.  The reason that the Germans are staying on as long as they are is that we cannot starve them out for they will eat anything. I was sent to a hospital where I met Capt. Hooper.  I had heard that he was killed.  German doctors examined us but we were given no definite word about going to Switzerland.

A couple of days before Christmas they told us to pack up that we might go away.  We started for Switzerland about 3:00 in the morning.  No sooner had the train started than people began to cheer.  Capt. Hooper and myself were both sent to Murin.  In September, 1917 they talked of exchanging us.  Some wee thought to be able to fight again.  We were thought to be no good for military work any longer.  England was good but Canada was much better.

I do not think that anyone need be at all afraid that the Germans are going to “get there” but we must help our boys “over there”.  We must send them all that we can.  We in Canada can do a great deal in order to bring this awful struggle to an end.

Photo of Sapper Albert O’Meara, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael O’Meara of Portland, killed in action on the 1^st April.

In a letter received from Clarney Cameron, son of Mr. and Mrs. A.N. Cameron, from Mana Hospital, England, he writes as follows:  “A funny thing happened the other day shortly after receiving Eva’s letter.  As I was passing through one of the wards I noticed a paper on a bed with just “Courier” showing but it did not strike me as possible that it was the Perth Courier.  But on turning it over, sure enough it was and a March issue too, with an account of Dr. Hanna’s death.  How in the world it got over here and in such a short time is a mystery but I was certainly glad to have a look at it with the home news.  I made enquiries to see if any of the boys had received it but no one seemed to claim it and you can imagine how quickly I took it away and read everything in it even the ads.  If dad should see Mr. Walker tell him to mention about receiving the Courier and ask him to keep on sending them whatever channels they may come through.  Nothing like the old home paper when in the hospital.  With love to all, Clarny”

Photo of Pte. James McVeety, serving in France with the Princess Pats.

Lt. Gordon Scott, son of Mr. A.B. Scott, late of Smith’s Falls, has been made a captain and given the Military Cross for distinguished service in the field.  “In a critical moment when our infantry had been repulsed Lt. Scott brought up three sections of machine guns enabling us to bring a heavy and destructive fire to bear upon the enemy positions.  The assistance he gave was a splendid example of initiative under tremendous odds” says the official account of the occasion when he won the Military Cross.

District Casualties:

Pte. B.O. Grant, Smith’s Falls, killed in action

Pte. Alexander McLean, Merrickville, killed in action

Gunner H. Prior, Smith’s Falls, killed in action

Pte. Clinton Parker, Almonte, died

Pte. Robert R. Foster, Lanark, wounded

Pte. Austin G. Cameron, Lanark, wounded

Pte. T. Crawford, Elphin, wounded

Pte. Richard N. Paul, Merrickville, wounded

Pte. A. H. Stewart, Carleton Place, missing

Gunner James C. MacInnes, Lanark, gassed

Pte. George A. Brownlee, Harper, gassed

Honor Roll, Perth

1. Killed In Action—Gunner Harold C. Stone (photo)

Word came by telegram Wednesday morning to Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Stone that their son Gunner Harold C. Stone had been killed in action.  He was serving with the Canadian Engine Crows(?) Co.  Lately he had been doing office (or officer?) work in Belgium with his work with his unit with the 52^nd Battery and had been in Belgium since last December.  He was 27 years of age and the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. C. P.(?) Stone.  He was born at Deseronto and came to Perth with his parents when two years of age.  He was a very enthusiastic and successful athlete and in his passing another of the local boys name has taken its place on the immortal roll of honor.  Besides his parents he is survived by four brothers, Everett with the 87^th Grenadier Guards in Montreal, now in France; Russell of Chapleau; Frank and Jack at home and one sister Doris.

2. Died of Pneumonia

Pte. Reginald George Fenwick died at Halifax Military Hospital on Monday afternoon last following an illness from pneumonia of but a few days.  When he had been rejected three times previous from endeavoring to join the militia he was finally taken on the forestry battalion at Brockville about the 1^st January and left with a draft for an eastern point a week previous to last Sunday.  He was taken ill at Halifax and on Sunday last was reported dangerously ill and passed away on Monday.  Pte. Fenwick was the son of Mrs. A. Fenwick, Victoria Street and was 24 years of age.  Previous to enlisting he was employed by the H.K. Wampole Co., in the shipping department.  For a year he lived in Detroit.  He is survived by his mother, two brothers and three sisters:  Percy and Kenneth of Toronto; Ethel, Geraldine and Isabel at home.  His untimely demise is regretted by many. The funeral takes place this morning (Friday) at 8:30 at St. John’s Church, thence to St. John’s Cemetery for interment.  His remains were brought here Thursday.

3.Wounded (Photo)  A cable from the Secretary of the Air Ministry to T.A. Code on Wednesday to the effect that Lt. Allan Code had been wounded in the thigh and was seriously ill.  The official cable had been was as follows:  “Regret to inform you that Lt. Alvin L. Code, R.A.F., was admitted to the 3^rd Canadian Stationary Hospital at Douliens(?) on the 21^st April with a gunshot wound in the thigh.  Seriously ill.  Secretary, Air Services”.

4.Wounded-T.W. Cameron, Drummond, has received a telegram from the Record Office that his son Pte. Austin Gerald Cameron #657690 had been admitted to the 55^th General Hospital Boulogne, 8^th April, with a gunshot wound in the right hand.  He was with the infantry.  He was a former accountant with the Bank of Ottawa and enlisted at Parry Sound going overseas in November, 1916 and early last fall to France.

5.Gassed-D. Brownlee of Harper has received a telegram from the Record Office Saturday that his son George was suffering from shell gas.  He went overseas with the 217^th Battalion of western Canada last summer.

6.Gassed—Mr. and Mrs. J.D. MacInnes of Lanark received word that their son Gunner James Carman MacInnes #342900 had been admitted to the 57^th Casualty Clearing Station on the 9^th April with shell gas.  He was with the artillery.

In Memoriam

In loving memory of Pte. James Clement who died of wounds at the #6 Casualty Clearing Station on the 27^th April, 1916.

The silent grief that is in the soul

No human eye may trace

For me a broken heart lies

Behind a smiling face

‘Tis only those who have lost can tell

The pain of parting without farewell.

His wife

Perth Courier, May 3, 1918

Letter from Seaman R. H. Vaughan of Perth who is engaged on board a trawler on coastal guard work in the vicinity of Halifax, writes the Courier in regard to the needs of the navy.  (this letter has not been transcribed)

They Must Not Look In Vain!

An officer was missing.  His brother crept out and found him in a shell hole.  He bore him back to the lines—dead.  “Are you not sorry you ventured all this?” asked the commanding officer.  “No, because when I found him he looked up into my face, smiled and said ‘I knew you would come’”.  What could more fittingly illustrate the work of the “big brother to the soldiers”—the YMCA.  No danger is too great to be risked for the sake of the physical, mental, and spiritual welfare of those dauntless heroes of Ypres, St. Julien, Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele(?).  Everywhere he goes the YMCA follows—faithful to the limit of its resources.  Help with your money so that more and more soldiers can say “I knew you would come”.

Corp. Ernest Ferrier, son of John Ferrier of the Scotch Line writes from the rest billet in France under the dates of 3^rd March and 31^st March as follows:  (Not transcribed in full)
Well, it’s Easter Sunday night and it has not been a very fine day although better than yesterday as it rained the most of the day and I was out a good deal of the time.  I thought I would have had a few letters this week but got none as the mail is pretty irregular now and things are a trifle unsettled just now in this part of the world.  There is considerable speculation as to what the future will bring.  The general opinion is that Fritz is exhausting himself pretty fast by his present methods.  No army can long stand the wastage in men they are enduring now.  It has to be admitted that they have some very long range guns but our gas worries them a great deal now.  I was under the gas barrage which you may see mentioned in some papers and for a little time spent a pretty interesting time and was not worrying much about what was going on at home.  I have been under several German straffers lately and it is no use for me to try to describe it; one has to be there to know.  At present I am up close to the front and although we have a certain amount of protection still it tries the nerves a great deal.  We are on the site of a ruined town at present and you see no houses.  Everything is in a state of destruction and the more they are demolished the better they suit us.  Nearly all the houses here are brick or stone.  Even the partitions are brick and the cellars are usually arched so that when the walls are all knocked down on to these arches there is a depth of debris.  I had a meal with Everett Stone about a week ago and he was well.  He enlisted a long time ago but has only been here in France a couple of months.  J. Ernest Ferrier

Corp. A. P. Quinn

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Quinn of Westport received word that their son Corp. A.P. Quinn was wounded in the right arm and hand on 30^th March and is now in the Edmonton Military Hospital near London, England.  Cpl. Quinn enlisted in the machine gun section of the 156^th Battalion at Brockville in November of 1915 going overseas the following October.  While in England he was engaged as machine gun instructor at Witley Camp until September in this year when he went to France.  He is 20 years of age.  Cpl. Quinn is a brother to Miss L. Quinn of the Courier office staff.

On Tuesday a telegram was received from the Record Office by George Steele stating that his son Henry Steele was admitted to the hospital in France with multiple gunshot wounds.  The telegram was as follows:  “Pte. Henry Steele, infantry, officially reported seriously ill and admitted to the 4^th General Hospital, Camieres(?), France, 24^th April, gunshot wounds multiple”.

Those from the town who have joined the artillery are:  Watson Walker, Frank Conway, William Drennan, Leo Lambert, Alphonse Quigley with the 75^th(?)35^th (?) Battery, Kingston.  Harry Adams and William Ireton are with the 74^th Battery at Ottawa and Ernie McCreary is with the Army Service Corps at Kingston.

In Memorium

In loving memory of Pte. George Dixon who was killed in action at Vimy Ridge on the 3^rd May, 1917.  Buried “somewhere in France”

Sadly Missed

He little thought when leaving home

That he would never return

But now he lies in a lonely grave

And we are left to mourn

His cheery way, his smiling face

Are a pleasure to recall

There is nothing left to answer

But his picture on the wall

Sleep on dear George, in a soldier’s grave

Your life for your country you nobly gave

Your friends stood by, dear, to say good bye

But safe in God’s keeping now you lie.

From his sorrowing mother and family

Perth Courier, May 10, 1918

Photo of Pte. Henry Steele—in a hospital at Camieres, France with gunshot wounds son of Mr. George Steele of town.

Following is a recent list of appeals with Judge Scott between 22^nd April and 1^st May in connection with the Military Service Act:

Duncan McGregor, Carleton Place, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

Claire Wellington Watson, Carleton Place, appeal disallowed

Robert John Dowdall, Carleton Place, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

James Wilber Foster, Lanark, disallowed

Donald Campbell, Pakenham, #3, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

Harold Robertson, Lavant, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

George Hilliard Connell, Carleton Place, disallowed

William Richard Arthur, Carleton Place, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

Charles Gardiner Dowdall, Carleton Place, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

Alexander Arthur, Carleton Place, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

Neil Munroe McGregor, Carleton Place, disallowed

Harry Robertson, Clayton, #2, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

Pollock McDougall, Watson’s Corners, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

Hugh L. McDougall, Watson’s Corners, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

Arthur J. Wilson, McDonald’s Corners, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

Earl Fleming, Carleton Place, disallowed

William J. Briggs, Smith’s Falls, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

Leo Donald McLellan, Smith’s Falls, exempt till 1^st August, 1918

James McDiarmid, Carleton Place, #2, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

William George Simpson, Carleton Place, disallowed

Cecil Robert John Saunders, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

James Masterman, Almonte, disallowed

Alexander Hamilton, City View, #1, disallowed

William Gladstone Rattray, Carleton Place, #2, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

Elbert Leonard Miller, Pakenham, #1, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

Thomas G. Tildon, Pakenham, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

Charles M. Bandy, Pakenham, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

Henry W. Morphy, Pakenham, #2, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

John J. Majaury, White, disallowed

John Thomas, Lavant Station, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

John F. Smithson, Almonte, #2, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

Charles Gordon Dunlop, Almonte, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

Ray Ferguson, Elphin, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

Robert William Kearney, Clayton, #2, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

Richard Wesley Miller, Almonte, disallowed

Frederick J. Jackson, McDonald’s Corners, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

Dr. Harold C. Haggard, McDonald’s Corners, disallowed

Frederick W. Mason, Appleton, disallowed

George W. Weir, Carleton Place, #1, disallowed

James Watt, Clayton, #2, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

William J. Armstrong, Almonte, #3, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

Oswald W. Bingham, Blakeney, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

John Syme, Blakeney, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

William G. Scott, Maberly, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

George Wallace Burton, Smith’s Falls, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

Harold Dodds, Middleville, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

John Rankin, Hopetown, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

James Cornelium Leacy, Lanark, #1, disallowed

Sylvester Nugent, Pakenham, #1, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

George Noonan, Pakenham, disallowed

John A. Dunlop, Pakenham, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

Allie A. Stewart, Lanark, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

Matthew E. Yuill, Hopetown, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

Milton F. Davidson, Smith’s Falls, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

Corbett Davidson, Smith’s Falls, disallowed

Category B Men:

The following are the men in medical category B called up for review:

Ernie McCreary, Perth, disallowed

Herbert V. Bennett, Perth, disallowed

Edward M. Irving, Port Elmsley, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

William V. Robinson, Smith’s Falls, disallowed

Charles A. Saddler, Smith’s Falls, adjourned(?)

Edward Ferguson, Perth, disallowed

James O.(?) Dousett, Smith’s Falls, disallowed

Matthew McCurdy, Lanark, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

William H. Halliday, Smith’s Falls, disallowed

William H. Rankin, Perth, disallowed

Daniel Vincent McGuiggan, Perth, disallowed

Michael J. Hogan, Perth, #3, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

William King, Rideau Ferry, #5, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

Roy E. Radford, Perth, #4, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

James Harper, McDonald’s Corners, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

John P. Gallipeau, Perth, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

Roy E. Keays, Balderson, #1, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

Harold E. Orr, disallowed

Walter C. Cameron, Wemyss, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

John P. Cameron, Wemyss, exempt till 1^st July, 1918

Photo of Miss Jessie Wilson, R.D., daughter of Mrs. Jas. Wilson of town, who went overseas with a Queen’s Nurse unit recently.  Miss Wilson is attached to a hospital in London.

Seaman Stanley M. Scott, son of Judge and Mrs. Scott has won honors in the navy.  Starting as a seaman, he has now been advanced in rank to a lieutenant in the Royal Navy.  His promotion is the reward for able work since his enlistment.  Promotion from the ranks is a very rare occurrence in the navy.   He is now on H.M.S. Surepta(?) at Weymouth.  For some time he was on board a flagship in the North Sea.

Killed In Action

Lance Corporal Melville Paul was killed in action on the 28^th April in France.  He was the son of the late James Paul of Poland and was born there on the 30^th April, 1894.  He went overseas with the 130^th Battalion.  He had been in the trenches in command of a machine gun of the 38^th Battalion from December, 1916.  He is survived by his wife, one little son Stanley, his parents, four brothers, John A., of Poland; Thomas of Brandon, Manitoba; James and Gordon of Appleton and seven sisters, Mrs. Thomas Dunlop of Watson’s Corners; Mrs. Fred Stone of Waterloo, Que.; Mrs. A.G. McDougall of Harper; Mrs. Boyd Hart of Appleton; Mrs. (Pte.) F.J. Harvey of Poland; Annie and Laura of Appleton.  A memorial service was held in the Poland Presbyterian Church on Sunday afternoon.

Perth Courier, May 17, 1918

His Dream and Hers

Over in France he thought of Mother’s Day

And in his yearning eyes a dream held sway

And lo there bloomed like mystic answered prayer

A golden violet hidden with Heaven-kept care

Within a shell hole lightly ground by war

To give the soldier back his dream once more

The little tender all undreaming flower

Gave him home pictures for one little hour

And back in Canada his mother prays

Over a letter from across the seas

Caressing finger o’er a flower strays

That he had pressed for her so tenderly

She would not give that flower of faded gold

For earth’s best gifts of treasured wealth untold.

A.E.C.

Sorrowful word came to Mr. and Mrs. John Dunlop of McDonald’s Corners last Saturday intimating that their son Pte. John Fife Dunlop had died of wounds received on the battlefield.  He was 22 years of age and the youngest son.  He leaves his parents, three brothers, three sisters to mourn his loss.  Pte. Dunlop enlisted in December, 1916 with the 240^th Battalion.

Lt. Bruce Scott, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Scott of McDonald’s Corners is home on a three month leave and arrived in town on Saturday.  The brothers Campbell and Bruce Scott went overseas together with a unit of Canadian Engineers from Ottawa, 2^nd Contingent, both winning honor on the field as to entitle them to be advanced to the rank of lieutenant.  Campbell made the supreme sacrifice as did his eldest brother Norman. Bruce was wounded in September, 1916 while the younger brother, Jack, who went overseas with the 130^th Battalion, is now a prisoner of war.  The family has an almost unequaled record in this war.  The father also enlisted but  through illness was obliged to return to civilian life and just recently Lex, the youngest son, endeavored to join the navy but was too young.  Bruce’s chief experiences were in the early Somme and Ypres engagements while for the past three months he has been on duty in Ireland.  He is in good health and enjoying a well earned rest.

Pte John D. Condie, Smith’s Falls, has been wounded and Pte. Edward Houston of Almonte, gassed.

Following is the completed list of Category B cases before Judge Scott from 30^th April to 11^th May called up for review:

Exempt until 1^st July, 1918

James F. Cansol(?), farmer, Smith’s Falls,

Stanley J. Carroll, farmer, Smith’s Falls

William G.W. Giff, machinist, Smith’s Falls

George H. Ormrod, farmer, Smith’s Falls

Benjamin Avery, farmer, McDonald’s Corners

James MacMillan, farmer, Perth

James W. Stewart, farmer, Lanark

Hugh Stead, farmer, Lanark

Milton Code, (unreadable word) maker, Smith’s Falls

James G. Duncan, farmer, McDonald’s Corners

James A. Eager, baker, Kemptville

Adam McKinley, farmer, Perth, #3

Hartley Davy Kinyon, farmer, Perth

Berton Truelove, farmer, Perth, #6

Thomas Murphy, farmer, Perth, #6

Peter H. Cuthbertson, farmer, Perth

Lloyd C. Lawford, farmer, Perth

Cecil J. Dopson, farmer, Perth

Elwood P. Halfpenny, farmer, Perth, #1

Charles H. Affleck, farmer, Lanark

Norman R. Scott, farmer, Perth, #3

David Forest, farmer, Almonte

James M. Noonan, farm laborer, Perth, #7

Russell A. Condie, farmer, Smith’s Falls, #1

Thomas C. McNabb, farmer, Smith’s Falls, #2

Robert B. Thomson, farmer, Perth, #2

Patrick J. Walsh, farmer, Perth, #2

James E. Millar, farmer, Perth, #5

Robert B. McCreary, farmer, Smith’s Falls, #1

Edward J. Clark, farmer, Smith’s Falls, #2

John Condie, farmer, Smith’s Falls, #2

Walter A. Lewis, farmer, Perth, #6

Lawrence V. Close, farmer, McDonald’s Corners,

Fred L. Eamer, farmer, Smith’s Falls

William E. Lowe, farmer, Carleton Place, #1

Stanley J. Simpson, farmer, Smith’s Falls, #5

Garnet Dodds, farmer, Perth, #3

William H. Porter, farmer, Smith’s Falls

Meryl H. Cullen, farmer, Perth, #1

William Hunter, farmer, Perth, #2

James L. Galvin, worker on textile fabrics, Carleton Place

Earl R. Stangall(?), assistant manager, Carleton Place

Peter J. Carmichael, farmer, Carleton Place

Harold W. Miller, druggist, Carleton Place

Edward N. LaRose, manager, Smith’s Falls

Terence J. Gray, farmer, Ferguson’s Falls

Herbert A. Condie, farmer, Smith’s Falls

Scott A. Mather, farmer, Chapleau

Arthur M. Blackburn, farmer, Middleville

William J. White, farmer, Poland

Mack H.(?) Barr, Clayton, #1

Robert Jordan, farmer, Almonte

Wesley H. Poole, merchant, Smith’s Falls

Exempt till 1^st August:

William B. Cram, moulder, Carleton Place

Thomas Wood, farmer and cheesemaker

Exempt till 1^st June

Robert A.H. Evay, blacksmith, Innisville

Disallowed:

Robert L. Durant, drill operator, Smith’s Falls

James D. Faughan, clerk, Smith’s Falls

Fred Hanna, engineer, Perth

Allan Cameron, clerk, Smith’s Falls

Herman J. Buchanan, clerk, Perth

James L. Noonan, butcher and farmer, Perth

Milford McNaughton, farmer, Maberly, #2

Ira Churchill, carpenter and farmer, Wemyss, #1

Douglas James Melley(?), farmer, Carleton Place

James N. Bennett, stove mounter, Carleton Place

George Robert France, Carleton Place, disallowed subject to medical exam

Murray Armstrong, lineman, Carleton Place

Frederick George Wilson, stove mounter, Carleton Place

Photo of Corp. Leonard McCracken, who went overseas with the 130^th Battalion and is now in France with the Canadian Highlanders.  He was wounded recently.

Heroes Sleeping

There are many dear ones lying

In strange lands across the sea

There are many hearts there yearning

For the time of liberty

There are homes quite lone and childless

Chairs are empty, hearths are bare

There is a need for work and patience

There is a call to earnest prayer.

There are voices hushed forever

That were wont to sooth and thrill

There are hands whose clasp we long for

That are lying cold and still

There is joy in Heaven ‘mongst the angels

O’er the souls now entered there;

Here, there is a need for work and patience

There is a call to earnest prayer.

There are sad ones vainly longing

For the vanished smiles again

There are memories, oh, so fresh and green

That bring both joy and pain

But there is peace and sweet reunion

In that world where all is fair

Here, there is need for work and patience

And a call to earnest prayer.

Mrs. M.A.W.

War Fare

For Warfare

Will be held on Mr. T.A. Code’s lawn on Thursday, 6^th June from 4 to 9:00 pm

Supper:  Fish, Salads, Bread and Butter, Water, Ice Cake and Tea

Attractions:  War Pictures:  Mystic Alley, Orange Tree, Lemon Lady, etc.

Admission:  ten cents

Admission including supper:  35 cents

Pte. Arthur M. Johnston of Perth was recently awarded a good conduct stripe dating from last September from the Canadian Forestry Corps at Plymouth Bridge, England where he is now stationed.  He also wears three service stripes and a wounded stripe.

Flight Lt. Laurie Thompson of town sailed for overseas recently with a detachment of Royal Flying Corps from Canada proceeding to England for further training before joining the flyers in France.

District Casualties:

Died:  Pte Addison L. Riley, Smiths Falls

Wounded:  Gunner Alexander M. McNaughton, Cobden

Wounded:  Pte. Cuthbert Lindsay(?), Arnprior

Gassed:  Cpl. David G. Ward, Smith’s Falls

The Governor General has approved the following regulations which go into effect on the day to be set by proclamation for the registration of all persons, male and female, British or alien in Canada over 16 years of age and every such person who shall after the day appointed attain his 16^th birthday shall register.

Cpl. A.P. Quinn of Westport who had been wounded at the front and spent some time in Edmonton Military Hospital, London, England, is reported to have re-joined his regiment in France as of the 10^th May.

Perth Courier, May 31, 1918

Writing from the Front

Pte. Murray Walker says:

No wonder the sweat rolled off. With a blazing sun overhead and a five mile tramp just completed we were pretty tired and as we wended our way up the road dodging shell holes, a clear vision of what war really meant sauntered through our heads.  Some men on the side with their hands in their pockets were idly gazing on.  How many of us would have willingly changed places.  But no!  We must trudge wearily on and just as we left the road to take a trench the incident occurred which I intend writing about.  As we were marching steadily on a voice rose from the on lookers:  “Well, by cracky if it is not Jim McVeety”.  A well built young man with a black mustache stepped eagerly out of the group on the side and extended his arm.  “Surely that isn’t…..” “Yes, yes it does look like him although much stouter” etc.  “By jove, Evart, I am glad to see you. Who would have thought of meeting you here”.  “Where’s Murray” inquired Evart Adam as he gave a hearty handshake to his old roommate in Perth while the battalion was being formed.  “Up ahead a bit.”  And the lucky stroke did fall with the head of the column halted for a five minutes rest.  Soon three ex-130 men were in deep conversation.  Anything that was not touched on in those five minutes are not worth mentioning.  To our sorrow we learned that Jimmy Brown had been wounded and Alex Dodds killed both by the same bomb.  So with the sorrows and pleasures of war combined our five precious minutes which passed all too quickly.  “Come and see us if you can get a chance: was the parting reminder as the line moved forward and our burdens seemed greatly lessened by the meeting of an old friend. 

(some additional is not transcribed)  Continuing the letter,

The first opportunity we are off to the YMCA.  As we walk along a wide communications trench with whiz bangs sizzling over our heads in mournful discord with the 18 pounders screeching through the air which in turn endeavors to drown the whistling of the trench mortars and yet as you trudge lightly on in high anticipation of getting some good Canadian goods you find your whistle pipes above them all and Dixie or whatever song you are chanting is easily discernable.  After carefully following the route the place is at last reached.  A huge pile of sand bags with a small opening and the well known red triangle.  A camouflage surrounds it for safety and there the boys receive more pleasures than in any other place in France.  With a cup of tea in your hand, you proceed to fill the sand bag that you have carried for the purpose with various canned goods in stock.  Chocolate is not forgotten.  No fear! If it is Canadian the quantities bought are enormous.  Then after paying with some dilapidated French notes, the homeward journey is started with great thought in mind that the “army moves on its stomach”.  Murray Walker

Perth’s Roll of Honor:

Pte. Shirley MacDonnell (photo)

Mr. and Mrs. P.J.C. MacDonnell of town have been called upon to bear almost more than the ordinary share in the carrying out  of the present world conflict.  With the memory of their son Philip MacDonnell whose demise occurred at Trenton in the munitions explosion yet undimmed, the sad news came by telegram on Friday that their eldest son Pte. Shirley John MacDonnell had succumbed to injuries received when a hospital at Etapes was bombed from the air on the 19^th May.  He was acting as an orderly in one of the hospitals there situated near the sea coast.  He enlisted in July of 1916 with the Queen’s University Field Ambulance going overseas the following October.  After ten days in England he went with a detachment to France and served in the ambulance section right at the front lines until he was gassed at Vimy Ridge in April, 1917.  From then until March of this year he was in hospitals in England recovering.  Going to France in March, he had been engaged in hospital work at Etapes up until the time of his demise.  Etapes is some 75 miles from the firing line and as there are no military near it the war upon the nurses and wounded soldiers there was absolutely inexcusable upon the part of the enemy aircraft.  Upwards of 300 were killed and many injured by the nefarious attack.  The position was probably the farthest the enemy aircraft have penetrated into France.  Shirley MacDonnell was but 19 years of age on the 3^rd April.  He attended Perth public school and Perth Collegiate Institute and before enlistment took an active part in sports in town and was a most manly young man.  His passing is a source of deepest regret to many and the parents and their one son left, Gordon, have the sympathy of all in their bereavement.

Photo of Nursing Sister Edith Gallagher

Nursing Sister Edith Gallagher is the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. J. Gallagher of Fallbrook and while escaping serious injury was nevertheless injured, a telegram received by relatives stated that she had received injuries to her eye.  She went overseas about three years ago.

Perth Courier, June 7, 1918

C.P. Canadian:  Lt. T. Lett Simpson arrived back from France last Thursday.  He went forth two years ago from Taylor Brothers as a private soldier imbued from on high to do his part on the cruel crimson battlefield.  We are pleased to say that no visible marks of the war’s scars rest on his finely moulded form.  He was in veritable storms of shot and shell but his life was under charm and he suffered only from gas fumes that he overcame with a dozen others by courting the outer air continuously not so much as sleeping in a tent.  He lost twenty pounds of flesh but yet remains firm and solid, impervious to the winds or weathers of fell disease and apparently he has the capacity to march from morning to night.  When he took up the business of fighting he resolved to carry it out without limit or stint and he feels now that having done his duty having taken his chances his spirit instructs him that he can conscientiously remain though he is ready to return at full speed should his service be required.  He leaves shortly for Kingston to report and await the commands of the authorities.  Lt. Simpson is of the opinion that the Germans are on their last legs or in the final gasps of the most atrocious character such as the bombings of hospitals and killings of sisters and patients there.  He thinks this is the last full year of the war.

Photo of Nursing Sister Kathleen Shaw of Perth – she has received honors in being presented with the Royal Red Cross of the First Class in acknowledging her service in France.  At present she is nursing sister in charge of an ambulance train.  Miss Shaw was previously mentioned in dispatches early in the year.

Photo of Capt. George Currie, formerly of town, who has again been promoted.  He is now in rank of major and deputy assistant adjutant general in a capacity he has been for some time.  His cousin George McDonald of Montreal is back with his old regiment the Princess Patricias, second in command on the front line with his right arm in a sling.

Photo of Nursing Sister Isabel McEwen, who returned to her home on Friday last on a 17 days leave from her duties at Etapes, France and although brief, is enjoying a well merited rest.  She went overseas with the Queen’s University Unit which originally intended to serve in Cairo, Egypt, but on reaching England on the way to Egypt the unit’s destination was changed to France.  With the exception of a short while spent in a casualty station Miss McEwen has been in hospitals in Etapes since going to France.

Mr. and Mrs. James Young of Lanark received a telegram from the Record Office on Wednesday morning to the effect their son Pte. Harold Alfred Young, army services, was officially reported admitted to the #7 Canadian General Hospital in Letreport, France, 20^th May with bomb wounds in the legs.  He went overseas with the Queen’s University Field Ambulance.

Pte. Lloyd Stewart is reported presumed to have died of wounds in a recent casualty list.  He is the son of Mrs. R. McEwen, Clyde Forks, having enlisted with the 130^th Battalion.  Besides his mother he leaves two brothers, William of Toronto and James at Transcona, Manitoba and three sisters Mrs. J.J. McIlquham, Watson’s Corners and Mrs. Petrie of Winnipeg and Bella at home.

Perth Courier, June 14, 1918

Word was received this week to the effect that Flight Lt. Laurie Thompson had reached England safely and spent six days with his brother Fred who is with a dental clinic in England.  He was also for some time in Scotland on dental work.

Mr. and Mrs. C.M. Forbes of Lanark received a cablegram from their son Archie on Monday which said “safe and well”.  He is in the #3 Canadian Stationary Hospital in France which was recently the object of a bomb attack by German aircraft.

Lt. John M. Airth has returned to Renfrew from overseas.  He was severely wounded on the 19^th Feb., when fighting in the Lens(?) service by a machine gun bullet.  He is now on furlough.  Lt. Airth  went overseas as head of the Renfrew Co. of the 130^th Battalion holding the rank of captain.  Reverting to the frank of lieutenant he crossed the channel and for one year saw war in all its grim realities.  He was with the 3^rd Battalion and is optimistic as to the outcome of the struggle inclining to the view that the end will come in victory for the Allies.

Several letters of condolence have reached Mr. and Mrs. Matthew McLean of Merrickville from the members of the 2^nd Battalion with which their son Pte. Alexander McLean was serving when he was killed in action on the 29^th March.  Writing on behalf of the officer commanding Major Harry A. Hester said “during the period of his connection with the battalion he was always willingly and fearlessly performing any duty for which he was selected and had in every other respect an excellent record.  A message was also received from his company commander Lt. Arthur S. Herron expressing his sorrow at the loss of such an excellent soldier.  “Pte McLean was my #2 on the Lewis gun” he wrote “and one of the best men I had.  He always wore a smile and had a cheery word for all his comrades.  On the 29^th March we were in the support of the trenches previous to going up to the front lines when two shells alighted directly in the trench where my platoon were.  I lost a few men killed and a large number of wounded.  All those who were killed were killed instantly so that they did not suffer at all from wounds.”

Perth Courier, June 21, 1918

Beat the Hun or there’s worse to come

The boys over there are doing their share

But they depend on you for support

Let’s give them all they need---and more.

Perth’s War Chest Fund Campaign

Will be held on Monday, and Tuesday, June 24 and 25

It will be a combined  subscription for the Red Cross and I.O.D.E. and Patriotic and this campaign demands hearty support of every citizen who loves liberty.

Give so that when the boys come home

We can face them with a clear conscience

That we in Perth have done our duty.

The canvassers will be around to see you.

Pte. George Earle returned home on Monday evening from overseas where he has been for the past three years, the last year being spent in a hospital in England.  At the Vimy Ridge engagement he was wounded in the left arm and suffered a concussion.  He went overseas with the 80^th Battalion and saw service in France for two years and came through the Battle of the Somme besides having many experiences during the period spent in France.  Mayor Hands was notified through the Great War Veterans Association that Private Earle would arrive on Monday and consequently was able to arrange a public reception for the return of the Perth boy.  Mayor Hands and Judge Scott at the reception which took place in front of the town hall welcoming Pte. Earle after his strenuous experiences on the battle front.  Pte. Earle, in replying thanked them heartily for their words and the gathering for the kind reception.  The Citizens Band was out and representatives of the Perth Red Cross and I.O.D.E.

Perth Courier, June 28, 1918

The first particulars received in Canada relative to the bombing of the hospital in France in which Pte. Shirley MacDonnell was killed besides a large number of the inmates, officer, nurses and patients, is contained in the following letter from Dr. John Owen, son of Alderman John Owen of Smith’s Falls who was one of the medical officers in the hospitals raided.  He writes as follows under the date of 27^th May:

Doubtless you will have heard of the terrible bombing we have received here and the high number of casualties.  Fortunately and miraculously I escaped without a scratch although eight bombs dropped within a radius of forty yards of me and 16 pieces of shrapnel went through the walls of the small canvas hut in which I was fortunately lying as I had thrown myself on the floor.  One of my officer friends was killed instantly about ten feet away from me and two officers right beside me were severely wounded.  We lost practically half of our personnel in killed and wounded.  We have 158 casualties of whom 70 were killed outright.  One of our boys who was killed was a young MacDonnell, a son  of a bank manager in Perth and if you have any way of finding out for certain if it was his boy you can send him the information that his son was killed instantly by concussion of a bomb and never knew what hit him.  However, in spite of the terrible experience which I can never forget I am still alive and well although still greatly un-nerved as I was somewhat shocked by the concussion of a large high explosive bomb about ten yards away.  20 to 23 bombs were dropped on the hospital alone and at least 200 in the hospital area so that you can get an idea of the terrible damage done.  We had 55 of our men (orderlies) killed outright and 50 wounded.  Two of our nursing sisters were killed and 7 wounded one medical officer was killed and four wounded.  We had about 45 casualties among the patients.  Now I must close as I find it quite difficult to write coherently and none of us have quite recovered from the shock.  Losing all our nice boys, many of whom had been with the unit since the beginning is hard.  Kindest regards to all at home, John

Perth Courier, July 5, 1918

In the casualty lists Thursday night there appears the name of Pte. A.L. Craig, 904560 of Wetaskin, Alberta, killed in action.  Pte Adam L. Craig is the  son of Charles Craig formerly of Watson’s Corners and enlisted with the railway troops in the west.

Perth Courier, July 5, 1918

Flt. Lt. Fred Hope is home on two weeks leave and expects to leave for overseas shortly.

The German barbarians latest activity is the sinking by a submarine of the Canadian Hospital Ship Llandovery Castle.  Capt. The Rev. Donald G. McPhail, chaplain in the force, was on board and it is almost a certainty that he was lost along with most of the crew and passengers.  He was a son of the late Donald McPhail of Drummond and brother of Peter McPhail on the homestead farm in Drummond and Mrs. Thomas Bothwell and Miss Janet McPhail of town.  Rev. Mr. McPhail was a son-in-law of Justice Britton of Toronto who has frequently conducted the Assizes in Perth.  In addition, Pte. Walter Cowie, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. William Cowie, Scotch Line, was on board acting as an orderly and neither his or Rev. Capt. McPhail’s names are among the saved, it is feared both are lost.  Pte. Cowie was on this vessel for the last four voyages both ways across and his parents just received a letter from him before sailing again from Halifax.  The Kingston Whig of Monday says the following:  “Although no word has been received from Capt the Rev. D.G. McPhail who was on the torpedoed hospital ship Llandovery Castle by his wife Mrs. McPhail hopes are still being entertained that he may have been in a lifeboat which has yet been reported.  Mrs. McPahil received the first intimation of the tragedy on Monday night after she had returned from the meeting of the cooperative school in Convocation Hall, in a message from her father Justice Britton.  On Tuesday morning inquiries were mad at the Whig office for further information and the telegraphic dispatches were read for her.  Ministers of the Presbytery who are in session were deeply shocked to hear of the barbarous act of the Huns and Rev. Dr. Malcolm Magillivary expressed the hope that more favorable reports would yet be received.  Donald G. McPhail graduated from the faculty of Arts in queen’s University in 1889 and has had charge of pastorates in Picton, Alberta and Cayuga(?) since his induction.  He is well and favorably known among his brethren as an able and happy comrade.  Several years ago he left his charge at Cayuga when he was appointed chaplain to one of the Highland units.  He served in France but latterly had been in England for his health.  He arrived in Halifax with the last wounded soldiers who crossed the ocean and was only in that city overnight.  Capt. McPhail’s daughters are at present away from home in the western part of the province picking fruit with some college women.”

Perth Courier, July 12, 1918

Annie Hale received the following letter from her brother Sapper Fred Hale, somewhere in France.

Dear Sister:

(letter not transcribed in full)

Last week Fritzie came over in one of his planes bombing and our antiaircraft guns succeeded in bringing them down.  I have seen quite a few planes brought down over here but this was the best fight yet.  It was his largest type of bombing plane and carried four men.  Our searchlights were flashing all over the sky and finally one light got him in its rays when three of four others switched on to him and he showed up very plainly.  The anti aircraft batteries opened up and we could see the shrapnel like a lot of sparks bursting all around him.  Before very long we saw a large burst of flame.  Fritzie had been hit and he gradually started to descend very slowly at first till the fire gained such headway that he lost control of his machine and shot through the air one long streak of flame to the ground reminding you a lot of the descriptions of comets. A couple of us went over today to see the wreckage (to tell you the truth to get a souvenir) for wherever you see a Canadian you will find he has plenty of Fritzie souvenirs.  When I arrived at the scene of the wreckage all that was left was an engine and it was a heap of twisted debris along with the charred remains of three Fritzies.  About 200 yards from the wreckage the 4^th Fritzie was found buried head first in the ground with only his legs sticking out.  He had either gotten excited and jumped when the plane was hit or else he fell out as the spot where he was found was about where the plane was hit.  On my last trip on the line, I helped to bandage up a young German who was very badly wounded in the head and legs.  He was only a kid not more than 16 but I cannot speak German and there are not any Canadians who intend to learn it just yet awhile.  He wore long boots and in order to bandage his legs we had to take off his boots.  He wore no socks; his feet were rolled up in pieces of cloth.  A fellow could not but help feel sorry for him on account of his age.  He was taken out of the line and back to a dressing station.  I wonder if he would do the same for our boys who are wounded and unlucky enough to fall prisoner.  With love and best wishes to yourself and mother and trusting to hear from you both soon, your loving brother, Fred

Capt. Allen Campbell is in town this week coming from Paris, France, where he has been lately in charge of the YWCA work among the Canadian boys who spend their leaves in Paris.  For the future, he will take over the supervision for the National Council of the YMCA of all the military work in the maritime provinces and will have his headquarters in Halifax.  Capt. Caldwell went overseas in December, 1915 in the service of the YMCA, previous to which he had been for some time engaged in Y work at Camp Sewell, Winnipeg and at Ottawa.  After two and a half months at Bramschott Camp, England, he went to France where he was in charge of the work of the 1^st Division until last November when he went to Paris to open a complete program of work in connection with the Canadian boys who were spending leaves in Paris.  This has been well organized and consists of meeting the men at the station, taking them tot eh military reporting centre, securing them accommodations, giving them meals at the cost of the price of food in the dozen or so hotels with whom the Y has a special arrangement.

From the Record Office, Ottawa, Mr. and Mrs. William Cowie, Scotch Line, have received official word that their youngest son, 536023, Pte. Walter Cowie, medical service, was reported missing and believed to have drowned from the SS Llandovery Castle and although the telegram gives little hope of his being recovered, his parents have hopes that their son may yet be found with the missing boats.  Pte. Walter McKenzie Cowie was a manly boy only 16 years of age when he enlisted in July of 1916 with the Queen’s Field Ambulance Unit going overseas in October of the same year; in this unit there were several local boys including Pte. Shirley MacDonnell.  When the ship was sinking, the soldiers on board obeyed orders until the last man was on the life boats.  Pte. Cowie is among those who are missing on five life boats.  In July of last year he was dangerously ill with diphtheria in a hospital in Etapes(?), France and after six weeks illness he went to England to regain his strength.  Lately he had been acting as an orderly on the hospital ship and had made four trips across the ocean.  In the last letter received from him he states that he was to have a leave of absence in august and would be home to help with the harvest.  He is survived by his parents, one brother Nelson and sister Garvilla(?).

Flight Lt. J.D. Brady of Camp Mohawk spent several days in this town.

Flt. Lt. Frank Finlay of Mohawk Camp spent the weekend in town.

Major William Malloch of Winnipeg, cousin to Mrs. W.B. Hart, has been advanced to the rank of Colonel and is in full charge of the military hospital in Lenham(?), England.

Pte. Harold J. Wylie former cheesemaker in Bathurst of the Mutual Cheese Factory was among those on board the “City of Vienna” when she struck a rock in the Atlantic and is now safely back on shore.

Official reports coming through the Canadian Casualty Records Office confirm the belief that Capt. The Rev. Donald G. McPhail, chaplain, is among the lost ones when the Canadian Hospital ship Llandovery Castle was submarined.  Others among the lists of lost ones are:  Pte. Walter Cowie, Perth; J. Rogers, Carleton Place; Nursing Sister Jessie Mabel McDiarmid, Ashton; Nursing Sister Catharine Gallagher of Ottawa; Capt. G.L. Sillis (?), Tweed; W.L. James, Kingston; R.C. Kelly, Havelock

Photo of Gunner Peter McIntyre

Miss Annie McIntyre of town received a telegram from the Records Office Saturday to the effect her brother Gunner Peter McIntyre had received a gunshot wound in the knee and had been admitted to the 51^st Casualty Clearing Station on the 28^th June.  He has been serving with the artillery in France.

Mrs. John Smith, east Gore Street, received a letter from her son Gunner Floyd A. Smith of the 1^st Canadian Heavy Artillery in which he described meeting his brother on the battlefield.

France, 5^th May

My Dearest Mother:

I received your letter dated 1^st April.  I am well and hope this finds you all the same.  I met Jack, my brother.  He did not know me.  I asked him if he knew a lad by the name of Smith in his company.  He said he did but Gunner F.A. Smith is in the 1^st Canadian Heavy Battery, who was a brother of his.  However, when I laughed he knew me and you bet we had a good time for five days.  Lots to eat and lots of money.  Don’t worry.  We are having a good time.  Will be in Perth soon.  Love to all, Floyd 349550

Perth Courier, July 19, 1918

The military medal awarded to Gunner Murray Kirkpatrick of Carleton Place some time ago for bravery in carrying some important dispatches across a dangerous zone in the face of a double barrage was received by his mother from the military headquarters accompanied by a very complimentary letter from the officer commanding Murray who only retained a piece of the ribbon for himself and had the medal sent to his mother.

Miss Agnes Thompson has completed a course in training at the (illegible) Hospital and will go overseas shortly.

2^nd Lt. Calude Watchorn of the R.A.F. son of Mr. and Mrs. George Watchorn of Calgary, formerly of Middleville, has been killed while flying in England.

William Gibson of Balderson received word that his son Pte. Herbert Gibson of the infantry was officially reported wounded and admitted to the #42 Casualty Clearing Station on the 14^th July.  This is the second time he has been wounded, the first time was last fall.

Review Cases Before the Tribunal

Category B

Melville R. Ferguson, farmer, Carleton Place, exempted till 1^st November

John Legury, farmer, Pence, Sask., disallowed

E.P. McReynolds, fireman, Moose Jaw, Sask., disallowed

Category A

James W. Best, farmer, Perth, #1 exemption till 1^st November

Wilbur Roy Campbell, Carleton Place, disallowed

Isaac Roy Ferrier, farmer, Perth, #3, disallowed

Claude Lowe, pattern maker, Carleton Place, disallowed

Edward Kells, farmer, White P.O., exempted till 1^st Sept.

Lawrence King, farmer, Tetlock P.O., exempted till 1^st Sept.

Walter Newton Griffin, dynamo tender, Manion, disallowed

George Alexander Gallipeau, carder, Perth, exempted till 1^st Sept.

Peter Dougald Stewart, farmer, Perth, #7, disallowed

Austin Leach, farm laborer, Ashton, #3, exempted till 1^st November

William Edward Ashman, apprentice, Appleton, disallowed

Roy Richard Coon, clerk, Smith’s Falls, exempted till 15^th August

John Hagarty, farmer, Pakenham, #3, disallowed

James Stewart, farmer, Poland, exempted till 1^st September

William James Armstrong, farmer, Almonte, exempted till 1^st November

John Syme, farmer, Blakeney, exempted till 15^th August.

William George Scott, farmer, Maberly, exempted till 15^th August

James Watt, farmer, Clayton, #2, disallowed

Matthew Ernest Yuill, farmer, Hopetown, exempted till 1^st November

John Lee, farmer, Tatlock, exempted till 1^st November

John Rankin, farmer, Hopetown, exempted till 1^st November

Lindes Hamilton, Section Hand, Carleton Place, exempted till 1^st November

Byron Bolton Bowland, farmer, Carleton Place, #1, exempted till 1^st November

John R. Spalding, farmer, Perth, #7, exempt till 1^st November

William Giff, machinist, Carleton Place, exempted till 15^th August

William A. Gilmour, farmer, Almonte, exempted till 1^st November

Fred L. Eamer, farmer, Smith’s Falls, exempted till 1^st November

Lloyd C. Lanford, farmer, Perth #1, exempted till 1^st November

James McDiarmid, farmer, Carleton Place, #2, exempted till 1^st October

Percy W. Yorke, C.P.R., baggage man, Smith’s Falls, disallowed

John George Watt, formerly, Maberly, exempted till 1^st November

James George Ferrier, farmer, Perth, #3, exempted till 1^st November

Anslow Patterson, farmer, Christies Lake, exempted till 1^st November

Wesley Robert Playfair, farmer, Lanark, exempted till 15^th Oct.

John Burns, farmer, Marble Bluff, exempted till 1^st November

Herbert James Cameron, principal, Smith’s Falls, disallowed subject to medical exam

Allie A. Stewart, hardware merchant, Lanark, exempted to 15^th August

John S. O’Hara, electrician, Smith’s Falls, disallowed subject to medical exam

Duncan McGregor, farmer, Carleton Place, exempted to 1^st October

Patrick Hanrahan, farmer, Prospect, exempted to 1^st Sept.

Robert Laing Scott, farmer, Perth, #3, exempted to 1^st November

William E. Code, farmer, Perth, #6, disallowed

Wesley Earle McCullough, farmer, Perth, #2, exempted to 1^st November

Sal L. Hanna, farmer Bolingbroke, exempted to 1^st Sept.

James N. MacNaughton, farmer, Balderson, exempted to 1^st November.

Perth Courier, July 26, 1918

The Canadian Food Board calls upon the people at summer resorts and residents in suitable areas to make an immediate drive on the wild berry patches.  Small fruits in general are scarce this year but the wild berries are abundant as usual in some parts of Canada and they constitute a rich source of food supply that in the past has been left practically untapped but which may now be utilized as much as possible.  The men organized for gathering the wild berries will help with a shortage of butter in Europe.  During the winter of 1918-19 jam must be used extensively on this continent as a substitute for butter and the finest flavored jam in the world is that which is made from wild berries.  Everyone living within a wild berry area is asked to help and the summer resort residents especially should lend a hand in this campaign.  The youngsters can be sent out with pails until they are tired and the housekeeper can do her part making the jam and preserves as fast as the berries are brought to her.

Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Brown, Carleton Place, have received a cable stating that their son Capt. A. Brown had been injured by accident in England.  A later dispatch has been received regarding his condition which gives the welcome information that his condition was much improved and chances of recovery good.  Capt. Roy Brown is the aviator who brought down the noted German aviator Baron Von Richtoffen.

Capt. Norman Grace, M.D., in a letter to his father Harry Grace of Renfrew tells of a party of seven army surgeons recently dispatched from the western front to London for a few weeks of much needed rest.  Not long ago he was in a field hospital which came within the scope of a German drive and he with others was obliged to “stand not upon the order of their going but go at once” leaving behind clothing and equipment. Some doctors and nurses unable to get away were made prisoners by the Huns.

Lt. Col. W.R. Rierdon of Belleville has by gallantry won the D.S.O. decoration.  He organized the 34^th Battery in Belleville and went overseas three years ago and was on active service in Italy and France.

A handsome new Union Jack has been hung above the pipe organ in the Presbyterian Church in Almonte.  It was, says the Gazette, presented to the church by Miss Wylie and Miss Fraser in honor of their nephews the late Archie Wylie and Farquhar Fraser who made the supreme sacrifice on the battlefields of France.

Elmer Robertson of Lanark and formerly with the Bank of Ottawa has resigned his position in the branch at South Mountain to join the flying corps at Toronto.

In the army casualty lists issued on Sunday, 21^st July in Washington appears the name of James Bennett of Maberly, Ontario as killed in action.  Pte Bennett was serving in the American Army in France.

The list of names furnished by the militia department of the nursing sisters who sailed on the ill fated Llundovery Castle contained that of Jessie Mabel McDiarmid of Ashton, Ontario.  Nursing Sister McDiarmid was a graduate of Kingston General Hospital; after graduation she crossed to the U.S. and nursed there for a number of years.  She was at San Francisco when the war broke out in 1914 but being desirous to join a medical unit in Canada came to Vancouver and thence to Victoria.  Here she joined a British Columbia section of the #5 Canadian Hospital in 1915 and in the late summer sailed for England.  This unit passed through Carleton Place on the 26^th August, 1915.  After nursing in England for some time she was transferred to Cairo, Egypt then to Salonica.  Here she and many other nurses had a very narrow escape the boat being destroyed while in the harbor.  The #5 Hospital was transferred back to England in 1917 and in order to avoid danger in the Mediterranean came by way of Italy and France.  Miss McDiarmid was stationed in the Canadian Military Hospital in Liverpool from that time forward till her last voyage on the Llandovery Castle.  She had two days leave at Halifax and visited with her cousin Mrs. (Dr.) J.R. Carston.  Nothing further has been learned and it is assumed that all the nursing sisters are lost.  She had been recommended for the Royal Red Cross for her services at Salonica.  Her next of kin are here two brothers John at Ashton, Peter of Provost, Alberta, and five sisters:  Mrs. R.P. Brown of North Gower; Mrs. D. McDougall of Glen Isle; Mrs. A. Howard of Mather, Manitoba; and Misses Annie and Jennie at home.

Perth Courier, July 26, 1918

Balderson Theater

Have you seen “Over the Top”?

If not, the opportunity is offered on

Wednesday and Thursday, October 7 and 8

This is a marvelous photoplay of Sgt. Arthur Guy Empey’s book.  Thousands of soldiers take part in the picture.  That and night raids on the enemy trenches are depicted.  Aviators are seen circling in the air.  Machine gunners, bombers and sharpshooters are shown in action.  “Over the Top” has a strong appeal because it is based on truth not fiction.  The veil is lifted from the Western Front.  Three million people have to date read Sgt. Empey’s book “Over the Top”.  This number is in addition to the 25 million who are daily reading the story in the newspapers.  One of the greatest productions in the history of motion pictures.  Seats will be reserved at 50 cents; upstairs 15 and 25 cents.

Perth Courier, August 2, 1918

Dr. J.T. Kirkland, post master, Almonte, received word that his son Lt. Jas. Kirkland of the Royal Aviation Corps is missing.

Mrs. P.T. Brady of town received a message that her brother, Sgt. J.E. McGee of Brockville has been seriously wounded by a gunshot wound in the lung.  Sgt. Brady has been in France over three years.

Lance Corp Wesley Ball who spent several days in town visiting at the home of Mrs. G.T. Wilson, has been invalided to Canada after being gassed.  He was in the trenches for some 18 months.  He was gassed at Lens in March during the night while sleeping in a hut but the gas did not affect him until the next day when his voice sank to a whisper.  He was sent back for treatment which was given him in hospitals in France and England.  He has a very high word of praise for the work of the Canadian Red Cross nurses.  He also has a hearty word of commendation for the work of the YMCA overseas.  He enlisted about two years ago previous to which he was conducting the Royal Theater in town.  He has returned to Toronto for hospital treatment.

Perth Courier, August 9, 1918

News reached here some time ago of the death of Pte. Bennett in France by drowning on the 29^th June.  He was a member of the English Corps and while building a bridge he fell accidentally into the river and drowned.  He was the 6^th(?)  son of Mrs. John Bennett of town and was 26 years of age.  Pte. Bennett joined the American Engineering Corps at Washington, about a year ago and went directly overseas.  A letter arrived giving all particulars.  He got all the rites of his church and was given a military funeral.  His mother and  four brothers are left to mourn his loss.

John Gibson of Harper received a letter from his brother J. Herb Gibson this week stating that on the 14^th July he had been out on a raid and had received a bullet through his right side going in below the shoulder blade, smashing a rib and coming out of his breast. With the help of a pal he managed to get back to the trenches where he was taken out on a stretcher to a dressing station.  He also got a flesh wound in the thigh but luckily not very serious.  He is somewhat weak but hopes to be in a far way to recovery shortly.  Mr. Gibson cabled to find out more about his brother and received the following answer on Wednesday:  “C.R.C. Society reports Pte. James Herbert Gibson at King George Hospital.  Gunshot wound chest, cheerful, able to sit up.”

Perth Courier, August 23, 1918

The casualty list this week for Canadians has been heavy.  Canadians are in the drive in force.

1.Lance Corp. William Strang of Lanark has been killed.  He was one of two sons of Mr. and Mrs. W. Strange and was the first to enlist from Lanark with the 130^th Battalion joining in the early part of January, 1917.  He took part in many of the actions in which the Canadians were engaged in France up to August 19, 1917 when he received shrapnel wounds in the face and shoulder placing him in the hospital in France for over two months.  On recovering from his wounds in October, he was transferred to the Machine Gun section and returned to the firing line where he met a hero’s death.  He was only 25 years of age.  His humor and sympathetic spirit made him a general favorite with all who enjoyed his acquaintance.

2.Lt. Kevin Stewart Drummond of Montreal, nephew of Miss Drysdale of Perth, has been killed in action on the 8^th August.  Lt. Drummond won the Military Cross at Vimy Ridge, was wounded and invalided home.  He returned to France last January and had been on the firing line until he met his death.  He was the youngest son of the late John J. Drummond of Montreal and nephew of Miss Drysdale, of town.

3.Mrs. James Patterson of Perth received word the latter part of last week that her son John Patterson #787045, had been admitted to the 2^nd Australian General Hospital, Wimerieux, France on the 10^th August with gunshot wound in the knee.  This is the second wounding.  He went overseas with the 130^th Brass Band.

4.Mr. and Mrs. Robert Brown of Perth received a telegram from the Record Office on Saturday stating that their son Gerald Brown is officially reported dangerously ill in #5  General Hospital Rouen, France on the 13^th August with gunshot wound in the leg, arm and hand.  He went overseas with the 73^rd Highland Battalion of Montreal.  For some time he was confined to the hospital with a growth on his foot.

5.Mr. and Mrs. John Smith of Perth received word from the Record Office that their son Pte. John Lloyd Smith #447882 was officially reported admitted to the #5 General Hospital Rouen, France 13^th August with gunshot wounds in the upper extremities.  He has been twice wounded.

6.Robert Blair of Perth was informed by telegram this week that his nephew Pte. Dauphin Creighton Blair #787014, infantry, had been admitted to #11 Stationery Hospital in Rouen, France on the 9^th Aug. with gunshot wound in the right shoulder.  He is the son of the late Neil Blair.

7.Reeve W.L. Code and Mrs. Code of North Elmsley  received word on Tuesday morning from the Director of Records Office, Ottawa, that #59179 Pte. Milford Code, infantry, is officially reported admitted to #12 General Hospital, Rouen on Friday, 14^th August, suffering from gunshot wound in the left arm.  This is the second time Pte. Code has been wounded.

8.Mrs. Elizabeth Inwood of Drummond was informed by the Record Office, Ottawa, that her son #410826 Pte. Wilbert John Inwood, infantry, was officially admitted to #12 General Hospital, Rouen France on August 12 with a gunshot would in the hip.

9.Thomas Davidson of Drummond received a telegram to the effect that his son #787124 Pte. Matthew Earl Davidson, infantry, had been admitted to #3 Convalescent Department, Letreport, France, 13^th Aug., with gunshot wound in the back.

10.Pte Fred John Armstrong has been wounded according to a telegram received by his father John Armstrong, Port Elmsley, he had been admitted to Borden Miligary Hospital, Weymouth, England on the 15 August with gunshot wound in the right thigh.

11.Mr. and Mrs. Daniel McKerracher have received word that their son Pte. Edgar McKerracher is ill with contusion.

12.Word has been received that Pte. W.C. Mills of Snow Road has been wounded.

Miss Elsie Danner left last week for Toronto where she has joined the R.A.F.  While there are young women from Perth engaged in hospitals overseas as part of the war work Miss Danner is the first woman war worker from town to enter this line of service and through her natural adaptability along the lines required in this chosen endeavor she will no doubt meet with much success.  A number of Canadian girls have lately been enabled to join the air force and transportation units and wear regulation khaki uniforms.

Perth Courier, August 28, 1918

District Casualties:

Pte. Charles A. Christe(?) or Christi(?) of Franktown

Pte. John J.P. Ryan, Arnprior

Pte. William R. Campbell

Pte. Alexander Splane, Carleton Place

Pte. Ernest Boicy(?), Arnprior

Pte. John Saunders, Smith’s Falls

Pte. F.B. Marquette, Smith’s Falls

Pte. John Galloway, Arnprior

Pte. T.C. Mann, Renfrew

Pte. A.H. Metcalfe, Almonte

Pte. L.P. Hogan, Almonte

Pte. A.E. Smith, Cobden

Pte. W.C. Ferguson, Smith’s Falls

Photo of Lance Corp. William Strang, killed in action

On September 25, 1917 Major John Hope of town arranged a reunion for Perth boys in France who could be communicated with.  They gathered around the Chateau de al Hall and thoroughly enjoyed the reunion and the hospitality of Major Hope.  Sapper Waldo Morris, formerly of town, was among the number and to commemorate the occasion he made while in the field he made a fine scroll and etching which contained the names of the boys.  The etching consisted of the rose, shamrock and maple leaf, nicely done in color.  This he presented to Major Hope and it is beautifully done.  Major Hope forwarded it home and Peter Hope has it at the store, having secured a frame for it.  The names on the etching include:

Major J. Hope

Fred Adams

D.S. Hudson

A. Robinson

W. Byrne

W.J.W. Morris

H.d. McMaster

G. Barrie

J.A. Thornton

J.E. Ferrier

Lt. J. McAmmond

H. Albright

B.H. Warren

J.D. McFaulds

F.H. O’Neill

H.A. Ferrier

E. Rongey

To. Rooten(?)

P. Polene(?)

W.A. Cooper

Two of the boys mentioned have since paid the supreme sacrifice—H.A. Ferrier and D.S. Hudson

Killed In Action:  Pte. George Fanning, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Fanning of Carleton Place has been killed in action.  He went overseas with the 207^th at Ottawa.

Photo Capt. D.G. McPhail

The following is written by Rev. Malcolm McGillivray and appears in the August 1 issue of The Presbyterian and Westminster:  The sinking of the hospital ship Llandovery Castle on the 27^th June by a German submarine was one of the darkest tragedies of the war—one of the foulest of the many foul blots lasting forever and unforgivable on the execrated and accursed men of the Huns.  Among the 234 brave, devoted men and women who perished was Captain McPhail one of our Presbyterian chaplains.  Having accompanied a large contingent of sick and wounded home to the Port of Halifax he was on the return trip for duty again at the front when the big ship was sent to the bottom.  So far he is the only one of the Presbyterian chaplains to fall.  The news of his death came with shock and sorrow to his many friends and acquaintances—for he was one of the most likeable and constant of men and most pleasant in his fellowship.  He will long be missed in the circles which knew him best.

Captain McPhail passed to the fields of glory in his 56^th year.  He was born to the best of Presbyterian stock in the township of Drummond.  For many years his father was an honored elder at St. Andrew’s Church and his mother was a remarkably well read woman in the literary and traditions and not afraid to address any question of her day.  There were other children.  And in that comfortable, happy home Donald George McPhail had his early nurturing—the goodly, sunny traces he carried abut him to the last.  His schooling he got at Perth and in the institute there he read for Queen’s University which he entered with a view to the ministry of the Presbyterian Church.  He was a mere lad with the writer became acquainted with him but the drift of his mind to serious things and to serious work was manifest then in the Bible class “Waylands Moral Science” which was a text book for a couple of terms which deeply interested him—opening up for the eager, youthful mind vistas of thought and service.  At an early age he yielded to the Master’s plan and joined the fellowship of his church.

Entering Queen’s he took the fall course in arts doing good work and easily winning his degree.  Without a break or loss of time he took up the study of Theology partly at Queen’s and partly at Knox.  Presently he was called to the pastorate of St. Andrew’s Church, Picton, where he was much beloved and gave proof of his ministry.  Stirred by the call and lure of the West, he left Picton and for a time labored at Frank, southern Alberta at the time an active mining center.  He was there when the great mountain slide took place in April of 1903 wiping out a wing of the town, sealing up a valuable coal mine and burying some 70 people in the ruins.  His description of that notable cataclysm, written the day of its occurrence is the best that has been given.  A massive peak of Camel Mountain broke away in the grey of the morning and in a few seconds swept across and damming the Old Man River and covering part of that town and valleys for several square miles and in the average depth of many yards.  Mining and other interests were materially injured and the town seriously thrown back by the destructive landslide.

Later Mr. McPhail returned to Ontario and was called to a church at Cayuga where he made for himself a name until the call “overseas” came to him three years ago offering him the chaplaincy in the Canadian Expeditionary Force.  Devoted, gentle, broad of sympathy and in the best sense of the word a good mixer, he was much liked by officers and men.  His grip and humor served to rub the nasty edge off discomfort in camp and trench and of pain in the hospital tent.  And at the port of duty, on the high seas, battered with cares, they met the face of contained strength and gentleness.

Among his intimates, Captain McPhail was a rare good fellow—frank and gentle with spice and edge to a rare range of ideas and information.  As a preacher he was solid and instructive with a vein and turn of originality which gave truth—the old and the new—an attractive selling.  But he was too fastidious in temperament and style to be a popular preacher in the popular sense.  He would not “clow the ner” or “tear passion to tatters”.  That was not the line of my dear friend Lt. McPhail but his work, pulpit and pastoral was always that of the devoted heart and cultivated mind.  And were the future only known, one is sure, that in the last fateful moments when the pirate had done his work and the hungry sea was closing over the Llandovery Castle, he was more concerned to help others than himself—torturing as the pang of parting with loved ones at home might hav been.

Early in his ministry Captain McPhail was married to Annie Louis Britton, a girl of much personal charm and active Christian sympathy, a generous hostess and friend and a loving helpful wife.  Of the marriage two daughters were born:  Mary Christine and Catherine Louise.  The former is a graduate of Queen’s and the School of Pedagogy and a high school teacher.  The latter is at home. M.M.

Perth Courier, August 30, 1918

Miss Lillian Spence, sister of Thomas Spence of Perth and who is a graduate of the Greenwich General Hospital and the Women’s Hospital of New York, writes as follows from France where she has been nursing for over a year.

France, May 6, 1918

Just a year ago today since I entered service in the Hospital Militaire, V.R. 76 and yet I cannot believe it to be so quickly go the days in France.  The time spent here has been most absorbingly interesting and the experiences never to be forgotten.  Our hospital services only the French wounded.  Since the spring drive began we have worked at top speed.  Faster than we could care for them the ambulance bore the poor shattered wreckage of the war up the hill.  With seven surgeons operating and thirty nurses serving we seemed to never reach an end.  Some of the wounded were more than three days en route to us and arrived in frightful condition; caked with mud from the trenches, horrible wounds, pitiful wan faces.  When the trains of wounded come in at the clearing station, ten miles away, it is heart breaking to see it.  Coach after coach, cattle car after cattle car with great lines of stretchers.  The severe cases too ill to go further are taken off to our hospital.  Yesterday a young wounded soldier with tetanus was brought in and when the old village Cure bent over him, between spasms he gasped out that he had been praying, praying Bonne Vierge to send him a message and take care of him.  This morning was a red letter day for a boy of 18, the nurses call “Babe” had lost two limbs and the sight of one eye but never his courage.  Today his new American legs arrived and when they were strapped on his joy was beyond expression.  Proudly he engaged each nurse for a walk and when night came we actually had to beg him to retire so anxious was he to practice. We had great excitement Friday night when enemy airplanes tried to fly over Paris but were vigorously attacked by the French.  Nurses off duty were all called and as we sat in the darkness ready in case of need, we watched two fighting planes swept by searchlights and listened to the explosions of the shells.  An aviator was brought in who had fallen.  We sewed up several bad gashes and put three stitches in each eye lid but beyond that he had only a few scratches and bruises.  I often recall with pleasure my happy days in America but while the war lasts, there is opportunity for service here and I feel I must remain in France.

Pte. Albert Thomas Burgess of Pakenham has been killed in action.  He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Burgess of Pakenham and went overseas with the 207^th (Ottawa) Battalion.  He was teaching school in Saskatchewa when he enlisted.  An apt scholar at school, he passed the entrance at ten years of age.  His brother Edgar, is convalescing in a Canadian hospital while another brother Harry is still on active service in France.

Perth’s Honor Roll:

1.Photo Lt. Lindsay Sinclair

Mr. and Mrs. P.M. Sinclair and family have been called upon to mourn for the loss of their youngest son and brother Lt. Lindsay Sinclair who was officially reported killed in action on the 18^th August.  Attending Perth Public School and Collegiate in his boyhood days he went to Toronto University where he graduated as a civil engineer.  Taking a position after graduation with the C.P.R. at Montreal, he was with this company for a year and later with the Dominion Steel Bridge Co. and the Webb Company in the same city for four years.  In January, 1915 he enlisted with the artillery in Montreal, later transferring to the Canadian Engineers.  While at Valcartier he was injured when accidentally falling from his horse, which detained him from going overseas for about four months.  In November, 1916, he went to England and after training there until April, 1917, went to France with the Engineers and has been engaged in engineer work near the front lines up to this time.  In the last letter from him dated June 21 he said “I am good and fit but it is awful”.  He had just returned to the front lines after two weeks leave and wrote the letter at Boulogne, France. Lt. Sinclair was 31 years of age and had a bright future in his chosen calling.

2.Pte. J.D. Shearer

Pte. J.D. Shearer has died of gunshot wounds and fractured skull received three days previous to his death.  At the time of enlisting with the 240^th Battalion, he was with the local branch of the Bank of Ottawa.  He went overseas about a year and a half ago.  He formerly resided in Smith’s Falls with his mother.  Mrs. Shearer is now living in Ottawa and in the last letter from him he said he had just come out of the trenches and was glad of it—they had escaped wonderfully.  He was an only son leaving behind his mother and sister Mary.

3.Photo Pte. Gerald C. Brown

Following the telegram to the effect that their son Pte. Gerald C. Brown was reported dangerously ill in #5 General Hospital at Rouen, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Brown on Monday received the sad information that their son had expired in his battle for life against the severe wounds he received on the 13^th August in the leg, arm and hand from gunshot.  His boyhood days were spent in Perth.  Later he went to Montreal where he was employed for some years with the Dominion Express Company.  He enlisted with the 73^rd Royal Highlanders on the 11^th October, 1915 and sailed for England on the 1^st April, 1916.  He went to France in October of 1916 where he came through a number of big engagements until being wounded on the 13^th August to which he succumbed on the 21^st.  During his enlistment he had been for some time confined to the hospital overseas with a growth on his foot.  He has made the supreme sacrifice and another Perth boy is added to the ever lengthening roll of honor.  Pte. Brown is survived by his parents, two brothers, John and Alfred, and three sisters:  Mrs. Frank Dugan of Smith’s Falls and Victoria and Harriett at home.

4.Pte Archie Shaw

Pte. Archie Shaw of Carleton Place has been killed in action.

5.Pte Edward La Chance

Pte. Edward LaChance has been admitted to the #1 Australian General Hospital at Rouen, France on the 17^th August suffering from gas.  His wife resides at 213 Creighton St., Ottawa and is a sister of Mrs. Alex Cameron of town.

6.Mrs. Eliza Abram, formerly of Lanark and now of Almonte, received word this week that her son Pte. Frank Abram was officially reported dangerously ill in #55 General Hospital at Boulogne, France, suffering from gas.

Captain W. H. Vickers Hooper, who was taken prisoner in the memorable battle of St. Julien has been repatriated and is on his way home, according to information received by Mrs. Hooper at Carleton Place and by his parents at Ottawa.  It is understood that he has reached England and will leave for Canada as soon as possible.  He was repatriated on the 3^rd August according to the message from the Director of Records.  Mrs. Hooper also received a letter from her husband written on the same day saying he expected to reach Paris and London that day.  Capt. Hooper was a member of the 2^nd Battalion, 1^st Contingent and one of five brothers who enlisted at the beginning of the war.  After being wounded and taken prisoner at St. Julien he got to Switzerland a year ago and is only now obtaining his freedom.

District Casualties

Killed In Action:

1.Pte. Nicholas F. Penny, son of Mrs. Mary Cardinal(?) of Lanark.

2.Pte. Alex McTavish, enlisted at Carleton Place.

3.Pte Hugh Gilmour, Forrester’s Falls

4.Sgt. Edward Arkell(?), enlisted at Smith’s Falls.

Died of Wounds:

1.Pte. Robert Trowsse, son of Mrs. Charlotte Trowsse, of Arnprior.  He enlisted with the 130^th Battalion and spent a winter in Perth with the N.C.O.’s

Missing:

Pte. Joseph Pritchard of Renfrew

Wounded:

1.Pte James Forbes of Appleton

2.Lance Corp. E.E.. Tennant of Carleton Place

3.Pte Jas. F. Droughen, son of Mrs. M. Droughen of Smith’s Falls

Mr. James J. McGarry, son of Hon. T.W. and Mrs. McGarry, though not of military age, has enlisted in the artillery and left on Monday last  to take a course of instruction at the Royal Military College at Kingston before proceeding overseas.  Renfrew Mercury

Photo of Pte. John Patterson:  Wounded

Perth Courier, September 6, 1918

Pte. J. Herb Gibson, who was severely wounded some time ago, is now convalescing in King George Hospital in London, England.  Mrs. Joseph Paul of Poland, sister, has received the following letter from him:

2 August, 1918

Dear Brother and Sister:

I got hit on the 14^th July and got over here on the 30^th.  I was ten days at the Canadian Clearing Station before I was able to travel any further.  We were just two days in the line after our two months rest when out on patrol one morning I got this.  It was a machine gun that did the trick.  I was lying on my side, one bullet got me in the back about the 9^th rib and came out in front; another took the depth of itself out of my leg below the hip and a third went through the side of my boot just scratching the skin.  Three of my ribs were so badly smashed they had to operate and I am minus several inches of staves.  Some splinters penetrated my lung and I am still spitting blood.  I required some stitches to sew me up where they cut but that is all healed up nicely now.  I am able to sit up in bed a while.  Don’t worry about me for I am in good hands and a good place and getting the best treatment.  This is a very large hospital, 2,000 beds.  I am up about the 4^th story and cannot hear the noise from the street at all.  There are a few Canadians here but none in this ward.  Our Canadian Red Cross visitor called on me yesterday and had a list of names.  The only one I knew was Babcock from Lanark.  I did not know him back at home but met him in France last winter.  The Red Cross lady is bringing me some home papers today I do hope there are no bad rumors this time like the last.  I suppose you will be finishing up haying and starting harvest.  I guess I would not pitch much hay these days.  Just two years since I was to your place with mother, dear me, what changes since that time and how many people have gone from around home.  I sometimes think they are better off.

Love to All

Your Brother Herb

London

Harper:  We are all very sorry to hear of Harmon Warren being dangerously wounded but hope he is improving now.

Photo of Pte. Fred J. Armstrong, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Armstrong, Port Elmsley, who has been wounded.

Quartermaster Sgt. Harmon Warren, formerly of Perth, has been dangerously wounded.  He went overseas with the Army Medical Corps from Calgary in March, 1916.  He is a brother of Messrs. Harry Warren of town and Joseph Warren of Bathurst.

J. H. Ross, editor of the Winchester Press and formerly of Smith’s Falls, has received word that his son George Ross has been wounded by a shotgun in the knee and was in a hospital in Rouen, France.  No other particulars have been received.  He has been in France about one year and was in the last big battle in which the Canadians won such a victory.  Pte. George Ross was some months ago awarded the Military Cross for distinguished service in connection with scouting work and one of the officers with whom he was associated with at time has since been killed and another, Major Pease of Kingston was wounded.

Perth Courier, September 13, 1918

Murray Walker and Jim McVeity went to France together and came through the big advances mentioned in the following letter received from Murray this week.  This was written, however, before Jim was killed in action at a later engagement.

(Not transcribed in full)

You will certainly know the reason for me not writing and the field card I sent last week.  Well, I was through it all and Jim McVeity and I are saved.  But what a time we had.  I guess my experiences so far are totally surpassed in the last week and a half with what we have seen and done.  We had two light gas attacks but thought nothing of them.  This morning Jim is suffering slightly over it but it is nothing serious.  We were practically int eh tick of it for eight days and our casualty lists are pretty heavy and several of our chums suffered.  Our platoon is pretty weak now—26 men—but we will soon have reinforcements……..in some places the Germans were so surprised they beat it without putting on their boots.  The tanks did excellent work and saved many casualties; they headed us all the way over.  I received two letters, one the day before the advance and the other two days after.  They cheered me greatly.  We were lying in a deep German dugout at the time about midnight, expecting to go over the top any minute when the first one arrived.  Our “over the top” resulted in a bombing raid and then that awful days fighting.  Yesterday on our way out I was presented with a box from Mrs. Mary Meighen and it was a beauty I enjoyed it especially at that time and will send her my thanks in a letter. We have had no time or opportunity to send letters and every spare minute we are sleeping.  Sometimes we were 48 hours without sleep.  They are paying us this morning, 40 francs and I think we deserve it.  The YMCA has done splendid work.  They followed us right up and set canteens up every time we halted.

Affectionately, Murray

Mrs. A.C. Walker of town received the following letter from her Son Alex Murray, who is in the tick of the big advance and has probably seen as much of the conflict in France as any one of the Canadian soldiers.

Somewhere in France, 10^th August, 1918

Dear Mother:

I have not had a letter from you for some time.  However, as we are in the middle of a big push, it is no wonder.  The mails, of course, are not regular because we never know where we will be the next day.  We have been giving Fritz the merry old chase for the last four days.  We have advanced about 15 miles and we have still got him going.  Several times he turned and tried to put up a scrap.  We have captured about 14,000 prisoners, the Canadians alone, not counting what the other Allies got.  We have taken over 12 villages since Wednesday and are still progressing.  Our casualties are light compared with the ground gained.  Everywhere there lie the corpses of the Huns, some hardly touched and others blown to pieces.  The ground all over is a veritable shambles, the roads and grain fields are full of dead Germans, horses, splintered carriages, broken harnesses and blood.  Everywhere there is blood until one sickens of it.  I am writing this sitting up on the ground with my back up against a tree.  Everyone is digging a trench for himself because Fritz comes over our lines every night and bombs  everywhere.  Last night he dropped bombs all around us and got a man of ours, we are not always so lucky.  Right in front of this bush or park, or whatever you might choose to call it, there is a slope and from where I sit I can see where Fritz tried desperately to dig himself in and make a good stand.  It is no use.  He only got down about a foot when we caught up with him and he is still going.  We give him no rest.  All the ground he gained on us last Spring has been retaken and we passed all our old lines two days ago.  The villages we pass in the drive are merely ruins.  Everything is smashed.  Their gunfire was terrific.  I am beginning to think old Fritz is on his last legs although you can never tell.  If we can keep up this pace we will soon make him come to our terms.  He will receive nothing.  I was speaking with some of our prisoners last night at the advanced dressing station when the YMCA had a captain giving out free tea and cigarettes to the boys and they told me that the Americans whenever they got a Prussian prisoner merely cut his throat.  There was no mercy shown to any Prussian although they treat the Bavarians and Alsace Lorraine soldiers fighting for Germany a little better.  The reason for this explanation on the part of the Americans is easy to understand.  The first Americans that the Prussians captured were crucified; nailed to a door or tree and mutilated.  Therefore the Americans swore to be avenged and they surely are executing their work of retribution.  I got a German one Mark piece (25 cents) from one of the prisoners am enclosing it as a souvenir for you.  Well, mother, it is getting dark and I must try to snatch a short few winks of sleep.

Your loving son,

Alex

Photo of Q.M. Sergt. Harmon Warren, who has been killed in action.

Mr. and Mrs. M. McKinnon of Renfrew have received word that their son Lt. Ian McKinnon had been killed in action on the 27^th of August.  He was in Perth with the 130^th Battalion but was rejected from going overseas until the 240^th embarked.  The Renfrew Journal says:  “Ian McKinnon, who would have been 22 years in November, was a well known, fine young fellow, and very popular with all who knew him.  He was a great athlete and an excellent hockey player.  After leaving school, he entered the Bank of Ottawa and was still in the Renfrew branch when he enlisted with the 240^th Battalion, going overseas with them. He has been in and out of the trenches for a long time without ever having been wounded.  Just the night before the cablegram was received telling of his death, a very beautifully written letter arrived in which he mentioned that they were just about to commence the great drive.  He desired that his parents would not worry about him as he was perfectly prepared for whatever might befall him and if it was ordained that he should fall he would die without regrets.  Besides his father and mother he leaves an elder brother Capt. (Dr.) Kenneth McKinnon at present at Bramschott Military Hospital in England.

Perth Honor Roll:

1.Photo of Pte. James McVeety – Nothing causes deeper regret than the word that arrived in Perth on Tuesday to the effect that Pte. James McVeety, son of Mrs. Annie McVeety, who is at present staying with Mr. and Mrs. Samuel McVeety at Rideau Ferry, had been killed in action on the 25^th August.  Joining the 130^th Battalion in the winter of 1916, while the local company was training here, he went to Valcartier in the spring and went overseas with the local battalion.  For some time he was at Witley Camp in England and while there he and Private Murray Walker made some interesting drives about England and Scotland.  They were intending to see Ireland when the opportunity offered itself but early this Spring they were detailed to France with a detachment of the Princess Patricias and since then have been on the firing line.  In a letter from Murray Walker dated the 27^th August, and published elsewhere he stated that he and Jim had gone through eight days advance and were safe.  They were then in a rest billet but evidently have been in further engagements as the fateful telegram conveying the word of Jim’s death intimates.  In his falling, another Perth boy has paid the supreme sacrifice.  Jim was a general favorite around Rideau Ferry and Perth.  The mother, one brother Samuel at the Tay Locks and two sisters, Mrs. Charles Gardiner and Miss Annie McVeety, Rideau Ferry, survive.

2.Q.M. Sgt. H. Warren—Following the information received by relatives here that Q.M. Sgt. Herman Warren had been seriously wounded in the side, further word came Friday that he had succumbed on the 28^th August two days after being wounded. Q.M. Sgt. Warren enlisted early in the war with the Army Medical Corps.  He was the third son of the late Benjamin and Mrs. Warren.  He went overseas with the rank of sergeant, being advanced to the rank of quarter master for his work over there.  He was for upwards of a year in Canada with the Medical Corps and had been in France nearly three years.  Before enlisting he was employed by the C.P.R. office at Calgary.  His boyhood days were spent in Perth before he went with the family and as a young man here Harmon Warren was a general favorite with all.  While in France he was for some time in charge of a quartermaster store and Perth boys were wont of an evening to congregate at Harmon’s headquarters and have an enjoyable evening.  He was unmarried and in his 28^th year.  Those left to mourn his loss are:  his mother and sister Myra and brother Milton at Calgary, Harry and Joseph brothers at Perth and a brother Bert in British Columbia.  A sister, Mrs. E.B. Duncan, also resides at Seattle.  Sgt. Warren was a member of the Oddfellows lodge at Calgary.

Local List of Casualties:

1.Major John Hope—On Tuesday Mr. and Mrs. Peter Hope received word that their son, Major John Hope, was officially reported admitted to the #20 General Hospital, Dannes, Camiers, 4^th September with gunshot wound in the nose, neck and right arm.  He had reached London, England from France when cabeling from there “in London very slight wounds.  Am up feeling find”.  This is the second time Major Hope has been wounded.

2.Pte Harold Bygrove—Mr. and Mrs. George Bygrove of town were informed by telegram of their eldest son Pte. Harold Bygrove who had been admitted to #4 General Hopsital, Dannes, Camieres, France, on the 31^st August with gunshot wound in the right shoulder.  He was a former member of the 130^th Battalion.

3.Pte. John Arthur Phillips—Rev. Mr. Phillips and Mrs. Mary Phillips of Balderson received word this week that Pte. John Arthur Phillips has been admitted to #22 General Hospital, Camieres, France on the 27^th August with gunshot wounds in the neck.  He is with the infantry.

4.Pte Joseph Miran(?) Beadle—Mrs. Margaret Beadle received a telegram this week to the effect her son Joseph M. Beadle had been admitted to #2 Canadian General Hospital, Letreport, on the 31^st August with gunshot wounds in the left thigh.  He is with the infantry.

5.Pte Leo Hughes—James Hughes of Bathurst has received word that his brother, Pte. Leo Hughes has been wounded.

Perth Courier, September 20, 1918

The following letter is from Gunner Jack Hartney to his sister Miss Mary Hartney in which he describes the nature of the present offensive.

France, 24^th August, 1918

Dear Sister:

By the time you receive this you will have read in the papers about the awful but victorious battle we are at present engaged in.  It has been six days now and it is still in progress.  The first three days we certainly did give the Germans an awful beating.  The attack began in the 8^th August at 5:10 am and after a heavy smoke barrage the infantry went over the top.  They met with a little resistance at first but Fritz does not like the bayonet so we started to run out with our boys after him.  We went over after the infantry and we sure had a wonderful time.  About 8:00 the cavalry passed us and went into action on a dead gallop.  Believe me it was a wonderful sight the way they rushed the enemy.  Swords and lances flashed in the sun and men being knocked down and walked over by the horses.  There certainly was something doing that day and it was the same the two following days.  We captured a large number of his guns both small and large and the fields we crossed were covered with dead, mostly all Germans.  I will never forget it as long as I live.  Only two of my unit’s men were killed and three wounded.  Old Fritz seems very displeased with it and every night makes it like hell with bombs and machine gunning from airplanes.  But I have been lucky so far and pray that when this smash up is over I will be the same.  The Canadians have done splendid work.  In fact, they have advanced further than the other attacking armies and will soon be going on again.  I know you will be worried about me but just keep on praying and I think I will be all right.  I am enclosing a couple of photos I took from dead Germans and some with shoulder badges of the Prussian Guards, their crack regiment. 

With Love To All,

Your Loving Brother,

Jack

Perth’s Honor Roll

1.Pte Orville Publow  Killed in Action

Mr. and Mrs. David Publow received the word by telegram on Wednesday that their son Orville was officially reported killed in action on September 2.  He but recently went overseas with the infantry and was in France with the 38^th Battalion.  He went to France on August 8 and his time overseas was probably as brief as any that have been recorded.  He had lived with his parents up to the time he went to Ottawa to enter the infantry.  Besides his parents, he is survived by three brothers, William Publow of town, Robert Publow in France, and Merton Publow with the infantry at Kingston; also four sisters:  Mrs. John Best and Mrs. Walter McLaren of Drummond and Misses Elizabeth and Mildred at home.

2.Pte. Hugh McMillan Killed In Action

Pte. Hugh McMillan appears in the casualty lists as killed in action and his next of kin is given as residing in Scotland.  For eight years he was employed with Messrs. William and James McLenaghan at Drummond.  He went overseas with the 240^th Battalion and on his leaving for overseas expressed very bright hopes that he would return but it was decreed that he should pay the supreme sacrifice.

3.Pte Leo Hughes Dies of Wounds

Pte. Leo Hughes died of wounds in Whippe(?) Cross War Hospital in England on the 12^th September.  He was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Hughes of Bathurst and brother of James Hughes of Holleybury(?), Mr. W. T. Hughes of North Bay and Mrs. J.T. Lannigan of Ottawa.

4.Pte Jack McGarry Killed In Action

Mr. and Mrs. P.J. McGarry of town received a telegram Tuesday morning stating that their son Jack had been killed in action on the 2^nd September.  He was with the infantry.

Local Casualties:

Pte. James Traill, infantry, son of Mr. J. Traill of Lanark, was killed in action on the 2^nd September.

Gassed:

1.Mr. and Mrs. William Orr received a telegram this week to the effect that their son Pte. Fred Archibald Orr had been admitted to the #53 General Hospital of Boulogne, France on the 9^th September having been gassed.  He is with the artillery.

2.Mrs. Thomas Brady received a telegram Saturday to the effect that her eldest son James Vincent Brady was officially reported admitted to the Military Hospital at Colchester, England on the 8^th September, gassed.  He went overseas with the 130^th Battalion.

Wounded:

1.Pte. Harold Clarence Kennedy, kin Mrs. Selena E. Kennedy of Westport

2.Pte Austin Gerald Cameron, son of Mrs. Thomas W. Cameron of Lanark.

3.Mr. A.B. Houston of Drummond was notified this week that his son Pte. Arthur Norman Houston was officially reported admitted to the #56 General Hospital, Etapes, France, on the 4^th September with gunshot wounds in the left leg.  He is with the Army Services Corps.

4.Mrs. Adeline Laundrie of Bathurst has received word that her son Pte. Sheldon Laundrie, Letreport, France, was admitted to the #16 General Hospital at Letreport on the 6^th September with a wound in the right foot, accidental.

Perth Courier, September 27, 1918

Mrs. Annie McVeety has received the following letter from Lt. Ralph McPherson, of #1 Company, Princess Patricia, who was commanding the platoon where her son James McVeety was with when he fell.

France, 31^st August, 1918

Dear Mrs. McVeety:

I feel very sorry indeed that I have to write you on such a subject as the loss of your son.  His loss will leave a very great hold in the company which will be very hard indeed to fill.  Always willing, cheerful and happy, a keen worker, frank and intelligent and a splendid specimen of manhood.  He was never other than courteous and generous and as his platoon commander I shall miss his excellent influence among the men and for myself his absence will always be felt keenly.  On the 26^th the battalion advanced to the attack past the villages of Monchey(?) in front of Arras and close to the River LaScarpe.  Extremely heavy machine gun fire was met with but still the men kept on until the first trench was reached; this they passed over and carried on to the second one where they had to stop.  The boys were fighting splendidly at this time but several machine guns were firing heavily upon them so they were forced back to the first trench.  It was in this gallant fight that your son was hit by machine gun fire and killed.  The following day we again attacked but from the flanks this caused the enemy some amount of worry and he withdrew under cover of darkness.  On the 28^th we made a frontal attack of 3,000 yards, the men carrying everything before them although almost exhausted from three days heavy marching and fighting.  Your son fought with the greatest gallantry and fell by the side of his officers.  He was buried by our own boys after this advance at approximately 1,000 yards to the east of Monchey(?) near a trench known as Cartridge Trench.

Yours Very Sincerely,

Ralph MacPherson, Lt.

Casualty List

Killed in Action:

1.Pte. Wilfred K. Barr, son of Mrs. D. Barr, Clayton, #2.

2.Pte. John S. Sutherland, son of Mrs. Robert Sutherland, Caldwell’s Mills.

3.Driver Alexander Cardinal, son of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Cardinal, Lanark.  He was killed in action on the 6^th September.  He had been at the front less than three weeks.  Another brother, Benjamin Cardinal, died of appendicitis in France while in a hospital on the 10^th November, 1917.

Wounded:

1.Driver Henry McMaster has been wounded in the face by gunshot.  A telegram to this effect  has been received by Mr. and Mrs. John McMaster.  He was admitted to #22 General Hospital, Camieres, France on the 13^th September.

2.Mr. D.B. McLaren, former Reeve of Beckwith but who relinquished this office owing to many pressing duties, has received word that his son Pte. Duncan McLaren is in the hospital in England suffering from a machine gun wound but is recovering.  He was wounded 27^th August but no official word was received.  A letter from one of the boys related the news.  He is one of three brothers who went overseas; David, who paid the supreme sacrifice, and John at present in France.

3.Mrs. Peter R. McTavish has received word that her nephew #787090 Pte. Charles Edward Keller has been admitted to #22 General Hospital with a gunshot wound in the right leg and hand.  He went overseas with the 130^th Battalion and was a student at the Collegiate at the time of enlisting when the 130^th were in training in Perth and has been overseas for two years.  He has been engaged in many of the big battles.

Gassed:  Gunman Dennis Patrick Malone son of Mrs. Minnie Malone of Perth has been gassed.

Ill:  Pte. Robert Blair, son of Mrs. Elizabeth Blair, Westport, is officially reported seriously ill in the hospital overseas.

Mrs. Mary Bennett of town has received a letter from the chaplain of the unit in which her son James Bennett was a member when he drowned in France last June.  He was with the 18^th Engineers U.S. Army and had been in France.  Chaplain Earl Cleeland sent this letter:

France, 15^th August, 1918

Dear Mrs. Bennett:

After a hearty dinner on a very hot day 29^th June about 7:00 pm your son and about 25 members of his company went down to the river near camp for a swim.  Before the others were scarcely aware of it after they had been in the water a while, Jas. Bennett was seen by several of the men to suddenly go down underneath the water and he never came up to the surface of the water again until after a half hour of energetic diving for him.  His body was finally located and he was brought out of the water.  A physician was there and they worked on the body for a long time hoping to be able to bring him back but all their efforts were in vain.  They think James may have been suddenly taken with cramps.  Wishing God’s mercy and blessing upon you in your bereavement, Chaplain Earl Cleeland.

Photo of Pte. James Bennett, son of Mrs. Mary Bennett, who was drowned while bathing in France.  He was with the Company C, 18^th Engineers, U.S. Army

Photo Pte. Robert Norbury, from whom word came last week to Mrs. Norbury, that he had been wounded in the nose and eye.  (Transcriber’s note:  the name could have been Norburg.)

Mrs. T. R. Ireton of Innisville received a letter from her son Gunner William T. Ireton of the Canadian Reserve Artillery now in England in which he reviews a trip to Edinburgh, Scotland.  He went to Ottawa and enlisted while living in Perth.  (letter is not transcribed)

Perth Courier, October 4, 1918

Photo of Flight Lt. Roy Drysdale

Mrs. R. Drysdale of town received a letter from her son Flight Lt. Roy Drysdale who recently went to France from England where he was in training.  (letter not transcribed)

Lt. William T. Ferguson is home on leave in Smith’s Falls.  He went overseas with a forestry battalion.  After being on duty in England with his battalion for several months there he was sent to France with a railway corps and was right up to the front last April.

Perth Courier, October 11, 1918

Flt. Lt. Arthur M. Allan, son of Mr. and Mrs. F.B. Allan, 31 Dunbar Road, Toronto, is listed among those who are missing after having been at the front only about two weeks.  Lt. Allan did most of his training in Texas and went to England last June.  He received his education at Upper Canada College, is an excellent musician and held the amateur championship of Canada for diving.  He is 21 years of age.  A brother, Capt. D. Gordon Allan, was taken prisoner at the Battle of St. Julien and spent three years in Germany but is now interred in Holland.  Another brother, Flt. Lt. N. Fraser Allan, has been serving at the front for a years.  The father of the two young men was born in Perth and for many years was a businessman here.

District Casualties:

1.Lt. Harwood McKimm, son of G.F. McKimm of Smith’s Falls

2. Major Charles B. Price, D.C.M., Brockville

3.Pte. Percy George Reynolds, Carleton Place

4.Pte Francis H. O’Neill, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael O’Neill, Perth

5.Capt. Alexander G. Scott (machine gun), son of A.B. Scott, Niagara Falls and formerly of Smith’s Falls.

6.Lt. Col. Anson S. Donaldson, D.S.O., brother of Mrs. Herbert S. Simpson of Brockville

Photo of Pte. John V. Patterson, son of Mrs. James Patterson

Mrs. James Patterson has received word that her eldest son Pte. John V. Patterson had been awarded the Military Medal for gallant action on the field at Amierns during a recent battle.  He has seen service in France for the past year and a half.  He has been twice wounded and is the first member of the 130^th Battalion to receive these honors.

A letter received by Mrs. M. McKinnon of Renfrew from Capt. Tenbrocke of the company in which the late Lt. Ian McKinnon served, tells how the young Renfrew man died.  Before he was shot in the side at 6:00 am on the 27^th August as he and Capt. Tenbrocke were in front of a German trench and death was instantaneous.  The Captain was but a few feet from the Lieutenant at the time.  On the evening of the same day, the fallen soldier was buried by the men of his company.  On the day of the casualty Capt. Tenbrocke and Lt. McKinnon were the only officers left in the company.

Photo of Gunner Alphonse Quigley and Gunner Elmer James who trained with the artillery at Petawawa this summer and when it disbanded joined the Siberia Expeditionary Force.

Major W. H. V. Hooper of Carleton Place, who organized the 1^st company of the 42^nd Regiment at the break out of the war in August, 1914, and afterwards was given charge of the men from Renfrew and Lanark was made the occasion for a glorious welcome home at Carleton Place last Monday evening on the arrival at his home that day.  Major Hooper had had a rather unique experience.  After the training at Valcartier he and his companions left for overseas with the great Armada from Quebec, the largest the world ever saw with some 35,000 men on board some thirty odd transports conveyed by eight men of war made the passage safely across the Atlantic to England where they put in a hard winter on the Salisbury Plains before crossing the Channel to France in the early part of 1915.  They took part in preventing the Huns from reaching Paris and the English Channel in the Battle of St. Julien and his men, including Capt. Clyde Scott, were caught after fighting in an advanced position until their ammunition was exhausted, were surrounded and those who had not made the supreme sacrifice were made prisoners.  For a year and a half the gallant captain was kept in German prison camps—wounded severely at the first and treated roughly and then got to Switzerland.  He spent 18 months here before being repatriated.  Here he was the senior British officer in charge of the station where the Allied soldiers were being educated for their return to civilian life.  He was finally repatriated several weeks ago, got to England and a week ago reached Halifax.  The reception for him was held in front of the central public school at Carleton Place.  Pte. William Patterson just returned, was also most heartily welcomed at the same time.

Mrs. David Publow received the following letter from Lt. A.D. Stalker, 38^th (?) Battery, giving particulars of Pte. Orville Publow, killed in action.

Dear Mrs. Publow:

I deeply regret having to confirm the intimation you will have received from the Record Office of your son having been killed in action.  Pte. Publow was after rendering the most invaluable service in the attack and on the advancement of Drocourt-Queant(?) line in which many of our best and bravest officer N.C.O.’s and men fell.  He was buried by our Chaplain not far from Arras.  His loss was deeply felt by his comrades as his conduct at all times was such as to be an inspiration to those who worked and fought with him.   I write this in the hope that the knowledge that the sterling worth of your son was fully realized by his comrades may be of some comfort to you in your bereavement.

Local Casualties:

Wounded:

1.Word came to relatives this week that Pte. Lorne Young, infantry, had received a gunshot wound in the thigh.  He had been on the firing line but a short while.

2.Mr. R.A. Lee of Perth, received word this week that Pte. Patrick James O’Brady, infantry, had been admitted to the war hospital in Chester, England on the 2^nd October with a gunshot wound in the right arm. 

3.Mr. Dan McKerracher of Fallbrook this week received word of the wounding of his son Pte. Edgar McKerracher.  He was admitted to #55 General Hospital Boulogne, France on 29^th September with a gunshot wound in the right leg.  This is the second time he has been wounded.

4.Word came in to Mrs. John Noble this week that her brother Pte. Edwin J. Fraser, infantry, had been admitted to #18 General Hospital, Rouen, France, on the 28^th September with gunshot wounds in the face and right arm.

5.Mrs. Michael O’Neill has received word that her son Pte. Frank H. O’Neill, artillery, was admitted to #33 Casualty Clearing Station on the 29^th September, dangerously wounded by gunshot in the side and hip.

6.Mr. James Chalmers of Hopetown was informed that his son Pte. Jas. Walter Chalmers, infantry, was officially reported admitted to #55 General Hospital on the 29^th September with a gunshot wound in the left thigh.

Photo – Group picture of Major Hooper, Capt. Clyde Scott and companions while in Switzerland.

Perth Courier, October 18, 1918

Dr. and Mrs. McCallum of Smith’s Falls have received word that their son Capt. George McCallum was slightly wounded on the 1^st October but is remaining on duty.

Mr. and Mrs. William Truelove of Westport have been officially notified that their eldest son Pte. William Truelove of the infantry was killed in action on the 24^th September.

Perth Courier, October 25, 1918

Get ready for action!

Forget each attraction

That leads you away from your part!

What part will you have shown

In the Victory Loan?

Will you back it with all of your heart?

Canadians fighting

Are daily delighting

Their Allies with proof of their skill

The foe they are pursuing

How much are YOU doing

To give the mad Kaiser his fill?

You know of a way

You can help win the fray—

Quite clearly this way has been shown

Canadians all!

Arise at the call

And carry this victory loan!

William F. Kirk

District Casualties:

Killed in Action:

1.Mrs. Charles Samways, 308 Parliament St., Toronto, has received word that her eldest son Lt. W. J. O’Brien had been killed.  He enlisted as a private in 1915 with the 75^th (Toronto) Battalion, going overseas shortly afterwards.  Just about two months ago he received his commission as lieutenant.  For some years Lt. O’Neill lived in Perth going to Toronto about six years ago where he was employed as a painter by the C.M. Gilchrist co.  He was known as Jack and will be remembered by many.

2.Pte. Harold C. McKay, son of Mr. William McKay of Brockville.

3.Pte. James P. Maguire, son of Mrs. M.A. Maguire of Almonte.

4.Pte Jonathan Verner Featherstone, son of Mr. W. G. Featherstone of Ashton.

Wounded:

1.Pte. Thomas John Enright of Carleton Place.

2.Pte George Albert Brownlee, son of David Brownlee of Perth.

3.Lance Corp. Harry Alexander Chalmers of Smith’s Falls

Prisoners of War:

1.Corp. Lawrence Francis Carr(or Corr?), son of Mrs. Hanna Carr of Carleton Place.

2.Pte. Cecil M. Bradley, son of Mrs. Hannah Bradley of Almonte.

Missing:  Pte. James Thomas Love, son of Mr. John Love of Clyde Forks.

Perth Courier, November 1, 1918

Mr. and Mrs. James Bowes of Balderson have been officially informed that their son Matt Bowes was wounded on the 27^th September during the big Cambrai(?) engagement.  He is now recuperating in the 2^nd Western General Hospital in Manchester, England.

Mr. and Mrs. A.B. Moodie of the Scotch Line have received two letters from their son Robert Moodie who has been a prisoner of war for over a year.  He is at Friedrichsfeld near Wesel Rheinland, Germany.  The German censors permitted of very little being said in these letters but he states his escape had been nearly effected only to be captured when a short while from  reaching the Allied country.  Photo of Pte. Robert Moodie.

Perth Courier, November 1, 1918

The Globe of Monday has the following item in it regarding the son of an old Perth resident: “Mr. F.B.Allan of 31 Dunbar Road has been notified that his son Flt. Lt. A.M. Allan who has been missing since the end of September is now a prisoner of war.  Lt. Allan was born in Toronto 21 years ago and was educated at Upper Canada College.  He was well known as a swimmer and was the champion fancy diver of Canada.  He has been overseas since late spring of this year.  His brother Capt. G. Allan was captured at St. Julien and is now interned in Holland.  Another brother Lt. N.F. Allan is still serving in France.”

Local Casualties:

Killed in Action:

1.The Winnipeg Tribune reports the death of J.F. McIntyre’s son, formerly of Perth, as follows:  “Pte John A. McIntyre has been killed in action according to a cable received today.  He went away with the 221^st Battalion and was the eldest son of J.F. McIntyre, 178 Lenore St.  He is also a nephew of postmaster P.C. McIntyre.  He leaves a widow now living in St. James.  His brother went overseas and is now in England.”

2.Word has been received by Mrs. Andrew Cassidy, 144 Beech St., Ottawa that her brother Pte. T. Stapleton, was killed in action on the 27^th September.  Pte. Stapleton was a resident of Smith’s Falls for a number of years later going out west where he had been engaged in farming.  He enlisted three years ago with a western infantry battalion going overseas the same year.  Besides his mother who resides at Blucher, Sask., he is survived by Mrs. C. Crawford of Blucher; Mrs. A. Cassidy of Ottawa; and Mrs. W. Anderson of Franktown; also one brother Norman Cassidy of Carleton Place.

3.Mr. and Mrs. Jas. McGregor, North Elmsley, received word that their son Pte. Ellis C. McGregor of the 42^nd Battalion Highlanders, was officially reported killed in action in France on 29^th September, 1918.

4.Mrs. Delorma Woods, Chantry, has been advised that her son Pte. Lyndon Delorma Woods died at the military hospital at Salford(?), England on the 18^th October of pneumonia.  Mrs. Rufus Stevens and Mrs. Lena Talbert of Portland are sisters of the deceased.

5.Pte Percy Grenville Hughes, son of Mrs. George Hughes of Carleton Place.

6.David Herlehay, son of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Herlehay of Westport.

Seriously Ill:  Sgt. William Morphy Humphries, son of Mr. James Humphries of Cobden.

Wounded:

1.Mrs. John Bennett of town received word that her son Pte. Joseph M. Bennett, infantry, had been admitted to the #1 Casualty Clearing Hospital on the 14^th October with gunshot wounds in the left arm.

2.Pte William Morris Ashby, artillery, is officially reported admitted to #20 General Hospital, Dannes, Camieres, on the 3^rd October with gunshot wound in the right thigh.  He is the son of Mrs. Charlotte Ashby of Fallbrook.

3.Pte. Howard McNicoll, infantry, is officially reported admitted to Cambridge Hospital, Aldershot, on the 14^th October with gunshot wounds.  He is the son of Mrs. Elizabeth McNichol of Watson’s Corners.

4.Pte George McDonald, son of Lachlan McDonald of Almonte.

5.Sgt. Henry Poynter, son of John Poynter of Pakenham.

6.Pte. George Jones, son of Mrs. M. Jones of Appleton.

7.Capt. Howard William Taylor, of Gananoque.

8.Pte. Early Jackson Beach, son of Mrs. M. Beach of Beachburg.

Perth Courier, November 8, 1918

Mrs. R.R. Whyte, Lewis Street, received word this week that her son Pte. William Victor Whyte, infantry, had been admitted to #22 General Hospital in Camieres, France on the 13^th  October with gunshot wounds in the left thigh.  He went overseas with the 249^th (Regina) Battalion and has been in France several months with the 28^th Battalion.

Photos Late Ptes. Robert and Orville Publow

Coincident with the peace news, Mr. and Mrs. John Cuthbertson of Bathurst received the regrettable information by telegram Monday that their son Driver James Alexander Cuthbertson, artillery, had been admitted to #6 Casualty Clearing Station on the 1^st November with gunshot wound in the shoulder.

On Monday’s casualty list the name of Lt. Stanley Bliss Tallman of Merrickville is given as died while in service with the cavalry in France.  He is the son of Mr. E. H. Tallman of Merrickville.

Photo Pte. George Meighen, now convalescing in England.

Perth Courier, November 8, 1918

Sunshine, the magazine issued by the Sun Life Assurance Company has the following with regard to Capt. A. Roy Brown of Carleton Place, who brought down the famous flyer Von Richtofen.

Our policyholders have taken a notable part in the fighting during the war but in no single instance has there been a more remarkable achievement by one of them than when a Sun Life policy holder brought down the greatest airman flyer Germany has produced, Cavalry Capt. Baron Von Richtofen.

The death of the famous German was laconically announced as follows in an official dispatch from British headquarters on the 22^nd April:  “the pilot of one of the hostile machines which was brought down in combat and fell in our lines was the well known German airman and fighter Rittmeister F.M. Von Richtofen, who claimed to have brought down 80 machines.  His body has today been buried with full military honors.”

Our readers may recall that by far the most effective work done by the German airmen has been by means of their two enormous squadrons nicknamed by Allied aviators the “Tango Esquadrille” and the “Traveling Circus”.  These sometimes numbered as many as 60 planes each all flying in formation the aces with three stripes painted on their planes and the lesser fry without distinguishing marks.  Following the death of Captain Boelcke and Captain Immelman, for a long time the late Baron Von Richtofen was the chief German ace and was in command of the “Traveling Circus”.

At first there was some mystery as to how Von Richtofen came to his death.  For instance, Philip G- - - - , the famous war correspondent, in describing the circumstances said:  “How it happened is still not quite clear and there are various theories as to the way in which he was brought down because there was a general fight over our lines with many machines engaged on both sides and in such cases it is difficult to get exact evidence.”

Later more exact details of the fight were published.  Boyd Cable published a dispatch in the British paper which said “The Red Barron with his famous circus discovered two of our artillery observing machines and with a few followers attached the great part of the circus drawing off to allow the Baron to go in and down the two.  They put up a fight and while the Baron maneuvered for position a number of our fighting scout planes appeared and attacked the circus.  The Baron joined the melee, which, scattering into groups, developed into what our men call a “dog fight”, in the course of which the Baron dropped on the tail of a fighting scout which dived with the Baron in close pursuit.  Another of our scouts, seeing this, dived after the German, opening fire upon him.  All three machines came near enough to the ground to be engaged with infantry machine gun fire and the Baron was seen to swerve, continue his dive headlong and crash into our lines.  His body and the famous blood red Fokker biplane were brought in by the infantry and the Baron was buried with full military honors.  He was hit with one bullet and the position of the wound showed clearly that he had been killed by the pilot who dove down after him.  This was none other than Captain A. Roy Brown, D.S.C., son of Mr. J.M. Brown of H. Brown and Sons, millers and grain dealers of Carleton Place, Ontario.  Both Captain Brown and his father are policy holders in Sun Life and we are sure we are voicing the sentiments of all our readers in extending to both our congratulations.

Captain Brown is a graduate of the high school at Carleton Place, the Collegiate Institute, Edmonton and the Willis Business College in Ottawa.  In August, 1915 he signed up with the Royal Naval Air Service and took a course in Dayton, Ohio with the Wright Flying School.  He went overseas in December, 1915 and was badly injured in the spring of 1916 in England in an accident just when he had completed his training.  He was five months in the hospital from the injury then sustained but he came round and remained with the service.  Some time in the fall of 1916 he went over to France and he and Captain Stearne T. Edwards won the D.S.C. about a year later bringing down a number of German planes.

His brother, Lt. J. Horace Brown, also a Sun Life policy holder, went overseas with the 1^st Canadian Contingent with the rank of corporal.  He was wounded in June, 1915 and was discharged.  Later, however, he re-enlisted with the 240^th Battalion and obtained a commission.  He transferred to the Royal Naval Air Service and proceeded overseas again last October.

This ends the World War I transcriptions. Christine Meinert Spencer

Posted: 02 March, 2005.