#S.S. Grampian

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"They soaked us pretty well...": Two Perspective of England

“They soaked us pretty well…”: Two Perspective of England

Cheery Letters From Boys of Eighteenth Battalion. Galt Daily Reporter. May 27 ,1915 Page 12.

These letters (transcribed in full below) are interesting as they represent the perspectives of two of the major demographic groups that enlisted in the 2nd Canadian Contingent in the latter part of 1914 with the 18th Battalion: British and Canadian born soldiers writing their first letters from England…

[k2kid]

  18th Battalion Association[i] Windsor and Detroit Branch *MEMORIES*

In the mid-thirties, Bobby Watson and I were strolling along Ouellete Avenue when we noticed a small crowd gathered in front of the vacant lot just south of the Tunnel[ii] entrance. Bobby was in the First Battalion. When we arrived, we found they were watching some workmen erecting a large outdoor sign for the Marley Company.

Most of the carpentry work was completed and the three painters were already on the platform. The one painter was painting a rather wide Blue and Yellow border, while the other two were working on the inner portion of the picture. The one on the left was painting the face of a ruddy-cheek baby who was holding a bottle of milk. It was likely Purity as Purity Dairies had leased the sign board. We watched him for some time and when he came down to replenish his supplies, I immediately recognized him as a former member of the Eighteenth from our days at Queens Park although I did not know him.

I remembered, however, that he was the young man who had done the tattooing on the S.S. Grampian while we were going overseas. I assume there are some former members of the Battalion left with the 18th badge tattooed on their forearm or shoulder as he seemed to be doing a thriving business.

When we arrived in France, he was the one in charge of the Battalion’s little white crosses. When one of our men was killed in action, he would neatly print his Regimental No., Rank and Name on one of the crosses, most of which were erected in the little cemetery at Ridgewood. I always thought that the Eighteenth Battalion crosses were whiter, neater, and more numerous than those of the other Battalions which were in the Fourth Brigade.

Several years later, I mentioned this incident to John Handyside[iii] and he knew exactly who I was talking about. Jim stated that the young man’s name was George (Scottie) Dixon[iv] [Dickson] and he believed he was in our “A” Company.

Mr. Dixon could still be with us as he was quite young when he was with the Battalion. In fact, he could be still painting outdoor signs. He was awfully good at it.

1930s era sign promoting the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel

Pedestrian Exit to the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. Windsor side. Note the large billboard attached to the builing.

From the past the post-war world of Windsor, Ontario comes into relief in this short “memory.” Two veterans of the Great War are walking along Ouellette Avenue and happen upon some workmen erecting and painting a sign. Perhaps this was at the vehicle access to the tunnel or the pedestrian access. Either one would make sense to place a sign as there would be constant traffic into the tunnel and, especially if there were delays for vehicle traffic, a captive audience for the signs as they waited to enter the tunnel. The Detroit-Windsor Tunnel had been opened in 1930 with an official dedication on November 1, 1930 by President Hoover who remotely rang bells from Washington D.C. as part of the ceremony.

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Perhaps the deft skill and precision of one of the painters drew the eye of the author to increase his attention upon that painter? Whatever the reason that connection between memory and the present on that day in Windsor was made and the connection was made between two men of the 18th Battalion.

This memory, though short, relates an interesting detail about the life of the soldiers. Tattoos where well represented and documented on the Attestation Papers. A section of the document entitled “Distinctive marks and marks indicating congenital peculiarities or previous disease” allowed the examiner of the soldier to note any items, such as birth marks, scars, vaccination marks and other distinctive marks on the soldier’s body. The range and description of tattoos were legion. For example, one soldier, a Private John Patrick Duggan, reg. no. 766808, had the following description for his tattoos: “Tattoo of Womans [sic] Head on Right Forearm. Cow on Left Forearm.”

Private Duggan’s 2nd page of Attestation Papers with notes to his tattoos.

It helps create an image of the S.S. Grampian moving inexorably through the Atlantic towards the Battalion’s next stage of its war experience. In the converted berths of the former passenger steamship liner, the soldiers wait out their transit. During the day the soldiers, in platoons, probably drilled and exercised in relays above decks, but a significant amount of time would be whiling away the evening before “lights out” with reading, letter writing, and talking. Private Dickson used his peace-time skills as a sign painter were used to probably make a little money on the side and to help “brand” the soldiers of the 18th with a very visual reminder of the dedication they had for their unit. One can imagine a group of soldiers surrounding Dickson and his customer as he painstakingly created an 18th Battalion crest on their forearm or bicep. Perhaps he did other images to satisfy the needs of his comrades.

Private Dickson’s attestation paper showing his trade or calling as “Sign Painter”.

Private Dickson’s attestation paper showing his trade or calling as “Sign Painter”.

Obviously, his skills were recognized in a more another capacity as he painted the crosses marking the graves of the men of the 18th Battalion. Ridge Wood Military Cemetery holds 292 Canadian dead, of which forty-two are members of the 18th Battalion who perished during the Battalions involvement in that sector from Fall 1915 to Spring 1916. Perhaps he painted every single cross and this experience contributed to him suffering from neurasthenia in December 1918.

It would be a morbid task. As he served in his capacity as a soldier with all the incumbent duties and responsibilities he would be called upon, after one of his comrades was killed, to prepare his materials and tools to paint another cross marking the grave of a soldier of the 18th. Perhaps some of these men, like Private James Taggart[v], who was the first soldier to be buried at Ridge Wood had one of Private Dickson’s tattoos on his arm. His service record had no notice of marks or tattoos but is affinity to the Battalion may have motivated him to get one. We will never know but as life move through its arc there are connections like this that may have happened that may have affected Dickson as he went about honouring his comrades with the crosses that “…were whiter, neater, and more numerous than those of the other Battalions…”

Private Dickson did survive the war, but he did not survive until the date that this memory was written. It would appear that he was not involved with the 18th Battalion Association as they were not aware that he had passed on December 12, 1958 at the age of 64-years. During the war he served in “B” Company and he married and upon his demobilization in London his documents show he was to work a sign painter with a company called Glen Brothers Sign Painters in London, Ontario.

Documentation showing Private Jackson’s post-war employment. It is not known with whome he was working for when he was in Windsor.

The “memory”, with its detail about the soldier that used his artistic skills for profit and to honour the dead of the 18th Battalion touches on one man whose actions had a broader reach. His entrepreneurial drive set up a bit of trade on board ship to supplement his $1.10 per day as a serving soldier overseas with the C.E.F. would earn. His work honouring the men of the 18th Battalion may have been an official task, but I think he did it on his own volition because he created a stronger connection with the men of the 18th while he was tattooing them. Private Dickson got to talk and know his customers from all the companies and when the first fell he wanted to find a way to acknowledge his comrade’s sacrifice.

Those crosses have been replaced at Ridge Wood Military Cemetery by those of Portland stone. Though beautiful, I would have preferred the hand-painted crosses of Private Dickson.

[i] The blog has come into the possession of an exciting and valuable series of documents care of Dan Moat, a member of the 18th Battalion Facebook Group. His Great Grand-Father, Lance-Corporal George Henry Rogers, reg. no. 123682 was an active member in the 18th Battalion Association and the Royal Canadian Legion. With is interest in the post-war Association a series of “MEMORIES” in the form of one-page stories relate many of the Battalion’s experiences from the “other ranks” soldiers’ point-of-view.

It appears that the documents were written in the early 1970s, a full 50-years after the end of The Great War and are a valuable social history of soldiers’ experiences as told in their own words about the events that happened a half-century ago to them, and now a full century for us. This is the first of the series, and suffice to say, the reference, names, experiences, and strong immediacy of these stories bring the men of the 18th Battalion alive.

[ii] For information about the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel see this link.

[iii] C.S.M. James Handyside, reg. no. 54226.

[iv] Private George Dickson, reg. no. 53410.

[v] Taggart, James: Service no. 53858.

Tattoos on the Grampian 18th Battalion Association[i] Windsor and Detroit Branch *MEMORIES* In the mid-thirties, Bobby Watson and I were strolling along Ouellete Avenue when we noticed a small crowd gathered in front of the vacant lot just south of the Tunnel…

[k2kid]

Introduction

The blog has come into the possession of an exciting and valuable series of documents care of Dan Moat, a member of the 18th Battalion Facebook Group. His Great Grand-Father, Lance-Corporal George Henry Rogers, reg. no. 123682 was an active member in the 18th Battalion Association and the Royal Canadian Legion. With is interest in the post-war Association a series of “MEMORIES” in the form of one-page stories relate many of the Battalion’s experiences from the “other ranks” soldiers’ point-of-view.

It appears that the documents were written in the early 1970s, a full 50-years after the end of The Great War and are a valuable social history of soldiers’ experiences as told in their own words about the events that happened a half-century ago to them, and now a full century for us. This is the first of the series, and suffice to say, the reference, names, experiences, and strong immediacy of these stories bring the men of the 18th Battalion alive.

The format of the post will be the “Memory” with associated online references and end-notes.

Article

18th Battalion Association Windsor and Detroit Branch

Do you remember the night we left London? There was a big crowd to see us off but we eventually got started. Our first stop was Montreal where we only remained long enough to change engines. For the next three days we travelled through some sparsely settled country. There was not much scenery as there was a lot of bush on both sides of the track. We all enjoyed eating in the Dining Car. It was the first time we had ever been in one.

About the third day out we were told to get cleaned up as were going to get off at the next town and go for a march. We did at a place called Moncton, N.B. We marched up the main street, made a right hand turn and came back on a lesser main street. The people were friendly but not overly-excited as other Battalions had likely done the same. About two days later, we repeated and got off at a place called Truro. This must have been a mill town as there was a lot of young women around. While a short over weight Town Official stood by the Colonel reading a speech of welcome, most of the fellows were flirting with the young girls who were standing nearby. They were very friendly and after we had our little march, many of the natives were at the Station all waving goodbye as we pulled out.

On a very rainy Sunday moring [sic], we arrived at dockside Halifax. It didn’t take long to transfer from the train to the S.S. “Grampion[i]” [sic] which was docked nearby. As soon as we were settled we had our first meal aboard. It was not too good. Just before dusk the Grampion sailed and we were on our way. There was not too much excitement crossing the ocean. We had some sea sickness, physical jerks Crown & Anchor, etc., and about the sixth day out, we stopped and waited for the H.M.S. “Cumberland” to pull close. A young Naval Officer was rowed over to consult with our Captain. While this was going on our band was on deck playing Rule Britannia and other selections. It didn’t take too long and we were again on our way. The Battleship[ii], the first one we had ever seen, going in the opposite direction[iii].

About two mornings later, we went on deck and found we were sailing up the Mersey[iv]. Two hours later, we landed at a place called Avonmouth. We soon moved from the Grampion to a waiting train and after a short delay we were again on the move. We travelled through some populous districts and about four hours later got off at a little place called Westenhanger. We marched from there to West Sandling camp, a distance of three miles, where our war training was to begin in earnest. We had left London on April 12, 1915, and arrived in West Sandling on April 29th, 1915.

TEMPUS FUGUT [Time Flies]:  It was raining the night we left Sandling for Folkestone. When we got there we immediately boarded the Channel Steamers and were soon on our way. The Fourth Brigade General Staff had embarked the Channel Steamers and were with us. After a long eventful trip we were towed into Boulogne about mid-morning[v]. We then marched up the steep hill to the tented assembling centre at the top. The cooks got busy as everyone was hungry. It had been a long long night. After supper we marched to the Boulogne station where we boarded a French train. After riding in the darkness for nearly seven hours, we detrained, the station sign said St. Omer. The next day and for several days after that we were again on the move always edging closer to the front line. On the Thursday, we arrived at a small French village called Eeyck [Eecke], and were told we would rest here for a few days. We did and while we were there we heard (through the grapevine) that someone had swiped the Colonel’s horse while the Transport wasn’t looking. It turned out to be true.

On the Saturday we were inspected by Major General Alderson who was said to be the Commander of the Canadian Corp. The following day our Chaplain Captain Carlisle held an open-air service that was well attended. He preached a wonderful sermon and we all sang the old favourites. The following Tuesday we were again on the march, and after a day or so we arrived in Dranoutre which was considered the gateway to the Western Front. After supper we started marching again and a few hours later the order “Single File” was given. We then left the cobblestone road and entered a soggy field still in single file. Everything was quiet until Billy Dewer [sic] let out a yell. He had been hit in the leg and dropped. We all dropped with him. The stretcher bearers took care of Billy, our first casualty, while the rest of “d” [company] continued to a sand bagged area, where we relieved the 3rd Royal Fusiliers.

The Platoon officers were busy setting out the guards, possibly the most that had been assigned since the war started. When daylight came it was interesting to read the sign “S.P. No. 20. This strong point must be held at all costs.” It made us feel important. AS we thought things over, we realized we had travelled from Queens Park and Wolseley Barracks to the Western Front. It had taken us nearly a year, (with lots of activities in between) to do so but here we were at last. What the future held only time would tell.

We have omitted some of the details as space is a factor. We know you will understand.

Top of page of “Memory”.

Bottom of page of “Memory”.

The “memory” relates the Battalion’s departure from London, Ontario where it formed from October 1914 until its departure on April 12, 1915. It relates in some detail giving the reader some insight to the experiences of the rank and file of the Battalion. The images of the “sparsely settled country” of the south shore of the province Quebec and the immense forests of New Brunswick contrast with the rare civilizing experience of dining in the “Dining Car” of the train, giving rise to the logistics involve in transporting the 1,000 odd men of the Battalion. This speaks to the relative small geographic reach a typical Canadian of that era would have experienced, especially the native-born Canadians. Travel by train for a labourer or farmer would be rare and of short distance and duration and the relative economic ability to partake in using the facility of a dining car on a train was rare enough to make the author of this memory remark upon it.

A trip from London, Ontario to Halifax today takes 1 day and 10 hours and appears to mimic the same route by travelling along the north shore of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River until Montreal, where it slides south over the river and follows the south shore, effectively paralleling it until the tracks hit Mont Joli, Quebec. Turning south, the train would cross the Gaspe Peninsula and entering New Brunswick at Campbellton passing through Bathurst, Moncton, Truro until its last stop, Halifax. The trip took seven days and must have been monotonous for the soldiers aboard the train. Even with the breaks at Moncton and Truro the men must have been itching to get aboard the transport and get on their way to the next stage of their service.

A brief description of the crossing offers some insight into the activities of the men. Some gambling ensues “Crown and Anchor” and a later memory relates how one of the soldiers, Private George Dickson, reg. no. 53410, who tattooed the soldiers’ arms with the crest of the 18th Battalion as the men travelled aboard ship. Though there “was not too much excitement” one would suspect that there was tension and expectation and a little melancholy for those soldiers leaving family in Canada and anticipation for those men who still had family in the British Isles.

On April 29, 1915 the Battalion arrived and set foot on the soil of England and very quickly they were transported (in four hours in contrast to seven days) to West Sandling, Kent to begin their next stage of training. The train trip must have an eye opener for the rural born and raised from Canada. They were travelling in the cradle Empire, witnessing a vibrant society that was one of the most powerful Empires in known history. The turn of the century and the end of the Victorian era with its replacement of the Edwardians and the relative comfort and national malaise which helped lead to the current events that lead to war and required the men of the 18th Battalion to train, fight, and sacrifice for this country passing by the windows of the train carriages transporting them closer to the mechanized and organized Armageddon of the Western Front. These soldiers would experience this new era, the Great War, in its full force and fury. But, for now, the pastoral fields of England passed, enveloped by the Spring of 1915.

Seventeen days of travel resulted in four months of training and the Battalion embarked for the Continent and Flanders on September 15, 1915. The “memory” offers a brief description of the route taken by the Battalion and compresses time by relating six days of activity in one paragraph culminating in relating an event very important to the family of the author:

“After supper we started marching again and a few hours later the order “Single File” was given. We then left the cobblestone road and entered a soggy field still in single file. Everything was quiet until Billy Dewer [sic] let out a yell. He had been hit in the leg and dropped. We all dropped with him. The stretcher bearers took care of Billy, our first casualty, while the rest of “d” [company] continued to a sand bagged area, where we relieved the 3rd Royal Fusiliers.”

The War Diary of the Medical Officer relates this event with this entry: “While marching to R.E. Farm no. 53902 Pte. Dewar was wounded by bullet through fleshy part of thigh. Was sent to hospital.”  [emphasis by author] The significance of this event for Private Dewar is not in dispute, but even with the official record of the war diary relating this event there was a certainly lack of certainty making claim that this relative (my Grandfather on my mother’s side) was, in fact, the absolutely first soldier of the 18th Battalion to be wounded during active service. The “memory” not only confirms this but puts it in a broader context, connecting Private Dewar more intimately with the unit as they call him “Billy” and not Bill or William. This was detail gives us his nickname and solidifies his existence in the history of the Battalion. The events being related happened fifty-five years prior to their writing in the 1970s and thirty years after my Grand Father had died, having passed on April 18, 1939. There is a certain comfort and pride that his memory and experience was remembered by the author of this “memory” and it was a shock to see his name on the page. His wounding required over a year and a half treatment and convalescence before he was fit for service and returned to his Battalion.

One wonders what ribbing or teasing occurred from his comrades-in-arms as they met after the war at their Association events and reunions. His wounding and its significance to the Battalion history and folklore may have fueled may stories from the survivors of the original members of the Battalion.

The “memory” stands on its own but there is not doubt of its significance to the author of this blog and his family. Private Billy Dewar. One of the many who made the 18th Battalion a living part of our Canadian Military heritage. Thanks to Private Rogers and his family it can be shared to a larger audience.

  [i] S.S. Grampian.

[ii] The H.M.S. Cumberland was an Monmouth-Class armored cruiser.

[iii] This is a curious memory as Antal and Shackelton in Duty Nobly Done: The Official History of the Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment, indicate that the Cumberland escorted the S.S. Grampian and other ships of that convoy until they met two anti-submarine destroyers at the Bristol Channel, after which the Cumberland departed.

[iv] The port of Avonmouth, a part of Bristol, is on the Severn River.

[v] One of the paddle-steamers collided with a Royal Naval destroyer during maneuvering at Folkestone, England. This may have necessitated a tow from another ship for the steamer transporting the Battalion to make the journey across the Channel safely. The War Diary is not clear about this event and gives the impression that the Battalion needed more than one steamer to transport the Battalion. See September 14, 1915 War Diary entry for reference.

“Do Your Remember the Night We Left London?”: First in the Series of “MEMORIES” Introduction The blog has come into the possession of an exciting and valuable series of documents care of Dan Moat, a member of the 18th Battalion Facebook Group.

[k2kid]

A Letter From Major Nelson Aboard the S.S. Grampian

A Letter From Major Nelson Aboard the S.S. Grampian

Major G.W. Nelson (left) and Lieut.-Col. Wigle (right). Source: Bruce Remembers

Major George Whitford Nelson, adjutant for the 18th Battalion writes from the S.S. Grampian:

Mrs. W. Kidd Elsinore, Ont., Bruce Co.

Canadian Pacific Railway Ocean Services R.M.S. Grampian Mid Ocean

April 25, 1915

Dear Friends,

I can’t very well tell you where I am but will know better when I get a chance to post this.…

[k2kid]

Source: Halifax Herald. April 13, 1915. Page 9.

On April 13, 1915 the 10,187[i] gross tonne Canadian Pacific Railway Line S.S. Grampian arrived in England. The Halifax Herald reported that the liner had “taken precautions” when departing Liverpool against German submarines. She brought 15 first class, 85 second class, and 150 third class passengers as well as 4,000 bags and passengers of English mails. Of the 256 passengers, only thirty-seven disembarked in Halifax and he was to move on the St. John, New Brunswick to drop off the remaining passenger before she would return to Halifax for her next voyage.

“Here is another view of Allan Line steamships moored in the North Basin of Prince’s Dock. The ship in the foreground is the S. S. Grampian which, at 10,187 tons gross, was one of the largest vessels in the Allan Line fleet. She was completed by Alexander Stephen & Sons of Linthouse in 1907. “

She was to transport the 18th Battalion from Canada to England.

The Battalion left London April 15 and arrived late on April 17 or early on the 18th. The 18th boarded her and by the evening on that Sunday she had slipped her moorings and headed out of the harbour gap via the Western Passage towards open sea.

Had the men of the 18th seen the prior day’s front page of the Herald it would have given them pause to trip that was before them as the headlines did not bode well for those about to put to sea and eventually serve in active front-line duty. The banner related the following:

“HOLLAND IS INDIGNANT AT SINKING OF THE KATWYK”

…referring to a Dutch steamer that was travelling from Rotterdam to New York and sunk on April 15. In addition, four other Dutch vessels had been seized and detained by the German Navy at Cuxhaven.[ii] This was a stark reminder of the threat and risk of being sunk by submarine warfare.

Source: Halifax Herald. April 17 1915. Page 1.

  Capt. Francis Whitechurch Townend. © IWM (HU 119217)

The Bond of Sacrifice, Vol. 2. © IWM (HU 119217)

Further, the front-page of the Herald related the “FINE HEROISM OF HALIFAX BOY AT FRONT” informing the readers of the Herald of the “Thrilling Story of Capt. Francis Whitechurch Townend[iii], Who, With Both Legs Shot Off, Said to “Attend to the Others First.”[iv] A reminder of what may befall some of the soldiers of the 18th as the move one step closer to active service.

Source: Halifax Herald. May 1. 1915. Page 15.

The Grampian was to transport the Battalion safely to England and it was reported in the Herald on May 1, 1915 according to “private dispatches”, most likely telegrams, from officers to their family in Canada but one suspects that one of the officers had family in Halifax as the story’s location is identified as Halifax. As the Battalion arrived on April 29, 1915 at Avonmouth only a telegram would have been able to convey this information in such a short time.

These consice articles give us some sense of the activities of the Grampian and that she was a dual-purpose ship not wholly dedicated to transporting military cargo and personnel. She also served as a passenger liner during this part of the war.

[i] Jones, Chris. “Sailing Down the Clyde: ‘Doon the Watter.’” Glasgow History Sailing Down the Clyde Doon the Watter Comments, 10 July 2010, www.glasgowhistory.com/sailing-down-the-clyde-“doon-the-watter”.html.

[ii] Sacramento Union, Volume 181, Number 47. April 16 1915. Page 1.

[iii] Captain Francis Whitchurch Townend, 35th Signal Coy., Royal Engineers, BEF. was born in Halifax on July 10, 1885 and joined the Royal Engineers in 1904 as a 2nd Lieutenant.

[iv] Captain Townend was wounded on March 28, 1915 and the following description from a motor-ambulance driver describes the incident in detail (source: “Captain Francis Whitchurch Townend.” Imperial War Museums, www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205389823. ):

“After dinner I commenced a letter, but was interrupted by a shell bursting somewhere in the vicinity and a man yelling for bandages. Of course I rushed to see if I could be of any use, and found that the shall had burst on the side of the road about forty yards away, right in the midst of a party of Indian Engineers who were inspecting the telegraph wires. I was late in starting owing to my letter, and all the Indians where being attended to when I arrived on the scene. However, I saw someone in the shell hole which was on the side of the road opposite from where then men had been hit, and so had escaped notice. In it was a man, the white officer of the Indians, who appeared to have half his legs buried in the debris of the hole He told us to attend to the other first; he was alright. And then as we moved him we saw that he was standing on the stumps of his legs! Both had been shot off at the knee. I’m telling you this story, horrible as it is, because of the extraordinary courage the man showed—such courage as I’ve never seen before and hardly imagined. It’s worth while bearing the horror of it to realize that we are officered by such men.

He was perfectly conscious and calm, and spoke as though he were a medical officers and some one else the victim. He looked at his legs as we moved him on to the stretcher and asked me quietly (he was nt in the least excited, and his handsome face showed no pain) to tie something tight around his thighs to stop the bleeding. I did what I could with my handkerchief, and another I requisitioned, and took him to our bilet. We had to move hurriedly, of course, as a second shell had followed, and we wanted cover in case any more arrived. There were two R.A.M.C. men with me, and they attended to the subsequent first aid. They discovered another horrible wound in his arm, and while they were dressing it he tole them that he thought he would give up football next year. We then took him to the nearest hospital: he was still conscious and perfectly collected, and laughed quietly and talked, apologizing for the trouble he was causing, while on the way to the hospital. And I came back thinking of the tag in some book or other—’ have seen a man.’ The poor fellow died in hospital”

According to the Halifax Herald: The S.S. Grampian On April 13, 1915 the 10,187[i] gross tonne Canadian Pacific Railway Line S.S. Grampian arrived in England.

[k2kid]

With thanks to Patrick Dennis, Colonel (RET’D), OMM, CD who reached out to me and pointed me in the right direction. His work to inform us about the role of conscription can be best appreciated by his book, “Reluctant Warriors: Canadian Conscripts in the Great War” Without his help and his work my interest and understanding about this important, and often overlooked, part of our military history and heritage would not be as rich.

  A newspaper clipping from Allsop’s home newspaper in Woodstock outlining some news about conscription. Source: Daily Sentinel Review. January 3, 1918. Page 1.

On June 10, 1918 the 18th Battalion was engaged in the Arras sector. On that date the War Diary relates its activities, but that entry does not reflect what may be a singular historical moment in Canadian military history: the death of one of the first, if not the first, Canadian conscript who was conscripted under the Military Service Act, 1917[i].

The event marked a new phase in the war for Canada and its military policy that would have effects and reverberations in Canadian politics and history that are still contentious to this day.

Undated photograph attributed to George Allsop.

Private George Henry Allsop was born in Belper, Derbyshire, England, a textile and hosiery center during the late 1800 and 1900s. He emigrated to Canada and was a “machine operator” with the Oxford Knitting Company residing at 209 Graham Street in Woodstock, Ontario with his father, George Senior and his mother, Netta[ii].

Private Allsop also worked at the Linderman Machine Company (Woodstock, Ontario). This is a shot of the interior of the plant involved in war production Circa 1914-1918. Source: https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/566890671825174467/?nic_v2=1a3qFOTgq

January 4, 1918 found George Allsop called up to register for active service. Prior to that date he, under the terms of the Military Service Act, would have registered in Woodstock and be classified for active service. When called up he traveled to London, Ontario and in short order his form, “Particulars for a Recruit Drafted Under Military Service Act, 1917” was completed and, as part of the recruitment process, signed his will. This document, perhaps, being the most jarring reminder to Allsop of one of the outcomes to an infantry man. Almost all conscripts were to be slated for this role during the war. George Allsop was not averse to military service as his form indicates that he had one year of militia service with the Oxford Rifles. Passing his medical exam Private Allsop moved on to the next stage of his military service.

Military will of Private Allsop.

In short order he was in England, arriving on February 16, 1918 aboard, like so many other 18th Battalion soldiers the S.S. Grampian and assigned to the 4th Reserve Battalion in Bramshott the very next day. There he trained and learned the skills of his trade until he was transferred to the 18th Battalion effective May 10, 1918. He arrived at Etaples, France at the Canadian Infantry Base Depot the next day where, 11-days later he moved closer to the front at the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp. After more training, familiarization, and confirmation that his “kit” for war fighting was fully issued and in good order he left this post after 8-days. He was now in the fight having arrived at the Neuville Vitasse Sector on May 30, 1918 and joined the Battalion in Brigade reserve.

The next day, while the Battalion was in Brigade Reserve the War Diary records that 2 other ranks and Lieutenant Harold Leo Scully[iii] were wounded, probably by long-range shellfire. Even in Brigade Reserve, up to 9 kilometers behind the front line, Private Allsop must have realized fully he was in the war now for even being in reserve did not mean you were not exposed to danger from enemy activity.[iv]

The Battalion moved forward from Brigade Reserve to Brigade Support and then moved to Bretencourt after being relieved by the 26th Canadian Battalion on June 4, 1918 and it was involved from June 5 to 9 in Battalion in martial and recreational training with “…games such as Baseball, Football etc. indulged in each afternoon.” Even at Bretencourt the men were not safe as Lieutenant C.S. Woodrow[v], arriving on June 5 with 18 reinforcements, was hit in the head by an enemy shell fragment that “…burst near Battalion Orderly Room…” and was evacuated to hospital that day.

The evening of June 9/10 required the Battalion to relieve the 27th Canadian Battalion in the front line in positions adjacent and part of the village of Henin-sur-Cojeul, a 15-km march from their billet. Leaving Bretencourt at 8:30 p.m. Private Allsop was finally marching off to war with his comrades. Fresh from training and familiarization in England and France he now had to integrate himself with his new comrades, they were certain to be interested in him, their first exposure to a conscript. The relief was completed at 1:35 a.m. the morning of June 10, 1918 and two patrols were sent out to cover the Battalion frontage. It is almost certain a raw soldier, such as Private Allsop, would not be assigned to such a patrol.

Battalion disposition map, dated June 10, 1918. Note the Cojeul River south of the Battalion’s position.

Later that day, a scouting patrol under Lieutenant McRae was dispatched to reconnoiter during daylight, a highly risky endeavour. The patrol pushed from their front lines to the bank of the Cojeul River and returned, after dark, at 10.45 p.m. having left at 4.30 p.m. that afternoon. They observed three Germans leaving a hedge and disappearing.

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Sometime during that day, the Battalion suffered one other ranked killed in action and one other rank wounded, though the War Diary only acknowledges the wounded soldier. But a soldier did die that day.

Private Allsop was the soldier killed in action. The circumstances, according to his service record and the Circumstances of Death Card do not relate the event in any manner so we cannot know the manner of his passing. He is buried at the Wailly Orchard Cemetery, an estimated 8-kilometers from the location of his death near the French town of Henin-sur-Cojeul.

For all intents and purposes, Private Allsop died the very day he engaged in combat. From his movements from the moment of his conscription to his death he moved to that moment in time where he would perish, and his family would every more reflect on his sacrifice and offer to those that pass by his grave the epitaph “THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH”. His front-line service with the Battalion was only 11 days. It must have added to the shock of the family when it was informed of his death, so soon after arriving on the Continent.

His death also signalled the beginning of a new stage of the war. The manpower needs of the C.E.F. no longer could be counted on to be replenished by volunteers and the battalions of the Canadian Corps would find that they needed the conscripts to carry on their role as part of the Imperial Forces engaged on the Western Front. Such contributions and sacrifices would be the norm for the volunteers and their new combat brethren, the conscripts, as the war continued to its bloody end.

Private Allsop is buried at the Wailly Orchard Cemetery, along with 7 other comrades of the 18th Battalion. They all were buried between the months of April and June as the Battalion served in the sector.

  NOTE

I strongly recommend reading Patrick M. Dennis’ prior work referring to this soldier: Dennis, Patrick (2009) “A Canadian Conscript Goes to War—August 1918: Old Myths Re-examined,” Canadian Military History: Vol. 18: Iss. 1, Article 4. He further expands upon the important role on conscripts in his book:  Reluctant Warriors: Canadian Conscripts in the Great War available via Amazon and other outlets.

  [i] Source: “…Private George Henry Allsop, a conscript from Woodstock, Ontario, who had joined in London, Ontario just days before Dennis. It is likely that Private Allsop, serving with the 18th Battalion, was the first Canadian conscript to be killed in action when he fell in battle near Neuville-Vitasse on 10 June 1918 – a full two months before it is generally thought that Canadian conscripts first saw action.” Source: Dennis, Patrick (2009) “A Canadian Conscript Goes to War—August 1918: Old Myths Re-examined,” Canadian Military History: Vol. 18: Iss. 1, Article 4. Pg. 6. Note no. 20 of this work indicates that a Private Frederick Broom of the 20th Battalion was likely the first conscript to be die in France. He perished from nephritis and pneumonia. The claim of Private Allsop being the “first” conscript killed in action was made in Sandy Antal and Kevin R. Shackleton, Duty Nobly Done: The Official History of the Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment (Windsor, Ontario: Walkerville Publishing, 2006), p.647.

[ii] Vernon’s Woodstock Directory, 1916. The 1914 directory had the family living at 289 Admiral Street with another family member, probably a brother, Horace Allsop.

[iii] Lieutenant Scully was to later perish from his wounds on June 7, 1918.

[iv] See the blog post, “…because life in the trenches was less irksome and monotonous and no more beastly than in places like Bouvigny Huts” for an incident in July 1917 where the Battalion suffered significant casualties due to German artillery while in Brigade Reserve.

[v] Later, Captain Charles Sydney Woodrow.

The First to Die

[k2kid]

LOOKING EVERY INCH A SOLDIER

LOOKING EVERY INCH A SOLDIER

The 18th Battalion was nearing the end of its training. As it was formed in the latter part of October 1914 from South-Western Ontario the soldiers were collected in London, Ontario for training. As the Battalion was about to leave for England via Halifax on the S.S. Grampian on April 18, 1915. Thus, the Battalion collected its men (some as late as the end of March) and trained them. At some…