Private Joseph Bernard Campbell

Joseph Bernard Campbell served during WW1 with the 87th battalion with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces.  He is entitled to the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. His enlistment number was 145245.

He was born on December 6th, 1897 in Buckingham, Quebec

Trade : moulder       Religion : Roman Catholic     Status : single

Height : 5’8″     Eyes : brown     Hair : blond      Weight : 130 lbs

Name of his mother : Mrs A Campbell living at 53 Ottawa street, Ottawa

1901 : Canadian census taken in Buckingham, Quebec

Head : Bernard Murphy born in August of 1841

Wife : Julianna Murphy born on March 27 1854

Son : William L. Murphy born on May 6 1873

Son : Edmond Joseph Murphy born on March 10 1880

Grand son : Bernard Campbell born on December 6th 1898 (different date of birth from his attestation paper)

October 6th, 1915 : Enlisted in Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa, Ontario in the 77th battalion. He was most certainly a minor when he enlisted, this would explain the discrepancies between the birth year in the 1901 census and on his Attestion Form. He had 3 months of previous military service with the 70th battalion (Hull)

Joseph Bernard Campbell Attestion Form with the C.E.F.

June 19th,  1916 : Embarked on the SS Missanabe. Disembarked in Liverpool, England on June 28th.

July 4th : Transferred to the 87th battalion.

August 11th : Embarked for France on the Archangle. Disembarked in Havre, France on the 12th at 7:15 am. Arrived in the trenches on the 18th.

October 21th : Gun shot wound at the wrist. Wounded in the attack of Regina trenches. Hospitalized at he Graylingwell Hospital in Chichester from October 24th to November 29th. Excerpt from his medical report “Small wounds of entry, exit in wrist, no fracture palpable but wrist very stiff ….. hand smoother, temp. Normal, slight movement in fingers”

Transferred to Woodcote Park in Epsom from November 29th until January 15th, 1917

July 26th, 1918 : The attack started at 12:05 and by 12:15 Regina trench was captured. The unit was shelled early on the evening, he was wounded (shell wound left arm) and evacuated at the 7th Canadian Casualties Clearing Station.

From the war diary of the 87th battalion : “During the attack and the two following days there were 281 casualties, all ranks including all but one officer who participated in the attack”

Excerpt from Best O’Luck written by Alexander McClintock, sergeant 87th battalion : “It seemed almost certain death to start over in broad daylight, yet, as it turned out, the crossing of No man’s land was accomplished rather more easily than in our night raids. Our battalion was on the extreme right of the line and that added materially to our difficulties first by compelling the advance through mud so deep that some of our men sank to their hips in it and second by giving the hottest little spot in France to hold later.”

Hospitalized at the Mile End military Hospital from August 8th until September 25th. Transferred to Woodcote Park in Epsom from September 25th until October 30th.

Transferred to the Quebec Regiment Depot in Bramshott

February 1st : Embarked in Liverpool, England on SS Carmenia. Arrived in Halifax on February 9th.

February 28th, 1919 : Demobilised in Ottawa, Canada

August 11th : Re-enlisted in Ottawa in the Canadian Military Staff Clerk. Promoted corporal

November 11th : Promoted Sergeant

January 31st, 1920 : Demobilised

Picture of Private Joseph Bernard Campbell

An article about him in the Buckingham Newspaper

If you know more information on this gentleman, please leave me message so I can add it to his small biography.

Nursing Sister Bertha Evelyn McDonald,

Nursing Sister Bertha Evelyn McDonald served in the Canadian Army Medical Corps during WW1. She is not entitled to any military medal.

She was born on March 3rd, 1895 in Alexandria, Ontario

She was hospitalised at Laurentide Sanatorium in Sainte Agathe, Quebec from April 1^st to April 30^th, 1918.

Her enlistement papers show that she joined the CEF on September 18, 1918 in Montreal, Quebec.

Height: 5′ 4″             Weight:122 lbs.           Religion:Roman Catholic

Her address 112 Saint-Luc Street, Montreal, Quebec

She was declared medically unfit on January 6th, 1919 in Montreal, Quebec.

She was hospitalised for influenza at Montreal General Hospital in April 1919 following which was marked debility.

She was hospitalised at Sainte Anne de Bellevue Hospital from May 2^nd to June 2^nd, 1919.

She was hospitalised again at Sainte Anne de Bellevue Hospital from June 18^th to June 27^th, 1919.

She was declared medically unfit and demobilised on July 28^th, 1919.

Because she never left Canada, she did not receive any military medal for her service

In two places in her WW1 file it is stated that her military service began near May 1917 but her certificate of service date her appointing as nursing sister as September 18^th, 1918 but she was hospitalised in a military hospital before that date.

If you know more information on this lady, please leave me message so I can add it to her small biography

Inscription on her gravestone

1917-1919 C.A.M.C. – SISTER – W.W.1

IN LOVING MEMORY OF BERTHA E. MACDONALD

DAUGHTER OF DR D. D. MACDONALD

AND

CATHERINE MACDONNELL SPOUSE OF CHARLES KERR

AND OF

SCOTT E. BIRD

BORN ALEXANDRIA MAY 3 1894

DIED – OTTAWA DEC 16 1973

MAY HER SOUL REST IN PEACE

BLESSED ARE THEY THAT PUT

THEIR TRUST IN HIM

PSALMS 2:12

Private Charles Waterston

Private Charles Waterston served in the 238th battalion (Ottawa) in the Canadian Expeditionary Forces during World War One. He is entitled to the British War Medal only. His service number was 1035101. Private Waterson serve only in United Kingdom and never went to France during the war.

According to his enlistment form he was born on February 28th, 1897 in Kemptville, Ontario but according to the 1901 Canadian Census his birth date is January 28th

Trade : printer         Religion : Roman Catholic        Status : single

Height : 5′ 5″           Eyes : blue      Hair : light brown

Weight : 137 lbs

Name of his mother : Margaret Waterston     Address : 218 Friel street, Ottawa

Information from the 1901 Canadian census (taken in Kemptville, Ontario). He wa sliving with his family in Kemptville village, lot 59 Oxford street

Charles born on January 28th, 1897

Father : Charles born in 1850          Mother : Maggie born in 1860

Sister : Martha born in 1884            Sister : Mary born in 1886

Sister : Nellie born in 1895               Sister : Rose born in 1895

Enlisted on June 26th, 1916 in the 238th battalion (Forestry Battalion) in Ottawa, Canada.

Recruitment poster for the 238 th battalion

Sailed from Halifax on September 11th, 1916 on board the S.S. Scandinavian. Arrived in Liverpool on September 1916.

Transferred to the Canadian Forestry Corps on December 7th, 1916.

Received the Good Conduct Badge on June 26th, 1918.

Transferred to the 6th Reserve Battalion on October 21st.

Embarked for Canada on September 6th, 1919.

Demobilised on September 17th in Ottawa, Ontario

If you know more information on this gentleman, please leave me message so I can add it to his small biography.

Picture of Private Waterston and his British War Medal

Some WW2 Nursing Sisters gravesites near Ottawa, Ontario

On this day we celebrate V E Day (Victory Day in Europe) here are some pictures of gravestone of a few Canadian Nursing Sisters who served during WW2. Let’s not forget that Canadian women wore khaki and also served during that conflict.

Matron Donalda Maud Robertson

Obituary from the Ottawa Citizen Friday December 2nd 1949, page 58

Robertson, Donalda Maud – In Toronto Western Hospital, December 2, 1949. Donalda Maud Robertson, Reg. N. daughter of Mrs Robertson and late Donald Robertson of Maxville, Ont. Funeral at Maxville United Church Sunday, December 4 at 2 p.m.. She is buried at Maxville Cemetery, Ontario.

Nursing Sister Thelma Hilda Wallace

She was born in 1916 and she died on April 19 1988 and buried in Bellevue Cemetery in Aylmer, Quebec

Nursing Sister Patricia Hession

She was born in 1921 and she died in 1993. She is buried in Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa, Ontario.

Nursing Sister Mary G Mitchell

She died April 27th 1946 and she is buried in Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa, Ontario.

Nursing Sister Margaret Andrew (née Irvine)

She was born on July 19th 1911 and she died on January 9th 2007. She is buried in Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa, Ontario.

Nursing Sister Dorothy M Hunter

She was born in 1919 and died in 2004. She is buried in Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa, Ontario.

Nursing Sister Clarice Lilian Tanner (née Ogden)

She was born January 29th 1915 and died February 8th 1992. She is buried in Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa, Ontario.

Paul Lawrence Swanburg

Paul Lawrence Swanburg served in the Merchant Marine during World War II and participated in the war effort. He is entitled to the 1939-1945 Star, the Atlantic Star, the Pacific Star, the Defence Medal and the Canadian Volunteer Service medal with the clasp denoting 18 months of active and volunteer service at war for Canada.

He was born in Shelburne, Nova Scotia in 1927. His father was Angus Mckay Swanburg and his mother was Margaret Swanburg nee Corbett

1930 United States Census: He is listed as living in Hapeville, Fulton, Georgia.

July 27th, 1943: He was hired as a Mess Boy on the S.S. Point Pelee Park in Halifax. He arrived in New York on August 6th.

October 3rd: He arrived in New York, U.S.A. from Halifax, Nova Scotia on the S.S. Colbron. He was employed as an assistant-cook. He lied about his age when he was hired, he said he was 18.

May 5th, 1944: He was hired as a Utility Boy on the S.S. Leaside Park. He was 5’10” and weighting 140 lbs.

May 27^th: He arrived in New York, U.S.A. from South Hampton, United Kingdom.

October 13th: He arrived in Honolulu, Hawaii from Enewatak Island on the S.S. Leaside Park.

April 1st, 1945: He arrived in New York, U.S.A.

Medals attributed to Paul Lawrence Swanburg

December 15th, 1947: He left South Hampton to Halifax, Nova Scotia on the Aquitana. He is listed as a seaman

April 1st, 1948: He sailed on the ship Argofax from Rotterdam, Netherlands to New York, U.S.A.

April 13th: He was hospitalized in New York, U.S.A.

The ship was supposed to sail to Antwerp on April 24th.

Picture of Paul Swanburg

1951: He married Lillian Jean Dalley

1962-63: He is listed as living at in Brighton and he is a tax collector

1965: He is listed as living at in New Minas and he is a tax collector

1968: Listed as living at 5508 Columbus Place in Halifax and he is a mechanic.

1972: He is listed as living in Kentville and he is a Fire Inspector, probably for the Kings Mutual comp.

1974: He is listed as living at 94a Glendale av in St-John’s, Newfoundland. He was a diesel mechanic.

He was also a former member of the New Minas Village Commission, serving through the mid 1970’s and 1980’s. He was also very active on the Village Water Commission and he owned Swanburg Insurance for many years.

From 1995 to 2011 he was living at 1005 Roy Ave, new Minas, Nova Scotia, in 2000 the town changed its name to Kentville and again in 2001 it amalgamated to Annapolis Royal.

August 11th, 2010: His wife Lillian Jean Swanburg nee Dalley passed away in Kentville, Nova Scotia.

August 6th, 2011: He died at Valley Regional Hospital in Kentville, Nova Scotia.

Obituary: “Paul Lawrence Swanburg – 84, of New Minas, passed away Saturday, July 30, 2011 in the Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville.  Born in Shelburne, he was a son of the late Angus and Margaret (Corbett) Swanburg. He had been employed as a fire inspector with Kings Mutual and later owned and operated Swanburg Insurance for many years. He served with the Merchant Marines during the second World War and for his service he received the 1939-1945 Star, the Atlantic Star, the Pacific Star, the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp and the War Medal 1939-1945. He was a former member of the New Minas Village Commission, serving through the mid 1970’s and 1980’s. He was passionate about various New Minas park projects and the New Minas Water Commission. He enjoyed maintaining his home and property.  He is survived by his children, Terrence “Terry” (Faye), Ontario; Perry (Shelley), Steam Mill; Gary (Marie), New Minas; Sherry, New Minas; Sally (Bill) Wallace, Wolfville; Shelley (Richard) Clayton, Fredericton; a brother, Karl (Phyllis), Tennessee; 11 grandchildren; two great grandchildren; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, the former Lillian Daley; three sisters, Margaret Fisher, Julia Griffin and Dr. Joyce Millett; a brother, Dr. Angus Swanburg. Cremation has taken place under the direction of the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville. There will be no visitation, by request. The funeral service, followed by a reception, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 5, 2011 in the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville, Reverend Doctor Randy Crozsman officiating. Burial will take place in the Elm Grove Cemetery, Steam Mill. Family flowers only, by request. Donations in memory may be made to the charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville.”

If you know more information on this gentleman, please leave me message so I can add it to his small biography.

Nursing Sister Miriam Eastman Baker

Nursing Sister Miriam Eastman Baker served as a Nursing Sister in the Canadian Army Medical Corps during WW1. She is entitled to the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

She was born on August 20^th, 1886 in London, England.

Height:5′ 5″     Weight:136 lbs.          Religion:Church of England

She graduated from Saint-Rubis Hospital, New-York in 1915

She enlisted in London, England on October 2nd, 1917.

She was posted at the 16th Canadian General Hospital on November 1st.

She was posted at the 15th Canadian General Hospital on March 14th, 1918.

She was admitted to the 15th Canadian General Hospital on August 22nd.(inflammation of the bladder)

She was discharged from the 15th Canadian General Hospital on September 3rd.

She was admitted at the 15th Canadian General Hospital on October 3rd.

She died on October 17 th, 1918 from a broncho-pneumonia at the 15th Canadian General Hospital at the age of 32.

Her Memorial Plaque and Memorial Scroll were sent to her brother Edwin Godfrey Phills Baker living at 500 Northern Crown Bldg, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Her British War Medal and Victory Medal were sent to her sister, Miss Doris Howard Baker, at 119 Wielmot Place Winnipeg, Manitoba

Since her mother had preceeded her no Memorial Cross was issued.

Picture of Nursing Sister Miriam Eastman Baker

Private George White

Private George White served in the Medical Staff Corps during the Egyptian Campaign. He is entitled to the undated Egypt Medal with the clasp The Nile 1884-85 and the Khedive’s star

Religion: Church of England     Trade: porter         Eyes: Hazel

Hair: light brown          Height:5’10″    Weight: 124 lbs.

He was born in Greenwich, London in November of 1864

He enlisted on January 15th 1884

From January 15th 1884 to November 4th he served at home (United Kingdom)

March 31st: He was appointed 2nd class Orderly

From November 5th 1884 to March 19th, 1887 he served in Egypt

From March 20th 1887 to January 14th 1896 he served at home (United Kingdom)

He was discharged in 1896 completing his 12 years short service period

If you know more information on this gentleman, please leave me message so I can add it to his small biography.

Egypt medal clasp The Nile 1884-85 and the Khedive’s Star

click on the image to enlarge

Private White Attestation of Short Service page 1

click on the image to enlarge

Private White Attestation of Short Service page 2

click on the image to enlarge

Major Thomas George Buchanan, M.I.D.

Major Thomas George Buchanan served in the Royal Army Medical Corps during World War One. He is entitled to the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and the Victory medal. He ws Mentionned -in-Despatches and he wore the oakleaf emblem on the ribbon of his Victory Medal.

World War One trio with the Mentionned -in-Despatches oakleaf emblem (click to enlarge)

He was born on the November 20^th 1883 in Knocknarea, Magheragall, County of Antrim, Ireland. His father was Thomas Buchanan and his mother Maria Jane Watson

May 14^th, 1908: He passed Bachelor of Medicine, Surgery & Obstetrics at the Royal University of Ireland.

1911 United Kingdom Census: He is listed as single and a house surgeon at the General Infirmary, Burton on Trent, England

June 17^th, 1913: He was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Field Ambulance of the North Midland Mounted Brigade

His address in the Medical Register is 275 Branstone Road, Burton-on-Trent.

Photo of Major Thomas George Buchanan (probably right after enlistment)

September 15, 1915: He Married Evelyn Kathleen Julia Macfaren Myhill at The Church of St Stephen, Norwich, Norfolk, England.

September 24^th: He transferred the Territorial Army to the Royal Army Medical Corps and promoted to the rank of Major.

October: He entered France

He served in the Middle-East and was attached to the Royal Artillery. He was probably transferred in the Middle-East in 1917

At one point he was presumed dead and his wife received a telegram to that effect. Two days later she received another telegram stating that her husband was well and alive. At some point someone told the University of Dublin that Major Buchanan had been killed in action but never got back to them that this was a mistake. The result of that, Thomas George Buchanan is listed as a casualty of war on the Remembrance Plaque in honor of the university’s students who died during WW1. In an account written by his grand-son, later in life, Mr. Buchanan was amused by that historical error.

Photo of the Memorial Plaque at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution

June 20th, 1916: His daughter Suzanne was born

September 25^th: He was Mentioned-in-Despatches for a first time

Early October 1917: The British launched a campaign to seize the Palestinian Territory from the Ottoman Empire that ended in the capture of Gaza (November) and Jerusalem on December 9^th.

June 14^th, 1918: He was Mentioned-in-Despatches for a second time by General Allenby

July 21^st: He was relinquished his temporary rank of Major

August: The British launched one last effort in the Middle-East culminating with the capitulation of the Ottoman Empire on October 30^th.

December 9^th: He relinquished his rank of Major.

September 12^th, 1920: His daughter Ida Buchanan was born on that day

August 31^st, 1922: He applied for his medals

June 1924: He bought his first farm (Banyyards Hall Farm in Bunwell) at auction

July 7^th, 1925: He was appointed Medical Officer to Ministry of Pensions. In 1940 he was the Assistant-Director.

August 1926: He bought his second farm at auction (Freehold Glebe Lands in Bunwell). His brother Henry was his Partner in this farming business.

July 1948: He bought his house Holly Lodge in Norfolk.

September: He sold his Banyards Hall Farm in Bunwell

February 1950: He bought at auction the Blofield House in Blofield

July 1951: He bought at auction his second house, Mametz, in Blofield, Brundall

December 23^rd: His brother Henry died. He probably had to sell his farming business which he co-owned with and manage with Henry.

January 18^th, 1967: His wife died at Postwick House, Postwick, Norwich, England

1970: He bought the Oak Lodge, at 122 Norwich Road, Wroxham, Norwich

Photo of Thomas George Buchanan

June 17^th, 1976: He died caused by a hemopericardium. He was living at 122 Norwich Road Wroxham, Norwich, Norfolk.

If you know more information on this gentleman, please leave me message so I can add it to his small biography.

Warrant Officer Charles Henry Hughes Spivey

Warrant Officer Charles Henry Hughes Spivey served with the 2nd battalion Scots Guards as a Colour Sergeant during the Boers’ War and in WW1. He is entitled to the Order of the British Empire (member) Medal, the Queen South Africa medal with clasps Cape Colony, Transvaal and Wittebergen, the King South Africa medal and the Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. During WW1 he served only in United Kingdom so he is not entitled to any WW1 medal.

He was born in Carmarthen, United Kingdom in October or November of 1870

1871 United Kingdom Census:He is  listed as living at 9 Barns Road with his father William and his mother Maria. His father was an accountant and he had two brothers and two sisters

1881 United Kingdom Census: He was still living in Camarthen and he had 3 brothers and 3 sisters. His mother is not listed in the census and there was a servant in the house, so probably his mother was deceased by that time.

1891 United Kingdom Census: He is listed as living as a lodger at Walhamstow . He was a clerk.

September 10th, 1893: He enlisted in the Scots Guards

1899-1901 Boers’ War

Picture of Warrant Officer Charles Henry Hughes Spivey in South Africa

May 24th, 1903: He got married for the first time to Ruth Elizabeth Charlotte Mondioli at St George’s, Hanover Square

1911 Census: He is listed as living with his wife Ruth Spivey, his two sons Donald (5 years old) and Leslie (5 months old) and his stepdaughter Josephine Mondioli (13 years old)

January 1^st, 1912: He received his Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. The rank on his Long Service Medal is Superintendent Clerk (Warrant Officer Rank), it means that he was probably in charge of the administration of the regiment.

World War One

His Medals Index Card indicates that he served in United Kingdom as a Sergeant and Lieutenant. He never went to France during the war.

Picture of Warrant Officer Charles Henry Hughes Spivey with his Warrant Officer tunic

June 24th, 1917: He was commissioned Lieutenant with the Scots Guards.

January 7th, 1918: He received the Order of the British Empire. It was published in the London Gazette on that date.

Picture of Lieutenant Spivey after his Investiture Ceremony

1920: He retired from the military

He died on June 23rd, 1935.

You can also learn mor on this gentleman by clicking here and here

If you know more information on this gentleman, please leave me message so I can add it to his small biography

Private Jack Wilson

Private Jack Wilson served in the 24th battalion Canadian Expeditionary Forces during World War One. He is entitled to the British war medal and Victory Medal.

Born on June 18th 1898 in Reserve Mines, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

Trade : labourer          Religion : Roman Catholic          Status : single

Height : 5′ 9″                Eyes : brown                                  Hair : black

Weight : 160 lbs

Name of his father : William Wilson                       Address : New Waterford, Cape Breton

December 6th, 1915 : Enlisted in the 69th battalion (Montreal) in St John, New Brunswick

January 19th, 1916: Declared a deserter by a Court of Inquiry. February 9th, 1916 he was sentenced to 24 days forfeit pays and 28 days detention for absence from 22:00 January 16^th until 18:00 February 8^th.

April 17th: Embarked for England. Arrived in England on April 27th.

July 5^th : 28 days forfeit pay for drunkenness, using obscene language and breaking camp rules.

August 17^th : Drafted in the 24^th battalion

September 9^th : Gun shot wounds at the left shoulder during the battle of the Somme. Discharged from Hospital on November 11^th.

February 1917 : Attached to the 3^rd  Canadian Command Depot

April 23rd: Trialed under the accusation “While on active duty absenting himself without a leave in that “ at St Leonard on Sea, Sussex at 10:30 April 1st, 1917 while under arrest he illegally absented himself until he surrendered himself at 9:00 pm same date. Sentenced to 28 days imprisonment (14 days were remitted)

June 6^th : Sentenced to 18 months hard labour for absence without a leave

August 28^th : Made his will, he left everything to his father.

September 2^nd : Left England for France

January 2^nd, 1918 : 7 days forfeit pays for absence from parade from 7:45 December 28^th,  until 13:00 December 28^th.

February 20th: 6 days forfeit pays for absence without a leave from 14:00 February 11th until 23:15 February 11^th.

April 3rd: 4 days forfeit pay for absence without a leave from 20:30 March 23rd, until 9:30 March 24th.

April 4^th : Trench fever. Discharged from hospital on April 12^th.

August 8^th : Hospitalized for gun shot wounds with fracture of the tibia at the 2^nd Canadian Stationary Hospital. Discharged from hospital on December 18^th.

January 14th: 3 days forfeit pay for absence without a leave from late January 2nd until 22:00 h January 3rd.

January 26th: 4 days forfeit pay for absence without a leave from 9:00 January 16th until 8:00 h January 20th.

February 23rd: Embarked for in Liverpool, England for Canada on HMT Belgic. Arrived in Halifax, Canada on March 2nd.

Demobilised on March 25th, 1919 in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Died on December 1st 1960

Nursing Member Margaret Louise Sampson

Margaret Louise Sampson # C 801 served with the #231 Nursing Division, St Catharines, Ontario with the St-John Ambulance of Canada. She received the The Most Venerable Order of St. John of Jerusalem , Officer Sister’s Badge and the St. John Service Medal, with 1 gilded clasp

She was born on May 16th 1913 in St-Catherine, Ontario

She joined St. John Ambulance Brigade in 1944 as a Nursing Member, Divisional Officer and Divisional Superintendent with #231 Nursing Division, St Catharines.

1956 : She received the St. John Service Medal for 12 years service with the St-John Ambulance of Canada.

February 8th, 1957 : She received a Priory Vote of Thanks for Valuable assistance rendered in the furtherance of the work of the Order in connection with the Priory of Canada.

1960 : She was promoted to the rank of Corps Staff Officer (Secretary) with the Lincoln Corps. She held this position until her death.

1961 : She received her first long service clasp for 17 years of service with the Ambulance.

1966 : She received her second long service clasp for 22 years of service with the Ambulance.

May 18th, 1969 : She had completed 25 years service and was rewarded by becoming a Serving Sister of the Order of St. John.

1971 : She received her third long service clasp (27 years).

1972 : She promoted to the rank of Officer Sister with the Order of St-John

1976 : She received her gold clasp long service bar denoting 32 years of service

1980 : She died on that year and was still serving with the St-John Ambulance after 36 years.

If you know more information on this lady, please leave me message so I can add it to her small biography.

Her Serving Sister Promotion Certificate

Priory Vote of Thanks for Valuable assistance certificate

Orderly – Gunner Alexander Day Martin

Orderly and Gunner Alexander Day Martin served in the Imperial Yeomanry Hospital during the Boers’ War and with the Canadian Field Artillery during World War One. He is entitled to the Queen South Africa Medal with clasps South Africa 1901, Transvaal, Orange Free State and Cape Colony, the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

He was born on February 5^th 1875 in Kentish Town County, London, England

He served from 1894 until 1898 in the 22^nd Artillery Battery in United Kingdom.

He married Mary Cunningham Spenster on June 2^nd 1900 on 17 Victoria Road, Broad Lane Sottenham. The witnesses were Frank Martin and Ellen Cunningham

1901: United Kingdom census. He lived at 9 Vickon Road and his wife Mary was born in 1873.

He had one child, Kathleen Cland born on June 1^st, 1901

His mother in law Sarah Cunningham (nurse)

BOERS’ WAR:

Trade: fitter

Religion: Church of England       Status: married         Height: 5′ 3 ½ “

Eyes: grey      Hair: brown       Weight:140 lbs.

He enlisted in the Imperial Yeomanry in London on January 18^th, 1902 at 88 Victoria Street.

Prior to his enlistment he had service in the Imperial Yeomanry Hospital. He agreed to allot 2/5 of his pay to his wife

He was promoted to corporal on June 27^th

He served at home from January 18^th, 1902 to May 25th, 1902 for 129 days

in South Africa from May 26th, 1902 to November 18th, 1902 for 175 days

and back at home from November 19th, 1902 to November 25th, 1902 for 6 days

In the Regular Forces he was in the 38th battalion, 168th company

He was discharged at Aldershott on November 25^th at his own request. His attitude is described as indifferent

FIRST WORLD WAR

Trade: Wheeler         Address: Melbourne, Quebec

November 18^th, 1914: He enlisted in the 21^st Artillery Battery in Montreal, Quebec. He mentioned on his enlistment paper that he served 5 years with the A.S.C. and 6 years 11 months with the Hussars militia

May 26^th, 1915: He was drafted to go to France

June 16^th: He was taken on strength with the Ammunition Column

Hospitalized at the 21^st Division Rest Station for ingrowing toe nail on March 4^th to March 20^th, 1916.

September 20^th: Transferred to the Reserve Brigade for discharge

He returned to Canada on October 17^th and demobilized on October 3oth. No cause of discharge was mentionned on his papers but since he was 41 at the time, he was probably unfit for military duty

September 12^th, 1918: He enlisted a second time in the Canadian Military Police Corps No 4 Detachment in Montreal, Quebec. His address was 2426 20th avenue, Montreal, Quebec

January 1^st, 1919: He was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.

March 18^th: Discharged in Montreal. He gave his address 2426 20^th avenue, Montreal but according to the Montreal White Pages of 1920, he was mot living there anymore

He died on January 19th 1935

If you know more information on this gentleman, please leave me message so I can add it to his small biography.

Private Charles Manseau

Private Charles Manseau in the 22 nd battalion (Vandoos) in the Canadian Expeditionary Forces during WW1. He is entitled to the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. His enlistment number was 2002099. He received two War Service Badge Army, his class A was numbered 96793 and his War Service Badge Army Class B was numbered 57407. Usually those who received the class B badge did not receive the class A badge, this was a clerical mistake.

He was born on April 27 th, 1890 in Montreal, Quebec

Religion: Roman Catholic       Civil status: Single         Trade: student

Eyes: Brown     Hair: Brown          Height: 5′ 8″

Father : Horace Manseau                 Mother : Ernestine Manseau

1901 Canadian Census : He is not listed in the census

1911 Canadian Census: He is listed as living in Nicolet Quebec and born in April of 1892, two years after what he mentionned on his WW1 enlistment paper. His father was a doctor

December 20th 1916: He enlisted in Montreal, Quebec in the 150th battalion. He said that he had some service with the 80th battalion before he enlisted

March 3rd, 1917 : He embarked on transport ship Canada and sails to England. They arrived on March 15th.

March 10th : he was promoted to the rank of acting sergeant

April 3rd : He was reverted to the rank of private

April 4th : he was struck of strength of the 150th battalion

February 27th, 1918 : He was transferred to the 22 nd battalion in France

The 22nd battalion relieved the 21st battalion the night of the June 3rd to the 4th. On the 5th they were bombarded by artillery, 1 killed, 11 wounded. Private Charles Manseau was one of the wounded soldiers.

June 5th : Gunshot wound to the thigh (left thigh amputated) left hand ( 4 of 5 fingers amputated). Although Private Charles Manseau joined the conflict very late and served for only 4 months in France, it does show some soldiers who served from start to end without any major injury, and some like Private Manseau were there only a few months and would carry the results of severe wounds for the rest of their life.

June 26 th : He was transferred to England on H.S Cambria

October 30 th : He sailed to Canada on ship Neuralia: Arrived on November 10 th.

November 13 th : He was admitted to Ste Anne Hospital in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec

December 7th : He was absent without a leave until December 9th.

October 16th, 1919 : He was discharge

April 27th, 1967 : He died in Sarasota hospital in Florida, U.S.A.

Victory Medal and British War medal

If you know more information on this gentleman, please leave me message so I can add it to his small biography.

Canada WW1 recruitment poster – part 3

This is the third post on the subject of the propaganda campaign done during WW1 to recruit Canadian men in the army. Post number 1 was about the use of “emotions” in the posters and can be found by clicking here. Post number 2 was about the poster that targeted the french-canadian population and can be found by clicking here.

Another technique they used was to target some specific group and try to bring those men in the same battalion. This gave some results but not entirely what they expected.

Some of those recruitment posters targeted some very specific groups of individuals

Poster for the Montreal’s Jewish community

Same poster but in Hebraic language

Poster for the Montreal’s Irish community

Poster for the Montreal’s Irish community but more specifically at sportmen. The “Sportmans” battalion” was the nickname of the 199 th battalion

This poster tried to find some appeal in the Scottish community

Poster for the recruitment of lunberjacks in the Ottawa area. A region that was well known for its forest and wood cutting industry at the time.

The 224th battalion

Also the 238th battalion in the Ottawa region

Canada WW1 recruitment poster – part 2

This is the second post on the subject of the propaganda campaign done during WW1 to recruit Canadian men in the army. Post number 1 was about the use of “emotions” in the posters and can be found by clicking here.

This second post shows example of posters which targeted the French-Canadian minority. As we will see the “marketing” used to enroll the French-Canadian was different than the one used with English-Canadian.  The poster used French symbols and also some heroes of the French colonial who fought against the English of the time.

On the first poster you see a Canadian soldier shoulder to shoulder with a French soldier. At the bottom of the poster, it says that you must remember that you are the son soldiers of Montcalm and Levis armies (which fought against the British General James Wolfe who conquered Quebec). Personally I find that amusing that they used the name of Montcalm and Levis, who fought against the British General Wolfe, to enroll French-Canadian and fight on the British side.

On the second poster you find the Notre-Dame-de-Paris Cathedral, another French symbol that is under attack by the Germans. It also suggested that social and cultural institutions, such as the Church in a very catholic Quebec, were under threat from Germany.

On the third poster they call the men to defend France and say that they are the son of Montcalm and Chateauguay.

On the fourth poster you see other French symbols, the red, white and blue French flag with a rooster attacking the Prussian eagle.

And finally on the fifth poster you see Dollard-des-Ormeaux fighting against the Indians. At the time (1915) history books taught that Dollard-des-Ormeaux and his group of men, vastly outnumbered, fought valiantly against the Indians at Long-Sault in order to defend Ville-Marie (Montréal). He was a mythologized French-Canadian hero, today the perception on “how much of a hero he was” has changed and he is now somehow contreversial.