Warrant Officer Napoleon Barre – trial for desertion

Warrant Officer Napoléon Barre was one of the few Canadians who was accused of desertion and sentenced to be shot by a firing squad during World War One. What saved him was that he enlisted one month before his 18th birthday

You can find his small biography by clicking here

Here a transcript of his trial for desertion and the letters following the trial

Orders of operation for the 4^th Canadian battalion the day Private Napoleon Barre was accused

4^th Canadian Infantry Battalion

Operation order No 68

September 11^th 1917

Move : The 4^th Canadian Battalion will relieve the 1^st Canadian Battalion in the front line, left sub sections on the night of Sept 11^th/12^th.

Disposition :

Right front line  – “C” Co’y          Left front line - “A” Co’y

Support - “B” Co’y                         Reserve - “D” Co’y

Time : The head on the leading company will clear FOSSE 10 by 6:45 a.m. and remaining companies will follow at 10 minutes intervals. No platoons will come into view beyond FOSSE 11 until it is sufficiently dark.

Trial’s details

Date of the trial : September 29^th, 1917

President of the tribunal : Major Douglas Herbert Campbell Mason, D.S.O. 3^rd battalion

Members of the tribunal : Capitaine Donald Stanley Montgomery 29^th battalion

Lieutenant William Alexander McMaster

Lieutenant R Coke Scots Guards

Witness :  Sergeant Henry Matthews # 21955

Sergeant William Edward Goodyear # 10907

Company Quarter-Master Harry George Crawford # 23229

Private John William Drysdale Black # 142072

Private Wesley Lowe Pierson # 803203

Charge

The accused No 814027, Pte. N. Barre, 4th Canadian Battalion, a soldier of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces is charged with :

1^st

Section 12 (1a) A.A. Desertion

When on active service deserting his Majesty’s active service,

in that, at FOSSE 10, on Sept. 11th 1917, when orders to proceed to the front line trenches, absented himself without leave and remained absent until he reported to Q.M Sgt. H.G. Crawford at FOSSE 10 about 11.00 a.m. on the morning of the 14th Sept. 1917.

2^nd

Section 8 (2) A.A. Using insubordinate language to his superior officer

When on active service, using insubordinate language to his superior officer,

in that, at FOSSE 10, on Sept. 14th 1917, when personally order by Q.M Sgt. H.G. Crawford, 4th Canadian battalion, to prepare to go into front line that night refused, saying «even if I am absent two or three days more it won’t make any difference in my crime» or words to that effect.

Alternative

Section 40 A.A. Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline

When on active service, to the prejudice of good order and military discipline in that, at FOSSE 10, on Sept 14th 1917 when personally ordered by Q.M Sgt. H.G. Crawford, 4th battalion, to prepare to go into the front line that night, refused, saying «even if I am absent two or three days more it won’t make any difference in my crime» or words to that effect.

Testimony

Lt J.G. Roberston 4^th Canadian battalion

Appears as friend of the accused

1^st witness No 219555 Sergeant H Matthews 4^th Canadian Battalion sworn states :

On 11^th September 1917 I was a Platoon sergeant on no 10 Platoon 4^th Canadian Battalion. The accused is a member on the no 10 Platoon. Between 10 am and 11 am on the date stated, C company, 4^th Canadian battalion fell in at Fosse 10 for inspection. No 10 platoon is in C company. No 10 Platoon was warned at the time and date stated by the Platoon officer not to go far away, as the Platoon was going up the trenches that night. I heard the officer give this warning. The accused was present when this warning was given. I saw him there. The officer who gave the warning is sick. Before the warning was given I called roll of no 10 Platoon and the accused answered his name.

About 6 pm on the same date I heard the section commander on no 10 Platoon call the roll, I heard the accused’s name, the accused was absent. No 10 Platoon marched off the trenches at 7 pm on the date stated.

Cross examined

By the court ;

The officer when he warned the platoon did not mention the time of the parade, but said it would be sometimes that night.

2^nd witness No 10907 Sergeant W.E. Goodyear 4^th Canadian Battalion sworn states :

On the 11^th September 1917, I was the section commander of the Platoon (cross out in the text) section No 10 Platoon to which the accused belong. About 8:20 (cross out in the text) when the platoon paraded in the morning of the date stated I heard the company officer warned the whole company including No 10 Platoon, that the company would be moving up to the trenches and everybody must stay in or around the billets.

At about 6 pm of the date stated, I called the role of No 5 section and I found that the accused was absent. I reported this to the Sergt Matthews. The company were ordered to parade at 6 pm, this order was given out early in the afternoon. I next saw the accused about 2 pm on September 24^th in the orderly room.

Between 6 pm on 11^th September and 2 pm on 24^th September, the accused did not do any duty with No 5 section.

Cross examined

By the court ;

I saw the accused present on parade when the warning was given.

3^rd witness No 23229 C.Q.M. Sergeant Crawford 4^th Canadian Battalion sworn states ;

On the 14^th September 1917, I was C.Q.M.S. of the accused’s company. The accused reported to me at 11 am on the date stated at the transport Lines at St……. in Gobelles. I ordered the accused to come with me and get his equipment and to stay at the company kitchen, until the rations came up. At 5:30 pm when the rations came up I ordered the accused to get his equipment and go up the lines with the rations. The accused refused to obey my orders and said “ I am not going up the lines as few more days of absence will not make any difference in my sentence either way” or words to that effect.

I then placed the accused under arrest

Cross examined

By the court ;

The accused spoke to me in English

4^th witness No 142072 Private J. W. Black 4^th Canadian Battalion sworn states ;

On 14^th September I was assisting C.Q.M.S. Crawford. About 5:30 pm on the day stated I saw the accused, he was talking to C.Q.M.S. Crawford to whom I heard his say that he was not going up the line. I did not hear anything more

5^th witness No 803203 Private W.L. Pierson 4^th Canadian Battalion sworn states ;

I am in the same section as the accused. I saw the accused present when my Platoon headed on the ……….. of 11^th September 1917 when the Platoon officer us to stay in billets as we going up the lines and he did not know the time of parade.

The Platoon move off at 6:15 pm on the same date, the accused was absent.

I heard the Platoon had to parade at 6 pm, about 4:30 pm the same date Sergt Matthews came around and told me.

No cross examination

By the court ;

I am not sure Sergt Matthews told me but I think he did.

Defence

The accused sworn states ;

On the afternoon of 11 September I went to estaminet about 12:30. I had some bose and I got drunk. I was into a field where I fell asleep. I woke up at 10:30 p.m. that same night and tried to find my billet. When I got my billet I found my section had gone. I then came down to Barlin. I did not know what I was doing. I then came back to Bruay where I stayed two days. I had no money. I then went and reported to the transport lines at in Gobelles. When I got there C.Q.L.S. Crawford ordered me to go up the line. I told him I was going to stay where I was. I was accused to desert and …. myself to transport Line.

No cross examination

By the court;

I heard the officer warned me of parade the morning 11^th of September that we were going to the trenches and not to be far away from the billets.

I know we were shortly going up the line.

I was not drunk all the time I was away, I was sole when I was in Bruay

I did not know where I was going to. I was alright when I was at Barlin. I don’t know why I went to Bruay. I was sick when C.Q.L.S. Crawford gave me the order. I did not tell him I was sick.

Cross examination

The accused sworn in litigation

I enlisted 15^th February 1916. I came to France 2^nd of November 1916. I was at the battle of Vimy on April 1917. I have done by ordering tour in the trenches from time to time. I am 17 years of age. I shall be 18 on 2^nd October 1917. I was at the battle of Fresnoy and hill 70 in August.

Lt Colonel V Collins 4^th Canadian Battalion

… states . I produced a certified …. copy of A.7.13 122 of the accused which is marked X signed be the president and attached to the proceedings.

The accused was formerly in my Platoon fro about 4 months. I found him a good soldier. The last tour in the line, in which I was with him, I noticed that his nerves had gone.”

(1) The fighting character of the soldier in question cannot be reported upon favourably. Pte. Barre’s service with the Expeditionary Forces : 10 month having joined the 4^th Battalion Dec 2^nd 1916

Pte Hasleden’s service with the Expeditionary Forces : 9 months, having joined the 4^th Battalion Feb 11^th 1917

(2) The state of discipline of this unit has been of the unit has been maintained up to the standard demanded by the Canadian Corps

(3) It is the opinion of the CC that this particular service was deliberately avoided by these man.

(4) With reference to the extreme penalty; if the interest of discipline of the Corps require it ; the extreme penalty should be effected or such punishment on will meet the necessities of discipline.

(5) I certify that Pte. Bare and Haselden have been sent to for safe custody

________________________________________________________________

Letter of October 2nd, 1917 from  Brigadier-General William Antrobus Greisbach

2 – 10 – 17     

1^st Canadian Division

F.G.C.M Proceedings in the case of No 814027 Pte N. Barre, 4^th Canadian Battalion, are forwarded herewith also a letter from his commanding officer containing his recommendations. In view of the youth of the accused I recommend that the extreme penalty be not carried out.

Pte Barre has been put into the custody of the A.P.M

Brigadier-General William Antrobus Greisbach

Commanding 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade

________________________________________________________________

Letter from October 3rd, 1917 from Major-General Archibald Cameron McDonell

 1^st  Canadian Division

CM 1471

We have to day wired the to have this man statement regarding his age verified, though in all probability he was a minor at the time of enlistment he gave false age.

Before recommending that the sentence be commuted in penal servitude I am the opinion that this man’s statement about his age should be verified.

If it is proved that Pte. Barre has done nearly a Year’s campaigning at the age of 17 I would recommend that steps be taken to have him remove from the line.

In the meantime Pte Bare is with the A.P.M. 1^st Canadian Division for safe custody. (Certificate attached).

I will communicate the answer from the Base regarding this man age as soon as receive.

I forward herewith proceeding in the case of No 814084 Pte N. Barre, 4^th Canadian Battalion charged with desertion His Majesty’s Service found guilty and sentenced to death.

The court have recommend this man to mercy on account of his age which he states is only 17 and attached herewith also please find letter from C.O.C. 1^st Canadian Infantry Brigade recommending that the extreme penalty be not carried on account of Pte Barre’s youth.

The O.C. 4^th Canadian Battalion, in his letter attached cannot report favourably on this man conduct from a fighting point of view. His conduct sheet however only shows two previous offence having been committed after 19 month service.

The discipline in the 4th Canadian Battalion is good and there is no need of making an example.

I therefore concur in the opinion of the C.O.C.1st Canadian Brigade that the sentence be not carried out.

It will be noticed that Lieut, Robertson, 4th Canadian Battalion on his evidence of character …tes that he is of the opinion that Pte Barre’s nerves have gone.

Major-General Archibald Cameron McDonell

1^st Canadian Division

________________________________________________________________

Letter of October 6th, 1917 from Arthur Currie Lieutenant – General Commanding Canadian Corps

Canadian Corps A. 20-1-329

6 October

Proceeding of Field General Court martial in the case of N814024 Pte Napoleon Barre, 4th Canadian Battalion are forwarded herewith

I recommend

«That the sentence should be commuted, information as the age of this man will be forwarded as soon as verified»

Lieutenant – General Arthur Currie

Commanding Canadian Corps

________________________________________________________________

On October 7th his sentence was commuted in 5 years penal servitude and was returned to his battalion (4th battalion CEF) on October 8th 1917.

Nursing Sister Nellie Grace Rogers

Nursing Sister Nellie Grace Rogers served as a Nursing Sister in the Canadian Army Medical Corps during WW1.

She was born on December 18^th, 1889 in London, Canada.

Height: 5′ 5″     Weight : 115 lbs.           Religion : Baptist

She enlisted on November 11^th, 1917 in Toronto but she only passed her medical exam on July 15^th 1918 in Burlington.

She died on October 19^th, 1918 from influenza in Toronto at the age of 28.

She never went to Europe. So her only medal entitlement is the British War Medal that was sent to her mother, Adelia Rogers in Listowel, Ontario with her Memorial Cross.

Her Memorial Plaque and Scroll were sent to her father, James Rogers

She is buried at the Listowel Cemetery, Ontario, Canada in lot 5. range 10.

Picture of Nursing Sister Nellie Grace Rogers gravestone

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

 

Private Walter Edward Williams

Private Walter Edward Williams served in the 131st battalion (New Westminster) in the Canadian Expeditionary Forces during World War One. He was entitled to the British War Medal and his enlistment number was 790891.

He was born on November 1st, 1871 in Stockton California

Religion : Methodist    Status : married     Trade : bookeeper

Eyes : grey        Hair : getting gray          Height : 5′ 6″

Wife : Marion William (born in 1879)     Address : 420 Nelson street, Vancouver

He had two daughter Garnett, born in 1906, and Ezemfa born in 1902

1881 American census taken in Stockton, San Joaquin, California

Father : J.R. Williams was a druggist and born in 1845 Mother : Ella Williams born in 1852

Sister : Eda Williams born in 1875 Brother : Harry I. Williams born in 1879

Enlisted on April 5th, 1915 in the 131st battalion in New Westminster, British Columbia

November 1st, 1916 : Embarked on SS Caronia in Halifax. Arrived in England on November 11th.

End of November : Transferred to the 30th, 37th, and the 64th battalion.

Private Williams in an example of someone who enlisted in Canada, passed all the medical tests, arrived in England and was returned back to Canada because he was not fit for service. Army recruiter in Canada were under enormous pressure to meet the quota and after the first waves of volunteer became to fell short of new candidates. They did not have enough of young recruits to reach their goals, so some recruiters turned some corners round and gave the OK to many men who should have not received the approval, they were just not fit for service. They closed their eyes on men who would be found inapt to military service once in United Kingdom. The recruiters had met their quotas but it created another problem in United Kingdom.

January 8th, 1917 : Transferred to the British Columbia Regimental Depot

March 13th : He was transferred to Canadian Headquarter and posted as clerk with the senior chaplain. He was probably given the rank of acting Sergeant because his discharge certificate and his gravestone do mention that his rank is acting Sergeant

October 30th  : Transferred back to the British Columbia Regimental Depot

November 17th : He was sent back to Canada and discharged in Victoria, British Columbia on November 30th

September 18th, 1919 : He was admitted to Shaughnessy Hospital in Vancouver with paralysis to lower limbs

May 20th, 1955 : He died in Saanich, British Columbia at the age of 82. He is buried at the (Old Naval Section) Victoria, H.M.C.S. Naden on Vancouver Island

Picture of Walter Edward Williams gravestone

Picture of Walter Edward Williams British War Medal

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

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.

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 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

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: H was 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 19^th, 1935 and is buried in Lot 74 #114 at Hawthorn-Dale Cemetery in Montréal, Québec.

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.

Sergeant Gerald Phair Norton

Sergeant Gerald Phair Norton served during WW1 with the Eastern Ontario Regiment in the Canadian Expeditionary Forces and during WW2 with the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps. He is entitled to the British War Medal, the 1939-45 Star, the Italy Star, the Defence Medal, the Canadian Volunteer Service medal with clasp and the War Medal 1939-45. His enlistment number was 3322527 in WW2 and C-92019 during WW2

He was born on May 1st 1895 in Hawthorne, Ontario

1901 Canadian census taken in Gloucester, Russel, Ontario

Father : William born January 14th, 1847     Mother : Elizabeth born November 10th 1862

Brother : William born January 10th, 1893    Sister : Edna born April 28th, 1896

During the First World War he was with the 2nd Eastern Ontario Regiment.

Trade : Farmer      Status single

Address of his mother : Hawthorne, Ontario

May 28 th 1918 : He enlisted in the 2nd Depot Battalion Eastern Ontario Regiment. The Eastern Ontario Regiment was a depot battalion and those regiments never saw the front line. They were stationned in United Kingdom only and were used to supply men to battalion which were in France and fighting. It was a sort of waiting list before men were sent to France.

Each canadian province had its own depot battalion and on arrival in United Kingdom men were sent to their respective battalion depending the province where they enlisted in Canada. Ontario had three of those regiment the Eastern Ontario (E.O.R.), central Ontario Regiment(C.O.R.) and the Western Ontario Regiment (W.O.R.)

Height : 5′ 8″ 1/2   Weight : 144 lbs.

Eyes : Brown        Hair: Brown        Religion : Methodist

July 6^th : Sailed from Canada on board SS Tunisian, arrived in England on July 22^nd. Sent to the 6^th battalion on his arrival.

June 23^rd, 1919 : Sailed from Liverpool onboard the ship SS Belgic, arrived in Halifax July 1^st.

August 3^rd : He was demobilised

During the Second Worls War he served  with 9th Detachment of the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps

Trade : Salesman and trucker    Status : single    Address :  95 Lees, Ottawa

Name of his sister : L Buck     Address : 1 Pacific street, Ottawa west

Farming from time of leaving school until 1927. Bread salesman Walker Bread Co. for one year. Salesman and supervisor of twelve routes with Producers dairy 1928-1937; laid off on reduction of staff in 1937. Employed odd jobs as salesman until enlistment. Unemployed prior to war

September 4 th 1939 : He enlisted in Ottawa. He stated that he had 1 year service in the 6^th Reserve Battalion in England.

June 29^th, 1940 : He sailed from Montreal on H.M.T. E44 (sailing list 221) and arrived in Liverpool, England on July 22^nd.

July 30^th : he was authorized to draw tradesmen’s rate pay as Clerk “C”

August 16 th to the 20th : He got a 5 days permission

September 1^st : He was appointed to the rank of acting corporal without pay.

September 2^nd : He was appointed to the rank of acting corporal.

September 2^nd : He was confirmed in the rank of corporal.

July 31^st, 1941 : Admitted to the 15^th Canadian General Hospital. He was discharged from hospital on August 19^th.

January 17^th to the 23^rd : He received a 6 days permission

August 18^th, 1942 : He was authorized to draw tradesmen’s rate pay as Clerk “B”

January 29 to February 7th 1943 : He received a 10 days permission

February 4^th : He was ppointed to the rank of acting sergeant with pay

May 4^th :He was confirmed in the rank sergeant

June 28^th : Left England for overseas service.

July 10^th : He disembarked in Sicily (operation Husky)

January 10^th, 1944: He received his Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with clasp.

February 9^th : He was appointed to the rank of acting staff sergeant.

September 23^rd :He was confirmed in the rank of staff sergeant.

December 4^th : Termination of overseas service. Left on vessel W 774

December 14^th : He disembarked in Canada and served as escort to prisoners of war

June 22^nd, 1945 : He was discharged in Lansdowne Park

November 18^th, 1949 : He received his  Second World War medals.

1950 : He married Frances Viney Norton (1911-1999)

April 23^rd, 1956 : He died and was buried in Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa, Section 24 Lot 23

Obituary from the Ottawa Citizen April 24 th, 1956

“Funeral services will be held Wednesday for Gerald Phair Norton who died of a hearth attack yesterday while attending the funeral of a friend, the late Douglas Gray. Mr Norton an employe of the Mines branch of the Department of Mines and Technical Surveys who lived at 474 ½ Booth Street, was 60… Latterly he had worked 11 years in the Mines and Branch.

Mr Norton leaves his widow the former Frances Viney Cooney whom he married in 1950; a sister Mrs Melva Buck, Ottawa and several nieces and nephew.

The service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel of Hulse and Playfair Ltd. 315 McLeod Street, Rev A.M.J. gray will officiate. Burial will be in Beechwood.”

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

Sergeant Gerald Phair Norton WW1-WW2 medals

click on the image to enlarge

Flight-Lieutenant Grant Leandre Parent C.D.

Flight-Lieutenant Grant Leandre Parent served as a Navigating Officer with the 424 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force during World War Two. He flew 21 missions over Germany. He is entitled to the 1939-45 Star, France-Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service medal with clasp and the Canadian Decoration. Also he received the Irvin Caterpillar Pin, this pin was given to every airmen to anyone who saved his life by parachuting from a disabled or flaming aircraft.

He was born April 24, 1919 in Richmond, Quebec and graduated from McGill University in 1940 with a B.A. in Agricultural.

He commenced his training on June 6th 1943 in Toronto at the No 6 Initial Training School. He served until February 16th, 1946 but since he received the Canadian Decoration he must also has served after that period.

He died January 24, 2012.

I once had access to his flight book and made a transcription of it.

This is the transcription of his flight log book that include his training flights and bombing missions over Germany during WW2.

1944

Trained on Anson (Picture below)

April 10th                   Pilot : Sgt Rychlik                 Flight time (day) : 3:40 hour

April 11th                    Pilot : Sgt Stack                     Flight time (day) : 3:05 hrs

April 15th                   Pilot : F/O Bowskill              Flight time (day) : 2:40 hrs

April 20th                   Pilot : Keppie                         Flight time (day) : 3:35 hrs

April 24th                    Pilot : F/S Cundall                 Flight time (day) : 3:30 hrs

April 25th                    Pilot : F/S Dix                          Flight time (day) : 25 min

April 25th                    Pilot : F/S Dix                         Flight time (n) : 2:35 hrs

April 26th                    Pilot : P/O Skipton                Flight time (d) : 30 min

April 26th                    Pilot : P/O Skipton                Flight time (n) : 2:05 hrs

April 27th                    Pilot : F/S Gilmore                Flight time (d) : 2:50 hrs

April 28th                    Pilot : F/O Stapley                 Flight time (d) : 3:30 hrs

May 2nd                      Pilot : F/S Hamilton             Flight time (d) : 3:25 hrs

May 4th                       Pilot : F/O Boyd                    Flight time (d) : 3:15 hrs

Total for the month : 35 hrs 5 min

From July 12th,1943 to November 26th, 1943 he followed his navigator course.

Trained on Wellington (Picture below)

July 16th                     Pilot : W/O Butler                 Flight time (d) : 1:35 hour

July 18th                     Pilot : F/O White                   Flight time (d) : 4:35 hrs

July 19th                      Pilot : P/O McManus             Flight time (d) : 35 min

July 20th                     Pilot : W/O Butler                 Flight time (d) : 4:55 hrs

July 21st                      Pilot : W/O Butler                 Flight time (d) : 45 min

July 22nd                     Pilot : W/O Butler                 Flight time (d) : 35 min

July 23rd                     Pilot : W/O Butler                 Flight time (d) : 6:00 hrs

July 25th                     Pilot : W/O Butler                 Flight time (d) : 2:20 hrs

July 28th                     Pilot : W/O Butler                 Flight time (d) : 3:00 hrs

July 31st                      Pilot : W/O Butler                Flight time (d) : 1:25 hour

Total for the month : 26 hrs 15 min

August 4th                   Pilot : W/O Butler                 Flight time (d) : 1:45 hour

August 6th                   Pilot : F/O Gray                     Flight time (n) : 1:10 hour

August 7th                   Pilot : W/O Butler                 Flight time (n) : 1:55 hour

August 9th                   Pilot : W/O Butler                 Flight time (n) : 3:00 hrs

August 11th                 Pilot : F/O Clifton                 Flight time (n) : 4:00 hrs

He and his crew had to bailed out of the air plane after engines problems, two members did not have time to exit and died in the plane crash. This is most propable the incident where he received his Irvin Caterpillar Pin.

Total for the month : 11 hrs 50 min

August 23rd                Pilot : F/S Saunders               Flight time (d) : 4:20 hrs

August 25th                 Pilot : F/S Saunders               Flight time (d) : 4:40 hrs

August 28th                 Pilot : F/S Saunders               Flight time (d) : 2:30 hrs

Total for the month : 11 hrs 30 min

The squadron transferred on Lancaster Halifax (picture below)

October 30th,              Pilot : F/O Graham                Flight time ( day) : 2:25 hrs

Commending officer of the Squadron 424 C.C.W. Marshall D.F.C

November 1st              Pilot : F/O Graham                Flight time (d) : 1:45 hrs

November 3rd            Pilot : F/O Graham                Flight time (d)  : 35 min

November 3rd            Pilot : P/O Saunders              Flight time (d) : 3:15 hrs

November 6th             Pilot : F/O Graham                Flight time (d) : 25 min

November 7th             Pilot : F/O Graham                Flight time (d) : 3:15 hrs

November 8th             Pilot : P/O Saunders              Flight time (d) : 2:55 hrs

November 9th             Pilot : P/O Saunders              Flight time (d) : 4:00 hrs

November 12th           Pilot : P/O Saunders              Flight time (d) : 5:20 hrs

November 19th           Pilot : F/O Sherwood             Flight time (d) : 2:30 hrs

November 20th           Pilot : P/O Saunders              Flight time (n) : 2:30 hrs

November 21st             Pilot : P/O Saunders              Flight time (n) : 3:20 hrs

November 23rd           Pilot : F/LT Rogers                Flight time (n) : 6:15 hrs

November 24th           Pilot : P/O Saunders              Flight time (d) : 4:55 hrs

November 25th           Pilot : P/O Walton                 Flight time (n) : 4:15 hrs

Total for the month : 48 hrs 05 min

November 26th, he arrived at 424th squadron in Skipton on Swale, his crew is compose of those persons;

P/O Saunders(pilot)            F/O Parent (navigator)          Sgt Andrews

Sgt Laforce                            Sgt Witham                               Sgt Olafson (rear gunner)

Sgt Ellis

November 29th                     Pilot : P/O Saunders          Flight time: 4:40 hrs

December 2nd                       Pilot : P/O Saunders           Flight time: 1:00 hour

December 4th                       Pilot : P/O Saunders            Flight time: 4:15 hrs

December 5th                        mission # 1                             Objective Soest

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 5:45 hrs  Flight distance : 2081 km

Comments : Moderate flak, one bomb stayed in bomb bay and short petrol

16:24              waiting on the runway

18:14              take off

18:40              near off Barnsley

19:18              Reading, new course 136 o

19:35              Eastbourne

19:50              20.5 km north – west d’Abbeville

20:18              57 km east de Saint – Quentin, new course 20 o

20:50              42 km north – west of Aachen

21:09              44.5 km north of Gladbeck

21:23              bombs dropped on target, altitude 18 000 feet

21:24              new course 222 o

21:42              20 km south of Bonn, new course 272 o

21:55              new course 246 o

22:09              new course 290 o

23:18              12 km north – east of Dunkerque, new course 318 o

00:07              Orfordness, new course 305 o

00:27              landing at Horham

December 6th                                    Flight (d)

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 1:05 hrs              Horham to base

December 12th                      Flight (d)

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 2:55 hrs

December 13th                      Flight (d)

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 1:55 hrs

December 18th                      mission # 2                             Objective Berg

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 6:00 hrs  Flight distance : 2055 km

Comment : Moderate flak

03:25              take off

03:34              near off Barnsley

04:28              Reading

04:45              near Brighton (English coast) new course 168 o

05:18              29 km south of Dieppe, new course103 o

05:52              41 km south of Charleroi, new course 46 o

06:22             bombs dropped on target, altitude 19 000 feet

06:23              new course 301 o

06:28              new course 231 o

07:08              32 km south-west of Charleroi, new course 269 o

07:30              near Beach Head, new course 355 o

07:51              near Reading, new course 355 o

08:25              near off Barnsley

08:49              landing at Hethel

December 23rd                      Flight (d)

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 1:05 hrs              Return to base

Total for the month : 28 hrs 40 min

The squadron transferred on Lancaster (picture below)

January 4th,1945                    Flight (d)

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 4:15 hrs

January 5th                            mission # 3                             Objective Hannover

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 5:50 hrs  Flight distance : 1742 km

Comment : Slight flak

17:01              take off

17:14              Scarborough, new course 88 o

17:55              North Sea

18:19              North sea, new course 125 o

18:37              23 km north – west de Gronigen

18:48              32 km south – east de Gronigen, new course 96 o

19:11              32 km south-east de Bremen, new course 143 o

19:21            bombs dropped on target, altitude 18 500 feet, new course 222 o

19:31              course 306 o

19:42              32 km south – east d’Osnabrück

19:59              course 280 o

20:33              6 km north of La Haye, course 295

21:05              Southwold

21:49              near Doncaster

22:06              landing

January 6th                            mission # 4                             Objective Hanau

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 7:30 hrs  Flight distance : 1975 km

Comment : Slight flak

15:48              take off

16:02              near off Doncaster

16:41              Reading

17:23              25 km north – west of Dieppe, new course 89 o

17:58              50 km north – east de Saint – Quentin

18:25              44.5 km south of Liege, new course 66 o

18:58              new course 148 o

19:07              Frankfort

19:10             Bombs dropped on target, altitude 19 500 feet

19:15              37 km south of Frankfort, new course 292 o

19:31              44.5 km south of Koblenz, new course 241 o

19:42              25 km south of Kier, new course 296

19:57              37 km west of Luxembourg, new course 319 o

20:21              30 km west de Charleroi

20:42              40 km north – west de Lille

21:08              Cork (English coast)

21:58              near off Doncaster

22:14              landing

January 22nd                          Flight (d)

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 3:00 hrs

January 26th                           Flight (d)

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 3:05 hrs

January 28th                          mission # 5                             Objective Stuggart

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 7:15 hrs  Flight distance : 2412 km

Comment : Slight flak

The Intelligence Officer who was responsible to debrief him made this comment «if you don’t like this, complain to me»

19:19              take off

20:17              near Doncaster

20:55              Reading, new course 136 o

21:12              near Beachy Head

21:23              16 km north-east of Dieppe

21:58              25 km north-east of Paris, new course 80 o

23:06              19 km east of Saarbrucken, new course 81 o

23:30              44 km south-east Mannheim, new course 178 o

23:38             bombs dropped on target, altitude 19 500 feet

23:40              10 km south of Stuggart, new course 273 o

23:41              new course 326 o

23:51              38 km north of Strasbourg

00:24              new course 292 o

01:02              25 km north-east of Paris, new course 334 o

01:56              16 km north-east of Dieppe

02:16              Beach Head

04:09              Landing

January 29th                           Flight (d)

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 50 min

Total for the month : 31 hrs 45 min

February 11th                         Flight (d)

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 35 min

February 13th                         Flight (d)

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 1:35 hrs

February 14th                         Flight (d)

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 3:30 hrs

February 15th                        Flight (d)

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 5:25 hrs

February 18th                         Flight (d)

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 15 min

February 20th                         mission # 6                             Objective Dorthund

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 6:40 hrs  Flight distance : 1787 km

Comment : Moderate to heavy flak

21:35              take off

22:19              near off Barnsley

22:59              Reading

23:17              Eastbourne

23:35              19 km north – west of Abbeville

23:41              19 km south – east of Abbeville, new course 91 o

00:28              52 km south – east of Charleroi, new course 17 o

00:50              35 km north of Liège, new course 88 o

01:05              Remscheid, new course 32 o

01:14             bombs dropped on target, altitude 18 500 feet

01:17              19.5 km north-west de Dortmund, new course 312

01:22              30 km south-west of Munster, new course 276 o

01:32              33 km north-west of Gladbeck, new course 238 o

02:05              19 km south of Bruxelles, new course 277 o

02:41              24 km south of Boulogne, new course 307

02:57              English coast

03:18              Reading

03:55              near Barnsley

04:08              landing

February 21st             mission # 7                             Objective Duisberg

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 6:30 hrs  Flight distance : 1183 km

Comment : Moderate to heavy flak and oxygen system failure

19:58              take off

20:14              near off Doncaster

20:59              near Reading

21:20              Eastbourne

21:39              20 km north – west of Abbeville

21:46              15 km south – east of Abbeville, new course 34 o

22:26              25 km east of Charleroi

22:44              31.75 km west of Aachen

23:04             bombs dropped on target, altitude 18 000 feet

23:05              new course 285 o

23:15              new course 220 o

23:25              31.75 km north – west of Liège, new course 256 o

23:40              25 km north – east of Charleroi, new course 281 o

23:59              Lille

00:15              Boulogne

00:33              15 km north – east of Eastbourne

00:53              Reading

01:31              Doncaster

01:44              landing

February 24th                         Flight (d)

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 3:35 hrs              Sea search

February 26th                         Flight (d)

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 3:00 hrs

Total for the month : 31 hrs 05 min

 March 1st                              mission # 8                             Objective Mannheim

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 7:20 hrs  Flight distance : 1351 km

Comment : Slight heavy flak

12:17              take off

12:32              Doncaster

13:13              Reading

13:25              Portsmouth

13:30              over the English channel, new course 84 o

14:01              19.5 km north of Abbeville

14:07              12 km north – east of Abbeville

14:52              4 km south – east of Luxembourg

15:14             bombs dropped on target, altitude 18 500 feet

15:15              new course 96 o

15:20              25 km south – east of Manheim, new course 267

15:56              23 km north – east of Nancy, new course 313

17:12              6.35 km south – west of Ostende (Dutch coast)

17:39              Southwold (English coast), new course 313

18:24              Doncaster

18:40              landing

March 2nd                              mission # 9                             Objective Cologne

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 5:55 hrs  Flight distance : 1754 km

Comment : Slight heavy flak and the objective was probably never reached

07:41              take off

08:31              Reading, new course 138 o

09:07              Beachy Head, new course 86 o

09:13              16 km south of Boulogne

09:38              19 km south of Charleroi, new course 40 o

10:00              left Belgium, new course 102 o

10:12              bombs dropped on target, altitude 19 000 feet

10:13              new course 213 o

10:20              12 km south of Bonn new course 285 o

11:30              25 km north of Charleroi, new course 329 o

12:00              over Ostende, left the coast of France, new course 308 o

12:44              Southwold, new course 351 o

12:54              landing

March 5th                               mission # 10               Objective Chemnitz

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 9:00 hrs  Flight distance : 1796 km

Comment : No flak

17:18              take off

17:32              near Doncaster

18:08              near Reading, new course 128 o

18:28              near Eastbourne

18:47              21 km north – west of Abbeville

18:54              15 km south-east of Abbeville, new course 84 o

19:38              new course 61 o

20:16              19 km north-west of Koblenz

20:56              new course 145 o

21:34              30 km north – west of Halle, new course 86 o

21:48              25 km north – east of Leipzig

21:57              25 km south – east of Leipzig

21:59             bombs dropped on target, altitude 15 500 feet

22:01              17 km au south -east of Chemnitz, new course 257 o

22:13              new course 305 o

22:36              new course 238 o

22:57              30 km south – east of Darmstadt

00:53              15 km south – east of Amiens, new course 294 o

01:00              21 km north – west of Abbeville

01:22              near of Eastbourne

01:45              near off Reading

02:31              near off Doncaster

02:48              landing

March 6th                               Flight (d)

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 55 min    Return to base

March 7th                               mission # 11               Objective Dessau

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 8:45 hrs  Flight distance : 3025 km

Comment : Slight to heavy flak, large belt of search light before T and four air crafts down

17:07              take off

17:23              near off Barnsley

18:07              Reading, new course 140 o

18:26              Beachy Head, new course 139 o

18:47              16 km north-east of Dieppe, new course 88 o

19:37              new course 42 o

20:23              19 km north of Cologne, new course 63 o

21:11              new course 34 o

21:42              32 km south of Salzwedel near Elbe Channel, new course 72 o

21:57              19 km west de Brandenburg, new course 184 o

22:07             bombs dropped on target, altitude 16 000 feet

22:10              12 km north of Halle, new course 210 o

22:28              new course 180 o

22:44              new course 250 o

23:08              44 km west of Stuggart, new course 301 o

00:50              50 km west of Chalons sur Marne, new course 322 o

01:57              Pointe Haut banc

Reading

Landing

March 8th                               Flight (d)

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 1:20 hrs  Return to base

March 11th                             mission # 12               Objective Essen

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 5:45 hrs  Flight distance : 2100 km

Comment : Slight flak

12:06              take off

12:22              near Barnsley

13:07              Reading

13:30              Eastbourne, new course 139 o

13:51              19 km north-west of Abbeville, new course 98 o

14:12              25 km north-west of Saint – Quantin

14:34              27 km south-east of Charleroi, new course 51 o

15:04              Gladback

15:15              bombs dropped on target, altitude 19 000 feet

15:16              new course 321 o

15:20              12 km west of Gladbeck, new course 260 o

15:49              10 km south of Bruxelles, new course 297 o

16:07              19 km south of Ostende, left the coast of France, new course 341 o

16:34              Southwold, new course 313 o

17:11              near Barnsley

17:23              landing

March 12th                             mission # 13               Objective Dortmund

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 6:45 hrs

Comment : Slight flak

March 14th                             mission # 14               Objective Zweibrucken

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 6:35 hrs  Flight distance : 1265 km

Comment : Moderate to heavy flak

17:13              take off

17:28              near off Doncaster

18:13              Reading

18:35              near d’Eastbourne

18:55              19.5 km north – east of Abbeville

19:03              Amiens

19:45              + de 50 km north – east of Chalons sur Marne

19:55              new course 95 o

20:07              25 km west of Saarbrucken

20:16              bombs dropped on target, altitude 12 800 feet, new course 158 o

20:19              19.5 km south – east of Saarbrucken, new course 237 o

20:34              25 km south – east of Nancy, new course 306 o

21:50              Amiens

21:57              19.5 km north – west of Abbeville

22:15              near of Eastbourne

22:36              Reading

23:14              Doncaster

23:27              landing

March 15th                             mission # 15               Objective Hagen

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 6:40 hrs  Flight distance : 2356 km

Comment : Moderate to heavy flak, two aircrafts down and many fighters

17:18              take off

17:35              Doncaster

18:23              Reading

18:45              Eastbourne

19:05              21 km north – east of Abbeville, new course 98 o

19:36              25 km south – west of Charleroi, new course 53 o

19:59              course 120 o

20:12              25 km west of Bonn, course 179 o

20:23              37 km east of Cologne, course 348 o

20:32             bombs dropped on target, altitude 19 000 feet

20:33              6 km north of Hagen, course 307 o

20:42              8.5 km east of Krefeld, course 253 o

20:59              course 240 o

21:19              25 km south – east of Charleroi, course 274 o

21:50              21 km north – east of Abbeville, new course 316 o

22:07              Eastbourne

22:25              Reading

23:03              Doncaster

23:16              landing

March 16th                             Flight (d)

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 1:15 hrs              Practice bombing

New commanding officer R.W. Norris

March 29th                             Flight (d)

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 1:55 hrs

March 31st                             mission # 16               Objective Hamburg

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 5:30 hrs  Flight distance : 1419 km

Comment : Heavy flak over Hamburg, four aircrafts down over Hamburg – two collided and many fighters

6:47              take off

6:58              Scarborough

7:33              between England and Holland

7:51              Island of Texel (Holland), new course 107 o

8:10              20 km south – east of Leeuwarden

8:37              32 km south of Bremen, new course 32 o

8:56             Bombs dropped on target, altitude 18 000 feet

9:00              24 km north –west of Hamburg, new course 319 o

9:13              near Kaiser Wilhem Channel, new course 271 o

9:23              Coast Norwegia, new course 274 o

9:39              21 km south of the island of Heligoland (North sea), new course 278 o

10:28              North sea

11:38              Scarborough

11:52              landing

Total for the month : 67 hrs 20 min

April 4th                                  mission # 17               Objective Leuna (Merseberg)

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 9:00 hrs

Comment : Synthetic oil plant and Moderate to heavy flak

April 8th                                  mission # 18               Objective Hamburg

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 5:55 hrs

Comment : Moderate to heavy flak

April  9th                                Flight (d)

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 45 min    Return to base

April 10th                                mission # 19                                       Objective Leipzig

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 8:00 hrs  Flight distance : 1309 km

Comment : Moderate predicted flak, unable to drop bomb and hit by flak F/O Saunders hit in left eye

13:59              take off

14:17              near off Doncaster

15:13              Orfordness

15:45              12,5 km north of Bruges

16:00              19 km east of Ghent, new course 81 o

16:16              36 km east of Antwerp

16:32              44,5 km west of Duisberg

17:02              30 km south of Osnabruick, new course 96 o

17:04              11 km north of Halberstad

17:52              15 km east of Halle

18:02             bombs dropped on target, altitude 16 500 feet

18:06              19 km south east of Leipzig, new course 181 o

18:10              23 km north – west of Chemnitz, new course 256 o

18:30              31,75 km south of Erfuit

18:54              42 km north – east of Frankfort

19:17              37 km west of Koblenz, new course 286 o

19:51              21 km west of Bruxelles

20:02              Weastkapelle

20:31              32 km from the English coast

20:50              Boston

21:04              Doncaster

21:15              landing

April 16th                                mission # 20               Objective Schwandorf

Flight time: 8:50 hrs

Comment : Moderate to heavy flak, Hydraulic system failure and bombs door open on return

April 18th                               Flight (d)

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 4:0 hrs

April 19th                               Flight (d)

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 2:30 hrs

April 22nd                               mission # 21               Objective Bremen

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 5:20 hrs  Flight distance : 1376 km

16:36              take off

16:50              Scarborough

17:07              1/4 of the English Channel crossed

17:33              2/3 of the English Channel crossed

17:53              near the coast of Holland, new course 80 o

18:22              new course 28 o

18:44              19 km south – west of Wesermunde, course 141 o

18:52             bombs dropped on target, altitude 17 800 feet

18:54              15 km south – east of Bremen, course 252 o

19:08              22 km north of Osnabrück, new course 300 o

19:53              left the coast of Holland, new course 305 o

20:15              2/3 of the English Channel to cross

20:48              1/4 of the English Channel to cross

21:10              Scarborough

21:21              landing

Total for the month : 44 hrs 20 min

May 15th                                 Flight (d)

Pilot : F/S Saunders   Flight time: 1:25 hrs

Total for the month : 1 hour 25 min

October 1st : New commanding officer R.P.D. Blagrave

October 15th : Squadron 424 east at Skipton on Swale, Yorks

War time flight

Day 98 hours 40 minutes

Night 104 hours 30 minutes

Total 203 hours 10 minutes

September 6, 1946 : He retired from the army but he reenlisted sometime after the war because he did receive the Canadian Decoration (12 years of service)

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