Month: March 2024

On The War Memorial Trail….. The WWI Letters of Lawrence Ivy Marshall – Part 5: Returning Home With A War Bride

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March 29, 2024. In Part 1 of the WWI letters of Lawrence Ivy MARSHALL, of Covehead, Prince Edward Island, which had been shared by his granddaughter, Connie Birt Paynter, Lawrence was among the first Canadians to volunteer for WWI in 1914.  After his initial training in Valcartier, Quebec, he informed his family that he was about to go overseas.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/03/02/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwi-letters-of-lawrence-ivy-marshall-part-1-valcartier-camp/)

In Part 2, Lawrence described his experiences aboard one of the first troop ships to England. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/03/08/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwi-letters-of-lawrence-ivy-marshall-part-2-the-voyage-to-england/)

In Part 3, Lawrence was on the front lines in trenches in Belgium and France, when he dislocated his elbow and was sent back to England for treatment. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/03/15/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwi-letters-of-lawrence-ivy-marshall-part-3-in-the-trenches/)

In Part 4, Lawrence spent weeks in England recuperating before returning to active service at the front …. until he was wounded and sent back to England. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/03/21/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwi-letters-of-lawrence-ivy-marshall-part-4-back-at-the-front/)

Now, in Part 5, Lawrence’s story concludes as his wartime service in England ended, and he returned to Canada with a war bride….

…Lawrence worried that his brother Merrill would be sent to the front….

As 1916 turned into 1917, Lawrence remained in England, working at the Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Wood Cote Park in Epsom, Surrey.  His younger brother Merrill was also in England.

On January 29, 1917 in a letter to his father, he explained that he had received “…a letter from Merrill yesterday. He is still at Shorncliffe and having a good time of it….”

After Lawrence’s experiences in France and Belgium, he worried that his brother might also be sent to the front. “…  I hope and pray that he never sees the trenches, because you have a pretty slim chance of getting back alive out there, and by the talk of things there are going to be harder fighting out there this spring than there has  been yet at all.  They are putting every man that’s fit out there this spring and try to make one big drive for the last time, but I don’t think that there is much use of doing it. Germany ain’t beat yet nor won’t be for a while…”

Lawrence may have heard inklings of the preparations for what we would come to know as the Battle of Vimy Ridge.  His worries continued as expressed in a February 11, 1917 letter to his father.  “…Have you heard from Merrill since he went to France?  I have been expecting a letter from him the last week, but did not receive any.  He will find quite a difference over there to what he had in England, but still he will get a good job as he is a signaler.  He may never have to go into the trenches at all….”

…Lawrence was devastated to learn his brother had died during the Battle of Vimy Ridge….

On April 16, 1917, Lawrence wrote his mother to let her know that he’d received “…a letter from Merrill. He was fine when he wrote.  He said that it wasn’t too bad out there yet.  I only hope that he will come through it all safe and sound….”  Unfortunately, by the time Lawrence wrote this letter, Merrill was dead.  He had died April 9, 1917 during the Battle of Vimy Ridge. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/06/14/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwi-signaller-from-covehead-killed-during-the-battle-of-vimy-ridge/)

By May 11, 1917, Lawrence had heard about Merrill and wrote to his parents. “…I suppose that you have heard by this time about poor Merrill being killed on Easter Monday…I know what a shock it will be to you all.…Something was telling me all the time that he was gone.  But never mind….he was a hero and died for his country….”

…Lawrence fell in love….

On May 26, 1917, Lawrence wrote his mother from D Company, No. 1 Platoon Regiment, 1st Canadian Command Depot, St Leonard’s on Sea, Sussex, England: “…I am not at Epsom now. Am down on the south coast of England at my command depot.  It is a very nice place but they drill you pretty hard here….” 

When he was sent to Epsom, Lawrence met Evelyn ‘Eve’ Martha Williams.  At the time, he already had an English girlfriend named Ada, who his parents expected he would marry.  But love takes its own path, and Lawrence had to inform his family that he and Ada had broken up.  “...The one that I have now is a dear little girl …. I loved this girl near nine months and kept it to myself and tried to keep Ada but couldn’t love two girls when you love one more than the other….” 

…Evelyn was a volunteer with the Women’s Legion….

20230530_100619 Evelyn Marshall from Connie

Evelyn ‘Eve’ Martha Williams.  (Photo courtesy of Connie Birt Paynter.  Photo colourization by Jim Paynter)

Evelyn was a member of the Women’s Legion, Royal Air Force. The Women’s Legion was a volunteer organization that began in 1915. Volunteers wore military style uniforms and took on various duties. (See https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/community/3891)

Members of the Women’s Legion, Royal Air Force, worked as drivers, despatch riders, clerks, or telephonists.  They were billeted in women’s accommodations, usually near the places where they worked.  (See http://www.rafhornchurch.thehumanjourney.net/History/women.htm)

Lawrence knew his parents were still grieving the loss of Merrill and hoped that his news would be welcome.  “…She is still at Epsom yet. She is a girl doing her bit too….I know how you all feel at home….I feel bad enough myself….  The only comfort I had was Eve, my girl…”

The daughter of a soldier, William ‘Edwin’ Williams, Evelyn was born in India and would have known how to deal with wartime loss. 

…Lawrence and Evelyn married in England….

20230530_095938 1917 Laurie in centre

1917 group photo with Lawrence Ivy Marshall, bottom centre. (Photo courtesy of Connie Birt Paynter)

A November 24, 1917 letter from Lawrence to his father, written from No. 1 Company 5th Reserve Battery, West Sandling, Kent, indicated that war had taken it’s toll.  “…about that photo I sent you of some of the boys, you were right, I am in the middle on my knees. It is hard to tell it’s me in that but it is me alright. I guess that I don’t look the same as I used to….”

On April 29, 1918, 26 year old Lawrence and 23 year old Evelyn were married at the parish church in Figheldean, Wiltshire.

…Lawrence and Evelyn travelled to Canada aboard HMS Melita….

Melita in sepia 1919

HMS Melita.  (Photo source: wwiwarbrides.blogspot.com)

Just over a year after their marriage, Lawrence and Evelyn left the United Kingdom for Canada on May 5, 1919, aboard HMS Melita.   The ship, with soldiers and military dependents, departed from Liverpool and arrived in Quebec City, Quebec on May 12, 1919.   Two days later, Lawrence was officially discharged from military service in Quebec City. 

…Lawrence and Evelyn lived in Covehead…

20230530_102548 Pieter and Connie with photo of Evie

Pieter with Connie Paynter, who is holding a photo of her grandmother, Evelyn Marshall. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Lawrence returned to Covehead, with Evelyn, and they raised three children.  Their granddaughter Connie recalled that Evelyn was known as “…Little Eve.  She became a midwife on Prince Edward Island and worked with Dr. Wendell MacDonald…”

Lawrence “…farmed in West Covehead and Marshall’s Dam is named after him.  He was a carpenter and a fantastic gardener….”

improved_photo Jul 4 2023 Lawrence drying fish from Connie Paynter colourization by Pieter

Lawrence Ivy Marshall drying fish on Prince Edward Island. (Photo courtesy of Connie Birt Paynter.  Photo colourization by Pieter Valkenburg)

Grave of Lawrence Marshall find a grave

Grave of Lawrence Ivy Marshall at West Covehead United Church Cemetery in West Covehead, Prince Edward Island.  (Photo source: http://www.findagrave.com)

Lawrence died on November 2, 1959 and is buried at West Covehead United Church Cemetery, which is also known as St. James United Presbyterian Cemetery.  Evelyn died on February 26, 1982 and is buried in the same cemetery.

This concludes the 5 part series on the WWI letters of Lawrence Ivy Marshall. Thank you to Connie Paynter for providing photos and sharing letters written by her grandfather. If you can identify any of the other soldiers in the 1917 group photo, please let us know. 

Do you have photos or information to share? Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?….

If you are reading this posting, but aren’t following our research, you are welcome to do so.  Our blog address: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEurope4 countries, 6 weeks, 7,000 km – an unforgettable war memorial journey in Europe…. Daria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is available in print and e-book formats.  Net proceeds of book sales help support research costs and the cost of maintaining this blog. For more information see https://nosoldierforgotten.com/ 

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On The War Memorial Trail….. The WWI Letters of Lawrence Ivy Marshall – Part 4: Back At The Front

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March 21, 2024. In Part 1 of the WWI letters of Lawrence Ivy MARSHALL, of Covehead, Prince Edward Island, which had been shared by his granddaughter, Connie Birt Paynter, Lawrence was among the first Canadians to volunteer for WWI in 1914.  After his initial training in Valcartier, Quebec, he informed his family that he was about to go overseas. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/03/02/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwi-letters-of-lawrence-ivy-marshall-part-1-valcartier-camp/)

In Part 2, Lawrence described his experiences aboard one of the first troop ships to England. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/03/08/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwi-letters-of-lawrence-ivy-marshall-part-2-the-voyage-to-england/)

In Part 3, Lawrence was on the front lines in trenches in Belgium and France, when he dislocated his elbow and was sent back to England for treatment. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/03/15/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwi-letters-of-lawrence-ivy-marshall-part-3-in-the-trenches/)

Now, in Part 4, Lawrence spent weeks in England recuperating before returning to active service at the front.

….Lawrence was operated on to straighten his elbow….

f11d6ed5bab613c66a4153246aab798d--leicester-hospitals

Postcard of the operating theatre at North Evington War Hospital.  Masks were not mandatory.

Lawrence remained at North Evington War Hospital in Leicester for 7 weeks.  On September 26, 1915, he gave an update to his father.  “…I am still in the hospital … and will be for a while, I think.  My arm is not any straighter yet.  I have to go to the operating room this morning.  They are going to try and straighten it. I have been under ether three times now. I am getting tired of it too.  If they can’t straighten it this time I will not go back to the front any more.  It doesn’t bother me.  I can use it as good as ever before and I can bend it….”

bearwood_t_harden

The Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Bear Wood.  (Photo source: http://www.arborfieldhistory.org.uk)

On October 23, 1915, Lawrence was transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Monks Horton, then 3 days later to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Bear Wood, Wokingham, Berkshire, England. The hospital, which housed 900 Canadian soldiers, had been a private home with 90 bedrooms, belonging to Mrs. Walter, the widow of the Times newspaper owner.

From Bear Wood, Lawrence wrote his mother on October 30, 1915.  “…I am in a convalescent hospital in Berkshire. It is a very good place but awful lonesome.  We are away in the country here on a large estate…..About my arm. It is doing fine now.  It is almost as straight as ever but I cannot do any work with it yet.  There is no strength in it...”

….Lawrence returned to duty….

On November 15, 1915, Lawrence was released from hospital and given a short furlough before being assigned to the 48th Highlanders Canada, 43rd Reserve Battalion. 

On November 27, 1915, in a letter to his father, written from East Sandling Kent, he noted that he was “…back with my battalion again… I guess I have to go back to France after Xmas, if not before, but I hope not.  There are a lot of our boys going back there Monday.  I very near got sent too only my arm is not quite right yet.  It still gets sore and stiff… in cold weather...”

On January 16, 1916, Lawrence left for France, and assigned to the 15th Battalion before rejoining his unit on February 4, 1916.  On February 8, 1916, in a letter to his mother, Lawrence explained that he had taken a photo of himself in a kilt. “…So you got the photo I had taken in kilts down in Salisbury, some Scotchman, eh….”  This is the photo of him that has survived for the past century.

20230530_100207 Laurie Marshall from Connie taken in 1916

Lawrence Ivy Marshall. (Photo courtesy of Connie Birt Paynter)

Lawrence kept in contact, explaining in a March 6, 1916 letter to his father, written from ‘somewhere in France’ that “… This is my second trip to the trenches since I came across this time, but am getting used of it again…”  According to the War Diary for the 15th Battalion, ‘somewhere in France’ was on the road between Messines and Wytschaete, along the border with Belgium.

messinesmap

Map showing the location of the road Messines to Wytschaete.  (Map source:  http://www.ww1battlefields.co.uk/flanders/messines/)

In an April 2, 1916 letter from Lawrence to his father, written from ‘somewhere in Belgium’ Lawrence described a near miss. “…I have been more lonesome this last week than I ever have been since I left home…Perhaps it is because I have had two close shaves lately.  I got a bullet right through my hat and stung by a shell bursting over me but am alright again now….” 

‘Somewhere in Belgium’ was near Poperinge, 12.5 km (8 miles) from Ypres, right in the line of fire, as Lawrence briefly mentions.  “…And where we are now is awful, the last place was bad enough but this is real hell here…. The Germans tried an attack here the other night but we stopped them.  They were lying on the ground and in the barbed wire as thick as peas… I certainly made my old gun shoot for a while …”

….Lawrence was injured in action….

In a June 2, 1916 letter from Lawrence to his father, written from Belgium: “…We are out of the trenches for twelve days rest, have been out for seven now, so expect to go back in again in five days.  Am glad that we are out just now as the Germans are pulling off something up the line this evening.  There are a big bombardment on just where we came out of. We are all standing to here waiting orders to go up if needed.  But none of us are very anxious to go up if we can get out of it.  We are having it pretty hot this summer.  We have a scrap with Fritz every time we are in.  We are only eighteen yards apart where we go in so you can guess what a time we have with each other…”

The rest ended the same day that Lawrence wrote his letter, as the June 2, 1916 war diary noted that following an afternoon baseball game, the Battalion had left after 7:30 pm, arriving at “…a position at Zillebeke … at 2 am on June 3…” 

By 2:30 am they were attacked and among the casualties was Lawrence.  He was admitted to a Casualty Clearing Station, where his medical record noted that he had a gunshot wound in his right arm. He was sent to No. 4 General Hospital in Camiers, France. 

….Lawrence was sent to England for treatment….

On June 12, 1916, Lawrence was transferred to the 3rd Northern Hospital in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, from where he wrote to his father 4 days later.  “…I have got across to England again.  I think I am pretty lucky in this war, don’t you?  I went through some pretty tight places this trip in the trenches and came back safe only for the wound I got.  It is doing fine now…. It was an explosive bullet that I got hit with.  They make a nasty hole where they come out of…”

Lawrence explained why he felt lucky. “…We lost all our battalion but two hundred men. We had nine hundred and seventy men so you can see we had a few casualties.  Most of all my pals are gone under in the battle….”

He then described how he was injured. “…When I got wounded I had to lay for over two hours before I could get a bandage on my arm… It was awful laying on the field right in front of the Germans in daylight and not able to help yourself at all and if you moved the least bit they opened a machine gun on you. There were dead everywhere that you could see and mostly our boys with the kilts on…”

Next he briefly mentioned the battle. “… We made two charges at the Germans between nine and eleven o’clock in the morning but they drove us back both times. Then I got hit halfway back the second time … My rifle flew out of my hand…”

In the letter’s conclusion, Lawrence wrote that he was “…marked for a convalescent hospital so expect to leave here.  It will be a month or more before I will be fit to go back to my base again …” He was correct as not long afterwards he was sent to Arnold Hospital, Doncaster, Yorkshire, England.

….Lawrence did not return to the front….

Lawrence did not go back to the front.  Instead, he spent the remainder of his service working at the Canadian Convalescent Hospital, Wood Cote Park, Epsom, Surrey, England. 

On November 6, 1916, in a letter to his mother, Lawrence explained that he was “…taking the Corporal’s place in the office while he is away on his sick furlough. …I suppose you have heard about poor Parker Crockett being killed.… Poor Parker, him and I came to the dressing station together, he shook hands with me and said that he hoped that I would get to England. He was not wounded enough to make England, so he had to go back and get killed…..” 

Parker Hooper CROCKETT died September 7, 1916 during the Battle of the Somme and is buried in Regina Trench Cemetery, Somme, France. Lawrence knew that had he not been sent to England for treatment, this could have been his fate.

While Lawrence recuperated, the war went on.  In Part 5, Lawrence’s story concludes as he meets with both happiness and tragedy before being one of the lucky Canadian soldiers who returned home after the war ended.

Thank you to Connie Paynter for providing photos and sharing letters written by her grandfather. Do you have photos or information to share? Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?….

If you are reading this posting, but aren’t following our research, you are welcome to do so.  Our blog address: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEurope4 countries, 6 weeks, 7,000 km – an unforgettable war memorial journey in Europe…. Daria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is available in print and e-book formats.  Net proceeds of book sales help support research costs and the cost of maintaining this blog. For more information see https://nosoldierforgotten.com/ 

You are also invited to subscribe to our YouTube Channel: On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter Valkenburg: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ591TyjSheOR-Cb_Gs_5Kw. 

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On The War Memorial Trail….. The WWI Letters of Lawrence Ivy Marshall – Part 3: In The Trenches

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20230530_100207 Laurie Marshall from Connie taken in 1916

Lawrence Ivy Marshall. (Photo courtesy of Connie Birt Paynter)

March 15, 2024. In Part 1 of the WWI letters of Lawrence Ivy MARSHALL, of Covehead, Prince Edward Island, which had been shared by his granddaughter, Connie Birt Paynter, Lawrence was among the first Canadians to volunteer for WWI in 1914.  After his initial training in Valcartier, Quebec, he informed his family that he was about to go overseas. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/03/02/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwi-letters-of-lawrence-ivy-marshall-part-1-valcartier-camp/)

In Part 2, Lawrence described his experiences aboard one of the first troop ships to England. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/03/08/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwi-letters-of-lawrence-ivy-marshall-part-2-the-voyage-to-england/)

Now, in Part 3, Lawrence spent a cold and wet winter on the Salisbury Plain before being sent into battle in France and Belgium in the spring of 1915.

….A cold and wet winter on the Salisbury Plain….

After arriving in England in late October 1914, the first contingent of Canadian troops received basic training on the Salisbury Plain for the next months – during a cold and wet winter.  Much of the time the soldiers were mired in mud as England experienced one of its wettest winters in decades.

In the article ‘Evolution of Canada’s Shock Troops’, Tim Cook wrote that they “…marched, fired their Canadian-manufactured Ross rifles at targets, and practiced bayonet fighting against straw-filled dummies. And they did it during one of the most miserable winters in British history, when it rained 89 out of 120 days. The parade grounds were reduced to a muddy bog, but the Canadians kept up their spirits with beer, song, and camaraderie…”  (See www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/evolution-of-canadas-shock-troops)

…. “The Germans call us the ‘Women From Hell’…”….

The first Canadians went to France in February 1915, but Lawrence was still in England, waiting to be sent over.  In an April 27, 1915 letter to his father, he writes that “…things have taken a quick change around here in a few days.  They are sending us boys all off to the front in drafts now.  There were two lots went last night.  We are all on the next one.  That is all of the Island boys, but four or five.  We expect to leave any minute now.  We have all our ammunition ready, one hundred and fifty rounds per man. Jim is going on the same draft as I am and Parker Crockett too….”  Jim referred to James Lawrence MARSHALL.  Neither he nor Parker Hooper CROCKETT would return home.

“… We are all in great cheer at going away.  You would think we are all going on a picnic to hear us when we got word of it.  We are good and tired of hanging around here now…”

Screenshot 2024-02-28 at 16-21-40 Bailleul at DuckDuckGo

Lawrence joined the 15th Battery in Bailleul, France, just over the border with Belgium.  (Map source: Wikipedia)

A few days later, Lawrence arrived in France, assigned to No. 3 Canadian 15 Battery 3rd Brigade, First Canadian Expeditionary Force.  The Battery had just been moved near Bailleul, France after fighting in the Second Battle of Ypres in Belgium.  (See https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/battle-of-ypres)

The War Diary for May 4, 1915 noted that at 6:30 pm the Battalion “…paraded in full marching order and went into billets near Bailleul….”  They experienced heavy rain over the next several days.

On May 15, 1915 the Battalion moved further south to Robecq, France.  Two days later, they moved even further south, this time into trenches near Richebourg, France, in preparation for battle.

Lawrence missed this as he succumbed to dysentery and ended up in a field hospital, as he explained in a May 23, 1915 letter to his father.

 “…I have been in the hospital for over a week now.  It was from the effects of drinking bad water.  The water is awful here….. I expect to go back out of here any day now.  I have had a great rest while I have been in here and have been fed well.  The sisters are awful good to us here too…. The Germans did not get me yet.  I am going back to have another crack at the beggars soon…”

After being discharged, Lawrence gave an update in a May 28, 1915 letter to his father.  “…Our Battery has been in action again since I left them, so I missed that.…” Lawrence missed a trench battle in Festubert, France. “…They will be about coming out of the trenches when I get back to them so I will be in with them the next time alright.  The Germans call us ‘The Women From Hell’ – some name ain’t it? …”

…. Lawrence was on the front line in the trenches….

By July 1915, Lawrence was in Belgium, with the Battalion settled in a temporary camp called Camp Aldershot.  On July 13, 1915 Lawrence wrote to his mother that he was on guard duty.  “…Here I am in the second line of trenches and having a good time too.  Nothing to do but four hours guard out of twelve.  We were in the firing line four days and in here four days more so I think we are going out today for a while.  Everything is pretty quiet, only for a few shells and bullets that the Germans send over once in a while, but they don’t land very handy to us, and I am glad that they don’t either….”

Lawrence gave a lighthearted account of what was happening for his mother’s peace of mind. “… We had a very good time in the front line of trenches.  We could not see the German trenches because there was a field of rye and clover between us but they were only two hundred yards away. We used to send an odd rifle shot over at them for fun to let them know we were there. They used to send a few over at us too but did not hit any of us. …”

July 22, 1915 letter from Lawrence to his mother, written from France:  “…We just came out of the trenches last night.  We were in sixteen days.  This time we had quite a spell of it too.  We did not lose many men this time. We were pretty lucky.  We had it pretty wet and muddy for awhile.  ….  I was out one night putting up barbed wire in front of the firing line.  It rained all of the time we were out.  I had my overcoat on.  You could not tell what it was in the morning, an overcoat or mud …”

…. Lawrence was injured playing football….

While with his unit in Messines, France, Lawrence was admitted to a field hospital in Etaples, France on August 24, 1915, with a dislocated elbow received while playing football.  On August 31, 1915, he was admitted to No. 3 General Hospital in Camiers, France, where it was decided to send him to England for further treatment.  On September 6, 1915, he was admitted to North Evington War Hospital in Leicester. 

North Evington War Hospital

North Evington War Hospital in Leicester, England. (Photo source: leicestermercury.co.uk)

Lawrence believed he was sent to England thanks to a nurse from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, as he explained in a September 7, 1915 letter to his father.  “…I am in the hospital in England and am doing well.  I can’t straighten my arm yet, but I hope to soon now.  It is pretty painful at times.  I dislocated and fractured the bone of my left elbow.  I never expected to get over to England with it, but I guess it was Miss McLeod the nurse who was in the hospital I was in, in France. She must have put a good word in for me…. She belongs to Charlottetown…”

…. Lawrence had a ‘close shave’ at the front….

In his letter, Lawrence briefly wrote about his experiences at the front, since his letters were not censored while in England. “…The letters don’t have to be censored over here so I suppose you would like to hear a little of what I have seen of this war….Them Germans are sure good shots and about them having no ammunition, that is all lies.  They certainly have lots of it…You should see them send over their big shells when they start. You should see some of the holes that they make when they explode. Some of the holes are forty feet across and ten feet deep….”

He acknowledged his luck up to this point. “…  I have lived a charmed life through it so far but I have had some close shaves….  I remember one day …. some of us got out of the trenches to get some platforms for the trenches.  We were no sooner out than … they sent their shells over.  I was just in the act of putting one of the platforms on my back when six shells burst right over my head. The knocked me and the old platform down ….  I was just in the act of crawling away when I heard one of the boys shout God’s sake lay flat and keep still.  He had no sooner said it when the bugger opened their machine guns on us …  We laid there for half an hour with them going about six inches over our heads, some of them hitting the ground alongside of us.… The six of us that went out all managed to get back again.…”

…. Lawrence was grateful to be out of the trenches….

In a September 10, 1915 letter to his mother, written while still in hospital, Lawrence shared more observations.  “…It is a treat to get away from the trenches and France.  I have seen all I want to of France. The trenches are getting pretty bad now. The last time we went in the water was above my knees.  When you get wet you have to stay wet until you dry and that is a good while….”

Lawrence’s letter continued. “…  We don’t get all we want to eat either of course, when we are there we can’t write anything but that we get plenty to eat or they would not let the letters go home…..The officers don’t care how you do as long as they have plenty for themselves to eat…” 

Like many soldiers, Lawrence felt that officers were not concerned about the safety of the men they were responsible for.  “…We are like a lot of prisoners more than soldiers.  It ain’t like a real war, it is more like murder.  Our officers will put us right into danger instead of keeping out of it. I remember one night our officers lined up fifty of us to take an orchard with about five hundred Germans in it.  We started across on the run with bayonets fixed but never got there.  The Germans turned their machine guns on us.  There was only twenty got back alive.  I thought my time had come but I got back alive.  The air was full of bullets…”

Lawrence was safe in England, but faced a long recovery period before returning back to the front line.  In Part 4, Lawrence’s story continues as he found himself again on the front line and is wounded.

Thank you to Connie Paynter for providing photos and sharing letters written by her grandfather. Do you have photos or information to share? Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?….

If you are reading this posting, but aren’t following our research, you are welcome to do so.  Our blog address: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEurope4 countries, 6 weeks, 7,000 km – an unforgettable war memorial journey in Europe…. Daria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is available in print and e-book formats.  Net proceeds of book sales help support research costs and the cost of maintaining this blog. For more information see https://nosoldierforgotten.com/ 

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On The War Memorial Trail….. The WWI Letters of Lawrence Ivy Marshall – Part 2: The Voyage To England

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20230530_102553 Pieter and Connie

Pieter with Connie Paynter. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

March 8, 2024.  In Part 1 of the WWI letters of Lawrence Ivy MARSHALL, of Covehead, Prince Edward Island, which had been shared by his granddaughter, Connie Birt Paynter, Lawrence was among the first Canadians to volunteer for WWI in 1914.  After his initial training in Valcartier, Quebec, he informed his family that he was about to go overseas.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2024/03/02/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwi-letters-of-lawrence-ivy-marshall-part-1-valcartier-camp/)

Now, in Part 2, Lawrence described his experiences aboard one of the first troop ships that went to England.

20230530_100207 Laurie Marshall from Connie taken in 1916

Lawrence Ivy Marshall. (Photo courtesy of Connie Birt Paynter)

….Troops marched from Valcartier to Quebec City….

On September 26, 1914, Lawrence and the first contingent of around 30,000 Canadian troops began their journey to the United Kingdom. The trip began by marching to Quebec City from Valcartier, where they then waited to board one of 30 ships – former luxury liners that had been painted grey. 

On September 29, 1914, while still in Quebec City, Quebec, Lawrence wrote to his father.  “…We are having not too bad a time at all, but we are not allowed to go into Quebec.  We have to stay here in this building.  They put us here until we go on board the steamer this afternoon.  I will be glad when we do.  There are good accommodations on board… nice bed to sleep in, quite a difference from sleeping on the ground for 6 weeks….” In Valcartier, Lawrence had slept in a tent.

….Lawrence sailed to England aboard HMT Scotian….

HMT_Scotian

Lawrence travelled to the UK aboard the HMT Scotian.  (Photo source: https://birtwistlewiki.com.au/wiki/HMT_Scotian#Remarks)

Lawrence travelled aboard the HMT Scotian, which had begun as the Holland American Line‘s Statendam, and used for its Rotterdam – New York route. When the Allen Line in 1911 bought the ship in 1911, it was renamed Scotian. In 1914, it became a troop ship.

It wasn’t until October 3, 1914 that the ships left the port in Quebec City for England.  They added a ship of 537 Newfoundlanders to their convoy, and then crossed the Atlantic with a Royal Navy escort that watched for German U-boats.

By the time the Atlantic had been crossed, troops just wanted to get back on land, as Lawrence wrote to his father, while still aboard HMT Scotian: “…Well, we are still on board of this old ship….I am getting pretty tired of it by this time.  This is 18 days on her…We are anchored in an awful pretty place. The grass and trees are as green as summer yet. They stay that way all winter, so they say. When we land we are going to camp outside of London…” The place ‘outside of London’ was the Salisbury Plain, where training would continue.

….Lawrence counted himself lucky not to get seasick….

On October 13, 1914, Lawrence wrote to his mother.  “…We are still on board the boat but expect to land tomorrow night some time.  I tell you we had some trip alright. We are going to land at Southampton, England….. I am good and tired of it by this time…We had a very good trip.  Not so awful rough at all for the time of year.  It is very rough tonight though, the sea is going right over the deck tonight and the wind is blowing a hurricane.  You go out on deck and you would get blown overboard for sure.  Some of the boys were pretty sea sick some times when the old boat began to roll.  I was lucky.  I was never a bit sick, only had a headache one day.  All of the boys are writing home tonight. We just got word that we can mail them in the morning, that there is going to be a mail steamer come up to us and get the mail for us…”

On October 17, 1914, while still aboard HMT Scotian, Lawrence wrote to his brother Merrill.  “…We are still on board of this old ship yet.  I can tell you that I am getting good and tired of it.  ….It is no fun, I tell you, to stay on this old ship, day after day, with land only a few yards away, and can’t get to it.  We expect to be on board of her until the last of next week. That is nearly a week yet…”

….Troops marched from the train station to the Salisbury Plain….

salisbury

Lawrence wrote from Pond Farm Camp on Salisbury Plain.  (Map source: https://www.parl.ns.ca)

After finally docking, Lawrence and his fellow soldiers disembarked and boarded trains for Salisbury Plain.  Shortly after arrival, Lawrence wrote to his mother, giving his address as 12 Battery, 82 Regiment, E Company 3rd Brigade, Pond Farm Camp, Salisbury Plain, England:  “…. Just three weeks on board of that old ship.  I tell you it was great to get on land once more.  We arrived at camp last night or this morning rather. It was twelve o’clock when we got off the train.  Then we had to walk about six miles.  It seemed more like sixty to me and it was as dark as pitch…”

Salisbury was quite different from Covehead, Prince Edward Island “… Well, this is some old fashioned place alright.  The houses are all made of brick and stone.  Little narrow streets with a Public Inn every here and there…” 

Lawrence noted that lice had been an unwelcome infestation aboard ship.  “…We had a great time every night on board of the ship, picking lice out of our clothes. We got good and lousy on board that old ship.  She was great and buggy…”  Lice would turn out to be a challenge faced by troops throughout the war.

Lawrence was on land, and no longer aboard a ship, but he soon would find himself living in cold and wet conditions on the Salisbury Plain as winter set in. 

In Part 3, Lawrence’s story continues as training in England is cut short and he finds himself on the front line in France and Belgium.

Thank you to Connie Paynter for providing photos and sharing letters written by her great-uncle and grandfather. Do you have photos or information to share? Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?….

If you are reading this posting, but aren’t following our research, you are welcome to do so.  Our blog address: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEurope4 countries, 6 weeks, 7,000 km – an unforgettable war memorial journey in Europe…. Daria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is available in print and e-book formats.  Net proceeds of book sales help support research costs and the cost of maintaining this blog. For more information see https://nosoldierforgotten.com/ 

You are also invited to subscribe to our YouTube Channel: On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter Valkenburg: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ591TyjSheOR-Cb_Gs_5Kw. 

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On The War Memorial Trail….. The WWI Letters of Lawrence Ivy Marshall – Part 1: Valcartier Camp

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20230530_102553 Pieter and Connie

Pieter with Connie Paynter. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

March 2, 2024. One of the joys of meeting family members of soldiers who have served is that often we come away with more information than we first expected.  Sometimes it’s more personal information about the soldier, other times we learn that more than one family member in the family served at the same time. 

In one family from Covehead, Prince Edward Island, two brothers served in WWI, and the family not only had photos, but also letters that the brothers had written.

…Two brothers from Covehead enlisted …

But it wasn’t until after Connie Paynter of Summerside, Prince Edward Island, contacted us about her 20 year old great-uncle, who was killed in action at Vimy, that we learned that her grandfather also served in WWI. “…My grandfather and my great-uncle, who lived in Covehead, both served in WWI.  Only my grandfather, Lawrence Ivy Marshall, returned home…” she said.

Connie’s great-uncle, Merrill Augustus MARSHALL, lost his life on Easter Monday, April 9, 1917, during the Battle of Vimy Ridge, killed during the advance on the Ridge.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/06/14/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-wwi-signaller-from-covehead-killed-during-the-battle-of-vimy-ridge/)

Merrill’s older brother, Lawrence Ivy MARSHALL, was born December 22, 1892 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, the son of James Lawrence and Hattie Lillian (nee Carr) Marshall. 

…Lawrence was among the first recruits at Valcartier in 1914 …

Valcartier.8 map

Map shows location of Valcartier, Quebec.  (Map source: http://www.weather-forecast.com)

After completing his initial training, Lawrence officially enlisted in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on September 23, 1914 at Valcartier Camp, Quebec. He had arrived in Valcartier as part of the 82nd Regiment Abegweit Light Infantry, and had been a carpenter in his civilian life. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Edward_Island_Highlanders)

… Valcartier was the only training camp in 1914 …

A military training camp in Valcartier, not far from Quebec City, began in August 1914 to prepare recruits for the mobilization of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, shortly after World War I was declared.  As men, including Lawrence, enlisted across the country, they arrived at the camp in Valcartier for equipment, training, and preparation for war. In 1914, Valcartier was the ONLY training camp for Canada’s Overseas Expeditionary Force.

Valcartier_-_Section_of_the_Camp

Postcard shows tents at Valcartier for recruits in training. (Photo source: Wikipedia)

Men had to live in tents and conditions were basic.  In a September 16, 1914 letter that Lawrence wrote to his mother, he confirmed he was in 12 Battalion E Company, 82 Regiment, Valcartier, Quebec: “…We are having very good weather up here now. Nice and warm in the day, but awful cold in the evening and mornings.  I don’t know when we will leave here….We cannot stay here much longer or we will freeze to death in bed some night….” 

… A short video on Valcartier camp in 1914 …

A short video, ‘Valcartier – First World War Soldier Factory’, gives an overview of this period.  The video is in French, with English subtitles, and runs 6:35 minutes…..

… Lawrence was soon to go overseas …

20230530_100207 Laurie Marshall from Connie taken in 1916

Lawrence Ivy Marshall. (Photo courtesy of Connie Birt Paynter)

Lawrence knew that he would be leaving soon to travel overseas as his September 16, 1914 letter went on to explain that “…We got our new suits last night and boots.  We are some soldiers now. I am glad that we are clear of red coats anyway. I got my hair all clipped off short all over.  I look pretty funny now…” 

Lawrence’s reference to ‘red coats’ refers to the scarlet tunics worn by infantry prior to 1903, when a Canadian uniform of khaki serge tunics and trousers, and peaked caps with maple-leaf badges, replaced the brightly coloured full dress uniforms previously worn.

On September 23, 1914, Lawrence officially enlisted, and then wrote to his brother Merrill on September 25, 1914.  “…This will be my last letter to you for a good while because we leave in the morning.  Have to be up at 3 o’clock in the morning to leave for England…” 

Lawrence and the first Canadian troops were on their way to the United Kingdom on a three week voyage aboard the HMT Scotian.  In Part 2, Lawrence’s story continues with his observations about the voyage.

Thank you to Connie Paynter for providing photos and sharing letters written by her great-uncle and grandfather. Do you have photos or information to share? Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?….

If you are reading this posting, but aren’t following our research, you are welcome to do so.  Our blog address: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEurope4 countries, 6 weeks, 7,000 km – an unforgettable war memorial journey in Europe…. Daria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is available in print and e-book formats.  Net proceeds of book sales help support research costs and the cost of maintaining this blog. For more information see https://nosoldierforgotten.com/ 

You are also invited to subscribe to our YouTube Channel: On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter Valkenburg: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ591TyjSheOR-Cb_Gs_5Kw. 

Never miss a posting!  Subscribe below to have each new story from the war memorial trail delivered to your inbox.