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The WW2 Soldier Who Drove On The Wrong Side Of The Road

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August 28, 2019.  Many years ago, while on the North island of New Zealand, I drove to a meeting with a colleague from the South Island.  Driving in New Zealand means driving on the side of the road opposite to the way we are used to driving.  Usually I did well with remembering which side of the road to drive on, but sometimes the brain cells reverted to their default setting.  That happened one evening after we stopped at a gas station.  After pulling back out onto the road, we were listening to music and having a great conversation when all of a sudden I noticed a big truck coming towards us.  “What is he doing?” I asked my passenger.  He didn’t reply.  A quick glance showed him looking terrified and gripping the door handle.  “What’s wrong?” I asked.  Finally, he very quietly whispered, “In this country, we drive on the other side of the road.” Oops!  I quickly switched lanes and the truck safely passed us, but not without a few angry toots on the horn.  An angel was sitting on our shoulders that evening!

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Austin Boulter. (Photo credit: Augustine Cove Women’s Institute 1800-1973 Centennial history project)

I remembered this event after learning from Pieter’s research what happened to WW2 soldier Austin Harry BOULTER, whose driving experience didn’t end as happily.  According to his attestation papers, Boulter was born on October 4, 1920 in Freetown, the son of Roy Boulter and Blanche Leard.  There is a discrepancy as the Military Service Record’s Declaration and Statement of Relatives records his date of birth as October 4, 1922 in Tryon. A check of the June 1921 census does not record him, indicating that he wasn’t yet born.  It’s pretty clear that he fudged his attestation paper during his enlistment on May 27, 1940 in Woodstock, New Brunswick to make sure he wouldn’t be rejected as being too young!  At the time of enlistment the family lived in Cape Traverse, but Boulter was working as a lumberman for J. Craig in Stanley, New Brunswick.

While Boulter enlisted with the Carleton and York Regiment, he was transferred to the Canadian Signal Training Corps on September 9, 1940.  On May 18, 1941 he was transferred to the 3rd Canadian Division Signals and sent to Debert Camp, Nova Scotia. It was with that group that he left Halifax for England, arriving in Avonmouth on July 31, 1941.  The unit was in England to train for deployment to Western Europe.  (This was the first Canadian division to fight in the Normandy Campaign, landing at Juno Beach on D-Day on June 6, 1944.)

Boulter never left England, as around 10 pm on January 14, 1943, while not on duty, he borrowed a motorcycle ‘without authority’, according to a court of inquiry into his death.  He was “carrying a civilian passenger on the back of the motorcycle”.  Unfortunately, he forgot which side of the road to drive on, and crashed into a 4X4 Ford driven by Private M J. O’Grady, between Storrington and the Royal Winnipeg Rifle Lines.

At the court of inquiry, O’Grady stated that after seeing the motorcycle in his lane, O’Grady started to pull over to the left, but Boulter “came straight on, striking his front right bumper and fender and catching on the corner of the box directly behind the cab.”  O’Grady stopped immediately and he and his passengers jumped out.  He stated that he “saw a soldier on the ground a short distance beyond the bike and saw a lady further away on the ground.” Boulter was dead, but his passenger was hurt.  O’Grady “posted a guard on the truck and told the other two men to take over while he ran into Storrington to get help.”  O’Grady testified that he was “travelling about 15 mph” and that the motorcycle “appeared to be travelling too fast”.

The finding of the court indicated that Boulter “was not wearing a crash helmet”.  The registry of death noted that he died instantly from severe head injuries incurred during the crash.

It’s unknown why Boulter was with a civilian passenger so late at night, and why he took a motorcycle without permission.  No testimony by the passenger was recorded in the court of inquiry and she was not identified. He was buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery, Sussex, England.

The Summerside Journal of January 18, 1943 recorded his obituary:

“Bedeque Soldier Dies Overseas

A Prince Edward Island soldier, Sigmn. Austin Harry Boulter of Bedeque, was listed under died overseas in the 252nd Canadian (Active) Army overseas casualty list last night. His next-of-kin was given as his mother, Mrs. Blanche Boulter of Bedeque.”

If anyone can provide a photo or more information on Austin Harry Boulter, please contact Pieter at dariadv@yahoo.ca or comment on the blog.

© Daria Valkenburg

 

 

On The War Memorial Trail…..Appeal For Relatives Of These WWI Casualties!

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August 18, 2019.  Over the past few years, Pieter has been diligently researching the 48 names on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion here on Prince Edward Island.  Along the way he’s met many family members of these men, and we’ve visited a number of the graves.  However, in some cases, either no family members have come forward, or the family members themselves have no photos and little information.

In an attempt to achieve the goal of putting a face to each name on the Cenotaph, we’re asking for your help with these WWI casualties for whom no photo has been found as yet.

Please see the attached PDF which provides information on the person’s name, service number, place of birth, unit served in at the time of death, and date of death.  (See Appeal For Relatives of Soldiers)  As well, the names are summarized below.

Can you help with photos????

Names still without faces from WWI

  • James CAIRNS, born in Kinkora  UPDATE: Photo found!
  • Leigh Hunt CAMERON, born in Albany
  • James Lymon CAMERON, born in Victoria
  • William Galen CAMPBELL, born in Wellington
  • Bazil CORMIER, born in Tignish
  • Joseph Arthur DESROCHES, born in Miscouche  UPDATE: Photo found!
  • James Graham FARROW, born in Argyle Shore
  • Charles LOWTHER, born in North Carleton
  • Arthur Clinton ROBINSON, born in Tryon
  • Harry ROBINSON, born in Augustine Cove  UPDATE: Photo found!

If you have information and photos to share on any of these names listed on the Cenotaph, please contact Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com or comment on the blog.

© 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/

4 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/

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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Photos and Info Requested For WWII Soldiers From PEI Buried In The Netherlands

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June 27, 2019.  As blog readers know, Pieter has been researching the names on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion over the last few years.  As well, he’s been asked by the three Canadian War Cemeteries in The Netherlands for help in getting photos and personal information on Island soldiers buried in their cemeteries.  This is part of their Faces To Graves project, where they are working towards a digital memorial archive on all Canadian soldiers buried on Dutch soil.

Recently, Dutch researchers have identified more soldiers from PEI.  CBC PEI’s Angela Walker interviewed Pieter on a few of these names, and the interview ran on June 21, 2019 during the program Mainstreet PEI.  

Here is the complete list given by the three cemeteries:

CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY IN BERGEN OP ZOOM

Bergen Op Zoom, not far from the Belgian border, identified 6 soldiers, all of whom died in 1944:

Hugh Allister MACDONALD, born in Georgetown, son of H. Allister and Elizabeth (Bessie) MacDonald, was with the Royal Canadian Artillery – 02 Anti Tank Unit. He died on October 10, 1944, aged 31.

Lawrence Adolphus SWEENEY, born in Souris, son of Ralph and Celina Sweeney, was with the Lincoln and Welland Regiment. He died on October 27, 1944, aged 23. UPDATE: Photo subsequently found.

Milton Evangeline LIVINGSTONE, born in Gladstone, son of Joseph and Agnes Livingstone of Murray River, and husband of Mae Isabel Livingstone, was with the Lincoln and Welland Regiment. He died on November 6, 1944, aged 26. UPDATE: Photo subsequently found.

Alvah Ray LEARD, born in Alberton, son of Lloyd and Margaret Leard of Northam, was with the Sherbrooke Fusiliers Regiment – 27th Armed Regiment. He died on September 26, 1944, aged 23.

Roy SMITH, born in O’Leary, son of James and Clara Smith, was with the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada. He died on September 30, 1944, aged 24.

James Walter AULD, born in Glenwood, son of James and Margaret Auld of O’Leary Station, was with the Algonquin Regiment. He died on November 1, 1944, aged 21. UPDATE: Photo subsequently found.

CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY IN GROESBEEK

The cemetery in Groesbeek identified 5 soldiers for whom they are missing photos or other information, and who all died in 1945:

Joseph Edmond HENNEBERY, born in Morell, was with the Royal Canadian Engineers -33rd Field Company. He died on April 20, 1945, aged 25. UPDATE: Photo subsequently found.

Barney Ruben MCGUIGAN, born in St. Peter’s, son of Thomas and Sadie McGuigan, was with the North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment. He died on February 26, 1945, aged 16. UPDATE: Photo subsequently found.

Stephen Augustine MCKINNON, born in St. Peter’s Bay, was with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry. He died on March 2, 1945, aged 27. UPDATE: Photo subsequently found.

Ralph Kenneth SILLIKER, born in O’Leary, was with the Lake Superior Regiment (Motor). He died March 2, 1945, aged 27. UPDATE: Photo subsequently found.

William Leo WEATHERBIE, born in Charlottetown, was with the Royal Regiment of Canada. He died on March 8, 1945, aged 18. UPDATE: Photo subsequently found.

CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY IN HOLTEN

The Canadian War Cemetery in Holten identified 1 soldier:

Maurice James HUGHES, F/26373 served with Royal Canadian Corps, killed on May 2, 1945 in Leer, Germany. He was 27 years old and came from Charlottetown. UPDATE: Photo subsequently found.

Did you know that most soldiers who died in Germany during WWII were later reburied in The Netherlands? The only time a soldier wasn’t reburied was if the family specifically requested the body not be disinterred.

All three cemeteries have put in a request for photos, personal stories, letters or postcards, etc.  Can you help the Dutch to remember these men buried on their soil?  Perhaps you know family or friends of these men?  If so, please contact them.  Information and photos can be emailed to Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com who will forward to the appropriate cemetery.

We will be in The Netherlands this fall and Pieter will visit each of these graves and place flags.  Pieter notes that “….It means so much more when I’m standing at a grave if I know what the soldier looked like and a bit about him…..“

© 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 Soldier Who Never Made It To The Front

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April 22, 2019.  In researching the stories behind the names on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion, Pieter sometimes discovers that the soldier lost his life BEFORE ever getting a chance to make it into battle.  This is what happened to Private Bruce Sutherland MCKAY (MACKAY) of Albany, the son of David McKay and Almira (Elmira) Harvey.  Born April 16, 1897, according to his attestation papers, Bruce Sutherland, a farmer, enlisted with the 1st Depot Battalion, Nova Scotia Regiment, on March 21, 1918.

Bruce Sutherland McKay 1895-1918 photo from Roma McKay

Bruce Sutherland McKay. (Photo courtesy of Roma McKay collection)

On April 17, 1918 he left Halifax for England, aboard the S.S. Scotian, and arrived in Liverpool, England on April 28, 1918.  That same day, he was transferred to the 17th Reserve Battalion of the Canadian Infantry.  Unfortunately, he must have gotten ill during the voyage as the next day he was admitted to the Military Isolation Hospital in Aldershot, with a diagnosis of scarlet fever.

Things went from bad to worse for this poor soldier.  While in hospital he developed measles, pleurisy, and bronchial pneumonia.  It was too much for his system and he died in hospital on May 22, 1918.

In most cases, this would be nearly the end of the story.  However, Mrs McKay must have written a letter to the hospital, asking for details on what happened to her son. A letter received from his nurse, Ada Jones, was published in The Pioneer on August 10, 1918:

“Dear Mrs. McKay:

Your letter has been passed on to me, as I was in charge of the ward your poor son died in. First, let me express my deepest sympathy in your great sorrow; it must have been a great shock to you, and there are the times when one seems not able to turn to anyone for comfort or help to bear the burden, unless we know and can turn to Our Father above, and we know He understands and He loves. Now I will try to tell you just what I can. How I wish I could just do something to help your lonely heart.

Your poor boy came in here on the 29th April with scarlet fever. I don’t know if he was very strong at home, but we know camp life is not like home, so this may have weakened his chest, for he developed pneumonia and this eventually took him away from us on the 22nd May at two in the afternoon. I can assure you he was very good and patient. It was a pleasure to do anything for him. At first he was a bit reserved, but later used to speak of the farm he was coming back to. When the days were warm and fine he was carried outside in his bed and would say how some parts reminded him of home, and always spoke very tenderly of his dear mother.

The last three days were the worst he had for pain. The morning he went he often asked if we could help. I tried to tell him how there was One above who could. He said he knew his dear mother prayed for him. At one o’clock he said he felt much better. God was helping him through and was quite conscious till about ten minutes before the end, which was one of the most peaceful ends I have seen, so rest assured, dear mother, your dear son is with Jesus and is looking forward to meeting you there one day.

He was buried in a lovely spot just close to the Military Cemetery with full military honours, where there are a good many others who have sacrificed their lives in this terrible war.

It could not have been possible to have brought him home, for being infectious they would not be allowed to take him on a ship, and I am sure the memory of him in health would be far happier to you than when grim death had come on. Now I do hope this may be a little comfort to you. I just wish I could do something more. May our Father in Heaven put His loving arms around you and comfort and keep you.

Believe me yours very sincerely,

Ada Jones“

The cemetery mentioned in Nurse Ada Jones’ letter is the Aldershot Military Cemetery in Hampshire, England.  Graham and Jacqueline Hocking, who live near the cemetery, were kind enough to visit the grave and send photos.  Graham noted that the gravestone inscription lists Bruce Sutherland as MacKay not McKay.

Aldershot Military Cemetery Chapel

Chapel at Aldershot Military Cemetery. (Photo credit: Graham Hocking)

ghkneelingbygravestone.jpg

Graham Hocking by the grave of Bruce Sutherland McKay. (Photo credit: Jacqueline Hocking)

Our thanks to Roma McKay for providing a photo of Bruce Sutherland, and to Graham and Jacqueline Hocking for visiting the cemetery and taking photos.  If you have information or photos to share on Bruce Sutherland McKay, please send an email to memorialtrail@gmail.com or comment on this blog.

© 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/

4 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/

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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Funds From Muttart Memorial Fund Transferred To The Netherlands

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April 9, 2019.  Many of you have been following the story of WWII pilot Elmer Bagnall MUTTART, who lost his life on October 12, 1941 when his plane was shot down by a German nightfighter, and crashed in a field right outside the village of Wons in The Netherlands.  Before the crash, Elmer was able to ensure that his crew bailed out and he managed to steer the burning plane past the village.  (See The Elmer Bagnall Muttart Story and On the War Memorial Trail ….. At Harlingen General Cemetery and On the War Memorial Trail ….. At The Politiek Farm In Wons)

Over the past 1 ½ years a fundraising project in conjunction with the Tryon and Area Historical Society here in Canada, and the Stichting Missing Airmen Memorial Foundation in The Netherlands, has been raising funds towards a memorial panel near the crash site in Wons to honour Elmer Muttart and his crew.

Last month the Tryon and Area Historical Society transferred the donations made in Canada towards this memorial panel to the Stichting Missing Airmen Memorial Foundation, who will organize and coordinate the memorial panel installation and ceremony, planned for October 12, 2019.  Thank you to all who donated so generously to this worthwhile project, and a big thank you to the Tryon and Area Historical Society for their involvement and support.

While the Canadian fundraising project is closed, anyone who wishes can still donate directly to the Stichting Missing Airmen Memorial Foundation in The Netherlands.  How to donate: Bank transfers may be made to Stichting Missing Airmen Memorial Foundation, Bank Account # (IBAN) NL35ABNA0569579856, and state in the subject line “Attn D.S. Drijver for Halifax L9561”.

If you had indicated to us that you were interested in attending this event in Europe, please note that your name and contact email was provided to the Stichting Missing Airmen Memorial Foundation.  They will send you the invitation and program, and be able to answer any relevant questions.  We ourselves are on the waiting list for the invitation and program and plan to attend the event.

If you have information or photos to share on the names on the Cenotaph, or if you have a memory of Elmer Muttart to share, please send an email to dariadv@yahoo.ca or comment on this blog.

© Daria Valkenburg

 

 

 

On The War Memorial Trail…..The Archive Photo That Put A Face To A Name

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March 15, 2019.  One of the biggest challenges in the project to uncover the stories behind the names listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion is finding photos of the men.  Quite often family members can be found, but photos, especially for soldiers who lost their lives in WWI, were not always kept by family.  

Most of the soldiers who lost their lives were young and unmarried, and succeeding generations of nieces and nephews didn’t always want to keep what was left behind by grandparents or their parents.  Photos, particularly unidentified ones, and letters from unknown people were just not a priority for many people.

So it was a very pleasant surprise when, during a visit to the Prince Edward Island Archives in Charlottetown, Pieter struck it lucky while looking through an album of photos donated by Jean MacFayden.  Most photos were not identified, but then, to his astonishment, Pieter found a photo of WWI soldier John Goodwill HOWATT, of Augustine Cove.  Unfortunately, the other two men in the photo were unidentified, with only the remark that they were ‘two Halifax boys’. Up to now, Pieter has not been able to find anyone else who might have the same photo and be able to give more information.

P0006342 copy J.G. Howatt ordered from PEI Public Archives

Photo donated to the PEI Archives by Jean MacFayden, in which she identified John Goodwill Howatt on the left, and noted only that he was with “two Halifax boys”. (Photo credit: courtesy Public Archives and Records Office of Prince Edward Island, Acc4154)”

In this exceptional case, Pieter had a photo, which could put a face to a name, but was unable to find any family, a bit unusual given that Howatt is a well-known Island name!  Who was this mystery man?

John Goodwill HOWATT was born July 27, 1897 in Augustine Cove, the son of Edward G. Howatt and Emma May Wood, and had a younger sister, Cecilia Amanda.  After John’s father died in 1908, his mother remarried, to Don Howatt in 1909, but she herself died on August 25, 1916.

A farmer before he decided to enlist in January 1916 with the 105th Battalion, Company C, John had his medical exam in Summerside, but it wasn’t until March 4, 1916 that he received his medical clearance and was formally enlisted.  After that, things moved quickly, and he was on his way to England in June 1916, sailing from Halifax aboard the S.S. Empress of Britain.  On November 28, 1916 he was transferred to the 25th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry and sent to France, arriving there on November 29, 1916.

On August 8, 1918, the Battle of Amiens began in France, the start of the 100 Days Offensive that led to the end of WWI.  By the end the day, Allied Forces had forced their way through German lines around the Somme. There were 27,000 German casualties, 12,000 of which had surrendered.

The next day, August 9, the war diary of the 25th Battalion recorded that, “At 9:15 am, verbal orders were received for the Battalion to continue the attack in conjunction with other troops.”  After leaving Gaillacourt, where they had spent the night, “The Battalion rapidly moved to the assembly position – the heights southeast of Caix – and crossed the British front line, then held by the 4th Canadian Division, at 1 pm. As the Battalion moved over the ridge in front of Caix, they were met with a light artillery barrage, and strong enemy machine gun fire.”

As they pressed on towards Vrely, the Battalion encountered “some hard fighting in a wood on the right”.  Undaunted, the Battalion continued on and the war diary gave an understated report of what happened next.  “On emerging from Vrely, ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’ companies met with some opposition in the nature of an enemy Field Battery, which opened fire from a few hundred yards away.” The Battalion won this skirmish.  “Rifle and machine gun fire caused this Battery to retire, with the loss of its officers and three of its drivers, and the advance continued to Meharicourt, which was captured with little trouble by 5 pm.”

It’s not certain exactly when, but at some point on the second day of the battle, John was severely wounded in his back and shoulder from gunshot, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down.  He was carried to a Casualty Clearing Station, then put on a train the next day to a field hospital. 

On August 22, he was transported back to England and operated on, but died in a London hospital on September 7, 1918. He was only 21 years old.  He’s buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery in Surrey, England, which we have not yet been able to visit.

If you have more information or photos on John Goodwill Howatt, or are able to identify the two ‘boys from Halifax’ in the photo shown above, please send an email to  memorialtrail@gmail.com or comment on this blog.

© 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/

4 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/

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 Mystery Chest Of Sgt. Ross

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March 9, 2019.  In the course of his research into the names on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion, sometimes Pieter is approached for help in solving mysteries that are unrelated to the project.  While he helps when he can, sometimes he gets stumped.

One of these unsolved mysteries concerns a chest that once had belonged to a Sgt. Ross and is now owned by retired Reverend Adrian Auret, a former Minster at the Presbyterian Church in Burnside (Clyde River). Reverend Auret explained that the chest was left behind in a barn at the Presbytery. He had stored it in the garage to protect it, and when he moved to another church in New Brunswick, the chest was packed by the movers and sent with his belongings.  Now he wondered if Pieter could find out if the chest belonged to someone or if it was a yard sale purchase from a previous minister and then left behind as unneeded baggage.

CIMG7977 Sgt Ross top of chest

Top of mystery chest identified with the marking ‘Sgt. Ross H.S.’ . (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

CIMG7933 Sgt Ross inside chest

What the chest looks like when opened. (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

Outside of the name on the chest, there were no other identifying marks, such as a date or military unit. Pieter guessed that the initials H.S. after the name Ross indicated the initials for the first names of Ross, rather than a rank or unit.  It was wooden and quite large, definitely not a contemporary object.  Perhaps it had been used on a ship or was strapped to a wagon during the horse and buggy days?

Pieter thought it best to start with the church itself.  He contacted the Head Office of the Presbyterian Church in Summerside and was incorrectly told that no one with that name served at the church in Clyde River.  However, in a 1993 book written by William and Elizabeth Glen, “BONSHAW:  A Stroll Through The Past”, mention was made of a William Ross, who had been ordained in 1860.  Could the chest be from the 19th century?  He contacted the Glens, but unfortunately they had no information other than what was in the book.

He searched military records for someone with that name and found a Cpl S.H. Ross who attended Infantry School in Fredericton, N.B. in 1885.  Could this be the same Ross?  It was inconclusive without more information about the chest itself.

Pieter then contacted the Military History Research Centre at the Canadian War Museum, and reached out to several people on Facebook who dealt with military insignia, and military museums. Perhaps the hinges on the chest could help date it?

CIMG7973 Sgt Ross hinge on chest

Hinge on mystery chest identified with the marking ‘Sgt. Ross H.S.’ (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

CIMG7974 Sgt Ross handle on chest

Handle on mystery chest identified with the marking ‘Sgt. Ross H.S.’ (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

The general consensus by everyone, including an archivist at the Canadian War Museum, seemed to be that the chest could be a trunk from WW II.  Three theories about the use of the chest were that it may have been used in a footlocker in a barracks, was used by a member of the Home Guards, or was used by a military instructor for holding instructional tools and materials.

Ross was identified by one person as an Island name, so it seemed reasonable to assume that it belonged to someone from the Island.  As was confirmed by the Canadian War Museum, it was not possible to look for a Sgt. Ross who served in WWII as the service files for the Second World War are still under privacy legislation. The Army Lists also only list officers, and so a Sgt. Ross would not appear.

Can you help Pieter solve this mystery? If you think you might be able to identify the period of the chest, or the identity of Sgt. Ross, please send him an email at memorialtrail@gmail.com or comment on this blog.

© 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/

4 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 Mariner Whose Ship Was Torpedoed In The English Channel

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January 20, 2019….Researching the names on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion continually brings some surprises as we unlock the stories behind the names.  It’s well documented that there was a merchant navy in WWII, and there are many stories about the infamous U-boats used by the Nazis during WWII.  But, did you know that there was a merchant navy in WWI?……And did you know that there were German U-boats in WWI?…….

In researching what happened to James Graham FARROW (FARRAR), we learned that he was NOT a soldier, but served as Second Mate in WWI’s Merchant Navy aboard the SS Port Dalhousie, ferrying needed supplies from England to allied soldiers in France.

Farrow was born April 4, 1856 in Argyle Shore, the son of Henry Farrow and Mary Jane Gouldrup.  In 1897, he married Mary Jane Howatt and they had 4 children.  Mary Jane also had a son William from her first husband, John Morrell, and was the sister of Harold Keith HOWATT who served in the same regiment as William Galen CAMPBELL. Campbell is also listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion.  (See Christmas At The Front During WW1)

A mariner, Farrow received his Captain’s papers by 1903.  He owned a schooner named ‘Eva May’, but sold it in 1906 and moved to a homestead in Saskatchewan.  However, by 1912 the family was back on Prince Edward Island, where, according to ‘Seafarers of the Atlantic Provinces, 1789-1935’, he was the owner and operator of a schooner registered on PEI, named ‘Howard L’.  (Source: Ancestry.com. Canada, Seafarers of the Atlantic Provinces, 1789-1935)

In a February 19, 1916 letter to his son Welton, who was living in Portland, Maine with his mother and siblings, Farrow explains that that he gave up the schooner and on December 27, 1915 he accepted a position as second mate aboard a steamer, and was currently sailing between France and England.  “I am here in France.  I had charge of a schooner and when I laid her up in Pictou, I got a job in this steamer as second mate. It is a good job with a little more wages than on the schooner.  I got $50 a month on the schooner and $55 a month here.”  (Source: www.islandregister.com/letters/james farrow 1916.html)

Farrow explained that the steamer intended to return to Canada in July, but had decided to stay in Europe.  If he wanted to return to Canada, his way would be paid back after 6 months, but as he was paid promptly each month, he thought he would stay with the steamer.

Unfortunately, by the time that Welton Farrow received that letter, his father was dead.  On March 19, 1916, U-Boat 10 torpedoed the steamer Port Dalhousie, the ship he was on, and it sank in the English Channel.

From the New York Times, page 2, column 6:

“U-BOAT ATTACKS FISHERMEN”

“Sinks two trawlers off Northeast Coast of England. London July 13 – Following the attack by a German submarine on the British port of Seaham Harbor on Tuesday night, a submarine raid on fishing near the English coast was reported by Lloyd’s today.   A German submarine attacked a British fishing fleet off the northeastern coast and sank the trawlers Florence and Dalhousie and several smaller vessels.” (Source: www.islandregister.com/letters/james farrow 1916.html )

Fake news isn’t a new phenomenon!  The story about Port Dalhousie being a fishing boat, as reported in a New York Times article, was a cover the boat used. When it sank, the cargo manifest said it was transporting steel billets.  Farrow and 18 other crew members perished, their bodies lost to the sea.

Farrow’s wife, Mary Jane, stayed in Maine.  In 1930 she moved to Waterville, where she lived until her death on May 15, 1956, when she was buried in the Tryon Peoples’ Cemetery in Tryon.

Service and duty were legacies of Farrow as his sons Ralph, Harold, and Welton also served in WWI.  Ralph and Harold enlisted in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force in July 1917.  Welton served in the US Army.  Ralph’s son joined the US Air Force and served in WWII, but after the war he met an untimely death when his plane crashed in Florida during an exercise.  He’s buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

With no body to bury, James Farrow is remembered on the memorial stone at the Tryon People’s Cemetery in Tryon and on the Halifax Memorial in Point Pleasant Park in Halifax.

memorial stone tpc pieter valkenbrg

Photo: Memorial stone at Tryon Peoples Cemetery in Tryon, PEI. Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg

Photos: Halifax Memorial at Point Pleasant Park in Halifax. Photo credits: Pieter Valkenburg

Besides Farrow, two additional names from this Cenotaph Research Project are listed on the Halifax Memorial:

Although we know a lot about James Farrow’s life, we do NOT have a photo of him.  If anyone has photos or information to share, please let us know. You can send an email to memorialtrail@gmail.com or comment on this blog.

© 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/

4 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 …..Christmas At The Front During WWI

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December 13, 2018.  Researching names on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion at this time of year gets one to think about what it might have been like for the soldiers, especially during WWI.  They were far from home, by this time they would have lost friends and fellow soldiers, and might be wondering if they themselves would survive another hour, let alone another day.  So when we receive some postcards or letters that tell us what they may be experiencing at holiday time, it’s very special.

A few years ago, we received a photo of George Albert CAMPBELL from his nephew, Gerald Tingley, putting a face to that name.  (Campbell’s story was told in a posting last year – see Two Campbell Brothers in WW1)

George Albert Campbell from Gerald Tingley

Private George Albert Campbell. (Photo courtesy of Gerald Tingley family collection)

Known as Albert, Campbell was born on July 8, 1895 in Wellington, PEI, the son of John George Campbell and Grace Emma, nee Barlow.  A fisherman and farmer before enlisting on April 6, 1915 with the 6th Canadian Mounted Rifles, he later transferred to the 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles.

CIMG2669 Oct 9 2018 meet with Gerald Tingley in Salisbury

Gerald Tingley, left, with Pieter. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Recently we had a chance to meet Gerald Tingley in person.  He arrived with a binder of WWI letters from his uncle that had been written to Gerald’s mother, and Albert’s sister, Sophie.

One excerpt was really special.  In a December 1915 letter to his sister Sophie, he wrote:  “…We got a big box of cake and candy from Bedeque the other day and it was great for a change.  It was meant for Xmas but we ate it all as soon as we got it...”

This excerpt about receiving cake and candy from someone in Bedeque really showed how food was always on a soldier’s mind, particularly something delicious from home.  And there was no way a soldier was going to wait for a particular day to have that taste of home.

It was the last Christmas that Campbell experienced.  During the Battle of Mount Sorrel in Belgium, he was killed in action in the vicinity of Maple Copse on June 2, 1916.  He has no known grave, and his name is listed on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres.

Xmas card from Harold Howatt

Christmas card with a piece of embroidered handkerchief sent by Harold Howatt, wishing his family a ‘Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year’. (Photo courtesy of H. Howatt collection)

Campbell’s brother, William Galen CAMPBELL, born June 16, 1897 in Wellington, was poisoned by a mustard gas shell in France on May 28, 1918.  He was in the same unit, the 8th Canadian Siege Battery, as Harold Keith HOWATT of Augustine Cove.

Howatt kept an active correspondence and journal, and two Christmas entries survive.  In 1917, he was stationed in Lille, France and recorded the following on December 24:  “…Route march this morning, then after we came back we had to carry planks for the hut which is being put up for Christmas dinner.  In the late afternoon Dawson and I went into Lille and had a bath at a convent.  Afterwards we went to a concert in the YMCA hut….”

If you ever wondered about the saying that ‘soldiers march on their stomachs’, then you will see why food is important in reading Howatt’s detailed description of the Christmas meal of December 25, 1917.  “…Church parade this morning, but I did not go as Mr. Freeman wanted me to help him get ready for the Xmas dinner.  We had a great dinner, duck and chicken, applesauce, vegetables, plum pudding, apples and nuts.  The officers bought everything except the plum pudding, pretty good of them.  After dinner was over we gave ‘three cheers and a tiger’ for them…”

By December 1918 the war was over, but troops were still in Europe.  Howatt’s unit was assigned to Germany.  On December 25, he made the following terse entry from Mehlem, on the Rhine: “…We had no Christmas dinner as the turkey did not arrive...” 

On January 1, 1919 he gave a happier update in his journal:  “…Last evening we had our Xmas dinner, which had been postponed owing to the non-arrival of the turkey.  We sat down at 8 o’clock to a good meal: turkey and vegetables, plum pudding, and nuts and apples.  There was also lots of beer, ginger ale, and also some scotch…”

1918 xmas menu

1918 Xmas menu for the 8th Canadian Siege Battery. Notice that each dish had a name that represented where the unit was in France and Belgium! (Photo courtesy of H. Howatt collection)

Unlike George Albert Campbell, both William Galen Campbell and Harold Keith Howatt returned home from WWI.  Surprisingly, no photo of William Galen Campbell has been found.  If you have photos or information to share, please let us know. Send an email to 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 Spirit of Remembrance Continues

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November 13, 2018.  This year, Pieter was invited to be the guest speaker at St John The Evangelist Anglican Church in Crapaud, during their Remembrance Day Service.  In his opening remarks, Pieter noted that: “…This special Remembrance Day marks the end of the First World War.  It’s a day to remember the memories and sacrifices made by those who did their best to answer the call to fight for freedom. 

This church remembers those who served through the Honour Rolls that hang on the wall to my left.  Every Remembrance Day, the names are read out, as they were today.  Five of these men are listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion, 3 from WWI and 2 from WWII.  I’d like to briefly tell you a bit about them…”

CIMG2820 Nov 11 2018 Pieter with Rev Eric Lynk

Pieter with Rev Eric Lynk at St John the Evangelist Anglican Church in Crapaud. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Pieter then talked about the following men: Arthur Leigh COLLETT, Percy Earl FARROW (FARRAR), Henry “Harry” Warburton STEWART, William Douglas SHERREN, and Ernest Murray NORTON.  One focus was on how they were remembered, as Pieter explained:  “…When we think of soldiers in war, we picture them in trenches, facing an enemy.  But they were also people with hopes and dreams, just like you and me, who made the difficult choice to put aside their immediate futures and accept the duty thrust upon them…“

Remembrance Day is now over for another year, but the Borden-Carleton Cenotaph Research Project continues in its quest to put a face and story to every name.  This posting is to thank the many people who have supported this project by providing information and photos, and in adding their own voices to the importance of remembrance.

The County Line Courier newspaper has supported this project from the beginning.  We thank Mike and Isabel Smith for helping to get the word out by publishing a story in almost every issue.

CBC PEI Radio has also been supportive in helping us reach a wider audience, with a special thank you to Angela Walker of CBC’s Mainstreet PEI.

We thank the three churches in the South Shore area that invited Pieter to come and speak about the Cenotaph Research Project:  Central Trinity United Church in Breadalbane, St John The Evangelist Anglican Church in Crapaud, and South Shore United Church in Tryon.

Several ministers referenced the project or some of the names on the Cenotaph in their sermons.  Rev Dr Karen MacLeod-Wilkie of South Shore United Church made mention of the project and PEI pilot Elmer Bagnall MUTTART in her November 4 sermon.  Our thanks to Jack Sorensen for sending us this sound clip:  https://soundcloud.com/user-756553111/rev-karens-remarks-about-elmer-muttart-november420182/s-uCEps.

We also thank Rev Kent Compton of the Church of Scotland in Cape Traverse.  We’ve been informed by neighbours that he mentioned the project in his remarks during the Remembrance Service organized by the Augustine Cove Women’s Institute.

We thank the Tryon & Area Historical Society here on PEI and the Missing Airmen Memorial Foundation in The Netherlands for their efforts to raise funds for a memorial panel in Wons to honour Elmer Muttart and the crew of Halifax L9561, and we thank all who donated to this project.  The ceremony to install the memorial panel is planned for October 12, 2019.

On November 1, 2018, PEI Senator Mike Duffy spoke about the Cenotaph Research Project in the Senate.  It’s now recorded in the official Hansard records, and we thank him for highlighting this project of remembrance. (See Hansard entry: 2018 Hansard Entry remarks by Mike Duffy ) Mr. Duffy went one step further, by submitting an article to the newspaper with his comments, a complete surprise to us when we opened up the newspaper.  (See article:  CLC Nov 7 2018 p15 article by Mike Duffy)

Meeting the families of the men listed on the Cenotaph is a particular honour.  We thank those who sent photos, letters, documents, and hope to meet more families in the coming year.

We also thank you, the readers of these postings.   Research continues, and we hope you will enjoy the stories in upcoming blog postings.

If you have photos or information to share on soldiers from the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion, please let us know. Send us an email to 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.