WWI Soldiers

On The War Memorial Trail….. The WWI Soldier From Tryon Who Was Raised By His Grandparents

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July 24, 2023.  When Pieter was contacted by Ivan MacDonald about Ivan’s father, we initially thought we would be researching a WWII soldier from Prince Edward Island.  We were wrong. Ivan’s father, Angus Clayton MACDONALD, served in WWI!

CIMG6416 Jul 4 2023 Pieter Ivan & Edna MacDonald

Pieter with Ivan MacDonald and Ivan’s wife Edna. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

“…He was brought up by his grandparents in Mount Tryon…” Ivan explained. 

Ivan’s nephew, Philip MacDonald, sent us the Service Regimental Number for Angus, which meant Pieter could easily find the WWI Service File.  “…Angus MacDonald was my grandfather. He was born on May 2, 1896 to a single mom, Alice MacDonald, who later married John Heatly (aka Hately) from Tryon. Grampy was raised by Donald and Christy MacDonald so this is how as a boy he learned to speak Gaelic….”

…Angus enlisted in Charlottetown…

colourized Angus Clayton MacDonald

Angus Clayton MacDonald. (Photo courtesy of the MacDonald Family. Photo colourization by Pieter Valkenburg)

On August 29, 1917, the Military Service Act came into effect, stating that all males between 20 and 45 were subject to conscription until the end of the war.  (See https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/military-service-act)

The enlistment form for Angus noted that he had been drafted when he enlisted with H Company, 1st Depot Battalion, Nova Scotia Regiment, in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, on March 21, 1918.  In the form, he stated that he was born on May 2, 1897 in Tryon, Prince Edward Island, and was a farmer.  (This was a year later than other records stated.)

We asked Ivan if Angus had enlisted at the same time as any relatives or friends, and he said he didn’t know.  We found that Bruce Sutherland MCKAY, who grew up not far from Angus, enlisted on the same day in the same Regiment. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2019/04/22/the-ww1-soldier-who-never-made-it-to-the-front/) 

…Angus sailed to England aboard the SS Scotian…

HMT_Scotian

Angus Clayton MacDonald and Bruce Sutherland McKay travelled to England on the same voyage aboard the troopship Scotian. (Photo source: https://birtwistlewiki.com.au/wiki/HMT_Scotian)

Within a few weeks of enlistment Angus was on his way to the United Kingdom, aboard the troopship SS Scotian, arriving in Liverpool, England on April 28, 1918. 

Upon arrival, Angus was sent to Segregation Camp, Frensham Pond, in Bramshott. This was a prudent measure as the first wave of infectious diseases had already affected men held in crowded conditions.  In April 1918, senior military officials had set up segregation camps to hold arrivals from Canada for 28 days before joining their units.

Bruce Sutherland McKay was on the same voyage, but once they docked in England, their paths diverged as McKay had developed scarlet fever during the journey.

On May 5, 1918, Angus was admitted to the 12th General Hospital in Bramshott with mumps.  It wasn’t until July 10, 1918 that he was discharged, assigned to the 2nd Canadian Convalescent Depot (CCD) and sent to the Nova Scotia Regimental Depot (NSRD), which was at Bramshott.   This was the facility behind the front used to assemble men and to store and administer equipment and materials. 

On August 10, 1918, he was deemed fully recovered and transferred to the 17th Canadian Reserve Battalion in Bramshott for training and preparation for the fighting at the front.

…Angus qualified as a marksman…

Philip had wondered if the crossed rifles on the sleeve of his grandfather’s uniform had any significance.  It meant that he had successfully passed a marksman course, which entitled him to wear crossed rifles on his uniform.  A marksman was not a sniper, which required further training.  (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marksman)

On October 26, 1918, Angus was transferred to the 85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders) and sent to France.  (For more information, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/85th_Battalion_(Nova_Scotia_Highlanders),_CEF)

The war was nearing its end, with much of the German Army in retreat following the Battle of Valenciennes on November 1, 1918.  (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Valenciennes_(1918))

Allied troops kept up the pressure with a general advance, and on November 4, 1918, the 3rd and 4th Canadian Divisions arrived on both sides of the Valenciennes-Mons road.  The Allied objective?  Cross the French border into Belgium and forge a passage through the parallel rivers of the Grand Honnelle and Petite Honnelle, moving the battlefront towards the line between Mons on the left and Aulnois on the right.

…Angus was wounded in the last week of WWI…

On November 5, 1918, the Passage of the Grande Honnelle Battle began around Honnelles, and lasted until November 7, 1918.  Located in Belgium, Honnelles is a small village near the French border, located near the Petite Honnelle river. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passage_of_the_Grande_Honnelle)

The 85th Battalion was part of the 4th Canadian Division, which initially stayed on the French side of the border before crossing the border into Belgium.  On November 6, 1918 Angus received gunshot wounds to both arms and was sent to the 23rd Casualty Clearing Station. 

On November 10, 1918, Angus was transferred to the No.  22 General Hospital in Camiers, France before being transported back to England on November 27, 1918. He was hospitalized at Clandon Park House until January 30, 1919.  (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clandon_Park_House)

From Clandon Park, he was transferred to Woodcote Park Military Convalescent Hospital in Epsom, until he was discharged on February 19, 1919.   (See  https://wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/hospitals/hospital.php?pid=18196)

Upon discharge he returned to the 17th Reserve Battalion camp, located in Ripon in North Yorkshire, before being sent on March 19, 1919 to Kinmel Park Camp in Wales, about 48 km from Liverpool, where he and other soldiers waited their turn to board a ship back to Canada.

Competition for shipping among the Allied powers, labour disruption due to strikes by dockworkers, seamen, miners and police, and shortages of food and coal made for miserable conditions. 

Luckily, Angus didn’t have to wait long before he boarded the SS Megantic, returning to Canada and receiving his discharge certificate on April 16, 1919 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

…Civilian life with a wife and children…

Upon returning to civilian life, Angus worked in fishing for Harry Crossman in Cape Traverse, Prince Edward Island.  He bought a motorcycle, and on a trip to visit his aunt in Lower Bedeque, he met Ruby Frances Rose of nearby Chelton.  They married on October 27, 1921 and raised 3 sons and a daughter.

Angus Ruby and Eldon 1924 photo from Ivan cropped and restored

Ruby and Angus MacDonald with son Eldon in 1922. (Photo courtesy of the MacDonald family)

“…Eldon was the oldest, born in 1922.  I was born in 1930.  Herbert, who was Philip’s father, was born in 1933…” Ivan told us.

“…In the 1930s he sold Plymouth cars in Summerside, but times were very tough due to the Depression…” Ivan recalled.  “…He was very smart, and could do mechanical work, carpentry, build a flue, just as a few examples. He had a small workshop and made axe handles….” 

…Angus died in 1979 following a stroke…

After suffering a stroke, Angus died a few months later, on April 30, 1979 at Prince County Hospital in Summerside, Prince Edward Island.  He was buried at the Lower Bedque Cemetery.

grave stone Angus C MacDonald Lower Bedeque

Grave of Angus Clayton MacDonald at Lower Bedeque Cemetery. (Photo source: http://www.findagrave.com)

Philip MacDonald wrote Pieter to say “… I very much enjoy the stories of all the veterans you and your wife have written for the County Line Courier.  I feel it is important to recognize that these men had a life and family they left behind because their country asked them to do so.  I’m not sure this is something many of us really consider when we hear the names being read once a year on Remembrance Day…” 

Thank you to Ivan and Edna MacDonald for sharing information about Ivan’s father, and to Philip MacDonald for sharing information and finding his grandfather’s Service Regimental Number.

Do you have a story to tell? Pieter encourages you to email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.    

© Daria Valkenburg

…Want to follow our research?…

Follow our blog

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…..A Canadian Nurse At The Women Veterans Memorial Park In Destin

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CIMG6129Feb 4 2023 Women Veterans Memorial Park

The entrance to the Women Veterans Memorial park by the Convention Center in Destin, Florida.  (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

July 8, 2023.  When we were in Florida several months ago and heard about the Women Veterans Memorial Park, we just had to go and see it. Over the years, we’ve been to many cenotaphs and memorials, but never one dedicated to women who’ve served.

CIMG6125Feb 4 2023 Women Veterans Memorial Park

A dedication plaza is encircled by a number of flags, including the US flag, a POW-MIA flag, Florida, Okaloosa county flag, military, and Coast Guard flags. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

 

CIMG6100Feb 4 2023 Women Veterans Memorial Park

Standing at the entrance are, left to right, Mary Ann Greiner, Gwen Greiner, Rick Greiner, and Pieter. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

We weren’t sure what to expect, but found 8 bronze statues of women veterans, each one representing a conflict that the USA had been in, starting with the Revolutionary War, and ending with the war in Afghanistan.  Each life-sized statue was accompanied by a marker with a brief biography of each woman.

We walked along a winding path on the Choctawhatchee Bay coastline, stopping at each statue along the way.  It’s in a beautiful location and the path is accessible by wheelchair. (For more information, see https://myokaloosa.com/bcc/women-veterans-memorial)

…The WWI statue featured a nurse from New Brunswick!…

CIMG6105Feb 4 2023 Women Veterans Memorial Park

Pieter by the statue of WWI United States Navy Nurse Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

By the statue for the woman veteran honoured for WWI, Lenah Sutcliffe HIGBEE, we were astonished to read that she “…immigrated to the United States from Canada, completed her nursing training in 1899, and began working as a surgical nurse.  She joined the United States Navy in 1908 as one of the original ‘Sacred Twenty’, the nurses who started the Navy Nurse Corps….”

… Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee was born in New Brunswick….

Wow! Who was this woman? we wondered.  And where in Canada was she from?  Lenah was born on May 18, 1873 (some records say 1874) in Chatham, New Brunswick, the daughter of the Reverend Ingham and Anne Amelia (nee Bent) Sutcliffe.

As stated on the plaque by her statue, Lenah finished her nurses training in 1899 – at New York Post-Graduate Hospital, and went into private practice. That same year she married Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel John H. Higbee.

Sadly, her husband died in April 1908 and Lenah took more advanced training at Fordham Hospital that same year.  In October 1908 she was able to join the US Navy Corps as she was unmarried – as a widow under 44 years of age, she qualified!

The plaque by the statue noted that the nurses were the “…first females to serve in the United States Navy, but they were excluded from holding Navy rank….”

Lenah served 14 years with the US Navy.  In 1911, she “…rose to become the second superintendent of the Navy Nurse Corps…She training and managed thousands of nurses during WWI and the influenza pandemic of 1918…”

Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee in 1918

Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee in 1918. (Photo credit: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, photograph by Harris & Ewing, [reproduction number LC-DIG-hec-10981])

In addition, Lenah “….lobbied for expanded healthcare for military dependents, helped expand the role of nurses in military medicine, formalized the Navy nursing uniforms, created the Navy Nurse Corps insignia, and generally advanced the status of women in the military…”

In 1918, Lenah was the first woman to be awarded the Navy Cross.  Her citation noted her “…distinguished service in the line of her profession and unusual and conspicuous devotion to duty as Superintendent of the Navy Nurse Corps…”

Lenah retired from the Navy on November 23, 1922.  She passed away at the age of 66 in Winter Park, Florida on January 10, 1941 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, next to her husband.

…Two ships have been named after Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee….

Two destroyer ships have been named after Lenah:

 …A short video on the Women Veterans Memorial Park….

For more information on the Women Veterans Memorial Park, and how such a unique memorial came to be, you can watch this short video:

…More on Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee….

For more information on Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee, see:

Thank you to Shawn Rainville for researching newspaper archives and other sources for information on Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee.  

Thanks also go to Bob and Lynn Young for telling us about this wonderful memorial park, and to Mary Ann, Rick, and Gwen Greiner for going with us to see the Memorial.  Rick had organized the JB-2 Rocket Tour that Pieter participated in last year.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/04/16/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-jb-2-rocket-tour-in-florida/)

While all 8 women featured had compelling stories, we couldn’t resist researching the story of Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee, a fellow Canadian from The Maritimes!

Do you have a story to tell? Pieter encourages you to email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.    

© Daria Valkenburg

…Want to follow our research?…

Follow our blog

If you are reading this posting, but aren’t following the blog, 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 Signaller From Covehead Killed During The Battle Of Vimy Ridge

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CIMG8269 Sep 5 2017 Pieter at entrance to Vimy Memorial Park

Pieter at the entrance to Vimy Ridge National Historic Site in France. We brought along a copy of the County Line Courier newspaper that publishes many of the stories about Island soldiers. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

June 14, 2023.  After visiting the Vimy National Memorial in France and having researched several soldiers who fought during the Battle of Vimy Ridge, we have an ongoing interest in learning more about those who fought in that battle on Easter Monday, April 9, 1917.

20230530_102553 Pieter and Connie

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

…Two brothers from Covehead enlisted …

Therefore, when Connie Paynter of Summerside contacted us about a 20 year old relative who was killed in action at Vimy, we wanted to meet her. “…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, was born on July 4, 1896 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, the son of James Lawrence and Hattie Lillian (nee Carr) Marshall. 

When he enlisted with the 55th Battalion on May 1, 1915 in Charlottetown, he noted that he had served in the 82nd Regiment militia for a year, with the rank of Sergeant.  Before enlisting, he had worked on his father’s farm. 

20230530_100452 Merill Marshall from Connie

Merrill Augustus Marshall while serving with the 82nd Regiment, Canadian Militia.  (Photo courtesy of Connie Birt Paynter)

While he was in the 82nd Regiment Militia, Merrill was sent to Valcartier, Quebec, where his brother Lawrence was also stationed.   In an August 22, 1914 letter that Lawrence wrote to his mother from Valcartier, he noted that “…Merrill has the job of orderly so far.  He will do alright if he keeps that job all the time…”

…Merrill was too young for active service …

However, as Merrill was underage for active service, he was soon on his way back home.  In a September 9, 1914 letter from Merrill to his mother, written from 12 Battalion, 3 Brigade, Valcartier, Quebec:  “…I will be home whenever we get the pay that is coming to us here. It will be 15 dollars.  We got seven dollars and 40 cents that was coming to us from town.  I am sending you 5 dollars this time.  I won’t be here very much longer now.  Our names are in for us to go home whenever we get our money given to us…”

…Merrill soon re-enlisted! …

A few months later, he re-enlisted and arrived at Camp Sussex, New Brunswick on May 10, 1915.  After completing basic training he left Canada with the 55th Battalion on October 30 1915, aboard the RMS Corsican, which sailed from Montreal, Quebec. (See http://the-weatherings.co.uk/pccship0063.htm)

Merrill arrived at Devonport, England on November 9, 1915, and was sent to Bramshott Camp in Hants.

His brother Lawrence was also in England.  In a November 29, 1915 letter to his mother, written from Bramshott Camp, Lephook Hants, 55th Battalion, No 10 Company, UK, Merrill assured her that  “…I am well and having a good time… The drill isn’t half as hard as it was in Canada.  We have good food and a good hut to stay in …. Don’t have to sleep in tents and suffer with the cold.  Now we have a stove and lots of coal to burn so we are happy.  I am getting a pass to Leicester to see Lawrence day after tomorrow….”

…Merrill trained to be a Signaller …

On April 8, 1916, Merrill was transferred from the 55th Battalion to the Canadian Signals Base with the 39th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling in the United Kingdom, where he trained to be a Signaller.  He would have encountered fellow Islander, John ‘Lymon’ WOOD of North Tryon, who arrived there on April 16, 1916 for the same training as a Signaller.

Signallers were responsible for military communications, providing commanders with information on where troops were, what they were doing, and whether supplies were sufficient. Communication was done using message-carrying pigeons, flags, and human runners. Some messages could be sent using Morse code or signalling lamps.  Signalling lamps were portable and aimed a focused beam of light at a receiving signaller. Light could be transmitted over long distances much faster and more safely than a runner exposed to enemy fire.

Merrill was transferred to the 6th Reserve Battalion in Shorncliffe on January 4, 1917.  His brother Lawrence, who had been in the French trenches and was back in England, showed concern in a January 29, 1917 letter to his father, written from Canadian Convalescent Hospital, Staff Hut A1, Wood Cote Park, Epsom, Surrey, England: “…Had a letter from Merrill yesterday. He is in Shorncliffe and having a good time of it.  I hope that it will only last the rest of the war and 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 is going to be harder fighting out there this spring than there has  been.  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…”

…Merrill was sent to France in advance of the Battle of Vimy Ridge …

Lawrence was right to be worried, as on February 7, 1917, Merrill was transferred to the 21st Battalion in East Sandling.  The following day, he arrived at the Canadian Base Depot at Rouelles Camp in Le Havre, France.  A few days later he joined his unit, and on February 15, 1917 he was on the front line, as a Signaller, with the 21st Battalion in Thelus, near Vimy Ridge.

In a February 11, 1917 letter to his father, written from Canadian Convalescent Hospital, Staff Hut A1, Wood Cote Park, Epsom, Surrey, England, Lawrence asked “…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 signaller.  He may never have to go into the trenches at all….”

Then, in an April 16, 1917 letter from Lawrence to his mother, written from Canadian Convalescent Hospital, Staff Hut A1, Wood Cote Park, Epsom, Surrey, England he wrote that “…I had 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….” 

…Merrill lost his life during the Battle of Vimy Ridge …

Unfortunately, by the time Lawrence wrote his letter, Merrill was dead.  He had lost his life on Easter Monday, April 9, 1917, during the Battle of Vimy Ridge, killed during the advance on the Ridge.

Merrill was buried near where he fell.  His grave location was registered as being in ‘Thelus, near Neuville, St. Vaast, 4 ½ miles North North-East of Arras, France’.

… Merrill’s grave couldn’t be found …

However, years later, when what we know today as the Commonwealth War Graves Commission went to move the trench burials into cemeteries, his remains could not be located.  Continuous artillery fire over the next year and a half remaining in the war likely destroyed his grave and many others.

This happened to fellow Islander George Albert CAMPBELL, who was killed during the Battle of Mount Sorrel in Belgium, and buried in Maple Copse Cemetery, east of Zillebeke.  By the time the war ended, the cemetery had been destroyed and out of 256 named burials, only  26 could still be identified.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2017/12/08/two-campbell-brothers-in-ww1/)

Once it was determined that Merrill’s remains could not be found, his name was commemorated on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial.

Merrill is also remembered on his parents’ grave at St. James United Presbyterian Cemetery in Covehead, Prince Edward Island.

1571637_6 Memorial St James United Church PEI

Grave of Merrill Augustus Marshall’s parents at St. James United Presbyterian Cemetery in Covehead.  (Photo source: http://www.findagrave.com)

Thank you to Connie Paynter for providing a photo of Merrill, and sharing the letters written by her great-uncle and grandfather. 

If you have a story to tell, email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1. 

© Daria Valkenburg

… Previous postings about soldiers who fought during the Battle of Vimy Ridge and our visit to the Vimy National Memorial….

…Want to follow our research?…

Follow our blog

If you are reading this posting, but aren’t following the blog, 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 Search For A Photo Of WWI Soldier Joseph ‘Arthur’ Desroches Is Over

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CIMG8474 Sep 6 2017 Pieter at base of cross of remembrance at Ligny St Flochel British cemetery where Desroches is buried

Pieter at the base of the Cross of Remembrance in Ligny Saint-Flochel British Cemetery. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

May 31, 2023.  Whenever Pieter visits the grave of a soldier he has researched, he always hopes to have a photo that puts a face to a name.  Sometimes, that’s not possible, as was the case when we visited Ligny St. Flochel British Cemetery in France where WWI soldier Joseph ‘Arthur’ DESROCHES is buried. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2017/09/23/paying-our-respects-to-private-joseph-arthur-desroches/)

The On The War Memorial Trail research project began when Pieter first started researching the 48 names on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion in 2015.  His goal?  To put a face and story to each name.  Over the years we’ve told the story of each one in the County Line Courier newspaper, plus shared our visits made to their graves or memorials.

The Cenotaph Wall of Remembrance in the Borden-Carleton Legion displays photos of the men listed on the Cenotaph, with empty frames for those photos still waiting to be found. Pieter has never given up on finding a photo, reaching out to the media to help publicize the photo search of soldiers, including Arthur Desroches.

…The media helped publicize the search for a photo of Arthur Desroches…

In 2020 he did a radio interview on CBC Radio-Canada Acadie with Anne-Marie Parenteau, ‘La quête d’un homme de l’Î.-P.-É. pour retrouver des photos d’un soldat acadien’. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2020/11/15/the-continuing-search-for-a-photo-of-ww1-soldier-joseph-arthur-desroches/)

In 2021 Pieter wrote a Letter To The Editor in Prince Edward Island’s newspaper The Guardian:

Letter to the Editor re Desroches

…A photo of Arthur Desroches is found…

Now, thanks to Louis and Janet Arsenault of Summerside, there is one less empty frame! “…Arthur was my great-uncle…” Janet explained.  “…My grandfather Anthony was Arthur’s brother and my mother Margaret was his niece…”

CIMG6230 Anthony and Angeline Arsenault

Angeline and Anthony Desroches.  Anthony was the brother of Arthur Desroches. (Photo courtesy of Louis and Janet Arsenault)

In going through a box that had belonged to her mother, Janet and Louis found a photo that they believe must be Arthur.  “…No one else in the family served in WWI, and he looks similar to my grandfather…”

Pieter noted that the uniform was from the 105th Battalion, C Company, where Arthur had enlisted on March 9, 1916 in Summerside, and the photo was in a protective mat from a Summerside photo studio.

CIMG6234 Joseph Arthur Desroches

Joseph ‘Arthur’ Desroches. (Photo courtesy of Louis and Janet Arsenault)

Born August 8, 1891 in Miscouche, Joseph ‘Arthur’ DESROCHES was the son of Zephirim Desroches and Priscilla Gaudet.  Unlike many WWI soldiers, he was married, to Mary Ann Wedge (Aucoin), and the father of four children.

Before enlisting, Arthur worked as a farmer for Howard McFarlane of Fernwood. After completing basic training, Arthur was on his way to the United Kingdom, leaving Halifax on July 15, 1916 aboard the S.S. Empress of Britain.  He arrived in Liverpool, England 10 days later.  On December 17, 1916 he was on the front line in France.

While serving with the 14th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, Arthur was severely wounded on September 2, 1918 by a gunshot wound to his head. Arthur died on September 4, 1918 at No.7 Casualty Clearing Station at Ligny-St. Flochel, aged 27.

CIMG6236 May 16 2023 Pieter with Louis and Janet Arsenault

Pieter (centre) with Louis and Janet Arsenault. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

The 8 year photo search has been successfully concluded! The photo of Arthur Desroches is now on the Legion’s Cenotaph Wall of Remembrance.

…8 photos still being sought for the Cenotaph Wall of Remembrance…

Pieter hopes that more of the empty frames will be filled over the coming year. “…Unfortunately, photos for 7 from WWI and 1 from WWII have yet to be found….” he said.  Can YOU help with this photo wish list?

Names still without faces from WWI

  • Leigh Hunt CAMERON, born in Albany
  • James Lymon CAMERON, born in Victoria
  • William Galen CAMPBELL, born in Wellington
  • Bazil CORMIER, born in Tignish
  • Charles LOWTHER, born in North Carleton
  • Arthur Clinton ROBINSON, born in Tryon
  • Harry ROBINSON, born in Augustine Cove

Names still without faces from WWII

  • Ernest Ramey GALLANT, born in Borden

Thank you to Louis and Janet Arsenault for sharing a photo. Thank you also to CBC Radio-Canada Acadie and The Guardian for helping to publicize the photo search.

If you can help with the photo search request or have a story to tell, Pieter encourages you to email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

© Daria Valkenburg

…Want to follow our research?…

Follow our blog

If you are reading this posting, but aren’t following the blog, 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 From Tryon Buried With A Message In A Bottle

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CIMG8651 Sep 9 2017 Pieter at the grave of Arthur Clinton Robinson in La Laiterie cemetery

September 2017. Pieter by the grave of Arthur Clinton Robinson, La Laiterie Military Cemetery in Belgium.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

January 10, 2023.   In 2017, we visited La Laiterie Military Cemetery in Belgium, where WW1 soldier Arthur Clinton ROBINSON is buried. Born July 20, 1896 in the USA, but moved as a child to Tryon, Prince Edward Island, Arthur enlisted in the 26th (New Brunswick) Battalion on November 20, 1914 and remained with the Regiment until his death.

…Arthur lost his life on the first day of the Actions of St Eloi Craters Battle….

On March 27, 1916, he was killed in action during the Actions of St Eloi Craters when shell fire hit the trenches southeast of Kemmel. The battle lasted from March 27 until April 16, 1916. Sint-Elooi (the French St Eloi is also used in English) is a village about 5 km (3.1 miles) south of Ypres in Belgium.

1919 photo of St Eloi Craters

The British had dug tunnels in No Man’s Land, then placed large explosive charges under the German defences, and blew them at 4:15 a.m. on March 27. The plan was for the 2nd Canadian Division, which Arthur’s Battalion was part of, to take over and hold the line.  (NOTE: ‘No Man’s Land’ was a WWI term used to describe the area between opposing armies and trench lines.)

The plan was a disaster as Canadian troops were sent to the battlefield before they had time to prepare for the attack. (For more information, see https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/battle-of-st-eloi-craters and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actions_of_St_Eloi_Craters)

St_Eloi_near_Ypres_-_mine_plan_27_March_1916

Map of St Eloi with the six mines fired on 27 March 1916. (Map Source: By ViennaUK – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=53210386)

In ‘A Family Of Brothers’, author J. Brent Wilson explains that “…during the German retaliation for the attack, the 26th faced a heavy pounding that killed seven men and wounded another eighteen…”  One of these casualties was Arthur.

…. La Laiterie Military Cemetery was chosen by the Battalion…

After visiting La Laiterie Military Cemetery, it was interesting to read in ‘A Family Of Brothers’ that a section of the cemetery was chosen by soldiers in the 26th (New Brunswick) Battalion as a “…. focus for their remembrance….”  The section set aside for the Battalion’s 67 burials was “…marked by a large board bearing the battalion’s name….”

The cemetery is located “…about a kilometre behind the front trenches on the road between Kemmel and Vierstraat.  The area surrounding the cemetery had once featured groves of trees and fine residences, but since had been blasted by shellfire….”

…. The Battalion didn’t want the identity of a buried soldier to be lost…

One of the most intriguing things read in ‘A Family Of Brothers’ was the care taken with burials, with one soldier buried per grave, with  “…. small white crosses at the head of each burial mound…”  On each cross was “…nailed an aluminum metal plate with the name, number, and battalion…” of the deceased.

But the Battalion went further, a smart move in a war where battlefront cemeteries could come under crossfire.  “…To ensure that the identity of the soldier in the grave was not lost if something happened to the cross, the man’s name was inserted into bottles that were placed at the head of the grave and beneath the body….” It would be interesting to know if that bottle is still there!

….Previous stories about Arthur Clinton Robinson…

Arthur Clinton Robinson is one of the names listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion.  Unfortunately, a photo of him has yet to be found by either us, or his family.  Can you help put a face to this name?  Do you have a story to tell? 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 the blog, 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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Happy Holidays From The Valkenburgs – And Our Year In Review!

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December 24, 2022.  It’s hard to believe how quickly 2022 has raced by.  It seems like only yesterday that Pieter was preparing his research plan for the year, and I was working on the final chapters of a book.

It’s been a busy year.  Several long-standing searches for photos were successful, meaning Pieter could complete his files for those soldiers.  New research files were added, such as the request to find photos and family for 4 soldiers of Ukrainian descent, and Pieter was able to finish his research for many of the unfinished files from 2021.  There is a lag between him completing his work and me getting a chance to document his research, but that is on my ‘to do’ list for this winter.

While we didn’t get to travel as much as we had hoped, we were able to meet several families, which we very much appreciated.  We were able to able much with the help of media, and the many families that came forward to share photos and information.  What follows in the rest of this posting is a summary of what happened in 2022 with this research project.

…Book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten’….

In February 2022 a book Daria wrote about our 2017 war memorial tour in Europe through 4 countries was published, and is available in print and e-book formats.  See www.nosoldierforgotten.com for more information.

OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEurope_Barcode

…Pieter Honoured With PEI Senior Islander of the Year Award….

On October 21, 2022, Pieter Valkenburg received the PEI Senior Islander of the Year Award, for his ongoing research to uncover the stories and photos of those who served in WWI and WWII, and sharing his research findings with the public.

The certificate was presented by the Hon. Matthew Mackay, Minister for the Department of Social Development and Housing, and Audrey Morris, Chairperson, PEI Seniors Secretariat, in a ceremony at the Loyalist Inn in Summerside.   (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/10/23/pieter-receives-pei-senior-islander-of-the-year-award/)

…. Soldiers Listed On The Cenotaph Outside Borden-Carleton Legion …….

This year we added more information on soldiers whose stories had previously been told:

  • After a 7 year search we received a photo for WWI soldier James CAIRNS of Kinkora, Prince Edward Island, who died during the Battle of Amiens and is buried in France.
  • After another 7 year search we received a photo for WWII soldier Leonard Stephen AVERY of Bedeque, Prince Edward Island, who died after he was accidentally shot through the head while examining a rifle. He’s buried on Prince Edward Island.

 … WWI Related Stories….

  • We explained what a Field Post Card was and shared more observations from WWI soldier Harold Keith HOWATT, giving a comparison of what went into the Field Post Card and what he actually experienced that didn’t go into the card.
  • We shared the story of how a photo of WWI soldier Lloyd Clifton SHORTLIFF of Barton, Nova Scotia, whose named is inscribed on the Vimy Memorial in France, was saved when a Legion member bought it at an auction. A Legion in Nova Scotia will be taking possession of this picture.

 … WWII Related Stories….

  • We shared a story about the 2021 candle lighting at graves of Canadian soldiers in The Netherlands.
  • We shared on update on a 2020 posting about Ralph Gordon MCCUTCHEON, a WWII flight student at the No. 9 Service Flying Training School RCAF in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, who died in a plane crash in North Tryon, Prince Edward Island.
  • We shared a visit that Pieter made to Coffeen Nature Preserve in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, site of a WWII era JB-2 missile launching test site. The JB-2 flying robot bombs were the American version of the German V1 flying bombs.
  • We shared a story about the 2022 commemoration of 8 Carleton and York Regiment soldiers who lost their lives during the liberation of the village of Posterenk in The Netherlands on April 13, 1945.
  • We shared a story about the May 6, 2022 unveiling of the Monument in Gendringen, The Netherlands to commemorate those who lost their lives, including 41 Canadian soldiers and airmen.
  • We shared the story of the successful outcome of a photo search for WWII soldier Allan ‘Gordon’ COUTTS of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, who is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.
  • We shared a story of the tribute to 27 Ukrainian-Canadian soldiers at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands.
  • We shared a story about the search for WWII soldier Wilfred GIROUX who was in Gilze Rijen, The Netherlands in December 1944 and befriended a Dutch couple, and whose daughter wished to repatriate a photo and two Christmas cards to the Giroux family.
  • We shared the heart-warming story about how WWII soldier Frank MACEWEN and his friends made Christmas 1944 in England memorable for the Pearce family.

…Indigenous Soldiers….

We were able to tell the stories of the service by these WWII Indigenous soldiers:

  • WWII Indigenous soldier Philip LAFORTE from Manitoba, who was killed in The Netherlands.
  • WWII Indigenous soldier John ‘Jack’ Richard MARACLE from Ontario, who was killed in Germany.
  • WWII Indigenous soldier Stanley Owen JONES from British Columbia, who drowned on September 8, 1945 in Germany when the carrier he was in overturned in a ditch.

…. Stories About Servicemen From The Maritimes…

We also featured stories about servicemen from The Maritimes:

  • WWI soldier Theodore (Ted) Francis ARSENAULT from Prince Edward Island, who lost his life during the Battle of Amiens in France.
  • WWII soldier Bruce Wilbur CHURCHILL from Nova Scotia, who was accidentally killed in The Netherlands when a bullet from a Bren Gun ricocheted and hit him.
  • WWII airman Rowan Charles ‘Bunky’ FITZGERALD from Prince Edward Island, who was on the last flight of Halifax W1175 of the 405th Squadron when it was hit by shellfire and crashed onto a sandbank in the Wadden Sea off the Dutch coast.
  • WWII soldier Carman Edward GILLCASH from Prince Edward Island, who lost his life during the Battle of the Delfzijl Pocket in The Netherlands.
  • WWI soldier George Stanley HENNESSEY from Prince Edward Island, who was in the 1st Canadian Engineers Battalion and survived the war.
  • WWI soldier Chesley William HOWATT from Prince Edward Island, who was in the 50th Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force, and survived the war.
  • WWII soldier Richard Lea HOWATT from Prince Edward Island, who was a despatch rider and scout and survived the war.
  • WWI soldier John David MACDONALD from Prince Edward Island, who was in the 26th Battalion (New Brunswick Regiment) and survived the war.
  • WWII soldier Donald Charles MACKENZIE, from Nova Scotia, who was killed in The Netherlands.
  • WWII soldier George ‘Ivan’ MACKINNON, from Prince Edward Island, who was killed in The Netherlands during the defence of the Nijmegen Salient.
  • WWII soldier Michael Joseph ‘Joe’ MCKENNA, from Prince Edward Island, who was killed in The Netherlands during the Battle of Rha.
  • WWII soldier James ‘Frank’ MOSSEY, from Prince Edward Island, who was killed in The Netherlands while serving in the Carleton & York Regiment.
  • WWII soldier Harold Gordon SABEAN, from Nova Scotia, who was killed in The Netherlands while serving in the Carleton & York Regiment.
  • WWI soldier William ‘James’ SEAMAN from Prince Edward Island, who was in the 105th Overseas Battalion and survived the war.

…. Stories About Servicemen From Outside The Maritimes…

  • WWII soldier Elie ANTONYSZYN, from Manitoba, who died on July 15, 1945 in The Netherlands.
  • WWII soldier Albert Joseph COTE, born in Quebec but grew up in Ontario, who died on October 5, 1944, of wounds received during the Battle of the Leopold Canal in a prisoner of war field hospital in Germany,
  • WWII soldier Cecil Edward GOODREAU, from Ontario, who was killed in Germany during the Battle of Keppeln on February 26, 1945.
  • WWII soldier Andrew KERELCHUK, born in Manitoba but who moved to Ontario, and who was killed in Germany on April 19, 1945, during the Battle of the Küsten Canal.
  • WWII soldier Sam MATVICHUK, born in Saskatchewan but lived in Alberta, who was killed in The Netherlands on April 14, 1945 during the Battle of Groningen.
  • WWII soldier Neville William NESBIT, from Manitoba, who was killed in Germany on May 2, 1945 following the Battle for Bad Zwischenahn.
  • WWII soldier Anthony PETTA, from Ontario, who was killed in Germany during the Battle of Hochwald Gap on March 2, 1945, but whose death is recorded as March 3, 1945.
  • WWII soldier John RUSNAK, from Manitoba, who died in Germany on November 22, 1945 following a collision between his despatch motorcycle and a farm wagon.
  • WWII soldier John ‘Jack’ Langford WALKER, from Ontario, who was killed in Bad Zwischenahn, Germany on May 1, 1945.

…In Conversation And More….

  • We shared a few adventures that we had in North Bay in May, including people we met, a visit to the North Bay Cenotaph, and an Author Talk at the North Bay Public Library.
  • We wrote about the Author Talk at the Victoria Playhouse in Victoria-By-The-Sea in August.
  • We wrote about the Remembrance Day ceremonies we attended in Borden-Carleton and Kinkora, two Prince Edward Island communities.

…. Interviews To Highlight Search For Photos….

Pieter did several interviews:

  • On Friday, November 11, 2022, Pieter was interviewed by Todd van der Heyden of CTV news in a feature entitled Military researcher identifies 200 fallen soldiers | CTV News.
  • Charlotte MacAulay of the Eastern Graphic wrote about the successful photo search for WWII soldier George ‘Ivan’ MACKINNON, who is buried in The Netherlands. The article, ‘Sturgeon soldier’s photo discovered in church’, ran in the newspaper on November 9, 2022.
  • On Monday, November 7, 2022, Pieter was interviewed by Ceilidh Millar of CTV Atlantic News At 5 about the search for 4 soldiers of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment who died during the Battle of Bienen on March 25, 1945. You can read the article and watch the video.  See P.E.I. man identifying Canadian soldiers in the Netherlands | CTV News https://www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/article/maritime-man-appeals-to-public-for-help-in-identifying-lost-canadian-soldiers-overseas/
  • Kevin Rollason of the Winnipeg Free Press wrote about Pieter’s search for photos and featured the story of WWII Indigenous soldier Thomas CHASKE, then listed the names of several other soldiers from Manitoba who are buried in The Netherlands.  The article, ‘A name without a face’, ran online on November 4, 2022 and in the print edition on November 5, 2022.  See https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/2022/11/04/a-name-without-a-face
  • Charlotte MacAulay of the Eastern Graphic wrote about the photo search for WWII soldier George ‘Ivan’ MACKINNON, who is buried in The Netherlands. The article, Researcher seeking photo of Second World War soldier, ran in the newspaper on September 21, 2022.  This search was successful.
  • Pieter was interviewed by Charlotte MacAulay of the Eastern Graphic, about the photo search for WWII soldier James Frank MOSSEY, who is buried in The Netherlands.  The article, Researcher seeks photo of Souris soldier from Second World War, ran in the newspaper on June 1, 2022.  This search was successful.
  • Pieter and Daria were interviewed by Peter J. Wilson of the North Bay Nugget, about their research into soldiers buried in The Netherlands.  The article Couple devoted to telling fallen soldiers’ stories | North Bay Nugget ran in the online version on May 19, 2022 and in the print version on May 20, 2022.  See https://www.nugget.ca/news/couple-devoted-to-telling-fallen-soldiers-stories
  • Pieter was interviewed by Marcel Vink of De Telegraaf, a newspaper in The Netherlands, about his research into Canadian soldiers buried in The Netherlands.  The article Zoektocht naar gezichten (Quest For Faces) ran in the newspaper on May 4, 2022 – Remembrance Day in The Netherlands. See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/05/04/article-in-de-telegraaf-quest-for-faces-zoektocht-naar-gezichten/
  • Pieter was interviewed by Charlotte MacAulay of the Eastern Graphic, about the successful photo search for WWII soldier Barney McGuigan, who is buried in The Netherlands.  The article Search for teen soldier’s photo is successful, ran in the newspaper on January 13, 2022.  See https://www.peicanada.com/eastern_graphic/search-for-teen-soldier-s-photo-is-successful/article_eaee52fa-72e6-11ec-b539-d33f425bb7c3.html

…. Letters To The Editor For Photo Searches….

Letters to the editor in various newspapers were written in the quest for a photo for:

… Successful Search For Photos …..

Many WWII soldiers are buried in cemeteries in Europe.  Pieter continues to work with photo wish lists from Canadian War Cemeteries for WWII soldiers buried in The Netherlands.  This year we also received photos and information on soldiers buried in Belgium.

Photos of soldiers buried in Dutch cemeteries were forwarded to researchers there for their digital archive. Whenever possible, stories are featured on the blog but there is a backlog due to the success of Pieter’s research.  I can’t keep up! This year, photos were found for:

Buried in Holten Canadian War Cemetery in The Netherlands:

  1. Elie ANTONYSZYN
  2. William Eben BROWN
  3. Albert Joseph COTE
  4. John CULBERTSON
  5. Theodor ‘Ted’ HENSCHEL
  6. Andrew KERELCHUK
  7. Amil Adolph LARSON
  8. Donald Charles MACKENZIE
  9. Sam MATVICHUK
  10. Neville William NISBET
  11. Joseph Edmond ROBICHEAU
  12. John RUSNAK
  13. Harold Gordon SABEAN
  14. John Langford ‘Jack’ WALKER
  15. William Henry ‘Barney’ WEBB

 Buried in Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery in The Netherlands:

  1. Clifford BATEMAN
  2. John Joseph BOHON (BOHONKO)
  3. Charles ‘Marshall’ CARSON
  4. James Edward DUFFY
  5. Cecil Edward GOODREAU
  6. James Edward ‘Eddy’ DUFFY
  7. Marven Glenroy HARVEY
  8. Kitchener ‘Kitty’ LANGILLE
  9. John Richard ‘Jack’ MARACLE
  10. George ‘Ivan’ MACKINNON
  11. Marvin William MCGREGOR
  12. Laurie Douglas PAGE
  13. Wilfred Joseph ‘Willy’ POWER
  14. Anthony PETTA
  15. Louis Allan SEXTON

 Buried in Bergen Op Zoom Canadian War Cemetery in The Netherlands:

  1. Milton Evangeline LIVINGSTONE
  2. Robert K. VIDITTO

 Buried in an unmarked grave in The Netherlands following an aircrash:

  1. Rowan Charles ‘Bunky’ FITZGERALD

 Buried in Adegem Canadian War Cemetery in Belgium:

  1. David ‘Dave’ Stinson HENDERSON
  2. Ronald ‘Ronnie’ Sidney HOOLE

… The YouTube Channel….

In 2022 the following videos were posted on the YouTube channel:  On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter Valkenburg: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ591TyjSheOR-Cb_Gs_5Kw

  • S3E1 Book Trailer for ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten’
  • S3E2 Photo Search-WW2 Soldier Austin Havelock Munroe

…Thank you for your support and encouragement of this research project!…

As 2022 comes to an end, we would like to thank all who helped with researching these stories and contributed photos. We also thank readers of this blog, and the On The War Memorial Trail column in The County Line Courier, who suggested some of stories you’ve read.  A big thank you goes to Mike and Isabel Smith, owners of The County Line Courier.

Thank you to all the families that contributed photos and stories. Thank you to Judie Klassen and Shawn Rainville who volunteered their time to help find families of soldiers through newspaper and online searches. Thank you to Don Smith for answering any aircraft and military flight questions we’ve had.

Thank you to the media who helped publicize the search for photos and information – Bay Today, CBC Radio’s Mainstreet PEI, CTV News, CTV Atlantic News, Dauphin Herald, De Telegraaf, Eastern Graphic, North Bay Nugget, The Guardian, and the Winnipeg Free Press.

Last, but not least, the YouTube channel and videos would not be possible without the invaluable support of post-production editor Wendy Nattress.  Wendy also designed and manages the book website.

….Happy Holidays…

Pieter and I wish you all the best for the holidays and in 2023. May we never forget those who gave their lives for our freedom.

Xmas 2022 photo

Pieter’s research work continues. If you have photos or information to share, please email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or send a tweet to @researchmemori1.

© Daria Valkenburg

…Want to follow our research?….

If you are reading this posting, but aren’t following the blog, 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.

On The War Memorial Trail….. A Photo For WWI Soldier James Cairns

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December 4, 2022. When Pieter began researching the names on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion in 2015, he hoped to be able to put a face and story to each of the 48 names.  Over the years he was able to research each name, and we’ve told the story of each one, plus shared our visits made to the graves or memorials for many of them.

Unfortunately, up to now, photos for several have never been found.  The Cenotaph Wall of Remembrance in the Borden-Carleton Legion, which displays the photos of the men listed on the Cenotaph, has empty frames for those photos waiting to be found.

…The 7 year search for a photo of WWI soldier James Cairns…

20221130_194445 Empty Frame

Empty frame awaiting a photo of WWI soldier James Cairns.  (Photo credit: Kathy Henry)

One of those for which a photo was missing was James CAIRNS, born February 22, 1897 in Kinkora, the son of Thomas Cairns and Mary Jane MacDonald.  He later went to Manitoba to work, joining his brother Edward, a farmer, in Cartwright, Manitoba.

While living in Manitoba, WWI broke out, and James he enlisted in July 1916 with the 190th Battalion Manitoba Regiment (which later became what we know as the Royal Winnipeg Rifles). He was killed on August 9, 1918 in France during the Battle of Amiens, and is buried in Manitoba Cemetery in Caix, France.  We visited this cemetery in 2017. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2017/09/30/the-search-for-manitoba-cemetery/)

CIMG8561 Pte James Cairns

The grave of James Cairns at Manitoba Cemetery in Caix, France. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

…Various media appeals were not successful…

Inquiries and appeals for a photo were unsuccessful. Although James had 7 siblings, Pieter ran into one dead end after another.  On October 8, 2020, Vicki Wallace, editor of the Southern Manitoba Review in Cartwright, Manitoba, published Pieter’s letter to the editor.  (Unfortunately, this publication ceased publication at the end of 2021.)

Letter to the editor re James Cairns

While no photo of James Cairns resulted from the letter, Vicki Wallace did some research on Edward Cairns, the brother of James. Edward died on June 3, 1929 in a tragic farming accident, leaving behind a widow, Lily Victoria nee McKelvey, and several children, the youngest just 16 months old at the time of Edward’s death.

On November 11, 2021, Kevin Rollason of the Winnipeg Free Press put out an appeal for a photo at the end of an article about a very successful photo search for WWII soldier Edmond Coulombe, but we weren’t lucky twice.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/12/24/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-successful-search-for-a-photo-of-ww2-soldier-edmond-coulombe/)

We even tried a YouTube video appeal. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2020/12/17/the-search-for-a-photo-of-james-cairns-moves-to-youtube/)

…Success when the grandchildren of Edward Cairns sent a photo…

Then, with the help of Judie Klassen, family members of Edward’s son Alvin were found.  Sisters Kelly Slade and Shannon Cairns Zemp got in contact, and Shannon sent a photo of James and their grandfather Edward.  “…Our brother Patrick had the photo…” she explained.

Her father Alvin received it from a family member on a trip made to the Island with an 18 year old Shannon in 1990. “...My dad, Alvin Walter and my Mom, Patricia, were searching for members of the Cairns Family – which is how we have the picture that we have of James and Edward. I want to thank you Pieter for remembering James and I thank you for your hard work…”

Coloured photo James and Edward Cairns

James Cairns (left) with his older brother Edward. (Photo courtesy of the Cairns Family.  Photo colourization: Pieter Valkenburg)

…10 photos are still to be found for the names on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion….

The photo of James Cairns will soon be in that empty frame on the Legion wall, and Pieter hopes that more of the empty frames will be filled over the coming year. “…Unfortunately, photos for 8 from WWI and 2 from WWII have yet to be found….” he said.  Can YOU help with this photo wish list?

Names still without faces from WWI

  • 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
  • Charles LOWTHER, born in North Carleton
  • Arthur Clinton ROBINSON, born in Tryon
  • Harry ROBINSON, born in Augustine Cove UPDATE: photo found

Names still without faces from WWII

  • Leonard Stephen AVERY, born in Bedeque   UPDATE: photo found
  • Ernest Ramey GALLANT, born in Borden

A huge thank you goes out to Shannon Cairns Zemp for providing a photo on behalf of the family, to Vicki Wallace for publishing the letter to the editor in the Southern Manitoba Review and researching what happened to Edward Cairns, and to Judie Klassen for researching Edward’s descendants. If you can help with the photo search request or have a story to tell, please let Pieter know. Email him 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/

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 on the book, please 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.

On The War Memorial Trail….. Remembrance Day On The Island

/ On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 2 Comments

RemembranceDayHeader

November 13, 2022. Remembrance Week is always busy at our place. This year was a bit different as we gave a presentation featuring a few of the names listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion, at the Legion’s Remembrance Day indoor service – prior to the placing of wreaths and crosses at the Cenotaph.

RCL Nov 11 2022 Presentation They Arent Just Names On A Cenotaph

This was the title of our presentation.

…11 photos are still to be found for the names on the Cenotaph….

There are 48 names from WWI and WWII listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion.  Unfortunately, photos for 9 from WWI and 2 from WWII have not been found.  The story of each one has been told in previous postings on this blog.

Names still without faces from WWI

  • James CAIRNS, born in Kinkora
  • 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
  • Charles LOWTHER, born in North Carleton
  • Arthur Clinton ROBINSON, born in Tryon
  • Harry ROBINSON, born in Augustine Cove

Names still without faces from WWII

  • Leonard Stephen AVERY, born in Bedeque
  • Ernest Ramey GALLANT, born in Borden

 … We attend Remembrance Day ceremonies in Borden-Carleton and Kinkora…..

November 11, 2022 was a cool day for the Remembrance Day service at the Legion in Borden-Carleton, Prince Edward Island.

CIMG6027 Nov 11 2022 Borden Carleton Legion Ceremony Pieter and Danny Bernard

Pieter and Danny Bernard walk to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph in Borden-Carleton on behalf of the Government of Canada. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

CIMG6028 Nov 11 2022 Borden Carleton Legion Ceremony Pieter lays wreath

Pieter placed the wreath on behalf of the Government of Canada at the Cenotaph in Borden-Carleton. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

CIMG6035 Nov 11 2022 Cenotaph at Borden Carleton Legion

Flag bearers Arthur Ranahan (left) and George Palmer (right) are flanked by representatives from the Fire Brigade and RCMP at the Cenotaph in Borden-Carleton. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

In the afternoon, members of the Legion attended the Remembrance Day ceremony in Kinkora.

CIMG6039 Nov 11 2022 Kinkora Pieter and Heath MacDonald

Pieter Valkenburg with The Honourable Heath MacDonald, MP for Malpeque after laying a wreath on behalf of the Government of Canada in Kinkora.

…Remembrance Day didn’t end with the two ceremonies!…

After we returned home in the late afternoon, cold and tired, we learned that CTV News wanted to interview Pieter during a live broadcast.  So, after a short rest, Pieter was interviewed by Todd van der Heyden of CTV news.  You can watch Military researcher identifies 200 fallen soldiers | CTV News at https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2561931

Remembrance Day may be over for another year, but Pieter’s research work continues.  If you have photos and information to share about Canadian soldiers, please contact Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or send a tweet to @researchmemori1.

…Want to follow our research?….

If you are reading this posting, but aren’t following the blog, you are welcome to do so.  See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/ or email me at dariadv@yahoo.ca and ask for an invitation to the blog.

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEuropeDaria’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 on the book, please 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.

© Daria Valkenburg

The Author Talk At Victoria Playhouse

/ On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 2 Comments
20220811_142252_HDR Aug 10 2022 Daria at Author Talk in Victoria

Daria onstage at the Victoria Playhouse, talking about trying to find a cemetery in Rouen.  (Photo credit: Brenda Boudreau)

August 17, 2022. When Brenda Boudreau of the Victoria Historical Society invited us to participate in the Our Island Talks lecture series, we of course said yes.  That was back in the winter and August seemed such as long time away.  Time flew by quickly and before we knew it, the date appeared.

We didn’t know what to expect as so many people had attended previous presentations or had followed the stories over the years on this blog or in the County Line Courier newspaper.

So we were delighted to see many familiar faces in the audience and to meet new people in what turned out to be a successful and enjoyable experience. 

….CBC Radio Interview….

20220727_105505_HDR Jul 27 2022 Photo op at Victoria Playhouse Daria & Pieter by Brenda Boudreau

Photo op outside the Victoria Playhouse prior to the Author Talk. (Photo credit: Brenda Boudreau)

Matt Rainnie interviewed me for CBC PEI’s Mainstreet PEI program about the Author Talk at the Victoria Playhouse on August 11, 2022, part of the Our Island Talks Series. The interview about the book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten’ aired August 5, 2022.  See https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-130-mainstreet-pei/clip/15929265-daria-valkenburgs-book

…The Author Talk allowed us to meet and greet…

Aug 11 2022 Victoria Playhouse Author Talk Presentation Slideshow

Here are photos of a few of the attendees.  We didn’t have a chance to catch everyone, unfortunately, but we would have liked to!

20220813_184440_HDR Aug 14 2022 Brenda Boudreau with book sent by herself

Brenda Boudreau with book. (Photo courtesy of Brenda Boudreau)

Brenda Boudreau, Past President of the Victoria Historical Society, has had two relatives featured on the blog – her great-uncle, WWI soldier Heath Ward MACQUARRIE (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/03/21/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-fisherman-who-lost-his-life-in-france-while-a-ww1-soldier/) and her father, Robert ‘Scott’ MACQUARRIE (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2020/12/06/the-ww2-christmas-menu/).

CIMG5756 Aug 11 2022 Pieter with Sandra Bourque Author Talk Victoria

Sandra Bourque and Pieter at the Author Talk.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

The story of Sandra Bourque’s relative, WWII soldier Barney Reuben MCGUIGAN, who is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek, The Netherlands, was previously told on this blog.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/12/23/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-photo-search-for-barney-mcguigan-is-successful/)

CIMG5748 Aug 7 2022 Estelle and George Dalton with book

Estelle and George Dalton with the book prior to the Author Talk.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

George Dalton had bought a book for himself and one to present to a sculptor restoring a WW1 memorial in Summerside. Some of the soldiers listed on the memorial have their stories told in the book. (See https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-summerside-ww1-sculpture-restoration-1.6543838)

CIMG5757 Aug 11 2022 Mario Henry with book

Mario Henry with book.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Mario Henry was recently featured as the veteran who rescued the photo of WWI soldier Lloyd Clifford SHORTLIFF of Nova Scotia.  (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/07/31/the-ww1-soldier-from-barton-whose-body-was-never-recovered/)

Pieter with Betty Jeffery photo from Brenda

Betty Jeffery with Pieter.  (Photo credit: Brenda Boudreau)

We had not previously met Betty Jeffery, whose relative, WWI soldier Joseph Arthur DESROCHES, is buried at Ligny Saint-Flochel British Cemetery in France. We’d visited his grave in 2017 and his story is told in the book.  Up to now, however, no one has been able to find a photo of him. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2020/11/15/the-continuing-search-for-a-photo-of-ww1-soldier-joseph-arthur-desroches/)

20220811_152928_HDR Aug 11 2022 Daria with Duane and Anne MacEwen with book

Daria with Duane and Ann MacEwen. (Photo credit: Brenda Boudreau)

Duane MacEwen, Past President of PEI Command, Royal Canadian Legion, and his wife Ann, were featured in a story about the luncheon hosted for Korean War Veterans in 2021. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2021/09/24/pei-korean-war-veterans-luncheon-hosted-by-the-embassy-of-the-republic-of-korea/) 

Duane was also part of the delegation present when the Dutch embassy presented Her Honour The Honourable Antoinette Perry, Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island, with a box of tulips at a special event at Province House in 2019. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2019/09/17/liberation-75-commemoration-event-at-province-house/)

Thank you to Brenda Boudreau of the Victoria Historical Society, and to Emily and Pat Smith of the Victoria Playhouse for inviting us to participate in the Our Island Talks series, and for looking after the publicity and logistics.  Thank you to Matt Rainnie for taking the time to do an interview.  Pieter and I also thank all who attended the Author Talk and to those who supported our research by purchasing a book.

If you have a story to share, please let Pieter know. You can mail him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or send a 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.  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.

On The War Memorial Trail….. The WWI Soldier From Pisquid Who Served In The 26th Battalion

/ On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter & Daria / 2 Comments
CIMG5556 May 7 2022 Pieter and Bloyce

Bloyce McLellan (left) with Pieter Valkenburg.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

August 7, 2022. We very much appreciate hearing from families whose relatives served in WWI or WWII.  Recently, Bloyce McLellan of North Tryon, Prince Edward Island, contacted us about his uncle, WWI veteran John David MACDONALD.

colorized photo McDonald

WWI soldier John David MacDonald.  (Photo courtesy of the MacDonald Family.  Photo restoration and colourization by Pieter Valkenburg)

“…My Mother was Elizabeth (Eliza) Matilda MacDonald from Pisquid, Prince Edward Island. She married my father and moved to Arlington, Grand River, Prince Edward Island. I was the youngest of 11 children and brought up on a mixed farming operation there.

My mother would tell us stories about her brother John David MacDonald. As a young fellow he assisted with the farming and had some schooling.  He did a lot of hunting around the farm and became a very good marksman with a rifle. When the Germans invaded Europe, he signed up with the Canadian Military along with some of his friends….”

Born January 13, 1896, John David MacDonald was the son of Allan Joseph and Annie MacDonald.  (The surname was sometimes spelled McDonald.)  When he enlisted with the 105th Overseas Battalion in Charlottetown on June 10, 1916, he stated that he had been a member of the 82nd Regiment Militia, also known as the Abegweit Light Infantry. This Militia had been on active service since August 6, 1914 for local protection. (See https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/military-history/history-heritage/official-military-history-lineages/lineages/armour-regiments/prince-edward-island-regiment.html)

After basic training, John David left Halifax, Nova Scotia aboard the Empress of Britain on July 15, 1916, as part of the 105th Overseas Battalion, and arrived in Liverpool, England on July 25, 1916.  He was sent to various camps in England for training, before leaving for France on August 27, 1917.

On September 8, 1917 he was transferred to the 26th Battalion (New Brunswick Regiment) while they were near Vimy, France.  He was with the Regiment as it moved north to the Ypres Salient for the Battle of Passchendaele.  After Passchendaele, the Regiment returned to the area near Vimy, France before moving towards Lens.

Bloyce recalls his mother explaining that “…because he was a highly skilled marksman, John David was chosen to be a sniper. A sniper’s prime task was to go out into No Man’s Land and take out the German Machine Gun nests particularly before the Allies launched their attacks or assaults. If he was not successful there would be a lot of Canadian lives lost as the German Machine Guns would mow down many of the Allied soldiers on their advance…”

…. The role of a sniper during WWI….

During WWI, snipers and sharpshooters in World War I not only destroyed enemy positions such as machine gun nests, but also were used for psychological warfare in quieter periods. 

Nothing in John David’s service file specifically indicated he was a sniper, but this was not unusual. Soldiers who were experienced with guns were in high demand.

…John David was wounded twice….

On February 26, 1918 the Regiment was stationed in Lievin in northern France.  The war diary of the 26th Battalion for that day noted that a Working Party “…from ‘C’ Company working in vicinity of Junction AMULET trench and CROCODILE trench suffered some casualties….” John David was in this Working Party and was admitted to No. 6 Field Ambulance Depot for a gunshot wound to his left cheek.

On March 1, 1918 he was transferred to No. 18 General Hospital in Camiers, France for further treatment and discharged on March 14. He was based at a Casualty Clearing Station in Etaples before being sent back to the front on April 20, 1918.  The Regiment was holding the front east of Neuville Vitasse before moving to Amiens in August 1918.

The war diary for the 26th Battalion for September 21, 1918 noted that there was “…shelling during early morning in vicinity of Battalion Headquarters….. Casualties six other ranks wounded...”  John David was among those wounded as he had received bomb wounds on both legs, his face, and hands, and was sent to No. 4 Casualty Clearing Station in Poperinge, Belgium.

On September 30, 1918 he was admitted to No. 16 General Hospital in Orpington, Kent, England for treatment on his legs.  He wasn’t discharged until November 26, 1918.

In January 1919 he returned to Canada and was officially discharged in Charlottetown on April 15, 1919.  Bloyce’s mother told him that her brother returned home to Pisquid after the war “…walking up the lane at home with a limp due to his injuries….”

…A successful life in spite of post-traumatic stress….

Bloyce continued with his mother’s recollections.  “…John David was never the same after the war. He had been a happy go lucky boy before the war but the war really tore him apart. Not just being wounded in action twice, but mentally he had considerable pain and significant stress.  He relived the horrors of war with nightmares….”

John David became a farmer and married Catherine Bernadette McKinnon on February 23, 1927. They brought up a family of 7 girls and 4 boys.

John David died in 1961, and is buried in St. Andrews Roman Catholic Cemetery in Mount Stewart, Prince Edward Island.

176995815_1488691690 grave JD MacDonald

Grave of John David MacDonald. (Photo source: http://www.findagrave.com)

… ‘This man was a hero without a doubt’ – Bloyce McLellan….

Bloyce reflected that “…in reviewing his military file I was quite shocked that John David never received any notable medal – a man that risked his life, health, and his future for his country. This man was a hero without a doubt, wounded in action and will remain in the history of our country an unsung hero.  When I heard my mother’s stories and read John David’s military file that Pieter and Daria Valkenburg were able to research for me, there was no question in my mind. Although he was a little farm boy from Pisquid, he stood tall and risked his life time and again for his countrymen and his country. No country could ask more from any man. He gave it all.…”

Thank you to Bloyce McLellan for sharing his mother’s recollections about her brother and obtaining a photo.  If you have a story to share, please let Pieter know. You can email him at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or send a tweet to @researchmemori1.

© Daria Valkenburg

Upcoming Author Talk: Thursday, August 11, 2022 – Victoria-By-The-Sea, Prince Edward Island, part of the ‘Our Island Talks’ series, and hosted by Victoria Playhouse and Victoria Historical Association. Time: 2:00 pm.

…Previous stories of Islanders who were aboard the ‘Empress of Britain’ with John David MacDonald….

Several Islanders, whose stories have previously been told, also sailed to England on the ‘Empress of Britain’ in July 1916. Among them were:

…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.