The Cameron Brothers in the Great War

The Cameron Brothers of Guysborough County, Nova Scotia, in the Great War. Lieutenant John Angus Cameron DSO, and Sergeant Alexander Cameron MM. Both of the Cameron Brothers medalled. Johan Angus received his DSO at Buckingham Palace, while younger brother Alexander’s Military Medal, was awarded posthumously.

Sergeant Alexander Cameron MM

The younger of the Cameron brothers was Sergeant Alexander Cameron MM 467436. Alexander was born 28 February 1891, in Caledonia, Guysborough County, Nova Scotia. Fifth of nine children of Daniel Angus and Margaret Canerin of 8592, Shaghnessy St., Point Gray, British Columbia. He was a Locomotive Fireman. Alexander attests 15 June 1915 with 56th Battery, CEF. He stood 6′ tall, 185 pounds, with fair complexion, hazel eyes, and brown hair. He was Presbyterian.

Alexander admits to Royal Alexandrian Hospital, Edmonton, on 24 November 1915 with a cold. He discharges on 2 December 1915. Confirmed in rank of Sergeant, 23 April 1916.

Arrived in England aboard RMS METAGAMA, on 5 May 1916, 63rd Battalion. T.o.S. 29th Battalion, Shorncliffe, 28 June 1916. Reverts to ranks, in order to proceed overseas, on 7 July 1916. He joins his new unit at Albert Camp, near St. Eloi, Belgium, on 30 July 1916. Alexander serves in Belgium with the 29th Battalion for six weeks. Then, the 29th Battalion relocates to the Somme. But, while the battalion does not participate in the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, personnel provide carrying parties for front line units.

Somme

Subsequently, the 29th Batallion takes part in the initial attacks on German defences in front of Regina Trench in late September and early October. However, Alexander is not part of the attacks. Alexander completes a Lewis Gun course during this time, and rejoins his comrades on 4 October 1916. Then, admitted to Field Ambulance, I.C.T. Right knee, 29 October 1916. Admits to Divisional Resting Station, 31 October 1916. Rejoins unit, 5 November 1916.

The 29th depart the Somme region following Alexander’s return, and move northward to sectors near Arras. During his winter service, Alexander promoted to Lance Corporal, and soon advanced to the full rank of Corporal. On 20 February 1917, Alexander appointed Lance Sergeant, a Corporal acting in the rank of Sergeant.

Vimy Ridge

The 29th Battalion participates in the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Shortly after mid-day. the 29th’s soldiers enter the battle as the 6th Brigade carried out the attack’s second phase. Personnel succeed in securing their objectives on the outskirts of Farbus by mid-afternoon. Alexander’s actions at Vimy Ridge earn him the Military Medal for bravery.

Throughout the remainder of the month, the 29th Battalion serve on rotation in sectors in front of the newly captured ridge. On the night of May 3/4, its soldiers occupy a section of newly established line beyond the village of Fresnoy and endure heavy artillery fire, as they set about consolidating the position. By May 6, [the] men [were} beginning to show [the] strain of continual bombardment, although casualties were light.

The Death of Sergeant Alexander Cameron MM

Conditions were cloudy on the morning of May 7, but the weather improves as the day progresses. During the evening hours, 19th Battalion arrives to relieve the 29th’s soldiers. As they were retiring from the line, their location came under heavy enemy shelling during [an enemy] attack to recapture Fresnoy. Three of ‘B’ Company’s Lewis Gun crews remain in the line with the 19th’s soldiers, and assist in defending the position. During the fighting, two guns were put out of action, and of the third crew, all but No.1 were killed or wounded.

Sergeant Alexander Cameron, is one of six Other Ranks killed during the evening attack. Sergeant Alexander Cameron, Killed-in-Action, east of Neuville-St.-Vaast, 7 May 1917. His remains are not recovered from the battlefield. Therefore, his name is found on the Canadian War Memorial, Vimy Ridge. One of 11,285 Canadian soldiers missing, presumed dead somewhere beneath the battlefields of northern France.

Military Medal

Sergeant Alexander Cameron posthumously awarded Military Medal for gallantry and bravery in the field at Vimy Ridge, 27 August 1917, London Gazette, No. 30172, 6 July 1917.

This N.C.O.[,] after completing consolidation under heavy fire and great difficulties, showed much skill in handling his Lewis Guns. In spite of heavy shell, fire, he harassed the enemy’s gunners and did splendid work in causing them to retire, leaving their guns.

Lieutenant John Angus Cameron DSO

The older of the Cameron brothers, Lieutenant John Angus Cameron DSO was born at Caledonia, Guysborough County on 8 December 1889. He is the fourth of Margaret A. and Daniel Angus Cameron’s nine children. After graduating from Pictou Academy, John Angus heads west sometime before 1911. John eventually finds employment, as a school teacher, near Medicine Hat, Alberta.

Enlistment

Perhaps in connection to his school responsibilities, John Angus volunteers as a Cadet Instructor. Four years of militia experience earn him the commissioned rank of Lieutenant. He enlists with the 63rd Battalion (Alberta) at Medicine Hat on 1 July 1915. Younger brother, Alexander, attested with the 56th Battery (Calgary) shortly afterward, and was transferred to John Angus’s unit in late October 1915.

Following a winter’s training in western Canada, the 63rd travel by train to Saint John, NB. Then, they depart for overseas on 22 April 1916. Shortly after landing in England, the Cameron brothers were re-assigned to separate units. Finally, Alexander receives a transfer to the 29th Battalion in late June 1916, and immediately departs for France. Tragically, he is killed in action near Fresnoy-en-Gohelle, France, on 7 May 1917.

As a commissioned officer, John Angus’ time in England is considerably longer, stretching well into 1917. During that time, he is assigned to the 9th Reserve Battalion. Firstly, he serves as a bombing instructor at the Clapham Common Bombing School. Secondly, on 27 June 1917, he transfers to the 31st (Alberta) Battalion and proceeds to France. Finally, after a brief period with an entrenching battalion, he joins his new unit in the field, in mid-August.

Western Front

Assigned to the 2nd Canadian Division’s 6th Brigade, the 31st Battalion has commenced service in Belgium’s Ypres Salient in late September 1915. At the time of John Angus’s arrival, its personnel are providing carrying parties for Canadian units during an attack on Hill 70, near Lens, France. Then, the 31st serve a regular rotation in France into the autumn of 1917, and move northward into Belgium’s Ypres Salient, for the Second Battle of Passchendaele in late October.

Second Battle of Passchendaele

On 6 November 1917, Lt. Cameron led the 31st’s No. 4 Platoon. Its objective was on Passchendaele Ridge during the third stage of the Canadian Corps’ Passchendaele offensive. Wounded during the initial advance, he remains at duty, leading a successful attack on a well-defended German post. John Angus remains in the line until a second wound necessitates his evacuation to a nearby field ambulance. Finally, his stellar leadership, and determination in the field earn him the Distinguished Service Order.

Invalided to England

Invalided to England one week later, John Angus undergoes treatment for a shoulder wound, and makes a complete recovery. Following several weeks’ convalescence, he reports to the 21st Reserve Battalion, on December 31, 1917.

Three weeks later, rejoins the 31st Battalion in France. At this time, the unit is completing routine winter rotations in the Avion Sector, near La Coulotte, France.

The Death of Lieutenant John Angus Cameron DSO

Tours continued into the following month. The unit’s soldiers work to improve the front trenches, and conduct nightly patrols into No Man’s Land, probing German defences. Then, the unit’s war diary takes note of one particular example. In the early morning hours of 17 February 1918, John Angus leads a routine patrol into No Man’s Land. Suddenly, the group encounter a German patrol. A fire-fight ensues. Tragically, Lieutenant John Cameron dies during the subsequent exchange of fire.

Thélus Cemetery

John was the first Guysborough County fatality during the war’s final year. John Angus Cameron lies in Thélus Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. In the years following the war, family members erected a stone in Bethel Presbyterian Church, Caledonia, in memory of the Cameron brothers, Lieutenant John Angus Cameron DSO and, Sergeant Alexander Cameron MM.

More

Alexander Cameron’s story is one of 71 other soldiers and sailors with connections to Guysborough County, all of whom died during the first three years of Canadian service on the Western Front. See Bruce F. MacDonald’s book from Bantry Publishing, First World War Honour Roll of Guysborough County, Nova Scotia, Volume I: 1915 – 1917. The text is available for purchase online at bantrypublishing.ca

John Angus Cameron’s story is one of 64 profiles contained in Bruce MacDonald’s book from Bantry Publishing, First World War Honour Roll of Guysborough County, Nova Scotia, Volume II: 1918 – 1937. The text is also available for purchase online at bantrypublishing.ca

More

• Home of CEFRG
• Blog
• CEFRG on FaceBook
• CEFRG on YouTube
• Soldiers and Nursing Sisters
• Units (Brigades, Battalions, Companies)
• War Diary of the 18th Battalion (Blog)
• 116th Battalion CEF – The Great War
• Les Soldats du Québec Morts en Service
• Webmatters Carte de Route First World War
• Montreal Aviation Museum
• Battles of the Great War
• Cases
• Cemeteries
• Memorials
• On This Day
• About CEFRG

Please subscribe to CEFRG to be notified by email when there are new posts. Subscription is free, and your email kept confidential.