The main duties of the Canadian Army Service Corps (CASC) in France centered on the transport and supply of food, forage, ammunition, equipment, clothing and engineering material and stores. Corps personnel also repaired motor vehicles and each division had an ambulance repair workshop. In England, the CASC also responsible for feeding the troops. 1st Divisional Train, one of five Trains to serve with the CASC.
Organization
Organized at Valcartier in August 1914 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel William Amor Simson. Then, arrived in England on 14 October 1914, strength: 7 officers, 60 other ranks. LCol Simson began the war diary on 9 November 1914, owing to the late arrival of the document at West Down North on Salisbury Plain.
The Divisional Train moved to Larkhill South, Salisbury Plain on Christmas Eve 1914. Firstly, arrangements made to establish a Base Depot to feed the troops through the Supply Column. Secondly, LCol Simson visited the Horse Lines of No.4 Company Divisional Train at 6 am, and found the lines to be disgraceful. Finally, with many men on leave, Simson instructed the O.C. to stop all leave and recall men immediately.
1915
On 11 January 1915, horses are judged to be in poor shape, and the Train would not be able to move if required. The following day, horse waggons are drawn from the 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade. Then, instructions received to form a Field Bakery on 28 January 1915.
Entrained for France at BULFORD SIDING on 7 February 1915. Onboard SS CITY OF BENARES, 10 February. Finally, arrived at Saint Nazaire. in France on 12 February 1915 with the 1st Canadian Division. Two days spent on the train, before disembarking at Strazeele Station about 11 pm. on 15 February 1915. Finally, marched to billets near Hazebrouck, No.1 Company in billets at La Kreule. In addition, HQ moved to Caestre on 21 February.
Second Battle of Ypres
Several officers had very narrow escapes from shells at Ypres on 20 April 1915. Firstly, many inhabitants and French soldiers pass through the Train on their way to the rear as the Germans launch the first major gas attack of the war on 22 April 1915. Then, the next two days are spent attempting to stay in touch with the artillery which moves constantly. In addition, waggons are rushed to St-Julien and Wieltje.
First week of May 1915 spent at Hilhoek, before moving to Steenwerck on 6 May 1915. Then, three days later, the first casualty of the Train, Driver Charles Kerse 30155, son of Gavin H Kerse, of Huntspool, Earlston, Berwickshire, Scotland. In addition, presumed to have died on or after 9 May 1915, and Driver Kerse listed on the Menin Gate Memorial.
On 9 May 1915, Private Percy Paul Barlow 340003 to be awarded the Russian Medal of St. George for bravery during Second Battle of Ypres. Then, the Train moved to La Pierriere on 15 May. In addition, the Train now feeding troops from Poperinghe and Ypres to Busnes and Le Cornet Malo. Finally, the train spends the last two weeks of May and June at Oblinghem.
First two weeks of July spent at La Creche, before taking up permanent residence at De Broeken on 15 May 1915. Finally, the Train moves to Flêtre, Nord Department, France on 31 March 1916, and back to Lyssenthoek, Belgium on 4 April 1916. Then, the Train spends considerable time at Shoodmonthoek.
Battle of Vimy Ridge
The Train suffer several casualties during the Battle of Vimy Ridge, including Corporal Frederick Charles Counter MM 30250. Finally, Fred died of wounds at No.22 Casualty Clearing Station, and buried at Bruay Communal Cemetery Extension.
On 2 May 1917, Driver Leonard William Warren 117607, killed-in-action and buried at Ste. Catherine British Cemetery. The following day, on 3 May 1917, Driver George Ramsden Longbottom 457293 killed-in-action and died of wounds at No.1 Casualty Clearing Station. Finally, buried at Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension. In addition, Driver George Henry Nevison 4761 also died of wounds at wounds at No.1 Casualty Clearing Station.
Ariane
Wednesday, 2 May 1917, a fine day. Refilling at 9 am. Ariane about 2000 yards south of Neuville St. Vaast on the La Targette-Arras Road. Then, twenty five remounts arrived for No.2 and 3 Companies. The O.C. inspected all Company Lines and found them in good shape.
The BRUNEHAUT FARM area about 3000 yards in rear of the Train shelled by heavy guns. Then, in the evening, about 9:45 pm., a German aeroplane bombed and machine-gunned the Train. Finally, two killed, 3 fatally wounded, 9 wounded and 13 horses killed or wounded.
Private Leonard William Warren 117607, son of Mary A. Warren, of 534, 17th Avenue East, Calgary, Alberta. Killed-in-action 2 May 1917. Then, buried at Ste. Catherine British Cemetery. In addition, please note, the cemetery may be difficult to find, as there are only two walking paths to access the cemetery.
Deutscher Soldatenfriedhof Neuville-Saint-Vaast
The location of the Train on 2 May 1917, directly opposite the post-Great War cemetery of Deutscher Soldatenfriedhof Neuville-Saint-Vaast.
One year before the Armistice, on 11 November 1917, Private Pete Peltier 18077 killed (GSW penetrating chest) and buried at Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery.
1918
On 9 April 1918, Driver William Thomas Russell King 44031 killed and buried at Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi. In addition, son of Mary and Alexander King, of St. John’s, Newfoundland. Brother of Herbert, John and Arthur King. Finally, William Thomas Russell an alias for William King.
Battle of Amiens
During the Battle of Amiens, near Caix on 11 August 1918, the day before the HALLU EIGHT buried by the German Alpine Korps, Private Henry William Seaman 186703, sleeping under a tank, killed by a bomb dropped by an enemy aeroplane and buried at Caix British Cemetery.
On 20 August 1918, Sergeant William Christopher 204, Mentioned in Despatches, killed and buried at Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension. In addition, Sgt Christopher son of John and Fanny Christopher, of Newport, Mon., England, husband of Lillian Christopher, of 257, Jarvis St., Toronto, Ontario.
Cologne, Germany
1st Divisional Train C.A.S.C. participated in the March to the Rhine, and the Allied Occupation of Germany along with the 1st Canadian Division.
Then, the Train crossed the Rhine river on 13 December 1918.
Demobilization
On 11 February 1919, Private Frank C Box 113101 died of pneumonia and buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery. In addition, Frank, the son of James Richard and Sarah Eliza Box (nee Tyler).
The 1st Divisional Train, CASC returned to England on 29 March 1919.
On 15 June 1919, Corporal James Thomas Beckett 30265, following a long illness (malaria) died and buried at Leytonstone (St. Patrick’s) Roman Catholic Cemetery.
On 2 October 1919, the final casualty of the Train during the Great War, Sergeant Major Frederick Philip Howe 30700 buried at Hamilton Cemetery. In addition, son of Mrs. Sarah Horsley (formerly Howe), of I, Market Square, Kineton, Warwick, England, and the late James Howe, husband of Mary Howe.
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