Before the Great War, Michael Francis Fallon 1613 was a member of the Non-Permanent Active Militia. Michael Francis Fallon was the first-born of Dominic Fallon and Bridget Egan Fallon. They had immigrated from Ireland to settle in Kingston, Canada West. Roman Catholic Bishop Michael Francis Fallon, was born at Kingston, on 17 May 1867.
Fallon became the leader of Ontario’s Irish Catholics who were struggling with Franco-Ontarians. They were trying to prevent the acceptance of bilingual schooling. During his more than 20 years as bishop, Fallon addressed the Ontario Schools Question of 1912-27. He died a hero to many Irish Catholics, but a demon to Franco-Ontarians.
Early Life
Fallon graduates from the University of Ottawa. He chose to enter the Ottawa Seminary to read Philosophy with a view to Holy Orders. Three years later, in 1892, at the age of twenty-five, Fallon is accepted into the Novitiate of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Then, he is sent to Aachen, Holland, for his novitiate. His year in Aachen, he is among German students from the aristocratic, middle and peasant classes. It awakes Fallon to the serious devotion of many Germans to dreams of European domination, and, possibly, in time, of world domination.
He constantly hears der Tag as the fervent toast of these students from the German Reich. Along with this militant toast, these same students have no hesitation in revealing to Fallon the expansionist ambitions of their country, since Fallon, although a British subject, is of Irish extraction. Fallon, with an amused astuteness cheerfully allows his German colleagues to persist in their assumption that every Irishman is anti-British, and, therefore, pro-German. When Fallon departs from Aachen for Rome, he has no illusions about German plans for the future.
Head of the Canadian Chaplaincy
Firstly, starting in the fall of 1915, Bishop Michael Francis Fallon, represents the Catholic hierarchy to the Canadian government regarding the provision of chaplains. Then, in May 1918, the latter position leads him to England, and France at the request of the Canadian government. During four months abroad, Bishop Fallon wrote, in great detail, what he witnessed, with whom he met, scenes and descriptions of the War, and the status of Canadian soldiers, among many other fascinating accounts.
Then, on 24 April 1918, Fallon boards SS ADRIATIC sailing to England with a convoy of 12 ships. Notably, there are about 3,000 US troops onboard. They have a scary night when a U-boat surfaces beside them, but a phony gun mounted on the ship gives the U-Boat commander second thoughts. Then, on 7 May 1918, they land at Liverpool. Fallon meets with Sir George Perley on 16 May, prior to heading for the Western Front..
Western Front
Fallon left London on 20 May 1918, disembarking at Boulogne. Then, he traveled to Pernes, where he is greeted by Sir Arthur Currie, and invited in as a guest in his mess. Then, after dinner, Fallon has a long talk with Lieutenant-General Currie. He came away most-impressed by the Canadian Corps Commander. “The combination of ability and simplicity, of high concern, and humility in General Currie, is such as I have rarely, if ever found in any other person.”
On 21 May 1918, Fallon went out to the battlefields with Currie in his car.. At first, he meets General Horne, and the 1st Battalion. Then, he went over to Le château de Brias to meet General Watson. Then, he went to Frevillers, and came back via Houdain. Finally, at 22h45, their car is fortunately a little late. But suddenly, a German Airship drops a heavy bomb. Only 100 yards in front of them, a huge crater is blown. However, the cars were strictly forbidden to use their headlamps at night. In conclusion, it is unlikely the Canadian Corps Commander was the intended target.
Camblain-l’Abbé
On 23 May 1918, Fallon meets with the Canadian Chaplains at Canadian Corps HQ, Camblain-l’Abbé. Note, the third man from the left in the rear row is Honorary Captain Charles Augustine Fallon, the brother of Bishop Fallon. Another brother, Honorary Captain James Patrick Fallon is not present, since he is currently posted to Shorncliffe Camp in England.
(Front, L-R): Captains Reverend F.M. Lockary, R.A. MacDonnell, Maj. Rev. T.M. McCarthy, Lt. Col. Rev. F.L. French, Rt. Rev. Michael Francis Fallon (Bishop of London, Ont.), Majs. Rev. D. MacPherson, Miles Tompkins, J.J. O’Gorman, Capt. Rev. H.E. Letang. (Second row, L-R): Capts. Rev. J.R. O’Gorman, F.P. White, W.L. Murray, W.B. Carleton, G.J. Coté, B.J. Murdock, J.L. Bradley, A.B.W. Wood, M.J. Pickett. (Third row, L-R): Capts. Rev. M.D. Staley, E. Hawks, Charles Augustine Fallon, Ewen J. MacDonald, P. MacDonald, J.J. Desjardins, M. Gillis, J.F. Nicholson.
Meeting of the Chaplains
The Meeting of the Chaplains was long. Firstly, twenty-four subjects were discussed. The first two points, bringing good and bad news. Firstly, “Impurity and venereal disease are unfortunately only too prevalent, and the percentage of Catholics who have contracted the disease is as high as the general average.” Secondly, “Drunkenness is rare.”
That night, Fallon dines with General Watson. Fallon hears of the defection of the Portuguese Army at Armentières during the Battle of Lys. Watson described how the soldiers took off their boots so they could run away faster. Then, on 24 May 1918, Fallon dines with Colonel Lester of the 102nd Battalion. And then, the next day, Fallon spends most of his time in the Souchez Valley, visiting Whiz-Bang corner, Villers-au-Bois, Notre-Dame-de-Lorette, Vimy Ridge, and the ruined towers of St. Eloi.
Honorary Captain Georges Étienne Rosario Crochetière
Fallon says Military Mass at Maroeuil at 11h00 26 May 1918. Then, he visits the grave of Honorary Captain Georges Étienne Rosario Crochetière, the first Canadian Chaplain to die in action, at Bailleumont. Baptized George-Étienne-Rosaire Crochetière; he is ordained to the priesthood in 1905. Son of Alphonse Crochetière, and Joséphine Cormier, of Arthabaska, Québec. His mother died in 1880 and his father remarries the following year with Azilda Dubuc. They eventually moved to Québec City where his father dies in 1905. However, Azilda Bolduc never remarries and dies there in 1937.
Rosaire Crochetière is believed to be the only chaplain to be killed in service during the Great War.
The Death of Georges Étienne Rosario Crochetière
“Was killed instantly, near the front line trenches, by the explosion of an enemy shell.”, 2 April 1918. Crochetière’s headstone is the Locharbriggs-type. These red-colored stones were a prototype of the CWGC, and were used in only a few cemeteries constructed in 1918. However, their beautiful unique patterns tended to discolor, and they were abandoned. Finally, some have been replaced with the more common Portland-type stone.
Vimy Ridge
On 28 May 1918 he visits the CFA Memorial at Thélus. He leaves the car at the Tilleul crossroads and walks over Vimy Ridge. Then, they drove through the ruins of Arras. He then visited Villers-au-Bois cemetery (Villers Station Cemetery), the largest he has seen yet. Later that night in his diary, Fallon notes many of the names are familiar. Fallon probably paid his respects at the grave of Captain Percival Talbot “Percy” Molson, MC. Captain Molson is the most notable Canadian buried at Villers.
Personal Diary – Leaving the motor at the Cross Roads, beyond what was forbidden to take it, we walked across Vimy Ridge. Even now it is covered with shell holes and craters so numerous as to make passage almost impossible. How the men advanced over it in the round of afire is beyond understanding. But they did so in the face of hostile fire and to their imperishable glory.
Bishop Michael Francis Fallon had dinner with General Lipsett, and his staff on 29 May 1918. Then, on way back to Pernes, he found the 5th Infantry Brigade and spoke with men of each battalion. Later, he found a group of about 60 Van Doos (22nd Battalion), and spoke to them in French, at the conclusion, Fallon is given a mighty cheer.
Bagneux 31 May 2018
Fallon presides over the burial of 23 victims at Bagneux British Cemetery. No. 3 Canadian Stationary Hospital was operating in an old citadel near Doullens, France. Previously, on the night of 29-30 May, the hospital was bombed by a German plane, hitting the main building over the operating theatre, and one of the wards. Tragically, three Canadian Nursing Sisters died. Nurses Agnes MacPherson and Eden Pringle were killed, along with doctors, medical orderlies, and a patient during surgery. Finally, Nursing Sister Dorothy Baldwin was killed at her post on the second floor Officer’s Ward.
“At 2 PM I presided at the burial of 23 of the victims. It was a sad but wonderful sight. I spoke to the assembly of a very large gathering Then I read the Catholic Burial Service.” – Bishop Michael Francis Fallon.
When Bishop Fallon returns to Pernes that night, the town is shelled heavily. Then, Fallon witnesses a German plane being brought down in flames by the railway station.
Return to England
After returning to England, on 23 June 1918, Bishop Michael Francis Fallon conducts an open air mass for 1,500 soldiers at Seaford.
Death
Michael Francis Fallon died on the night of 22 February 1931, in London, Ontario. Friend and foe alike admitted his brilliance, vigor, and ability to lead. Firstly, to his friends, he was a highly positive person. Secondly, wherever he went, he built materially, and spiritually with an eye to the distant future. Furthermore, he was undaunted by obstacles. Finally, to his foes, and he was not lacking in them, he was egoistical, tyrannical and implacably stubborn.
Bishop Fallon lies buried in the Crypt of St. Peter’s Seminary. Fallon had founded the seminary in 1912.
More
Note that Colonel Lester of the 102nd Battalion is not related to Anglican minister, Honorary Captain Charles Valentine Lester, who appeared before a General Court Martial in 1916.
More
Please subscribe to CEFRG to be notified by email when there are new posts. Subscription is free, and your email kept confidential.
Comments
One response to “Bishop Michael Francis Fallon in the Great War”
Such an interesting story of a man remembered in so many ways and so many others who’s paths crossed. Bishop Fallon will always be remembered as will all of his colleagues who fought and died in that awful war. Lest We Forget