Only Canadian Soldier Buried in Cuba
Captain Walter John Loudon, serving with the 102nd Battalion, blown up by a shell in the capture of Regina Trench in October 1916. Suffering from shell shock, Loudon returned to Canada for further treatment shortly before the end of the Great War. Seeking a better environment to help with his recovery, he made his way to Cuba where he died shortly after arrival.
Loudon the only member of the CEF buried in the world’s second largest cemetery – Havana’s Colón Cemetery.
Early Life of Walter John Loudon
Walter John Loudon born 13 November 1880 in Harrington, Ontario. Son of Mr J S Loudon of Alexandra Apartments, University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario. Walter an engineer by occupation.
Previous service with 2nd CMR from 31 December 1901 to June 1902 (Boer War).
Captain Walter John Loudon enlisted 1 March 1915 with the 72nd Seaforth Highlanders and remained with the unit only until 8 March 1915. Tos by the 11th Canadian Mounted Rifles from 8 March 1915 to 29 July 1916.
Captain Walter John Loudon arrived in England on 26 July 1916. Tos 102nd Battalion on 29 July 1916.
102nd Battalion
To fill up the deficiencies in our numbers we received the following reinforcements while at Bramshott: Capt. J. G. Spencer and 27 O.R. from the 71st Bn.; Capt. W. J. Loudon, Capt. R. W. Nicholls, Capt. A. C. Trousdale and 112 O.R. from the 74th Bn.; Capt. E. J. Gook; Lieuts. C. C. Tunnard, R. Fitzmaurice, L. J. Bettison, C. T. Rush and T. E.Dent from the 11th C.M.R., and Lieuts. W. S. Barton and W. Bell from the 103rd Bn.
102nd Battalion War Diary
Captain Walter John Loudon attached to 4th Div Staff as Camp Commandant – Dickebusch, 24 August 1916.
Regina Trench
The 102nd Battalion arrived in Albert on 10 October 1916. Four companies went under canvas at Tara Hill at 6 pm. On the 18th, the battalion, less half Machine Gun Section and Details took over positions from the 87th Battalion in the trenches.
A Company left to hold the position as the remainder of the battalion came out on 20 October 1916. By this time, casualties numbered six killed and ten wounded. Among the wounded, Captain Walter John Loudon – knocked out by explosion.
Capture of Regina Trench
The following day, just after noon, B and C Companies formed the first wave, and the battalion took Regina Trench with practically no opposition.
Such is the Story of the 102nd’s share in the capture of Regina Trench. A great achievement, and in recognition of his valuable services in this operation Lieut-Colonel John Weightman Warden later in the year awarded the D.S.O.
Casualties
But the success a costly one and the casualty figures given above witness the price paid and include the following officers: Killed-Capt. R. W. Nicholls, Lieuts. A. Carss, T. P. Copp, McL. Gordon, J. H. Grant (died of wounds), and C. T. Rush. Missing, believed killed – Major G. Rothnie. Wounded Majors H. E. H. Dixon, J. S. Matthews; Capts. W,.J. Loudon, J. E. Spencer; Lieuts. L. J. Bettison, A. G. MacDonald, J.H. Wilson.
102nd Battalion History
Blown up by a shell
Blown up by a shell, Captain Walter John Loudon admitted to No 7 Stationary, Boulogne for 24 hours. Admitted to No 4 London General on 26 October 1916. Assessed on 11 November 1916 – had contusion to back, considerable insomnia, still has war dreams.
Captain Loudon Tos 16th Reserve Battalion on 15 February 1917.
Return to Canada
Returned to Canada for further medical treatment, 14 August 1917.
SoS 26 June 1918 – Medically unfit. Difficulty in walking, having to keep is eyes on the ground. Pain in the rectum, at intervals. Last attack one week ago about half hour and it is severe while it lasts. Impaired eyesight in the left eye when looking at near objects.
Death of Captain Walter John Loudon
Loudon died on 23 January 1921. He was buried in the Havana Colón Cemetery in Cuba.
William Perkins Bull
Upon the death of his father in 1904, William inherited the family dairy farm. He continued to expand his business interests becoming the secretary-treasurer of a venture headed by Sam Hughes, a Conservative politician, future federal cabinet minister, and Minister of Militia, to develop land in Western Canada. A director of the Canadian Oil Company and the President of the Okanagan Lumber Company.
When war broke out in August 1914, William P. Bull and his wife Maria opened their home to Canadian officers hosting dinners and social events. In 1916, they expanded their philanthropic work by opening the Perkins Bull Convalescent Hospital for wounded and recovering Canadian officers.
Billy Bishop and Georges Vanier
The hospital received royal patronage and was visited by King George V and Queen Mary. When it closed its doors in 1919, the Perkins Bull Convalescent Hospital had aided thousands of young soldiers, including Billy Bishop and Georges Vanier.
Cuba
Mysterious Havana has been frozen in time since 1959. Its main cemetery, the Necrópolis de Colón, is a reflection of the political, social and economic turmoil that has plagued the Cuban capital for the past 57 years.
Colón Cemetery
Havana’s Colón Cemetery is the second-largest in the world and one of the most historically important, on par with Paris’ Père Lachaise Cemetery and Buenos Aires’ La Recoleta.
The cemetery is a reflection of the run-down state of a city that has suffered from a lack of supplies for the past few decades, with many tombs abandoned after the family who owned them fled at the beginning of the revolution. However, some exiled Cubans still send money home to maintain their family’s plot, which means that many graves display colourful offerings of fruits, flowers and dolls (offered to different deities). It is also a peaceful place where large trees sway gently in the breeze and offer a respite from the city’s busy street life.
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