Category: Soldiers
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Capitaine Joseph Henri Chaballe in the Great War
Capitaine Joseph Henri Chaballe was born in Belgium and served with the 22nd (French Canadian) Battalion in the Great War. Chaballe rose to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel with the battalion commonly referred to as the “Van Doos” (from vingt-deux, meaning twenty-two in French). Joseph’s ‘D’ Company captured the village of Courcelette during the Battle of…
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Rittmeister Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen in the Great War
The Greatest Aviator that ever lived. Since the dawn of aviation in 1903. Rittmeister Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen. While alive, he zigzagged his way over the skies of the Western Front. Then, encountered a fatal bullet over Vaux-sur-Somme. After his death, he zigzagged his way beneath the ground. Until, he found his ultimate, and…
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Lieutenant William Rider Rider in the Great War
Honourary Lieutenant William Rider Rider the third, and final official Canadian War Photographer of the Great War. Many sources incorrectly refer to Rider being wounded during the Great War. No such thing occurred, though he did put himself in the position to have been wounded on many occasions. The so-called wounding, actually an indiscretion for…
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Major John Pollands Girvan in the Great War
John Pollands Girvan 27071 was born 28 November 1887 in Kingarth, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. He belonged to an active militia when he attested on 14 September 1914 at Valcartier, Quebec. His next-of-kin was his sister, Joan M. Girvan. John stood 6′ tall, with fresh complexion, blue eyes and fair hair. In 1907, he became…
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Private John James Willoughby in the Great War
Though not one of CEFRG’s current cases, the case of Private John James Willoughby provides important background in identifying and recovering The Missing for the group. Willoughby’s remains were discovered by Jean Paul Brunel, of France, in 1986, and he did so much more than assure a Canadian Hero was given the burial he deserved.…
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Captain Bellenden Seymour Hutcheson VC, MC, in the Great War
Captain Bellenden Seymour Hutcheson was a graduate of Northwestern University Medical School. In 1915, he renounced his United States citizenship in order to join the Canadian Army Medical Corps. Attached to the 75th (Mississauga) Battalion, Hutcheson earned the Military Cross and the Victoria Cross during Canada’s Last Hundred Days. In 1920, he reclaimed his American…
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Matron Bertha Jane Willoughby in the Great War
CEFRG is proud to present our first blog post about a Bluebird. Matron Bertha Jane Willoughby, C.B.E., O.B.E., R.R.C., was highly decorated during the Great War. Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Officer of the Order of the British Empire, and Royal Red Cross 1st Class. Mentioned in Dispatches, no less than three…
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Captain Andrew Allan Macartney in the Great War
Captain Andrew Allan Macartney 24735 was born 4 January 1891 in Glasgow, Scotland. He enlisted 23 September 1914 at Valcartier, Quebec, with the Royal Highlanders of Canada (R.H.C.). Andrew had two years prior service with R.H.C. His mother, Mrs S. Macartney resided at Brighton Cottage, Duncan, Scotland. He was married to Agnes Macartney. He was…
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Company Quartermaster Sergeant William Alexander in the Great War
Shot at Dawn CEFRG presents the account of an execution, a soldier Shot at Dawn. The date of his death indicates the account must be that of Company Quartermaster Sergeant William Alexander. CQMS Alexander served with the 10th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Alberta Regiment). This Shot at Dawn story comes from Canon F. G. Scott in…
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Private Fred Hamilton in the Great War
Private Fred Hamilton 116154 was born in 17 September 1895 in Manchester, England. Fred was a farmer and carpenter. His father was Jonathan Hamilton of 1625 36th Ave. Vancouver, B.C. Fred stood 5′ 8″ tall, 148 pounds, with dark complexion, brown eyes, and black hair. He enlisted with 11th Canadian Mounted Rifles (C.M.R.) on 18…