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 a clerk in the Civil Service. He was a fine athlete, winning numerous championships as a member of the Argonaut rowing club. During the Great War, he became the husband of Nursing Sister Jean Elizabeth Sword.
Service
John Pollands Girvan sailed 3 October 1914, with first contingent, arriving in England on 16 October 1916. On 4 February 1915, the battalion paraded in light marching order for Inspection & Review by H.M. the King. The Inspection was followed by the March Past, at North Larkhill camp.
The following week, they boarded SS MOUNT TEMPLE, at Avonmouth, on 12 February 1915. The voyage was very rough, with high seas on the way to St. Nazaire. They arrived in France, on 15 February 1915. On 17 February 1915, they arrive at Hazebrouck in Belgium, moving into billets at Caestre the next day. Billets in Armentieres on 23 February 1915.
The 15th Bn. enter the trenches for the first time on 24 February 1915. Two bullets from a sniper fell Private F. Ferland, No. 2 Coy. and he becomes the first fatal casualty of the battalion, on the night of 27 February 1915. They enter the trenches at Rue Petillon, on 6 March 1915, pulling out three days later.
Second Battle of Ypres
In April 1915, the Canadians move to the Ypres area and take part in the Battle of Kitchener’s Wood (Second Battle of Ypres). The 15th Battalion would hold the line against the German chlorine gas attack, but suffer heavy casualties. The battalion was at the apex of the Canadian position on 24 April.
The 15th Bn. suffered the heaviest casualties of any Canadian unit, with over 647 casualties. The battalion was hit by the heaviest of the gas, and was overrun by the Germans. Girvan’s No. 1 Company, was on the extreme right flank of the Battalion’s three forward companies. He was very lucky to have survived.
In the Battle of Festubert, on 15 May 1915, the battalion again suffers heavy casualties. John is to be Sergeant, in the field, ‘A’ Company, 15th Bn., 11 June 1915. Appointed to Temporary Commission, and posted to 15th Bn., 26 September 1915. Granted 5 days leave, 17 October 1915. Granted 7 days leave, 5 January 1916. To be Captain, 27 April 1916. Granted leave of absence from 25 May 1916 to 2 June 1916.
On 3 June 1916 the Battalion conducts the first Canadian counter attack of the war against Observatory Ridge, in opening stages of the Battle of Mount Sorrel. Again, the 15th Battalion suffers heavy casualties.
Wounded
During the Battle of Flers–Courcelette, John is now a Major commanding No. 3 Company. John is wounded, 24 September 1916. Bullet wound penetrated right chest at the sternum, and traveled down and lodged in abdominal muscle. Still in situ. X-Ray shows F.B.
GSW chest, 2nd Red Cross Hospital, Rouen, 27 September 1916. Admitted, Yorkhill War Hospital, Glasgow, 1 October 1916. Discharged 18 October 1916. Unfit for service for three months.
PTSD
Examined by Medical Board in London, 21 October 1916. This Officer as a result of 20 months service in Flanders is debilitated, and his nerves are shaken. Requires a prolonged rest. Leave to Canada 21 October 1916 to 21 January 1917. Medical Board in Canada extended leave to 21 March 1917.
On 24 October 1916, Nursing Sister Jean Elizabeth Sword returns to England from No.2 Canadian General Hospital, Le Treport. On 3 November 1916, she is posted to Canada. During the next three months in Canada, it is presumed John and Jean will come to know one another. Jean returns to England, before John, on 2 February 1917.
Second Return to England
John Pollands Girvan returned to England in late March of 1917, and was appointed A/Major, 28 April 1917. Then, awarded the Croix du Guerre, on 1 May 1917. John and Jean are now both in Bramshott Camp for several months. Jean is undergoing training at the camp hospital, and they undoubtedly spend some time together. John proceeds back to France, and on 30 July 1917, he is indemnified for loss of kit.
Return to action
John is in command of No.l Company leading the forward assault during the Battle of Hill 70.
Awarded Military Cross for actions at Hill 70, L.G., No. 30340, 16 October 1917. “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Throughout an attack he led his company with greatest skill and courage, continually going forward into our barrage at great personal risk in order to check men who were advancing too fast. He directed his men amidst the fiercest shelling, and it was due to his gallant personal example that the hostile counter-attacks were fruitless. His reports were invaluable, and it was largely due to him that the enemy were held back from the captured ground.”
Marriage
Nursing Sister Jean Elizabeth Sword had acted as a blood donor on 22 April 1918. Due to general weakness and an irregular heart beat, she was hospitalized following the transfusion, until 26 April. She was then granted sick furlough until 6 May 1918. Then, she was awarded the Royal Red Cross, Second Class on 21 June 1918 (London Gazette No. 30758). John Pollands Girvan is S.O.S. 15th Bn., and On Command Officers Course, Aldershot, 27 June 1918.
Jean was granted leave from 3 – 25 July 1918, and during that time, she married Major John Pollands Girvan, now second in command of the 48th Highlanders of Canada. John was S.o.S. from his Officers Course on proceeding overseas to 15th Bn., from Witley, 20 August 1918.
Third Return to France
For the third time, John lands in France, on 23 August 1918. John rejoins his unit, on 26 August 1918. John is now the Deputy Commanding Officer. With the Commanding Officer Lt.-Col. C.E. Bent severely wounded, Girvan takes command as the Acting Commanding Officer. Upon the CO’s return, several times, John will serve as CO while the commander is away. On 30 August 1918, he narrowly escapes death, when the Battalion HQ dugout takes a direct hit from a German artillery shell.
Awarded D.S.O. for actions at D-Q Line and the Canal du Nord, London Gazette, No. 31156, 31 January 1919. “For conspicuous gallantry opposite Cherisy on 1st September 1918. He commanded his battalion with greatest skill and ability, pushing resolutely forward in the face of extreme machine-gun fire, and after a personal reconnaissance continuing his advance and capturing and consolidating a position some 6000 yards in front of the jumping-off line. His courage and leadership were admirable.”
To be A/Lt-Col. with Lt-Col. C.E. Bent wounded, 9 September 1918, L.G. No. 31945. On 1 September 1918, Girvan commands the Battalion during the assault on The Crow’s Nest in the opening stages of the battle of the D-Q Line.
Bar to D.S.O.
On 26 September 1918, Girvan commands the Battalion during the Battle of Canal du Nord.
Awarded Bar to D.S.O., (8 March 1919, L.G. No. 31219). “For marked gallantry and ability in the attack on the Canal du Nord on 27th September 1918. Crossing the canal on light bridges and the River Agache by planks, under heavy machine-gun and sniping fire, he pushed on. He personally attacked and captured an enemy machine-gun, shooting the gunner and turning the gun on the enemy. He went on and assisted in capturing Chapel Corner and the village of Marquion and then gained his final objectives. His courage and dash were a fine example to his command.
On 3 October 1918, the Commanding Officer returns, and Girvan reverts to Deputy Commanding Officer. He will retain this position until the end of the Great War. Then, granted 14 days leave to UK, 17 October 1918. John returns from leave 4 November 1918. John catches up with the 15th Battalion at Somain, in the last week of the war. However, the battalion was in Corps Reserve.
Allied Occupation of Germany
John participated in the March to the Rhine, following the 1st Canadian Division through the Ardennes. The march began on 19 November 1918, with the British 1st Army. It is a difficult march of 250 kilometres from the area of Mons. Just over twenty years later, a certain little Bavarian will realize, if the Canadians could do it, so can we – in reverse. The Canadian 1st Division crosses the Rhine at Cologne, receiving the salute from General Plumer. Plumer was appointed General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the British Army of Occupation.
The 2nd Division crosses the Rhine at Bonn, also on 13 December 1918, receiving the salute of the Canadian Corps Commander, Lt.-Gen. Sir Arthur Currie.
Special Duty
Having just crossed the Rhine river in Germany, John is immediately sent back to England, Special Duty (Colour Party), 14 December 1918. John returns quickly, proceeding to France from England, for the fourth time. Rejoins unit from England, 29 December 1918. The 15th Battalion was part of the force that occupied Germany after the Armistice in November 1918. They were stationed in Engleskirchen, Germany, from 13 December 1918, to 8 January 1919. Having their Colours on hand in Germany, becomes a major source of pride for the 48th Highlanders of Canada.
Demobilization
The 15th Battalion spend the next three months in the Bas-Oha area of Belgium. John Pollands Girvan demobilized on 29 April 1919. Mentioned in Dispatches, Sir Douglas Haig’s Dispatch dated 16 March 1919, L.G. No. 3144, 11 July 1919.
John remained with the 48th Highlanders Regiment post war. Twice, he commands the regiment, during 1932 to 1936. And once again, as CO of the 2nd Home Battalion, of the 48th Highlanders, in the Second World War. Thirdly, in 1940, appointed CO of the 1st Training Centre, Camp Borden. Lastly, in 1943, he was promoted to Brigadier-General, and appointed to Director of Military Training in Ottawa. In conclusion, for his Second World War service, he was awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
Civilian
As a civilian, Girvan returned to his employment in 1919, with the position of principle clerk. In 1927 he was Head Postal Clerk, and in 1932 he was Superintendent of Mails. In 1936 he was Assistant Postal Director. He was appointed Postmaster in 1947, and retired in 1948.
John Pollands Girvan died 29 May 1961, in his 74th year at his Wildwood Lodge home in Georgetown, Ontario, where he is buried in Greenwood Cemetery. Jean Elizabeth Sword died the following year.
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2 Responses to “Major John Pollands Girvan in the Great War”
Just humbling to read of the repeated returns to battle horrors experienced by all troops, and this truly brave young Canadian, right to the top ranks, on these squalid battlefields. I think of many, like Garvin, who would also serve in WW2, as did the identical twin, fellow 137th RAMC FA surgeon brother of Jim Beveridge, Arthur Beveridge, who would be much decorated, including, additionally, the King Hakkon of Norway medal, in WW2, for his train evacuation of a troop hospital in 1940, as the Germans entered.
[…] with their colours. (48th Highlanders of Canada), Euskirchen, Germany, 8 January 1919. Major John Pollards Girvan had just returned from England with the Colours. MIKAN No. […]