Lieutenant Edward Slattery | Soldiers | Great War

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Lieutenant Edward Slattery, DCM, MM & Two Bars, killed in action while gallantly leading his men at Vis-en-Artois, France, 30 August 1918. Only Company Sergeant Major Robert Kennedy of the 16th Battalion (Canadian Scottish) similarly medaled.

Lt. Edward Slattery, DCM, MM and Two Bars, from Montreal and late of the 3rd Battalion, Toronto Regiment, who was killed in action while gallantly leading his men at the tender age of 24, at Vis-en-Artois, France. He is unusual as he earned four bravery decorations during the Great War including a Distinguished Conduct Medal, and three Military Medals. Very few Commonwealth soldiers earned four bravery medals. Because he did not earn the Victoria Cross, he is forgotten.
Author Michel Gravel

Edward Slattery, son of Patrick and Elizabeth Barker Slattery, of Montreal, Quebec, born 15 December 1883.

Private Michael Slattery

Brother of Private Michael Slattery 458270, who died during service with the Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment) in the Lens area (Villers Station Cemetery).

Enlistment of Private Edward Slattery

Edward Slattery 457479 enlisted in 1915 with ‘A’ Company of Montreal’s 60th (Victoria Rifles) Battalion. Standing 5′ 7″ tall, and only 117 pounds. Youngest brother William Slattery attested with the 163rd Battalion at the age of 16.

60th Battalion (Victoria Rifles)

Organized in May 1915 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel F A Gascoigne. Mobilized at Montreal, and also recruited in Montreal. Draft of 250 sent to 23rd Canadian Reserve Battalion in August 1915.

Embarked from Montreal 6 November 1915 aboard SS SCANDINAVIAN. Disembarked England 16 November 1915, with a strength of 40 officers, 1024 other ranks. Arrived in France 20 February 1916. Reinforced by 23rd Canadian Reserve Battalion.

23rd Reserve Battalion

Organized at Shorncliffe on 4 January 1917 initially under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel F W Fisher. Formed by absorbing 23rd and 117th Battalions. Absorbed 244th Battalion on 24 April 1917, 245th Battalion on 14 May 1917. On 11 May 1917, the 199th Battalion and the 22nd Canadian Reserve Battalion were absorbed and the 23rd was designated 23rd Canadian Reserve Battalion.

Before traveling overseas, Edward transferred to the 3rd Battalion, 30 November 1915.

3rd Battalion

Organized in Valcartier Camp in September 1914 composed of recruits from Toronto. Initially commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel R Rennie, other Officers Commanding W D Allen DSO (10/11/15), J B Rogers DSO, MC (1/10/16). Embarked from Quebec City 25 September 1914 aboard TUNISIAN, and later disembarked in England on 16 October 1914 with a strength of 42 officers, 1123 other ranks.

Arrived in France 11 February 1915 with the 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade, and later reinforced by 12th Canadian Reserve Battalion. Returned to England 23 March 1919. Arrived in Canada 21 April 1919. Demobilized 23 April 1919. Disbanded by General Order 149 of 15 September 1920. Band organized Sept. 1915. Composite air: “The March of the Buffs”, “British Grenadiers”, “Men of Harlech”.

Finally on 11 December 1915, Edward ToS in the Field with the 3rd Battalion.

Wounded

The 3rd Battalion came out of the trenches on 1 June 1916 to Dickebusch Huts. With a minor wound, Edward admitted to No 1 CGH, Etaples, 4 June 1916, slightly wounded hand. To No 6 Convalescent Depot, then to Canadian Base Depot, and discharged to duty on 30 June 1916.

Military Medal

Private Edward Slattery awarded the Military Medal 6 October 1916, London Gazette No 29854.

Promotion

Private Edward Slattery MM promoted Sergeant on 4 December 1916.

Christmas Trench Humour on the Somme, December 1916. Canadian Troops returning from the trenches; wet and covered with mud, but still smiling.

DCM

Sergeant Edward Flattery MM awarded the DCM 24 July 1917.

DCM Citation Lieutenant Edward Slattery — DCM Citation Edward Slattery

Lt.-Gen. Arthur Currie took command of the Canadian Corps on 1 July 1917. Ten days later, he joined the entourage of King George V visiting the Western Front and toured Vimy Ridge and Canadian Cemetery No. 2, Neuville-St.Vaast, on 11 July 1917. The following day, the Investiture for the Knighthood of Sir Arthur Currie took place, 12 July 1917.

Bar to MM

Sergeant Edward Flattery MM DCM awarded Bar to MM, London Gazette No 30172, 9 August 1917.

Battle of Langemarck. While the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) fought the Battle of Hill 70, the Royal Newfoundland Regiment was taking part in the Battle of Langemarck, 16 – 19 August 1917.

Death of Private Michael Slattery MM

With the Germans sensing an attack, artillery shells the rear areas around Lens on 14 August 1917. The Battle of Hill 70 commenced at 04h20 on 15 August 1917 led by offensive patrols by the 75th and 87th Battalions. Twenty-nine men of the 87th fell, with only four bodies recovered from the battlefield.

Grave of Private Michael Slattery. Lieutenant Edward Slattery — Grave of Private Michael Slattery, brother of Edward Slattery.

The date of Private Michael Slattery’s death, and twenty eight other men of the 87th Battalion incorrectly reported as 14 August 1917. Michael buried beside Private Alfred Robert Baker, also of the 87th, at Villers Station Cemetery, Villers-au-bois.

Battle of Hill 70

Battle of Hill 70 in the Great War

2nd Bar to MM

Following the Battle of Hill 70, Sergeant Edward Flattery MM and Bar, DCM awarded 2nd Bar to the Military Medal on 28 October 1917 for actions in front of Lens, 5-22 September 1917.

Cadet School

Sergeant Edward Flattery MM and Two Bars, DCM transferred to 1 CORD for purpose to attend Cadet School, 31 October 1917. Lieutenant Edward Flattery MM and Two Bars, DCM returns to the 3rd Canadian Infantry Battalion.

Cadet Robert Hanna, V.C., Pte. M.J. O'Rourke, V.C. MIKAN No. 3405054 Lieutenant Edward Slattery — Cadet Robert Hanna, V.C., Pte. M.J. O’Rourke, V.C. MIKAN No. 3405054

Ocean Work Trench

‘A’ Company under Captain Cliff MC (also killed) attacked Ocean Trench (south of Vis-en-Artois) at 3 PM on 30 August 1918. The position too strongly defended, and after suffering heavy casualties, the unit returned to Ox Trench.

Battle of the Scarpe, 29 August 1918 in the Great War

Valley Cemetery, Vis-en-Artois

Valley Cemetery lies south of Vis-en-Artois, some 12 kilometres south-east of Arras on the D939 road. From Vis-en-Artois take the D9 towards Cherisy for 1.5 kilometres, then take a track towards the cemetery on your left.

The cemetery begun on 31 August 1918 with the burial of 31 officers and men of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Battalion, who had died the previous day in the capture of Orix Trench, in the big grave in Row A, now numbered 8-11.

Ten further burials made in Row A during the early part of September and in 1924-25, Rows B and C added when graves brought in from the battlefields and from Thilloy German Cemetery (about 900 metres North of Ligny-Thilloy village, close to the Albert-Bapaume road. It was a Dressing Station cemetery, which contained the graves of four Australian soldiers, three from the United Kingdom, and about 300 Germans).

Lieutenant Edward Slaterry, DCM, MM and two bars CEFRG — Lieutenant Edward Slaterry, DCM, MM and two bars, 15 August 2019. CEFRG

Valley Cemetery now contains 69 burials and commemorations of the Great War. 19 of the burials are unidentified and there is a special memorial to one casualty buried in Thilloy German Cemetery, whose grave could not be found on concentration.

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Lieutenant Edward Slattery in the Great War