The Canadian Japanese Association organized training for 200 soldiers who had volunteered between January and March of 1916 in Vancouver. However, their offer of service rejected in British Columbia. But, in Alberta, Issei and some Nisei volunteers joined Canadian battalions to fight. Fifty-four of these men did not survive the war, and another 92 wounded. Finally, thirteen awarded Military Medals for Bravery, including Sergeant Masumi Mitsui.
Masumi Mitsui
Sergeant Masumi Mitsui 898559 born Tokyo, Japan, 7 October 1886. At this time, he stood 5′ 4″ tall, 133 pounds, with dark complexion, brown eyes, and dark hair. Attested with 192nd Battalion, Calgary, on 1 September 1916.
Sent overseas in 1 November 1916, arrived on RMS EMPRESS OF BRITAIN, 11 November 1916, Liverpool. Mitsui briefly assigned to the 9th Reserve Battalion (17 November 1916) and later transferred to the 10th Battalion, 28 December 1916. Then, he arrived at the Western Front in northern France, 30 December 1916. Finally, concerned about the English-language skills of many recruits, the commander of the 10th placed all Japanese Canadian soldiers in the battalion under the leadership of Private Mitsui.
Masumi attached to 1st Entrenching Battalion from 25 January 1917, until 19 March 1917. Then, on 28 April 1917, Masumi slightly wounded. On 5 May 1917, GSW small finger left hand. Finally, rejoined unit on 12 June 1917.
Battle of Hill 70
Commander Lt.-Col. Daniel Mowat Ormond: On 15 August 1917, this soldier, in command of the Japanese section of the Battalion. Private Masumi Mitsui 898559 showed marked ability and efficiency in leading his men.
The Chalk Pit, 16 August 1917
Commander Lt.-Col. Daniel Mowat Ormond: 16 August 1917, he (Masumi Mitsui) led his section into the attack on the CHALK PIT. During the attack all the LEWIS GUN crew of his platoon became causalities. Seeing this he salvaged the gun and ammunition and also put the gun into action, causing many enemy casualties. He afterward did excellent work in mopping up and assisting the wounded.
16/8/17 at 5:25 A.M. proceeded to conference at Brigade Headquarters. Instructions received prepare to attack the CHALK PIT and GREEN LINE at 4:00 P.M. Orders at once issued and sent to all Companies. Then, receipts returned to Battalion Headquarters at 12:00 P.M., at which time a wire put through by Lieutenant Frederick Herbert Easterbrook to the RED LINE. Then, at 4:00 P.M. our barrage opened out in splendid style, strong and effective. At 4:21 P.M. the CHALK PIT captured by A, B, and C Companies, however, D Company forward in the RED LINE as support.
A Company
A Company was under the command of Lieutenant Alexander James Gleam, but as he was uncertain and unsatisfactory, the command devolved on Lieutenant Norman Angus McEachern who handled the company in a most excellent manner, and was a splendid example to his men. Note Lieutenant Alexander James Gleam dismissed from, His Majesty’s Service by G.C.M., 9 October 1917. Two charges of When on Active Service, Neglect to Obey Orders.
On arriving at a point about 200 yards from the CHALK PIT the company came under intense Machine Gun Fire and rifle fire. Suffering very many causalities from the right flank, unprotected on account of the 5th Canadian Battalion, attacking on the right held up. Not possible to counteract this, for if this had been attempted, there would not have been sufficient men left to carry the objective, it was therefore necessary to accept the losses and capture the objective. Losses greatly minimized by the simple expedient of the men advancing from shell hole to shell hole, but always keeping up with the barrage.
German Sentry
About 74 yards in Advance of the CHALK PIT a number of the enemy encountered and dealt with. Then, one man from the 7th Battalion and 2 men of the 8th Battalion who had remained in shell holes from the previous day, joined the company and joined in the attack.
At 4:15 P.M. the right area of the CHALK PIT clear and wounded being attended to. When a German seen coming out of a dugout on the run. Then, the sentry promptly blew his head off, immediately an explosion took place in the dugout causing us no causalities. Shortly after this another dugout blown in causing no causalities. When considered safe, a search of the other dugouts made and a German Medical Officer and 7 stretcher bearers found, who rendered very valuable assistance in caring for our wounded.
German Signal Sergeant
A German Signal Sergeant also found in a dugout. Hesitated giving up his papers. Dealt with by Private Tokutaro Iwamoto who obtained an enemy code book, promptly turned over to Lieutenant Norman Angus McEachern. Next, two Lewis Guns and a bombing post sent forward at once. Then, Lieutenant Gordon Graham DSO made a daring reconnaissance forward along a communications trench, making the extreme advance of the Battalion, covered by Rifle Grenadiers and Lewis Guns.
The balance of the Company consolidated the position as rapidly as possible, also digging a trench parallel to the lip of the CHALK PIT. It became necessary to reinforce the Right Post under Sergeant John Wennevold 19791. Men for this purpose drawn from “C” Company. This Post made at M 32 d 4-1 and to the right of the Battalion Area, but as the 5th Battalion had not come forward, necessary to have this post very strong to protect our right flank.
During the whole consolidation the whole front was subject to heavy Machine Gun fire and shelling from Field Guns. At 5:15 P.M. the enemy observed to be massing on the right front. Word sent to the artillery. Machine Guns and our Lewis Guns turned upon them., when our artillery barrage opened the enemy disappeared in confusion, his Machine Guns and snipers remaining very active.
Enemy Aeroplane
An enemy aeroplane made a reconnaissance of the area, and in a short time the very heavy artillery turned on to the CHALK PIT and vicinity, The enemy obtained an enfilade fire down the CHALK PIT from the direction of LENS, also a number of batteries worked for over an hour shooting from the left.
C Company
C Company under Lieutenant Hugh Pearson MC advanced on the left of A Company forming one wave with two lines, with moppers up detailed. The tendency of the men was to swing to the right as the heavy fire was from that flank, but as soon as the CHALK PIT became visible the men straightened out and went straight at it. Then, about 75 yards before reaching the CHALK PIT a trench full of Germans encountered, but soon fled, and were taken on by Lewis Gun which did very effective work.
So many prisoners were taken that the situation became very serious for a short time as they outnumbered the attacking party. However, sent to the rear apparently having no objection to going. Lt. Frank John William Fane wounded early in this operation and wounded a second time about 7:15 pm, but remained on duty, an excellent example to his men, and assisting to repel an attack launched at 7:30 pm.
B Company
B Company under Captain William Winfred Thompson advanced on the left flank of the attack. At ZERO HOUR (4:00) pm, this company advanced at the double close up to our barrage, with the result that they came upon the enemy before they had an opportunity to bring their Machine Guns into action, and had few casualties in taking the left (NORTH) end of the CHALK PIT. About 60 yards before reaching the CHALK PIT, the men of this Company took cover in shell holes and engaged the enemy Machine Guns in the CHALK PIT. In less than two minutes they had obtained the superiority of fire and drove the enemy from his positions.
When the enemy broke our men followed him closely and most satisfactory results obtained on large groups of the enemy by our Lewis Guns and rifles. At 4:45 pm the enemy barrage intense, but the Battalion engaged in digging in on the enemy side of the CHALK PIT and did not suffer as heavily as might have been expected. At 5:30 pm the enemy attempted to counter attack but this broken up. The Battalion did not at any time lose any of the ground it had gained, although the right flank badly exposed and in grave danger several times, the enemy showing considerable determination in his efforts to re-take the CHALK PIT.
Relief
At 8:50 pm I asked the Brigade for reinforcements and ordered D Company, heavily shelled, prepare to move into the CHALK PIT. This move not carried out, as the enemy made no further attempts to counter attack. Although, movement in considerable numbers observed on several occasions, but parties soon dispersed by our artillery fire, which was most effective. Then, at 9:10 pm D Company of the 4th Canadian Battalion crossed our old front line and relieved the whole front line held by the 10 th battalion by 2:30 am. This relief carried out in a most efficient and splendid manner. The battalion returned to the BLUE LINE and remained until relieved at 5:10 am on 18/8/17, D Company of the 4th Canadian Battalion.
Casualties
This briefly the narrative of the part taken in this action by this unit. Many lessons learned which prove very beneficial in the future. This battalion suffered the following casualties: Officers killed 1, wounded 10, Other Ranks killed 49, wounded 294, 56 missing, 36 gassed, total 429 killed, wounded or missing.
On relief on the morning of 18/8/17 the Battalion subjected to a heavy gas bombardment, and compelled to wear box respirators, but owing to the rough going many men compelled to remove the face covering in order to see and extricate themselves from wire and holes.
Private Masajiro Shishido 898546, GSW, fractured Right shoulder, 20 August 1917. Then, Masumi Mitsui appointed Acting Lance Corporal with pay, 25 September 1917. Granted 14 days leave to Paris, 15 December 1917, and later appointed Lance Corporal 24 December 1917.
1918
Appointed Acting Corporal with pay 12 March 1918. Appointed Corporal 18 April 1918. Awarded Military Medal on 8 May 1918.
Appointed Lance Sergeant, 6 September 1918. Promoted Sergeant Masumi Mitsui, 8 February 1919. Then, Sergeant Masumi Mitsui proceeded to England, 17 March 1919. Sergeant Mitsui discharged 23 April 1919 in Calgary.
Gallant Canadians
From Gallant Canadians, Daniel G. Dancocks Page 132:
Mitsui, a Japanese-born resident of British Colombia, ended the war as a Sergeant. Then, returning to Canada after the conflict, he was active in the Canadian Legion and led a successful effort, in 1931, to amend B.C.’s election Act to give Japanese-Canadian veterans the right to vote. He endured, with thousands of other Japanese-Canadians and their families, the humiliation of internment during the Second World War. It was doubly degrading for Mitsui, in view of his distinguished record with the Tenth Battalion in the Great War on behalf of his adopted country.
Military Medal
Sergeant Masumi Mitsui won the Military Medal for gallantry at Hill 70, one of 2 Japanese-Canadians (Tokutaro Iwamoto 898527 being the other) to win the MM with the 10th (both at Hill 70). Tokutaro Iwamoto MM, Killed-in-Action, 2 September 1918.
What Good are These?
Mitsui’s successful poultry farm near Port Coquitlam confiscated and his family lost all their possessions. Before taken to the internment camp, an angry Mitsui threw his medals at the feet of the inducting officer and shouted, “What good are these?” The bitterness of that moment remained with Sergeant Mitsui until his death in Hamilton in 1987, at the ripe old age of 100. – Daniel G. Dancocks
Honourable Discharge
Sergeant Masumi Mitsui honourably discharged from the military in April 1919. He married his spouse Sugiko, and also established a poultry farm in Port Coquitlam, BC, where they raised four children: Lucy, Amy, George and Harry. Then, in the Second World War, Mitsui’s successful poultry farm confiscated and his family lost all their possessions. Before he was taken to the internment camp, an angry Mitsui threw his medals at the feet of the inducting officer, saying, “What good are these?”
Japanese Canadian War Memorial
The Japanese Canadian War Memorial funded by the community and dedicated on 9 April 1920, not so coincidently, the third anniversary of the opening day of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. The Canadian Japanese Association, who also funded the training of 227 soldiers in Vancouver from January to May 1916, erected the memorial in memory of the victory at Vimy Ridge, the loss of 54 men and the 168 surviving Japanese Canadian Veterans who returned to Canada.
Members of Legion Branch 9 at the Japanese Canadian War Memorial in Stanley Park, Vancouver on May 29,1939. Included in this photo are Sergeant Masumi Mitsui, Sainosuke Kubota 696980, Saburo Shinobu and also former MLA Lt-Col Nelson Spencer. Then, Mitsui, Kubota and Shinobu plus Noboru Murakami 228400 (not in this photo) obtained the vote for Japanese Canadian Great War veterans on April 1, 1931 at the British Columbia Legislature. Finally, Nelson Spencer (commander of a Great War battalion that included many Japanese Canadians) was an MLA who supported the veterans’ attainment of the franchise on that occasion.
Saburo Shinobu
Born Saburo Takahashi on 25 August 1888 in Sanuma, Miyagi-ken, Japan. When he married Sada Shinobu (of the nearby town of Ishinomori) in Japan, he took her surname, as she descended from a prominent samurai family. He took an oath of Naturalization on 26 May 1917, a few months before his wife Sada moved to Canada. He worked in Prince Rupert for two more years before moving to Vancouver to work at the head office of the Association to help Japanese Canadian soldiers sent to the Great War. When the soldiers returned from overseas, Saburo worked tirelessly for their rehabilitation, as interpreter, go-between, and consultant.
Sergeant Masumi Mitsui passed away in 1987, a hundred years of age, one year before the Canadian government apologized for Japanese internment. He was the last surviving Japanese-Canadian Great War veteran.
This image shows Masumi Mitsui standing in Canadian Expeditionary Force full uniform holding a rifle, while his comrade Private Masajiro Shishido 898546 kneeling and also holding his rifle.
Private Masajiro Shishido 898546 survived the Great War and died on 18 November 1953.
George Burdon McKean VC MM MC Memorial at Cagnicourt
David Mitsui, Masumi’s grandson, attended the inauguration of the George Burdon McKean VC MM MC Memorial at Cagnicourt.
The Place immediately in front of the village church was renamed in honour of Lt McKean VC MM MC on 6 September 2003.
Japanese-born CEF Casualties
Private Kichisaburo Akiyama 898524 Vimy Memorial
Private Noboru Asada 228346 Vimy Memorial
Pte. Chikara Fujita 898528 Loos British Cemetery
Private Takakichi Fukui 228508 Aix-Noulette Cemetery Extension
Private Shinkichi Hara 898548 Vimy Memorial
Pte. Motokichi (Hayaski) Hayashi 697028 Vimy Memorial
Private Hikogoro Inouye 697061 Etaples Military Cemetery
Pte Toshitako (or Toshitake) Ishihara 697071 Etaples Military Cemetery
Private Ryukichi Ishii 697057 Vimy Memorial
Pte. Tokutaro Iwamoto MM 898527 Upton Wood Cemetery
Private Albert Frank Jones 645549 Dury Mill British Cemetery
Private Thomas Wheatley Kilby 181204 Ecoivres Military Cemetery
Pte. Iwakichi Kojima 898560 Nine Elms Military Cemetery
Private Hikotaro Koyanagi 697078 Menin Gate Memorial
Private Togojiro Matsui 898549
Pte. Sasero Matsubayashi 228347 Petit Vimy British Cemetery
Pte. Toraki Matsumura 898532 Vimy Memorial
Private Kiyogi Migita 898439 Bruay Communal Cemetery Extension
Private Sannasuke Nishimura 276939 Ripon Cemetery
Pte. Senjiro Omasa 898567 Vimy Memorial
Private Senjiro Onishi 898567 Vimy Memorial
Private Masakichi Otani 898542 Vimy Memorial
Corporal James Kumakichi Oura 898574 Etaples Military Cemetery
Private Tokuji Sato 898569 Vimy Memorial
Private Gohachi Shibata 228388 Bruay Communal Cemetery Extension
Pte. Usaku Shibuta 228504 Nelson Park Memorial, Canada
Private Hyojiro Shinomiya 696994 Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension
Private Takezo Shirasago 697045 Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension
Pte. Herbert Newell St. John 77753 Cabaret Rouge British Cemetery
Private Kichimate Kichimatsu Sugimoto 228469 Aix-Noulette Cemetery Extension
Private Tanaka Yasagiro 552991 Petit Vimy British Cemetery
Pte. Eumio Kuniske Tasuoka 696993 Vimy Memorial
Private Tosaku Uchinashi 895063 Vimy Memorial
Lieutenant John Charles Waller Ecoivres Military Cemetery
Private Masaji Yamada 898573 Vimy Memorial
Private Tsunematsu Yamasaki 697063 Vimy Memorial
