Private Toshitako Ishihara | Japanese Soldiers | Great War

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Private Toshitako (or Toshitake) Ishihara born in October 1884. His mother Ben Ishihara resided at 94, Shimoknishiki-Mura, Nishigashiro-gun, Yamanashi-Ken, Japan (located in the Chūbu region of Honshu). Toshitako a fisherman by trade.

The Canadian Japanese Association initially 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, some Nisei volunteers joined Canadian battalions to fight. Fifty-four of these men did not survive the war, and another 92 wounded. Finally, thirteen Japanese soldiers of the CEF awarded Military Medals for Bravery, including Sergeant Masumi Mitsui.

Enlistment of Private Toshitako Ishihara

Private Toshitako Ishihara 697071 initially enlisted on 15 August 1916 with the 175th Battalion at Sarcee Camp. At this time, Toshitako stood 5′ 4″ tall, 140 pounds, with dark complexion, black eyes and black hair, and aged 31 years, 11 months.

175th Battalion

Organized in January 1916 initially under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Nelson Spencer. Mobilized at Medicine Hat, and also recruited in the Medicine Hat district. Private Toshitako Ishihara with the 175th Battalion embarked from Halifax on 4 October 1916 aboard SAXONIA, and later disembarked England on 13 October 1916 with a strength of 30 officers, and 847 other ranks. Drafts of 62 to 31st Battalion and 51 to 50th Battalion in November 1916, and later absorbed by 21st Canadian Reserve Battalion on 10 January 1917.

Private Toshitako Ishihara completes his will on 25 September 1916, bequeathing all to his mother. Witnessed by Private Takakichi Kaji 696995, 175th Battalion and also Private Yaokichi Takeuchi 696981, 175th Battalion. Private Yaokichi Takeuchi, Cross of the Order of St George (Russia), missing on the second day of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, and later named on the Vimy Memorial.

Private Ishihara sailed with his unit on 4 October 1916.

21st Canadian Reserve Battalion (Alberta)

Organized at Seaford on 10 January 1917 initially under the command of Major J D R Steward. Formed by absorbing 137th and 175st Battalions, and also absorbed the 187th Battalion on 20 February 1917 and 191st Battalion on 11 April 1917. Finally, absorbed 9th Canadian Reserve Battalion on 15 October 1917, and reinforced 31st and 50th Battalions.

“Seaford Camp, October 1917”: Bayonet-fighting practice, 16th Reserve Bn. MIKAN No. 3406042

Private Ishihara transferred to 21st Reserve Battalion, Seaford Camp as of 10 January 1917, but less than a month later, transferred to the 50th Battalion, 1 February 1917, and ToS in the field, along with 60 other reinforcements, 9 February 1917.

50th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Alberta Regiment)

Organized in December 1914 initially under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel E G Mason. Mobilized at Calgary, and also recruited in Calgary. Drafts of 5 officers, 251 other ranks and also 5 officers, 250 other ranks sent to England on 14 June and 11 September 1915. Embarked from Halifax 27 October 1915 aboard ORDUNA, and later disembarked in England n 4 November 1915, with a strength of 41 officers, 1036 other ranks. Arrived in France 11 August 1916, with the 4th Canadian Division, 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade, and later reinforced by 21st Canadian Reserve Battalion.

Private Toshitako Ishihara in Action

The 50th Battalion at COUPIGNY HUTS when Pte Ishihira joined his unit. Two days later, Toshitako enters the front line for the first time, relieving the 46th Battalion. On 14 February 1917, Private Toshitako Ishihara participates in a Brigade Raid on enemy trenches, also with the objective of destroying minenwerfer emplacements.

MIKAN No. 3194349 Private Toshitako Ishihara — The smaller mortar in the foreground is a light minenwerfer, while behind it is a medium minenwerfer. These weapons were used in the traditional sense, as mortars, but could also propel gas charges and could fire on a flat tragectory for anti-tank purposes. MIKAN No. 3194349

Result, one officer, 3 NCOs and 48 men taken prisoner among the 11th Bavaraians R.I.R., in addition, enemy casualties, 3 officers, 8 NCOs, and 149 men. Casualties extremely light among the 50th, with only one officer and also one O/R killed.

Private Toshitako Ishihara Reported Wounded

On the day Lieutenant-Colonel Lionel Frank Page, DSO assumes command of the 50th Battalion, Private Toshitako Ishihara reported wounded, 11 March 1917, GSW left shoulder (severe). Transferred by No 12 Canadian Field Ambulance to No 23 Casualty Clearing Station, 13 March 1917.

"Lt.-Col. Moshier, Capt. Grant and Capt. Turnbull, 11th Field Ambulance, outside captured German dug-out. August, 1918. Lt. Col. Moshier is seated at left. The sign over the captured dugout indicates this was also a German medical station. Lt. Col. Heber H. Moshier, Commanding Officer of the 11th Field Ambulance, was killed in action in late August, soon after this photo. Capt. D.G. Turnbull acted as a pallbearer at his funeral on the 30th of August, 1918." — “Lt.-Col. Moshier, Capt. Grant and Capt. Turnbull, 11th Field Ambulance, outside captured German dug-out. August, 1918. Lt. Col. Moshier is seated at left. The sign over the captured dugout indicates this was also a German medical station. Lt. Col. Heber H. Moshier, Commanding Officer of the 11th Field Ambulance, was killed in action in late August, soon after this photo. Capt. D.G. Turnbull acted as a pallbearer at his funeral on the 30th of August, 1918.” MIKAN NO. 3395609

Now seriously ill, No 4 General Hospital, Camiers, 28 March 1917 (GSW severe, left shoulder).

Nursing Sister. [Acting Matron Jessie T. Scott]. This studio portrait has been tentatively identified as Acting Matron Jessie T. Scott, R.R.C. of No. 4 Canadian General Hospital. — This studio portrait has been tentatively identified as Acting Matron Jessie T. Scott, R.R.C. of No. 4 Canadian General Hospital. MIKAN No. 3523168

Three days later, Private Toshitako Ishihara died of wounds, 31 March 1917, and later buried at Etaples Military Cemetery.

Toshitaka Ishihara Funeral Private Toshitako Ishihara — Toshitaka Ishihara Funeral

Japanese Canadian War Memorial

Japanese Canadian War Memorial, Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia. This monument in lasting memory of the 190 who answered the call of duty for Canada and to the 54 who also laid down their lives in defence of freedom in the Great War. Their names later engraved on the monument erected, 2 April 1920. A re-lighting of the Memorial to Canadian soldiers of Japanese Ancestry in the Great War also took place on 2 August 1985.