Private Reuben Alvin Jucksch (Jukes) born on 5 July 1887 to Ernst August Jucksch and Maria Kalbfleisch of Hanover, Ontario. ‘Jukes’ not an official war artist, but family tradition holds that his commanding officer turned a blind eye when Jukes painted the scenes that confronted him whilst on active service.
The same tradition says that he managed to have some 17 paintings sent back to his family listed as the personal effects of a deceased soldier. Given the conditions under which these paintings executed, they provide a fascinating glimpse into the Great War as seen through the eyes of a Canadian soldier.
Second Contingent
Private Reuben Alvin Jucksch 57432 attested 10 November 1914 in Toronto with the 20th Battalion, previous service with 31st Regiment. Standing 5′ 3″ tall, 145 pounds, 27 years 3 months of age, with fair complexion, grey eyes and dark brown hair.
Jukes listed his profession as an artist and painted throughout the war despite prohibitions against it. Jukes’ diaries regularly noted his painting and sketching activities.
Corporal Alex Pennell
Lance-Corporal Alex Pennell 57476, enlisted with Reuben in 1914.
Awarded the Military Medal for bravery in January of 1917, L-Cpl Pennell severely wounded later in August and evacuated to England. Like Reuben, he would return to the 20th Battalion in August of 1918.
20th Canadian Infantry Battalion
The 20th (Central Ontario) Battalion organized in October 1914 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel John Alfred Walker Allan, mobilized at Toronto and recruited in Aurora, Milton, Parry Sound, Owen Sound, Whitby, Barrie, Brampton, York, Simcoe, Niagara Falls, Dundas and Sudbury.
To England
Embarked from Montreal on 15 May 1915 aboard SS MEGANTIC. Disembarked later in England on 24 May 1915 with a strength of 35 officers, 1100 other ranks.
Witley
In summer of 1915, Col J A W Allan replaced due his alleged inability to maintain discipline. Major-General Sam Steele reprimanded Allan for being too lenient with his men and refusing to force them on an eight-mile hike.
France
The 20th Battalion arrived in France on 14 September 1915 with the 2nd Canadian Division, 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade. Later reinforced by 5th Canadian Reserve Battalion.
PTSD
On 31 March 1916 Jukes diagnosed as suffering from neurasthenia (shell-shock), at No 24 General Hospital, Etaples.
Sent back to England to recover, and on 14 March 1916, admitted to Bevan Military Hospital, Sandgate, and transferred two days later to the Military Hospital at Shorncliffe.
Not discharged until 16 October 1916. With CCAC at Shoreham from 23 October 1916. CCTB from 27 December 1916 at Hastings, and SoS to the 5th Reserve Battalion at Bramshott on 31 January 1917.
Second Tour
SoS to the 20th Battalion from East Sandling on 9 March 1917, arriving at his unit on 16 March 1917, in time for the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
The name, and scene of his image ‘Over the Top 1917’, likely inspired by Ivor Castle’s faked images from October 1916.
Jukes proceeded overseas for his second tour on 6 March 1917.
France
Neuville St. Vaast
Item consists of one watercolour drawing of a destroyed Chateau in Neuville St. Vaast, France.
Private Colter, 18th Battalion
Private George Colter 124598 rests at Lievin Communal Cemetery Extension. However, the painting of his first grave ‘between Vimy Ridge and Goulot Wood’.
Shell Gas
The battalion relieved the 29th Battalion on the evening of 20/21 April 1918 by Neuville-Vitasse. Artillery fired gas shells over the enemy before dawn, but owing to a wind shift, several men, including Private Reuben Alvin Jukes caught without their respirators and were gassed. Admitted to No 56 General Hospital at Etaples on 25 April 1918 (shell gas). Evacuated once again to England, and admitted to Queen Alexandria’s Military Hospital at Millbank on 5 May 1918.
Transferred to Canadian General Hospital at Bearwood on 7 June 1918, and finally discharged on 26 July 1918.
Lance-Corporal Knight, D-Company
Country Mansion at Sindlesham, Berkshire, England, Aug. 1918
Third Tour
Private Reuben Alvin Jukes made it back to the 20th Battalion at Thun-Levesque, on 19 October 1918 – just before the final push.’Private Reuben Alvin Jukes made it back to the 20th Battalion at Thun-Levesque, on 19 October 1918 – just before the final push.
Jukes found himself in Saint-Symphorien in the early morning of 11 November 1918. The advance from La Bouverie cost the battalion 1 Officer, 11 Other Ranks killed and 30 wounded. About ten Prisoners taken, the final one in the last minutes before the cease-fire.
Mons
March to the Rhine
After a short halt near Maffe, Belgium, the 20th Battalion continued the March to the Rhine.
Oberdrees, Germany on the southern route of the 2nd Canadian Division toward Bonn.
Kahl, Germany
Occupation
Bonn
The ‘Church of the Cross’ is the largest Protestant Church in Bonn. The Bonn Minster (Bonner Münster) is one of Germany’s oldest churches, having been built between the 11th and 13th centuries.
At one point the church served as the cathedral for the Archbishopric of Cologne. The basilica suffered significant damage in 1583-89, 1689, and in World War II, but each time it was fully restored. In 1956, the Bonner Münster was granted the status of Papal Minor Basilica.
Siegburg
Allmuthen
Almuthen ceded to Belgium following the Treaty Of Versailles.
Return to Belgium
The 20th Battalion awaited their return home in Belgium.
Jukes formerly discharged from the Army on 25 May 1919 in Toronto.
Post War
Following the war Jukes worked in Vaudeville both as a set painter and in various acts. He supplemented his income as a sign painter and in 1940 he founded a sign painting business in Kitchener, Ontario.
Jukes married Amelia Louisa Hagen in 1924. He died in May 1959 at the age of 71. Buried in Section Q of Woodlawn Cemetery, Kitchener, Ontario.
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