CEFRG.ca

Category: Soldiers

Between 1914 and 1919, over 650,000 Canadians served at home and overseas during the Great War. On the Western Front in Belgium and France, Canadian soldiers of the Great War distinguished themselves in numerous battles, including Second Battle of Ypres, Battle of Vimy Ridge, and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In Canada’s Last Hundred Days of the Great War, Canadian soldiers at the sharp end of the spear breaking through the enemy’s formidable trench defences, the Hindenburg Line. Their efforts have inspired these soldier stories.

Collections

Many collections used to bring the soldier stories to life. First, and foremost, the Personnel Records of the soldiers serving in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). This collection, like the others to follow, digitized and made available by Library and Archives Canada (LAC). Secondly, the War Diaries of the CEF often provide vital information about a soldier’s life not contained in their service file. Finally, Circumstances of Death (CoD), War Graves Registers (GRRF), and Veterans Death Cards provide further information on The Fallen. These three collections in conjunction with records of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) vital to cases of identification and recovery of The Missing.

Courts Martial Records (FGCM)

Additional collections used to present the soldier stories include Courts Martial Records. Courts martial had the authority to try a wide range of military offences that resembled civilian crimes like fraud, theft or perjury. Others, like desertion and cowardice – purely military crimes. Records of individual courts martial consist of an average of 20 to 25 documents, mainly standardized forms. These document the trial and the charges under the Army Act.

MIKAN photo collection

Finally, the most powerful way of bringing soldier stories of the Great War to life, the images of the MIKAN collection digitized by LAC.  Often complementing these photos – images held by the Imperial War Museum (IWM), some of which also contain images captured by the Official Canadian War Photographers (CWRO) during the Great War. Both LAC and IWM have film collections which further bring the reality of the soldier stories of the Great War to life.

  • Private David Bamberger in the Great War

    Private David Bamberger in the Great War

    Served as David Nash

    Though Wilt Keep Him In Perfect Peace

    Private David Bamberger (served as David Nash) son of Jacob and Mary Bamberger, of 27 Milton Road, Stoke Newington, London, England, born 26 January 1884 in London, England.

    Private David Bamberger served as Private David Nash. CEFRG
    Private David Bamberger served as Private David Nash. CEFRG

    Enlistment of Private David Bamberger

    Private David Bamberger 2021031 enlisted 10 December 1917 in Vancouver, BC with the 1st Depot Battalion in Medical District No.11. Single, and a trackman by trade. At this time, he stood 5′ 6″ tall, 150 pounds, with medium complexion, hazel eyes, and dark brown hair.

    Private David Nash
    Private David Nash

    The reason for the anglicized surname quite simple – David, like thousands of other Jews serving in the CEF, wished to be accepted, unequivocally, by his comrades. Jewish soldiers, like David, often registered as Protestants. Still, David declared Mary Bamberger as his mother.

    SS METAGAMA in St. Lawrence Seaway, 1927.
    SS METAGAMA in St. Lawrence Seaway, 1927.

    David, hereafter referred to as Pte Bamberger, arrived in England aboard SS METAGAMA 11 March 1918, fairly late in the Great War. Private David Bamberger ToS (Taken-on-Strength) 1st Reserve Battalion, Seaford, 11 March 1918.

    MIKAN No. 3405957
    No. 4 Company, 7th Infantry Battalion, 6 August 1916. MIKAN No. 3405957

    Then on 21 June 1918, Pte Bamberger SoS (Struck-off-Strength) to 7th Battalion overseas. However, quite some time elapses before David finally joins his unit.

    7th Battalion

    Organized in Valcartier Camp September 1914 and initially composed of recruits from British Columbia, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel W H McHarg. Embarked Quebec City 25 September 1914 aboard VIRGINIAN, later disembarked in England 14 October 1914 with a strength of 49 officers, 1083 other ranks.

    Remaining original members of the Sergt.'s Mess, 7th Infantry Battalion, 6 August 1916
    Remaining original members of the Sergt.’s Mess, 7th Infantry Battalion, 6 August 1916. MIKAN No. 3405947

    Disembarked in France 10 February 1915 with the 1st Canadian Division, 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade, and later reinforced by 1st Canadian Reserve Battalion, and perpetuated by British Columbia Regiment.

    MIKAN No. 3405950
    The only two original officers left, 7th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Capt. W.S. Ford and Lt. Col. Gardner, ‘Patricia Lines’, Belgium, 6 August 1916. Ford will survive, Gardner is killed 30/09/1918. MIKAN No. 3405950

    Prior to catching up with his unit, Private David Bamberger sentenced to forfeit 7 days pay, 3 July 1918, for Absent without leave from hospital fatigue.

    MIKAN No. 3405960
    No. 1 Company, 7th Infantry Battalion, 6 August 1916. MIKAN No. 3405960

    Pte Bamberger to Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp, arriving later on 14 July 1918.

    MIKAN No. 3405948
    No. 2 Company, 7th Infantry Battalion, 6 August 1916. MIKAN No. 3405948
    MIKAN No. 3405956
    No. 2 Company, 7th Infantry Battalion, 6 August 1916. MIKAN No. 3405956

    Battle of Amiens

    Private David Bamberger left to join unit, along with 79 Other Ranks, 14 August 1918, Warvillers. However, David has just missed the opening day of the Battle of Amiens, 8 August 1918 – known as the Darkest Day of the German Army. Several men in No.3 Company wounded the following day when a German plane dropped a bomb.

    MIKAN No. 3405958
    No. 3 Company, 7th Infantry Battalion, 6 August 1916. MIKAN No. 3405958

    Finally, on 17 August 1918, David with his battalion in the front lines for the first time – nine Other Ranks killed.

    Canal du Nord

    The opening of Canada’s Last Hundred Days included several attacks. Following the Battle of Amiens, the Canadians once again spearheaded the British First Army’s attack on the Arras front, through the Drocourt-Quéant Line (D-Q Line) and then across the Canal du Nord to capture the town of Cambrai.

    MIKAN No. 3329276
    Cagnicourt. Arras Front. MIKAN No. 3329276

    Canal du Nord a battle honour incorporating the tactical incident “Capture of Bourlon Wood”, formally entitled the “Battle of the Canal du Nord”, in addition, itself part of “The Battles of the Hindenburg Line”.

    Private David Nash CoD
    Private David Nash CoD

    Private David Bamberger killed-in-action 29 September 1918, shortly after crossing the Canal du Nord near Marquion.

    Chalk Pit in 2018 outside Quarry Cemetery
    Chalk Pit in 2018 outside Quarry Cemetery
    Private David Nash CoD Chalk Pit Cemetery
    Private David Nash CoD Chalk Pit Cemetery

    Quarry Cemetery, Marquion

    MIKAN No. 3395398
    Lorries taking shells up to the guns through Marquion. MIKAN No. 3395398

    Marquion a village in the Department of the Pas-de-Calais, on the straight main road from Arras to Cambrai. Quarry Cemetery about 1 kilometre south east of the village.

    Quarry Cemetery (called also the Chalk Pit Cemetery) made by fighting units after the battle and used during the following month. One grave brought in from Marquion German Cemetery following the Armistice. Finally, Quarry Cemetery contains 68 burials of the Great War, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

    A tribute to our Jewish War Veterans of Canada

    The history of the Jews in the Canadian military dispels the myth Jews have not contributed their share in the Canadian Forces. This includes the Boer War, the Great War, the Second World War, the Korean War as well as in Canada’s ongoing military activities throughout the world.

    During the Great War, 38% of all Jewish males 21 years and over in Canada served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force. In addition, 4.5% earned decorations for bravery and distinguished military service, in comparison with 3.4% Canadian soldiers of all origins.