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.

Major Edward Lewin Knight in the Great War
Major Edward Lewin Knight born 23 April 1882 in Collingwood, Ontario. Married to Margaret Allan Knight. Edward had been Superintendent of Bridge and Highway construction in Simcoe County.

Major Edwin Lewin Knight

Enlistment

Prior to the Great War, Major Edward Lewin Knight had previous military service with 35th Regiment, Simcoe Foresters, 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles and, 9th Mississauga Horse. At this time, he stood 6′ tall, with dark complexion, grey eyes and dark hair a month shy of his 34th birthday.

Canadian stretcher bearers tending the wounded at an Advanced Dressing Station. 1916-09 Castle, William Ivor (Lieutenant) © IWM CO 752

Eaton Motor Machine Gun Battery

Initially organized in January 1915 under the command of Major William James Morrison. At this time, Sir John Eaton subscribed $100,000 for the purchase of quick-firing machine guns mounted on armoured trucks – this paid for fifteen and the government supplied twenty-five. Mobilized at Toronto, recruited mainly in Toronto, also appealed to motor mechanics, drivers and athletes. Left Montreal 4 June 1915 aboard SS METAGAMA, and later arrived in England on 13 June 1915.

SS METAGAMA in St. Lawrence Seaway later in 1927.

Later, Boyle’s Yukon Motor Machine Gun Battery attached 26 July 1915 with a strength of 24 officers, 264 other ranks. Finally, arrived in France 25 February 1916 with the 3rd Canadian Division. Brigaded with 1st Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade and later Borden’s Motor Machine Gun Battery on 12 July 1916. Additionally, absorbed by 2nd Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade 8 June 1918. Finally, Colours presented by Parkdale (Toronto) Chapter, IODE, and each man presented with a small Union Jack.

War Diary

Major Edward Lewin Knight began writing the unit war diary in February 1916 in Foklestone, later departing Southampton on 24 February 1916. Then, in billets at Godewaersvelde (France close to the Belgian border) on 29 February 1916. In addition, Knight, one of the least prolific writers of war diaries, often going a week without an entry. Finally, by June 1916, Major Knight slightly more active, but returned to his old ways mid-month (one last entry 30 June 1916).

Painting Chevrons on Canadian Motor Machine Gun Armoured Cars. These autocar armoured cars (no. 5793 and 5797) also marked with the triangle and 3 “C”s of the Canadian corps. April, 1918. MIKAN No. 3395366

On 18 April 1916, the battery has two guns in WARRINGTON AVENUE, also four guns at YEOMANRY POST. In addition, usual routine of guns in reserve on 30 April 1916. The first casualty, Private Stanley Walter Platt, shrapnel wound in the leg, 12 May 1916, then followed by Private George Stanley Ball shrapnel wound in arm and shoulder on 30 May 1916. The following day, guns are in Divisional Reserve.

Testing a Vickers machine gun. September, 1916. MIKAN No. 3395170

Receiving instruction on Vickers Gun at Poperinghe during July 1916, and more training in August 1916.

Private Raymond Clifford Burton 431142

Private Raymond Clifford Burton 431142 died 13 June 1916 and later buried at Maple Copse Cemetery. Son of Frank Burton Annie Maude Brown (formerly Burton), of British Columbia. Later the same day, Private John Stammers 648 died and buried at Poelcapelle British Cemetery.

Battle of Flers-Courcelette

On 26 September 1916, Major Knight killed-in-action, at this time, the battery covering attacks on Zollern, Hessian and Regina trenches, near Courcelette.

Major Edward Lewin Knight

Major Knight and two officers with whom he was conversing killed instantaneously by an enemy high explosive shell, at 3:40 pm on 26 September 1916, while sitting outside the Headquarters dugout, situated about 500 yards North West of Pozieres, near the Cemetery. Furthermore, images from his funeral reveal Major Knight had been decapitated.

Dressing wounded in trench during the battle of Courcelette, 15 September 1916. MIKAN No. 3395804

Bapaume Post Military Cemetery

Preparing the cross for Major Knight.

Funeral of Major Edward Lewin Knight, Eaton Motor Machine Gun Battery, 28 September 1916.

Funeral of Major E.L. Knight. Commander of the battery, he was killed by a H.E. shell outside his HQ in Pozieres, also death was instantaneous (26 September 1916). MIKAN No. 3403332

Officiating chaplain Captain A. P. Shatford at Bapaume Post Military Cemetery.

Officiating chaplain Captain Alan Pearson Shatford at Bapaume Post Military Cemetery. MIKAN No. 3403331

Joseph William Robinson

The existing grave that of Pioneer Joseph William Robinson 430519 of the 3rd Battalion, Canadian Pioneers, died on 22 September 1916.

Pioneer Joseph William Robinson

Funeral of Major Edward Lewin Knight

28 September 1916, Bapaume Post Military Cemetery

The grave of Major Knight in Bapaume Post Military Cemetery early in 2017.

Bapaume Post Military Cemetery, 6 April 2017. CEFRG

Bapaume Post Military Cemetery, 6 April 2017. CEFRG

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July 10, 2021