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.

Gunner Kenneth MacLeod MacDonald in the Great War
Gunner Kenneth MacLeod MacDonald

Gunner Kenneth MacLeod MacDonald born 21 July 1895 in Arnprior, Ontario. Son of John Alexander Macdonald, and Genevieve O. Macdonald, of Toronto.

Enlistment

Gunner Kenneth MacLeod MacDonald 83151 a butcher, standing 5′ 8″ tall, 160 pounds, with medium complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. In addition, he was Wesleyan, and attested on 9 January 1915 in Toronto. Finally, Lieutenant J Perry H Atkin approving officer, Medical officer Lieutenant W C Laidlaw, AMC and Col W R Ward in charge of records.

Reprimanded

Gunner MacDonald awarded three days C.B. in April 1915. Then, admitted to hospital with Influenza and pneumonia, 16 April 1915.

15th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery

Organized in November 1914 under the command of Major L. E. H. Irving. Firstly, mobilized at Toronto and recruited from the 4th Field Battery (Hamilton) and the 9th Field Battery (Toronto) Non-Permanent Active Militia. Then, left Montreal 28 May 1915 aboard SS NORTHLAND and arrived in England 8 June 1915.

SS NORTHLAND

15th Battery strength 5 officers, 151 other ranks. Then, arrived in France 15 September 1915 with the 4th Brigade, 2nd Canadian Divisional Artillery.

In addition, transferred to 6th Brigade 22 May 1916, and increased by 6 gun battery 19 March 1917 by addition of right section from 28th Battery. Finally, demobilized at Toronto May 1919 and disbanded by General Order 191 of 1 November 1920. Ultimately, perpetuated by 15th (Toronto) Field Battery.

Heavy Howitzer in Action. September, 1916. This photo shows an early Mark of BL 8-inch howitzer in action. MIKAN No. 3395183

Unit sailed 28 May 1915, without Gunner MacDonald. Then, Kenneth rejoined unit on 9 July 1915 at Shorncliffe in England.

France and Belgium

From Otterpool Camp, embarked at South Hampton and landed in France, 15 September 1915 with the 4th Brigade, CFA.

Then, from 26 October 1915, the 8th Howitzer Brigade now known as the 6th Canadian Field Artillery Howitzer Brigade.

A Canadian heavy Howitzer in action during the Battle of Courcelette. (Battles of the Somme). MIKAN No. 3521765

Kenneth granted leave of absence 28 April 1916. Then, leave extended by one day and Gunner MacDonald returned to unit 7 May 1916.

Gunner MacDonald S.O.S. on being transferred to 6th Brigade CFA on origin of establishment, 22 May 1916.

Wyschaete

In the Wyschaete vicinity, enemy shelled the 15th Battery from 4:45 p.m. for 1 3/4 hours. Two dead, five wounded. Friends, Gunner Percy Plato 83141 and Gunner MacDonald the two men of the CFA killed on this day.

2 Cavalry Division Artillery in action near Wyschaete © IWM (Q 82562)

Gunner Kenneth MacLeod MacDonald, 15th Battery, 6th Howitzer Brigade killed-in-action 31 May 1916.

Gunner Kenneth MacLeod MacDonald 83151 CEFRG

Dickebusch New Military Cemetery, Belgium. Grave Reference: K. 2.

Dickebusch New Military Cemetery

Dickebusch New Military Cemetery is located 5 Km south west of Ieper town centre, in the village of Dikkebus itself. (Dikkebus is the modern spelling of Dickebusch). Firstly, from Ieper town centre the Dikkebusseweg (N375), is reached via Elverdingsestraat, straight over a roundabout onto J. Capronstraat (for 30 metres), then left along M. Fochlaan. Secondly, immediately after the train station, the first right hand turning is the Dikkebusseweg and on reaching the village of Dikkebus, the Dickebusch New Military Cemetery is located on the Kerkstraat, which is a small street turning left off the Dikkebusseweg. Finally, 200 metres along this street, and just beyond the village church lies the cemetery. This cemetery lies opposite Dickebusch New Military Extension.

19 August 2019, CEFRG.

More
Type your email…

Please subscribe to CEFRG to be notified by email when there are new posts. Subscription is free, and your email kept confidential.
May 30, 2021