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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 Charles Thompson Daniells in the Great War

    Private Charles Thompson Daniells in the Great War

    Private Charles Thompson Daniells born 21 March 1897, Haysville, County, Waterloo, Ontario. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Daniells, of New Hamburg, Ontario; husband of Mrs. B. H. Diamond (formerly Daniells), of Palmerston, Ontario, Canada. Charles, a Woodcarver.

    Charles Thompson Daniels
    Charles Thompson Daniells

    Attestation

    Private Charles Thompson Daniells 730434 attested 27 January 1916. Then, assigned to ‘B’ Company, 111th South Waterloo Battalion, CEF. Commanding officer Lt-Col. J. Clarke.

    Apparent age 19 years old. Charles stood 6′ 1″ tall, with fair complexion, blue eyes, and light-brown hair. Mother Mrs. Annie Maria Daniells, New Hamburg, Ontario. Unit sailed 25 September 1916, SS TUSCANIA.

    SS TUSCANIA Charles Thompson Daniels
    SS TUSCANIA

    Private Charles Thompson Daniells transferred to 17th Reserve Battalion, 8 October 1916. Then, re-transferred to 111th Battalion, 13 October 1916. Finally, transferred to 35th Reserve Battalion, West Sandling, 13 October 1916.

    MIKAN No. 3405935
    R.S.M. S.J. Jaminson – 42 years service, S.M. McInerey – 28 years service (4th Canadian Infantry Battalion). July, 1916. MIKAN No. 3405935

    Pte Charles Thompson Daniells transferred to 4th Battalion, ‘C’ Company, 12 November 1916. Finally, Charles proceeds to the Western Front.

    MIKAN No. 3405925
    “C” Company (4th Canadian Infantry Battalion). July, 1916. MIKAN No. 3405925

    4th Battalion (Central Ontario)

    Lieut.-Col. Rae, Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, Officer Commanding (4th Canadian Infantry Battalion). July, 1916. Then, Lt-Col William Rae was Commanding Officer of the 4th Battalion from 25-5-15 to 2-6-17. He had received the Distinguished Service Order, which he is wearing. He later received the French Croix de Guerre and was Mentioned in Dispatches a total of 4 times.

    MIKAN No. 3220232
    MIKAN No. 3220232

    4th Battalion organized in Valcartier Camp in September 1914. Firstly, composed of recruits from MD2 (Aurora, Brampton, Brantford, Hamilton, Niagara Falls). Secondly, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel WS Buell, replaced within days by Lieutenant-Colonel R. H. Labatt.

    The Battalion embarked Quebec City 23 September 1914 aboard SS TYROLIA. Then, disembarked in England 14 October 1914. Strength: 44 officers, 1121 other ranks. Then, disembarked in France 11 February 1915 with the 1st Canadian Division, 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade. Finally, reinforced by 3rd Canadian Reserve Battalion.

    France

    Private Charles Thompson Daniells arrived in France, 14 November 1916. Then, arrived with the 4th Battalion, in the field, 3 December 1916.

    MIKAN No. 3405934
    “C” Company with new pack equipment (4th Canadian Infantry Battalion). July, 1916. MIKAN No. 3405934

    Pte Daniells admitted No. 7 Canadian General Hospital, Etaples, 15 April 1917, Trench feet. Then, discharged from hospital, 22 June 1917. Finally, attached 1st C.C.D., West Sandling, 22 June 1917.

    MIKAN No. 3397885
    A heavily fortified emplacement with a 7.7cm FK96 captured German field gun claimed as captured by the 4th Canadian Infantry Battalion, April 9th, 1917 (Vimy Ridge). MIKAN No. 3397885

    Private Charles Thompson Daniells to 3rd Reserve Battalion, 28 August 1917, West Sandling.

    Marriage

    While in England, Private Daniells granted permission to marry, Witley Camp, 7 May 1918. Finally, married to Constance H. Daniells.

    Then, S.o.S. to 4th Battalion, 9 May 1918. Finally, Charles proceeds to the Western Front for his second tour.

    Return to France

    During actions at Upton Wood, on 2 September 1918, Private Charles Thomson Daniells Killed-in-Action.

    Private Charles Thompson Daniells 730434 C.o.D.
    Private Charles Thompson Daniells 730434 C.o.D.

    Queant Road Cemetery, Pas de Calais

    Buissy is a village about 20 kilometres south-east of Arras and a little south of the main road from Arras to Cambrai. QUEANT ROAD CEMETERY is about 2 kilometres south-west of Buissy on the north-west side of the road to the village of Queant.

    Thanks to great-grandson Trevor Witteveen for inspiring the story of Private Charles Thompson Daniells.

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