Category: Units Great War

The 107th Timberwolves Battalion not entirely, nor even half-comprised, of Indigenous recruits as has been suggested by several trusted sources.

• “About half the unit’s soldiers were Indigenous Canadians.” – The CANADIAN ENCYCLOPEDIA.
• “More than half the applicants were Indigenous Canadians from the Blackfoot, Cree, Ojibwe, Haudenosaunee, Dakota, Delaware and Mi’kmaq nations.”  – The CANADIAN MILITARY ENGINEERS ASSOCIATION.
• “Over 500 of the original 900 soldiers were Native Canadians. Represented in the ranks were the Cree, Sioux, Mohawks, Onandagas, Oniedas, Tuscaroras, Delawares and Ojibwas.” – Steven A. Bell, Department of National Defence, Canadian Military History Volume 5 Issue 1

True, many Indigenous soldiers served in the 107th, including both Joe Keeper and Tom Longboat who later transferred into the Timberwolves. But, the claims above blown out of proportion, and perhaps due to Joe and Tom’s accomplishments before, during and after the Great War.

Later known as the 107th Pioneer Battalion, the Indigenous connection had much to do with the fact Lieutenant Colonel GLENLYON (Glen) CAMPBELL had married Gilbert Ross’ first cousin, Harriet Burns, daughter of the Ojibwa Chief Keeseekoowenin. She had been baptized by Presbyterian missionary George Flett, her second cousin.

An examination of the 107th Battalion Nominal Roll, and most especially the casualties among the originals buried in France and Belgium reveal such claims of an Indigenous majority among the Timberwolves statistically impossible.

Odds

War diaries examined from March 1917 to May 1918 when absorbed by 1st, 2nd and 3rd Canadian Engineer Battalions. Thirty-five of the 107th Battalion originals died during this period, including their Commanding Officer. The Métis or other Indigenous Nations slightly over-represented with eight casualties among them.

Criteria: Only soldiers appearing in the Nominal Roll of the 107th Battalion considered, and fell during the existence of the unit in Belgium and France (discounting Lt Jones who died serving with the RAF). Also assuming half the unit comprised of Indigenous recruits. Following the binomial distribution, the situation equivalent to tossing a coin 35 times, with every toss but eight resulting in a head (a non-Indigenous soldier). What are the odds that 27 casualties were non-Indigenous? The odds rather astounding:

• 1 in 1,460

Claims the Timberwolves recruited predominantly Indigenous soldiers carry no weight. By the end of this post, we shall understand LtCol Campbell recruited about 1 in 5 soldiers from an Indigenous Nation since 22.8% of their casualties Indigenous.

One such casualty, Private Antoine ‘Arthur’ Bone, who suffered multiple gun shot wounds, at the Battle of Hill 70, on 15 August 1917. Arthur soon died of his wounds the same day at No. 33 Casualty Clearing Station in Bethune, and buried at Bethune Town Cemetery. Pvt Bone predeceased by two Indigenous soldiers of the Timberwolves, Private Harrison Homer, on 28 July 1917, and Private Thomas Lickers on 7 August 1917, both from Six Nations – Oshweken, Ont. (and Brantford), Haudenosaunee.

Haudenosaunee Confederacy

The Haudenosaunee Confederacy made up of the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca tribal nations, five original Iroquoian nations of the northeast region of North America. Described as the oldest living “participatory democracy on Earth,” the Confederacy united by several common values.

One such value the “Seventh Generation,” which offers a distinctive approach to how actions, relationships, and lives should be oriented. In short, today’s responsibility owed to tomorrow’s people.

107th Battalion Nominal Roll

107th Battalion Nominal Roll of Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Men, embarkation at Halifax, aboard SS OLYMPIC, 18 September 1916. Other Ranks assigned service numbers in range 718001 – 719194.

Assuming every service number assigned in this range, it accounted for a total of 1,193 Other Ranks. However, 16th Battalion, 27th Battalion and 1st C.M.R. also used service numbers in this range. Direct examination of the Nominal Roll accounts for exactly 1,000 Other Ranks and Officers. Once in England, the unit required another 100 men to reach battalion strength in order to proceed to France.

Demographics

• 528 Canada
• 246 England
• 119 Scottish
• 38 American
• 25 Irish
• 9 Icelanders
• 7 Welsh
• 6 Norwegian
• 6 Swedish
• 2 India
• 2 Belgians
• 2 French
• 1 British West Indian
• 1 New Zealander
• 1 Sts. Settlements (Status Indian)
• 1 Newfoundlander
• 1 Channel Islands
• 1 Dutch
• 1 African
• 1 Pole
• 1 Bohemian
• 1 German (British Subject of a Consulate)

Exactly 1,000 Other Ranks and Officers embarked Halifax on 19 September 1916.

Officers

All the Officers from the Canadian Militia. The image below must be from after 26 October 1916 when Lt Fred Riley transferred to the 107th Battalion.

Captain Albert Lee Cavanagh MC

Among the officers above, only Lt Albert Lee Cavanagh appears on the Nominal Roll of the 107th Battalion. Cavanagh an Electrical Engineer, discharged to take on a Commission on 25 April 1916. He continued to serve overseas with the 107th, and as a Captain, wounded on 25-4-17, and again on 9-8-18 with the Canadian Engineers. Mentioned in Despatches, 28-12-17 and awarded the Military Cross on 2-12-18.

Lieutenant James David Moses

Lt James D Moses a Mohawk from Ohsweken, Ontario, later became an Observer with the RAF. Reported missing and presumed to have died 1 April 1918 (ARRAS FLYING SERVICES MEMORIAL). Son of Martha Moses and Nelson Moses. The six nations of the Iroquois Confederacy are the Mohawk, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Seneca and Tuscarora.

See the last subject of this post for the death of Lt J D Moses.

Lieutenant Oliver Milton Martin

Lt Oliver Milton Martin also of Ohsweken, followed Lt J D Moses into the RAF. In January 1917, after brief attachments to other battalions, Martin posted to the 107th (Timber Wolf) Battalion. Shortly after his RAF Observer training, admitted to 1st Northern General Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne complaining of urinary, knee and hip pain. While in Newcastle, he married Irene Preece, with whom he had a daughter in 1918.

Martin also spent time in Granville Special Hospital in Kent and the convalescent hospital in Matlock Bath while recovering from his medical problems. In June 1918, attached to No. 1 School of Aeronautics in Reading, where he earned his Royal Air Force pilot’s wings. Oliver finally left the RAF on 14 April 1919.

John Moses, James’ great nephew, notes Lieutenant Oliver Milton Martin, a Mohawk also from Grand River Reserve—would survive the war and go on to serve in the Second World War as a brigadier, the highest rank ever attained by an Indigenous Canadian.

Lieutenant Fred Riley MC & Bar

Lt Fred Riley MC & Bar transferred from 183rd Battalion to the 107th on 26 October 1916. Awarded the Military Cross, 1 January 1918, and Bar in February 1919.

Riley transferred to 1st Canadian Engineers upon the disbanding of the 107th Battalion.

Other Ranks

Regimental Sgt-Major Wilfred Lawson Meredith

Naturally, Regimental Sgt-Major Wilfred Lawson Meredith assigned the first service number, 718001 on 23 July 1915.

Private Henry Jamieson Bennett

Private Henry Jamieson Bennett signed up the week before embarkation at Winnipeg, on 9 September 1916, and assigned the final service number – 719194. Though his complexion noted as dark, Harry was a big Scotsman. Corporal H J Bennett would be severely wounded in June of 1917. By the time he recuperated the 107th Battalion had disbanded. He would be among one of the first Timberwolves to return to Canada on 25 November 1918.

Soldiers like George Milne 261065 who had signed up previously with 212th Overseas Battalion on 13 March 1916 also included in the Nominal Roll. There are less than 10 such cases.

Several 114th (Haldimand) Battalion soldiers would come into the 107th Battalion upon arrival in England. The 114th had recruited in Haldimand County and on the Six Nations Reserve.

The 114th Battalion absorbed by 35th and 36th Canadian Reserve Battalion in November 1916. See the story of Private Jacob Isaac for more about the 114th Battalion.

Death of Originals in Canada

Several originals died in training, along with men who passed shortly after the 107th had left for England.

• WILLIAM B. BOULTON 718126 09/01/1916 WINNIPEG (ELMWOOD) CEMETERY L.89. S.8A. G.2. 38-year-old son of Mrs. Margaret Boulton, of 575, Furby St., Winnipeg, Man., and the late W. B. Boulton.
• WILLIAM BRYANT 718199 04/02/1916 RUSSELL CEMETERY. Died of heart trouble. Son of Jessie Bryant, of Shellmouth, Man., and the late Frank Bryant.
• JOHN T. MATTHEWS 718129 05/02/1916 WINNIPEGOSIS CEMETERY 694. 22-year-old son of Mrs. Alice Matthews, of Lower Clapton, London, England.
• JAMES WELLINGTON SMITH 718667 03/04/1916. 24-year-old son of the late Benjamin and Alice Smith, of Saskatoon, Sask.
• MAYNARD McD. HILL 718777 11/04/1916 VERNON (SPRING HILL) CEMETERY Lot 220. 18-year-old son of Mr. R. S. Hill, of Vernon, Ont.
• CYRUS BAILEY RALSTON 718836 23/04/1916 TUMMEL (DEER PARK) CEMETERY Row 1.

• THOMAS TOMLINSON 718728 19/07/1916 WINNIPEG (BROOKSIDE) CEMETERY Mil. 45. Son of Edward and Mary Jane Tomlinson of Racing Lake, Sask.

Regina Cemetery

• GEORGE ARTHUR MUTCH 718151 04/11/1916 REGINA CEMETERY Soldiers plot. Son of Isabella and George Mutch, of Aberdeen. Husband of Helen Mutch, of Aberdeen, Scotland.
• Cpl JACOB KUNDERT 718794 09/12/1916 ROBLIN CEMETERY Soldiers plot. Jacob born in Switzerland. Died of Erysipelas, an acute rapidly developing bacterial infection.

Private Malcolm Theodore Taylor 718168 shared the photo above with family. Like several men of the 107th, later attached to the RFC/RAF during the Great War.

107th Battalion

The 107th Infantry Battalion had no links to the existing militia; recruiting depended entirely on Campbell’s reputation. With the motto “Follow me” and the regimental march “The Campbells are coming,” he attracted 1,741 volunteers, many of them Indigenous. Campbell spoke fluent Cree and Ojibwe since his childhood. CEFRG Note: as mentioned previously, all the Officers from the Canadian Militia, and a total of 1,000 Officers and men who would arrive in England.

Tuberculosis

Campbell rejected 700 candidates (many with tuberculosis) and achieved full strength within three months. His troops included more than 500 Indigenous soldiers from all over the country. The inspector-general reported that the “NCOs and men are very good, of good physique and above average intelligence, though few hold certificates.”

Rates of active TB disproportionately higher among Indigenous Peoples in Canada due to social inequities as a direct result of colonial policies and practices that include forced relocation, loss of lands, creation of the reserve system, banning of Indigenous language and cultural practices, Indian hospitals and TB sanitoria, and the creation of the residential school system. – Government of Canada

In June 1916 the 107th moved to Camp Hughes for serious training. Campbell’s own senior officer’s course interrupted by months in hospital, during which he battled a serious kidney infection (Campbell dies of a kidney infection in France during 1917).

England

On 19 September 1916 Campbell sailed from Halifax on the Olympic. As senior officer, he commanded the 5,000 soldiers aboard, among them the 107th, 108th, and 97th (American Legion) Battalion, forced to drop their name following protests from the American government (note the USA still neutral at this time).

In England battalions of the CEF routinely broken up to reinforce existing units. Within weeks, half of his men gone. The 107th spared further depletion because of the need for four new pioneer battalions in France. Campbell himself had insisted that his men suited to such work and his superiors felt that the Indigenous soldiers would work better under their own officers. Authorities made special efforts to transfer native officers and soldiers from other units to his.

The 107th Pioneer Battalion left Surrey Camp in 25 February 1917, and embarked for France at Folkestone-Kent, arriving at Boulogne at mid-day same date.

France

In February 1917 the 107th Pioneer Battalion moved to France, the last complete unit from western Canada to join the Canadian Corps. At Osterhove Rest Camp Number 5 from 26 February 1917.

Billeted at Maisnil-les-Ruitz until the following morning, when it marched south to the huts at Ecoivres. Strength 55 Officers and 861 Other Ranks. First working parties sent out on 1 March 1917 – working on Ammunition Dumps.

As part of the 1st Canadian Division, Campbell’s men soon engaged in an endless series of exhausting and often dangerous tasks behind the line. During the campaign to capture Hill 70 in France in August and at Passchendaele in Belgium in October, the 107th and other Canadian pioneer battalions worked amid mud, rain, and German shells to keep roads open. No engineer, Campbell earned two mentions in dispatches and the Distinguished Service Order by sustaining morale.

March 1917

While D Company burying a cable near Ecoivres, shell fire causes several casualties. One man killed, three others wounded (one seriously).

Private GORDON CHAPLE 718620 (1) 23/03/1917 ECOIVRES MILITARY CEMETERY, MONT-ST. ELOI IV. G. 6. Son of Mr and Mrs Robert Chaple of Oakbank, Man.

In a kitchen dugout at MAISON BLANCHE, a direct hit causes several casualties. One man killed, two others wounded (one seriously). Pvt Simons succumbs to his wounds two days later.

IV. J. 17. BURFORD JAMES 28/03/1917 Private ‘719120’ (2) ECOIVRES MILITARY CEMETERY, MONT-ST. ELOI. The second original dies on 28 March 1917. Private JAMES BURFORD the son of James and Sarah Burford, of Taunton, Somerset, England; husband of Beatrice Lily Burford, of Langruth, Manitoba.

I. J. 27. SIMONS 29/03/1917 Pioneer ‘719027’ (3) AUBIGNY COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION. On 29 March 1917, another man dies of wounds in hospital. An original, Pioneer ALBERT SIMONS 719027. Son of Mrs. Maud Lodge, of 471, Main St., East Toronto, Canada.

April 1917

Ecoivres Military Cemetery

V. B. 13. DUNCAN 03/04/1917 Private ‘718632’ (4) ECOIVRES MILITARY CEMETERY, MONT-ST. ELOI. Original (fourth), Private MELVILLE DOUGLAS DUNCAN the son of James Douglas Duncan and Jane Duncan, of Austin, Manitoba.

Private Alexander George Sinclair (5, 1st Indigenous)

Private ALEXANDER GEORGE SINCLAIR 721161 (7) 03/04/1917 ECOIVRES MILITARY CEMETERY, MONT-ST. ELOI V. B. 15. (Lac du Bonnet, Man. (also Selkirk))

Private David Goosey (6, 2nd Indigenous)

Two men killed and five men wounded by shell fire near ARAINE DUMP (MAISON BLANCHE), 20 April 1917.

Private GOOSEY, DAVID 739806 (8) 20/04/1917 ECOIVRES MILITARY CEMETERY, MONT-ST. ELOI VI. F. 24. (Six Nations – Brantford, Ont.).

May 1917

None.

June 1917

II. L. 10. JAMIESON ARTHUR 02/06/1917 Private ‘739233’ (7) WIMEREUX COMMUNAL CEMETERY SON OF LOUIS AND LUCY JAMIESON, OF 117, CHESTNUT AVENUE, BRANTFORD, ONTARIO, CANADA. ENLISTED FROM THE SIX NATIONS RESERVE IN THE ORIGINAL 114TH BN. BROCKS RANGERS.

On 11 June 1917 at MAISON BLAHCHE, two Other Ranks killed. One died of wounds, 3 slightly wounded.

II. C. 3. WAITE 11/06/1917 Private ‘718512’ LA TARGETTE BRITISH CEMETERY, NEUVILLE-ST. VAAST. Son of Emma Waite, London England.

II. C. 2. SPARLING 11/06/1917 Private ‘718405’ (9) LA TARGETTE BRITISH CEMETERY, NEUVILLE-ST. VAAST. Son of Joseph Sparling, Winnipeg, Man.

While working in BRUNSWICK TRENCH, two men killed, and five wounded 24/25 June 1917.

I. D. 1. HOWARD FREDERICK JOHN 25/06/1917 Private ‘718184’ (10) LA TARGETTE BRITISH CEMETERY, NEUVILLE-ST. VAAST SON OF JOHN AND GRACE ADA HOWARD, OF MINNEDOSA, MANITOBA. NATIVE OF SOUTHEND-ON-SEA, ENGLAND.

July 1917

All men of the The 107th Battalion permitted to attend Corps Sports at Camblain L”Abbe, 2 July 1917.

Two OR killed, 1 Officer and 4 OR wounded on 26 July 1917 at Hailicourt. LtCol Campbell had particularly high praise for the conspicuous bravery of Private Reginald Groff 718128.:

During an intense enemy bombardment by shells of high caliber of the village of Loos, the entrance to the cellar where he [Private Groff] and seven companions were quartered was blown in. Two of his companions were killed and the remainder were imprisoned and more or less buried. Pte Groff worked himself free of the debris crawled over a broken wall, and forcing himself under a broken staircase, made his way outside, and then under shellfire to headquarters, for help. His bravery was conspicuous and unquestionably saved the lives of his companions, for the building in which they were imprisoned was completely destroyed a few minutes after they were released by the rescuing party. – War Diary

II. F. 26. MITCHELL 26/07/1917 Private ‘722029’ (11) NOEUX-LES-MINES COMMUNAL CEMETERY

II. H. 3. SANDERSON, WILLIAM 26/07/1917 Private ‘718743’ (12) MAROC BRITISH CEMETERY, GRENAY SON OF GEORGE AND NANCY SANDERSON, OF WINNIPEGOSIS, MANITOBA.

Maroc British Cemetery

Private Harrison Homer (13, 3rd Indigenous)

Pvt Harrison Homer  739543 died 28 July 1917 and buried at Maroc British Cemetery.

II. H. 7. HOMER, HARRISON 28/07/1917 Pioneer ‘739543’ (13) MAROC BRITISH CEMETERY, GRENAY (Oshweken, Ont. Haudenosaunee)

August 1917

Twenty-nine casualties during the month of August 1917. Twenty five of these on 15 August 1917 during opening of the Battle for Hill 70.

BULLY-GRENAY COMMUNAL CEMETERY, BRITISH EXTENSION

Private Percy Roy Lickers (14, 4th Indigenous)

Percy Roy Lickers died of his wounds in the field, working south of Loos, and buried at Bully-Grenay.

Lickers, Percy Roy Oshweken, Ont. Haudenosaunee WWI 739241

IV. D. 8. LICKERS, THOMAS 07/08/1917 (14) Private ‘739241’ BULLY-GRENAY COMMUNAL CEMETERY, BRITISH EXTENSION. (Six Nations – Oshweken, Ont. (and Brantford) Haudenosaunee)

Hill 70

The Battle of Hill 70 claimed the most casualties in the 107th Battalion during the war. The bulk of these casualties came on 15 August 1917 during German counterattacks. For some units in the CEF, the battle known as a turkey-shoot, but not for the 107th.

Seven of the originals succumbed to their wounds on the same day at Field Ambulances of Casualty Clearing Stations. Four would be among The Missing – and named on the Vimy Memorial.

BETHUNE TOWN CEMETERY

Two men buried at BETHUNE TOWN CEMETERY 15/08/1917. These men would definitely have succumbed to their wounds at the CCS in Bethune.

VI. F. 75. JOHNSON, JOHN GILBERT 15/08/1917 Private ‘718371’ (15) BETHUNE TOWN CEMETERY SON OF PHILLIP JOHNSON AND PORDI PORSTEINDOTTIR (HIS WIFE), OF STONY HILL, MANITOBA. John a son of an Icelander, born in Shoal Lake, Man.

Private Antoine ‘Arthur’ Bone (16, 5th Indigenous)

VI. F. 74. BONE ANTOINE 15/08/1917 Private ‘718805’ (15) BETHUNE TOWN CEMETERY. Private Antoine ‘Arthur’ Bone, suffered multiple gun shot wounds, at the Battle of Hill 70, on 15 August 1917. Arthur later died of his wounds at No. 33 Casualty Clearing Station in Bethune, and buried at Bethune Town Cemetery.

Antoine a Fisherman, standing 5′ 10″ tall with dark complexion, brown eyes, and black hair at his attestation. Roman Catholic. LtCol Campbell himself had signed his attestation paper on 18 March 1916 – “Arthur Bone” signed with a mark. He was residing in South Bay, Winnipegosis, Man.

Arthur spoke no English, and either Cree or Ojibwe, as LtCol Campbell able to converse with him in either language.

MAROC BRITISH CEMETERY, GRENAY

Seven Pioneers buried at MAROC BRITISH CEMETERY, GRENAY 15/08/1917. These would have been men who died of their wounds at a Field Ambulance or Casualty Clearing Station, or died previously (Pvt SANDERSON, WILLIAM 26/07/1917 ‘718743’ (12) MAROC BRITISH CEMETERY).

II. H. 3. SANDERSON, WILLIAM 26/07/1917 Private ‘718743’ (12) MAROC BRITISH CEMETERY, GRENAY SON OF GEORGE AND NANCY SANDERSON, OF WINNIPEGOSIS, MANITOBA.

Private John Peguis Thomas (17, 6th Indigenous)

Pte J P Thomas killed at the Battle of Hill 70.

Thomas, John Peguis Band – The Halfway, Man. Ojibway – Cree WWI 721095

III. H. 10. THOMAS JOHN 15/08/1917 Private ‘721095’ MAROC BRITISH CEMETERY, GRENAY SON OF JACOB AND MARY THOMAS, OF SELKIRK, MANITOBA. MEMBER OF THE PEGUIS TRIBE OF INDIANS (TREATY INDIANS). (Peguis Band – The Halfway, Man. Ojibway – Cree)

Loos British Cemetery

As to be expected, a battlefield grave concentrated to Loos British Cemetery and Extension in the years shortly after the war. Canadian casualties in the area continued to be found for decades afterwards. Eventually, the cemetery closed to further burials. With several hundred exhumations expected during a major development in the area, an extension opened and became only the second new CWGC cemetery in the past 50 years.

III. A. 2. SANDERSON, ROBERT 15/08/1917 Private ‘718930’ (22) LOOS BRITISH CEMETERY SON OF WILLIAM AND MATILDA SANDERSON, OF WINNIPEGOSIS, MANITOBA.

Robert’s brother William Sanderson 718743 (12), buried earlier at MAROC. Four SANDERSON brothers from Winnipegosis, MN. Winnipegosis remained a village until January 1, 2015, when it merged with the Rural Municipality of Mossey River.

Sanderson found along with 15 others soldiers in a battlefield grave at 36c.M.6.b.8.9 in 1920. One casualty from 8th Bedford Regiment, all the others from 7th and 10th Canadian Infantry Battalions.

The area known as Seaforth Crater, just east of Loos British Cemetery, and quite close the the Hill 70 Memorial today. The crater had been used as an open-air amphitheatre for several decades. Today, General Sir Arthur Currie Amphitheatre a feature of the Hill 70 Memorial. The Robert Hill Hanna VC Memorial Walk, just to the south, comes closest to Seaforth Crater, still undeveloped.

VIMY MEMORIAL

Eleven men named on VIMY MEMORIAL 15/08/1917.

SWEEZEY JOSEPH H. 15/08/1917 Sergeant Canadian Pioneers 107th Bn. 718480 (17) VIMY MEMORIAL

DETMOLD ALBERT HENRY 15/08/1917 Private Canadian Pioneers 107th Bn. 718573 (18) VIMY MEMORIAL. Albert born in Hamburg, Germany where his father Fred Detmold had served with the British Consulate. A farmer from Roblin, Manitoba.

IRONSIDE LEONARD JOHN 15/08/1917 Private Canadian Pioneers 107th Bn. 718207 (19) VIMY MEMORIAL SON OF PETER AND CLARA IRONSIDE, OF 89, BOROUGH RD., SOUTHWARK, LONDON, ENGLAND.

Private Lloyd Clifford Curley (24, 7th Indigenous)

Pvt LC Curley working in a trench with his Platoon, when shell of large calibre exploded nearby, killing him instantly, near Loos, 15 August 1917.

CURLEY LLOYD CLIFFORD 739026 (20) 15/08/1917 Private Canadian Pioneers 107th Bn. (Oshweken, Ont. Haudenosaunee)

A blacksmith from Six Nations, Tuscarora Township, Ont. A Haudenosaunee, Clifford was married and 26 years of age.

LAPUGNOY MILITARY CEMETERY

Private SIMON WILSON 739278 (27) 15/08/1917 LAPUGNOY MILITARY CEMETERY V. C. 6.

Sergeant WILLIAM JAMES LEE 17/08/1917 FOSSE NO.10 COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, SAINS-EN-GOHELLE II. A. 36.

October 1917

ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY

Plot XXVIII at Etaples Military Cemetery contains several Nursing Sisters and other C.A.M.C. personnel. LtCol Campbell’s grave in the second row of the plot, several steps behind the position of the CWRO photographer in the image below.

Private GREER 06/10/1917 ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY XXVII. F. 8A.

With LtCol Glen Campbell in hospital, LtCol H G Walkem takes command on 9 October 1917.

Glen Campbell

On 13 October 1917, as his men began work at Passchendaele, he was admitted to a British general hospital at Camiers with a renewed bout of his kidney trouble; seven days later, the Commanding Officer of the Timberwolves was dead.

Lieutenant Colonel ARCHIBALD GLENLYON CAMPBELL (23) 20/10/1917 ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY XXVIII. B. 7.

Passchendaele

Next to Battle of Hill 70, the Second Battle of Passchendaele the most difficult time for the Timberwolves. The Ypres Salient offered little in terms of shelter. Accommodations underground not available due to the blue clay substrate.

The men exposed to constant shell fire during the day, and the threat of heavy bombardments in crude shelters at night.

POTIJZE CHATEAU LAWN CEMETERY

Seven men buried at POTIJZE CHATEAU LAWN CEMETERY 25-28/10/1917. Privates Webb and Christian 107th Battalion originals.

E. 12. CHAPMAN FREDERICK DANIEL ‘216673’ () 28/10/1917 Pioneer Canadian Pioneers 107th Bn. POTIJZE CHATEAU LAWN CEMETERY SON OF DANIEL AND FANNY CHAPMAN, OF COMFORTS FARM COTTAGE, HOLLAND, OXTED, SURREY.

Private Donald Christian (31, 8th Indigenous)

During the night of 28 October 1917 at Potizje, a heavy bombardment kills 3 OR, with 12 wounded (six of them remaining at duty). Several casualties over the next few days as work on the Wiltje/Gravenstafel road continues.

E. 15. DONALD CHRISTIAN 28/10/1917 Private Canadian Pioneers 107th Bn. 719107 (25) POTIJZE CHATEAU LAWN CEMETERY SON OF JAMES AND WILLIMINA CHRISTIAN, OF STIRKOKE, WICK, CAITHNESS.

G. 19. LANE 26/10/1917 Private Canadian Pioneers 2nd Bn. ‘166572’ POTIJZE CHATEAU LAWN CEMETERY

G. 20. PREVOST 34 26/10/1917 Private Canadian Pioneers 2nd Bn. ‘490263’ POTIJZE CHATEAU LAWN CEMETERY SON OF THE LATE JAMES CHARLES AND ANNA JANE PREVOST; HUSBAND OF HARRIET MAUD PREVOST, OF DUNCAN, BRITISH COLUMBIA.

G. 21. ANDERSON PETER 26 25/10/1917 Private Canadian Pioneers 107th Bn. ‘216768’ POTIJZE CHATEAU LAWN CEMETERY SON OF JOHN ANDERSON, OF SYDNEY HOUSE, GREENBRAE, DUMFRIES.

G. 22. DOIG JAMES ERSKINE 34 25/10/1917 Private Canadian Pioneers 107th Bn. ‘922102’ POTIJZE CHATEAU LAWN CEMETERY SON OF MR. AND MRS. THOMAS DOIG, OF RATTRAY, BLAIRGOWRIE; HUSBAND OF HELEN GEORGE DOIG, OF RATTRAY HOTEL, RATTRAY, BLAIRGOWRIE, SCOTLAND.

G. 23. DUFF ADAM WILSON 26 25/10/1917 Private Canadian Pioneers 107th Bn. ‘922515’ POTIJZE CHATEAU LAWN CEMETERY SON OF ADAM AND HUGHINA DUFF, OF 6, STRAITON PLACE, PORTOBELLO, MIDLOTHIAN, SCOTLAND.

G. 25. WEBB 24 26/10/1917 Sergeant Canadian Pioneers 107th Bn. 718230 (24) POTIJZE CHATEAU LAWN CEMETERY SON OF LOUISA M. WEBB, OF 692, JESSIE AVENUE, WINNIPEG, MANITOBA.

November 1917

POTIJZE CHATEAU GROUNDS CEMETERY

Three men buried at POTIJZE CHATEAU LAWN CEMETERY 9-12/11/1917. Privates Hare and Salmon were originals of the 107th Battalion.

I. C. 55. KEELER FREDERIC JOHN 31 11/11/1917 Private Canadian Pioneers 107th Bn. ‘216879’ POTIJZE CHATEAU GROUNDS CEMETERY SON OF JOHN W. AND EMMA E. KEELER, OF NORWOOD GROVE, MANITOBA; HUSBAND OF PEARL M. DAY (FORMERLY KEELER), OF TREHERNE, MANITOBA.

I. C. 53. ARTHUR DAWSON SALMON 09/11/1917 Corporal Canadian Pioneers 107th Bn. 719062 (26) POTIJZE CHATEAU GROUNDS CEMETERY. Arthur born in Bristol, England, where his wife resided.

I. C. 56. HARE WILLIAM SAMUEL 40 12/11/1917 Sergeant Canadian Pioneers 107th Bn. 718070 (27) POTIJZE CHATEAU GROUNDS CEMETERY SON OF GEORGE AND SUSAN HARE, OF ST. JOHNS, NEW BRUNSWICK; HUSBAND OF JENNIE M. HARE, OF ST. ANDREWS, NEW BRUNSWICK.

February 1918

Private Newton Yellow

Pte Newton Yellow 163226 transferred to the 107th Battalion in England. Found dead at 7:30 am, 20 February 1918. Cause of death unknown. Later found that alcoholic poisoning caused his death. Soldiers sometimes turned to industrial, methylated wood alcohol which was highly toxic.

Alcohol, left behind by evacuating troops could not be trusted for same reason – it may have been poisoned by the enemy. Pte Reginald Garrioch 718344 would forfeit his Good Conduct Badge on 15 May 1918, having been found in unlawful possession of liquor. Later while serving with the 3rd Canadian Engineers, suffered a GSW to his arm in September 1918, and evacuated to England. Reginald returned to Canada in December 1918.

March 1918

The final casualty of the 107th Battalion before it disbanded, LCpl F C Davies on 4 March 1918. Heavy shelling in the area of Fosse II killed one OR, wounded two others, one of whom stayed on duty.

Lance Corporal FREDERICK CHARLES DAVIES 718608 (29) 04/03/1918 BULLY-GRENAY COMMUNAL CEMETERY, BRITISH EXTENSION V. A. 11. SON OF MR. G. J. AND MRS. L. M. DAVIES, OF GRAND VIEW, MANITOBA. NATIVE OF BISHTON, NEWPORT, MON., ENGLAND.

May 1918

The 107th Battalion disbanded in May of 1918 when absorbed by 1st, 2nd and 3rd Canadian Engineer Battalions.

Several originals died soon after the war in Canada.

• JOHN ANDREW SINCLAIR 719056 23/01/1919 WINNIPEG (BROOKSIDE) CEMETERY Mil. 202.
• LEONARD AUTY 718549 11/06/1919 WINNIPEG (BROOKSIDE) CEMETERY MIl. 219.
• ARTHUR E. NOAH 739033 13/08/1919 TORONTO (PROSPECT) CEMETERY Veterans. 353.
• CHARLES R. BURRELL 17/08/1919 WINNIPEGOSIS CEMETERY.
• ROY SMITH 718927 03/05/1919 ST. MARK’S (ANGLICAN) CEMETERY, PORTAGE-LA-PRAIRIE.
• GEORGE McCULLEY 23/12/1919 WINNIPEG (ELMWOOD) CEMETERY S.3. G.1817.

Reinforcements

In order to come to battalion strength, the 107th required an additional 100 recruits. These two Indigenous soldiers, killed in France, non-originals of the Timberwolves.

Private STEVE SINCLAIR 872094 09/03/1917 AUBIGNY COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION I. G. 60. Balsam Bay, Man. (also Grand Beach).(Métis) Steve died of heart failure. Brother of Private John Edward Sinclair who died on April 11, 1917 while serving with the Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment).

Private MURDO CROMARTY 235028 20/04/1917 ECOIVRES MILITARY CEMETERY, MONT-ST. ELOI VI. F. 25. (Norway House, Man. (Severn River, Hudson Bay) Cree). Pte Cromarty killed alongside Private David Goosey 739806, of Six Nations, Brantford.

Aboriginal Veterans on the Nominal Roll of the 107th Battalion

The Aboriginal Veterans Tribute Honour List by Jeff Schlingloff the key to discovering Indigenous soldiers in the ranks of the 107th Battalion. Complimenting the Honour List, the Canada Brothers, Andy, Jack and William from Sandy Lake, Man, found in LAC Archives, and several other soldiers found in the CWGC database. A total of seventy Other Ranks, and two Officers (8% of the Nominal Roll) in the list below. The aforementioned 8 casualties not included. Soldiers continue to be added in this list.

1 in 5

This list proof at least 1 in 10 soldiers of the Timberwolves from an Indigenous Nation. CEFRG believes another 125 remain to be identified, for a total of 200 Indigenous soldiers in the original Timberwolves. The casualties examined agree with these figures. One in five of those casualties from an Indigenous Nation. The data proves one of every five soldiers from the Six Nations.

A-D

Anderson, Andrew William Punnichy, Sask. Cree WWI 718531

Anderson, David Gordons First Nation Sask. (also Shepherd Hills) Cree – Saulteaux WWI 718533

Anderson, Thomas Henry Okanese First Nation – Balcarres, Sask. Cree WWI 718532

Ballendine, John Henry Sandy Lake, Man. (also St. Andrews) WWI 718806

LCpl Barron, Oliver Roblin, Man. (also Pigeon Lake & Walkerburn) WWI 718525

Bear, Andrew Buchanan, Sask. (born Selkirk, Man.) WWI 886086

Bear, Gilbert James John Smith Band [Muskoday First Nation] Sask. Cree – Saulteaux WWI 886412

Black, Alexander (Alec) Mistawasis First Nation – Sask. Cree WWI 886406

Brown, Charles 718541 Tyndallm, Man. Born around 1879.

Boyer, Louis Stonewall, Man. (also Winnipeg) Metis WWI 718825

Campbell, John (Jack). Okanase – Keeseekoowenin, Man. (Ojibway)

Cardinal, Charles Campbell ‘CC’ Sturgeon Lake First Nation, Sask. (also Sandy Lake) Cree WWI 886405

Chartrand, Alfred Skownan FN #281, MB (formerly Waterhen FN) Cree WWI 718606

Chartrand, Pascal Waterhen Reserve – Winnipegosis, Man. Cree WWI 719152

718842 Private Canada, Andrew. Canada, Peter Sandy Lake, Man

718459 Private Canada, Jack. Canada, Peter Sandy Lake, Man

718455 Private Canada, William. Canada, Mrs. Ellen Sandy Lake, Man

Sgt. Clear-Sky, Joseph Henry Caughnawaga Band [Kahnawà:ke] Que. Mohawk WWI 739091

Cook, Reynold Fisher River Band – The Halfway, Man. Cree WWI 721310

Cromarty, John Gordon St. Marks – Man. (also Poplar Point) WWI 718993

Cromarty, Murdo Norway House, Man. (Severn River, Hudson Bay) Cree WWI 235028

Desjarlais, Joseph Sask. WWI 718540

Doctor, Isaac Hagersville – Grand River Reserve, Ont. Six Nations WWI 3310060

Dreaver, George Prince Albert, Sask. Cree WWI 886133

Dreaver, Joseph Sr. (Joe) Mistawasis First Nation – Sask. | Band Chief post-war Cree WWI/WWII 886518

F-K

Fiddler, Allan A. Mapleton, Man. WWI 721079

Fidler, Henry George West Selkirk, Man. WWI 721262

Flett, Alexander (Alec) Samuel Okanase – Keeseekoowenin, Man. Ojibway WWI 718458

Flett, George Fisher River, Man. (also St Peters – Selkirk) Cree WWI 1072245

Forbister, Albert Stanley St. Marks, Man. WWI 718928

Francis, Herbert Kahkewistahaw FN (also Crooked Lake) SK Cree WWI/WWII 718704

Garrioch, Reginald Fairford, Man Métis WWI 718344

Gonville, Frank St. Eustache, Man. WWI 719170

Goodleaf, Angus Paul Caughnawaga Band [Kahnawà:ke] Que. Mohawk WWI 739502

Groat, Peter Six Nations – Hagersville, Ont. Six Nations WWI 739878

Halcrow, Richard Alfred The Pas, Man. Cree WWI 718206

Halkett, Joseph Lac La Ronge – Sask. Cree WWI 886505

Jamieson, Arthur Six Nations – Oshweken, Ont. (also Brantford) Haudenosaunee WWI 739233

Johnston, Reginald – Fairford, Man. WWI 718342 Métis Son of Joseph William Johnston and Margaret Jane Garriock (Garrioch) (formerly Johnston).

King, Campbell C. Carry the Kettle First Nation – Sintaluta, Sask. Nakota WWI 718203

Kippling, Robert Edward St. Peters Band – Selkirk, Man. Saulteaux – Cree WWI 721200

Klyne, Jules St. Laurent, Man. WWI 871940

Klyne, William St. Laurent, Man. WWI 719117

L-R

Lafontaine, Hyacinthe Joseph Touchwood, Sask. (also South Qu’Appelle) Metis WWI\WWII 718538

Laplante, Alexander (Alex) Kawacatoose First Nation – Sask. (also Lestock) Cree WWI 718899

Lariviere, Philippe James Camperville, Man. Metis WWI 718937

Lepine, Elie Onion Lake, Sask. (also Duck Lake) Cree WWI 719165

Lewis, John Punnichy, Sask. WWI 719163

Lilley, Joseph (Joe) Okanase – Keeseekoowenin, Man. Ojibway WWI 718457

Linklater, Edgar Punnichy, Sask. (also Fort Pelly) WWI 718534

Longboat, Thomas (Tom) Six Nations – Onondaga, Ont. Onondaga WWI/WWII 862805

Loyie, George Onion Lake, Sask. (also Edmonton, Alta.) Metis WWI 887076

McKay, Thomas Winnipeg, Man. (also Lockport, ) Métis-Cree WWI 719144

McKay, Victor Lestock, Sask. (also Prince Albert) WWI 718809

Morris, Andrew William Punnichy, Sask. WWI 718535

Nackaway, Matthew Norway House, Man. Cree WWI 235104

Noah, Arthur Ebenezer Thamesville, Ont. Delaware WWI 739033

Page, Julian Belcourt, Man. WWI 719154

Patenaude, Alphonse Gurneyville, Alta. (also Onion Lake, Sask.) Cree WWI 719165

Pelletier, Alexander Lestock, Sask. WWI 718542

Razer (Razor), Graham Keeseekoose First Nation – Kamsack, Sask. Cree – Saulteaux

S-Z

Sanderson, Samuel Winnipegosis, Man. (also Fairford, Man.) WWI 718801

Sinclair, Alexander George Lac du Bonnet, Man. (also Selkirk, ) WWI 721161

Smith, Thomas Charles St. Peters, Man. (also Brokenhead) WWI 719010

Lt Stacey, John Randolph Caughnawaga Band [Kahnawà:ke] PQ (& Toronto ON) Mohawk

Starblanket, Thomas Ahtahkakoop First Nation #104 – Sask. Cree WWI 886416

Sutherland, Harry Okanase – Keeseekoowenin, Man. (& Elphinstone) Ojibway WWI 71884

Sutherland, James Okanase – Keeseekoowenin, Man. (& Elphinstone) Ojibway WWI 718843

Tennisco (aka Tenisco), Moses Golden Lake Band – Pikwakanagan, Ont. Algonquin WWI 788923

Wayling, Gordon Starbuck, Man. Metis WWI 718193

Wilson, Simon Hagersville, Ont. Six Nations WWI 739278

Windigo, Kevin Muskowekwan First Nation – Sask. Ojibway WWI 718539

Yellow, Newton Oshweken, Ont. (also Middleport) Haudenosaunee WWI 163226

Battle Honours

The 107^th Battalion awarded the following battle honours:

• ARRAS, 1917+
• Vimy, 1917, 9–14 April 1917+
• Arleux
• Scarpe, 1917,3–4 May 1917
• HILL 70, 15–25 August 1917+
• YPRES 1917, 31 July–10 November 1917
• Passchendaele, 12 October 1917 or 26 October–10 November 1917+
• SOMME 1918
• FRANCE AND FLANDERS, 1917-18

Six Nations Plaque – 20 October 1919

Unveiled by HRH Prince of Wales on 20 October 1919, five men of the 107th Battalion appear, but not Private Antoine ‘Arthur’ Bone on St. John’s Anglican Church (Ohseken), Six Nations Memorial Plaque, S.S. No. 2 Roll of Honour, Ohseken.

Pvt Lloyd Clifford Curley 739026

A blacksmith from Six Nations, Tuscarora Township, Ont. He was married and 26 years of age.

Lt James David Moses

Though several other Indigenous soldiers of the 107th transferred to the Royal Flying Corps (later the Royal Air Force), Lieutenant James David Moses known as the First Indian Aviator.

Son of Martha Moses and Nelson Moses. Moses a Delaware from the Six Nations of the Grand River Reserve near Brantford, Ontario. At the time of his enlistment, in February 1916, Moses a twenty-five-year-old teacher. Also active in his local militia unit, the 114th Battalion.

Moses served with the 107th in France for several months before being seconded in 1917 to the 57th Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps as an aerial observer and gunner. Sadly, James David Moses would become one of Canada’s more than sixty-six thousand war dead.

Grevillers British Cemetery

On April 1, 1918, he and his pilot, South African Douglas Trollip, climbed into their DH 4 bomber and flew off on a mission against the Germans and never returned. After a search turned up nothing, the men listed “presumed dead.” Officially, neither man’s remains have been found.

However, John Moses said German Air Force records suggest the men shot down by German flying ace Hans Joachim Wolff (10 Victories). John believes their remains are buried in two graves marked “unknown” at the British Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery at Grevillers, France. Wolff killed less than two months later when his Fokker DR.I shot down on 10 May 1918.

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