No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance in the Great War

Stretcher Bearers at the Double

Napoleon said he couldn’t get along without his grognards. Like our grumblers, they groused – but carried on. A No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance history which ignored our grousing would be incomplete.

B. S., B. S., It sounds just like B. S. to me, to me;
B. S., B. S., It sounds just like B. S. to me!

The Beginning (11 Nov 14 – 29 Apr 15)

On 11 November 1914 Major George Devey Farmer, of Ancaster, Ontario, received instructions from Ottawa to the effect that he had been promoted to the rank of Lieut.-Col., and had been chosen to command a Field Ambulance for overseas service with the Second Canadian Contingent.

Within three days of receipt of the mobilization order the complete Hamilton quota was obtained. On November 19th, that detachment took up its quarters in Exhibition Camp, Toronto, where it was immediately joined by the two other quotas, bringing the unit to a total strength of 268 officers and men. The Hamilton men chosen from No. 12 and No. 19 Field Ambulances of that city.

Sergeant John ‘Jack’ Charles Williams 1795 and Corporal Max Kelso 1673 the two noncoms responsible for whipping the Mountain City men into shape, Colonel Farmer having given them full control of this work.

Officers

The officers at mobilization: Lieutenant-Colonel George Richard Devey Farmer, Commanding Officer; Major Daniel Paul Kappele, Captains Herbert Jones, William Logan Silcox, William Freeman Nicholson, Harold Buck, Fred Clark.

Lieutenants Newton James Barton, John Frederick Burgess and Randal Young Kenny; and Hon Lieutenant Orvil Ard Elliott. All these officers medical men, with the exception of Captain Clark, who was Quartermaster, and Lt Elliott, a dental surgeon.

Other officers included Lt-Col Theodore Adolph Lomer DSO, Lt-Col Chester Fish McGuffin, Lt-Col George Rowe Philip, and also Lt-Col George Willard Treleaven DSO MC.

Majors

H Kendall Bates, John Freeman Blair DSO, John Frederick Burgess OBE MID, Herbert Ernest Cummings MC, Orvil Ard Elliot DSO & Bar, MID (2), Raymond Meyers Gorssline DSO, Hugh Hart MC & Bar, George Arthur Ings, John Stephen Jenkins DSO, Herbert Jones, Chester William McGill MC, William Freeman Nicholson MC MID, Reginald S Pentecost, and also Paul Poisson MC of Tecumseh.

Major Elliot, former 125-lb. wrestling champion of University of Toronto. Orvil Elliot had competed in the men’s artistic individual all-around event at the 1908 Summer Olympics.

Batmen

Captains

John W Barnett, Newton James Barton, William John Bell, John G A Campbell, Arthur Carlisle, Fred W Clark, William Kirk Colbeck, Cyril Pritchard Colville, Antoine Edmund Côte, Edward Craig, Daniel Ralston Dunlop, Alexander Smith Elliott, Claude Horace Fowler, Aubrey Vernon Greaves, N MacL Harris, Webster H F Harris, William Lorne Hutton, Ernest Kelly, Walter James Kirby, John Knox, Ethelbert Elijah Latta, Frederick George Logie, James Renwick Matheson, Charles Edward Moore, John Edward MacDonald, Ronald C McGillivray, Charles E Laughlin, Russell B McQuay, Henry Kenneth Neilson, Frederick Gilbert Newton, Gilbert Pryor Parker, Alexander E St Laurent, Bertrand A Sandwith, William Logan Silcox, William Ewing Sinclair MC, Walter Frederick Taylor, and also David R Wark.

Medalled Captains

Raoul Brault MDE, Harold Buck MC, Lewis Piers Churchill MC, Franklin F Dunham MC & Bar, Randall Young Kenny MC, Harry Clarke Moses MC & Bar, James Kilburn Mossman MC, Walter Lawson Muir MC, Emmett Andrew McCusker MC, James Grant MacNeill MC, and also Frederick McGregor Petric MC.

Sergeants

There was Sergeant Wager, always “a-seekin’ of somebody whose name weren’t in the book. And Staff Leleu, with his “Steady theyah, that chap ovah theyah.” Sergeant Williams, with his information that “If the man ‘oo left ‘is poipe and balaclaver ‘at over by the stybles wants the syme, ‘ee mye ‘ave ’em by gowing to the hordley room; but, if sow, ‘ee will ‘ave to identerfy ’em.” Then there was Sergeant Gardner, with a Scotch burrr that stretched right back to the hills of his native land.

And Staff Smith – can’t you still hear him, with his exceptionally proper vocabulary. Speaking very deliberately and enunciating every syllable of chose multiple-syllabled words, with meticulous precision and extraordinary facility? This same Reggie Smith, though, had more character, courage and real ability than many men twice his size.

Then there were the Old Soldiers : Quartermaster-Sergeant Busse, Lance-Corporal Tom Morgan, Sergeant Turner, Harry Cunningham, Corporal Gilpin and others – always explaining how it was done “over ‘ome” and in Africa.

Staff Sergeants

Frank Allen 1552, William James Deadman 1614, Leslie Arnold Gane 1633, William Halligan 2081, F H Leleu, Jacob Ernest Mott 1690, Frank Joseph O’Leary 1707, Frank Whitney Overholt 1709, Andrew Forbes Patterson 1713, Benjamin Sharpe 1744, Seneca Reginald Smith 1755, and also Walter D Truswell 1773.

Tall Men

The tallest man in No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance at mobilization was John Meridew 1682, 6 feet 4 inches (awarded the MSM following the Armistice). The shortest was 5 feet 3 inches – we had a half-dozen that height. The average height of our personnel was about 5 feet 8½ inches which, considering that scores of our lads had not yet ceased growing, shows a very creditable stature standard.

Medical Sections

A Field Ambulance made up of three medical sections. Each of which equipped to act independently of the others, if necessary. The three original sections of the Fifth had as section commanders: A Section, Captain Jones; B Section, Major Kappele; C Section, Captain Silcox.

Transport Section

A Transport Section of fifty-seven men formed shortly after our arrival at Exhibition Camp.

Our original sergeant-major was Robert Franklin, or “Bob,” as he was later to become known. Franklin had a great command of marine-depot English. One of his first warnings was: “When I say ‘Double’ I don’t mean just ‘Double’ – I mean for you to bloodywell fly.” Even Colonel Farmer, with his twenty-three years of previous military experience, more than once “told off.”

Signals

Sergeant-Major Williams had his troubles with the signallers. These six wigwaggers would leave camp early every week-day morning and go away off, and out of sight, into the fields near the old race-track. Back in camp the unit would fall in for a route march. The bugler would blow “Signallers Fall In” – but never a signaller showed up.

Who spit on the coalbin?

“Who spit in the coalbin?” was answered by the spontaneous and unanimous chorus – “HAWKEY”! Tommy Hawkey won fame through being linked with the unit’s battle-cry anent the receptive coalbin. Tommy, too, had the happy faculty of always getting into Staff Leleu’s bad books. Who cannot recall th e Staff’s eternal yelling at the lad: “Private Hawkey! What aw you doing theyah? Get away from that hawsse’s head, Private Hawkey! Stawnd steady, theyah, Hawkey!”

Then there were inoculations, vaccinations, physical inspections, throat swabbings, etc. Spinal meningitis broke out in camp and many throat swabs taken in order to prevent the spread of the dread disease. Luckily the Fifth escaped this scourge.

On April 15, No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance entrained for Halifax.

Voyage to England

Aboard the Northland (formerly the Zeeland) of the White Star Line. A 12,000-ton ship, 567 feet long, and had a normal speed of fifteen knots. In addition to No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance she carried on this trip the 4th and 6th Field Ambulances; the 4th, 5th and 6th Companies, Canadian Engineers; the 2nd Casualty Clearing Station, and the 3rd Stationary Hospital. The total number aboard, 1,700 troops, 78 officers.

The officer in charge of troops aboard ship had allotted a certain number of vacant berths to the Fifth Field Ambulance. For some reason decided these berths should be given to the medical students of the unit. The great majority of whom had joined just prior to our departure from Exhibition Camp.

They say that they’re medical students –
From great university schools;
They call themselves medical students –
But we call them medical fools.

Thursday, April 29th – Anchor weighed about 4 a.m. Dock at Avonmouth at 6.30 a.m.

Spies

Throughout the voyage Major Kappele had been greatly interested in a Belgian civilian who mixed rather freely with our officers and showed an undue interest in the ship’s course and things military. The Major gradually became convinced that the man was a spy. In a Folkestone hotel, a few weeks later, Kappele again met the mysterious civilian and reported his suspicions to the proper authorities. The man arrested and flung into jail. He proved to be a Belgian Count engaged in espionage for the Allies – was, in fact, considered one of our most valuable intelligence agents!

England (29 Apr 15 – 15 Sep 15)

Sandling Camp

Memory recalls only a few of the highlights of our stay at Sandling; but who will ever forget the first time he heard the dirty unkempt urchins in Folkestone harbor, yelling “Can-eye-dian Eye-penny!” as they dived into the stinking mud and slime for the coins tossed down to them? Or the fun – short-lived – that we had for the first few days when Maestrone’s Restaurant and the Queen’s Bar were open to the troops?

Otterpool Camp

On the 24th of May No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance moved from Sandling to Otterpool to remain under canvas during the rest of our training days in England. The routine of training similar to that at Sandling.

Some of the lads got down to actual fighting at Otterpool, in preparation for active service. Art Tucker and Carl Hill had a little difference which, to the amusement of all the boys, they settled for all time with the gloves. Heavy Cardwell and Fred Wardell also resorted to fisticuffs. It is doubtful if any of these lads could now tell you what their private wars were about.

Cook

If Cook John Gilpin wasn’t the cleanest cook in the army, he was, beyond the shadow of a doubt, the most resourceful. Surely it must have been Gilpin who inspired the author who ~rote the words for that famous soldier’s song, “Oh it’s a Lovely War.”

Come to the cookhouse door, boys; sniff at the lovely stew!
Who is it says the colonel gets better grub than you?
Any complaints this morning? Any complaints – not me 1
What’s the matter with lumps of onions floating about your tea?
(Chorus)
Oh, oh, oh, it’s a lovely war!
Who wouldn’t be a soldier, eh?
Oh, it’s a shame to take the pay
As soon as Reveille is blown,
though we’re feeling as heavy as lead,
Oh, we never get up till the sergeant brings
our breakfasts up to bed!
Oh , oh, oh, it’s a lovely war!
What do we want with eggs and ham
When we’ve got stew, hardtack.. and jam?
Form fours, right turn,
What do we do with the money we earn?
Oh, oh, oh, it’s a lovely war.

King’s Inspection

Outstanding among our experiences was the King’s review which also cook place at Beachboro, on September 2nd, when His Majesty, Kitchener, Bonar Law, Sam Hughes and other celebrities gave No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance a final inspection.

Sunny France (16 Sep 15 – 25 Aug 16)

At 11.15 a.m., September 15th, we boarded the Transport “Indian” (Viper No. 6012), a former cattle boat. We remained on board and stayed in dock all that afternoon. At 6 p.m we slipped away from the shores of England and headed for the open Channel. Guarded by several fast-rushing destroyers with flashing searchlights we made the crossing to France. At 5 a.m. we docked at Le Havre. Rations of bully and biscuits were issued and the men breakfasted aboard ship.

Next morning Reveille was at three o’clock. We breakfasted and then marched to Le Havre station and climbed aboard one of those famous French “Pullmans” whose capacity was 40 Hommes – 8 Chevaux. We passed through Brexute-Beuzeville, Yvetot (remember Thackeray’s song about “Le Roi d’Yvetot?”), Motheville, Barentin, and stopped just outside Charlemagne’s town, Rouen, for dinner.

Amiens

At one-thirty o ‘dock we were on our way again – through Lerquex, Abancourt, and on to Amiens. Outside Amiens, where we stopped for supper, another famous cathedral within view. At 6.30 p.m. we were away once more – through Pont Remy and on to Sr. Omer, where we arrived about three o’clock next morning.

Imagine our surprise when we finally saw before us a small French lad, about twelve years of age. He was herding before him a half-dozen cows, evidently caking chem for the morning milking at some nearby farm. He stopped whistling long enough to shout “Vive les Canadiens!” and then resumed his tune, proudly whistling louder than ever. This our first civilian greeting in the battle zone.

Hazebrouck

Breakfast was over about 8 a.m. and No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance moved off again, arriving at Hazebrouck (Pop. 13,000) about 1 p.m. Here we had dinner and rested until three o’clock. At 5 p.m. we arrived at a farm between Caestre (Pop. 1,200) and Eecke (Pop. 1,200), where we were to stay for the night.

At 8 a.m., Tuesday, September 21st, we started off on the last leg of our march to the forward area. We passed through Fletre (Pop. 950), Meteren (Pop. 2,400), and Bailleu! (Pop. 14,000). We crossed the Belgian border around noon, and at 12.35 p.m. arrived at Dranoutre (Pop. 1,100).

Work Begins

On September 22nd No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance relieved the 84th R.A.M.C. and took over a main dressing station in the town, and an advanced dressing station just west of Wulveringhem. Stretcher squads sent up the Line (Sergeant Wartman and Captain Barton in charge) and we settled into the work for which we had so long and faithfully trained. On the 23rd formally took over from the 84th British Field Ambulance at Dranoutre.

The foregoing routine applies to trench warfare only. From Amiens on, our bearers were often grouped with infantry bearers, and our ambulance medical officers frequently worked alongside battalion medical officers in the regimental aid-posts. Also, wherever casualties were numerous, we established aid-posts near artillery gunpits. Around Sauchez, for instance, No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance had several artillery posts during the Lens operation.

Some of the stretcher-bearers had close calls on their first trip up but, fortunately, we had no serious casualties. Bill (Red) Whitmore had an experience that resulted in temporary shell-shock but, after a few days in hospital, Red as fit as ever.

Pte Andrew John Cumberland 2791 wounded on 4 October 1915. Andy would go on to serve in the RAF.

Mont Noir and La Clytte

On Saturday, October 9th, the unit moved. C. Section took over an officers’ rest camp at Mont Noir. A., B., and Headquarters sections went to La Clytte.

Other meeting places at Mont Noir the estaminet near the Frontier cross-roads, the small farmhouse near the grotto, and the large farmhouse in the woods about four hundred yards south of the chateau. At the large farmhouse lived Mlle. Georgina – one of the best-looking girls we were ever to see near the Front. An excellent chicken dinner could be had there for about two francs a place, and if you were really nice, a bottle of wonderful champagne could be coaxed from the family cellar for about five francs.

First Casualty

Shortly after the unit took over at La Clytte, Irivine ‘Irving’ Dyment 1613 wounded while returning from a “Cook’s tour” to Ypres. A pellet from an anti-aircraft shell hit him on top of the head, injuring him painfully but not seriously.

St. Jans Cappel

About a mile to the south of Mont Noir was the village of St. Jans Cappel. Here were a church, and a few shops in which hand-made lace, shawls, collars, etc., were for sale. On Sundays our Roman Catholic church parades went to this village. There, too at almost any hour of the day les pommes de terres frittes et les ‘oeufs could be purchased. Another of St. Jans Cappel’s attractions was an open-air comfort station, right on the main street.

The Roman Catholic church parade to St. Jans always well attended – for the simple reason that, after church, the men were dismissed in the village and could enjoy themselves as they saw fit. Bill Ferris was one who made the most of his time and opportunities. A very pretty mamselle named Bertha was the apple of Bill’s eye and he “hung around” her every spare minute.

Yvonne the Gait Keeper

About one hundred yards from the chateau gates, and at the corner of the road leading to St. Jans Cappel, was the “Pot-au-Lait” es ta minet where lived the famous mesdemoiselles, Suzanne and Claire – two exceptionally handsome and buxom girls in their early twenties. During “closed” hours several officers vied with each other for the girls’ favors and for the excellent champagne stored in the estaminet cellar.

One captain, in particular, would slip stealthily away to this corner thirst-parlor and, hour after hour, exert all his well-known and peculiar powers of persuasion on Claire, the younger and less guileful of the two sisters. Of course, his intentions strictly honorable for he was a married man, an officer and therefore a “Temporary King’s Gentleman.” His chief handicap was his inability to speak French.

Civilian Casualties

From October 9th the unit carried on at Mont Noir and La Clytte. On the 27th of October His Majesty King George and the Prince of Wales visited the area and inspected the Canadians. The Prince held the rank of lieutenant. A few days later (3 November 1915), a 15-inch naval gun installed near the crossroads at the northern end of La Clytte village. After it fired a few rounds Fritz retaliated, missing the gun but killing a family of civilians. The young daughter died in our dressing station, after having both legs and one arm blown off. Both her parents killed in the blast. The suffering of this poor girl convinced many of us that Sherman had the right idea about war.

Early in December Major Kappele left No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance, to take command of a Cavalry field ambulance. While we were glad he was receiving a well-deserved promotion we were sorry to lose him. He was our original major, and as such, had every man in the unit for his friend.

Albert Edward ‘Teddy’ Gilmore MM

During a route march Staff Reginald Smith ordered Teddy Gilmore to stop smoking on parade, and Teddy told him to go and perform an interesting operation on himself. Reggie had Ted pinched and charged with “conduct to the prejudice of military order and good discipline,” in that he failed to obey a lawful command; and with “insolence to a noncom.”

When the case came before the Commanding Officer, the colonel found Teddy guilty on the first charge only. He dismissed the second – after hearing Reggie’s repetition of Gilmore’s rather rude admonition. “That’s a physical impossibility,” exclaimed Colonel Farmer, “the case is dismissed!”

Christmas Dinner 1915

Godewaersvelde, France, Dec. 25 , 1915.t 6.30 p.m. the Section sat down to dine, Captain Nicholson at the head of the table. The menu was as follows :

Tomato Soup
Roast Chicken with French Dressing
Roast Sirloin of Beef
Boiled Potatoes Green Peas
Canadian Cheddar Cheese
Pickled White Onions
College Pudding Mother’s Own Pudding
Apples, Oranges, Dates, Figs, Walnuts
Champagne (real pain) Cherry Wine
PROGRAMME
Toasts: The King – Captain Nicholson
The Canadians – Captain Barton
The Commanding Officer and Officers of the Fifth – Staff Alden
Loved Ones at Home- Staff Patterson
The Boys in the Trenches – Private Rostro

It was after midnight when festivities stopped and the men tumbled into their stretcher bunks to sleep.

Our First Real Taste of War

The 29th day of December one of our red-letter days. Major Herbert Jones (posted as major, Christmas Day) had come over from Mont Noir to pay A. Section, and had just nicely started to hand out the long-awaited francs when Fritz began to shell La Clytte. The first two or three shells fell in nearby fields but the next one landed right into the centre of the village. The pay parade disbanded and the men rushed to their posts in the dressing station.

Soon the little schoolhouse floors covered with wounded – civilians, 18th Battalion men, Princess Pats, and men from other units. Our bearers went unhesitatingly into the shell-swept streets and brought the wounded into the dressing station for treatment. The noise and vibrations from the shell explosions were terrific and, added to this, the shouts and cries of fleeing and wounded civilians.

New Year

Shortly after the New Year, Padre Carlisle and Captain Elliott reported missing. Rumor had it that they had been shot (or was it half-shot?) in Armentieres. The rumor merely half correct, however, and only timely identification saved them from ignominious deaths as spies, for they had been arrested as such by the Imperial police when they were sight-seeing in the English troops’ area.

On March 7th La Clytte again shelled. One shell burst in the farrier’s shop, killed the horse being shod, and so badly wounded Jack Barron, our farrier, he died shortly after being hit. He was buried the following day, in Bailleul cemetery.

William Thomas Sellen 1743 badly shellshocked this same day. Billy in between two exploding shells and the concussions affected his eyesight. He was evacuated to England shortly after. La Clytte again shelled on March 14th. None of our men hit, but that same evening Corporal Udell badly shell-shocked.

Remy-Siding

On March 23rd the whole unit moved. A. and B. Sections went to Remy Siding, in charge of Major Jones and Captains Nicholson, Barton, Kenney and Jenkins. C. Section went to G.15, in charge of Colonel Farmer, Major Philp and Captains Turner, Newton, Burgess, Kelly, Lough and Clarke. The Motor Transport and Horse Transport also located at G.15, which was merely a map location between Busseboom and Poperinghe.

Across the road from our camp two casualty clearing stations and, throughout our stay in the Salient, many of the wounded brought to these stations for treatment.

On March 25th No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance cleared sixty wounded from the Maple Copse post alone. Two days lacer the Imperials blew a mine at St. Eloi and from then until we pulled out of this area we had all the wounded and sick we could handle. Night after night all our ambulances came back crowded. The three Canadian Divisions now together for the first time and our Maple Copse post was· terribly busy.

St Eloi

Seven craters on top of the St. Eloi mound the centre of almost endless attacks and counter attacks. The story of the craters is like that of most of the St. Eloi battle – one of misfortune for the Second Division.

From the Brasserie the village of St. Eloi 2,000 yards due east Voormezeele about 1,000 yards northeast. Spoilbank 3,000 yards northeast. Bedford House two miles north-east; and finally Vierstraat 1,200 yards south.

On April 14th, A. and B. Sections relieved by the Ninth Field Ambulance, Third Canadian Division, and moved to Reninghelst (Pop. 2,500), where they were followed next day by C. Section. Many of our men were at this time posted to other duties. Several went for commissions, and some transferred to other units. Jack Lumsden went to the Y.M.C.A., attached to the Fourth Artillery Brigade. Bob Hare to the 28th Battalion. Dick Mitchell and Slim Russell to the newly-formed Machine Gun Company. Jim Henderson, Patsy Sargeant and Sammy Jacobs to Leather’s Trench Mortar Battery.

On 30 May 1916, Pte Ernest Richard Gilmer 1637 left the unit to attend Cadet School.

Reninghelst Station

Fred Walter Noyes (wrote the history of No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance) and Garnet Noble to the Corps Water Patrol. Scaff Truswell to the 18th Manchesters; lrvine Dyment to the 18th Battalion. Staff Mott to the Irish Fusiliers and later to the Air Force. Carl Hill to the 24th Battalion; Baldy Rutherford to the 27th Battalion. George and Ronny Brookes (later KIA) to the Air Force. Harry Lang to the Imperials and Ernie Gilmer to the Royal Irish Fusiliers. S/Sgt Jacob Ernest Mott 1690 had always had a desire to be an aviator and, on his very first flight over the Line (23 December 1917), he was shot down and killed.

John Gordon Lumsden

La Clytte, Dickebusch, Vlamertinghe and Hallebast now being systematically flattened by enemy shell-fire. Jack Lumsden killed in Dickebusch on May 9th. A shell making a direct hit on the house where Jack was on duty. On May 11th buried in RENINGHELST NEW MILITARY CEMETERY, six of his closest chums, Rutherford, Hill, Hare, Hooper, Bicknell and Noble acting as pall-bearers.

When it came time for Colonel Farmer to say a few words at Jack’s graveside, the Old Man so overcome he could not utter one word. He simply stood with bowed head and with tears streaming down his cheeks.

To the Somme & Back (26 Aug 16 – 20 Jan 17)

From August 29th to September 3rd we remained at the Eperleques camp. It rained nearly every day, but that didn’t prevent us from having daily “conditioning” marches and drills. On September 4th we route-marched in the morning. In the afternoon packed up and moved to Houlle, where we had supper and slept in an old flour mill until one o’clock next morning. When we marched off again, through St. Omer and on to Arques, where we entrained.

The train pulled out of Argues about 3 a.m . We made our way via Calais, Abbeville, Boulogne and Etaples, to Conteville. Where No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance detrained late in the evening and marched to Longvillers, where we stayed for the night. On September 6th we marched from Longvillers to Halloy-Pernois, where we stayed overnight. Next day we moved on to Fermes-de-Rosel, near which were located a German prisoner camp and a large R .F.C. aviation field. We slept that night in barns. From there we could once more hear the rumbling of guns and we knew we were getting close to the Somme front.

On September 8th we moved to Val-de-Maison, where we were billeted about the village, and took over a divisional rest-station from the Sixth Field Ambulance. On September 13th the Eighth Field Ambulance relieved us and we moved to Warloy-Baillon, where we cleaned out several barns for use as a main dressing station during the coming battle.

Battle of Flers-Courcelette

The days following momentous indeed. Up the line our bearers labored almost incessantly, clearing the wounded from around Contalmaison, Courcelette, Casualty Corner, The Sunken Road, Pozieres, Gibraltar Point, Thiepval, La Boiselle, Orvillers, Martinpuich and other famous Somme battlefields. On September 15th, Dick Mitchell killed, and Slim Russell and Baldy Rutherford, who had gone to infantry units, wounded.

The following day Willie McFarlane 1695, Lewie Finch 404334, Herbie Grant 522296, Andy Nicholson 1704, Willie Hanney 1645, Andy Parker 1712, Tommy Pender 1715 and George Grindley killed. Fred White, Corney Weiler, Garnet Noble and Sergeant Wartman 1783 wounded. Colonel Campbell of the Sixth Field Ambulance, the officer in charge of Second Division evacuations, also killed on this same day. Sgt Wartman succumbed to his wounds on 16 October 1816.

No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance Casualties

Casualties from the Battle of Flers-Courcellete in No. 5 CFA. On September 15th, Dick Mitchell killed, and Slim Russell and Baldy Rutherford, who had gone to infantry units, wounded. Private Richard Arthur Mitchell 1691 killed in action on 15 September 1916 and buried at ADANAC MILITARY CEMETERY.

The following day Willie McFarlane, Lewie Finch, Herbie Grant, Andy Nicholson, Willie Hanney, Andy Parker, Tommy Pender and George Grindley killed. Fred White, Corney Weiler, Garnet Noble and Sergeant Wartman wounded. Colonel Campbell of the Sixth Field Ambulance, the officer in charge of Second Division evacuations, also killed on this same day.

Private Herbert Grant 522926 died on 16 September 1916 (VIMY MEMORIAL). Son of the late Stephen and Annie Grant, Portobello, Dublin, Ireland. Pvt William Hanney 1645 also the same day (VIMY MEMORIAL). Son of Patrick and Maria Hanney, of Toronto West, Ontario. Private Thomas Patrick Pender KIA on 16 September 1916 (VIMY MEMORIAL), also commemorated on Page 147 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.

Pvt William MacFarlane died of wounds on 16 September 1916 (ALBERT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION). Son of William and Eugenie Macfarlane, of 83, Montgomery St., Edinburgh Scotland.

Pte George Henry Grindley 1642 died on 17 September 1916 (VIMY MEMORIAL. Son of Catherine Hodges of Norbery, England.

Pte Lewis Melvin Finch

Private Lewis Melvin Finch died of wounds on 16 September 1916 (ALBERT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION). At the front, Melvin first served for over six months with the 22nd Battalion and, at his request, as he wanted to become a medical student, and transferred to the No.5 Canadian Field Ambulance. Severely wounded one month later during the Somme Offensive and he died of his wounds at No.9 Canadian Field Ambulance, then located in Albert. Son of Susan-Armintha Lottridge (deceased in 1904) and Joseph-Ferris Finch (remarried in 1905 to Annie Petley and deceased in 1912). When he enlisted, Melvin named his aunt Arvilla Lottridge, of Rochester, New-York, as next of kin.

Chaplain 4th Class Webster Henry Fanning Harris

Private (Driver) Claude Leroy Hogle 504169 killed by a shell on 23 September 1916 (SUN QUARRY CEMETERY). Son of Clinton L. and Ida May Hogle, of Trenton, Ontario. Two days later, No. 5 relieved by No. 14 Canadian Field Ambulance.

Chaplain 4th Class Webster Henry Fanning Harris wounded by shrapnel in the spine and later evacuated to England. No. 5’s Chaplain paralyzed from the hips down.

Formerly of No. 5, Ernie Gilmer, now a Second Lieutenant in the British Infantry, 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers, KIA near Thiepval on 12 October 1916 (THIEPVAL MEMORIAL).

Sergeant Alvin Edmund Wartman DCM

October 16th found the remaining two Sections still at Hersin. Here we were notified that Sergeant Wartman, D.C.M., had that day died in No. 3 Casualty Clearing Station at Puchevillers; and that Captain Nicholson had been awarded the Military Cross, and Sergeants Max Kelso and A. Hogg Military Medals for their work at Casualty Corner. We were all deeply saddened by Wartman’s death.

“The whole unit had a gloom cast over it today on account of the death from wounds of Sergt A E Wartman the first and only member of this unit who has been granted the Distinguished Conduct Medal.”

No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance War Diary entry 17 October 1916.

Poor old Wart, by the way, had a premonition of death, for on the night before he was hit he pledged Andy Patterson to look after his personal effects and write to his mother. Even after he was wounded he was firmly convinced that there was no hope for him.

Sgt Alvin Edmund Wartman DCM died of wounds 16 October 1916 (PUCHEVILLERS BRITISH CEMETERY). Son of Geo. E. and Sarah Ida Wartman, of Newburgh, Ontario.

Vimy, Lens, & Passchendaele (21 Jan 17 – 17 Nov 17)

Now serving with the 49th Battalion, Private John Malcolm Stewart 1761 died of wounds on 6 February 1917 (AUBIGNY COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION). Son of John Marks Stewart and Sarah E. Downing Stewart, of Chesley, Bruce Co., Ontario. Native of Kingston, Ontario.

It was at this time, and just before the Vimy battle, three of our original noncoms, Staff Alden and Sergeants W Wager and A Hogg, left the unit. Alden went to England and the other two returned to Canada.

Aux Rietz Cave

During the first week of April the unit moved from Cambligneul. Took over stations at Hersin-Coupigny, Mont-St.-Eloy and in Aux Rietz cave. By the night of April 6th all our bearers located in the cave and the attack expected to commence the next morning.

Aux Rietz cave was a gigantic affair. About two hundred steps led down into it and it was large enough to accommodate five or six thousand men.

Although one or two of the Engineers in charge of the work hit, our only casualty Jesse Dawkins. He stopped a sniper’s bullet one early morning and was sent down the Line with a nice blighty in the shoulder.

Major Herbert Jones

Major Herbert Jones died (pneumonia) 5 March 1917 (AUBIGNY COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION) died at No. 42 CCS. Husband of Nellie Paulin Jones, of Hamilton, Ontario.

Shortly before his death, Major Jones recommended for the DSO.

Battle of Vimy Ridge

About three o’clock on the morning of April 9th (Easter Monday) our bearers climbed out of Aux Rietz cave and took up position at the Pill Work in Parallel Eight, in Abri Boche, and in other support trenches. Zero hour was set for five-thirty and the minutes went fast, indeed.

Hundreds of German prisoners coming in. We used many of them for stretcher-bearing throughout the day, turning them over to the prison cages when darkness set in.

Pvt Charles Stagg 1759 KIA 9 April 1917 (ECOIVRES MILITARY CEMETERY).

During the second night of the scrap, the bearers, led by Captain Hart, moved up into the village of Thelus. We remained in the ruins of Thelus for about two hours, but finally shelled out. Just before dawn we made our way over to the left and took shelter for the time being in Thelus cave.

Thelus Cave

We made Thelus Cave our dressing station until just before dawn on the morning of April 14th, when we went down the eastern slope of the Ridge, passed through Petit Vimy and established relay posts at intervals along the winding hillside trail.

By April 15th we had established another and larger advanced post in the ruins of a brewery at Vimy Station, relaying our cases back by stretcher.

Private Alfred Charles Roe 1729 died of wounds 23 April 1917 (AUBIGNY COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION). Son of Arthur and Mary Roe. Native of England. On April 25th two officers of the Sixth Field Ambulance managed to get a Ford ambulance up to Vimy, but had a terrible time getting through, even with the light car.

Ecoivres Military Cemetery

On April 29th, Bill Plowright killed by a dud shell that came in through the upper wall of the Vimy aid-post. Both he and Alfie Roe buried in Ecoivres Cemetery. Private William Newborn Plowright 1716 KIA 29 April 1917 (ECOIVRES MILITARY CEMETERY). Son of William and the late Ann Ellen Plowright, of 5, Cranmore Cottages, Deeping St. James, Lincs, England. Native of Market Deeping, Lincs.

On May 3rd, Bob Ellis killed and Larry Kelly wounded when a shell landed in a battalion regimental aid-pose. On May 4th, Dave MacGlashan was wounded. Another original Fifth man, Lieutenant Carl Hill, of the 24th Battalion, was wounded on the first day of the scrap. Private Robert Meredith Ellis 400200 died 4 May 1917 and buried at Ecoivres Military Cemetery. Also on this day, Chaplain 4th Class Webster Henry Fanning Harris succumbed to his wounds at Empire Hospital, London.

FGCM

On 10 May 1917, two sections of No. 5 CFA reported to assist No. 6 CFA at ZIVY CAVE. Pte George Maximillian ‘Max’ Odessky and Pte Joseph Hamelin, already under Field Punishment No. 1 when they refused to obey an order by S/Sgt O’Leary to report. They both elected to be tried by a Field General Court Martial.

Result

The result of a FGCM held on 11 May 1917 promulgated on 23 May. Pte George Maximillian ‘Max’ Odessky 26235 (56 Days F.P. No. 1) and Joseph Hamelin 59413 (90 Days F.P. No. 1). Max Odessky later killed in action at Passchendaele.

On May 18th we received word that Sergeant Dick Thomas had been awarded the Military Medal. Three days later Captain Elliott received his majority.

Concert Party

On May 24th the unit enjoyed a celebration that marks the event as one of its red-letter days. The whole twenty-four hours were given over to sports and amusements of every description. A few barrels of beer were obtained and the Fifth had one of the best times it had enjoyed since arrival in France. In the evening a stage was rigged and the C-2 Concert Party put on a performance that excelled anything we had before seen near the Front.

On June 12th our unit joined other field ambulances in a Field Day at Hersin-Coupigny. The Fifth won as many races and fights! – as any unit participating. Colonel McGuffin represented the Fourth and won the fat man’s race, the prize for which was a bottle of Scotch whisky.

On June 28th, Colonel Kappele returned to us as Commanding Officer. He left us in December, 1915 and had been Commanding Officer of the Seventh Cavalry Field Ambulance (Seeley’s Brigade).

Lt Leo St. Orban Michener now serving with the RFC accidentally killed (aero accident) at Thetford, Norwich on 2 August 1917 (EUSTON (ST. GENEVIEVE) CHURCHYARD). Formerly Pte L Michener 55901 who had been incorrectly report as died of wounds 26 March 1916. Son of Benjamin J. and Ida B. Michener, of Simcoe, Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada. Born at Welland, Ontario.

Dominion Day

On July 1st (Dominion Day) we celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the Confederation of the Provinces of the Dominion of Canada. In the morning we attended a monster drumhead church service in which all the Canadian units not in the Line participated. The weather was ideal. In the afternoon a make-shift team played a 5 to 5 tie baseball game with a team from the Third Field Ambulance. In the evening our soccer team beat the Third’ s by a score of 4 to 1.

Hill 70

The Hill 70 scrap lasted about ten days, the main attack taking place on August 15th. Three Divisions, the First, Second and Fourth took part. Our casualties, including the preparations for the main battle, nearly 11,000. Before the capture of Lens could be completed, the whole Canadian Corps moved north for the Passchendaele affair.

On September 8th Billy Moore, Red Whitmore and L O Brown awarded Military Medals for their work in the Hill 70 fight. October 4th Fred White wounded near Chaudiere. On October 7th word reached us that Sergeant Wartman, then in No. 3 Imperial Casualty Clearing Station, at Puchevillers, had been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. We were also notified chat we were to march north next day.

On 13 October 1917, Pte Alfred Louis Kelly died of wounds in England (SHORNCLIFFE MILITARY CEMETERY). Son of Michael and Helen Kelly, of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

Passchendaele

On November 1st we moved in trucks to Ypres, where the Nursing Sections took over a main dressing station in the basement cells of the old ruined prison. The Passchendaele battle one of the bitterest, hardest and most exhausting fights that armies ever fought. Many eminent authorities assert that it was, too, the most useless and wasteful battle of the whole war. Lloyd George and others have written scathingly about the numerous bungles, poor staff work and general futility of the affair; while Haig’s defenders have nothing but praise for that general’s conception, strategy and conduct of the battle.

On November 5th Bill Elliott fatally wounded. Next day Captain Colbeck, Frank O’Leary, Harry Rowley, Jack Burrill and Hank Cheesman wounded. Bill Bateson, Percy Moyer, Harry Thurston, Max Odessky and Jimmy Blackwood killed. George Mulligan of the Motor Transport also fatally wounded. He died on November 18th. Most of these casualties occurred near Frost House and Bremen House.

FROST HOUSE located at Frezenberg, west of Passchendaele.

Cecil Charles Jones

The following day Hugh Lickley wounded, while on November 12th, our last day in the Line, C. C. Jones killed by an aerial bomb.

Pte Cecil Charles Jones 1669 KIA 12 November 1917 (YPRES RESERVOIR CEMETERY).

Sergeant William Henry Bateson 1562 KIA 6 November 1917. Husband of Mary Warren Bateson, of Toronto, Ontario. Buried at Ypres Reservoir Cemetery.

Private Harry Thurston 526702 died of wounds also on 6 November 1917 (LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY). Son of Isaac and Harriet Thurston, of 36, King’s Hill, Wednesbury, Staffs, England.

The Mud & Blood of Passchendaele

If ever the Fifth was glad to be out of a battle, that battle was Passchendaele. Never had our men been more weary, discouraged and frankly pessimistic than during the two days’ halt at Toronto Camp. Canadian casualties approximated 13,000. There is no authentic record of the number of German casualties, but our best authorities are agreed that the enemy losses much lighter than ours.

On November 15th we climbed aboard busses and, two days later, after staying overnight at Robecq and Labeuvriere, back in our old billets at Estree Cauchie. Here to remain for a month – and a welcome stay it proved to be.

No. 5 CFA Passchendaele Casualties

Private Max Odessky died of wounds 6 November 1917 (YPRES RESERVOIR CEMETERY). Born 18 March 1895 in Starodub, Russian Federation. 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.

Private James Alexander Blackwood 782320 died of wounds (shrapnel to the head) on 6 November 1917 (VLAMERTINGHE NEW MILITARY CEMETERY). Son of George and Elizabeth Blackwood, of Ballinarea, Altnamackin, Castleblayney, Ireland.

Also on 6 November 1917, Pte Percy Moyer 408975 KIA (YPRES RESERVOIR CEMETERY). Wilford Moyer, father. Echo Place, Ontario.

Private William Bertrand Elliott 523223 died of wounds on 10 November 1917 (LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY). Son of Thomas and Mary Laing Elliott, of Cavan, Durham County, Ontario.

Private Geo Vincent Mulligan 528898 died of wounds on 17 November 1917 (NINE ELMS BRITISH CEMETERY). Son of Mr. G. W. and Effie M. Mulligan, of Peterborough, Ontario.

Bienvillers-au-Bois, Wailly & Amiens (18 Nov 17 – 22 Aug 18)

On 8 December 1917, the unit had the opportunity to vote in the Canadian Elections. For a few weeks we had absorbed political propaganda favoring a vote for conscription. We were told that, if conscription passed, all men who had served two or more years in France would be given furloughs to Canada. And that more frequent leaves would be given to those who didn’t rate furloughs! Most of us fell for the bunk and voted accordingly.

Military Medals

On election day orders posted informing us that Frank O’Leary, Percy Chadwick, Jimmy Bell, Art Lansdowne, Jim Erskine, George Waddington and Jimmy Archibald had been awarded Military Medals for their work at Passchendaele.

At Ames we spent our third Christmas in France. The men had a fairly good dinner in the local schoolhouse. Afterwards they hied themselves to their several billets and to the few drab estaminets and passed the rest of the day playing cards, reading, or wrestling with their old friends Messrs. Vin Blanc and Vin Rouge. The day after Christmas, Captain Sinclair’s name posted – with the information chat he had been awarded the MC.

Formerly Pte Andrew John Cumberland 2791, now Second Lieutenant A J Cumberland of the RAF, died on 3 January 1918 and buried at STOKE-UPON-TERN (ST. PETER) CHURCH CEMETERY. Son of Thomas D. and Helen Cumberland, of Brandon, Manitoba. Joined Canadian Forces Feb., 1915, and wounded in France on 4 October 1915.

Graves

Private William MacKenzie 526544 KIA 12 May 1918 (WAILLY ORCHARD CEMETERY). Son of Mr. and Mrs. John Mackenzie; husband of Gertrude Mackenzie, of Gore, Quebec.

Private Shirley John MacDonnell 536017 now with 1st Canadian General Hospital died of wounds on 19 May 1918 at Etaples from a German air raid.

On June 22nd Sergeant-Major Hodder took over his duties with the Fifth; and George Graves awarded the Meritorious Service Medal on the same date.

Private Walter Cowie, Missing, presumed dead, 27 June 1918. Walter a casualty of Llandovery Castle (Hospital Ship).

Move to Amiens

No. 5 Field Ambulance, which had been resting at Grand Rullecourt, received a warning order on the evening of the 29th and moved on the 30th, at 7 a.m., to Fosseux, where the men embussed and moved by way of Doullens, Beauval and Picquigny to Briquemesnil.

Ecole Normale

During the day the men rested in bivouac until 9.15 p.m., when they moved to Breilly, reached at 11.30 p.m. This unit remained in Breilly until the evening of the 4th August, when it moved to Amiens and shared a large building, the Ecole Normale, with the 13th Australian Field Ambulance, where a small detention hospital was established for the sick of the division.

The bearers of No. 5 Field Ambulance and the bearer party of the 5th Brigade in close touch, and cleared wounded to the collecting post which had been established in Marcelcave at about 9 a.m, 8 August 1918. These stretcher bearers, following closely the advancing troops, collected wounded from the villages of Wiencourt and Guillaucourt to the post in Marcelcave.

Captain Thomas Hazel Whitmore

On 8 August 1918, shortly after leaving his unit’s start position on the first day of the Battle of Amiens, Whitmore badly wounded by an enemy shell near the French village of Gentelles. He received immediate medical attention and was evacuated, but he died of his wounds at No. 5 Casualty Clearing Station the same day. Buried at CROUY BRITISH CEMETERY, CROUY-SUR-SOMME.

Marcelcave

During the night 8/9th the bearers of No. 4 Field Ambulance and the bearer party of the 6th Brigade remained in Guillaucourt, stretcher squads being detailed to remain with the battalions in the forward positions. The bearers of No. 5 Field Ambulance and the 5th Brigade bearer party rested in Wiencourt, while No. 6 Field Ambulance bearers and the 4th Brigade bearer party still in Marcelcave.

On morning of 9 August 1918, No. 5 Field Ambulance bearers and the 5th Brigade bearer party followed their brigade to the new front on the right, and also were in touch with the infantry at 11 a.m., when the general advance began.

As the advance progressed, towards evening collecting posts were located by No. 4 Field Ambulance bearers in Rosières at F.8.a.3.5., and by No. 5 Field Ambulance bearers in Vrély at F.13.d.3.4. – both locations being at old German hospital sites. The headquarters of No. 5 Field Ambulance remained at the Ecole Normale in Amiens in charge of the divisional rest station during the whole of the Amiens fighting.

Méharicourt

On the night 14/15th the remainder of the 4th Division front taken over by the 5th Brigade, No. 5 Field Ambulance clearing through an advanced dressing station in Meharicourt. On the night 16/17th the 4th Division again took over the front, and Nos. 11 and 13 Field Ambulances relieved Nos. 4 and 5 Field Ambulances of the 2nd Division, which units went into corps reserve with their brigades.

No. 5 Field Ambulance arrived at Aubigny at 2.30 a.m. on the 21st, and moved by bus to the Brickworks, where it relieved the 46th British Field Ambulance. The advanced dressing station at Achicourt was also taken over at midnight on the 21st/22nd, and on the 23rd, after handing over the medical station at the Brickworks, the headquarters moved to Achicourt.

The Last Phase (23 Aug 18 – 11 Nov 18)

During the 28th and the night of the 28/29th No. 1 Field Ambulance relieved No. 5 Field Ambulance of the 2nd Division at the medical posts in St. Rohart Factory, the Quarries near Vis-en-Artois, and at O.25.b.8.8, and on the 30th the headquarters moved to Wancourt, the transport remaining at M.6.c.3.7.

On 26 August 1918, Pte Frank Laflin 527506 KIA (WINDMILL BRITISH CEMETERY). Son of Harry and Susan Laflin, of Toronto, Ontario.

The walking wounded post at Bergère, N.12. central, also taken over from No. 5 Field Ambulance. On the 29th the remainder of the unit and headquarters moved into Arras, and completed taking over the main dressing station, shared with the 10th Field Ambulance, 4th (British) Division.

Our bearers remained with the Fourth Field Ambulance until the night of September 10th when they returned to our own headquarters at Achicourt. Our only casualties during this trip in were Fred Meehan and Bill Stanley who were both badly gassed on September 7th.

Sancourt

No. 5 Field Ambulance in charge of clearing the 2nd Division front and the respective bearer parties were working with the 5th and 6th Brigades. At midnight, 8/9th, a collecting post was established in Sancourt, which was badly shelled and bombed, causing several casualties among field ambulance personnel.

About noon on the 9th the bearers of No. 6 Field Ambulance collected wounded into Escadoeuvres, where a large convent gave good cover and provided excellent accommodation. This site on the 10th taken over by the O.C. No. 5 Field Ambulance as an advanced dressing station.

Military Medals

On September 10th Ban Johnson, Gordon Rosser, Freddy Wall and Teddy Gilmore awarded Military Medals. Two days later Ben Sharpe received the same decoration. On the 12th the 5th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Division, in conjunction with the 49th (West Riding) Division, again attacked to the north of Iwuy; but little headway made and many casualties occurred. Canadian field ambulances particularly unfortunate during this day. No. 6 lost Captain J. G. MacNeil, M.C., killed, and Captain A. A. Parker, mortally wounded; while three officers, including the O.C. of No. 5 Field Ambulance, wounded and evacuated (Lt..-Col. D. P. Kappelle, D.S.O.; Major J. F. Burgess, O.B.E.; Captain and Qmr. F. Clarke).

The O.C. No. 5 Field Ambulance, accompanied by his officers, was making the rounds of the front and had called at No. 6 Field Ambulance collecting post near Iwuy, to give instructions to the officers there – MacNeil and Parker – when a shell burst, causing in all eleven casualties. Three other ranks were so badly hit that they died shortly after arriving at the main dressing station, Quéant.

Cherisy

During the night of 26-27 September 1918, HQ details and C Section moved up to a field between Cherisy and Hendecourt. Early on the afternoon of 28 September 1918, all bearers moved forward to Sains-lez-Marquion.

Sains-lez-Marquion

On September 28th Captain Barton and Roy Skilling wounded. The unit in reserve the following day, but bearers moved forward to Bourlon Village on 30 September 1918.

On October 2nd, Pte Frank Terrio 1766 killed (ALBERT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION) and Fred Adshead wounded. By 9 October, bearers were in Escaudoeuvres and had succeeded in clearing all the wounded. Early on the morning of the 10th an advanced station established to the right of Thun-St.-Martin and about one thousand yards behind lwuy on the lwuy -Cambrai road. On the following day a new post located at a cross-road close to lwuy; and another in the beetroot factory at Naves.

One of the Fifth’s Blackest Days

October 12th found our bearers occupying the same posts as on the previous few days, and clearing their cases back to the convent dressing station in Escaudoeuvres. On the morning of this day the Fifth’s headquarters officers nearly wiped out. Colonel Kappele brought two motor ambulances forward and these were passing through the town of lwuy (captured October 11th) when a large shell exploded right between the two cars. No one of the party escaped injury. Eleven in all were hit.

Captain J G McNeill MC

Captain Parker (Sixth), and Captain McNeil, Johnny Nichols and Bill Stanley of our own unit killed. Colonel Kappele, Major Burgess, Captain Clark, Captain Kay (Y.M.C.A.), Bill Gordon, Vern Lyne, and Bill Murphy wounded, most of them seriously. Five of those original members of the unit. We now had but one original officer left.

• Captain James Grant MacNeill MC KIA (RAMILLIES BRITISH CEMETERY) while serving with No. 6 CFA attached to 25th Battalion. Son of Thompson and Carrie MacNeill, of St. Stephen, New Brunswick.
• Private William Stanley died of wounds 13 October 1918 (QUEANT COMMUNAL CEMETERY BRITISH EXTENSION). Son of Frederick Charles and Bessie Stanley, of Nottingham Rd., Natal, South Africa.
• Private John Jeffrey Nicholls MSM 1703 died of wounds 12 October 1918 (QUEANT COMMUNAL CEMETERY BRITISH EXTENSION). Son of John Jeffry and Ann Nicholls, of Dawlish, Devon, England.

22nd Battalion

After dusk that evening an advanced post established in a chateau just north of lwuy. In this chateau the 22nd Battalion had its headquarters. This impetuous regiment had that very day made an attack during which its men lost their bearings. They eventually found themselves, however, and attacked without the prearranged barrage. They were so peeved at themselves over their own mistake they took it out on Fritz, and kept right on going until they had captured the ground they were supposed to take on the following day.

Stretcher squads were also sent up to Houdain to clear cases from the 24th Battalion R.A.P. During the night of October 12th we were relieved by an Ambulance unit from the 51st Imperial Division. Our bearers rejoined the rest of the Fifth in St. Olle, a small suburb on the western edge of Cambrai. Here, in a chocolate factory, the unit opened a sort of general rest station. Major McGill now in command.

Refugees

Here we had some heartrending experiences with hundreds of refugees who came staggering in from the district between Cambrai and Valenciennes. These poor unfortunates – aged women and men, young girls and boys, and infants in arms in a terrible condition. Most of them had for many weeks existed in cellars and dugouts, subjected during that time to not only our bombardments but to the enemy’s as well.

It had been many months since they had eaten meat, butter and sugar, their chief food having been watery cabbage-and-potato soup. They were frightfully verminous and many of them suffered from skin infections and other repulsive ailments. They moved about like people in a nightmare and never shall we forget their “wolfing” of the first food we gave them.

The A.D.M.S. of the 2nd Division agreed to allow No. 5 Field Ambulance to take over the corps rest station work and to be replaced by No. 14 Field Ambulance, as one of his divisional units. By this time a suitable location for a corps rest station had been found in Denain and No. 5 Field Ambulance immediately moved in.

Denain, and a New Commanding Officer

We remained at St. Olle until October 23rd, when we marched to Monchecourt, a small town about eleven miles north of Cambrai. Here we remained, running a dressing station, until November 2nd when we marched east to Denain, a steel and mining city of about thirty thousand population.

In Denain we took over quarters in an old school building. The city had been captured by Canadian troops on October 20th, and, when we arrived, the townspeople had barely got used to the fact that the hated Hun had been driven from their city. The school building, we were informed, had been used by the Germans as a prison camp.

Marshall Villars’ statue

Another piece of childish vandalism committed by the thwarted enemy was the removal of Marshall Villars’ statue. Only the stone base of this monument remained. Villars, who had saved France by defeating the Austrians at Denain in 1712, was the city’s greatest hero and nothing could have hurt the townspeople more than the desecration of his memorial.

Although not then aware of it, we had been in our last battle. There in Denain we remained while the Canadian Corps captured Valenciennes and pushed on to Mons. On Sunday, November 10th, President Poincare visited Denain, and Canadian troops formed his guard of honor. The citizens turned out en masse to greet their beloved President and the whole town took on a gala appearance.

Armistice Day

The morning of November 11th brought low-hanging clouds and promise of rain. Throughout the morning there were well substantiated reports that the war was over, but it wasn’t until about three o’clock in the afternoon that official information reached our unit.

The following day brought with it the first spirit of elation over the armistice. The townspeople simply delirious with joy and the infection of their spirits quickly spread to the troops. All joined in a riotous celebration and “the sky was the limit” so far as discipline and military comportment concerned.

Medals

Routine Orders of November 12th carried the news that Major Elliott had been awarded the DSO. Captain Dunham a Bar to his Military Cross, and Captain Moses the Military Cross.

The Canadian Corps Eye Clinic, in Valenciennes, closed on the 14th, the personnel being attached to No. 5 Field Ambulance for the march to the Rhine.

Germany, England & Home (12 Nov 18 – 19 May 19)

March to the Rhine

On 12 November 1918, orders received to be ready for the March to the Rhine. The Hun given a six-day start and to maintain that interval between our troops and his. The next two days spent in packing up and getting ready for the move.

At 9.30 a.m., Friday, November 15th, No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance pulled out of Denain on a 250-mile march to the Rhine. Here a brief summary of the marches and other activities during the ensuing days.

Quievrechain, Friday, November 15th

Left Denain at 9.30 a. m. Arrived at Valenciennes about noon. Reached Quievrechain (Pop. 3,555) late in the afternoon. Weather fair.

The townspeople informed us that the Germans had operated a munitions plane there and that our aviators had repeatedly bombed the place – killing over seven hundred civilians but doing little damage to the munition factory.

Framieres, Saturday, November 16th

Left Quievrechain at 10.30 a.m. Crossed Belgian frontier and continued on to Frameries (Pop. 12,000), southeast of Mons. Greeted and acclaimed by the inhabitants all along the route. Improvised flags and bunting strung from tree to tree and hung from house windows everywhere.

Frameries, Sunday, November 17th

Resting at Frameries. Civilians continued to treat us very hospitably. Clothing and kit inspections held. Orders received to turn in one-third of all equipment. We arrived at our destination in the evening and billets in a convent hospital-school. No rations received during the day.

(Tune–Tipperary)

It’s a long time to wait for breakfast,
It’s a long time to wait .
It’s a long time to wait for breakfast,
When there’s nothing on your plate.
Goodbye, eggs and bacon; Farewell, Irish stew —
It’s a long long time to wait for breakfast,
And the Lord knows that’s true

Houdeng-Aimeries, Monday, November 18th

Marched off at noon to Houdeng-Aimeries. Passed through Mons, where the citizens gave us a very cordial welcome.

Houdeng-Aimeries, Tuesday, November 19th

At Houdeng-Aimeries (Pop. 8,000). The men had no breakfast. The Commanding Officer refused to hear their complaints and ordered the whole unit “confined to barracks.” A parade was called for 9 a.m. Not one man paraded. The Mother Superior of the convent again ordered hot soup served to our men, and they felt considerably embarrassed depriving the local civilians of food which the long-suffering townsfolk themselves so obviously needed.

Private Alex Samuel, No. 536215, who had not been well for the previous few days, died at No. CCS. Now buried at Auberchicourt British Cemetery.

Houdeng-Aimeries, Wednesday, November 20th

Up to noon no rations for the men, so the mutiny continued. There was now a sort of fifty-fifty arrangement – no food for the men – no parades, drills or duties for the Commanding Officer. Finally, shortly past noon, the colonel consented to listen to the men’s complaints. A delegation of two men from each Section paraded to the Commanding Officer and he heard plenty. Rations obtained during the afternoon, and that night the men had their first decent meal in three days – and, no doubt, the colonel had his first decent sleep in three nights.

Gouy-lez-Piéton, Thursday, November 21st

After an excellent breakfast No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance moved off at 9.30 a.m . We arrived at Gouy-lez-Pieton (Pop. 4,000) about 2.30 p.m . The men billeted in private homes. The quarter-stores and headquarters details found quarters in the local schoolhouse. Here we experienced considerable difficulty getting our men into the townspeople’s homes. The civilians seemed in deadly fear of us. Eventually we learned that the Germans had told these poor folk that Canadians were savage Red Indians who would scalp, cut off ears and commit other unmentionable atrocities.

Gouy-lez-Piéton, Friday, November 22nd

Resting at Gouy-lez-Pieton. No parades except morning roll call. Many of the men spent the day hunting for pommes de terre frittes, les oeufs, etc.

Gouy-lez-Piéton, Saturday, November 23rd

At Gouy-lez-Pieton. Morning parade only. Tommy Dalton and George Graves awarded Military Medals. Nice weather.

St. Amand, Saturday, November 24th

When we finally left Gouy-lez-Piéton they gave us a great send-off and there was scarcely a dry eye among them when they said goodbye. Moved off at 10 a.m. to St. Amand (Pop. 1,500) a poor wretched little village straddling the Charleroi-Louvain railway line. The men billeted overnight in barns. Rations again became scarce. During this day’s march we passed a corner where a sign read “to Quatre Bras,” and we thought of Napoleon and Waterloo.

Other Canadian troops had passed through before No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance so the people knew we were all right. St. Amand, too, had suffered very cruelly. Many of its inhabitants had been killed by German shell-fire and gas. The survivors hated the Hun with a ferocity almost beyond description.

Isnes, Monday, November 25th

Off at 9.30 a.m. to lsnes (Pop. 750), a poverty-stricken little farm village scrambled along four muddy crossroads. About twelve kilometres northwest of Namur. Billeted in farmhouses and barns – some of us in the school-house. All along the route (twenty kilometres) we saw dozens of dead German horses and much abandoned war material, such as lorries, limbers, barbed wire and ammunition. Every horse bore traces of having been butchered for food.

Isnes, Tuesday, November 26th

At lsnes. “Resting.” The men’s marching of the previous day had displeased the Commanding Officer, so given some disciplinary drills and parades.

Isnes, Wednesday, November 27th

At Isnes. Still “resting” – on drills, parades and kit cleaning. The people of the village friendly enough, but their extreme poverty and misery made them appear almost bovine mentally. The only time we saw any of them break through their mental fog was when Andy Patterson opened a Christmas parcel he had received from Canada.

Pat gave the old man some cigars and tabac, and the old lady and daughter some cake and candy. It had been four years since these poor unfortunates last saw anything like this, and they promptly broke down and sobbed as they clutched the little gifts to their breasts.

Nameche, Thursday, November 28th

Moved off early in the morning, during a heavy downpour of rain. Reached Namur about noon and had mid-day meal from unit soup-kitchen on one of Namur’s business streets. During the morning No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance rejoined the Fifth Brigade. After lunch we marched on to Nameche (Pop. 1,450) a quaint little village on the River Meuse. Shortly after starting out we passed through a village named Beez, and in Nameche our men came upon booze – which very few passed!

Havelange, Friday, November 29th

Marched off early to Havelange (Pop. 1,640). The first part of the route lay parallel with the Meuse and was over roads which were inches deep with slippery mud. The 22nd Battalion marched immediately in front of us throughout the day and we saw a Canadian staff car full of General officers whizz by and spatter mud over the tramping infantrymen.

Petit-Han, Saturday, November 30th

Marched off at 11.30 a.m. to Petit Han. Captains Graham, Kirby and Wark cook thirty men of our Nursing Sections to help a casualty clearing station. The unit still headed southeast and now passing through a beautiful hilly country. Our reception on this day not very cordial. The “natives” impressed us as being rather pro-German.

La Fosse, Sunday, December 1st

Reveille at 5.30 a.m. Moved off at 7.30 a.m. Joined the Fourth Brigade at Barveaux. Heavy frost during the previous night and a pouring rain during the day made the roads very slippery. Now among the Ardennes hills.

Reached our destination, La Fosse (Fosses-la-Ville), shortly before 5 p.m., but darkness had already set in. Rations very scarce. Billets good – particularly those of the Motor Transport Section, in a fine old hunting lodge at the top of a hill.

La Fosse, Monday, December 2nd

At La Fosse. Rained heavily all day and thick fog hung over hills and valleys. Men received an issue of rum! They spent the day indoors, cleaning equipment for the entry into Germany, and listening to stories about atrocities at La Fosse during the first few days of the German occupation. Shown a place near the river’s edge where many La Fosse folk had been ruthlessly shot down by the Huns in 1914.

La Fosse, Tuesday, December 3rd

At La Fosse. Cleaning equipment, shining buttons and preparing generally to impress the Germans with British army “efficiency.”

Honvelez, Wednesday, December 4th

Up early and away, through a heavy driving rain and ankle-deep mud, to Honvelez. Heavy mists blotted out the scenery. One hill we climbed was said to be over two thousand feet above sea-level. Now only six kilometres from the German frontier. Day’s march, thirty-one kilometres.

Germany

Thommen, Thursday, December 5th

A bright clear day. No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance left Honvelez at 9.30 a.m. Crossed German frontier, at Beho, a small village about four’” miles north. Left the Duchy of Luxemburg, shortly before noon. Here we had our first glimpse of Hunland. At the few peasants who stared sullenly from roadsides and fields we glared disdainfully and proudly, as befitted soldiers of a victorious army. The demeanor of the poorer Germans seemed to betoken more despair and fear than resentment.

At 2.30 p.m. we arrived at Thommen, where we stopped overnight – and where many of the lads cook on a fresh supply of lice. Our billets simply ran with vermin. The townspeople kept discreetly out of our sight. Day’s march, fifteen kilometres.

Manderfeld, Friday, December 6th

No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance set out at 8 a.m. in a mist thicker than a quartermaster’s breach. Too, the customary rain, so the roads continued very muddy and slippery. Now in an exceedingly hilly country, and had changed direction, travelling sharply northeast. One hill, in particular, gave horses and men a very trying time. This hill was almost two kilometres long and seemed to go almost straight up. Again it was a case of man-handling wagons and ambulances.

Here, once more, was evidence of the disordered German retreat. Dozens of dead horses lay strewn along the roadside, along with abandoned war material. These horses, too, bore signs of having had their most edible portions hastily removed. The townspeople very “cold” cowards us but the Catholic Sisters could not have been more kind and considerate.

Schmidtheim, Saturday, December 7th

Up at 6 and away at 8 a.m. through low-hanging clouds and mist. Whenever the surrounding country was momentarily visible the scenery was exceptionally beautiful. Now marching through the famous Stadtkill (Stadtkyll) valley.

Here the men billeted in private homes, and the officers in a grand chateau. Quartermaster Scores took over the local school. The people here genuinely Prussian in appearance and bearing. For the most part civil enough, but it was plainly evident that our presence was much resented.

In this town hundreds of discharged German soldiers and these men well-behaved, respectful and friendly. Now in the district to which wealthy Germans came for their hunting.

Schmidtheim, Sunday, December 8th

At Schmidtheim, resting. On this day one of the local Huns failed to pay proper respect to the colors of one of our Fifth Brigade battalions. The whole populace rounded up and the man made to apologize publicly for the affront. This was one instance when German people shown who won the war.

Munstereifel, Monday, December 9th

Moved off at 8.30 a.m . Rained heavily all day. Because of the extremely heavy going the men’s kits carried by lorry. Arrived at Munstereifel, the largest German town we had been in up to this time. It was a very picturesque place, nestling between two large hills and with a mediaeval wall around it. The men comfortably billeted in a girls’ school, using the dormitories for sleeping quarters and eating their meals in the large dining-room.

That night Harry Hutchinson, Stan Dumont and a few other Motor Transport lads found themselves a billet in a sort of farm-estaminet, which was presided over by a big, fat, thick-necked German. During the evening Harry and his pals noticed the German paying considerable attention to a steaming boiler on the stove so, as soon as the houseowner had gone to bed, the boiler’s contents were investigated and found to be excellent sausages. Harry and the boys continued sampling the sausages till there was none left.

lpplendorf, Tuesday, December 10th

Marched to lpplendorf. Set out at 9 a.m. A fine clear day. Shortly after starting we climbed a particularly steep hill that tried our endurance to the utmost. It was long after dark when we arrived at our destination. The men had very good billets in private homes and found the people more friendly. Most of the households had lost menfolk during the war, so the townspeople were very bitter in their attitude toward the Fatherland’s leaders and upper classes.

The Rhine

Godesburg, Wednesday, December 11th

Moved off at 9 a.m. to Godesburg, a beautiful city right on the edge of the Rhine. Here the men were quartered in the Rhine Hotel, situated on a promontory of the river bank. The hotel proprietor plainly not in harmony with his compulsory guests but he was obliged to make the best of things as we overran his establishment, mingling with his many wealthy Prussian guests and helping ourselves to whatever we needed. Many of the hotel towels, serviettes and pillow-slips accompanied us when we eventually took leave of the hotel.

Godesburg a very interesting city. It had a population of about fifteen thousand and possessed the ruins of a castle that was at one time considered the outstanding example of eleventh-century fortress architecture.

Godesburg, Thursday, December 12th

“Resting” at Godesburg. Continued to rain heavily. Everybody stayed indoors, shining equipment for the march across the Rhine the following day.

Here, too, No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance had their first real chance to talk over their experiences on the long march to the Rhine. One conclusion nearly everybody arrived at was that Sergeant-Major Olaf Olsen Wilson MSM or “Joey,” as the boys called him, one who had most thoroughly enjoyed the long tramp. Whenever a proud Prussian civvy neglected to doff his hat while our unit marched by, Joey was off his horse like a shot, and the disrespectful Hun’s headgear ripped from his head and trampled into the mud.

Then Joey would plant the heavy toe of his boot in the middle of Fritz’s backside and show him in no uncertain manner that there was a certain a mount of deference and respect due the first-class warrant officers of a conquering army. And, somehow, or other, Joey’s meagre sixty-one inches of height didn’t prove the least handicap when he tackled six-foot offenders. Joey’s aim was deadly.

Bonn, Friday, December 13th

In a drenching rain our unit moved off at 11.30 a.m. and marched to Bonn. Here, wearing steel helmets (straps on point of chins), and without packs, greatcoats or raincoats, we crossed the Bonn bridge. General Currie stood at a saluting base near the eastern end of the bridge, where we gave him “Eyes Right’ ‘ – and felt very sorry for him standing there in the rain.

No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance continued on to Putzchen, a village of about forty residences, two tiny school-houses, a church and an asylum. Here the men, soaked to their skins, slept on the bare floors of the schoolhouses – in spite of Foch’s definite instructions that the men of the Army of Occupation were to have good beds.

Some of the fellows complained at the time – and informed that the billeting officer just couldn’t bear to put the men into the local private residences. He felt that “it wouldn’t be right to put ordinary soldiers into such fine homes as those!”

Army of Occupation

Putzchen, December 14th to 17th

We remained at Putzchen, with nothing to do except drill, physical training, and fatigues; and attempted to dry our clothes. Meanwhile, we failed to understand why the homes of the villagers were too good for us.

Sir Arthur Currie enjoyed the bed of Princess Victoria at the Palace in Bonn (contrary to the MIKAN caption, The Princess declined an invitation to remain in the palace). Meanwhile in Paris on 14 December 1918, Pte Peter Gerald Douglass 50894 of No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance married to Désirée Elisa Rabasse of Hargnies (Avennes), France.

Vilich and Geislar, December 18th to 31st

Moved forward to the twin villages of Vilich and Geislar, with headquarters at the latter place. In Vilich the men billeted in private homes. An inter-communal beer hall about halfway between the two villages served as mess-room for the whole unit. A short distance up the river was Cologne, while downstream lay Coblenz, headquarters of the American Army of Occupation. Either city could be reached by boats and trolley cars.

The men, for the most part, left to their own devices and, before long, the remote attitude of the German people showed signs of relaxing. When, eventually, the unit left for Belgium, enroute home, the people turned out in crowds to see us off; and there was many a tear visible on the cheeks of matrons and maids alike.

Cologne

Cologne, of course, the largest city in our area but, excepting the famous cathedral, there was little in the city to attract our men. Bonn, though, proved rather fascinating to most of us on account of its being a famous university city, the birth-place of Beethoven, and the scene of some of Marlborough’s greatest exploits. The Bonn bridge, too, considered the most beautiful of all the Rhine bridges. And, by the way, our march across this bridge on the 13th of December regarded as of more historical significance than our crossing of the German frontier.

New Year’s Day 1919

New Year’s Day came and went without anything particular happening, except that some of our troops expressed their sense of humor by decorating the famous statue of William the First, which stood in the Kaiser-Platz at Bonn. When the proud burghers came out for their morning promenade in the Platz they were horrified to find their beloved Wilhelm wearing a bedroom pot instead of his customary picklehaub, and with a manure covered stable broom in his right hand, instead of a sword.

The escapade had one regrettable result, however. From that day on, a twenty-four-hour guard of Canadian infantrymen posted over the statue – to show the sackers of Louvain that our generals didn’t approve of insults to the statues of dead Huns!

On January 22nd orders arrived for No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance to move back into Belgium on the following day. None of us was sorry.

At 3 p.m., January 23rd, No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance packed up and marched to Siegburg, where it entrained and travelled until eight o’clock the next night. The distance travelled was comparatively short, but the weather was cold, the trains filthy, and th e accommodation decidedly unsatisfactory. At eight o’clock the men detrained and climbed aboard busses and rode all night. Just as day was breaking they arrived at Auvelais, a mining town of about ten thousand population, situated on the River Sambre and about halfway between Charleroi and Namur .

Auvelais

In Auvelais several survivors of the Dinant and Tamines massacres related first-hand evidence of what they had been through.

Six hundred and thirteen citizens herded together in the local Grand Place at Tamines, with their backs to the Sambre River. Machine guns mowed them down like so much grain. One hundred and thirty two escaped by feigning death or jumping into the Sambre and swimming to freedom.

On January 28th Routine Orders informed us that Sergeant W. E. (Pierpont) Morgan, an “original” from Toronto, had been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

We stayed in Auvelais for a little over two months and, in spite of our longing to get home, the stay was rather pleasant. Finally, on April 2nd, we marched to the station and entrained for the Base. All Auvelais and many wet-eyed girls from several nearby hamlets were at the station to see us off. It was about two hours before the train pulled out and during that time nearly every man kissed his girl friends goodbye a dozen times at least.

Soccer Team

The last soccer competition in France held at Auvelais in the Spring of 1919. The first team was, as near as we can remember – goal, Red McKenzie; backs, Nobby Clark and Sid Simpkins; halves, Billy Moore, Johnny Hay and Jimmy Shorrocks; forwards, Teddy Gilmore, Arthur Wood, Billy Bryant, Willie Hanney, and another lad whose name escapes us.

The soccer team managed by a committee of non-players: Arthur Rigby, Archie Rich, George Graves, Ben Sharpe, Sid Hill, Ben Sharpe, Jimmy Walker and Jim Lickley.

Players: Jimmy Jock McLean, William ‘Bill’ Crompton, Harry Thurston, Billy Moore, Bridges, Nobby Clark, Saunders, Stan Thompson, Billy Tribe (trainer), Johnny Hay, McKerror, Bryant, Jimmy Shorrocks, Arthur Wood, Harry Jock Simpson.

Officers: Major Burgess and Captain Sinclair.

Demobilization

Orders received to turn in all horses and wagons. And how the Horse Transport fellows hated to part with their equine friends and labor-making conveyances and equipment! On the 25th day of March some of our married men left for home and on the 28th the lads from Eastern Canada left to join other units for demobilization. Finally, on April 2nd, we marched to the station and entrained for the Base at Le Havre.

As the train drew slowly out, the strains of O Canada and La Brabanconne intermingled, a Regimental band on the train and a civic band on the station platform providing the music.

Le Havre

But what a transformation had taken place since last we stayed at Le Havre! Then there were only a few bell tents and scarcely a wooden hut on the plain atop the hill. Now there were hundreds of huts and tents, miles of hard roads and sidewalks, and dozens of small shops, canteens and rest and recreation huts.

Our own Divisional Concert Party, the C-Two·’s, were in the camp theatre and many of our lads spent a final night there, listening to their old favorites. At 6 p.m., Monday, April 7th, we marched aboard ship and, after an all-night cross-channel journey, docked at Southampton at eight o’clock next morning. From here we entrained for Witley Camp – where we once again came under the iron discipline and exasperating routine handed out by parade-ground officers and noncoms.

Return to Witley Camp

Here we tasted the galling cup that later on resulted in well-deserved rioting at this camp and also at Rhyl. It was quite evident that the Witley Camp martinets had been so far from the war they hadn’t yet learned it was over. We sincerely hope that, when the rioters burned down Tin Town a few days after we left, they did not fail to chastise some of the camp’s staff bullies who tried to make our lives miserable during our month’s stay at Witley.

On Saturday, May 3rd, our unit supplied its quota of men for the Colonial Victory Parade in London. That was the day on which Colonial troops from all the “far-flung posts of the Empire” paraded past Buckingham Palace for a final farewell by the Royal Family.

I wish you all God-speed on your homeward journey, with the hope that the outcome of this world struggle may assure peace to your children and your children ‘s children. – George R. I.

SS OLYMPIC

On Saturday, May 10th, we said our “soldiers’ farewells” to Witley Camp. About nine o’clock that morning we entrained for Southampton. There we boarded the Olympic early in the afternoon. Our sailing strength one hundred and forty-six, all cold. Other troops sailing with No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance were : 22nd, 24th, 25th, 26th and 29th Battalions; 5th Battalion C.E.; No . 1. Sec. D.A.C.; No . 2 Star. Hosp.; and a few miscellaneous drafts from other Second Division units.

General Burtsall

The highlight in our send-off the farewell speech given by General Burstall. We were the first of his old Division to leave for home, and there could be no mistaking the sincerity in his voice and the meaning of his words when he bade us goodbye and good luck. He told us that the old Second Division had one of the proudest records of any Division in the whole British army, and that most of the credit was due to the men themselves and not to him.

The little C-2 “Lest We Forget” buttons we received were a personal gift from General Burstall, and Time has added to the great admiration and respect we had for the man . He was cheered to the echo at the end of his speech and when the Olympic cast off, about 8 p.m., he stood at the salute until the gathering dusk hid him from our sight. There was a MAN.

With a heart full of pride and gratitude, as well as with the most real sorrow, I say goodbye to you, and wish you all happiness and prosperity in your future homes. I trust that in the days to come I shall have the privilege of meeting many of you at gatherings where we shall be able to recall some of the great days we have spent together. (Signed) H . E. BURSTALL, Major-General, Commanding 2nd Canadian Division

Post War (20 May 19 – 1 Jan 36)

A grateful government allowed each man sixty dollars for outfitting himself as became an ex-member of His Majesty’s Canadian Expeditionary Forces. How far the money went may be imagined when it is remembered that in the Spring of 1919 a very ordinary suit cost about sixty dollars; shoes, fifteen; a shirt, three; socks, two; a hat, six to eight; and every other item of clothing accordingly. To make things worse, almost every article was of the shoddiest material.

Those of us who did get jobs, found working conditions less congenial than before. We found ourselves “clique-ing up” with other returned men in the establishment, and our of harmony with co-workers of military age who hadn’t worn khaki. We shall not elaborate on the plight of the man discharged “burned out” and physically unfit. A description of his trials and tribulations requires a more practised pen than ours

A Most Fortuitous Meeting

One morning in April, 1919, Lieutenant-Colonel Kappele, who had returned convalescent to Canada the preceding December, had occasion to go to the C.P.R. station in Hamilton, to say goodbye to a departing relative. While he was at the station a Toronto train arrived. To his surprise and delight, he saw his old Commanding Officer, Colonel Farmer, alight from it, he having arrived without notice to anyone, and consequently having no one th ere to meet him. Lieutenant-Colonel Kappele’s pleasure and personal gratification at being able to welcome his beloved Commanding Officer, and being with him to celebrate his home-coming in Ancaster may easily be imagined. That the Old Man equally pleased goes without saying.

Walter David Truswell

S/Sgt Walter David Truswell 1773 drowned in Penticton on July 25, 1919. He was 31 years of age. Buried at Old Trail Cemetery, Trail, Kootenay Boundary Regional District, British Columbia.

Revenge

We know of only two instances of post-war revenge on the part of former Fifth men: Two majors who had often run foul of each other “over there” met in Toronto on Christmas Eve, 1919. The Prince of Peace was forgotten. “Goodwill Toward All Men” meant nothing as soon as the two ex-officers met. Like a pair of terriers they flew at each other. To the horror of a red-coated Santa Claus standing on the corner of Queen and Yonge streets. Totally oblivious of the hustle and bustle of gaping shopping crowds, they battled away. Hostilities ended with honors even, without arrests, and with the two battlers well on the way to a friendship which still exists.

The second instance had to do with an ex-captain. He was walking along a roadway near Burlington, one dark night. When an automobile werved directly across the road and put him into hospital for a few weeks. The driver of the car never identified but the ex-captain heard to remark that only one man in Canada capable of such an act. And that man was a certain reckless, harem-scarem Irishman who served in the Motor Transport Section at the Front.

Arthur Clifford Husband

Pte Arthur Clifford Husband 1663 died in 1920.

First Reunion 1920

As near as we can remember, the first steps for a reunion of Fifth men taken in the autumn of 1919 and originated with Pier Morgan, Dean Wilkins, Fred Noyes and one or two others. Decided to hold a meeting in Toronto. Advertisements placed in local newspapers and a personal canvass of local ex-members made by the originators of the idea. The result a meeting in an upstairs room of the Central Y.M.C.A. in the Fall of 1919. Pier Morgan Chairman. About fifty men turned out and the evening spent in discussing the formation of a permanent association.

Walker House

In the Spring of 1920 Carl Hill treated the nine old tent mates to a banquet at the Walker House, Toronto. After the banquet, Mike Bicknell gave them a theatre party at Loew’s Theatre. From time to time small parties were held at the Walker House and Elliott House, Toronto, to celebrate the presence in town of some out-of-town Fifth fellow, or to mark the anniversary of some outstanding army-days incident. Max Kelso also moved to New Zealand and about sixty of his buddies gave him a smoking outfit and a send-off party in Hamilton Armories.

Pte William Barnett Whitehouse 50592, son of the late William Barrett Whitehouse and Margaret Evans Whitehouse, of Ashton-in-Makerfield, England; husband of Annie Whitehouse, of 101, Willibrod Avenue, Montreal, died 2 July 1920 (MONTREAL (MOUNT ROYAL) CEMETERY).

Teddy Gilmore

On 8 July 1922, Pte Albert Edward Gilmore MM 34606 ingested a fatal dose of strychnine. His suicide later noted as not due to Service (Auth B.P.C.D., 7 July 1923). Buried at Union Cemetery, Calgary, Alta, mother Mrs Rita Gilmore of Reid Hill, Alberta.

Young Members of No. 5 CFA

Among those who were at the Front at a very tender age we recall the following. Nathan Johnston ‘Mike’ Bicknell 1566, Austin Edgar Booth 1567, Ernest ‘Ernie’ James Cavey 1588, Jesse Wm Dawkins 1605, Reginald Richard ‘Chick’ Faryon 528708, Norman Franklin Foy 541104, Herbert Henry Gilbert 522923, Stewart Hume Grieve 529102, Willie Harrington 1648, Sammy Jacobs MM 1668 , Claude ‘Curly’ Herbert LeRoux 471088, Arthur ‘Toots’ Meisner 529095, Reggie Adolphus Mofford 536239, W E Pierpont Morgan MSM 1688, Max Odessky 26235, Alf Ralph 1720, William ‘Billy’ Thomas Sellen 1743, John George Smith 1754, and also Bugler Frank H Temperton 1767.

Missionary Doctor

Herbert Gilbert, once of A. Section, now a Missionary-Doctor in China, responded to the Visitors toast and told about some of his experiences during a civil war waged near his home in China (St Paul’s Hospital, Kweiteh, Honan, China).

Ex-bugler Frank Temperton, who lost an arm shortly after the war, commenced his duties as our Association’s official accompanist and, from that night on, has presided at the piano in a manner that would never lead anyone to think he was playing under a handicap.

During the winter of 1926-27, Jim Henderson, Ben Case, Si Taylor, Pick Bridges, Baldy Rutherford and a few others put their heads together and made plans for a Reunion Dinner. By means of advertisements in the press, radio broadcasts, postcards and personal calls, a goodly number of ex-Fifth men contacted. The reunion was held in the Walker House, Toronto, in the Spring of 1927.

Third Reunion 1927

About the middle of September, 1927, we celebrated our Third Reunion. First of all, the fellows met in the Sergeant’s Mess of Hamilton Armories, where Tep Richardson, Jimmy Bell and some other Hamilton lads had a busy half-hour serving refreshments. Then the gang adjourned to a banquet hall in another part of the building where we wined, dined and entertained for the rest of the evening.

On Saturday, April 14, No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance Fourth Reunion celebrated in the Walker House, Toronto. Owen Sound lads came by train. The Hamilton contingent chartered a bus, and several fellows came from places in the States and also Eastern Canada. About one hundred and ten, in all, sat down to dinner. Fred Noyes Chairman. Vocal and piano music supplied by Ernest Morgan (Pier’s talented brother) Frank Temperton and others.

This the last reunion at which our beloved original Officer Commanding present. On Monday, May 7, came the shocking news that Colonel Farmer had died suddenly at his home in Ancaster, Ontario .

Fifth Field Ambulance History

During the Winter of 1928-29 ways and means of compiling and publishing a No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance History discussed by several of the fellows. A meeting for further consideration of this matter took place in Hamilton armories, a few weeks later. About fifty present and selected a committee of four men: Case, Noyes, Patterson and Rutherford, as editors of the proposed volume, subject, of course, to the approval of chose present at the next reunion.

Fifth Reunion 1929

On the second Saturday of May 1929 our Fifth Annual Reunion held in Dynes’ Hotel, Burlington Beach. Colonel Kappele and Andy Patterson shared the Chairmanship duties. Over one hundred present. After a very enjoyable dinner, a short business session held. The chief subject of business was the unit History. After considerable discussion the publication of the book enthusiastically endorsed and the committee named at the preliminary meeting unanimously elected.

Sixth reunion 1930

On Saturday, May 3rd, 1930, No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance Sixth Annual Reunion held at the Carls-Rite Hotel, with Carl Hill as Chairman. Although we had the usual banquet, speeches and musical entertainment, the feature of the evening was the presence of the Mayor of Bully Grenay.

Yes, the Mayor of Bully Grenay – M. Jean Boucher, the one that stayed in office, and in what the Boche shells left of the Mairie, all through the war. His daughter Marguerite married a Canadian fellow in the Twentieth Battalion.

Son-in-law

The search for the son-in-law of the Mayor of Bully Grenay began at 5 p.m. Ah, to be young again! It lasted until 11.30 p.m. At 5.45 a man named Chamberlain lived on Crewe Avenue, whose wife was a French girl. And at 6.08 Mr. Chamberlain an Imperial and he hadn’t married a French girl. At 7 a man named McKenzie who might be the fellow, only his wife died two years ago and, anyway, she was from Paris. A French family named Boucher lived on Dundas Ease at 7.40. But they knew nothing of Bully Grenay and they were from Trois Rivieres, P. Q., at 8.05. Three Field Officers of the Twentieth Battalion remembered the wedding distinctly at 8.10, 9.17 and 10.03. Unfortunately, none of them could recall the name of the private soldier who married the Mayor’s daughter in Bully Grenay.

Mayor’s Reply

Now to all the members of the Fifth Field Ambulance, and to yourself, in the name of my citizens and myself, I extend the expression of our gratitude for the services you rendered us during the terrible nightmare of the war and we wish you the best wishes:
HEALTH , HAPPINESS, PROSPERITY
Yours very sincere!y,
L. Bailloc, Druggisc, (Signed ) L. BAILLOT .
Mayor, Bully-les-mines

George Willard Treleaven

Lt-Col George Willard Treleaven DSO MC died in 1931. He died of pneumonia at Camp Borden, Ontario, where he had been stationed for two years prior to his death, on 16 February 1931 and buried in the Elmwood Cemetery.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when attending wounded men under heavy shell fire, and getting them into safety.

Military Cross Citation, London Gazette, 27 July 1916

Seventh Reunion 1931

No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance Seventh Annual Reunion took place on the second Saturday in May, 1931, and was held in Murphy’s Restaurant, Hamilton. Colonel Kappele Chairman, and Mayor John Peebles the guest-speaker of the evening. Immediately before the dinner those present fell in and in charge of Sergeant-Major Jack Williams marched to the cenotaph, where Larry Kelly deposited a wreath and made a brief and suitable speech. A piper then played a Lament, after which a bugler blew Last Post, followed by the Reveille.

A gathering of about forty Fifth lads took place in Spadina Armories, Toronto, on January 20th, 1932, when a committee was appointed for Toronto district “to plan reunions and give all possible assistance to those seeking pensions, and to help those who for the time being have been harder hit by the depression than others.”

Charles Whittingham

Charles (Dick) Whittingham died very suddenly at Hamilton on January 26th. A large turnout of members from Hamilton, Toronto and vicinity attended the funeral, two days later, when interment made at Woodlawn Cemetery, Hamilton.

Edward Brazendale

Pte Edward Brazendale 195008 died in 1932.

The Communique is Born

On March 29th, 1932, the first Fifth Field Ambulance (Overseas) Communique was published. The initial number consisted of three foolscap pages of typewritten matter pertaining to the activities of ex-Fifth men.

Thomas Windsor

Pte Thomas Windsor 1797 died in 1933.

Eight Reunion

The Eighth Annual Reunion was held at the Carls-Rice Hotel, Toronto, on May 7th, 1932. One hundred and six members from near and far sac down to dinner. Baldy Rutherford occupied the Chair. The guest-speaker of the evening was Captain Kidd, of Ancascer, Chaplain of the Twenty-First Battalion overseas.

P. G. Douglass and Edward Brazendale

Early in 1933 word received of the deaths of Peter Gerald Douglass 50894 and Edward Brazendale (14-9-32). We were informed only of their passing and regret that more definite information as to date, etc., was not forthcoming.

Robert Jell

News also received of the death of Robert Jell, formerly of the Divisional Train and for a time attached to the Fifth.

Ninth Reunion

On May 13th, 1933 our Ninth Annual Reunion held at Roberts’ Restaurant, Hamilton, when approximately one hundred turned out. Under the able co-Chairmanship of Colonel Kappele and Andy Patterson the gathering enjoyed a first-race dinner and a pro gram of musical and humorous entertainment. Sam Manson, famous as one of Canada’s greatest football players, the star of the evening.

Tommy Windsow

Late in December 1933 we received the shocking news that Pte Tommy Windsor 1797 had passed away suddenly in Toronto. Not one of the local fellows knew that Tommy was unwell, and it was only by chance that his death notice was seen in a newspaper. A few of his former comrades were hurriedly rounded up and attended the funeral.

Joe Spruitt

Early in February Joe Spruit died at his home in Long Branch, Ont., after a long illness which developed in to pneumonia. Joe was one of our old-time lads and a member of the Horse Transport Section. His health was very poor during his last few years and although efforts were made to obtain a pension for him they met with no success. Joe left a wife and one child.

He was buried in Prospect Cemetery, Toronto, many of his war-time comrades from Hamilton and Toronto being at the graveside.

Captain Silcox

Late in February Captain Silcox passed away in Hamilton. Death attributed to heart trouble. Burial took place in Hamilton. An exceptionally large turnout of ex-Fifth men present at the funeral service at the Captain’s home and also at the cemetery service.

Major George Arthur Ings

In the early Spring, word received of the death of Major G . A. Ings, of Fort McMurray, Alta. Major lngs spent some time with the Fifth when we were at Auchel and for a few weeks after we left that town. We do not know the dace of his death or the cause of his passing.

Tenth Reunion 1934

Our Tenth Annual Reunion cook place at the Ford Hotel, Toronto, on the evening of May 12th, 1934. One hundred and forty were present and had a very good time.

The Corps Reunion the last occasion on which the Fifth had a gathering in 1934 – except in November, when about twenty of the lads met at the home of Mike Bicknell’s folks, Toronto, to see the movies Mike took on a recent three-months’ trip to England, Belgium, France, Russia, Germany and Poland. Mike is a very earnest humanitarian and his talk on what he saw during his travels provided an engrossing entertainment thought-provoking evening. Mike has developed into a very effective platform lecturer

Eleventh Reunion 1935

Our Eleventh Annual Reunion was the first noteworthy event in 1935. On May 12th, about ninety gathered at Roberts’ restaurant, Hamilton . Considering that times were what they were and that the great Corps Reunion was not so very long past, the attendance was good.

King’s Jubilee Medal

Jimmy Bell felicitated on his receipt of the King’s Jubilee Medal. Jimmy made a brief response when he voiced his opinion that the medal not a personal decoration so much as a favor reflecting the good name of the Fifth as a whole. Learned later that Carl Hill, Arthur Hogg and Doc. Deadman also recipients of this much coveted decoration.

Joseph Anderton

Pte Joseph Anderton 50502 died in 1935.

James Samuel Banks

Pvt James Samuel Banks also died in 1935.

Henry C S Elliot OBE

Lt-Col Henry C S Elliot OBE died in 1935.

Earle Hanes

Pte Earle Hanes 3105736 also died in 1935.

E G Hanson

Private E G Hanson passed away in 1935.

Charles H Peters

Pte Charles H Peters 1752 also died in 1935.

Arthur Bertram Smith

On July 30th, 1935 Corporal A. B. Smith died of Arterial Thrombosis Obliterans, the same disease which necessitated the amputation of his right leg a few years ago.

About fifty of his former comrades attended his funeral service in Toronto. His burial took place in Mt. Forest, Ontario.

Percy Coates

On September 4th, Percy (Yorky) Coates passed away, after one of the gamest fights for life ever made by one of our members. Yorky’s ailment diagnosed as Muscular Atrophy, and in spite of our tireless, energetic and persistent efforts to obtain a pension for him, his application repeatedly turned down by the Pensions Board and the Tribunal.

Burial took place in Prospect cemetery, Toronto, after a funeral service attended by many Fifth fellows.

Nathan ‘Mike’ Johnston Bicknell

Mike Bicknell passed away in 1948, pre-deceased by his wife Virginia Carpenter in 1941.

Thomas Irvine Dyment

Pte Thomas Irvine Dyment 1613 died 1 July 1961 (Pine Hill Cemetery). His son, Able Seaman Sydney Irvine Dyment died 19 August 1987 (Fairview Cemetery).

Randal Young Kenny

Captain Randal Young Kenny married Mary Margaret MacKinnon on 5 October 1922, in Caledonia, Haldimand, Ontario, Canada. They were the parents of at least one son. He died on 4 October 1984, in Canada, at the age of 99, and buried in Lakeview Cemetery, Sarnia, Lambton, Ontario, Canada.

5 Field Ambulance

Today, 5 Field Ambulance, co-located with 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group in CFB Valcartier. 5 CMBG made up of eight units: a light artillery regiment, an armoured regiment, a combat engineer regiment, a headquarters and signals squadron, three infantry battalions and a service battalion. Four other units provide support to 5 CMBG troops: 5 Field Ambulance, Dental Unit Detachment – Valcartier, 5 Military Police Platoon and also 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron.

Canadian Army medics with 5 Field Ambulance Valcartier, Quebec, treat simulated patients in a mass casualty training exercise during Exercise Maple Resolve 2015 at Canadian Forces Base Wainright, May 5, in Denwood, Alberta.

The simulated mass casualty exercise tested the Canadian armed forces’ response time to field injuries and medevac procedures with aeromedical evacuation support from the Oregon Army National Guard’s Charlie Company, 7-158 Aviation.

A Canadian army medic with 5 Field Ambulance Valcartier, Quebec, treats a simulated patient in a mass casualty training exercise during Exercise Maple Resolve 2015 at Canadian Forces Base Wainright, May 5, in Denwood, Alberta.

Contact CEFRG

Subscribe