15-Year-Old Child Soldier
Henry Edward Harry Brouse enlisted as Gunner Harvey Edward Brouse 342955 on 12 February 1917 at Kingston, Ontario. Son of Henry and Ellen Brouse, stating he was born 6 June 1898, making him 18 years, 8 months of age at the time. Harvey actually exactly four years younger. Nine months after enlistment, Gunner Henry Brouse died of wounds following the Second Battle of Passchendaele.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission maintains the graves of 385 CEF servicemen, Boys of Canada, under the age of 18. Of these Great War Canadian adolescents, 296 aged 17, 75 aged 16, and 14 of these dead aged 15, including Gunner Harvey Edward Brouse.
72nd (Queens) Battery
The 72nd Battery organized in May 1916 as a draft-giving depot battery under the command of Captain R. R. Carr-Harris. Mobilized at Kingston and recruited from students and graduates of Queen’s University. Nucleus formed from personnel of 50th Battery who did not accompany it overseas.
Gunner Harvey Edward Brouse enlisted on 12 February 1917 with the 72nd Battery. A ‘plumber’ by trade, standing 5′ 4″ tall, 121 pounds, with good physical development.
ToS of the Reserve Brigade upon arrival in England on 30 April 1917. SoS to the Reserve Artillery on 22 June 1917. ToS by 2nd Heavy Battery upon arrival in France on 17 August 1917.
2nd Heavy Battery, Canadian Garrison Artillery
2nd Heavy Battery organized in November 1914 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J. W. Odell. Mobilized at Halifax and recruited men from Montreal Heavy Brigade, Prince Edward Island Heavy Brigade, Cobourg Heavy Battery, 1st Garrison Artillery at Halifax, 3rd Garrison Artillery at Saint John and 6th Garrison Artillery at Lévis and Quebec. 2nd Heavy Battery the second Artillery Heavy and Siege Battery to arrive in England.
2nd Heavy Battery left Halifax 15 June 1915 aboard CALEDONIAN and later arrived in England 22 June 1915 with a strength of 7 officers, 212 other ranks. Arrived in France 16 September 1915. Attached to British formations until March 1917 when it became part of 2nd Brigade, Canadian Heavy Artillery.
Second Battle of Passchendaele
Divisional Cemetery
Gunner Bertram James Oakes 129 of the 2nd Heavy Battery killed at the Orek O.P. on 10 November 1917. Son of William and Susan A. Oakes, of 78, Oxford Avenue, Notre Dame de Grace, Montreal. Later buried at Divisional Cemetery.
Divisional Cemetery first used by Commonwealth units at the end of April 1915 and continued in use until May 1916. The cemetery used again from July 1917, mostly by artillery units, for burials arising from the 1917 Flanders offensive, including 25 Canadian. There are 283 Great War burials within the cemetery.
Gunner Harvey Edward Brouse wounded
During the night of 13/14 November 1917, shelling in the vicinity of the wagon lines throughout the night. One shell burst in the lines, wounding six men, and killing two horses. Shelling finally settled down around 9 am.
Gunner Harvey Edward Brouse one of the six wounded, shot through both legs, both arms, and back. Treated at 10th Casualty Station, 14 November 1917. Given a blood transfusion and transferred to base hospital (No. 54 General Hospital, Boulogne-sur-Mer) in critical condition.
The Globe noted that Driver H. E. Brouse, a 15-year-old from Kingston, whose brother Arthur Brouse was a successful local hockey player, had been seriously wounded with the 72nd Battery, Canadian Field Artillery. The paper also noted rather triumphantly that Brouse was “Kingston’s youngest soldier at the front.”
Arthur Brouse of the Kingston Frontenacs
Captain James Thomas Sutherland – Father of Hockey
Often referred to as the “Father of Hockey”, Sutherland an ardent supporter of the game. He made Kingston a famous ice Hockey centre during the years prior to the Great War. As coach of the Kingston Frontenacs junior team, Sutherland guided them to several championships.
Sutherland served overseas with the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the war, reaching the rank of Captain. He served with HQ in London until he entered France late in the final months of the war for Inspection Duty.
Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension
On 12 December 1917, Gunner Harry Percer Neil 147499, 2nd Heavy Battery, died of his wounds and later buried at Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension.
Wimereux Communal Cemetery
15-year-old Gunner Harvey Edward Brouse of the 2nd Heavy Battery succumbed to his wounds on 14 December 1917, and later buried at Wimereux Communal Cemetery.
Later in January of 1918, Gunner Brouse joined by Lt-Col John McCrae at Wimereux.
Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery
Gunner Joseph T Labouliere 97, 2nd Heavy Battery, died of his wounds (GSW head) on 17 December 1917 and buried at LONGUENESSE (ST. OMER) SOUVENIR CEMETERY.
Haynecourt British Cemetery
Gunner Robert Taylor 2152445 died of wounds on 1 October 1918 and buried at Haynecourt British Cemetery.
Douai British Cemetery
Battery Quartermaster Sergeant William Ernest Fitzgerald 2, aged 43, died 27 October 1918 and buried at Douai British Cemetery, Quincy.
Originals in Bonn
The 2nd Heavy Battery participated in the March to the Rhine, and was captured by the CWRO photographer on 3 January 1919 in Bonn, Germany.
Originals in Cobourg
The originals of the battery gathered for decades on their annual reunion at the Cobourg Armories.
The Cobourg Armories opened in 1904 as the home of the Cobourg Heavy Battery and the Northumberland Battalion of Infantry.
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