Indigenous Soldiers
A Tragic Love Story
Enlistment of Private Michael Cada 1003459
Private Michael Cada 1003459 enlisted with the 227th Overseas Battalion, CEF at Gore Bay, Manitoulin on 15 June 1916. Witness Dan Currie. Michael stood 5′ 9″ tall, 160 pounds, with dark complexion, brown eyes and black hair. Married to Elizabeth Cada. Last vaccinated in 1914, bad teeth, notes the Medical Officer.
Michael completes his Will on 15 February 1917, bequeathing all to Mr James Cada (presumably his father, as Michael’s mother deceased by this time).
To England
Private Michael Cada arrived in England per SS CARPATHIA, and transferred to the 8th Reserve Battalion, 22 April 1917.
Michael admitted to Moore Barracks Hospital, Shorncliffe, 25 April 1917, his face, jaw and teeth badly infected. Discharged 30 April to Canadian Convalescent Hospital, Bromley, Kent, following incision and draining of abscess. Surgery performed 3 May 1917, and again a week later. Necrosis root third molar, lower left. Michael has withstood considerable pain and headaches during his hospitalization. Transferred to the Canadian Red Cross Hospital, 21 May 1917. Finally discharged to duty, 30 July 1917.
To France
Private Michael Cada drafted overseas to 54th Battalion on 27 September 1917. ToS 54th Battalion on 28 September 1917 and left with 16 Other Ranks to join the 4th Entrenching Battalion on 30 September 1917. The 4th Entrenching Battalion located at St Lawrence Camp, Chateau-de-la-Haie.
Pte Michael Cada admitted to No 6 CCS on 9 October 1917, Neuralgia, later discharged to duty on 17 October 1917.
Pte Michael Cada rejoined the 54th Battalion on 3 December 1917 in Ourton (Pas-de-Calais).
Liévin
Orders received the 54th move on 18 December preparatory to going in the old front at Lievin (Pas-de-Calais). At the last moment the front changed and the Battalion relieved the 26th Battalion in support on the Merricourt front on the night of the 20th of December 1917.
Christmas Day
Christmas Day, 1917, passed off quietly, the divisional and brigade commanders paying a visit. Ten days spent in support by arrangement with the 102nd Battalion, having Christmas in support and the 102nd the New Year, and on the night of the 20th moved forward and took over the front line from the 102nd Battalion. The passing from the old to the New Year thus spent in the front line.
On 9 January 1917 relieved and Private Michael Cada moved back to the Chateau de la Haie, staying there for a few days, and from there moving to the Lievin front. After this move large working parties called for owing to the sudden thaw, which made bad work of the trenches.
On 25 January 1918, Private Michael Cada back again in the front line, taking over the right front, the same held last September by the battalion. Much active patrolling done by the 54th and the enemy, with numerous encounters between both parties.
Château de la Haie
On 30 January 1917 relieved and moved back to Gouy-Servins, and for the next month Private Michael Cada alternated between there, Souchez, Chateau de la Haie and Houdain, carrying on with training and inspections. On the 22 February 1917 the 11th Brigade inspected by the Corps Commander and on the 28th by the Commander-in-Chief, Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, who expressed himself extremely pleased with the brigade.
German Spring Offensive
On 21 March 1918, the German Army made their big attack on the Amiens front, while feigning an attack on the Arras front (where the Canadian Corps held the line). A composite brigade hastily formed under Brigadier-General Odlum, of which Michael’s battalion formed part. On the 28th the brigade rushed up into the line of the Oppy front, relieving on the 29th three Imperial units.
On the morning of the 30th the trenches very heavily shelled and a fresh attack expected, but did not materialize.
Finest Hour
On the night of 2 April 1918 raiding parties under the respective commands of Captain D A McQuarrie, unfortunately wounded, Lieutenant J H Adams and 30 other ranks of C Company, and Lieutenant T S McLanders and 35 other ranks of A Company, succeeded, in spite of heavy opposition, in capturing two prisoners. Within six hours of these men being captured the whole corps front changed. Each unit side-slipping and taking over a wider front, releasing reserves for duties elsewhere.
The Battalion received the personal congratulations of the corps, divisional and brigade commanders, and this may be ranked as one of the best and most important pieces of work the Battalion accomplished during its period on the Western Front.
Flanders Camp
On the night of 4 April 1918 the Battalion relieved and moved back to Flanders Camp, Ecurie. A few days of cleaning up indulged in. A Battalion sports day arranged for the 11th and the combatants and spectators just assembled when wire received relaying the 54th to move into the line that night, relieving the 4th CMR on the Mericourt front. The same holding previously occupied on New Year’s Day.
On 15 May 1918, Private Joseph Willette 1003958 of the 102nd Battalion, killed-in-action near Aubigny. Joseph, the grandfather of Kerry Milutin.
On 30 June 1918 brigade sports held at Dieval, consisting of a transport competition, at which the 54th transport turned out. Also riding competitions the honors of which easily carried off by the 54th. The Corps Commander inspected the brigade this day and expressed great pleasure in the appearance of same.
Dominion Day
On Dominion Day a big sports meet was held by the Canadian Corps, attended by Private Michael Cada and all ranks. This Battalion had several runners in the events and second in the corps for indoor baseball for other ranks.
On 10 July 1918 the division moved forward preparatory to taking over the Oppy sector again. The 54th took over the support line of the Oppy-Gavrelle front on the night of 11 July. On the 29th the 54th took over the front line again. Relief took place on the 31st.
Battle of Amiens
On the night of the 7 August 1918 at 22h00 the 54th moved up to assembly positions behind Gentelles Wood, arriving there about 1 a.m.
At 4.20 a.m. 8 August 1918, on a beautiful summer morning the attack started with the greatest number of guns per meter to date in the war. Move timed for 5:20 a.m. and at that time Colonel Carey moved off in front of the Battalion with Private Michael Cada following.
The wood successfully taken and enabled the whole line to advance to their objective, reached about 2.30 p.m. The Battalion suffered fairly heavily in casualties.
Among the officers Lieutenants Hamilton, Rehder and Duff killed, Lieutenants Cameron and Birmingham so severely wounded that they died two days later, Captain Smith and Lieutenants Brown, McLanders and Millar wounded.
Crouy British Cemetery
Gentelles
On 20 August 1918 relieved and moved back into support. Relieved by a French unit in the early hours of the 25th of August – a night memorable for the heavy German bombing.
Going back to Gentelles on the night of the 25th and bivouacing in a wood there with the remainder of the brigade. On 27 August 1918 entrained once again under sealed orders, spending the night in the train. Finally, at daybreak the next morning looking at the familiar old landmark of the ruined Mont St. Eloi church.
Battle of Canal du Nord
Private Michael Cada spent a few days in old dugouts, and on the evening of 1 September 1918 moved forward to assembly positions preparatory to the attack on the 2nd. The task set for this brigade, after the Drocourt-Queant line taken by the 10th and 12th Brigades, to push forward and cross the Canal du Nord, some three or four miles ahead.
At 5 a.m. on the 2 September 1918 an intense barrage opened up and at 6.15 a.m. the Battalion ordered forward. Several casualties incurred on the way up by the German artillery.
Dury Mill British Cemetery
Just south of Dury, the Battalion suffered heavily in casualties, among the officers Lieutenants Kemp, Wallace and Findlay killed and Major Nicholson, O/C B Company, Captain Jack, O/C. A Company, and Lieutenants Adams, Donnelly, Chambers, Leader, Landry, Dignam, Uhthoff, Croden and Thomas wounded.
Neuville-Vitasse
On the night of 5 September 1918 relieved by the 3rd Division and moved back to old dugouts at Neuville-Vitasse. Remained here, enjoying fine autumn weather, until the 25th of September, training and reorganizing, a big batch of reinforcements having been received. On the 16th the Corps Commander inspected the brigade and distributed decorations. About this time details of a new attack given out. The capture of Bourlon Wood and the pushing on to and capture of Cambrai.
Battle of Bourlon Wood
On the night of 25 September 1918 a move forward made to the concentration area around Bullecourt. The Battalion scattered over their old battlefield. Private Michael Cada moved forward to the assembly area in the old Hindenburg line just west of Inchy en Artois, arriving there at 1 a.m. on a very wet and slippery night.
Bourlon Chateau
The 11th Brigade given the task of capturing Bourlon Wood after the 10th Brigade had got across the canal. At zero hour, 5.20 a m. on 27 September 1918, commenced to move forward. The 102nd Battalion leading, followed by the 87th, 54th and 75th Battalions.
The task of the 54th to get around the north side of Bourlon Wood and capture the northern and eastern portion of the wood. Accordingly arranged that the 54th Battalion on capturing the eastern side of the wood to send up a star rocket to signify that this high ground taken.
Bourlon Wood Cemetery
Another Fine Performance
This day one of great performances in the history of the Battalion, both the taking of Bourlon Wood and the repulse of a counter attack. Many casualties, however, the officers Lieutenants Eaton, Lee, Preston, Cronin and R F Price killed, and Lieutenants Tobias, Rochester and Seaman wounded. Of these Lieutenant Rochester later succumbed to his wounds.
Battle of Cambrai
At 6 a.m. on the 30 September, zero hour, attack launched, with the 75th leading and the 54th following. The enemy, however, resisting very strongly, and no headway could be gained. Shelling the worst ever experienced by this Battalion. Decided not to press the attack. Both the 75th and the 54th suffered very heavy casualties.
Among the 54th casualties Major McDiarmid and Captain MacQuarrie killed, and Lieutenant-Colonel Carey. Captain Foster and the M.O., Captain Day, and Lieutenants Fitzpatrick, P Price and major wounded. Of these, Captain Foster later died of wounds. Impossible to pass over this incident without referring to the great and terrible loss which the death of Captain Foster, the Adjutant, was to the Battalion.
Toughest Fight
So ended the most strenuous few days in the history of the Battalion, starting with the move up for the Battle of Bourlon Wood on 26 September and ending with the fighting on 1 October and arrival in billets on the 2 October.
Total casualties 233, including 42 Other Ranks, killed or missing, among them, Private Michael Cada. Michael Cada instantly killed-in-action by shrapnel, 30 September 1918.
Private Michael Cada buried between Corporal McCurdy MM and Private John Honeyman in Cantimpre Canadian Cemetery, Sailly.
Honor Roll
Pte. Mike Cada, of Sheshegwaning Reserve killed in action Sept. 30th
It has been officially reported that Pte. Mike Cada of Sheshegwaning Reserve was killed in action on September 30th, 1918. Pte. Cada enlisted and went overseas about two years ago and has been in the firing line over a year.
The Recorder, Gore Bay, Thursday, November 14, 1918
CANTIMPRE CANADIAN CEMETERY, SAILLY
Cantimpre Canadian Cemetery (originally called Marcoing Line British Cemetery) contains 225 Great War burials, 21 of them unidentified. All but two of the burials are of Canadian soldiers, largely of the 54th, 75th and 87th Infantry Battalions.
Michael’s widow granted a pension, but died before the gratuity issued. Barbara Paterson great-niece of Michael Cada. As related by Michael’s great-nephew Kerry Milutin, upon receiving the news of her husband’s death, Elizabeth Cada took her life.