Four sons of John Alexander and Frances Maria (nee Ryan) Adie served overseas, with only one surviving the war. The Adie Brothers serving in the Great War: Robert, John, Archie and Allan. The youngest brother, James,
Five boys, James, John, Robert, Archie and Allan.
Two girls, Mable and Jane, circa 1907.
The Canadian War Museum holds the Adie family service flag, letters, and photographs as part of its collection to preserve their story.
A Mother’s Service Flag
Service flags first appeared in the United States in the spring of 1917 and became popular in Canada later that year. Introduced as a patriotic expression of pride, worry and loss. The practice continued during the Second World War.
Family members often changed the colour of the leaves on service flags if loved ones were killed.
The Adie Brothers
The number of maple leaves on the flags indicated the number of people serving in the war. The Adie family displayed this flag in their home in St. Catharines, Ontario, to indicate that four sons — John, Robert, Archibald, and Allan — were on active duty overseas. Robert, first to enlist, first in the field, and first wounded among the Adie Brothers, survived the war. John, Archie and Allan paid the Ultimate Sacrifice.
Lieutenant John McClelland Adie 1883-07-15 (d. 03/11/1918)
The Adie Brothers
Captain Robert Nicoll Adie 1886-08-21
Private Archibald William Adie 1892-01-25 (d. 10/04/1918)
The Adie Brothers
Gunner Allan Adie 1896-03-23 (d. 20/11/1917)
The Adie Brothers
Service of the Adie Family
Second-eldest, and first to enlist, Robert Nicoll Adie attested 13 November 1914, aged 27 years, 3 months. 19th Battalion
19th Battalion
Organized in October 1914 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel John I. McLaren. Mobilized at Toronto. Recruited in Toronto, Hamilton, St. Catharines, Brantford, and Sault Ste Marie.
CWM 19920085-1011
Embarked from Montreal 13 May 1915 aboard SCANDINAVIAN. Disembarked England 22 May 1915. With a strength of 41 officers, 1073 other ranks.
1915
Second to enlist, John McClelland Adie attested 15 June 1915, aged 31 years, 11 months. 12th Regiment, CMR. Trade: Show Card Operator/Writer, standing 5′ 5″ tall, 125 pounds, with good physical development.
The Adie Brothers
Captain Robert Nicoll Adie, Boulogne, 14 September 1915. 19th Battalion arrived in France 14 September 1915. 2nd Canadian Division, 4th Infantry Brigade. Reinforced by 3rd Canadian Reserve Battalion.
1916
Third brother to enlist, Allan Adie attested 5 July 1916, aged 20 years, 3 months. 71st Overseas Battery.
Capt Robert Nicoll Adie Wounded
The 19th Battalion in the trenches near Voormezeel. Relief by 5th Brigade cancelled. Captain Robert Nicoll Adie, SW face and right arm, 11 April 1916.
Captain Robert Nicoll Adie (SW face and right arm) evacuated to England, 19 April 1916.
Captain Robert Nicoll Adie attached to 35th Battalion, 5 June 1916. At his Medical Board noted the officer still suffering from shock. A month later, Captain W A Hasire, CAMC notes he has recovered fully.
Private John McClelland Adie despatched to Eaton Motor Machine Gun Battery, 25 June 1916.
1917
Last to enlist, Pvt Archibald ‘Archie’ William Adie attested 11 April 1917, aged 25 years, 3 months. 2nd Dragoons/176th Battalion CEF. Standing 5′ 5″ tall with fair complexion, blue eyes and dark brown hair. Private Archibald William Adie arrived in England aboard SS OLYMPIC, 7 May 1917. At this time, Captain Robert Adie the Adjutant of the 4th Reserve Battalion. Pte Archibald William Adie transferred from 4th Reserve Battalion to 18th Battalion, 15 June 1917.
18th Battalion (Western Ontario)
18th Battalion (Western Ontario) organized in October 1914 initially under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel E S Wigle. Mobilized at London, Ontario and also recruited in London, Windsor, Woodstock, Chatham, St Thomas, Strathroy, Stratford, Galt, Guelph, Walkerville and Goderich.
18th Battalion embarked from Halifax 18 April 1915 aboard GRAMPIAN, and later disembarked England 28 April 1915 with a strength of 36 officers, 1081 other ranks. Disembarked in France 15 September 1915 with the 2nd Canadian Division, 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade and later reinforced by 4th Canadian Reserve Battalion.
The Adie Brothers
Gunner Allan Adie, 24th Battery CFA, proceeded overseas to 1st CDAC, CFA, 18 March 1917. Transferred to 8th Brigade, CFA on 7 July 1917.
1st Canadian Divisional Ammunition Column (1st DAC)
It was organized in August 1914, moved to England in October 1914, and arrived in France on February 12, 1915, as part of the 1st Canadian Divisional Artillery. It consisted of 30 officers and 561 other ranks. The unit utilized both motor transport and horse-drawn transport (mules) to carry 18-pounder artillery shells to the front.
Private John McClelland Adie admitted (Scabies) to No. 8 CFA, 13 August 1917 and discharged four days later.
Private Archibald William Adie proceeded overseas to the 18th Battalion, 16 September 1917.
Death of Gnr Allan Adie
The Adie Brothers
Gunner Allan Adie killed instantly by fragment from exploding enemy shell during the afternoon of 20 November 1917, whilst beside his gun. Buried at Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery, Grave 13, Row C, Plot 12.
On 15 December 1917, William received word of his brother’s recent death.
Marriage of Robert & Dorothy
Captain Robert Nicoll Adie married Dorothy Eda Wilde of Scarboro, Yorks in December of 1917.
Captain Robert Nicoll Adie appointed Adjutant of 4th Canadian Reserve Battalion, 4 January 1917.
1918
Capt. Robert Adie posted to W.O.R.D. proceeding to HQ, Seaford as Staff Learner, 31 January 1918.
Pvt John McClelland Adie confirmed in rank of A/Cpl 23 February 1918.
Death of Private Archibald William Adie
Private Archibald William Adie wounded in the field, 4 April 1918.
Private Archibald William Adie died of wounds at No. 6 British Red Cross Hospital, Etaples, 8:15 pm 10 April 1918.
The Adie Brothers
Captain Robert Nicoll Adie ceases to be attached W.O.R.D. 10 June 1918. Captain Robert Nicoll Adie seconded to QMG inspection Depot, 13 August 1918.
John’s promotion
A/Cpl John McClelland Adie to be Temp Lt with CMGC, 24 August 1918.
John wrote to his sister Mable on 20 October 1918 at Seaford on a refresher course.
The war is going pretty good for us at the present.
Lt John McClelland Adie left for 1st CMMG Brigade, 25 October 1918.
Death of Lt John McClelland Adie
Reported from Base Lt John McClelland Adie died of wounds, 3 November 1918 at No. 1 CCCS from GSW left hip and abdomen.
Buried at Auberchicourt British Cemetery.
1919
Captain Robert Nicoll Adie SoS to Canada 24 January 1919. He ran a printing company and died on 19 August 1952, in St. Catharines, Lincoln, Ontario, Canada, at the age of 65.
The Adie Brothers
Vimy Pilgrimage
Jane had married Lt John ‘Jack’ Albert House (3rd Brigade, CMGC) and travelled with him to the Vimy Pilgrimage in 1936.
James died in Florida during 1956, Mabel in 1971, followed by Jane in 1980.
For a large collection of material on the history and war service of the Adie family see the CWM archives and photo collections. For related medals see the CWM artefact collection.
