The Pughs of Murney Tower in the Great War

Murney Redoubt

The Pughs of Murney Tower included six members of the Pugh Family that served in the Great War. Nursing Sister’s Murney May & Lillian Eliza Dauphney Pugh of the C.A.M.C.

Lillian Eliza Dauphney Pugh born in Kingston, 20 January 1886 to a military family who lived in a fortification tower called the Murney Redoubt. Her brother William describes it here: “We lived on the main floor of the tower. Underneath us was a cellar full of powder and ammunition, and above us was a huge gun that swung about on rollers and could be pointed in any direction. Our only source of water was the river, which was all right in winter time, but which proved pretty muddy often in the summer when the waves were beating in on the shore.”

Museum

The Murney Tower Museum a local history museum operated by the Kingston Historical Society in partnership with Parks Canada since 1925. It is located in one of the four Martello Towers of Kingston, Ontario and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Rideau Canal and Kingston Fortifications. The oldest operating museum in Kingston, which has a collection of domestic and military artifacts that portray 19th-century life in Kingston. It also offers guided tours, audio tours, educational programs, special events, and exhibits.

The author of the article goes on to say, “On several occasions, he called, it was impossible even to get to the river since the drawbridge had blown down during a storm and the whole family had been left marooned within the redoubt. In such an emergency someone had to get out by means of a rope and send word to the garrison officials regarding the plight of the tower dwellers.”

Home to the Pugh Family

The Tower used for decades as a barracks for soldiers and their families, first by the Royal Canadian Rifle Regiment (RCRR) of the British army from 1848 to 1870 and later by the Canadian militia from 1871 to 1885. During the tenure of the RCRR, the Tower was mainly used as a watch post for deserters as well as a secondary barracks. While it might be difficult to believe looking at the Tower today, at one point, six families lived inside together. This role changed when the building was taken over by the militia, which used the structure as a residence for a single military family- the Pugh’s.

Lillian’s sister, Murney May Pugh, named for the tower, and also served as a nursing sister during the Great War.

Men of the Pugh Family

The Pugh family, that lived in the Murney Tower, has one of the most extensive military backgrounds in Kingston’s history with at least 473 years in combined service. This extensive military history spans multiple generations, placing the Pugh family not just in Kingston’s history but the history of Canada as well.

• QMS William Richmond Pugh b.4.6.70 attested 26 November 1918, Citadel, Quebec with 32 years of service. Warrant Officer Class I William Richmond Pugh died 16.10.54 in Kingston.
• Major Thomas Pugh b.4.1.69 attested 22 June 1918 in Montreal. Married to Lizzie Pugh. 35 years of service. LtCol Pugh died 17.8.59 in Montreal.
• Private Martello Richmond Pugh b.02.06.95 attested 7 March 1915 and also served with RCGA in St Lucia, B.W.I. Father William Pugh. BQMS Mart Pugh died 16.2.71 in Kingston.
• Private Sidney Otto Pugh b.14.7.96 attested 3 March 1915 and served with RCGA in St Lucia, B.W.I. Father William Pugh. Died 8.10.27.
• Private Rupert William Stanley Pugh b.16.07.97 attested 1 November 1917 with the RCGA, but served in France, Belgium, and Germany with the 2nd Heavy Battery. Father William Pugh. Battery Sergeant Major R W Stanley Pugh died 24.6.76.
• Sergeant Ross Alexander Pugh b.15.7.06. The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery; deceased Petawawa, Ont. 19 Sep 1990; age 84.
• Bombardier Roland Thomas Pugh b.19.7.08 The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery. Deceased 8 May 1991; age 82; interred Cataraqui Cemetery, Kingston, Ont.
• Gunner Robert Dauphney Pugh b.4.9.14. The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery; deceased 7 Apr 1994.

Rupert arrived late in the war, and the only member of the family to have participated in Canada’s Last Hundred Days, the March to the Rhine and the Allied Occupation of Germany. But, it was the extensive service and experience of the women in the Pugh family, which is the subject of this post.

Nursing Sister Murney May Pugh

Murney May Pugh attested 25 September 1914 in Quebec City. Commanding Officer LtCol J W Bridges approving officer. Witness Nursing Sister Amy W Scott.

Nursing Sister Amy Winifred Scott also attested on this day with Clara L Bowden as her witness. Clara Louise Bowden attested the previous day with, none other than, M M Pugh as her witness.

Murney 32 years of age standing 5’ 4” tall, and 120 pounds. Medium complexion, brown hair. Small mole on right chest. Former Corps Halifax & Kingston Military Hospital.

No. 2 Canadian General Hospital

NS Murney M. Pugh sailed 22-9-14 with the First Contingent. No. 2 Canadian General Hospital, Le Treport, 7 November 1914.

Nursing Sister Lillian Eliza Dauphney Pugh

Lillian Eliza Dauphney Pugh attested at 29 years 4 months of age on 5 May 1915 in Kingston, Ont. Captain G E Kidd, CAMC medical exam. Dark complexion, brown hair and eyes, 160 pounds, standing 5’ 7” tall. Former unit No. 5 Stationary Hospital Queens, Kingston. NS L. E. D. Pugh sailed 6 May 1915 for the Mediterranean Force – No. 5 Canadian Stationary Hospital.

NS Murney M. Pugh treated at No. 3 Canadian General Hospital for Influenza, 5 July 1915. Following 12 days of treatment, discharged on 17 July 1915 with recommendation for 14 days leave. Discharged to duty on 1 August 1915.

No. 5 Canadian Stationary Hospital

No. 5 CSH (Lt-Col F Etherington) left Shorncliffe on 1 August 1915 bound for Malta aboard HS ASTURIAS. Or was it Lemnos? Considerable doubt as to the destination, but instructions given to sail to Alexandria, Egypt where they arrived on 12 August 1915. Nasrieh School Hospital at Cairo the eventual destination while two other CSH’s headed for the Aegean Sea. The school was occupied however, and the hospital set up in the barracks, known as the New Cavalry Barracks, Abbasia, about four miles from Cairo.

Matron Miss Willoughby

Nursing Sisters

M. E. Stevens, L. McCammon, M. P. McBride, B. M. Webber, R. M. Cornett, R. L. Thompson , M. J. Stewart, S. A. Watkins, E. Sparks, F. H. McLeod, B. N. Rowe, H. Brydon, A. Baillie, K. Robinson, M. MacNaughton, P. E. Roberts, N. J. Christie, A. B. Armstrong, M. MacMillan, M. A. Lane, M. A. Banter, G. B. Hiscock, M. M. Abernethy, M. Hambly, H. M. Stacey, L. E. D. Pugh, M. K. Douglas, G. F. Reid, F. M. Smith, Mrs. G. E. Kidd (Lulu Hastey), H. M. Kinnear, K. M. Hasty, E, Ellwood, E. Finlayson, L. Herrington.

Cairo

Queen’s Hospital at Cairo opened for the reception of patients on August 27, on which day 40 admitted. Casualties received from Gallipoli, and the Garrison. The Abbassia Cavalry Barracks, built a few years since, fairly well adapted to Hospital purposes.

Officers’ and Nurses’ quarters

Figure 1 is a photo of the Officers’ and Nurses’ quarters.

Wards

Figure 2 is one of three buildings occupied by patients. The two upper floors in each of the three are wards. Each ward will accommodate 80 patients, and with the wide balconies considerably more than 80.

Figure 3 shows part of Connell ward with a group of patients more or less convalescent. Capt. G. E. Kidd, in charge of this ward, is in the picture. Captain Kidd married to Lula Hastey, also of the unit.

Operating Room

Figure 4 is the improvised operating room. The one being built will have better lighting and plumbing arrangements.

Figure 5 is the pathological and bacteriological laboratory in temporary quarters.

X-Ray

Figure 6 shows the X-ray outfit. The Barracks being lighted by electricity, it was a simple matter to install the outfit taken from London. Under Capt. Quigley very successful work is being done. Evidence of this can be seen in the plates 14 and 17 in this booklet which are prints of a few of the first cases received.

Figure 7 is the Dental Room under Capt. Sparks. So many patients required attention that a second chair with an as i tant was necessary.

Dispensary

Figure 8 is the Dispensary. Sgt. Cro , who is in charge, is a third year student in medicine and a qualified druggist.

Figure 9 is the Steward’s department. Sgt. Sanger, who has charge, was steward of the Frontenac Club in Kingston and resigned his high-salaried position to enter the ranks of Queen’s Hospital in order to serve the Empire according to his ability. The Mess is let to a native contractor who is supervised by Sgt. Sanger.

Stores

Figure 10 is the Stores department. Sgt. Spence at the table is an Arts student whose home is in Ottawa.

Figure 11 shows McKenzie, an Arts student, who was a qualified blacksmith before entering college. He enlisted with the Hospital as a mechanic and his services in many ways have been invaluable.

Natives

Figure 12 is a group of natives in the service of the Hospital. The average wage is about 15 cents per day. Some of the Hospital funds have been applied to pay for this native service, to lessen the fatigue duties of the students, and, in this way, to free them for service to and attendance upon the patients.

Figure 13 is the Tailor Shop with native help.

X-Rays

Pvt Griven 13, RNR had a bullet removed from the his skull behind the ear on 19 October 1915.

Pvt’s Summerton 265 and Gowans 1177, Royal Newfoundland Regiment, both treated to remove bullets on 24 October 1915.

NS Murney M. Pugh granted 10 days leave, 16 October 1915. No. 7 Canadian General Hospital (Queens University)left Le Tréport for Etaples, while Nursing Sister M. M. Pugh proceeded to England for duty, 10 November 1915.

The Operation Room’s final report came on 14 January 1916, with the removal of an oral polyp by Captain Polson.

During this time Queen’s was the only military hospital in Egypt with a laboratory and qualified pathologists.

On 26 January 1916, No. 5 Canadian Stationary Hospital (Queen’s) redesignated as No. 7 Canadian General Hospital (Queens University).

Return to France

NS Lillian E. D. Pugh and No. 7 Canadian General Hospital (Queens University)left Cairo and returned to France via the Dardenelles. Left Egypt, 11 April 1916, arrived at Le Tréport, France 21 April 1916.

The Pughs of Murney Tower in 1916

NS Lillian E. D. Pugh treated at No. 3 CGH, Le Treport, 23 May 1916 (Colic). Transferred to Sisters Convalescent Home, Hardelot, 1 June 1916, and discharged two weeks later.

Gall Stones

NS Lillian E. D. Pugh treated at No. 3 CGH, Le Treport, 28 July 1916 (Gall stones). Transferred to Queen Alexandria’s Military Hospital, Millbank SW, 1 August 1916 and discharged four days later. Unfit any service 5 weeks. Fit for General service.

NS Murney M. Pugh granted 14 days leave from 27 June 1916. NS M. M. Pugh rejoined from leave, le Treport, 11 July 1916.

NS Lillian E. D. Pugh to Canadian Red Cross Special Hospital, Buxton, 20 September 1916.

Canadian Red Cross Special Hospital, Buxton

Canadian Red Cross Special Hospital, Buxton, Derleyshire, authorized and opened in February 1916 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel H. D. Johnson. Occupied the Peak Hydro Hotel and equipped by the Canadian Red Cross.

For the treatment of rheumatic fever, myalgia, neurasthenia, neuritis, otitis, insomnia, arthritis, nephritis, functional diseases of the heart, neuralgia and shell shock.

The Pughs of Murney Tower in 1917

NS Murney M. Pugh SoS and posted to CAMC Depot Shorncliffe, 24 May 1917. ToS from No. 2 CGH.

NS Lillian E. D. Pugh proceeded overseas to No. 7 CGH, 27 May 1917.

Nursing Sister Murney M. Pugh ToS No. 13 Canadian Military Hospital, Hastings, for duty, 23 August 1917.

No. 13 Canadian General Hospital, Hastings

Canadian Military Hospital, Hastings operated by No. 8 Canadian Stationary Hospital from January to October 1917 when handed over to No. 1 Canadian Stationary Hospital. Designated as No. 13 Canadian General Hospital on 10 September 1917.

NS L. E. D. Pugh treated for myalgia at No. 22 General Hospital, Etaples, 3 October 1917. Transferred to Conv Home, Le Touquet, 16 October 1917, and discharged one week later.

NS L. E. D. Pugh granted 14 days leave, 8 November 1917, rejoining her unit on 23 November 1917.

The Pughs of Murney Tower in 1918

NS Murney M. Pugh 13 CGH SoS & posted to Granville Canadian Special Hospital, Buxton, 13 January 1918.

Granville Special Hospital

Granville Special Hospital, Ramsgate and Buxton opened 20 November 1915 in the Granville Hotel, Ramsgate. Commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel W. L. Watt. The hotel had been taken over by the War Office for use as a hospital for Canadians requiring prolonged and special treatment. Closed in August 1917 because of bombing and bombardment of Ramsgate.

Bronchitis

NS Lillian E. D. Pugh treated for bronchitis at No. 24 CGH, Etaples, 30 March 1918. Transferred to Conv Home, Le Touquet, 11 April 1918.

NS Murney M. Pugh SoS to CAMC Depot on 29 March 1918 and proceeded overseas as reinforcement to No. 2 CGH. NS M. M. Pugh awarded the 1914 Star on 22 April 1918.

NS Murney M. Pugh reposted to No. 6 CGH 21 May 1918.

Marriage

NS Lillian E. D. Pugh granted 14 days leave, 4 June 1918, rejoining unit at Etaples on 30 June 1918. Presumably during this time she married James McDowell. On June 19, 1918, Lillian Eliza Dauphney Pugh married James Edward McDowell, a lieutenant and medical officer in the United States Army. The ceremony took place in London, England, at Christ Church, Paddington, and witnessed by two other Canadian nursing sisters, Marguerite Kerr and Mabel A. Bonter.

NS M. M. Pugh granted 14 days leave 25 August 1918.

2nd Heavy Battery

On 2 April 1918, Private Rupert William Pugh proceeded overseas to the Canadian Heavy Artillery and posted to 2^nd Brigade, CGA. He would serve with No. 2 Heavy Battery, formerly the unit of the author’s great-uncle, Sgt Francis Patrick Walshe (wounded September 1916).

NS L. E. D. Pugh Sos No. 7 CGH and ToS CAMC Casualty Depot, Shorncliffe, 22 August 1918.

NS L. E. D. Pugh SoS having been permitted to resign her appointment, Shorncliffe, 2 September 1918. Lillian’s weight had fallen to 147 pounds, and she had had three gall-bladder attacks since the last in July 1918. Her general condition good, with tenderness on deep pressure over gall bladder – Captain D R Dunlop, CAMC.

The Pughs of Murney Tower – 1919

NS M. M. Pugh SoS No. 6 CGH on proceeding to England and posted to CAMC Casualty Coy, 2 January 1919.

NS M. M. Pugh No. 16 Canadian General (Ontario) Hospital, Orpington, Kent, 15 March 1919. Complaint: difficulty breathing through nostrils. Deflected septum. Operation required.

No. 16 Canadian General (Ontario) Hospital

The government paid $2 million for the construction of the Ontario Military Hospital, which officially opened in Orpington on February 19, 1916. The hospital staffed solely by Ontario medical professionals, who treated over 25,000 soldiers there between 1916 and 1919.

NS M. M. Pugh SoS on embarkation to Canada, 24 March 1919. Sailing No. 31.

NS M. M. Pugh Comp Myopic Astigmatism, condition not aggravated by service. R.V. 6/60, L.V. 3/60.

NS M. M. Pugh discharged 9 April 1919 in Ottawa.

Ellanore June Parker

NS M. M. Pugh’s proposed residence, 153 O’Connor Street, Ottawa. Murney’s latest address, though, 306 Arroyo Drive, San Gabriel, California, where she resided with another former Nursing Sister, Ellanore Parker. The pair returned to Canada in 1948 and lived in Victoria, British Columbia. Ellanore passed away in 1965 and Murney died nine years later. Fittingly, they are buried side-by-side.

Parker had become a contributor to the “Los Angeles Times” and wrote two books on her war experiences. Ellanore J Parker also an inventor and designed a water cannon and a magnetic detector, which was a forerunner to radar.

Fonds PR-0398 – Ellanore June Parker fonds

Ellanore Parker a nursing sister who went to France in 1915 and served with the 2nd Canadian General Hospital near Dieppe. In 1919, Parker went to California where she became a contributor to the “Los Angeles Times” and wrote two books on her war experiences.

Parker was also an inventor and designed a water cannon and a magnetic detector, which was a forerunner to radar. Parker came to Victoria, B.C., in 1948. Pre-deceased by Nursing Sister Lillian Eliza Dauphney Pugh. Buried at Saint Luke’s Anglican Cemetery, Victoria, BC.

Murney Tower

After being abandoned by the militia in 1885 , Murney Tower remained unused for decades and fell into disrepair. In 1921, a storm blew a piece of the Tower’s roof off, killing a young boy. It was this tragedy that prompted the Kingston community to approve the creation of the Murney Tower Museum, which opened in 1925 under the leadership of the Kingston Historical Society.

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