A postcard written to his family on March 4, 1915 after crossing the Atlantic. The postcard features the R.M.S. “Megantic”, a White Star Line steamer that was used as part of the convey that transported the 1st Canadian Contingent to England in October 1914. Â It was also used as a […]
This letter was written by Alexander MacNaughton to his mother while on board ship, believed to be the S.S. Megantic although at this point not confirmed. Â The ship departed Halifax on or around Feb 21 and arrived in Queenstown, Ireland on March 4 before continuing on to Liverpool. Transcription: “Halifax, […]
A love letter written to his sweetheart Georgia from Witley Camp in England on Jan. 13, 1918. Tully would survive the war and eventually marry and raise a family with Georgia. Transcription: “The Flag That Flies in Freedom’s Cause” “Witley Camp Surrey, Eng. Sunday Jan. 13th/18 Miss Georgia Gower Dearest […]
The 14th Battalion entered the trenches for the first time in late February 1915. In mid-April they moved from France to the Ypres Salient where, in less than a week, the Canadian Division would be embroiled in their first great battle of the war.The Second Battle of Ypres, as depicted in this painting […]
The SS Andania arrived in Plymouth on October 14, 1914 but the troops waited 4 days before boarding a train to Patney from where they marched to West Down South on Salisbury Plain. The 1st Canadian Division then endured one of the worst English winters in memory. View a gallery […]
Canon Frederick George Scott was attached to 14th Battalion at Valcartier and a chapter in his book, The Great War as I Saw It, is devoted to his experiences at Valcartier Camp. He also wrote an excellent account of their voyage from Quebec to Plymouth aboard the RMS Andania. Not all of the 14th Battalion was […]
Jonathan Capek is currently editing an unpublished history of the 1st Lincolnshire Regiment written by Sgt. F.G. North in the 1920’s. Remarkably he recognized Edward Dobson’s name while visiting my website and kindly forwarded this amazing first-hand account from an encounter in the early morning hours of November 1st 1914: ‘In the pitch […]
A Field Service Postcard sent to his mother on the day the 72nd was, “owing to the hasty retreat of the enemy”, on the move from Aubencheul-au-Bac to Bugnicourt in northern France. On arrival they were ordered to move on to Fosse St. Roch. The Field Service Postcard, often referred […]
A brief letter written to his mother from the 72nd Battalion’s position at Vancouver Camp, Chateau de la Hare on Dec. 30, 1917. The Battalion had just returned from 10 days in the front lines. They arrived at 2:30am and the day was devoted to cleaning up. Transcription: “France, Dec. […]
A letter written to his mother from the 72nd Battalion’s position near Auchel in northern France on Dec. 16, 1917. The Battalion had spent the last week in intense preparation for a marching and firing competition held on Dec. 15th. The Battalion spent the Sunday afternoon preparing for the move […]