Some time after the Armistice in 1918 and July 1921 a former private of the 18th Battalion wrote a poem and published it in pamphlet form. It is now an obscure document and would be lost to history save for the work of Canadiana Online. Hidden, waiting to be found was the pamphlet with its … Continue reading Poetry and Regret
“We Kingsville boys…”
A letter published in the November 4, 1915, edition of the Kingsville Reporter relates some of the experiences of Private "Harry" Sirverns, late of Kingsville, Ontario. The letter covers the early experiences of the 18th Battalion as it goes into the line and furnishes another lens from a foot soldier of the war from his … Continue reading “We Kingsville boys…”
“Scouts should be picked men…”
On August 4, 1915, the London Advertiser published a picture on page 3. In this picture was the image of seventeen young men who were scouts for the 18th Battalion. The photograph appears to be taken in England as the Battalion was in training at West Sandling, near Hythe, Kent. In this picturesque and bucolic … Continue reading “Scouts should be picked men…”
Eager to Get Over There: Private Drinkwater’s Desire
The seems to be no lack of enthusiasm for the Galtonians that joined the 18th Battalion to get into the fight. Even with the advent of static trench warfare due to the mechanization of combat from the use of rapid-fire weapons and massed artillery ending in casualties that had amounted to 9,182 Canadian casualties since … Continue reading Eager to Get Over There: Private Drinkwater’s Desire
“UNUSUAL VIEWS OF SHORNECLIFFE”: Familiar sights to the men of the 18th
A faded article in a local paper from over 100-years ago. The fades images do not offer much in the way of information as they lack detail and definition. The text offers some information about the images, but the locale is not known to many of the residents of Galt, and yet, there would be … Continue reading “UNUSUAL VIEWS OF SHORNECLIFFE”: Familiar sights to the men of the 18th
“The boys promise to be home for Christmas in 1916.”: A letter from December 1914
On December 21, 1915, the Galt Daily Reporter reported that the 18th Battalion was in the front line based on letters dated November 30, 1915, from the “boys of the 18th Battalion”. The letter gives some perspective of the attitudes of the soldiers of this unit, thought, sadly, none of the “boys” who wrote the … Continue reading “The boys promise to be home for Christmas in 1916.”: A letter from December 1914
The War Begins
The pace in rural Ontario was slower than the cities. An illustration of this was the manner in which the printer media could inform its readers of significant events. The First World War started on August 4, 1914, and the Vancouver Daily Province newspaper declared, “Britain and Germany Now at War” on that very date. … Continue reading The War Begins
“Hale and Hearty”: Lucknow Ontario Veterans Return Home
100 years ago the Wingham Advance published an article about returning soldiers. In May 1919 just over a dozen veterans of the First World War from the Canadian and American Forces returned home. The articles that nearly all of them had been wounded but that they "...have recovered and are looking hale and hearty now." … Continue reading “Hale and Hearty”: Lucknow Ontario Veterans Return Home
A “most cherished souvenir”: A Request for a Memorial (Silver) Cross
On May 4, 1950, a letter was written to the Department of Veterans Affairs the illuminates the pride of service of a soldier of the 18th Battalion. This letter brings into relief the role of memory and how it shaped a family in bereavement as they wished to have tangible recognition of a loved one’s … Continue reading A “most cherished souvenir”: A Request for a Memorial (Silver) Cross
“After a long period free from local casualties…”: The Wounding of Private Hollins
An article in the December 21, 1915 edition of the Galt Daily Reported relates the first casualty from Galt in the war, Private John Hollins, had been wounded during service with the 18th Battalion.[i] PTE. J. HOLLINS HAS BEEN WOUNDED FORMER EMPLOYEE OF THE REPORTED ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL AT BOULOGNE After a long period free … Continue reading “After a long period free from local casualties…”: The Wounding of Private Hollins
