“This Canadian Boy Gladly Gave His Life for His Country”

Buried in plot II. A. 5. of the Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension, located in the village of Barlin, France, is 2nd Lieutenant Lindsay Clarence Vogan who was 2nd Lieutenant with the 13th Battalion of the British Middlesex Regiment. On his headstone, according to the CWGC headstone schedules a W.H. Vogan, Esq. of Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of Toronto, Ontario was responsible for this epitaph.

From the Canadian Veterans Memorial site it appears that 2nd Lieutenant Vogan was listed in error, being identified as serving with a British Army unit but 2nd Lieutenant Vogan was a Canadian soldier serving in the British Expeditionary Forces.

A circumstance of luck allowed this soldier’s history to be more fully appreciated. Upon reviewing the service records of Lieutenant Raymond Earl Rouse an entry in Rouse’s service (see below) states:

“[Raymond Earl Rouse] Promoted Sergeant, vice 53419 Sgt. L.C. Vogan granted a commission.”

Research at the Canadian Great War Project had a listing for a 2nd Lieutenant Vogan of the 13th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment but no other details. Researching further for this soldier led to a video from the Canadian Museum of Nature regarding an egg collection from a Woodstock soldier.

Were 2nd Lieutenant L.C. Vogan and Sgt. Vogan the same person. With not access to the service records of 53419 Sgt. L.C. Vogan there was a reference to his serving in the Middlesex Regiment and being from Woodstock and that he “…eventually served in the Middlesex Regiment.” from the video more proof was needed. During the YouTube video a brief flash of a Woodstock newspaper, The Daily Sentinel-Review of Woodstock, Ontario, flashed momentarily.

A trip to the Woodstock Public Library and their microfilm records reveals an article that confirms that 2nd Lieutenant L.C. Vogan was of Woodstock, Ontario. He joined the 18th Battalion and rose through the ranks rapidly, particularly for a soldier so young.

LIEUT. LINDSAY VOGAN DIES OF HIS WOUNDS

Popular Young Woodstock Soldier Give His Like For His Country – Pte. W.J. Lamb Killed in Action

Lieut. Lindsay Vogan has made the supreme sacrifice. Reported wounded a week ago, a further cable to his mother, Mrs. E. Vogan, Grace Street, to-day, announced his death from wounds. This make the second death in the family, Lieut. Stanley Vogan, a brother, a member of the 71st Battalion, was reported killed in action some months ago.

Lieut. Lindsay Vogan was a very popular young man. At the time of his enlistment he was attending the Collegiate Institute. He enlisted in the 18th Battalion and carried the title of sergeant, which he had acquired in the old 22nd Oxford Rifles. He was known in the overseas unit as the “baby sergeant,” on account of his youth, not having yet attained his eighteenth year when he enlisted. He was a sergeant in Capt. Woodroofe’s company in the 22nd Regiment, “and one of the best in the regiment,” stated Capt. Woodroofe this morning on being appraised of his death. After going overseas he was transferred to the 13th Imperial Middlesex Regiment. He added to his career as a soldier by being advanced to the rank of lieutenant in the British unit. Lindsay Vogan had a host of friends in Woodstock, who will learn of deep regret of his death. Lieut. L. Vogan was insured at the time of his enlistment by the Oxford Patriotic Association, for $500 in the Imperial Life.

Source: The Daily Sentinel-Review, Woodstock, Ontario – Tuesday May 1, 1917

Thus this epitaph makes sense. He was a Canadian boy (barely 20 years old) serving in an British Regiment.

Thanks to davidunderdown95 2nd Lt. Vogan’s English service records are available here.