Introduction I had the honour and pleasure of speaking at an event held at the Mill Pond Gallery at Cargill, Ontario. The event was to acknowledge the service of the veterans of this proud town by hosting an event that had several speakers talking about the military heritage of Cargill. I was one of those... Continue Reading →
Learn About Canadian Expeditionary Force Service Files
In the summer, I gave a presentation about how to interpret Canadian Expeditionary Force Service Files to the Legion at Paisley, Ontario, which was well attended. This Remembrance Day, I am presenting at the Perth and Stratford Archives and Museum.
Discovering the Taylor Brothers: Inscribed Memories
In a churchyard in north-eastern France, there are inscriptions left by soldiers from the First World War. English, Welsh, Scottish, Irish, Australian, New Zealand, and Canadian. One person has been diligently photographing and documenting these inscriptions, and there are several 18th Battalion men whose inscriptions live on because of his work. It puts a soldier... Continue Reading →
Not Forgotten in Tillsonburg
On 18 July 2025 Lieutenant Raymond Earl Rouse MM MC grave was visited. This man served with the 18th Battalion, earning two decorations for valour, one as an enlisted man, and one as an officer. His military service started with his enlistment with the 18th Battalion on 27 October 1914, at Woodstock, Ontario. He was... Continue Reading →
He Kissed His Mother Before He Died: The Death of Private Douglas
The Circumstances of Death Card for Private Douglas, reg. no. 54153 starkly relates that he “Killed in Action” in the vicinity of Courcelette on 16 September 1916 at the 18th Battalion’s first engagement at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette. The main attack occurred on the prior day and is noted in history for the first use... Continue Reading →
Remembering John Turner: His Service and Sacrifice
On 10 May 2025, my son and I visited this man's grave and presented a Canadian flag and a Remembrance "Lest We Forget" flag in recognition of his service to Canada in the First World War. His obituary gives some sense of his life and service. "TURNER — John MacDonald, passed away peacefully September 21,... Continue Reading →
1916 Photograph of 186th Battalion: Stories Behind the Faces
A relatively obscure photograph of a group of men from 1916/1917 brings to life the men of that image. It is a photograph of a group of men from the 186th Overseas Battalion, raised from men in the Chatham and St. Thomas areas. Though primarily recruiting from Kent County, many men of the 91st Battalion... Continue Reading →
From Soldier to Window Cleaner: The Death of Arthur Kite
A 33-year-old hotel porter stood in line on 5 January 1916 with the 124th Battalion. He was a native of England and served 7 years with the 1st Sussex as a Bandsman. He was born and lived in Brighton, in Sussex, and the chance to join the war, go home and fight for his country... Continue Reading →
Frank Westlake’s Letter: A Soldier’s Story of One Brother in the 18th
The letter below is a wonderful example of the process Canadian Expeditionary Force soldiers experienced during the Great War when they were transferred from their training bases in England to active duty with a combat unit on the Continent. Private Frank Allan Westlake had enlisted with the 161st Huron Battalionc on January 10, 1916 and... Continue Reading →
The Mystery Behind Historical War Photographs
A recent query at the 18th Battalion Facebook Group regarding two photographs asked if two men in two separate photographs could be identified. The common denominator in each photograph is the presence of Private Alexander McCalmont (reg. no. 880093) who died of wounds received in action at No. 3 Canadian Stationary Hospital. Photographs of soldiers... Continue Reading →
The Unique Christmas Poster of Private Ernest Pullen
Sometime before Christmas 1914 the men of the 18th Battalion stationed at the Wolseley Barracks at London, Ontario began the mental and physical preparations for the upcoming celebrations. One man would put pen to paper and acknowledge this event in a unique manner. Private Ernest Pullen, late of Windsor, Ontario and now a member of... Continue Reading →
Frank Oraszek: From Berlin to the Frontlines
November 2, 1914… The Berlin News Record, of the named city of Berlin (now Kitchener) Ontario, headline proclaims: “Turkey Jumps Into the Frying Pan” For, on 29 October 1914 the Turkish Fleet bombards Russian bases in Sevastopol, Feodosia, Yalta, Odessa and Novorossiysk and from that operation Russia declared war on Turkey effective 2 November 1914.[i]... Continue Reading →
50th Anniversary of 18th Battalion Reunion in Windsor, Ontario
The 18th Battalion Association was an outcrop of the creation of the Great War Veterans Association, later to become the Royal Canadian Legion. The member ship was active and had reunions at their various chapters.[i] One such reunion occurred on 22 October of 1964 recognizing the 50th anniversary of the start of the Great War.... Continue Reading →
Private Berry’s Voyage to War: Insights and Anecdotes
With thanks to the family member who shared the diaries of Ernest Berry, this article would not have been possible. Gainfully employed with a newborn baby boy barely one year old were not deterrents to Ernest Berry,[i] a bookbinder from Toronto, from enlisting for war. He loved his only son, calling his son Walter “Birdie”... Continue Reading →
Discovering Lieutenant Fraser’s Grave in Halifax
Two cemeteries in Halifax, Nova Scotia abut each other. The Fairlawn Cemetery is noted for its burial of some of the victims of the SS Titanic Disaster and St. John’s which is the Catholic Cemetery. Both sit adjacent to two busy roads, the 111 leading over the Dartmouth Bridge which is a major arterial artery... Continue Reading →
Victor Clem: A Soldier’s Journey from Nova Scotia
There are some places in this world that are simply peaceful. Imagine green fields of corn and mixed forest abutting those fields teeming with wildlife. The sky, like the land, seems to run forever and if you do not move there is no sound but the rustling if the leaves or an errant “caw” from... Continue Reading →
The Orange Picker Who Became a Stretcher-Bearer
An “Orange Picker” Windsor, Ontario’s Evening Record front page for 15 February 1915 had stories about the French forces beating the Germans in the Lorraine Forest; the Kaiser going to Cuxhaven to see off U-Boats in their bid to starve out England; that Ottawa was plunged in darkness due to the a report from Brockville,... Continue Reading →
“… a magnificent spectacle…”: Eye Witness at Flers-Courcelette
TRIGGER WARNING: This blog post relates the experiences of a combat soldier that may not be appropriate for all readers. The 18th Battalion’s role and experiences during the 15 September 1916 Battle of Flers-Courcelette are not officially well documented. The War Diary for that month is bereft of detail to the point that someone printed... Continue Reading →
Private Oliver’s Passing
Marg Liessens is a prolific contributor to the Canadian Virtual War Memorial site and others with her photographs of headstones and other images related to the remembrance of our armed forces. While researching Private Oliver Chester Ellis, reg. no. 189469 a visit to the Canadian Virtual War Memorial contained the photograph of Private Ellis. Of... Continue Reading →
The Hard Luck Allens
On 5 April 1912 at Chatham, Ontario a young couple began their life together. The former bachelor was 21 years old, and his new bride was all of 19. The former was of the Presbyterian faith while the latter was Methodist. Both resided in Chatham at the time of their betrothal and would make their... Continue Reading →
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 