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
1915
According to the Halifax Herald: The S.S. Grampian
On April 13, 1915 the 10,187[i] gross tonne Canadian Pacific Railway Line S.S. Grampian arrived in England. The Halifax Herald reported that the liner had “taken precautions” when departing Liverpool against German submarines. She brought 15 first class, 85 second class, and 150 third class passengers as well as 4,000 bags and passengers of English … Continue reading According to the Halifax Herald: The S.S. Grampian
Geddes of Galt Survives the Sinking of the Anglia: “…a mined hospital ship beats everything else.”
A soldiers' expectation when they were taken out of the line due to wounds or illness was to begin a journey that led to treatment. The BEF and CEF had a proscribed process that was designed to evaluate the condition of a soldier and make a determination as to the type and method of treatment, … Continue reading Geddes of Galt Survives the Sinking of the Anglia: “…a mined hospital ship beats everything else.”
“The day is beautiful and everything is quiet as night.”
Introduction One of the challenges of understanding the service and experiences of the men of the 18th Battalion is that experience, removed in time and distance, is sanitized by the War Diaries. The 18th Battalion war diaries are often bereft of detail and often only deal with the bare minimum of the military events that … Continue reading “The day is beautiful and everything is quiet as night.”
“…a fine job for the beginner.”: Corporal Chatten Writes
Corporal Clement William Chatten was all of 21-years-old when he enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force at Galt, Ontario on October 27, 1914. Though he enlisted as a private soldier, on May 2, 1915, barely a month after his unit, the 18th Battalion, arrived overseas, he was promoted corporal. This letter was written in early … Continue reading “…a fine job for the beginner.”: Corporal Chatten Writes
