This is the last of a 4-part series of the analysis of articles relating to Private Frederick Hodson, who served with the 18th Battalion. Special thanks to Annette Fulford (@avidgenie) Lizbet Tobin, and Sharon Munro for assistance with this article. Private Frederick Hodson, M.M. of the 18th Battalion. Hodson is well established in England, as his … Continue reading “…a pretty near squeak…”
Relatives
“Tangible recognition…”
This is the third of a 4-part series of the analysis of articles relating to Private Frederick Hodson, who served with the 18th Battalion. Special thanks to Annette Fulford (@avidgenie) and Lizbet Tobin for assistance with this article. From the previous stories we can get a sense of Hodson. He is a dutiful son and … Continue reading “Tangible recognition…”
“A proper exciting time…”
This is the first of a 4-part series of the analysis of articles relating to Private Frederick Hodson, who served with the 18th Battalion. 476 days had passed since the enlistment of Private Hodson and the publishing of his letter in the Rushden Echo. Frederick Hodson, a shoemaker from Galt, Ontario, had joined the 18th … Continue reading “A proper exciting time…”
“…of a roving nature.”: Private Archie Turner
Friend after friend departs; Who hath not lost a friend? There is no union of hearts That finds not here an end. Part of a hymn[i] laments for the death of Private Archie Turner. His sister-in-law selected this hymn to reflect on her brother-in-law’s passing. Private Turner enlisted in St. Thomas, Ontario October 23, 1914 … Continue reading “…of a roving nature.”: Private Archie Turner
Rest Easy Uncle John
You look like you filled out and put on weight in your uniform in the picture. You stand slightly cocked to one side beside your brother, which makes you appear shorter than your brother more than the 2 and ¾ inches between you. Perhaps a year’s worth of training allowed your 19-year frame to grow … Continue reading Rest Easy Uncle John
Meet Private and Mrs. Woolley
A member of the 18th Battalion Facebook Group added photographs to the Group pertaining to Private Benjamin Woolley, reg. no. 123108. A photograph of Private Woolley with his wife, Lilly. They are recorded to have lived at 1041 Frances Street, Lodon, Ontario. He enlisted with the 70th Battalion, CEF, on September 14, 1915 at London, … Continue reading Meet Private and Mrs. Woolley
Grave Images of Private Albert Edward Miller
Matt Miller, a descendant of Private A.E. Miller, who died of wounds sustained during the first day of the battle at Vimy Ridge was kind enough to furnish some photographs of Private Miller's resting place. He is buried along with other 5776 other casualties of war. 459 of those dead are Canadians and of those … Continue reading Grave Images of Private Albert Edward Miller
British Home Children Support Available
This blog has touched on the role that British Home Children had in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, and specifically the 18th Battalion. It is estimated that up to 10 percent of all Canadians can trace an ancestral connection with a British Home Child. One of the pleasures of hosting a Facebook Page for the 18th … Continue reading British Home Children Support Available
A Letter From Major Nelson Aboard the S.S. Grampian
Major George Whitford Nelson, adjutant for the 18th Battalion writes from the S.S. Grampian: Mrs. W. Kidd Elsinore, Ont., Bruce Co. Canadian Pacific Railway Ocean Services R.M.S. Grampian Mid Ocean April 25, 1915 Dear Friends, I can’t very well tell you where I am but will know better when I get a chance to post … Continue reading A Letter From Major Nelson Aboard the S.S. Grampian
“But should I die serving my country…”
John Archibald McCallum was old by the standards of the average Canadian soldier enlisting in 1916. The attestation papers remark that his hair was “Black sprinkled with grey” when he joined the 160th Battalion at Lion’s Head, Ontario. Regardless of this sign of age the doctor examining him declared his physical development as “excellent.” The … Continue reading “But should I die serving my country…”
