John Taylor Dewar (left) with his older brother, William Robb Dewar (Right). Man in middle is unknown. My Great-Uncle, Private John Taylor Dewar, reg. no. 730016, died from wounds received near Telegraph Hill, south-east of Arras, France on April 3, 1918. He was 20-years old at the time and his death became an object memory... Continue Reading →
Loyal to the End: The Passing of “Billy” Dewar
William Robb Dewar was Canadian. He was Scottish. He was subject of the British Empire and after living in Canada for three years upon landing in Canada he achieved the status of being a Canadian citizen. This was his right under The Immigration Act, S.C. 1910, c. 27. He earned that right fully with his... Continue Reading →
“Do Your Remember the Night We Left London?”: First in the Series of “MEMORIES”
Introduction The blog has come into the possession of an exciting and valuable series of documents care of Dan Moat, a member of the 18th Battalion Facebook Group. His Great Grand-Father, Lance-Corporal Charles Henry Rogers, reg. no. 123682 was an active member in the 18th Battalion Association and the Royal Canadian Legion. With is interest... Continue Reading →
LOOKING EVERY INCH A SOLDIER
The 18th Battalion was nearing the end of its training. As it was formed in the latter part of October 1914 from South-Western Ontario the soldiers were collected in London, Ontario for training. As the Battalion was about to leave for England via Halifax on the S.S. Grampian on April 18, 1915. Thus, the Battalion... Continue Reading →
Service Records Available for the Dewar Brothers
Checked the LAC web site today and they have digitized and uploaded the service records for William Robb Dewar, 53902, 18th Battalion and John Taylor Dewar, 730016, 4th Battalion. These documents are in PDF format. Click here for William Robb Dewar, 53902, 18th Battalion. Click here for John Taylor Dewar, 730016 4th Battalion. For assistance... Continue Reading →
The Attack and Battle of Vimy Ridge
To my recollection, the first time I learned about Vimy Ridge was when my Mother pointed out to me a page notated by my Uncle William Dewar in Pierre Burton's book Vimy. A notation my Uncle made on a page hi-lighting a mention of the 18th Battalion in regards to Sergeant Ellis Welwood Sifton and... Continue Reading →
Anniversary
Today marks the 100th anniversary of my Grandfather's enlistment into the 18th Battalion, Western Ontario, Regiment, CEF.
Found: A friend of my Grandfather who served with him.
One of the opportunities for researching soldiers is the fact that many soldiers that enlisted often enlisted with their "chums" at the same enlistment office. In an article about researching soldiers it pointed out that since the service numbers were often assigned sequentially then if someone checked the proceeding and preceding service numbers and they... Continue Reading →
Welcome to the War Diary of the 18th Battalion CEF Blog
This blog will cover the war diaries and other aspects of the 18th Battalion CEF. My Grandfather William Robb Dewar no. 53902 served in this Battalion during the Great War. I look forward to your comments and insights as this history develops.
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 