War Diary of the 18th Battalion CEF
Articles, war diaries, and recognition to the Men of the "Fighting 18th"
This is an imagining of the lives and experiences of two brothers who enlisted with the 161st Battalion and were transferred to active duty with the 18th. I have always been struck by the loss of one, or both brothers that served together and this short story is my expression of what it would have... Continue Reading →
A wonderful and treasured set of photographs of Charles Wesley Boyd have been contributed to the 18th Battalion Facebook Group and they help tell this soldier’s story. Biography Charles Wesley Boyd was born on October 11, 1896 in Campbellford, Ontario. Campbellford is located on the Trent-Severn Waterway 28 kilometers north of Trenton, Ontario. His parents... Continue Reading →
"Why, what is the news?" Those words probably reverberated in the vestibule of 696 Ashdale Avenue[1] in Toronto, Ontario one day in early December of 1916. It was a question posed by the mother of Private Charles Duncan Compton as a Toronto Star newspaper reporter followed up on the news of this soldier’s death. His... Continue Reading →
Form letter informing Mrs. W. Maberley that one of her sons has died. A full transcription of this letter at the end of this entry. Some time shortly after April 7th, 1917 Mrs. W. Maberley, the mother of Private Henry Kiddle, reg. no 745109, was informed of his death from pneumonia on April 2nd, 1917.... Continue Reading →
The Elliott brothers came for Cape Croker, in the Bruce Peninsula, and if one looks at their service records it may show the concern of an older brother over that of the younger. Daniel and Joseph Elliott joined the 160th Battalion in Cape Croker. This village was approximately 90 kilometers from the headquarters in Walkerton,... Continue Reading →
The sad story of the Searle brothers is brought into sharp relief in the news story below. Two men, far from their native land, join the Canadian Army and the eldest, William, lands in England the very day his mother leaves for Canada. It makes one wonder what the intent was? Was there a miscommunication... Continue Reading →
Summary of the service history of the Broadbent brothers who served with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces in World War 1. Three brothers, Arthur, Charles, and Ephriam all served with the 18th Battalion. William served with the 47th and the 44th Battalion. Arthur Windsor Broadbent Charles Wesley Broadbent Ephriam Edward Broadbent William David Broadbent Service No.... Continue Reading →
Note: this post has been corrected to reflect update information brought to my attention. All the men below where brothers and William David was incorrectly identified as their father. Their father was Abraham Broadbent and Mary Jane Broadbent nee Bump. The Broadbent family from Mitchell Bay, Ontario sent 4 family members to war. All of... Continue Reading →
In the paper En Route to Flanders Fields there is a quote that is currently a mystery: Sergeant Dickson of the 18th Battalion Canadian Infantry was, until enlistment, a pastor at the Methodist Episcopal Church in Cleveland City, Ohio and was invited to lead a service from the pulpit in the Grace Hill Wesleyan Church,... Continue Reading →
As I work through the War Diary and do my Soldiers research I have found several stories belying the terrible toll the Great War had on families. Several times there have been brothers serving together such as the Nelson brothers. Today I found the Cash bothers. See their soldier pages here and here for more... Continue Reading →
War Diary of the 18th Battalion CEF 