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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 