History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth"
Articles, war diaries, and recognition to the Men of the "Fighting 18th"
Private John Dobson (Military Medal ), reg. no. 651436. WARNING: Some details in this post may be disturbing to readers. In a news clipping titled Letters from the Soldiers in the Paisely Advocate dated October 16, 1918, Private Edgar Joseph McAfee writes in it, “Let me know in your next letter if Jack Dobson is... Continue Reading →
Soldiers letters do not stand on their own. They impart small, discrete, often obscure, snippets of information that connect the writer with the people of his hometown, unit, and his social circle. They can often give clues that lead to a broader understanding of the writer and his experiences during his service. The letters also... Continue Reading →
So states the epitaph on a gravestone at plot IV. F. 14. at the Wancourt British Cemetery south-east of Arras. The death of Private Heny "Harry" Jack was unusual as he became a prisoner and from that moment his fate would be unknown until later and his family, especially his parents, Alex and Gertrude of Paisely,... Continue Reading →
A recent contact by a relative allowed a more detailed examination of the service record of Private William Wilson Bryce. Below is a summary of service high-lighting the more significant aspects of his service. Private Bryce's service record only has one demerit for being absent without leave very early in his service and his experiences... Continue Reading →
In a previous post a letter sent by then Sergeant Babcock related some of his experiences in the war during his service with the 18th Battalion. After the war ended Lieutenant Babcock was demobilized and took up residence in London, Ontario. His obituary then outlines his involvement with the automotive industry working for a Dodge... Continue Reading →
On May 3, 1916, the Paisely Advocate included a letter[i] written by then Sergeant Andrew Enos Babcock, a native son of Paisely, about his experiences with the 18th Battalion. Sergeant Babcock was an original member of the 18th Battalion with the assigned regiment number of 53989 when he enlisted on October 27, 1914 in Walkerton,... Continue Reading →
One soldier. One life. The evidence of the war experiences for Private Alexander Edward Blue of the 18th Battalion is greater than most, and less that others. One gets a sense of the man but how much of that is our projection and perspectives from our perspective influencing our perception of the evidence presented before... Continue Reading →
On June 29th, 1916 in the Dickenbusch sector of the Belgium front Private A.E. Blue was wounded in the chest by a sniper's bullet. The family was informed by telegraph on July 4th of the nature of his wounds and the service records indicates he was "dangerously ill" on June 30th with that status being... Continue Reading →
Sometimes the simplest information about a soldier can yield facts and insight into the life of that soldier, and by extension, the lives of his comrades-in-arms. Private Alexander Edward Blue. reg. no. 54004 has information at the Bruce Remembers site which is an absolute wealth of information from which aspects of his life can be... Continue Reading →
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 