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Soldiers of the 16th Battalion CEF (Canadian Scottish), Sports Competition, Summer, 1918. Some Time Behind the Lines Once in a while there was just a little respite, a little peace and perhaps a different kind of banter for the troops to enjoy behind the lines away from harm’s way. A gathering of souls who on most days were in a different place – on the lines, in a trench or a vantage point watching out upon the short horizon of no man’s land waiting and wondering. For a brie

Eric Henri Kennington. Lives of the First World War, Imperial War Museum Ever More Connected Artist Eric Henri Kennington was a war artist and sculptor– creating well known works of both the Great War (First World War) and the Second World War. Kennington’s work is housed in several public collections including the National Portrait Gallery (London), the Tate Gallery (London), the National Galleries of Scotland, and the Imperial War Museum. One Kennington sculpted memorial, T

Actors and the Great War Seemingly one just has to ferret about the internet and much will be revealed simply by coming up with the right combination of search terms. Recently I was reviewing none other than Basil Rathbone’s Great War service, with the Liverpool Scottish, when I learned of three actors who served during the Great War with the London Scottish (the 14th London Regiment). These fine fellows include Ronald Colman, Herbert Marshall, and Lawrence Rains all who qual

Scottish Women’s Hospitals donation box, Note the NUWSS initials. Imperial War Museum, London. (P. Ferguson image, March 2017) The National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies [NUWSS] Elsie Inglis who initially studied medicine at the Edinburgh School of Medicine in 1887, completed her studies in 1892 at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary. Inglis was especially cognizant of the required specialized knowledge and treatments for female patients and was appalled by the lack of standard

The Canadian Capture of the Sugar Refinery, Courcelette, Somme, France, September 15, 1916. Authenticity, Accuracy in the Depiction of the Great War Today we reflect upon an event of a 100 years ago when the Canadian Expeditionary took part in its first major action of the Somme campaign during the Battle of Flers-Courclette. The Capture of the Sugar Refinery, September 15, 1916, was interpreted by Italian war artist Fortunino Matania known for his enduring passion for authen

Thiepval Memorial, France.(P. Ferguson image, August 2018) The Darkest of Days The Battle of the Somme lasted for 141 days ending 18 November 1916. During its time the British Army and associated units of the British Commonwealth, including Canada, suffered some 650,000 casualties…200,000 lost their lives. It is, however, the first day…1 July 1916 that speaks with the loudest of voices…54,740 British Army casualties…19,240 killed. The Newfoundland Regiment was decimated at Be

Piper James Cleland Richardson VC, Adanac Military Cemetery, France. (P. Ferguson image, September 18, 2017) Before and For All Time On a rainy day towards the Somme, we stop at Beaumont-Hamel and Thiepval before heading a short distance to Adanac Military Cemetery, to observe the day at the graveside of Piper James Cleland Richardson VC. Although we have been before, time and time again, our observances here strike a new note amidst this battlefield cemetery, amidst these fa

Joshua Rowland Kingham survived a head wound received on the Somme in 1916. During the Second World War, Kingham commanded the 1st Battalion Canadian Scottish Regiment 1940-1942. “It has not been all milk and honey…” Originally with the 88th Victoria Fusiliers, Private Kingham served as a sniper with the 16th Battalion C.E.F. (Canadian Scottish). Kingham was with his battalion on the Somme and wrote about this time when half his platoon was killed on their way to the front li

Piper John MacLeod. Great War veteran with the 67th Battalion (Western Scots) and 102nd (North British Columbians). (P. Ferguson image, May 2018) Someday Here We Will Meet Again …a while ago I have stood here many times, brought others to you and wondered who you are…and yet for all the time that has passed – today you have spoken. Who are you Piper John MacLeod? …this day I have walked this place of memory since the late 1970s, read and re-read markers, family messages lette

James “Jimmy” Duffy on the Burlington Canal Bridge during the Around the Bay Road Race, Hamilton, Ontario, 1912. (Hamilton Public Library). Days of Champions Amidst the clattering of today’s world events we have some respite as the Olympics fill the ranks and files of media. Not without their “discussion” too, the Olympics celebrate achievement and highlight angst. There are stories each day of overcoming adversity, of participation and winning, sometimes even without receiv

Battlefield on the Somme. (P. Ferguson image 2007) I GOT HIT ON THE SOMME Corporal Norman Caldwell (16th Battalion CEF) and his brother Harry Calldwell (67th Battalion CEF) were the nephews of Mr. L.A. Berkeley of Roccabella. A portion of Norman’s letter entitled, Brothers Have Seen Some Heavy Fighting appeared in The Daily Colonist , 7 November 1916, page 10. I got hit on September 24…at about 4 o’clock in the afternoon, down in the Somme district, between Thiepval and

Andrew Carmichael, Military Tailor to all Canadian Regiments. May 13, 1916. Military Tailor to All Canadian Regiments...Etc. Etc. I have often sifted (and drifted) through the many pages of research I tracked down by wandering the stacks of the University of Victoria. It is good to wander the library’s aisles, stopping to look at old volumes just to see what I might see. I recall now looking at some old public school Great War nominal rolls from the United Kingdom complete w

Note the prisoner escorts wearing the familiar tin hat of the Great War. Circa 1916. I Heard the Clang of a Bullet Some months prior to the attack on Regina Trench, 8 October 1916, Canadian troops were first issued with the steel helmet in the spring of 1916. Patented in London in 1915 by John Leopold Brodie of Buffalo, New York, the helmet came into general use when large quantities became available for distribution. The first style helmet was rimless but a second model feat

Saint John's Anglican Cathedral Cemetery, Winnipeg. (P. Ferguson image, July 2017) The Strang Brothers Some years ago, a decision was made to visit Winnipeg and have a wander over a three-day period. The visit was our typical exploration of a city, cemeteries, historical sites and points of interest. Much was learned as both new names of interest and familiar ones were brought to light. Of interest today are the markers of the Strang brothers, former officers of the 16th Cana

George Samuel Ager in the uniform of the 50th Regiment (Gordon Highlanders). Lieutenant George Samuel Ager, 16th Battalion CEF When I was writing about the advancing Great War anniversaries from one to another I engaged my grey cells in an exercise to find connection with the Canadian Expeditionary Force of April 22 – 24, 1915. Specifically I searched for something personal, a familiar name to speak to the area northeast of Ypres, the first German gas attack and the battle o

“Dapper even in the worst surroundings.” Harry John Hall MC …I am not able to carry on!” Temporary Major Harry John Hall MC 16th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Canadian Scottish) 8 October 1916 One of the great 16th Battalion characters of the Great War was Scottish born soldier through and through Harry John Hall. During the Second Boer War 1899-1902 Hall served with the 2nd Seaforth Highlanders of the British Army. It was in South Africa against Boer Kommandos that Hall first

The 16th Battalion C.E.F. (The Canadian Scottish) at Regina Trench 8 October 1916 For Valour The Victoria Cross 28930 Private (Piper) James Cleland Richardson Died of wounds October 9, 1916. Buried at Adanac Military Cemetery, Miraumont, Somme, France. For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when, prior to attack, he obtained permission from his Commanding Officer to play his company ‘over the top'. As the company approached the objective, it was held up by very str