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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