Brother Captains in the 16th
- Paul Ferguson
- Feb 8
- 2 min read
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 Canadian Infantry Battalion. Both brothers include the given name of Sinclair; being the maiden name of their mother, Ann Harriet Strang.
Captain Harold Beresford Sinclair Strang 1887 – 1969
Originally a Lieutenant with the 43rd Canadian Infantry Battalion, Harold was transferred to the 16th Battalion serving in France from 13 October 1915. On 4 September 1916 at La Boiselle he received gun shot wounds to both legs, the left leg being amputated. In December 1917 Harold was awarded the Russian Order of St. Stanislaus, 3rd Class with swords and bow.
Captain Campbell Sinclair Strang 1878 – 1939
A Canadian Mounted Rifles veteran of the Second Boer War (1899-1902) Campbell Strang was an accomplished horseman who in his youth bred dogs and much later canaries. His birds were known to international fanciers who exhibited at events in Europe and the United States. Strang’s horses were equally well known. In Winnipeg, his horse Catbouche was a prize winner in local show circles and during the Great War his horse Sheila was considered one of the finest show horses in the British Army.
Soon after the outbreak of Great War in August 1914, Strang volunteered and was sent for training at Valcartier. Initially with the 6th Battalion CEF (Fort Garry Horse) he subsequently joined the 27th Battalion serving with them in France before proceeding to the 16th Battalion. His portrait photograph shows him wearing the insignia of the 16th Battalion with whom he served 8 November 1916 to 19 October 1917. He was a member of the 16th Battalion Veterans Association. A third brother, Robert Sinclair Strang, known as Robin, also served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force.
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