THE WAR DUNGEON
THE GREAT
DOMINION
OF CANADA
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
- Lt. Colonel John Mcrae
Captain Lyons would enlist in 1914, rising and falling in rank due to spirited soldiering he would earn the Distinguished Conduct Medal in 1915. Shortly being made an officer! He would earn the MC later on as a Captain, being present at some of the most important engagements of the War including Kitcheners Wood, Hill 70 and beyond.
Private Josiah Dawes
5th Canadian Mounted Rifles
Josiah's short adventure took him right to where the war began just in time to see it end, he would serve the last week of the war with the 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles. One week was enough though as Canadian units fought to the very last day retaking Mons!
Sapper John Balmforth Statt
Royal Canadian Engineers
Sapper John Statts incredible grouping commemorates the end of the Great War at 0645 on November 11th 1918 and details the fascinating service of the Canadian Engineers Motor Airline Section.
This extensive grouping contains many personal effects and photographs. His wifes photos from her time in munitions plants are also included, artilleryman are often overlooked but their role in WW1 is more key than in most others.
Surgeon Probationer William Johnston
Royal Canadian Navy
Royal Navy
This interesting group contains diaries photos and many items from his service on British Desttoyers in the Great War. Also is the belongings of his Wife whom was a munitions worker and kept a detailed diary of her experiences in Nova Scotia including the Spanish Flu Pandemic!
Major William Augustus Richardson, OBE, MD
Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps
Beginning his service with the Queens own rifles in the Riel Rebellion of 1885, this mans career would follow the CPR west and he would become a very important Doctor and Administration in early BC History. During the Great War he served as a Major in the RAMC, his son would be awarded the MC being later KIA in WW2.
Gunner Oliver Baillie
2nd Field Battery, CFA
Royal Field Artillery
Before the War Gunner Baillie was a Rancher, joining the CEF in 1914 at Valcartier. He fought with 2nd Field Battery CFA. Interestingly he left the army in 1918 to take a commission as an Officer in the British Armies Field Artillery.
Sapper James Robert Lowther
1st Pioneer Battalion
He enlisted in Victoria, BC in 1916, and served overseas with 1st Pioneer Battalion. An interesting mixed unit of Infantry and Labour they were often exposed to heavy fire and brutal conditions.
He suffered a Gunshot Wound to the chest in 1918, and as a result he was discharged luckily returning home the same year.
Private John Anderson
Royal Newfoundland Regiment
Private Anderson would enlist in early 1918 and serve at the very end of the war, one of the lucky few of his regiment who missed the hell of Gallipoli and the Somme. During the second war he would become a Merchant seaman even surviving a sinking!
Gunner Samuel Mckay
17th Battery, 5th Brigade, CFA
Gunner Mckay enlisted in the CEF in Yorkton, Saskachewan in earl 1915. After arriving in england he was attached to the 17th Battery, 5th Brigade, CFA.
They were training at Otterpool Camp, in Kent England when on the evening of October 13th he was one of 14 Canadians killed in a surprise German Zeppelin Raid.
Private Perry Wintermute
5th Battalion (Western Cavalry)
Private Wintermute would enlist in the 152nd Overseas Battalion in mid July 1916 in Saskatchewan. Travelling overseas shortly after to fight with the 5th Battalion. After being wounded in the head during the Battle of Vimy Ridge he transferred to a supply unit.
Returning home in 1919 and being discharged as Medically unfit, lucky to survive it all.
Gunner John Charles Cornfoot
9th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery
Gunner Cornfoot after serving in the Boer War with the South African Constabulary went on to serve with the Royal Northwest Mounted Police.
He enlisted in the 78th Depot Battery, CFA in 1916 to do his part overseas. He would arrive in France in early 1917, serving with the 9th Brigade, CFA. On September 9th 1918 during the fight for Canal Du Nord he died of wounds received a few days earlier.
Sgt. Major John Albert Buckley
31st Battalion "Bells Bulldogs"
He would enlist to do his part in 1915 with the 56th Overseas Battalion. He transferred to the 31st Battalion shortly after arriving in France.
He was killed in action on the 26th of May 1917, no doubt in the brutal stalemate that followed the Battle of Arras.
Sergeant Charles Conyers
62nd Battery, 15th Brigade, CFA
Sergeant Conyers enlisted in Victoria in 1916. He served overseas with the 62nd Battery of the Canadian Field Artillery. He would serve the entire war in Europe and after surviving the hell of WW1 he would contract the measles and return home 1919.
Cyril & George Chisholm
Cavalry Machine Gun Corps
78th Battalion (Winnipeg Grenadiers)
The Chisholm Brothers would serve in different units and lerave there home in Nova Scotia to fight in some of the Wars worst battles. Cyril would return home, but sadly George would pay the Ultimate price.
On the morning of April 9th 1917, George heard the whistle blow one last time. When the smoke had cleared on the first day he was reported "Missing After Action". A few days later on the 12th he would be reported as killed in action at the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
Private David Newton Bryenton
47th Battalion (British Columbia)
Private Bryenton was a sign painter, who enlisted in 1915 in New Westminister, BC. He had served previously in the 6th DCOR. He writes in the letter: "We are heading off to France in a couple days and I dont think I'll be returning."
He would be Killed in Action at the Battle of Mount Sorrel, on June 3rd 1916, during the ill fated counter attack.
Private Edward Pinkney
18th Battalion (Western Ontario)
Like so many young recruits he was a farmer who joined in 1917 at Regina. Private Pinkney served overseas with the 18th Battalion, suffering a Gunshot Wound to neck. Luckily he survived and returned to the unit, fighting until the end. Finally returning home in 1919.
Private Jesse Thorpe
229th Overseas Battalion
(South Saskachewan)
Private Thorpe thirsting for a life more exciting than farming, enlisted in Moosejaw in 1916. He served with the 229th Overseas Battalion, then with a supply unit overseas. He was discharged in late 1917 due to Cellulitus of the knee. Returning home in 1918.
