GUNNER RAYMOND VARCOE – WOUNDED

[Welland Telegraph, 25 June 1918]

Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Varcoe of Hellems Ave., Welland, who have lately come from St. Catharines, have received official word of their son, Gunner Raymond Varcoe, being wounded in France. Gunner Varcoe went overseas with the old 7^th, now the 10^th Field Battery, in the early stages of the war, and this is the second time he has been wounded. He lost a brother in the war about a year ago.

ILL

G.R. Spence, Crowland, Ont.

44TH REGIMENT CONTINUES TO SECURE MANY RECRUITS

[People’s Press, 3 August 1915]

Welland Boys are Coming Forward With Alacrity-Recruits Secured Since Quota Left Wednesday now Number Over Sixty

WAR NEWS AND NOTES OF LOCAL INTEREST

Recruiting is still going on with alacrity at 44^th headquarters. The concentration camp on the island; which was vacated by the quota which left on Wednesday is beginning to present a scene of activity again. Already over sixty recruits have volunteered for overseas service and in this number, Welland form a large percentage as follows:

Welland Honor Roll

This quota will be in command of Lts. Dewart and D.S. Bartle of Niagara Falls. Lt. Dewart is now attending officer’s school at Niagara and Lt. Bartle is in charge of the camp.

Lieutenant Volunteers

Frank Logan and Fred Anderson of Niagara Falls have taken out Lieutenants’ commissions with the 44^th regiment and have volunteered for overseas service.

Thorold’s Sons to the War

W.E. Cusler, teller, in the Thorold branch of the Imperial bank, is the latest recruit from Thorold to offer himself for overseas service. Mr. Cusler has made many friends at Thorold. He leaves for Niagara Wednesday, where he will take a course in training before leaving for the front.

Another of Thorold’s young sons, in the person of Roy Grenville, son of \Reeve and Mrs. Grenville, has enlisted for overseas service , and left Wednesday with the contingent from Welland for the fourth overseas contingent for Niagara camp, Mr. Grenville is a brother of Miss Ina Grenville, now serving as Red Cross nurse at the front. During the past two years Mr. Grenville had been in the employ of the local branch of the Quebec bank, where he made a great many friends, who will doubtless miss his smiling face and congenial ways, and who will wish him a safe return.

Enlisting With Dragoons

Thirty-two men have enlisted with the 2^nd Dragoons at Welland for overseas service. It is expected they will go to concentration camp soon. The Dragons have discontinued enlisting for the present.

WELLAND FACTORY EMPLOYEES TO GIVE MACHINE GUNS

[People’s Press, 3 August 1915]

At a meeting in the Town Hall, Welland, on Saturday night, the Welland Machine Gun Association was formed by representatives of all the local factories. The purpose of the association is to circulate a subscription list among the employees of the factories to purchase machine guns, and, if possible, it is intended to have these guns used by the recruits from the 44^th regiment. J.D. Payne was elected chairman of the association and Geo. Day, Secretary-Treasurer. The executive consists of one representative from each factory.

At a meeting Saturday night in Toronto the Acting Minister further announced that over one million dollars had been received by the Government in voluntary gifts from Canadians for machine guns.

In Hamilton an association has been formed and though it has not yet started out on a canvas which is to be made of the city, a matter of $128,000 has already been promised toward the fund.

Reports from the front tell of the wonderful efficiency of these guns, not only checking the enemy, but in permitting the troops to remain under shelter while a few of these guns do the work of many rifles.

A machine gun costs in the neighborhood of $1,000.

Dr. E.W. Wright, Brooklyn, N.Y., has sent $50 to Kingston to help buy a machine gun for the 59^th Regiment. He closes his letter: “Good workmen must have good tools, and surely the Canadians are the best ever.”

SOLDIER NEARLY DROWNED AT FALLS

Sixteen-year-Old lad Gallantly Effects His Rescue

WATERWINGS COLLAPSED

[Welland Tribune, 3 August 1915]

Niagara Falls, Ont., July 30-Private Marshall of the 19^th Regiment guard at the Toronto Power plant, narrowly escaped drowning at Dufferin Islands this afternoon, when a pair of water-wings on which he was paddling around collapsed. He owes his life to Victor Simson, the sixteen-year old son of Mr. and Mrs. H.E. Simpson of 147 Clifton Avenue, who went to his rescue while all hope seemed to be gone. Simpson jumped in with his clothing on, and was hard to put to reach shore with the unconscious militia man.

Although nearly a hundred persons were in bathing a short distance from where the soldier was floundering helplessly about, Simpson was the only one to realize the man was drowning.  The soldier had gone down three times when Simpson dived and hauled him to shore. Private Marshall was revived by the pulmotor from the Toronto Power Company’s plant.

THE WAR OF 1812 AND THE BATTLE OF COOKS MILLS

THE ONLY WAR FOUGHT ON WELLAND SOIL

BY GERALD D. KIRK

[Welland Tribune, 1984]

By the middle of October 1814, a point of virtual stalemate had been reached in the struggle for control of the Niagara Peninsula.

The American invaders continued to hold Fort Erie and a narrow strip of territory north to the Welland River, with their main body, 8,000 strong, camped at Black Creek. Their ambitions were effectively checked, however, by General Gordon Drummond’s force of British and Canadian regulars, the Lincoln Militia, and some Indians, based at Fort Chippawa.

At the tiny settlement of Cook’s Mills on Lyon’s Creek, a tributary of the Welland River, grain from the surrounding farms was still in the process of being ground into flour and meal. At least some of this product was earmarked for Drummond’s army, and a detail of militiamen under Captain Henry Buchner had been posted at the mill to guard the precious source of provisions.

On the morning of Oct. 18, a long column of infantry and dragoons was spotted leaving the American escarpment at Black Creek, headed westward. The going was rough, with the ground swampy from unusually heavy autumn rains, and the roads and bridges in very poor condition. The detachment slogged along in the general direction of Brown’s Bridge, a footbridge over the Welland River at the Pelham and Thorold line.

SUSPICIOUS

Suspicions were raised at Fort Chippawa that the Americans were aiming to cross the Welland and proceed to attack the main British command post of Burlington Heights. General Drummond lost no time in detailing a militia unit to destroy Brown’s Bridge, along with Misener’s Bridge further downstream.

At the same time, Drummond ordered the Glengarry Light Infantry and soldiers from the 82^nd Regiment to march in the direction of Cook’s Mills.

Late in the afternoon of the 18^th, scouts who had been shadowing the American column reach-Ed Drummond’s headquarters with the news that the enemy had changed their line of march and were bearing down on Cook’s Mills.

ATTACKED

By that time, the Americans had already overrun the settlement, driving before them the militiamen stationed there, who understandably saw discretion as the better part of valour. Their leader, Captain Buchner, who may have lived nearby, was somehow captured and held prisoner.

The Americans set up camp on both sides of Lyon’s Creek, with their main force on the high ground north of the mills. Pickets were stationed on the roads leading into the hamlet. They then settled down to recuperate from the long march, with the satisfaction of having captured 150 to 200 bushels of grain and wheat from under the noses of the British.

Meanwhile the column from Fort Chippawa had reached the meeting house at White Pigeon, and a field headquarters was established across the road at Misener’s farmhouse. The soldiers set up camp for the night.

At daybreak on the 19^th, the British began their advances on Cook’s Mills, led by a Canadian regiment, the Glengarry Light Infantry. Their assault force was supported by a single six-pound cannon and a new terror weapon the Congreve rockets.

SURROUNDED

Arriving at the edge of the settlement, the British encountered and drove the enemy back. Reacting to the rockets and cannon fire, the Americans took to the surrounding woods, from where they responded pouring musket fire on the attackers.

Suddenly the British realized that a company of Americans was moving through the trees on their right, obviously intending to surround them, or to capture the cannon. The signal for retreat was sounded, and the British withdrew to their camp, reportedly pursued rather gingerly by the Americans. The British had lost one man, with 35 wounded. Twelve American soldiers lay dead, 54 were wounded, and one man was missing.

BURIED DEAD

Having buried the dead of both sides, the Americans remained at Cook’s Mills until mid-afternoon of the following day, Oct. 20^th, when they began the long trek back to Black Creek. Unable to transport the flour and grain, they destroyed all of it, but left the mill, the dam and the bridge intact.

So concluded the last conflict of the War of 1812 fought on Canadian soil.

The tragic story that began at Fort Detroit two years earlier ended in an obscure hamlet on Lyon’s Creek in 1814. The battlefield at Cook’s Mills is every bit as much a part of our Canadian heritage as are the military actions of Stoney Creek,  Beaverdams, Lundy’s Lane and Queenston Heights. It should have even more meaning for the people of Welland since it lies wholly within our city limits.

HEROES OF LUNDY’S LANE

Toronto Globe

[People’s Press 15 May 1900]

Niagara Falls Village, with all its hallowed associations, its historic connection with the stirring times of 1812-14, and its picturesque vicinage to Niagara’s mighty cataract claims a new brightness to its undimmed halo of imperishable glory. Six stalwart soldiers from the little village enrolled themselves under the Union Jack at England’s call for men, and are now on African soil fighting for their Queen and country. It is but fair to give equal prominence to these men among the many brave Canadians whose rise to the call of duty has been portrayed in The Globe’s war pictures. In today’s illustrated supplement their names and photos appear. Of the six, two are members of the 44^th Battalion, and one is a lieutenant in the 2^nd Dragoons, Welland troop.

G. Douglas Palmer of Lundy’s Lane, who enlisted in the Canadian Mounted Rifles and sailed on the Milwaukee, is a son of Capt. Palmer, in the Royal navy, and is a descendent on his mother’s side of the celebrated Black Douglas of Scottish history. Lieut. Palmer is a splendid horseman, of soldierly bearing, and a social favorite in the smart set at the Falls. In his letters home Lieut. Palmer writes enthusiastically of the glories of war, and sees nothing but the bright side of what must sometimes look a gloomy picture indeed.

Joseph J. Stokes of the village of Niagara Falls, aged 23, sailed with the Laurentian as orderly on the Brigade Division Staff, Royal Canadian Artillery. He enjoys the flattering distinction of being selected as orderly on the staff while in barracks at Kingston with D. Battery. Joe is an entertaining writer of camp life and scenes in South Africa, and has participated in some of the stirring scenes that have made the Canadians famous in the war.

Private Aleck Moore sailed on the Milwaukee with D Battery of the second Canadian contingent. He is a recruit from the 44^th Battalion and a general favorite in the village of Niagara Falls. Private Moore is a typical sprig of Erin, born of Irish parents, and a rollicking, whole-souled good fellow. He is a tall, broad-chested and athletic young man of 28 years, and a credit to the old “hill of fire” in Lundy’s Lane. He was one of the first to enroll for the second contingent.

The youngest of the six volunteers for the second contingent to South Africa from Niagara Falls Village is Frederick Speck, aged 20, son of Alderman J.W. Speck. Fred is with D Battery, R.C.A., and sailed on the Milwaukee. He is robust for his years, and is an enthusiastic gunner. Private Speck has seen military life at Camp Niagara as a member of the 44^th Battalion. His description of life on the South African veldts varies somewhat from the tented field pictures of old Niagara. He is a capital marksman and makes a fine soldier.

Herbert Edwards, one of the brave six who left the village of Niagara Falls to sail with the second Canadian contingent on the Milwaukee, is a son of Thomas Edwards of Lundy’s Lane, who served on H.M.S. devastation at the siege of Alexandria. “Like father, like son,” and the fire of war rekindled in the heart of the son the spirit of his warlike sire. Private Edwards is 23 years of age, and a young man of excellent parts. He is with D Battery.

The last of the Niagara Falls village boys to leave for South Africa was Private Archie Pay. He is 25 years of age, and was born in Grantham township, township of Lincoln. Private Pay was enrolled with D Battery, was taken ill while at Kingston, with typhoid fever, and his departure with the boys of D Battery was impossible. As soon as he recovered, however, he succeeded in securing a place with the troops enrolled to fill the gap of those slain in the first contingent, and sailed on the Monterey. His spirit is commendable, and many warm friends wish him safely through the campaign.

The welfare of these six young men is being anxiously looked after by many friends in the Niagara district. Their photos and the data for this sketch have been secured through the efforts of Joseph Forde, whose place of business in the village has been called the “war office” by reason of his enthusiastic patriotism and the numerous are relics he has collected.

LIEUT. WILLIAM HARDY NICHOLLS

[People’s Press, 25 February 1919]

The death took place at Gravenhurst on Sunday, Geb.16^th of Lieut. William Hardy Nichols, aged 24 years. At the time he enlisted, Lieut. Nicholls was teller of the Royal Bank in Fergus, previously occupying a similar position at Niagara Falls. He gave his life for his country, for while in training he contracted pneumonia, followed by pleurisy, which rendered him medically unfit for overseas service and resulted in a short time in his death at the Gravenhurst Sanatorium.

He leaves to mourn besides his young wife, a father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Nicholls, Bowmanville, Ont., two younger brothers, Andrew at present with the Imperial forces in Germany, and James at home.

The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon at Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Lieut. Nicholls was a grandson of Mr. Andrew Cruickshank of Crowland Township.

THOROLD RECEPTION

[People’s Press. 4 March 1919]

Friday of each week has been set aside as Thorold’s reception day to returned soldiers and it is proving a grand success. Last Friday night the public library was packed to the doors when the citizens welcomed home ex-Reeve W.W. Grenville and Lieut. P. Manley of the Royal Flying Corps. Lieut. Manley was forced to descend behind the German lines on his birthday about five weeks after reaching the front, and has been a prisoner in different camps in Germany.  Ex-Reeve Grenville enlisted with the 176^th Battalion, April 1917. His son Roy enlisted with the 76^th Battalion, April 1916, and was accidently wounded while acting as an instructor in bomb throwing. His second daughter, Ina, has been serving as a Red Cross nurse since April, 1915, having seen service in Malta and France, and at present is in hospital at Buxton, England.

THE FENIANS

(From the New York Times)

[Welland Tribune, 9 March 1900]

If the Toronto Globe is well-informed, the military officials of Canada are giving attentive ear to continuous rumors of a Fenian invasion. If these rumors are anything more than fairy tales, a Celtic army is to cross the border in the spring, and terrible conflicts will then be in order. Apparently the police are to be on duty about that time for the Globe says that the officers of the Toronto garrison have taken upon themselves the responsibility of repelling the invaders, and already are making elaborate plans for carrying on the war. A few details are revealed: “The troops of the Toronto military district and other sections of Canada will assemble on the frontier for ostensible tactical operations just about the time the Fenians, according to the report, would be making their attempt to cross. For the purposes of the war game every available branch of the service in the various military districts will be mobilized, including cavalry, artillery and infantry. The troops are to be equipped just as they would be if they were entering the field for a long campaign. Military men about town are not disposed to discuss the matter, but it is said in influential quarters that if the Fenian raid is intended it will not find the Government of Canada unprepared. It is hard to tell from these remarks whether the Globe has been fooled itself or is trying to fool others. We can assure Our Lady of the Snows that she is quite safe from all of us except our Aldermen, and they will attack her only at long range and by resolutions formerly adopted as a relief from the monotony of granting sidewalk permits.

CRIMEAN VETERAN DEAD

[Welland Tribune, 13 October 1905]

Sergeant Booth, a veteran of the Crimean war, died at his home in British Columbia, last week.

Sergeant Booth enlisted in the British army in 1845, at the age of 18. He was present at Sevastopol and fought all through the Crimean campaign; later in the Kaffir war. After that he served in India until he was discharged in 1866. Since 1868 he has lived in Canada, until 1884 in Brantford, Ont., and since then in British Columbia. On Sunday evening, at the age of 80. He passed away, leaving one less of the grand old veterans of the Crimea to remind us of how the empire looked in the making.

Deceased was an uncle of James B. Stephens of Welland. Mr. Stephens mother and Mr. Booth having been sister and brother.