Results for ‘WAR Stories’
Bronze Tablet Unveiled With Fitting Ceremonies
[The Welland Tribune and Telegraph, 1 March 1921]
“In the Faith of Jesus Christ we dedicate this Tablet to the Glory of God and in memory of twenty-six men of the Parish, who, in the Great War gave their lives for God and King and Country.”
As Capt. Lyons of Grimsby recited these words, at the unveiling of the memorial tablet in Holy Trinity Church on Friday evening, the flags on the west wall of the church gradually parted revealing a beautiful bronze tablet imbedded therein-a beautiful tribute to the memory of the twenty-six men of the congregation of Holy Trinity Church who so nobly gave their lives in the late war, for God, King and Country. Following these words the congregation, for a brief period, stood in silence with bowed heads and offered a prayer to their Maker for the brave departed, while from another part of the church, the strains of the “Last Post.”
The names engraved on the tablet were:-
Major G.M. Davis, C.A.M.C.
Sergt. Robt. Hy. Best.
Sergt..Hy. Fred Fuller.
Pte. Thos. Rushton Thompson
Pte. James Howard Osborne.
Pte. George Cooper.
Pte. Fred Jos. Hopley.
Pte, Edward H. Stringer.
Pte. Ernest Arthur Rogers.
Pte. Richard Charles Rogers.
Pte. Arthur John Forster.
Pte. Kennedy Dennis.
Pte. Wellington P. Boyle.
Pte. George Stallard.
Pte. James Stallard.
Pte. James Clark.
Pte, G. Saunders.
Pte. Ernest William Dove.
Pte. Alexander Russell.
Pte. John Withey.
Pte. Ronald Crooks.
Pte. Arthur Lowfield.
Pte. Arnold M. Pinder.
Pte. Joseph Clark.
Pte. Frank Higgins
Pte. Percy Goodwin.
Major Gordon of Niagara Falls preached a sermon very fitting to the occasion, taking part for his text the words “Their bodies are buried in peace, but their names liveth forevermore.” Memory stated, Major Gordon is Canada’s greatest possession. The whole of Canada; in every home, is every farmhouse, are doing what we are doing this evening, reverencing the men who fell in battle.
“These men who fell had the greatest qualities could have, love of country or love of home. Greater love has no man than he who lays down his life for his country. Don’t weep for the soldier who died a soldier’s death, urged Major Gordon. Could there be a better way of leaving this world than on the field of battle.
Those who we valued as our greatest possession have passed to their rest. They have accomplished their duty.
If we forget these men who followed the example of Jesus Christ and died for others, we will make one of the greatest mistakes that could be made. Those of us who have lost someone who has been very dear to us, will remember to our dying day, but those of us who have not, will soon forget. To them Major Gordon urged that they keep fresh and green the memory of these men.
We have, for an example. These twenty-six men who laid down their lives. Keep them in our memory forever.
The church was filled for the ceremonies. The G.W.V.A. attended in a body.
ITALY
THE MAILBAG
18 December 1943
Dear Minnie:
Your letter was very welcome. I see that you are preparing for Christmas. Well, we are too. Last night three or four of us boys went out looking for a Christmas tree. Gosh, but they are scarce. We tramped miles and saw every tree there was but there was only one that was any use and that was on the island of an old chap called Hogarth and he was keeping a close eye on it. While a couple of lads went to his house and chatted with him, the rest of us cut down the tree and brought it home. It sure is a dandy, about seven feet high and we have already got some of the decorations on it. I hear that the officers are looking for one .Won’t they be mad when they find out that we have the only one for miles around? Well, it is time to go to work again, only we don’t work too hard.
Your loving hubby,
Dave
First One To Be Received in Welland- Recipient Served In Two Campaigns.
[The Welland Tribune and Telegraph, 8 February 1921]
Sneyd’s store window on West Main Street is this week exhibiting an Imperial Army General Service Medal, the property of William (Bert) Sneyd, for services rendered in the Imperial Army overseas.
The medal has been forwarded to Mr. Sneyd by Col. Sickle, late commander of the East Kent regiment’ now in charge of the department for the distribution of war medals. Bert served two years with the Imperial Army, signing up in September, 1914, being discharged, after receiving wounds. He enlisted again shortly after with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces, in whose service he remained until the signing of the armistice. He is at present employed in Galveston, Texas.
The medal itself, which arrived on Wednesday, is a handsome souvenir. On the one side is depicted a man seated on horseback, carrying a sword trampling underfoot the German coat-of-arms, the spread eagle, and a skull and crossbones. It very forcibly brings to our memory the various pictures of St. George and the Dragon. On the reverse side is a likeness of our present King, King George V, with a Latin inscription. On the edge is engraved the name of its receiver, Pte. W. Sneyd. The ribbon accompanying is colored blue, black, white and orange.
It is probably the only one of its kind in the city at present, although we are informed that there are others to follow, for service with the Imperial Army.
Bert is yet to receive the Imperial Army medal, having already received the 1915 star, for service in that year, and the second battle of Ypres. Two of his brothers, Archie and Alfred, are yet to receive a General Service medal, only from the Canadian Forces. Bert will also receive one from this source.
[Welland Tribune, 12 January 1915]
Recruiting for the 44th Regiment for home and overseas service is proceeding rapidly and for three days Capts. McLennahan and McGarry have been busily engaged in making medical examinations.
The vacant Quality Beds Factory has been leased as a barracks for the quota which is to go with the third overseas contingent. This quota will probably train here for a month or two.
LADIES PARIOTIC MEETING
A meeting has been called by Mrs. Crow for Wednesday (tomorrow) afternoon at 3 o’clock in the town hall, of all the ladies of Welland and vicinity, who are interested in the patriotic fund campaign.
The object of the meeting is to arrange for supplies to be given to the men on the three days of the campaign, next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. These supplies will materially aid the work by enabling the workers to compare notes and talk over plans.
44TH REGIMENT
VOLUNTEERS WANTED
For Home Service, preference given to men who volunteer for Overseas Service. Only men who are medically fit and between the ages of 18 and 5 years will be accepted. For overseas Service, married men must have the consent of their wives, men under 21 years of their parents and any man the sole support of his parent or parents must have the consent of that parent or parents; all consents must be in writing.
Application for enlistment be made to
Capt… N.G. Fite, Fort Erie
Capt. C.J. Ingles, Orderly Room, Welland.
E. Sykes Arrives Last Week and Brings a Wife and Baby With Him
[The Welland Tribune and Telegraph, 8 February 1921]
Many old friends here will be glad to learn of the arrival in Welland of E. Sykes, of the 98th Bn. He was a passenger on the S.S. Victorian, and arrived in Welland last week. He enlisted when the 98th was first organized in 1915, and served 3 years and 204 days with the colors. When he first joined he was only a little eighteen years old. He is probably the last soldier to return from overseas.
As a member of the 20th Bn, he was wounded at Vimy Ridge, but not seriously.
He was employed in Welland by M. Beatty & Sons, and now he comes back again , with his wife and baby, intending to make his home permanently here, where his brothers, Harry, and Joe are well known. Joe, who was also in active service, and badly wounded and was for three years in hospital, returning to Welland last June.
[Welland Tribune, 25 May 1979]
Shortly after the outbreak of WW II students at Welland High became involved. In 1939 the Student Council established a special committee to sell war savings stamps and by September 1940, each form of the school had organized a Junior Red Cross or Win the War Club.
The war touched WHVS in a personal way when students enlisted in the Armed Forces. In 1942, thirty-five men had left for Britain, Ninety-year-old Frank Hesler of Welland recalls how his son Bill graduated in uniform in 1942 and was shipped overseas immediately thereafter.
Much was done by the students to show the soldiers they were not forgotten. Donations were collected to purchase supplies for soldiers’ pack boxes.
In the 1942 issue of The Student, Lee Edward wrote: “In a week and only one week we had enough money donated to pack thirty-five boxes, spending one dollar and sixty-five cents on each. Three committees were chosen from the form representatives, one group was to buy shaving soap, razor blades, pencils, note paper, envelopes, candy and gum. Another group was to buy cheese, raisins and peanuts. Boxes were supplied by the form representatives while wrapping and postage were furnished by the school.”
Two years later, in 1944, pack boxes had become a tradition at WHVS.
Throughout the war a number of well-organized charity campaigns were held at the school for the United Allies War relief Fund. A total of $1,700 was raised for the purchase of a water purifier for the Lincoln and Welland Regiment. Under the direction of Donald Franco and Mr. Frank Addario, “Talent Night” was begun as a fund-raising activity.
The students also held a variety of raffles with proceeds going to the Red Cross, The Red Cross Blanket Fund was augmented by a large assortment of knitted goods made and donated by the students.
Writing on “Pack Boxes” in The Student of 1944, staff member William Box said in part: “It was not long before letters of thanks and appreciation began to be forwarded to the school office. The boys, in their letters, wrote sincere words of gratitude for the gift of the Christmas remembrance; but above all, they expressed joy at being remembered by the school they had once attended.”
The names of those from Central United Church, serving in the Armed Forces
1939-1945
Asher, Hugh D.
Adams, John C.
Barclay, Tom
Batterton, John
Blackwell. Edmund P.
Douglas J. Blue
Brandt, Henry A.
Brown, Douglas M.
Cawthorn, Wm. J.
Cawthorn, Robert S.
Clements, Gordon H.
Crawford, R. John
Crawford, Delmer F.
Crawford, Douglas S.
Deitch, John L.
Dickie, Melrose H.
Dickie, Richard F.
Dickie. Ross M.
Dowding. Charlotte B.
Earl, Albert D.
Epps, E. Reg.
Evans, Cecil B.
Evans, C. Gordon
Forster, George V.
Fox, Harold
Goodwillie, J. Ross
Gould, Stanley H.
Guinn, Joseph H.
Haight, Marion M.
Hales, Samuel J.
Herdman, Kenneth R.
Hill, William, J.A.
Hughes, G. Douglas
Joynt, J. Robert
Lee, Charles B.
Luke, Eric L.
Lehman, A.R. (Bill)
Lyon, Charles E.
Lyon, John W.
Mains, Thomas
Martin, Hugh M.
Martin, Harold L.
Martyn, Dorothy E.
Mason, Norman
Michener, Ralph
Michener, Keith
Middleton, C. Mack
Morris, Arnold B.
Murray, Douglas F.
Murray, Howard L.
O’Neal, John S
Pollack, John R.
Phillips, Russell R.
Phillips, Donald A.
Rasmussen, N. Virginia
Reid, Douglas, H.
Reilly, Hugh J.
Riley, Kenneth
Roach, George
Rubel, Glenn E.
Scott, Frederic, B.B.
Scott, R. Lorne B.
Smith, John D.
Smith, A. Arthur
Sutherland, Franklin
Swayze, Keith
Tapping, Earl G.
Theal, Wylie, T.
Turner, Charles, E.N.
Wade, Earl G.
Watterson, Gordon J.
Watson, Donald D.
Wing, Peter
Wing, Paul E.
Winmill, R. John
Wyatt, Charles
Zavitz, John M.
Thorold News
[Welland Tribune, 16 April 1897]
A meeting of the members of No. 2 Company, Thorold, who went to the front in ’66 was held at the City hotel on Monday night. The object of the meeting was to petition the Honorable Minister of Militia for some recognition of their services during 1866 and ’70. And also to forward a memorial to her most gracious majesty, Queen Victoria, asking that a service medal be granted to the men who took part in the stirring scenes of those years. Capt. James occupied the chair. Among the members of the company present were: James W. Mawdesley, Geo. Turner, Wm. Martin, W.F. Hartley, Alex Hoover, James Weeks, James Doherty. It is likely a deputation from the company will be sent to Ottawa to urge their claim on the government.
The Thorold company, commanded by Capt. James, went to the front as a separate company, but which at Fort Erie was attached to the 19th Batt., under Col. Currie. The company consisted of fifty-five men and one commissioned officer, Capt. James. Among the men who can still answer the roll call are: Capt. James, Jas. Weeks, Wm. Martin, W.F. Hartley, Peter Steep, James Dale, A.F. Brennan, Alex. Hoover, Isaac McMann, Robt. Bradley, Henry Boyd, J. McNally, Geo. Turner, James Doherty, James Snyder, Wm. Winslow, Harry Carter, Frank Brown, Geo. Newman, David Dale, J.J. McElroy, Wm. Orr, Geo. Grenville, Jas. W. Mawdesley, Pat Steep, David Griffith, Geo. Griffith, Geo. Rimer, Thos. Shay. Jno. Burley, Steve Bradley.
Written and composed by Capt. J .O’Shay, R.C. A.P.C.
Reg’t Paymaster, R.C.A.
Found in my late father Harold Fox’s collection.
1-When you talk of winning battles
And of units where honors due,
Don’t forget the sweating gunner
And the job he has to do.
Don’t forget it ain’t a picnic
When he leaves those shells about
And in spite of aching muscles
In the din you hear him shout
“ “ “ “ “ “ “ “
CHORUS: Get a load of this you Jerries
When you hear the shriek and wail
Dig yourselves down deep ‘cause you won’t sleep
With the third on your tail.
You can brag and sing of Deutschland
And your bloody Siegfried Line,
But you’ll eat each word because the 3rd
Will sink you in the Rhine.
2-Sure you caught Hell in the desert
Don’t forget El Almain
And in Scilly you scattered
Like leaves before the rain,
Rommel made a lot of widows
And we buried all yor dead,
When you stood at Leonforte
God, the ground was bloody red,
‘’ ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ ‘’ ‘’.
Tune..On The Road To Mandalay
1945
[Anonymous]
Your country needs you, the posters cry
Join the Air Force and learn to fly.
So you came here and so did I
To the Manning Pool.
Near bursting was my heart with pride
When I passed through these portals wide
Till “Hyah Sucker” the boys all cried
In the Manning Pool.
And when at night your clothes you doffed
In your bed you climb so warm and soft
One sleeps down and another aloft
In the Manning Pool.
At stores for Arm-Birds, a chap he bags
But I won’t stand there tiring my legs,
Because I found two inside my eggs,
In the Manning Pool.
They told us the allowances were set
Thirty five a month your wife will get,
But she hasn’t got a ruddy cent as yet,
From the Manning Pool.
So at home my radio had to be sold
To buy some coal, ‘cos the kids were cold,
Just because their dads an Airman bold
In the Manning Pool.
On a chunk of steel we file all day
And dream of the day when we’ll draw some pay,
But on pay parade we get sweet B.A.,
At the Manning Pool.
Answer your name the corporal shrieks
But one lad, no, he never speaks.
He’s a hobo who’s lived here free for weeks
In the Manning Pool.
To drum some discipline into your skull
To the Bull Pen-with yells, the air is full,
Where instead of showing, they shoot the bull,
In the Manning Pool.
Some lads are short and some are tall
Some thin, some fat, but one and all
Are that fed up, they nearly bawl.
In the Manning Pool.
For we drill, and sweep and scrounge all day
And then at night we spend our pay
In the riotous living at the Y.M.C.A.
In the Manning Pool.
In uniform other boys look grand
But I’ll get one for I’ll be damned
If I don’t parade like Sally Rand
In the Manning Pool.
So just carry on, and arouse and swear
And when you’re blue, go out on a tear
For the folks at home are proud you’re here,
In the Manning Pool.
But here’s the last thing I will tell
We’ll do our job and do it well
For some day our lads will bomb Hitler to Hell
When we leave the Manning Pool
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