SCOUT ROBERTS NAMED IN ORDERS ON OCT. 17

Medal Awarded Him For Bravery at the Front

One Week Later He Was Killed-His Last Letter Home

[Welland Telegraph, 14 November 1916]

Scout Caradoc Roberts, killed in action on October 24, wrote to his wife in Welland on October 18 that he was having a rest after a strenuous period in the trenches. It will be of interest to his many friends here to learn that he was mentioned in orders on October 17 for bravery and had been awarded a medal.

In his letter of October 18, he says:

Souvenirs From the Front

In a previous letter dated October 10, he tells of sending home a parcel of souvenirs:

Enjoyed the Hunting Trip

In a letter to William Walker, 72 Garner Avenue, dated October 10, Scout Roberts says:

CARADOC ROBERTS

CARADOC ROBERTS OF WELLAND MAKES THE SUPREME SACRIFICE

Killed in Action Oct. 24-Leaves Wife and Four Little Children Alone in Canada

3 June 1886-24 October 1916

[Welland Telegraph, 7 November 1916]

              Word was received Saturday by Mrs. Caradoc Roberts, 74 Garner Ave., that her husband, Sniper Caradoc Roberts, was killed in action on October 24, 1916. Sniper Roberts leaves a wife and four young children, the youngest, which he had never seen. Mrs. Roberts and her children are alone in Canada.

             Mr. Roberts was born in North Wales, where he leaves a mother and father, also one brother and sister. He came to Welland twelve years ago and had lived here up to the time he enlisted. During the time he was in Welland, he was in the employ of M. Vanderburg as stone mason and brick layer.

             He enlisted in Welland with the 76^th Batt., on July 26, 1915, and went overseas with the same battalion in April 1916, but was transferred to the 21^st Canadians when he went to the front in July 14, 1916.

             Mr. Roberts belonged to the Sons of England in Welland, the Bricklayers Union and was a member of the Methodist church. He was also president of the Young People’s League of the Methodist church.

             Pte. Roberts has one brother and three nephews and Mrs. Roberts has two brothers at the front. A third brother of Mrs. Roberts is chaplain with a Welsh regiment.

LIEUT. GORDON W. CROW KILLED IN ACTION ON 17TH

Only Son of Mayor John H. Crow and Mrs. Crow of Welland Awarded Military Cross Which He Had Not Yet Received From King

NARROW ESCAPE OF HIS SISTER, MISS CROW, FROM GOING IN CANAL WITH CAR.

[Welland Tribune, 21 September 1916]

Flags on the public buildings of Welland are flying at half mast. Welland mourns the death of one of her brightest sons and the sympathy of the entire community is extended to Mayor John H. Crow and family, who were notified yesterday afternoon that Lieutenant Gordon Willson Crow had been killed in action Sunday last, Sept. 17. The first word was received yesterday afternoon in a cable from Major McDonald, who was Lt. Crow’s commanding officer. This was followed by the official notification this morning from Ottawa.

Deceased was the only son of Mayor and Mrs. Crow, and besides his bereaved parents, is survived by one sister, Miss Muriel Crow. He was born in Welland in May, 1894, and was therefore 22 years of age. He attended Welland public and high schools, matriculating from the latter institution in 1910. He then attended Toronto University and Victoria College, graduating in arts in 1914. In 1915 he took his first year’s exam in medicine.

In University life he was very active, playing college tennis, basketball and water polo. His chief athletic sport was swimming and he had been a member of a team in many intercollegiate matches, winning a medal at McGill University, Montreal. He was a member of the University club and had won a medal for achievement in that line. While a schoolboy in Welland, he was an active member of the Welland Rifle Club.

Lt. Crow enlisted in the 26^th Battery in March, 1915, serving six months in training as a gunner. He then took out a commission as lieutenant, and qualified at Kingston Military school. Eager to get to the front, he then became attached as supernumerary to the 31^st Battery, without pay. In November 1915 he was sent overseas with a draft of 50 men and finally joined the 7^th Battery, 2^nd Brigade, 1^st Canadian Contingent, going on active duty in February 1916. He had therefore served at the front for seven months without leave of absence, but this was largely of his own choice, as he was anxious to stay. His letters, the last one received having been written on Sept. 4^th, were always hopeful.

It will be remembered that Lieut. Crow recently was awarded the Military Cross, a miniature of which was received here this week by his parents. This decoration would have been presented to him by the King on his first leave of absence, had he not met death on the field of battle. In all his letters, he modestly refrained from telling of the action which won him this honor. The official report states: “Lieut. Gordon Willson Crow repelled with a revolver a party of the enemy, then reconnoitred and sent back information of the enemy’s new position.”

Just before the war broke out in 1915, he had taken a trip over most of the countries in the western theatre of war. War was declared while he was on the ocean on the return trip and on his arrival here he said he wished he had been in England when this occurred, and he would have joined the British army. While on the Rhine in Germany he met a young German officer who was then enroute to join his army and Lt. Crow, recalling their conversation in the light of later events, knew that the German officer was aware that the Germans were about to strike.

Lt. Crow was an exemplary young man in every respect, with splendid physique and the assurance of a brilliant future. His death has cast a deep gloom over the whole town.

Miss Crow’s Close Call

Yesterday afternoon, previous to learning of her brother’s death, Miss Muriel Crow had a narrow escape from possible death. She was driving her father’s auto and in turning around on the tow path at Dain city, the brakes failed to work and the car started to back down the bank toward the water. With marvellous presence of mind, Miss Crow whirled the steering gear and the car quickly turned broadside to the canal, with one front wheel in the water, when she succeeded in bringing it to a stop. She was accompanied by Mr. Kottmeier of Toronto. The failure of the brakes to work is attributed to the use of the car through the Adirondacks for the past ten days, when it is supposed they had become worn. The car was pulled back up the bank by a passing motor truck and Miss Crow drove it back to Welland.

CAPTAIN ARTHUR BEAMER McCORMICK

26 September 1895-10 April 1917

[Welland Telegraph, 17 April 1917]

              Lieut. Col. B.J. McCormick and Mrs. McCormick were notified from Ottawa yesterday that their son, Captain McCormick (Military Cross), was officially reported missing on April 10. Capt. McCormick was in the third battalion. April 10 was a fateful day for Welland men, Capt. Ross, Lieutenant Gordon and Capt. McCormick all meeting disaster on that day. Capt. McCormick was a Welland High School boy. He completed his education at Culver Military Academy and was just graduated when the war broke out. He at once joined the Canadian militia and was for a time attached to the frontier guard. He went overseas as a lieutenant with the 76^th battalion under Col. Belson. He was offered a post and promotion by Col McCormick in the 213^th, but replied that he preferred to win his promotions in the field. In this ambition he was successful. He also won the Military Cross, an honor shared only by the late Lieut. Gordon Crow, of the men who have gone to the war front from here.

              This smiling face is that of Capt. Arthur B. McCormick who has been reported missing since April 10^th. He is one of the youngest Welland officers who got to the trenches, but he has made a fine record in active service, and won the Military Cross. That he may have been taken prisoner is a possibility, in view of the German claim of the capture of a considerable body. Arthur’s legion of friends hope he may yet return to us.

PRIVATE WILLIAM JAMES HORSLEY

14 March 1879-15 September 1916

[Welland Telegraph, 26 September 1916]

              The war brought news of death to another Welland home on Saturday when Mrs. William Horsley, 53 Randolph Street, received a telegram from Ottawa announcing that her husband, William Horsley, had been killed in action on Sept. 15^th. He had been only a month at the front when he met his fate. Born in Yorkshire 40 years ago, he was a British soldier for eleven years, serving in South Africa and India and obtaining an honorable discharge at the age of 29. He was the holder of two medals for service. He came out to Canada and lived for a time at Hamilton, moving to Welland six and a half years ago. He was employed for three years by W.G. Somerville, contractor, and then joined the staff of Ryan & Gardner, where he remained until the outbreak of the war. He joined the 44^th Regt., and on enlisting for active service was drafted to the 76^th Bn., with which he went overseas in April of this year. He leaves a wife and one daughter, a child under three years, and two step-children-Vera Nixon, a pupil at Welland high school and Wilford Nixon, an actor at present in Pittsburg. Those bereaved have the true sympathy of the community in the loss they have sustained.

FRANK BEST HAS MANY WOUNDS

One is Right Between the Eyes, Others on Arms and Chest

His Sight is Affected But That is Thought to be Only Temporary

[Welland Telegraph, 14 November 1916]

              In a letter received yesterday from C.J. Bradshaw, formerly of 12 Randolph Street, Welland, now of Leicester, England, Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Best were informed of the very serious injuries sustained by their son Frank in the engagement in which he was wounded.

             Mr. Bradshaw says:

LIEUTENANT GORDON WILLSON CROW

KILLED IN ACTION

Appalling News Received by Mayor Crow on Wednesday Afternoon, 9 May 1994-17 September 1916

[Welland Telegraph, 22 September 1916]

              Lieutenant Gordon W. Crow, only son of Mayor John H. Crow and Mrs. Crow, was killed in action on Sunday last.

             This news which has prostrated the Mayor’s home, and which has shocked all Welland, came in a cable to Mayor Crow from Major McDonald, and officer of the battery to which Lieut. Crow belonged, that was received here shortly after noon on Wednesday. It was further confirmed by a message from Ottawa received on Thursday morning. Of course, no further particulars are known.

             To the bereaved father and mother and to Miss Muriel, the young officer’s sister, The Telegraph, speaking for everyone of its readers, extends the most heartfelt sympathy.

             Lieut. Crow enlisted with the 26^th battery in March 1915, and spent six months in training as a gunner. He then took out his commission as a lieutenant and qualified after a course at the R.C.M. Kingston. He was next attached to the 31^st battery and served for some time without pay.

             Note is made elsewhere on this page that he had been awarded the Military Cross. That cross has not yet been received for it was to be presented by the King when Lieut. Cross had leave to visit England.

             The last letter received from him was dated September 4^th. Since he went to the front he has been a very constant correspondent. He had the faculty of writing a good letter. One of his letters appeared anonomously in The Telegraph two months ago under the heading “A Day at the Front,” and it was much commented on.

             Strangely enough he was in Germany and got out just on the eve of the outbreak of the war. His trip across the Atlantic was not without its excitements for the German raiders were then afloat.

             He was born in Welland in May, 1894 and was subsequently 22 years of age. Educated at the Welland public and high school, he matriculated in 1910 and then attended Toronto University and Victoria College, graduating in arts in 1914. He passed his first year examinations in Medicine in 1915.

             Gordon Crow had in a marked degree those qualities that have been the pride of the British people. Stalwart of fame he was an athlete of note. He excelled in tennis, basketball, water polo and as a rifle shot. He represented the University in many of its intercollegiate games, and won medals for both shooting and swimming. When a mere lad before he left for University he was a member of the Welland Rifle Club.

             Gordon Crow will not return again to the home where he was loved, to the town whose pride he was and to the country whose arms he has honored, but he he will ever have here grateful hearts who prize him for his true worth as a young man of clean record and clean heart, brave, chivalrous, modest-in a word a gentleman.

ROLL OF HONOUR

MEMBERS OF THE METHODIST CHURCH WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR

1914-18

 Crow, Gordon W.

Horsley, William J.

McCormick, Arthur B.

McKenney, Earl C.

Michener, Leo

Page, Clairmont A.

Reilly, Fred H.

Roberts, Caradoc

Varcoe, Thomas Roy

Wade, John

OLD FENIAN FLAG

Battle-Scarred Banner Presented at Buffalo Historical Society

IT WAS AT RIDGEWAY

It Bears Two Marks of Canadian Shots-Belonged to Late Mrs. M’Elroy

Buffalo Express, Dec. 1

[Welland Tribune. 12 December 1902]

              A faded green flag, with one corner torn into ribbons, was placed in the collection of the Buffalo Historical Society yesterday afternoon. It is a relic of the Fenian invaders who crossed into Canada from Buffalo on the night of May 31, 1866, and who had to come back a few days later, after having thrown Canada into a spasm of terror. The flag went through what is known as the Battle of Ridgeway, which village is now more familiar to Buffalonians as the town back of Crystal Beach.

             The flag was formally presented to the Historical Society by James McElroy of No. 621 West avenue, in whose family it had been for a long time and by D.E. Mahoney. The exercises were held in the society’s lecture room at 4 p.m. About 200 persons were present. President Andrew Langdon in response to a few remarks made by Mr. Mahoney said he was reminded of an incident that came under his observation while in the office of the president of a large New York bank.

             “It was during a political campaign and one of the other officers coming into the room hung up the portrait of one of the candidates,” he said. The president immediately said, “Take that down. We have no politics here.” “It’s the same way with us. We accept relics whether we approve of them or not and we accept this flag for its historical interest.”

             Secretary Edward D. Strickland then took possession of the flag and from now on it will be a public reminder of the small but bloody skirmish that took place on the Canadian frontier across from Buffalo between the ragged, but experienced fighters of General O’Neil’s command and the youths in the Canadian militia to whom the whistling bullets was a new and terrifying tune.

             The flag, which was carried by the Buffalonians who took part in the invasion, is nine feet long and six feet wide. In the upper left hand corner a golden sunburst was once painted on the background of green silk, but its outlines were destroyed by a Canadian ball that tore through the flag at the Battle of Ridgeway. That portion of the flag is merely a collection of tatters now. Running in a line slanting upward and that begins beneath the sunburst are the following words in golden letters: “Buffalo, Seventh Regiment, Irish Army of Liberation.” Beneath this is the following inscription placed on the flag after the Fenians had returned from Canada. “Ridgeway and Fort Erie, June 2, 1866.” Occupying the center of the right hand half of the flag is the following also in golden letters: “Presented by the Fenian Sisterhood of Buffalo, May 6, 1866.” Part of this lettering is torn, the result of a bullet.

             This flag was presented to the Buffalo organization of Fenians through the efforts of the Buffalo Sisterhood of Fenians. Especially prominent in the movement to raise funds for the flag were Ann and Maria Cruice. Maria Cruice was later married to James McIIroy of this city, who yesterday took part in the presentation exercises at the Buffalo Historical Society’s building. The flag was presented to the Buffalo Fenians on the night of May 6, 1866 at the home of Mr. Gallagher, at the corner of Front avenue and Caroline street. The flag was carried to Fort Erie, Ont., with the 900 Fenians who took part in the invasion. After having driven the Canadian militia near Ridgeway to retreat and then having to retreat themselves before a body of Canadian regulars, the Fenians hurried back to Fort Erie. While trying to cross the river, the Fenians were arrested by American forces. Later they were released. The United States Government authorities returned the torn flag to the local Fenian organization and it later came into the possession of Daniel Cruice, a member of the organization and a brother to the two women who had been so desirous to present the flag to the Fenians before the invasion. Mr. Cruice gave the flag to his sister, Maria, in whose possession it remained until the time of her death last March. It was in her name that the flag was presented to the Historical Society yesterday.

FENIAN RAID OF ‘66 (Part 10)

[People’s Press, 30 June 1908]

EXTRACTS FROM THE TRIBUNE OF FORTY-TWO YEARS AGO, TELLING OF THE NOTED INVASION.

             “Now that the first Fenian invasion has taken place, and the enemy has, for a time held possession of Canada soil, we may speculate more definitely upon their intentions and prospects, and the light in which the U.S. Government views them.

             The secrecy with which the late movement was concocted makes it evident that the Fenian Brotherhood have money and arms and can procure the services of plenty of drilled men to assist them in furthering their designs.

             It is hard to determine upon what was really the object of the late isolated attack at Bertie. The conduct of the invaders would lead us to believe that they came not solely for plunder, and their unwillingness to leave the vicinity of the river, shows that they either did not wish to destroy public property, or that they were arrant cowards and afraid to venture. And again, if the invaders had intended to try to hold the soil, they would probably have been better supported with reinforcements.

             We are forced to the conclusion that the movement was either a feint or that it was undertaken in order, if possible, to embroil the Canadian and United States authorities in a quarrel, in the hope that it would ultimately prove a casus belli.

             If their movement was a feint it has failed most signally in its object, for no other attack has been made, and instead of deceiving us, it has acted as an alarm , and we are now prepared at all points. If their object was to cause a disagreement between us and our neighbors, they, the Fenians, will probably find out to their severe cost, that it will only cause their movements to be more closely watched in the future.

             Let the object of the raid have been what it might, the temporary measure of success gained by the invaders, and their escape through the blundering of our Colonel, will certainly ensure another attack unless they are put down by the strong arm of the U.S. Government. That Government is now no doubt seizing all the Fenian arms its agents can find, and had it not been for their promptness in doing this, Lower Canadians would no doubt have been the scene of strife as now. But it does not depend on this. If the raiders themselves can avoid punishment, they no doubt find arms somewhere. The spirit of the law is not always carried out, as was proven by the release of St. Albans raiders, and if O’Neill and his men can procure their release, we may expect to hear from them or their friends in some other quarter very shortly. If, on the other hand, the United States is made too hot for the Fenians to organize in, we may expect the whole thing to die gradually away for the present, perhaps forever, unless in case of national war, when the Fenian element would be a potent engine for our reduction.

             One good end was accomplished by the invasion, and that is the bringing forth more prominently before the world the indomitable courage and heroism of which our gallant volunteers are possessed. The Welland Canal Battery, the Queen’s Own and all the troops engaged at Lime Ridge, acquitted themselves most nobly. The only blot on the side of the whole history of the campaign is the painful evidences of mismanagement on the part of some our commanding officers.

             Orders to Retreat- The President’s proclamation having afforded Sweeney an excellent excuse for avoiding the halter which awaited him, upon his arrival to Canada, he has sent the following dispatch to his confrere Roberts, now confined in jail.

             Send no more men to the front. The stringent measures of the United States Government have rendered success impossible at present.-Promulgate this immediately. T.W. Sweeney”

The above dispatch was printed in the Tribune of June 14, 1866.

             “Watertown, June 11- An extra train of eight cars loaded with homebound Fenians passed here at seven o’clock this evening. Every train from the north brings a few stragglers. They are badly demoralized and very hungry.” – Tribune, June 14, 1866.