Those Who Will Not Go Back
It is the great consolation of Canada that, though their sons may fall before this tempter’s trade in Britain, they will go back to a Canada free from drink. But some will never go back, and they are not on the Roll of Honour. They have been destroyed by the enemy within our gate, this trade that traps men on their way to France and digs their graves.
A young Canadian who had never tasted alcohol came from a Prohibition camp in Canada, came to England on a Prohibition ship, and was put in a camp with a drink canteen. He started drinking and contracted venereal disease. Ordered home as unfit, in fear and shame he sought a friend’s advice about the girl he was to marry. “You can never marry her,” said his friend, and that night in his hut the young Canadian blew out his brains.
Facts in possession of the Author
A young Canadian officer was sent home disgraced. Sodden with alcohol, he left the train and shot a railway clerk dead.
Facts in Montreal “Weekly Witness,” October 24, 1916
A Russian soldier in the Canadian forces, described as a clean, soldierly man, with a splendid character from his officer, was charged with the murder of a Canadian private who tried to separate two quarrelling soldiers in a bar. The prisoner had drunk much whisky and remembered nothing of his crime, and was sentenced to twelve months’ hard labour for manslaughter. The judge hoped he might be used as a soldier in the Russian Army.
Record of Hampshire Assizes, February 1916
A man from Prohibition Russia enlisted in Prohibition Canada, and came to England. He spent 9s. on drink one day, and that night he crept from his bed and killed his corporal at Witley Camp.
Police Records of Godalming, February 1917
A Canadian soldier, aged 26, after a publichouse quarrel with another soldier, was found dying on the pavement in Hastings. His throat had been cut, and he died on entering the hospital. The other soldier was charged with murder, and sentenced to 15 years.
Record of Hastings Assizes, March 1917
A young Canadian soldier, aged 20, died from alcohol while in training at Witley. He had a bottle of stout followed by nine or ten “double-headers” of neat whisky in about two hours. He was carried back to camp, laid unconscious on his bed, and died.
Facts in “Daily Chronicle,” March 22, 1917
A Canadian lieutenant was tried for the murder of a canteen sergeant. They arrived together at a house at Grayshott, where the lieutenant asked for some strong drink and took a bottle of whisky and two glasses. The sergeant was afterwards found dead in the cellar, and the lieutenant carried the body into the stable.
Records of Grayshott Coroner, December 1915
A man leaving a publichouse in company with a woman, with whom he had been drinking, met a Canadian soldier not far from Charing Cross. The soldier spoke, and the man struck him. The soldier was carried to the hospital, where he died soon afterwards from a wound two inches deep, caused by a knife.
Police Records of Bow Street, January 1, 1917
The wife of a gunner in the South African Heavy Artillery died at Bexhill from alcohol. The soldier said he bought 12 bottles of stout and 12 bottles of beer, one of whisky, and one of port, which they drank between Saturday night and Monday night.
Records of Bexhill Coroner, December 1915
A soldier from Toronto, having been drinking away his pay in a Carlisle publichouse, with another Canadian soldier and some married women, failed to appear the next morning, and was found dead on a footpath with a bottle of whisky in his pocket
Records of Carlisle Coroner, April 14, 1917
A Canadian soldier, having drawn £20 from the Canadian office, visited several publichouses, and was killed in a scuffle in London.
Facts in “Daily News,” December 2, 1916