MILITARY SERVICE OF NURSES ENLISTED OR DEMOBILIZED IN NOVA SCOTIA.
England, France and Salonika.
Clarke, Catherine Parker.
Condon, Margaret.
McKenzie, Elizabeth Margaret.
MacIntosh, Mary Catherine.
McKay, Alice Lettie.
England and Salonika.
Brennan, Emily Lorraine.
England, France and Russia.
Cotton, Dorothy M., R.R.C.
England and France.
Archard, Sarah Ann, A.R.R.C.
Allan, Ann Doctor, R.R.C.
Arbuckle, M. B.
Benvie, Ada.
Black, Amy Isabel.
Bayers, Gladys Fuller.
Beers, Vivian Gertrude.
Cameron, Josephine Christine.
Connell, Monica.
Cooke, Elizabeth Ann; mentioned in dispatches.
Nova Scotia was as prominent in the Nursing as in the Medical Service, and is said to have contributed during the War more Matrons in France than any other individual Province in the Dominion. It gave the Matron-in-Chief of the Canadian Forces, Miss Margaret C. MacDonald, R.R.C., M.M. des I (French Army). Miss MacDonald had previously seen active service in the Spanish-American War and the South African War.
The other Nova Scotia nurses who were Matrons in France during the war were: Miss Georgina Pope, R.R.C. (Senior Matron in Canada), who went with the Canadian Contingent to the South African War as Matron; Miss Harriett Graham, R.R.C.; Miss L. M. Hubley, R.R.C.; Miss K. C. MacLatchy, R.R.C.; Miss S. C. MacIsaac, R.R.C.; Miss Elizabeth B. Ross, R.R.C.; Miss A. C. Strong, R.R.C.
Calder, Jennie Squair, A.R.R.C.
Cameron, Annie May.
Campbell, Laura Emily.
Chisholm, Christena Elizabeth; mentioned in dispatches.
Chisholm, Sarah Catherine.
Churchill, Sarah.
Davidson, Jessie Ann.
Dawson, Isabel Helen.
Dempsey, Mary Catharine.
Doyle, Elizabeth C. (Mrs.)
Drew, Margaret Currie.
Duthie, Edna Craig.
Edgecombe, Lillian Grace.
Ellis, Helena Margaret.
Etherington, Ethel B.
Fitzgerald, Lillian Mary.
Follette, Minnie (drowned Llandovery Castle).
Fraser, Annie Margaret.
Fraser, Edith Morrow.
Fraser, Pearl (drowned Llandovery Castle).
Genders, Sarah Elizabeth.
Gillan, Ina Gertrude.
Gordon, Eleanor McLaren, A.R.R.C.
Graham, Harriet M. (Matron), R.R.C.
Gray, Dorothy Louise, R.R.C.
Gray, Marguerite Olive.
Guild, Effie Jean.
Gunn, Mary Catharine.
Haliburton, Marion Frances.
Hazard, Mary Elizabeth.
Howard, Alice Maud.
Hubley, Laura May (Matron), R.R.C.
Irwin, Eliza Blanche.
Johnstone, Alice May; mentioned in dispatches.
Johnstone, Margaret A., R.R.C.
Kelly, F. M., R.R.C.
Kendall, Helen Mary.
King, Hazel Mary.
Lamplaugh, Mary Edith, R.R.C.
Landells, Margaret Jane.
Lynch, Mary Theresa; Belgian decoration.
MacAulay, Lorinda.
MacDonald, Annie; mentioned in dispatches.
MacDonald, Annie Belle; French decoration.
MacDonald, Annie Helen.
MacDonald, Catherine Chisholm.
MacDonald, Catherine Tulloch.
MacDonald, Helen Catherine.
MacDonald, Hilda Havergill.
MacDonald, Janet MacGregor, R.R.C.
MacDonald, Jessie Belle.
MacDonald, Jessie Helen.
MacDonald, Louise, A.R.R.C.
MacDonald, Margaret, A.R.R.C.
MacDonald, Margaret Clothilda (Pr. Matron, C.E.F.), R.R.C. (Florence Nightingale decoration).
MacDonald, Mary Margaret.
MacDonald, Mary Simpson.
MacDonald, Minnie Frances.
MacDougall. Annie Claire.
McCuish, Elizabeth Margaret.
McDonald, Catharine Eileen.
McDonald, Nellie Elizabeth.
McDougald, Flora.
McDougald, Margaret; French decoration.
McGrath, Mary.
McInnis, Florence Louise.
McIsaac, Sarah Catherine (Matron), R.R.C.
McKay, Helen Barbara, A.R.R.C.
McKeel, Theadora, R.R.C.
McKenzie, Charlotte.
McKenzie, Christina Mary.
McKenzie, Dora.
McKenzie, Margaret Eliza.
McKenzie, Minnie Hannah.
McKinnon, Euphemia.
McLatchey, Katherine O. (Matron), R.R.C.
McLean, Catherine.
McLean, Elizabeth Isobel.
McLean, Marguerite.
McLean, Mary Rachael.
McLeod, Annie Tremaine.
McLeod, Winifred G.
McLeod, Isabella Gordon.
McLeod, Margaret Christena.
McNeill, Mary Belle.
Moreshead, Eleanor Gorrill.
Mosher, Eva Maud.
Mulcahy, Grace.
Mutch, Florence Sarah.
Myers, Olga.
Nicholson, Elsie Sarah.
O’Brien, Marcella Agnes.
Paget, Catherine White.
Paton, Florence May.
Patton, Mary Steele.
Pidgeon, L., R.R.C.; mentioned in dispatches.
Pope, Georgina, (Matron), R.R.C.
Rice, Frances Augusta. A.R.R.C.
Richardson, Edith Louise.
Rose, Lenora E.
Ross, Elizabeth Belle (Matron), R.R.C.
Schurman, Winifred Dobson; French decoration.
Shannahan, Mary Catherine.
Shea, C. R.
Smith, Sarah Catharine.
Stevens, Louise Myrtle.
Strong, A. C. (Matron), R.R.C.
Stuart, Evelyn Mary.
Tait, Mary.
Thomas, Lalia E.
Thompson, Wilhelmine Irene.
Thompson, Edith Alexandra.
Urquhart, Lottie.
Veits, Caroline Winifred.
Walsh, M. S.
Walters, Emma Jane.
Watson, Mabel Margaret.
Watson, Maud.
Waugh, Belle.
Waughan, Belle.
White, Catherine M.
White, Helen St. Clair.
White, Katherine Elizabeth.
Williams, Maysie Ellen.
Young, Anna Teresa.
Young, Rose Olga.
England.
Anderson, Minerva Blanche.
Bain, Margaret Winnifred.
Barnes, Ellen Caroline.
Bentley, Olla May.
Clarke, Edith Esther.
Campbell, Annie May.
Campbell, D.
Coates, Dora Evelyn.
Cameron, Elizabeth Vena.
Cameron, Mary Lillian.
Cameron, Sarah Belle.
Colter, Bessie Long.
Connors, Florence Marguerite.
Cray, Bertha Geraldine.
Currie, Alice Margaret.
Desmond, Mary.
Davies, Margaret Emily.
DeWolfe, Annie Clark.
Dunlop, Laura Alice.
Ellis, Marion Dean.
Fife, Lillian Jessie.
Fraser, Lavinia Flora.
Fraser, Flora Mathilda.
Harrison, Eunice Knapp.
Hallisey, Catherine Martina.
Hillcoat, Anna Rebecca.
Hubley, Jennie Mable.
Hartling, Mabel.
Howard, Mary Munroe.
Jennex, Lenna (died).
Layton, Adrianna R.
LeDrew, Annie May.
Mack, Beatrice Helena.
Mombourquette, Katherine.
Morrison, Daisy Dean.
Mutch, Helen Frances.
Murray, Ann Elizabeth.
Murray, Emma Blanche.
McCarthy, May Charlotte.
McCuish, Harriet Mary.
MacDonald, Jessie.
MacDonald, Georgina Emily.
MacDonald, Margaret Catherine.
McInnes, Dorothy Jean.
MacIntosh, Margaret Isabel.
McLeod, Sadie Isabel.
McLean, Sadie Ethel.
McNeill, Margaret Blanche.
Morrison, Myrtilla Grey.
Morrison, Jean Augusta.
Payne, Sarah.
Smith, Mabel Eliza.
Sedgewick, F. M.
Skerry, Annie Adelaide.
Stewart, Margaret Wood.
Stevens, Annie Jane.
Thompson, Ethel Elaine.
Torr, Alice.
Tout, Dora Olivia.
Urquhart, Lottie.
Canada.
Anderson, Roberta.
Andrews, Edith.
Barnaby, Agnes Gertrude.
Bearisto, Mary Kier.
Bissett, Barbara Beatrice.
Boland, Florence.
Bauld, Muriel.
Burton, Mary Elizabeth.
Campbell, Jean Marion.
Cook, Gertrude Pauline.
Coolen, Anasthasia Muriel.
Coolen, Mary Ellen.
Davies, Edith Maria.
Doull, Jessie Cameron.
Dunbar, Lillian Campbell.
Farry, Lucy.
Fitzgerald, Edith Maria.
Fraser, Florence Amelia.
Fraser, Frances Margaret.
Gates, Sarah Gladys.
Gilchrist, Marion L.
Gillis, Christine Anna.
Graves, Laura May.
Haverstock, Laura Grace.
Hayden, Mary Josephine.
Holloway, Eva.
Hunt, Minnie Hannah.
Hunt, Myrtle C. (died).
Keith, Gertrude.
Kennedy, Margaret.
LaPierre, Mary Ann.
Larking, Nora Evelyn.
Jarvis, Jessie (died).
LeJeune, Mary.
Lester, Olla Dell.
Logan, Caroline.
Manning, Myra Ayer.
Mills, Ethel Rosamund.
Morrison, Anna May.
McCrea, Theresa Ann.
MacDonald, Evangeline.
MacDonald, Harriet Helen.
MacDonnell, Mary Elizabeth.
McInnis, Ellephallie Carrie.
McKenzie, Helen Gertrude.
McKinnon, Ruth.
McLean, Josephine.
McManus, Laura.
McManus, Lila Theresa.
McNeill, Mary Eleanor.
O’Callaghan, Mary.
O’Leary, Catherine.
Prest, Violet Ella.
Ross, Vivian Russell.
Schaffner, Marion Parker.
Schaffner, Muriel Campbell.
Steeves, Ina Maud.
Sullivan, Mary Margaret.
Sutherland, Roberta.
Talbot, Frances Elizabeth.
Trivett, Jean Dorothy.
Urquhart, Susan Hope.
Whidden, Mary.
Young, Josephine M.
Military Service—No Particulars Available.
Benjamin, Vera Louise.
Christie, Freda Hope.
Fraser, Elda Jean.
Fvfe, Hannah G.
Harrison, Jena Augusta.
Hill, Eliza Victoria.
Jones, Helen.
Kelley, Margaret Neill.
Mosher, Lydia T.
MacDonald, Anna Bula.
McKenzie, Jean Annie.
McLeod, Marion.
Perry, H. H.
Purcell, Mary Louise.
CHAPTER XXVII.
THE CANADIAN ARMY DENTAL CORPS.
That Dental Services are a necessity in the army is one of the many lessons taught us by the War and it has been amply proved that the Canadian Army Dental Corps was responsible for placing at least 10 per cent of the Canadian and British troops at the Front who, but for the excellent dental services provided, would not have been there.
LIEUT.-COL. B. L. NEILLY.
Members of the dental profession in Nova Scotia were among the first to offer their services, and in August, 1914, three of them, Drs. B. L. Neilly, F. W. Bruce Kelly and H. L. Mitchener, were on duty at Valcartier Camp. Drs. Neilly and Kelly proceeded Overseas and were the first dental surgeons at the Front. So far as can be learned these were the only dental surgeons with the Canadian troops at that date, Captain Bentley of Ontario reporting early in September.
For eight years previous to the War a Committee of the Canadian Dental Association on “Dental Services in the Army” repeatedly approached the Federal Government with regard to a definite Army Dental Association to be administered by the Medical Services or otherwise, but were finally informed that the organization then existing, which consisted of twenty-six Dental Officers attached to the Army Medical Corps as Honorary Captains and Lieutenants, was quite satisfactory.
On the outbreak of the War members of the profession throughout Canada, realizing the necessity of dental services for recruits, voluntarily provided dental treatment for thousands of men who, otherwise, could not have been accepted.
The attention of the Minister of Militia, Sir Sam Hughes, was directed to the importance and value of this work by Generals Fotheringham, Lessard, Loggie and others as well as by a sub-committee of civilian dentists from Toronto, who proceeded to Ottawa early in 1915 under the direction of Dr. George Kerr Thomson of Halifax, Chairman of the Canadian Dental Association’s Committee on “Dental Services in the Army,” with the result that the Minister immediately issued orders for a Dental organization, similar to that of the Medical, but entirely separate.
To this action by the Minister is due the fact that Canada was the first country in the world to organize an Army Dental Corps separate and distinct from other military organizations. Dr. Thomson was first recommended by the Toronto Committee and the dental profession for Director of Dental Services, but Dr. Armstrong of Ottawa received the appointment, and in June, 1915, proceeded Overseas with thirty-five officers, thirty-five N.C.O.’s and thirty-five privates. This organization was increased from time to time until there were over one thousand Dental Officers and other ranks on duty Overseas.
It was realized that while it was necessary to provide dental services for men Overseas, it was even more important that they be made dentally fit before sailing; and in October, 1915, the Home Service organization was authorized with a Director at Ottawa and an Assistant Director in each Military District together with a strength of one officer, N.C.O. and private for each 1,000 men. This necessitated an organization of at least sixty of all ranks in Military District No. 6, which at that time included New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.
Members of the dental profession in the three provinces responded notably to the call of duty, and, while it does not come within the scope of this history to mention the services of men in other provinces, it is desirable to put on record great appreciation of the excellent services rendered by members of the dental profession in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island who were on duty in Military District No. 6. One of the most prominent practitioners in St. John, N.B., Dr. James M. Magee, ex-President of the Canadian Dental Association and Dominion Dental Council and a member of the Nova Scotia Dental Association, who, before the War, was attached as Honorary Captain to the Army Medical Corps, was one of the first to join the Home Service organization in Military District No. 6.
OFFICERS OF THE C.A.D.C., M.D. 6.
Major Thomson was appointed A.D.D.S., Military District No. 6, on November 1st, 1915. During his absence at Valcartier Camp in the summer of 1916, Captain Magee acted as A.D.D.S. in Military District No. 6 and later was appointed A.D.D.S. of Military District No. 7 when New Brunswick became a separate Military District.
The C.A.D.C. in Military District No. 6 was administered on a most economical and business-like basis, and at the Camp Hill Army Dental Surgery, one of the finest and best equipped in the world, many thousands of men were made dentally fit, not only before going Overseas, but also on their return to Canada, when a great many of them needed extensive restorative dental appliances.
For several weeks after the great explosion, which occurred on December 6, 1917, the Staff of the Camp Hill Dental Surgery rendered services and co-operated with the medical officers, part of the dental surgery being used as an operating room for the eye specialists. Some of the dental officers on duty were severely but not seriously injured, and during the first thirty-six hours after the explosion rendered valuable first aid to the injured, with whom Camp Hill was overcrowded.
In 1916, at Aldershot Camp, two appendicitis operations were successfully performed in the Camp Dental Surgery, which was completed long before the Camp Hospital. These cases would probably have proved fatal had it not been for the foresight of the dental Staff in expediting the construction of this dental surgery.
Through the efforts of Dean Frank Woodbury arrangements were carried out by the Dental Faculty of Dalhousie University for rendering dental services to the men of the navy before the work was performed by the Dental Corps.
The following is a list of dental officers who served Overseas and at home:
Canada.—Major G. K. Thomson, Major H. E. Mann, Capts. H. L. Mitchener, H. G. Dunbar, W. W. Woodbury, G. Tingley, J. M. Magee, A. G. Wicks, J. E. Sewell, J. B. Brown, J. E. Blanchard, F. C. Bonnell, I. K. Farrar, F. A. Godsoe, F. E. Burden, W. H. Steeves, L. O’Leary (Q.M.), J. E. Jewett, A. Gasson, R. I. Robertson, F. W. Johnson, H. S. Allen, G. R. Smith, F. T. Bowness, Y. E. Gaudet, McIntyre, F. G. Mann, F. W. Barbour, R. I. Irving, Lieuts. A. J. Cormier, H. Adamson, Guy Stultz, L. M. Finigan, A. K. Wade, A. J. Couglin, F. W. LeFugery, A. B. Crowe, H. C. McIntosh, Regtl. Sergt.-Majors, F. E. Fahie, I. K. Jackson, F. B. Miller, Quartermaster Sergts. J. M. Blanchard, Laurie Blanchard, L. H. Jenkins, G. Sommers, Staff Sergts. A. H, Churchill, J. H. McLaughlin, E. S. Dexter, Sergts. A. W. Allen, L. M. Withrow, C. W. Burgoyne, Staff Sergts. E. E. Hatfield, Neil Flannery, F. H. Phinney, Sergts. J. L. Sears, R. H. Wilby, Cox, C. R. McLellan, R. C. Wall, J. St. C. Smith, C. E. Cantelope, T. Ranford, W. Hazelwood, Percy Rennels, W. R. Gunn, Quartermaster Sergt. L. McGuire, Company Quartermaster Sergt. W. H. D. Bence.
Overseas.—Lieut.-Col. B. L. Neilly, Major F. W. B. Kelly, Major C. E. McLaughlin, Capts. R. J. McMeekin, Karl Woodbury, C. D. Desbrisay, S. S. Harvie, E. A. Randall, H. Clay, E. S. Millett, H. O. Harding, Arthur Viets, T. E. Robins, R. W. Frank, W. R. Fraser, Karl Damon, Otto Nase, J. P. Gallagher, J. McDonald, McNeil, W. R. Wilkes, R. C. Crosby, E. A. Randall, K. C. Dobson, H. C. McDonald, Staff Sergts. J. E. Fraser, C. Garrett, R. B. Horton, Sergts. S. W. Hatfield, C. A. S. Carlow, H. O. Lord, F. A. McGarrigle, G. Lowine, Phillips, G. A. Barter, W. Dyer, Raymond King, W. Joy, J. McLean, McGibbon, J. L. Rogers, I. D. S. Ross, G. E. McDonald, H. E. Grey, V. D. Crowe, Collier, Jones, Butterworth, Doucette, Quartermaster Sergt. Richards.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
CANADIAN ARMY PAY CORPS.
Before the outbreak of the War in 1914 the Canadian Army Pay Corps had only sufficient Staff to deal with the small permanent force, of which it was an integral part. When the Canadian Expeditionary Force was organized, and troops mobilized for home defence, the C.A.P.C. was called upon to undergo the same strain and expansion demanded of every branch of the service. Outside of the army little is known of the responsibilities suddenly thrust upon this department. It had to deal with all finances, pay, separation allowance, assigned pay, civilian employees, tradesmen’s accounts, etc., and, as will be seen by the statement at the end of this article, No. 6 Detachment stationed at Halifax alone disbursed $53,357,388.08 between August, 1914, and July, 1920.
In August, 1914, No. 6 Detachment, whose territory at that time included New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, as well as Nova Scotia, consisted of the following officers and non-commissioned officers: Lieut.-Col. S. J. R. Sircom (now retired with rank of Brigadier-General), Capt. J. L. Regan, Sergt.-Major J. Turner, Quartermaster Sergt. G. H. Saunders, Staff Sergt. G. T. Allum, Staff Sergt. C. A. Chew, Staff Sergt. B. A. Spink, Sergt. E. R. Kelly, Sergt. A. V. Chase, Sergt. W. A. Coyne, Sergt. F. A. Chew.
This Staff was increased until at one time 14 officers and 120 non-commissioned officers and men were employed. Some of these served in No. 6 Detachment throughout the whole period of the War. Others were transferred to various Units, went Overseas, or took their discharge.
Every soldier, from a Tommy to a full-fledged General, will admit that as far as organization and administration were concerned the Canadian Army Pay Corps was beyond criticism. As soon as a man enlisted he received his pay regularly, no matter where he was—in Canada or in England, in the Field, in hospital or on furlough; and when he returned to Canada for demobilization the cheque for balance of pay due was handed to him on the day he was discharged. In addition to this monies were forwarded to his dependants on account of Separation Allowance, and assigned pay, settlement made for clothing and equipment, which he purchased from stores on repayment, for Victory Bonds which he purchased during his services, remittances to his friends and other payments.
All this entailed an enormous amount of work. Ledger sheets had to be kept up to date, pay books checked up, remittances looked after, cheques written, documents made up and sent along with the soldier from one place to another until he finally returned to Canada, bearing with him like documents from England. Every officer, non-commissioned officer and man knows the amount of detail work which this involved.
BRIG.-GEN. S. J. R. SIRCOM.
Of the original Staff, Col. S. J. R. Sircom, affectionately known to the troops in this district as the “Grand Old Man,” endeared himself to all ranks with whom he came in contact by his urbanity and kindly consideration. Colonel Sircom commenced his military career early in life. He joined the Halifax Garrison Artillery as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1878, and the 63rd Regiment, Halifax Rifles, in 1885. He transferred to the Militia Staff with the rank of Major in 1905, and on January 1, 1907, was appointed to the C.A.P.C. with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, and became Paymaster of the 6th Divisional area. He was promoted to the rank of Colonel on May 24, 1916. He proceeded to London as a representative of the Paymaster-General the latter part of 1918, and on his return from Overseas was retired to Pension with the rank of Brigadier-General.
COL. J. L. REGAN, C.M.G.
Capt. J. L. Regan proceeded Overseas with the First Contingent as assistant to Col. W. R. Ward, then Chief Paymaster Canadian Expeditionary Force. Captain Regan was largely responsible for the organization of the Canadian Pay Services in France and England. He was later promoted to the rank of Colonel and appointed Deputy Paymaster-General. He was awarded the C.M.G., and on his return to Canada became Director of Pay Services at Ottawa.
Quartermaster Sergt. J. Turner transferred to the Highland Brigade as Captain and Quartermaster. He was seriously injured in the Halifax explosion and is now invalided to Pension. Staff Sergeant G. T. Allum, now Sergeant-Major, is retired to Pension. Quartermaster Sergeant G. H. Saunders was promoted to the rank of Captain. Captain Saunders remained with No. 6 Detachment during the whole period of the War, and the admirable manner in which this Unit met all demands upon it, particularly during the trying months of demobilization, was largely due to his energy, efficiency and foresight.
Staff Sergts. C. A. Chew and B. A. Spink proceeded Overseas and both returned with the rank of Captain. The former was discharged to Pension; the latter is employed at Militia Headquarters. Staff Sergt. A. V. Chase went Overseas with the Clearing Services Command and returned with the rank of Captain. He will be remembered by all returning officers and men who passed through or had dealings with the Clearing Depot, Halifax, as a very efficient officer. Sergt. W. A. Coyne proceeded Overseas as Captain Clearing Services Command and is now struck off strength. Sergt. F. A. Chew proceeded Overseas with the 25th Battalion, returned as a Captain in the C.A.P.C., and is now struck off strength to Pension.
Capt. G. C. Sircom, son of Brigadier-General S. J. R. Sircom, after return from Overseas, was employed in the Pay Office, and now has a commission in the Permanent Army Pay Corps.
LIEUT.-COL. J.A.C. MOWBRAY, O.B.E.
Lieut.-Col. J. A. C. Mowbray, when war was declared, offered his services and was detailed as Paymaster to the 2nd Brigade, C.F.A., proceeding Overseas with that Unit. After serving in France for about one year he was recalled to London to fill a post in the Pay Office Headquarters. He became Deputy Assistant Paymaster-General, was awarded the O.B.E., and later was transferred to Canada to fill his present position, which is designated as Senior Pay Officer for Nova Scotia.
The following are a few of the officers who did good work in this Division during the War, either before proceeding Overseas or returning from Overseas on demobilization or as Paymasters of Units:—Major J. Taylor, Major M. H. Morrison, Major R. H. Humphrey, Major J. D. Murphy, Major Colin MacIntosh, Capt. H. Powis Herbert, Capt. G. C. Milsom, Capt. W. W. Brignell, Capt. C. S. Simpson, Capt. R. Bartholomew, Capt. H. A. MacDonald, Capt. J. L. Melanson, Capt. R. H. Hardwicke, Capt. A. A. Cameron, Capt. Tait Scott, Capt. H. W. Ireland, Capt. Walter Ruggles, Capt. W. C. L. Bauld, Capt. R. MacDougall, Lieut. H. S. Major, Lieut. W. E. McDonald, Lieut. H. A. Allum, Lieut. H. S. Simpson, Lieut. W. J. O’Donnell.
To show the vast amount of work carried out by this Detachment the following statement of monthly expenditure is appended. This does not include disbursements for clothing and equipment, horses, transports, camp supplies, wagons, etc., but purely pay and allowance of troops and their upkeep. Considering the amount of cash handled it is satisfactory to know that not one cent was lost to the public by misappropriation or otherwise.
| CANADIAN ARMY PAY CORPS | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1914. | 1915. | 1916. | 1917. | 1918. | 1919. | 1920. | |
| Jan. | $482,294 94 | $896,549 00 | $666,896 18 | $557,736 27 | $683,909 27 | $657,541 08 | |
| Feb. | 470,046 71 | 976,053 25 | 644,126 11 | 518,971 86 | 872,284 08 | 402,801 20 | |
| Mar. | 662,605 50 | 1,153,944 98 | 675,447 01 | 726,882 97 | 1,176,278 36 | 347,439 80 | |
| Supp. | 287,295 99 | 868,515 21 | 5,506 91 | 18,643 78 | 26,683 87 | 60,765 01 | |
| Apr. | 573,994 33 | 926,836 11 | 747,234 96 | 700,400 20 | 1,113,762 96 | 142,518 83 | |
| May | 589,433 57 | 1,140,637 41 | 691,321 20 | 600,590 53 | 1,208,976 54 | 121,399 76 | |
| June | 460,883 20 | 1,269,057 73 | 679,157 80 | 745,238 77 | 1,378,733 64 | 145,981 25 | |
| July | 421,362 69 | 928,319 09 | 579,265 37 | 940,247 42 | 1,596,356 84 | 132,327 77 | |
| Aug. | $161,021 38 | 418,878 19 | 911,739 50 | 571,727 69 | 709,107 18 | 1,638,684 02 | |
| Sept. | 314,031 19 | 447,655 00 | 849,942 58 | 550,065 71 | 595,238 78 | 1,505,466 80 | |
| Oct. | 307,412 29 | 533,383 39 | 819,436 00 | 745,190 00 | 614,166 48 | 1,727,033 48 | |
| Nov. | 342,922 32 | 602,738 82 | 752,020 66 | 697,784 22 | 610,452 05 | 1,178,085 30 | |
| Dec. | 459,147 34 | 867,574 05 | 683,957 09 | 535,004 98 | 671,840 28 | 862,424 00 | |
| Total. | $1,584,534 52 | $6,818,146 38 | $12,177,008 61 | $7,788,728 14 | $8,009,516 57 | $14,968,679 16 | $2,010,774 70 |
| Summary. | |
|---|---|
| 1914 | $1,584,534 52 |
| 1915 | 6,818,146 38 |
| 1916 | 12,177,008 61 |
| 1917 | 7,788,728 14 |
| 1918 | 8,009,516 57 |
| 1919 | 14,968,679 16 |
| 1920 | 2,010,774 70 |
| Total expenditure to July, 1920 | $53,357,388 08 |
CHAPTER XXIX.
THE ROYAL CANADIAN GARRISON ARTILLERY.
Lord Kitchener once remarked—in reply to a question—“The Front is where a soldier is ordered to be.” In accordance with this, those men whose duties necessitated their being retained in connection with the Coast Defences, were made to abide by the decision of those responsible for the strategy of the defence of Canadian shores.
After the War, the Permanent Force, of which the R.C.G.A. form a part, are the only persons in uniform; and the imputation of not being an Overseas Unit is not a good advertisement to attract recruits. Moreover, the imputation is not only unjust, but untrue, as the following will show:
In July, 1914, relations between the British Empire and the Central Powers were very strained, and on July 30th, four days before the War was officially declared, the R.C.G.A. were ordered to man the most important forts as a precaution, since it is an axiom in naval warfare that, if possible, a surprise attack is the first and best declaration of war.
On August 5th Fortress Orders contained the following:—“War having broken out with Germany, the Halifax Defence Scheme comes into force herewith.”
On the 6th August, the 1st Regiment, C.G.A., mobilized and proceeded to the Forts to complete the manning, since the R.C.G.A. alone were too few in number completely to man more than the two largest forts.
The first portion of the annual training for the year had just been completed, and one can truthfully say that Halifax was as well able to repel a raid as any other fortress in the Empire at that period.
It was thought by most people in the early days of the War that the War would last only a few months, and the personnel of the Defences had to find accommodation where they could, until well on into the winter; for coast forts in peace time are not provided with accommodation for lengthy occupation; consequently, both officers and men had a far from comfortable time until wooden huts were constructed.
None of the Artillery Units allotted to the Fortress were for any length of time up to full strength, so that barely sufficient men were available to form the necessary reliefs for the guns.
Night and day, all through the War, from July 30th, 1914, until after the signing of the Armistice, November 11, 1919, enough men to work the guns had to be near them and alert, while on each gun was a sentry, who was relieved every hour, and whose duty was to watch seawards for the approach of any hostile craft. Not a very arduous task at first sight, but enough to make most men long to be Overseas after a few months of it.
Fortunately the Germans were not very enterprising, and considered that the presence of the Coast Defences was too great a risk to run, so that Halifax did not have to go through the horrors of a bombardment as well as the explosion, though, had the city been undefended, it would, no doubt, like several English towns, have received a few shells from time to time.
In March, 1915, the 3rd Regiment, C.G.A., from St. John, N.B., came for training, as St. John was about to be fortified, and a portion of this Unit was retained to reinforce the Units already doing duty in the Forts. In April, 1915, No. 4 Company, P.E.I., C.G.A., came for training. Some of these men had already been on duty with heavy field guns at Canso and Sydney. When trained they remained in Halifax, sending drafts Overseas from time to time, and proved themselves efficient gunners.
In June, 1915, a number of N.C.O.’s and men sailed for the Front, but all efforts of others to do so were in vain, though several N.C.O.’s and men took their fate in their own hands and stowed away on transports conveying infantry. Some of these got as far as France, but discipline had to be maintained, and all were brought back. This incident will show that the men of the R.C.G.A. did not remain in Halifax from choice.
In July, 1916, authority was at last obtained for the R.C.G.A. to form a Siege Battery, and this was quickly done; in it were some of the best N.C.O.’s and men in the Corps, and the whole Battery were of splendid physique. This Battery left for Overseas in September, 1916, under the command of Major S. A. Heward, R.C.A. It arrived in France on the 22nd March, 1917, and took part in many big fights, including Vimy Ridge, Hill 70, Passchendaele, Cambrai and Mons. Men of a Siege Battery get plenty of heavy work and little chance of heroic deeds as individuals, but the Battery has to its credit the following decorations:—Military Cross, 2; Distinguished Conduct Medal, 2; Military Medals, 16; Meritorious Service Medals, 3; while several other officers from the R.C.A. in Halifax were awarded the D.S.O. and M.C.
As soon as the Battery left for Overseas, preparations for raising another were immediately made, and those officers and men Who were unable to go in the previous one vied with each other to get a place in this, but it was not authorized, and drafts only were found as reinforcements to the one already authorized. Moreover, it was deemed advisable that certain specially trained officers and men were essential for the efficient working of the Home Defence, and these could not go, even in drafts, unless they had others to replace them.
It takes some time to make an artilleryman, particularly a garrison gunner, who is expected to know every type of gun from a light field piece to the heaviest coast defence gun, or siege howitzer, all of which form part of the armament of a coast fortress, so that, although no doubt if the War had lasted long enough all would eventually have been replaced, these men had to remain.
A number of R.C.A. officers went over in charge of drafts of the R.C.G.A. or other Units.
The 1st Regiment, C.G.A., sent over many officers and men in drafts to infantry units and to an Ammunition Column.
The P.E.I. C.G.A. Detachment also formed an Ammunition Column.
Early in 1915 the British Government decided to re-arm St. Lucia, and the Units at Halifax, with some additional personnel from Esquimalt and Quebec, were called upon to furnish men for this purpose. The first draft went in March, 1915. They had to mount the guns (some of which were of French pattern and quite strange to them), and generally organize the defences.
In the autumn of 1917 and spring of 1918 the enemy submarines raided the Atlantic coasts of the United States and Canada, and it was very essential that the important port of Sydney, N.S., should be more strongly defended, so new guns of heavier calibre were sent from Halifax and mounted there. This necessitated additional men, and drafts from Toronto and British Columbia were detailed for this purpose.
These men, some of them called under the Military Service Act, were an exceptionally good type and quickly made efficient specialists and gunners. Some were sent for training as officers and would have relieved those officers in the Forts who had been unable to get away. Unfortunately for them the Armistice was declared and hostilities ceased, so that this scheme did not materialize, though some of these men obtained probationers’ certificates.
An important branch of the R.C.G.A. in Halifax is the Royal School of Artillery (Coast Defence and Siege) and this School, the only Siege Artillery School in Canada, was responsible for the training of most of the Siege Artillery Officers and Specialists, as well as several Batteries and Drafts that went Overseas after the First Contingent.
In addition to this, a gun practice at Halifax, Sydney and St. John was carried out under the supervision of the R.S.A. Staff, while courses for officers and specialists, Coast Defence Artillery, were also given.
The establishment of Instructors was one officer and three other ranks, but as one N.C.O. Instructor was stationed at St. John, this was increased by a N.C.O. from the 1st Regiment, C.G.A. Officers from the C.G.A. were attached as assistants for varying periods.
In June, 1915, the I.G., now Lieut.-Col. W. G. Beeman, D.S.O., R.C.A., went Overseas, and in 1916 his successor, Major H. R. N. Cobbett, R.C.A., went over with No. 9 Siege Battery. In 1918 one Warrant Officer Instructor was permitted to go; he was immediately appointed Instructor at the Canadian School of Gunnery, Witley, England, and it was only with great difficulty that he managed to reach France, where he again was utilized as an Instructor.
The rest of the Staff felt most keenly the fact that they had to be retained in Canada, as their position after the War, when dealing with classes who had seen Overseas service, would not be at all enviable. It was very unfortunate that arrangements had not been made to replace them, so that they might go to the Front even for a short time, because although it is a fact that good teachers are born, not made, there is a tendency to think that anyone with long experience in the fighting line must be a good instructor.
Officers from all parts of Canada took courses at the R.S.A., and it speaks well for the training which they received that on reaching England further training, other than three weeks’ at Lydd, was considered unnecessary in most cases, and at Lydd these officers usually took first place in the examinations held there.
Many of them, who were unable to get positions in the C.E.F., were given commissions in the British Artillery, and in several cases commanded Batteries.
Owing to the smallness of Staff and limited demand for siege artillery the actual numbers trained were not as large as those in other Artillery Schools, but with small classes the training was naturally very thorough.
Among the Units trained may be mentioned:—