"The Red Watch": With the First Canadian Division in Flanders

by John Allister Currie

The answer is that we had so many evidences around us of the organizing power of the Empire that it inspired us with faith and confidence. We knew what the navy was doing. The splendid manner in which we were supplied with food and clothing convinced us that the business genius and talent for organization of the Empire would sooner or later overcome lack of preparation and "red tape."

The deeds of our gallant Canadian comrades who fell at St. Julien will always be an inspiration for Canadians in future wars. They have given their lives as hostages for the Empire. They did not die in vain for they have given Canada "a place in the sun." The First Division lost over nine thousand out of about seventeen thousand effectives, at St. Julien.

The men who accomplished this were not "rough-necks" nor swaggering bullies, "muttering strange oaths and bearded like pards." They were good, quiet, clean-living, God-fearing young men, the athletic product of the schools and the Y.M.C.A's. They were typical of the Canadian race. With their red blood they etched the figure of the clean-cut intrepid athletic-fighting Canadian soldier indelibly into the history of this war. It was this noble figure which the officers of the First Canadian Division strove to create. It is this figure that will live in the battle scrolls of Europe.

It is the duty of Canadians always to cherish this tradition as well as to maintain their proper place in the world. It matters not under what system their services are required, if duty calls they should be prepared to arm and go. They will always be wanted where liberty needs defending, yes more and more of them.

---

INDEX[ToC]

Note.—In spelling Proper Names, the Daily Telegraph Maps are followed; on the maps in the text, the Belgian spelling is used.

• A
• Abercrombie, General, [11].
• Abeele, [185].
• Abraham, Plains of, [13].
• Adams, Jane, [73].
• Aeroplane, [192], [244], [279].
• Africa, South, [19].
• Aid, First, [149].
• Albert, King of the Belgians, [187].
• Alderson, General, [64], [78], [255], [262].
• Alexander, Captain, [169], [198], [214], [219], [228], [230], [231], [234], [257].
• Amesbury, [90].
• Amour, Place d', [195].
• Anti-Aircraft guns, [162].
• Anti-Militarism, [23].
• Archery, Flemish, [162].
• "Archibald the Archer," [162].
• Armada, Spanish, [60].
• Armentieres, [117], [122], [124], [182], [189].
• Arnold, General, [15].
• Artillery, Canadian, [279].
• Aubers, [155], [170], [172], [174].
• Aviators, [88], [158], [192], [202].
• Avonmouth, [103].
  
• B
• Barham's, Ingoldsby Legend, [75].
• Barwick, Lt., [40].
• Bath, Lt., [240].
• Beauvoorde, [184].
• Billets, [144].
• Bigot, Intendant, [40].
• Bisley, [21].
• Bixschoote, [189].
• Bombing, [179].
• Borden, Sir Robert, [30].
• Boyle, Lt.-Col., [218], [221].
• Brittany, [114].
• British troops, [248].
• Brooke, Lord, [21], [116].
• Burial plots, [186].
• Burland, Lt.-Col., [95], [245], [249], [252], [262].
• Burstall, Lt.-Col., [74].
  
• C
• Caestre, [117], [118], [122].
• Calais, Great drive to, [18].
• Calder, Sgt., [220], [262].
• Camp Fire, [35].
• Campbell, Duncan, of Inverawe, [12].
• Cameras, (tabooed), [64].
• Canada, [11];
  • Capitulation of, [19].
• Canadian, Militia, [18], [30];
  • officers, [38];
  • Northern Ry., [40];
  • Scottish, [197], [218], [223], [277].
• Canadians, reviewed by Roberts, [74];
  • trains of, [184];
  • wounded, [186];
  • reviewed by the King, [96].
• Cardonnerie, La, [138].
• Cassel, City of, [182].
• Censoring, [177].
• Charteris, Major, [14].
• Chateauguay, [19].
• Chalk Cliffs, [57].
• Clausewitz, [147].
• Clergyman, [38].
• Cloth square, [186].
• Colonial Policy, new, [22];
  • old, [23];
  • troops, [23];
  • privateers, [24];
  • government, [23];
  • political thought, [23].
• Colt, automatic pistol, [49].
• Coe, Sgt., [243], [246], [253], [257], [268].
• Comet, [55].
• Commons, House of, [35].
• Competition, signalling, [56].
• Connaught, H.R.H. The Duke of, [30], [35], [42], [76], [282].
• Contingent, [29], [37].
• Cornwallis, Lord, [15].
• Cory, Capt., [219], [228], [229], [234], [257].
• Cosby, Lt.-Col., [20].
• Crozier, General, [43].
• Cruisers, British, [52].
• Culloden, Battle of, [13].
• Culture, German, [147].
• Currie, Col. J.A., [20].
• Currie, Capt. Victor, [249].
  
• D
• Daniel, Capt., [209].
• Dansereau, Lt., [20], [113], [118], [176], [181], [197], [214], [219], [220], [231], [236], [253], [246].
• Darling, Capt. Clifford, [33], [81], [102], [174], [201].
• Davidson, Lt.-Col. J.I., [20].
• "Devil Strip," [138].
• Diary, Author's, [9].
• Diamond, Cape, [46], [48].
• "Digging In," [136], [179].
• Discipline, [44].
• Donaldson, Capt., [107].
• Don Station, [39].
• Drake, Sir Francis, [58], [60];
  • His Drum, [60];
  • Island, [60].
• Drummond, Lt. Guy, [201], [213], [226].
• Dug-outs, [137].
• Duguid, Capt., [102], [201], [217], [260], [263], [264].
• Du Quesne, Fort, [19];
  • Avenue, [146].
• 
  
• E
• Emden, [88].
• Enfer Rue d', [159], [172], [167], [179].
• "Enfiladed Cross Roads," [249], [268].
• Engineers, Canadian, [177].
• Entrenching tools, [135].
• Equipment, Webb and Oliver, [65].
• Estament, French, [164].
• Estairs, [175].
• Exeter, [66].
  
• F
• Fencibles, Glengarry, [16].
• Ferland, Pte., [130].
• Fessenden, Lieut, [209].
• Fire Trenches, [137].
• First Aid, [149].
• Fisher-Rowe, Col., [133].
• Flanders, [117].
• Flares, German, [128], [138].
• Flax, Mills, [133].
  • Farm, [152];
  • Horses, [152];
  • Stock, [152];
  • Roads, [164].
• Flemish, [188];
• Fletre, [123].
• Flying Corps, Royal, [88].
  • Voyage to, [104];
  • soldiers of, [110];
  • unconquerable, [186];
  • Flying Corps, [197], [211].
• France, Leaving for, [100];
• Fraser, Hon. Lt.-Col. P.H.D., [20].
• French, General Sir John, [116], [126].
• "Frightfulness," [146].
• Fromelles, [132]; Tower destroyed, [160], [165], [174].
• Funk Holes, [128].
  
• G
• Gas, [214], [215], [216], [237], [240], [241], [273], [280].
  • transports at, [48], [51].
• Gaspe, [48];
• Geddes, Col., [273].
  • surplus, [163];
  • prisoners, [173];
  • gunners, [180];
  • forced requisitions, [164];
  • snipers, [246];
  • manner, [250].
• German, influence, [23];
• Germans declare War, [29].
• Ghurkas, [270].
• Gibson, Sir John, [39].
• Gibson, Lt. Frank, [39], [192], [260], [261].
• Glasgow, [88].
• Grant, Sgt. Major, [44], [67], [79], [81], [226], [260].
• Gravenstafel, [189], [202], [207], [212], [237], [239], [258], [268].
• Grubber, Entrenching tools, [135].
  
• H
• Haig, General Sir Douglas, [148], [158].
• Halifax, [11].
• Hamilton, General Sir Ian, [21].
• Hawkins, Sgt. G.M., [21].
• Hayling Island, [94].
• Hazebrouck, [114].
• Hendrie, Lt.-Col. Wm., [20].
• Hennebeke brook, [213].
• Hiex shells, [126].
  • (48th Red Watch); Casualties, [13];
  • volunteers, [30].
  • trench wars, [242], [233], [234], [225], [241].
  • Fraser's, (Lovats), [13].
  • Montgomery's, (Lost Regiment), [15].
  • Royal Emigrants, [14], [15].
  • Virginia, [15].
  • Carolina, [15].
  • Royal Montreal, [206], [242].
• Highlanders, (42nd Black Watch), [11], [191], [197], [201].
• Hill [60], [175], [190], [191], [192], [195], [198].
• Hoe, The, [60].
• Holt, Lt., [200].
• Howitzers, [15] in., [161], [222].
• Hughes, Maj. General Sir Sam, [37].
• Hughes, Lt.-Colonel G., [201], [215], [217], [261], [264].
• Hull, General, [269].
• Hurdles, [136].
• Hythe Course, [94].
  
• I
• Indian Troops, [283].
• Ingoldsby Legends, [75].
• Iona, [93].
• Irving, Capt. T.C., [177].
• Islington, Lord, [96].
  
• J
• Jago, Capt., [227].
• James, Capt., [48], [51].
• Jarvis, Lieut. "Bill," [245].
• Julien, Battle of, [12] (See St. Julien).
• Jones, Lieut. Vernon, [233].
  
• K
• Keith, Sgt. Major, [260].
• Kerrserlaere, [229], [231], [249].
• Kilts, [13].
  • 2nd do. [96].
• King, His Majesty George V., Review of Canadians, [79];
• King, Major, [229].
• Kipling, Rudyard, [86], [165].
  • Army, [80], [177].
• Kitchener, Lord, [77], [78], [96];
• 
  
• L
• La Bassee, [117], [156].
• Lacrosse, [37].
• Lancaster, Lt., [174].
• Langmuir, Lt., [204], [210], [240].
• Langemarck, [189].
• Lauder, Sir Thomas Stair Dick, [12].
• Laurier, Sir Wilfrid, [30].
• Lawrence, Sir Joseph, [80].
• Leckie, Col., [199], [221], [275], [277].
• Levison-Gower, Col., [124].
• Liege, Siege of, [30].
• Lille, [156].
• Listening Posts, [159].
• Lightfoot, Major, [221].
• Liquor, French regulations, [72].
• Loire, River, [110].
• London, [91].
• Long Branch, [31], [32], [34], [38].
• Loretto Falls, [40].
• Longsword, Wm., [60].
• Louisburg, [11], [13].
• Loomis, Lt.-Col., [230].
• Lundy's Lane, [15].
  
• M
• Marne, The, [109].
• Marshall, Major, [20], [66], [67], [104], [107], [108], [122], [125], [191], [197], [200], [205], [214], [231], [235], [243], [247], [250], [253], [257], [258], [262], [271], [287].
• Mavor, Lieut., [211], [239].
• Medland, [245].
• Megantic, S.S., [44].
• Meighen, [138], [166], [199], [202].
• Mercer, General, [74].
• Meuse, crossings of, [29].
• Miller, Sgt., [219], [277].
• Mobilization of Militia, [32].
• Moffatt, Capt. Rev., [99].
• Monroe, Doctrine, [22].
• Montcalm, [12].
• Montreal, Royal Rgt. of, [16], [197], [219].
• Moore, Sir John, [33].
• Morden, Lt.-Col., Grant, [76].
• Mount Pleasant Park, [11].
• Moussey's Corps, [190].
• Mowat, Sir Oliver, [20].
• Muir, Lieut. A., [274].
• Mull, Island of, [92].
• Musgrove, Capt., [274], [275].
  
• Mc and MAC
• McBride, Sir Richard, [78].
• Macdonald, Capt. Harold, [261].
• MacDonald, Lieut. Fred, [193], [240].
• MacDonald, Sir John A., [20].
• MacDonald, Col., [20].
• MacDougall, Major, [205].
• McGregor, Capt. Archie, [138], [144], [163], [169], [195], [198], [204], [239], [240].
• McHarg, Col. Hart, [218], [232].
• MacKenzie, Major, [66], [144], [175], [197], [247], [260].
• MacKenzie, Dr., [128], [193].
• McKessock, Capt., [168], [209], [240].
• McLaren, Capt., [108], [193], [198], [199], [222], [239], [242].
  
• N
• Napoleon, [181], [272].
  • battle of, [178].
• National Service, [9].
• Neuve Chapelle, [155], [165];
• Newfoundland, [52].
• Norsworthy, Major, [226].
  
• O
• Odlum, Major, [233], [249].
• Ordnance, Canadian, [107].
• Orange, Wm. of, [66].
• Ormond, Major, [233], [252].
• Osborne, Capt., [169], [198], [206], [208], [228], [233], [240].
  
• P
• Palliasses, [11].
• Parker, Sir Gilbert, [40].
• Patney, Station, [66].
• Patrolling, [131], [149].
• Perley, Sir George, [77], [96].
• Pettion, Rue, [159].
• Perth, [14].
• Pitt, [13], [25].
• Plumer, General, [262], [281].
• Plymouth, [63].
• Poelcapelle, [206], [219], [250].
• Pownall, Governor, [24].
• Poperinghe, [105].
• Princess Pats, C.L.I., [101], [169].
• Pultney, General, [119], [123].
• Pyke, Corp., [266], [268], [278].
• Pyramids, [70].
  
  • Tercentennial, [46], [47].
• Q
• Quebec, Embarkation at, [46];
• 
  
• R
• Rationing in Trenches, [144].
• Rations, Iron, [144].
• Radcliffe, Coy. Sgt. Major, [33], [63].
• Rawlinson, General, [161].
• Rifle, Ross, [142], [231].
• Roberts, Lord, [72], [73], [75], [77], [78], [80].
• Robinson, John Ross, [90].
• Rouen, [63].
• Roulers, [207].
• Routine in Trenches, [144].
• Ryerson, Lt., [157], [174].
• Ryerson, Capt. George, [226].
  
  • Sapper, [150].
• S
• Salisbury Plains, [69], [82].
• Sap, [150];
• Sarum, [70].
• Scheldt, River, [156].
• Scott, Canon, [43], [120], [159], [166], [191].
• Scott, H. Maxwell, [239].
• Scottish Heather, [11].
• Seely, Col., M.P., [98].
• Service, National, [147].
• Shells, stray, [173].
• Sherwood Foresters, [124].
  • Abeele, [185].
• Shoenberger, Lieut., [236], [237].
• Sinclair, Lt. Alex., [33], [195].
• Sing Song, Long Branch, [38];
• Smith-Dorrien, General Sir Horace, [116], [123], [182], [183], [282], [286].
• Smith, Lieut., [209], [240].
• Snipers, [148], [163].
• Snow, General, [264], [265].
• Soudan, [19].
• Standing Orders, tradition, [33], [34].
• Stand to, [140].
• St. Eloi, [189].
• Stevenson, Robt. Louis, [12].
• St. Lawrence trip down, [48].
• St. Julien, [16], [189], [190], [193], [194], [198], [199], [202], [203], [211], [216], [217], [219], [231], [232], [235], [238], [240], [244], [245], [247], [262].
• St. Muir Bac., [133].
• St. Nazaire, [109].
• Stonehouse, [63].
• Stonehenge, [69], [70], [96].
• Strombeek, [206].
• Sweeny, Major, [34].
• Sylvester, Rev. Father, [131].
  
• T
• Tavistock, [60].
• Tam-O-Shanters, [143].
• Taylor, Lieut., [199], [210], [211], [239].
• Taylor, Rev. Bishop, [75].
• Tipperary, [64].
  • Consolidating, [136];
  • description of, [136];
  • Routine, [140];
  • rationing, [141];
  • meals in, [141];
  • Orders, [149];
  • Telephones, [160];
  • Belgium in, [186];
  • Divisional reserve, [253].
• Ticonderoga, [19].
• Toronto Regiment, [214], [235], [245].
• Trenches, [124];
• Turner, General, V.C., [95], [180], [202], [215], [217], [221], [225], [261], [262], [263], [264], [269], [287].
• Turgot, [22].
• Turcos, march, [214], [215], [216], [218], [219], [220], [226].
  
• V
• Valcartier Camp, [26].
• Venner, Sgt., [266].
  
• W
• War, Seven Years, [23].
• War, The Greatest, [13].
• Warren, Capt. Trumbull, [33], [67], [193], [176], [201].
• Watch Black, [11], [18].
• Watch, Red, (48th Highlanders), casualties, [12], [16], [32], [263], [287].
• Webb equipment, [65].
• Westminster Abbey, [90].
• Williams, Col. Victor, [42].
• Williams-Taylor, Lieut., [150], [151].
• Winnipeg Batt. (90th), [206].
• Wolfe's Victory, [13], [40].
• Wood, Col. Burchall, [106].
  • Cloth Hall, [187];
  • Irish Convent, [187];
  • Salient of, [189];
  • Shelling of, [193], [212], [218], [235], [236], [258], [259], [260], [263], [271], [276].
• Wright, Major, [177], [211].
  
• Y
• Ypres, [85], [117], [177];
• Yperlee Canal, [189], [214], [269].
• Y.M.C.A., [37], [53].
  
• Z
• Zillebeke, [190].
• Zonnebeke, [189], [203], [245], [249].