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Sunday 31 December 2017

Guysborough County Enlistments—October to December 1917

A total of 21 individuals with connections to Guysborough County, Nova Scotia enlisted for military service during the months of October, November and December 1917.

OCTOBER 1917:

1. George Washington Horton (2100866) was born at Canso, Guysborough County on December 27, 1888, the oldest of Hiram C. and Henrietta Elizabeth “Hattie” (Worth) Horton’s 11 children. George enlisted with No. 10 Halifax Siege Battery at Sydney, NS on October 1, 1917. He departed for England aboard SS Megantic on November 24 and arrived overseas two weeks later.

On April 2, 1918, George crossed to France as a Canadian Siege Artillery reinforcement and was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, Canadian Garrison Artillery, as a “Gunner” on June 18. While serving in the field on August 28, George suffered a contusion to his back, the result of an accident described in his service file:

“Shells were being unloaded from a Lorry. Shrapnel burst overhead. The men sought cover. Horton ducked under the end of the Lorry. At the same time the Lorry Driver flopped to the floor of the Lorry, letting a shell which was in his hands roll out at the end of the Lorry. It hit Gnr. Horton. Accidental injury.”

Hospitalized at Wimereux, France the following day, George was discharged to duty on December 1 and returned to England at month’s end. He departed for Canada aboard SS Belgic on March 2 and was discharged at Halifax on March 22, 1919.

George subsequently returned to Sydney, NS, where he married Ruth Witherell Cesale, a native of Mulgrave, Guysborough County, in a ceremony held on August 20, 1920. During his time overseas, George had assigned $15.00 of his monthly pay to Ruth. The couple eventually relocated to Vancouver, BC. George passed away at Shaughnessy Hospital, Vancouver on April 21, 1964. Ruth remained in the city, where she passed away on April 9, 1990. The couple had no children.

George’s younger brother, Arthur Stanford Horton, was killed in action at Regina Trench, near Courcelette France, on October 2, 1916. Bantry Publishing’s “First World War Honour Roll of Guysborough County, Volume I: 1915 - 1917” contains a detailed description of Arthur’s military service.


2. Arthur Borden Roberts (2303880) was born at Canso, Guysborough County on April 30, 1892. According to 1901 and 1911 census records, Arthur was William and Sarah (Price) Roberts’ only child. On April 28, 1915, Arthur married Helen Mae Wallace in a ceremony held in the bride’s home community of Shubenacadie, Hants County. The couple took up residence at Stellarton, where Arthur worked as a machinist, possibly in the local Intercolonial Railway yard.

On October 1, 1917, Arthur attested for overseas service with the Nova Scotia Forestry and Construction Draft at Windsor, NS. Arthur and Helen had a two-month old daughter, Margaret, at the time of his enlistment. Following her husband’s departure, Helen returned to her home community, where she remained throughout Arthur’s overseas service.

Promoted to the rank of Sergeant on the day following his enlistment, Arthur departed for overseas on November 6, 1917 and landed in England two weeks later. Shortly after arriving overseas, he reverted to the rank of Sapper and was assigned to the 85th Engine Crew Company, Canadian Railway Troops (CRT), on November 27. Two weeks later, Arthur crossed the English Channel to France, where he served with his new unit throughout the winter of 1917-18 and into the summer months.

On August 26, Arthur was transferred to the 1st Bridging Company, Canadian Railway Troops, a new unit established in France for service in the eastern Mediterranean. According to its war diary: “An urgent request [had] been received… for a Canadian Bridging Company in Palestine, in view of the special experience of Canadians in this kind of work.” The unit obtained its personnel from various CRT units in France.

A total of five Officers and 244 “other ranks” (OR) departed for Palestine on September 20. Initially promoted to Lance Corporal shortly after his transfer, Arthur advanced to the full rank of Corporal prior to the unit’s departure for Palestine. He and his comrades arrived in Egypt at month’s end and completed preparations for service in the area.

Unfortunately, illness disrupted much of Arthur’s Mediterranean service. On October 25, he was admitted to the hospital ship Assaye, suffering from “PUO,” or “fever of unknown origin.” He was soon diagnosed with malaria and remained under medical care until early December. Briefly discharged to a convalescent camp, Arthur was admitted to No. 21 General Hospital, Alexandria, with tonsillitis on December 7. He was subsequently diagnosed with diphtheria and remained under care until early February 1919.

Arthur rejoined his unit at mid-month, only to depart for England on February 27. Three weeks later, 1st Bridging Company landed in England. Arthur departed for Canada aboard SS Minnekahda on May 14 and arrived at Halifax nine days later. He was formally discharged from military service at Halifax on July 3, 1919.

Following his discharge, Arthur rejoined his wife and daughter at Shunebacadie. While a document in his service file suggests that Arthur spent some time in Trois Rivières, QC in early 1921—perhaps related to his employment—other available information indicates that the couple remained at Shubenacadie. No further information is available on Arthur’s later life or death.


3. Clarence Abner Mills (2649511) was born at Sonora, Guysborough County on July 4, 1895, the third of Charles and Druscilla (Green) Mills’ seven children. Clarence was employed as a munitions worker in New Glasgow when he enlisted with the Canadian Army Service Corps at Halifax, NS on October 2, 1917. He was assigned to the local Military District No. 6 CASC Service Company, where he served as a “Driver.”

While Clarence was transferred to the 1st Depot Battalion, Nova Scotia Regiment, on April 23, 1918, he remained in Halifax throughout his military service and was discharged on “compassionate grounds” on January 16, 1919. His service file provides no explanation for this comment on his discharge certificate.

Clarence subsequently relocated to the United States, eventually settling at Worcester, MA. According to the 1940 United States census, he was married to “Gertrude M.,” a Canadian, and employed as a manager of a local bowling alley. There were no children in the household at that time. No information is available on Clarence’s death and final resting place.


4. Stanley Weston Sutherland (3105231) was born at Country Harbour Guysborough County on March 25, 1892, the ninth of Robert Henry and Elizabeth Jane “Libby” (McKeen) Sutherland’s 12 children. Stanley was living at Brockton, MA and working as a plasterer with Lambert & Hurley, Boston, MA at the time of the United States’ April 1917 entry into the First World War.

Pte. Stanley Sutherland
While Stanley registered for the US military draft at Brockton, MA on June 5, 1917, he subsequently decided to return to Canada for service. On October 8, 1917, he completed his military enlistment documents under the terms of the Military Service Act (1917) at Toronto, ON. Stanley subsequently served in France and Belgium as a “sapper” with the 7th Battalion, Canadian Engineers. Further details on his military service are not presently available.

Following his military discharge, Stanley eventually returned to Nova Scotia, where he married Lois Jean Hudson, a native of Cross Roads Country Harbour, on June 8, 1923. The couple raised a family of three children—two daughters and one son—at Country Harbour. Stanley Weston Sutherland passed away on October 11, 1982 and was laid to rest in Evergreen Cemetery, Country Harbour.

Pte. Stanley Sutherland (standing row, eighth from right).
Stanley’s younger brother, Harry Lee, also enlisted for military service at Saint John, NB on April 4, 1918 but fell ill shortly afterward. Harry died of pneumonia in Saint John Military Hospital on May 22, 1918. Bantry Publishing’s “First World War Honour Roll of Guysborough County, Nova Scotia, Volume II: 1918 - 1937” contains a detailed summary of Harry’s story.


5. John Thomas Meagher (2163444) was born on December 1, 1899, the oldest child of John and Elizabeth (McDonald) Meagher, Canso, Guysborough County. Elizabeth passed away from tuberculosis sometime after the 1911 Canadian census. According to provincial death records, a “John J. Meagher,” widower and fisherman, died of “phthisis” [pulmonary tuberculosis] at Canso on April 8, 1915 at the age of 46 years.

With both parents deceased, John attested for service with No, 8 Siege Battery Reinforcement Draft at Halifax, NS on October 10, 1917. Though not yet 18 years old, John gave his birth year as 1898 at the time of his enlistment. He departed Halifax aboard SS Metagama on December 4 and arrived in England 10 days later.

Admitted to military hospital on February 2, 1918 with acute bronchitis, John was discharged after two and a half weeks. He remained in England throughout the spring and early summer of 1918 and finally proceeded to the Canadian Artillery Base Depot in France on August 17, 1918. John was assigned to the 3rd Canadian Brigade’s 9th Siege Battery, Canadian Field Artillery, on September 4 and joined the unit in the field two days later. He served in the forward area throughout the remainder of the war, returning to England on April 25 1919.

On May 31, 1919, John departed for Canada aboard SS Adriatic and arrived at Halifax eight days later. He was formally discharged from military service on June 15, 1919. A medical examination performed prior to his discharge indicated that he suffered from “defective vision,” but otherwise noted no health concerns.

Following his discharge, John returned to Canso, where he resided with an aunt, Margaret (Mrs. John) Grady, to whom he had assigned a portion of his military pay during his overseas service. For several years, he worked as a cable operator at the Commercial Cable Company, Hazel, Hill, but departed for the United States sometime before 1930. He initially lived at Brooklyn, NY and later relocated to Massachusetts. Available records make no reference to marriage and indicate that John Thomas Meagher passed away in Massachusetts in October 1962.


6. Allan Ellsworth Pride (2649514) was born at Sonora, Guysborough County on September 3, 1895, the fourth of Captain Arthur Stinson and Margaret Ann “Maggie” (Dickson) Pride’s six children. Allan was working as a steel worker in New Glasgow when he travelled to Halifax and enlisted with the Canadian Army Service Corps (CASC) on October 11, 1917.

Allan served with No. 6 Company, CASC, at Halifax for the duration of the war. On November 6, 1918, while still enlisted, he married Helen May Fox, a native of Halifax. Following Allan’s discharge, the couple took up residence in the city. After Helen May’s untimely death on an unknown date, Allan married Flora Bell Cross, a native of Tancook Island, on May 20, 1925. Allan was employed as an “optician” at the time of his second marriage. According to available records, Allan Ellsworth passed away at an unspecified location on April 30, 1966.


7. Cecil James Cohoon (2303943) was born at Canso, Guysborough County on September 4, 1896, the youngest of Levi and Catherine Ann “Cassie” (Cavanaugh) Cohoon’s four children. Cecil attested with the Nova Scotia Forestry and Construction Draft at Windsor, NS on October 20, 1917 and departed for England one month later.

Cecil James Cohoon in later life.
Shortly after arriving overseas, Cecil fell ill. Admitted to Windlesham Court Hospital, Sunningdale, on December 30, he was diagnosed with “acute pericarditis.” Cecil remained under medical care for several months, during which time military authorities determined that his heart was enlarged and that he was suffering from VDH (valvular disease of the heart). On June 26, 1918, Cecil was invalided to Canada, where two months later he was discharged as “medically unfit.”

Cecil returned to Canso and resumed work as a fisherman. On November 4, 1920, he married Rose Amanda Eustace. The couple raised a family of 17 children in their Canso home. Cecil James Cohoon passed away at Camp Hill Hospital, Halifax, NS on January 3, 1951, and was laid to rest in Canso, NS.


8. Asa Harrington “Harry” Lumsden (1263873) was born at Canso, Guysborough County on November 2, 1887, the fourth of James Robert and Annie Rebecca (McLellan) Lumsden’s seven children. Harry’s younger brother, Percy, enlisted with the 48th Battalion at Victoria, BC on March 1, 1915. The unit was re-designated the 3rd Pioneer Battalion in January 1916 and crossed the English Channel to France in early March, Tragically, Percy was killed by artillery fire near Ypres, Belgium on April 16, 1916.

Pte. Asa Harrington "Harry" Lumsden
A second younger brother, Clarence Basil “Bill,” enlisted with the 25th Battalion at Halifax, NS on February 11, 1915. Bill volunteered for stretcher bearer duty while the unit was in England and subsequently earned the Military Medal for bravery in mid-June 1916 while evacuating wounded soldiers during fighting at Hill 60, near Ypres, Belgium. On October 1, 1916, while retrieving wounded soldiers from the battlefield at Thiepval Ridge, France, a machine gun bullet struck Bill in the left elbow. He was quickly evacuated to 4th General Hospital, Camiers, where surgeons amputated his left arm above the elbow joint. Bill was invalided to England in mid-October and returned Canada in mid-February 1917. He was officially discharged from military service on July 31, 1917.

Considering his brothers’ fate and his age, Harry’s decision to enlist was perhaps somewhat surprising. He had a secure job as labor foreman at A. N. Whitman’s, Canso, but was determined to serve his country. On October 23, 1917, Harry attested with the Nova Scotia Forestry and Construction Draft at Windsor, NS. He departed from Halifax aboard SS Canada on November 9 and landed at Liverpool, England 10 days later.

On December 24, Harry was transferred to the 21st Reserve Infantry Battalion. He spent the winter with the unit before receiving a transfer to the 10th Battalion (Calgary Highlanders) on April 7, 1918. The following day, he became the third member of his family to set foot in France during the war. Harry joined his new unit in the field on April 16 and served in the forward area throughout the summer of 1918.

In early August, the Canadian Corps participated in a major Allied counter-offensive, commencing at Amiens on August 8 and continuing at Arras on August 28. The 10th Battalion saw action in both battles and was in the line at Canal du Nord, near Cambrai, on September 27 for its third major engagement in less than two months. The following day, Harry was wounded in the ankle and invalided to England.

Harry remained in hospital for six weeks before being discharged to the Canadian Convalescent Depot on November 11, 1918. He rejoined the 21st Reserve Battalion’s ranks in mid-January 1919 and departed for Canada aboard HMT Princess Juliana on February 8, 1919. Harry was officially discharged from military service at Halifax on March 8 and returned home to Canso.

Harry resumed his position at A. N. Whitman for several years, but eventually opened his own grocery, confectionary and meat store in the community, in partnership with a friend. On September 29, 1927, Harry married Verna Lewis. He was later appointed to the office of Postmaster, a position he held until his untimely death from complications related to a stroke on April 24, 1948. Harry and Verna had no children.


9. Charles Hadden Spurgeon Sinclair (2303932) was born at Goshen, Guysborough County on April 23, 1893, the seventh of William and Mary (Polson) Sinclair’s 10 children and one of four brothers who enlisted for military service during the First World War. Charlie, as he was known to family, his brother William “Bill,” and a cousin, John Huntley Sinclair, were working in ore mines near Lowell, Arizona in June 1917 when they registered for the United States military draft. Rather than serve with American units, the trio chose to return to Canada and voluntarily enlist.

Left to right: Sinclair brothers James "Jimmy," Peter, Bill & Charlie.
While Bill headed west to British Columbia, Charlie Sinclair travelled to Nova Scotia, where he attested with the Nova Scotia Construction and Forestry Depot at Windsor on October 16, 1917. He departed from Halifax aboard SS Canada on November 9 and landed at Liverpool, England 10 days later. While Charlie initially reported to the Canadian Forestry Corps (CFC) Headquarters at Sunningdale, he never served with a CFC unit.

On December 21, Charlie was transferred to the 21st Reserve Infantry Battalion and commenced training for service in France. On April 7, 1918, Charlie was assigned to the 49th Battalion. Initially recruited in Edmonton, AB, the 49th had arrived in France with the 3rd Canadian Division’s 7th Brigade in October 1915 and served alongside the Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR), Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) and 42nd Battalion (Royal Highlanders of Canada, Montreal, QC) for the duration of the war.

The day following his transfer, Charlie crossed the English Channel to France and joined the 49th in the forward area on April 16. In early August, the Canadian Corps participated in a major attack on the German line east of Amiens, the beginning of a major Allied counter-offensive. The 49th’s soldiers participated in the August 8 attack and remained in the field for four days as units made significant gains.

Before month’s end, the battalion participated in a second major attack east of Arras. Once again, the 49th participated in the opening stage launched on August 26 and remained in the line for four days. After several days’ rest, the 49th returned to the forward area near Vis-en-Artois on the night of September 4 and re-entered the front trenches the following night. Its soldiers endured heavy artillery fire throughout the next several days.

On September 8, Charlie was admitted to a casualty clearing station for treatment of a shrapnel wound to his right arm. Two days later, he was evacuated to Étaples, where he was admitted to No. 26 General Hospital. His injuries proved to be slight and Charlie was discharged to a nearby Convalescent Depot on September 12. Five days later, he proceeded to St. Martin’s Rest Camp. On September 25, Charlie reported to the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Centre, where he waited less than a week before receiving orders to return to his unit.

Charlie rejoined the 49th in the field on October 3 and served with the battalion for the duration of the war. One month after the November 11 Armistice, he fell ill and was hospitalized at Étaples with influenza on December 13. Discharged on Christmas Eve 1918, Charlie returned to England on January 13, 1919 and reported to the Alberta Regimental Depot, Bramshott. He departed for Canada aboard HMT Celtic on March 10 and landed at Halifax after a six-day passage. Charlie Sinclair was formally discharged from military service on March 30, 1919.

Following his return to civilian life, Charlie married Violet Hodgson and eventually settled at Portage La Prairie, MB, where he worked as a lineman. The couple raised a family of two sons, Huntley and Vernon. No information is presently available on Charlie’s passing.

Charlie's youngest brother, James Murray Sinclair, served overseas with the 85th Battalion from July 1917 until late October 1918, when he was hospitalized near Valenciennes, France for treatment of tonsillitis. Invalided to England, his health worsened and James returned to Canada. He eventually died of tuberculosis at Halifax on August 14, 1919. Bantry Publishing’s “First World War Honour Roll of Guysborough County, Nova Scotia, Volume II: 1918 - 1937” contains a detailed summary of James' story.


10. John Huntley Sinclair (2303933) was born at South River Lake, Guysborough County on August 5, 1889, the eighth of Andrew and Christina “Christy” (Stewart) Sinclair’s nine children and one of three brothers who enlisted for military service during the First World War. Huntley was working with two cousins in ore mines near Lowell, Arizona when he registered for the United States military draft in June 1917.

Rather than serve with American forces, he accompanied one cousin, Charlie Sinclair, back home, where the pair enlisted with the Nova Scotia Construction and Forestry Depot at Windsor, NS on October 16, 1917. Their consecutive attestation numbers indicate that they stood in line together on the day of their enlistment, and their military service throughout the war followed the same paths.

On November 9, Huntley departed Halifax aboard HMT Canada and landed at Liverpool, England 10 days later. While he initially reported to the Canadian Forestry Corps’ Sunningdale Headquarters, Huntley accompanied his cousin, Charlie, to the 21st Reserve Battalion on December 24 and commenced training for infantry service in France.

The cousins were assigned to the 49th Battalion (Edmonton, AB) on April 7, 1918 and crossed the English Channel to France the following day. After a brief wait at the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp, Huntley accompanied Charlie to the forward area, joining the 49th’s ranks on April 14. Huntley served with the unit throughout the remainder of the war, participating in the major engagements of the Canadian Corps’ “100 Days”at Amiens, Arras and Cambrai. On October 1, he was received a promotion to the rank of Corporal.

Before month’s end, Huntley “proceeded on course to 1st Army Sniping School” and thus was not in the line for the final two weeks of fighting. He rejoined the 49th on November 12 and remained on the continent until February 8, 1919, at which time the battalion returned to England. One month later, Huntley departed for Canada aboard SS Adriatic and was formally discharged at Halifax on March 15, 1919.

Sometime after his return to Canada, Huntley married Florence Koehler, a native of Patterson, NJ. The couple eventually settled in Vancouver, BC, where they had at least one son, Ralph Leonard. Huntley Sinclair passed away at Shaughnessy Hospital, Vancouver, on February 13, 1965.


11. John Edward Worth (2303945) was born at Ogden, Guysborough County on May 7, 1895, the oldest of Edward King and Katherine Ann “Kelly” (McCallum) Worth’s 11 children. John was residing at New Glasgow when he enlisted with the Nova Scotia Railway Construction & Forestry Draft at Windsor, NS on October 20, 1917. No further details are available on his military service, although military records currently available online refer to his rank as “Sapper,” suggesting service with a Canadian Railway Troops or Canadian Engineer unit.

Following his discharge, John returned to Pictou County, where he worked in the local coal mines. On May 22, 1928, he married Mary Agnes MacDougall, a native of Bridgeville, Pictou County, in a ceremony held at Trenton, NS. No further information is available on John’s later life.

John’s younger brother, Joseph Ernest, also enlisted with the Canadian Forestry Corps and served in the Bordeaux region of France with No. 72 Company, CFC. After returning to England in January 1919, Ernie fell ill and passed away from a combination of influenza and pneumonia at Eastbourne, England on February 4, 1919. Bantry Publishing’s “First World War Honour Roll of Guysborough County, Nova Scotia, Volume II: 1918 - 1937” contains a detailed description of Ernie Worth’s overseas service.


12. Cecil Otis Boyd (2303957) was born at Canso, Guysborough County on June 26, 1884, the second of Isaiah Hatfield and Sarah Jane (Gregory) Boyd’s four children. As a young man, Cecil worked as a cable operator with the Commercial Cable Company, Hazel Hill. His father Isaiah, a stone mason by trade and a native of Argyle, Yarmouth County, passed away at Canso on March 20, 1910, while his widowed mother, Sarah Jane, died at Canso on January 8, 1916.

On October 23, 1917, Cecil enlisted for military service with the Nova Scotia Railway Construction and Forestry Draft at Windsor, NS. He departed from Halifax aboard SS Canada on November 9 and landed at Liverpool, England 10 days later. Cecil reported to the Canadian Railway Troops Depot, Purfleet, England, where the new arrivals underwent a thorough medical examination. According to a report contained in his service file, Cecil was “thin [and] slightly anaemic” and had “never done manual labour.” Doctors also reported “considerable tachycardia.”

As a result, officials determined that Cecil was “fit for Base Duty” only and he remained at Purfleet throughout the duration of his overseas service. On December 12, 1918, Cecil departed for Canada aboard HMTS Corsican. He arrived at Halifax on Christmas Day 1918 and was formally discharged from military service on January 18, 1919.

Following his discharge, Cecil returned to Canso, where he worked as a book-keeper. On November 18, 1924, he married Flora McPherson, a native of Port Morien, in a ceremony held at Glace Bay, NS. The couple had at least one child, a daughter Elfreda, who tragically died of bronchitis on January 2, 1939 at 13 years of age. Flora passed away at Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow, NS on March 7, 1940, the result of breast cancer. Cecil spent his remaining years at Canso, where he passed away in 1972. He was laid to rest in All Saints Anglican Cemetery, Canso, alongside his wife and daughter.


13 & 14. George Stewart Cameron (2100917) was born on February 18, 1899, at New Chester, Guysborough County, a small community located along the Ecum Secum River, near the Halifax County line. His older brother, John Duncan Cameron (2100916), was born on February 25, 1897. The siblings were the youngest of John and Lucinda (Bezanson) Cameron’s seven children. Sometime before 1911, their father passed away and the boys were taken in by their maternal uncle, James Bezanson. Their mother, Lucinda, married Garnet H. Turner, a native of Marie Joseph, at Halifax on September 12, 1912.

By 1917, the brothers had moved to Halifax, where George worked as a plumber and John as a labourer. On October 16, 1917. the pair enlisted with No. 10 Siege Battery at Halifax. They departed from Halifax aboard SS Canada on February 5, 1918 and arrived at Liverpool, England 11 days later. George and John made their way to Camp Witley, where they trained for three months before receiving a transfer to the Canadian Garrison Artillery’s Reserve Brigade on May 23, 1918. One month later, the brothers proceeded to France for service with a heavy artillery unit.

On July 9, George and John were assigned to the 2nd Brigade, Canadian Garrison Artillery and proceeded to the forward area. For unspecified reasons—perhaps their age—the brothers returned to the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Centre’s Artillery Pool on July 27 and remained there until December 30, 1918, when they were assigned to the 3rd Brigade, Canadian Garrison Artillery.

The siblings returned to England on April 2, 1919 and departed for Canada aboard HMT Mauritania one month later. George and John were discharged from military service at Halifax on May 14, 1919. Throughout their military service, both assigned a portion of their monthly pay to their mother, Lucinda.

Following his discharge, George returned to the Ecum Secum area, where he lived with his mother, Lucinda, and step-father, Garnet Turner. On October 26, 1921, he married Emma Maude Mailman, a native of Liscomb Mills. The couple raised a family of two children while George operated Cameron’s Garage at Ecum Secum. He passed away on September 22, 1989 and was laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery, Necum Teuch.

John also returned to Guysborough following his discharge and resided with his mother and step-father. On June 16, 1920, he married Alice Jean Publicover, a native of Ecum Secum, in a ceremony held at Halifax. The couple welcomed their first child, a son Allister, within a year of their marriage. John worked as a farmer and lumberman in the Ecum Secum area. He passed away on February 22, 1973 and was laid to rest in St. James Anglican Church Cemetery, New Chester, Guysborough County.


15. James Edward Tate (2303956) was born at Canso, Guysborough County on December 15, 1891, the elder of Henry Lewis and Elizabeth R. “Libbie” (Dickoff) Tate’s two sons.  Libbie passed away sometime after 1901 and Henry subsequently married Odessa Wilhelmina Simpson, a native of Manchester, Guysborough County, on September 29, 1903.

James attested with the Nova Scotia Construction and Forestry Draft at Windsor, NS on October 23, 1917. At the time of his enlistment, he gave his occupation as “blacksmith and motor work,” James’ father, Henry, was also a blacksmith by trade. No further information is available on James’ military service or later life.


16. Duncan Wendell Stewart (2303972) was born at South River Lake [Argyle], Guysborough County on December 4, 1894, the youngest of John and Christina “Christy” (Henderson) Stewart’s four children. Duncan was also a first cousin to Huntley John Sinclair (number 10 above). On October 27, 1917, Duncan enlisted with the Nova Scotia Construction and Forestry Draft at Windsor, NS. At present, no further details are available on his military service.

Following his discharge, Duncan returned to South River Lake, where he farmed. On June 26, 1923, he married Janet Esther Elsie MacIntosh, a native of Loch Katrine, in a ceremony held at Truro, NS. The couple resided at Loch Katrine. Duncan passed away at Camp Hill Hospital, Halifax on November 23, 1952 and was laid to rest in Kings United Church Cemetery, Loch Katrine, NS.


NOVEMBER 1917:

1. Uriah Furth Mason (VR 5429) was born at Isaac’s Harbour on May 25, 1886, the fourth of Patrick and Harriet C. (Clyburne) Mason’s nine children. Furth was a seaman by occupation and reportedly served aboard CS Mackay-Bennett, a Commercial Cable Company cable repair ship that recovered the majority of bodies after the April 1912 sinking of the ocean liner Titanic.

On November 6, 1917, Furth enlisted with the Royal Naval Canadian Volunteer Reserve (RNCVR). He initially served at Halifax with HMCS Niobe. On May 31, 1918, he was assigned to HMCS Guelph, the vessel on which he served until February 1, 1919. During his naval service, Furth was conscripted into military service (3181288) on March 25, 1918. Officials initially reported him as a “deserter” until discovering he had joined the navy.

Furth was discharged from military service on April 12, 1919 and returned to his civilian career as a mariner. On June 11, 1924, he married Hallie Evelyn Crooks, a native of Seal Harbour, in a ceremony held at Antigonish. The couple raised a family of five children—one daughter and four sons—in their Isaac’s Harbour home. Uriah Furth Mason passed away in April 1970 and was laid to rest in Isaac’s Harbour United Baptist Church Cemetery.


2. Andrew Irvin Jack (2655643) was born at Gegogan, Guysborough County on May 21, 1894, the third of Alfred and Esther Jane (Mailman) Jack’s five children. Alfred passed away on September 12, 1912, leaving his widow to care for their three youngest children. Andrew worked in the local fishery to support the family.

Pte. Andrew Irvin Jack, 85th Battalion.
On November 7, 1917, Andrew was conscripted into the 85th Battalion Reinforcement Draft under the terms of the Military Service Act (1917). Less than a month later, he departed from Halifax aboard SS Metagama and arrived at Liverpool, England after a 10-day passage. Andrew was immediately assigned to the 17th Reserve Battalion, the unit that provided reinforcements for Nova Scotian infantry units in the field. He spent the winter of 1917-18 training in England, finally receiving orders to report for duty with the 85th Battalion on April 7, 1918.

The following day, Andrew crossed the English Channel to France and joined the 85th in the field on May 4. With the exception of a brief period in hospital for treatment of a hernia in early June, he served in the field with the 85th Battalion for the duration of the war. The unit saw action at Amiens (August 8), Arras (August 26) and Cambrai (September 27) as the Canadian Corps participated in a major counter-offensive that eventually led to the November 11, 1918 Armistice.

Andrew remained in Belgium with the 85th throughout the winter of 1918-19. The battalion returned to England on May 4, 1919 and departed for Canada aboard HMT Adriatic at month’s end. Andrew landed at Halifax on June 7 and was discharged from military service at mid-month. He returned to Gegogan, where he took up residence with his widowed mother, younger brother Walter, and sister Lizzie.

On March 30, 1924, Andrew married Margaret Florence Fernandez, a native of the Sherbrooke area. The couple eventually established residence at Sonora, where they raised a family of 11 children—six boys and five girls. Andrew Irvin Jack passed away on April 17, 1987 and was laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery, Sonora.


3. Charles William “Charlie” Marr (3233293) was born at Boylston, Guysborough County on April 16, 1896, the fourth of Lawrence M. and Mary Amanda (McPherson) Marr’s 10 children. Charlie and his younger brother, Michael James, enlisted with the Composite Battalion at Halifax, NS in March 1916, but soon had second thoughts and were “struck off strength” in mid-July. While Michael returned to Guysborough County, Charlie eventually departed for Ontario, where he was drafted into military service at Toronto on November 11, 1917, under the terms of the Military Service Act (1917).
On April 8, 1918, Charlie departed from Halifax aboard HMT Tunisian and arrived at Liverpool, England after an 11-day passage. Assigned to the 12th Reserve Battalion (Ontario) upon arrival, Charlie spent the spring and early summer in training. On August 15, he was assigned to the 75th Battalion (Mississauga, ON) and crossed the English Channel to France. Charlie joined the unit in the forward area on September 3.

Charlie arrived at the front in the midst of a major Allied counter-offensive, launched in early August near Amiens, France. Canadian units were in the midst of their second major engagement in less than a month, registering significant gains east of Arras. Following its conclusion, Canadian units spent several weeks preparing for their next major assignment—an attack on Canal du Nord, near the city of Cambrai.

On the evening of September 26, the 75th assumed its designated assembly position, in preparation for an attack scheduled for the following morning. Charlie and his comrades were in the line at 5:20 a.m. September 27 as forward units attacked Canal du Nord. The 75th and its 11th Brigade comrades advanced behind the first wave of attacking units and prepared for their assignment—an attack on Bourlon Wood scheduled for later in the morning.

The 75th remained in reserve while its three Brigade mates—the 54th, 87th and 102nd Battalions—successfully captured their initial objectives by mid-afternoon. The 75th’s soldiers assisted their comrades in establishing a new defensive line before nightfall. Following a day of inactivity while other units continued the advance, the 11th Brigade returned to support positions behind the front line. On the morning of September 30, the 75th’s soldiers prepared for their first combat at Cambrai.

At precisely 6:00 a.m., the unit’s soldiers advanced with artillery support and immediately encountered intense machine-gun fire that inflicted heavy casualties. While the unit successfully reached its objective—a section of the Cambrai-Douai railway cutting and an adjacent sunken road—the unit on its right flank failed to keep pace. As a result, the 75th was subjected to heavy fire on its exposed flank and eventually retreated to a secure location. Throughout the remainder of the day, the soldiers endured fierce artillery shelling.

The 75th remained in the line throughout the following day, withdrawing to a position south of Bourlon Wood on the evening of October 1. The battalion suffered significant losses during its September 30 attack—eight Officers were killed and 16 wounded, while 85 of its “other ranks” (OR) were killed and 280 wounded. Charlie Marr was one of the day’s fatalities, “killed while taking part in the attack southeast of Sancourt.” He was laid to rest in Canada Cemetery, Tilloy-lez-Cambrai, France.

Pte. Charlie Marr's headstone, Canada Cemetery.
 Bantry Publishing’s “First World War Honour Roll of Guysborough County, Volume II: 1918 - 1935” contains a detailed description of Charle’s family background and military experience.


4. Lawrence Grady (2522470) was born on February 28, 1889, the youngest of four children born to Michael and Catherine (Chisholm) Grady, St. Francis Harbour, Guysborough County. Sometime before 1911, Lawrence relocated to Montreal, where he found employment as an insurance inspector.

On November 29, 1917, Lawrence was conscripted into service with the 79th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery (CFA), under the terms of the Military Service Act (1917). He departed Canada aboard SS Saxonia on February 18, 1918 and arrived at Liverpool, England two weeks later. Assigned to the CFA’s  Reserve Brigade, Lawrence spent six months in England before proceeding to France on October 8 as part of an Artillery Reinforcement Draft. At month’s end, he was assigned to the 79th Battery, 8th Army Brigade, CFA, as a “Driver.”

Lawrence joined his unit in the field on November 1, 1918. Nine days later, he was admitted to No. 10 Canadian Field Ambulance for treatment of a shrapnel wound to his back. His wounds proved to be minor and he was vacuated to No. 1 Casualty Clearing Station before day’s end. Lawrence was discharged to duty on November 14. Four days later, he rejoined the 79th Battery in the field.

On March 2, 1919, Lawrence returned to England with his unit. Three weeks later, he boarded HMT Northland for the return voyage to Canada. Upon arriving at Halifax on April 5, he boarded a train for Montreal, where he was discharged from military service on April 7, 1919. Lawrence gave his proposed address as “29 Hutchinson St., Montreal.” No further information is available on his post-war life, although one available document suggests that Lawrence relocated to the United States, passing away at Salem MA on May 14, 1981.

DECEMBER 1917:

1. Isaac Norman Fanning (4000071) was born at Isaac’s Harbour, Guysborough County on March 16, 1891, the sixth of Isaac Henry and Emma Elizabeth (McMillan) Fanning’s seven children. Sometime after 1911, Norman relocated to Ontario, where he worked aboard Great Lakes freighters.

On December 3, 1917, Norman was conscripted into service at London, ON, under the terms of the Military Service Act (1917). At the time of his enlistment, he was working aboard SS Sarnolite, an Imperial Oil Company vessel that operated out of Sarnia, ON. Norman had completed his medical examination on October 15, at which time he received a clean bill of health. Prior to his attestation, however, he developed pleurisy and pneumonia. A note on his medical records also indicated that Norman had “flat feet.”

As a result of his health issues, on December 28, Norman received a “leave of absence without pay indefinitely.” Military authorities cancelled his leave on January 12 and Norman reported for duty with the 1st Depot Battalion, Western Ontario Regiment. Perhaps due to concerns with his health, he remained in Canada for the duration of the war and was formally discharged from military service on January 25, 1919.

Norman continued to work on Great Lakes freighters following his discharge, although it appears that he occasionally returned home to Guysborough County. On July 21, 1921, he married Cassie Blanche Sinclair, a native of Goshen. The couple subsequently raised a family of two sons, Charles and James, while Norman worked on the freighters. On February 8, 1932, Isaac Norman Fanning passed away at Isaac’s Harbour following two years of poor health. He was laid to rest in Isaac’s Harbour United Baptist Cemetery.

Thursday 7 December 2017

Remembering Chief Machinist Mate John Cleveland Wells—Died Accidentally December 7, 1917

John Cleveland Wells was born on April 29, 1887, the fourth of nine children raised in the home of John Shelley and Mary Ann (Munroe) Wells, White Haven [Whitehead], Guysborough County. Sometime prior to 1911, John Cleveland relocated to Boston, MA, where his father had resided prior to his marriage, completed training in marine engineering, and obtained employment in the Boston shipyards.


During the early months of 1917, tensions between Germany and the United States increased dramatically, primarily due to concerns over the safety of American ships at sea. Perhaps sensing that war was imminent, John enlisted with the United States Naval Reserve Force (USNRV) at Boston, MA on February 21, 1917. Less than two months later, he was called to active service following the United States Congress’s April 6, 1917 declaration of war on Germany.

John was assigned to the USS Comber as a Chief Machinist Mate, 3rd Class. A new vessel initially built as a commercial fishing trawler, the Comber was commissioned into the US Navy on April 19, 1917. Refitted with mine-sweeping equipment, the ship conducted patrols in the waters around Naval Districts 1 (Portsmouth Naval Yard, Kittery, ME) and 2 (Newport, RI). John worked in the boiler room, ensuring that the plant provided propulsion, electrical power, water and steam to the vessel’s various systems.

Several months after John’s enlistment, his mother, Mary Ann, passed away at White Haven on August 20. His service record makes no mention of a leave of absence, suggesting that John continued to serve aboard the Comber throughout the summer and autumn of 1917.

On the evening of December 2, while on shore leave, John started to board a trolley car at the corner of Sumner and Washington Streets, Quincy, MA. When the car suddenly started, John was thrown to the ground. The back of his head struck the pavement and he was rendered unconscious. Rushed to a nearby doctor’s office for immediate attention, John was quickly transported to City Hospital, where staff determined that he had suffered a fractured skull.

John remained unconscious for several days, the force of the blow having ruptured his right meningeal artery. While surgeons performed surgery in an effort to stem internal bleeding, the operation proved unsuccessful. At 9:00 p.m. December 7, 1917, Chief Machinist Mate John Cleveland Wells “died as a result of an accident not in the line of duty.” His remains were transported to Nova Scotia, where John was laid to rest beside his mother in St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Cemetery, Mulgrave.

Bantry Publishing’s “First World War Honour Roll of Guysborough County, Nova Scotia, Volume I” contains a detailed description of John Cleveland’s family background and military service, along with stories of 71 other individuals who died from causes related to military service during the war’s first three years.

Wednesday 6 December 2017

Remembering Able Seamen James Irvine & Samuel Gordon Breen—Accidentally Killed December 6, 1917

James Irvine Breen was the born at Spanish Ship Bay, Guysborough County on December 10, 1893, the fourth of Mary Jane (Spears) and William Henry Breen’s seven children and the couple’s third son. A fourth son, Samuel Gordon, joined the family on September 10, 1896. William earned a living at sea and at least three of his sons followed his example. Creighton, the second-oldest, James and Gordon, the youngest, all enlisted with the Royal Naval Canadian Volunteer Reserve (RNCVR) during the First World War. James led the way, enlisting with the RNCVR at Halifax on January 28, 1916. Gordon joined on July 16, 1917, while Creighton enlisted in May 1918.

Able Seaman James Irvine Breen
Able Seaman Samuel Gordon Breen
James and Gordon served out of Halifax aboard HMCS Musquash, a privately owned vessel variously described as a tugboat and minesweeper. As the Canadian Department of Naval Services chartered the ship, its owners hired and paid the crew, an arrangement that placed the men in a different category—Class 2A, “crew of hired tugs”—than a majority of other RNCVR volunteers.

The Breen brothers worked below decks as “stokers,” fuelling the steam engine with coal and assisting with boiler maintenance and repair. It was hot, dusty work in an enclosed space that placed the men in great danger, should the vessel strike a mine or be targeted by a torpedo. Unfortunately, no details of the Musquash’s service are available. The ship first appears in historical records on the morning of December 6, 1917, when it was moored at Pier 8, near the dry dock wharf in Halifax Harbour.

At 8:45 a.m. that morning, the French cargo ship Mont Blanc, laden with benzol, the high explosive picric acid, TNT and gun cotton, collided with the Norwegian freighter Imo as the Mont Blanc made its way into port. Damaged and afire, the Mont Blanc drifted toward the Halifax shoreline as its crew quickly abandoned ship. At precisely 9:04 a.m., its cargo exploded, devastating the nearby Acadia Sugar Factory and the adjacent dry dock where the Musquash lay at anchor. The blast’s impact significant damaged the vessel, setting it adrift and causing an onboard fire.

As the Musquash drifted into the harbour, the presence of ammunition aboard raised fears of a second explosion. After HMS Highflyer, a Royal Navy ship, brought the vessel alongside, two of its crew bravely boarded the burning Musquash, threw its ammunition crates into the water, and opened the galley doors to allow a fireboat to extinguish the flames below deck. Tragically, nothing could be done to save the crew. Able Seamen Irvin and Gordon Breen perished during the incident, the coroner later attributing their deaths to “shock due to injuries in the explosion.”

James’ remains were transported to Liscomb, where he was laid to rest in St. Luke’s Cemetery. For unknown reasons—perhaps difficulty in identifying his remains—Gordon was buried in Section Q, St. John’s Cemetery, Fairview, alongside other sailors killed in the explosion. Sadly, little over one year later, their father, William, passed away, leaving their mother, Mary Jane, to pursue the issue of appropriate headstones and maintenance of their final resting places.

The unusual nature of their RNCVR assignment may explain the difficulty Mary Jane faced in obtaining Imperial War Graves Commission headstones for the graves. Neither was paid from naval funds, nor had they been formally “called out” for “active service”—they worked aboard a privately owned vessel that was chartered by the Department of Naval Services, not “commissioned” into service. Mary Ann’s persistence, however, eventually resulted in the appropriate markers for both graves. Military authorities also issued Memorial Plaques and Scrolls bearing their names to the brothers’ widowed mother.
Able Seaman James Irvine Breen's headstone, St. Luke's Cemetery, Liscomb, NS
Able Seaman Samuel Gordon Breen's headstone, Fairview Cemetery, Halifax, NS
Bantry Publishing’s “First World War Honour Roll of Guysborough County, Volume I: 1915 - 1917” contains a detailed summary of the Breen brothers’ story, along with profiles of 71 other Guysborough County military personnel who died in service during the war’s first three years.

Saturday 25 November 2017

Remembering Private Howard Lewis Fogarty—Died of Wounds November 25, 1917

Howard Lewis Fogarty was born at Crow Harbour (Fox Island), Guysborough County on September 30, 1895, the second-oldest of Johanna (Richard) and Edward Fogarty’s 15 children. Some time after 1911, Howard relocated to the Sydney area, where he worked as a labourer. On October 15, 1915, he enlisted with the 85th Battalion at Sydney.

Pte. Howard Lewis Fogarty.
Howard spent the winter of 1915-16 in Halifax, where the 85th established its Headquarters at the Armouries and trained on the adjacent Halifax Common. The formation of the Nova Scotia Highland Brigade in January 1916 delayed the unit’s departure until mid-October. Six weeks after its overseas arrival, military authorities selected a draft of 800 soldiers from the Brigade’s ranks, 200 from each of its four infantry battalions. Howard was among the 85th soldiers chosen for immediate service at the front and was assigned to the 13th Battalion on December 5, 1916. The following day, he crossed the English Channel to the Canadian Base Depot, Le Havre, France.

The 13th Battalion was the first of three units recruited by the Royal Highlanders of Canada, a Montreal-based militia unit with connections to Scotland’s “Black Watch.” The 13th travelled to England with the First Canadian Contingent in the autumn of 1914 and deployed at the front in April 1915 with the 1st Canadian Division’s 3rd Brigade. The 14th (Royal Montreal Regiment), 15th (48th Highlanders of Canada) and 16th (Canadian Scottish) Battalions rounded out the “Highland” Brigade’s personnel.

The 13th served in Belgium’s Ypres Salient for 16 months before relocating to the Somme region of France in late August 1916. The unit saw action at Courcelette (September 1916) and Ancre Heights (October 1916), and followed the Canadian Corps northward to sectors near Arras shortly afterward. On December 12, 1916, the battalion was encamped at Cambligneul when Howard and a group of 85th reinforcements joined its ranks. The unit returned to the line shortly afterward, serving in the area throughout the winter months.

On the morning of April 9, 1917, Howard and his 13th Battalion mates occupied support positions while their 3rd Brigade comrades attacked the German front line at Vimy Ridge. Following the successful assault, its soldiers proceeded across the battlefield and assisted in establishing new defensive positions along the captured ridge. After several months’ service in the Vimy area, the 13th participated in the Canadian Corps’ successful August 15 attack on Hill 70, near Lens.

Howard came through both engagements without injury and served with the 13th until mid-October, at which time, for unspecified reasons, he returned to the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp as the unit prepared to depart for Belgium. He returned to the unit following its Passchendaele deployment, where the unit served a regular rotation but did not directly participate in combat.

On November 14, Howard rejoined the 13th as it made its way from Ypres, Belgium to sectors near Lens, France. Two days later, he returned to the Avion sector’s front trenches as the battalion occupied positions along the Lens - Arras road, near La Coulotte, France. The tour’s early days were relatively quiet, muddy conditions presenting the greatest challenge. As a result, the soldiers worked steadily to repair collapsing trench walls.

German fire intensified on November 24, when one trench mortar landed in the midst of a “C” Company work party. Eight “other ranks” (OR) died instantly, while three OR died of wounds before day’s end and three OR were severely wounded. A second trench mortar struck a “D” Company work party, killing three OR and wounding one.

Howard was one of the four soldiers wounded in the two incidents. Evacuated to field ambulance for medical treatment, he was transported to No. 2 Casualty Clearing Station on November 25. Medical record described his condition as “dangerously ill,” due to severe shrapnel wounds to his legs. Before day’s end, Private Howard Lewis Fogarty “died of wounds received in the field.” He was laid to rest in Barlin Communal Cemetery, three miles north of Houdain, France.

Barlin Communal Cemetery (April 2015).
Bantry Publishing’s “First World War Honour Roll of Guysborough County, Nova Scotia, Volume I: 1915 - 1917” contains a detailed description of Howard’s family background and military service, along with profiles of 71 other individuals with connections to Guysborough County, all of whom died during the first three years of Canadian overseas service.

Tuesday 14 November 2017

Remembering William Eustace Anselm DeCoste—Died of Wounds November 14, 1917

William Eustace Anselm DeCoste was born at Mulgrave on September 25, 1897, the seventh of Edward and Caroline (Carrigan) DeCoste’s eight children. Three of Edward’s brothers worked in the coastal fishery out of Gloucester, MA, two perishing at sea when he was 17 years old. Undeterred by the dangers, Edward worked there for several years, but eventually returned to Mulgrave, where he worked on the Intercolonial Railroad.

William Eustace Anselm DeCoste
Eustace, as he was known to family, was the youngest of Edward and Caroline’s five sons. Sometime after 1911, he relocated to Pictou County and found employment at the Trenton steel mill. On March 9, 1916, Eustace attested for overseas service with the 193rd Battalion at New Glasgow, NS. After several months’ preparatory drill with a local detachment, he and his mates travelled to Camp Aldershot in late May and spent the summer in training with the 193rd and its three Nova Scotia Highland Brigade mates—the 85th (Nova Scotia Highlanders), 185th (Cape Breton Highlanders) and 219th Battalions.

The Brigade departed for England on October 12, 1916 and landed at Liverpool one week later. Its arrival coincided with the Canadian Corps’ deployment at the Somme, France. Significant casualties incurred in fighting at Courcelette and Regina Trench created a pressing need for reinforcements. In response, military authorities assembled a draft of 800 soldiers—200 from each Brigade unit—for immediate service at the front. Two Brigade battalions—the 193rd and 219th—were disbanded before year’s end and their personnel assigned to existing units in England.

Selected for the Highland Brigade draft, Eustace was assigned to the 42nd Battalion (Royal Highlanders of Canada) on December 5, 1916. The following day, he crossed the English Channel to the Canadian Base Depot at Le Havre and joined his new unit in the forward area on January 3, 1917.

The 42nd, a kilted Montreal unit affiliated with Scotland’s “Black Watch,” had arrived in France in October 1915 as part of the 3rd Canadian Division’s 7th Brigade. For almost a year, its soldiers served in Belgium alongside their Brigade mates—Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI), the Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) and the 49th Battalion (Edmonton, AB). In late summer, the Brigade followed the Canadian Corps to the battlefields of the Somme.

At the time of Eustace’s arrival, the 42nd was deployed in sectors near Vimy Ridge, France. The young soldier soon found himself in the front trenches, facing its daily perils. On February 13, 1917, Eustace was admitted to field ambulance with shrapnel wounds to his right eye, arm, face, foot and left hip. He spent the next two months recuperating in hospital at Étaples and thus was not in the line for the Canadian Corps’ historic attack on Vimy Ridge.

Eustace rejoined the 42nd near Vimy on April 21 and served with the unit in sectors near Leans, France throughout the summer and early autumn of 1917. On October 23, the battalion travelled northward by train to Ypres, Belgium and prepared for its role in the impending Canadian Corps attack on Passchendaele Ridge. Four days later, Eustace and his comrades entered Brigade Reserve near Wieltje, remaining there while the PPCLI and 49th Battalion participated in the attack’s second stage on October 30. The following night, the 42nd and the RCR made their way into the muddy line, in relief of their Brigade comrades.

Personnel spent several days establishing a new front trench before retiring to Ypres on the night of November 3/4. After a 10-day break, the 42nd returned to the recently captured ridge on the night of November 14. While the unit’s war diary makes no mention of artillery fire or casualties, sometime that day, Private Eustace De Coste was wounded by shellfire and rushed to an advance dressing station. He succumbed to his injuries before day’s end.

Pte. Eustace DeCoste's Memorial Plaque.
While Eustace was laid to rest in a nearby military cemetery, subsequent artillery fire destroyed many of Passchendaele’s “ad hoc” cemeteries. Officials were therefore unable to locate his grave after the end of hostilities. Eustace’s name is engraved on the Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium, one of more than 55,000 British and Imperial soldiers who died in the Ypres Salient during the war and have no known final resting place.

Bantry Publishing’s “First World War Honour Roll of Guysborough County, Nova Scotia, Volume I: 1915 - 1917” contains a detailed summary of Eustace’s family background and military service, along with profiles of 71 other Guysborough soldiers who died in uniform during the first three years of Canadian overseas military service. 

Friday 10 November 2017

First World War Honour Roll of Guysborough County, Nova Scotia (Revised May 2020)

I am pleased to announce the completion of a second volume of stories, outlining the family background and service of 64 Guysborough County military personnel who died during the final year of the First World War—killed in action, died of wounds or sickness in 1918—and during the post-war years—cause of death attributed to military service.

Posted below is an updated list of the “First World War Honour Roll of Guysborough County, Nova Scotia,” containing the names of all military personnel who died during or following the war. Included is their date and place of birth, parents’ names, date and place of death. Each entry also indicates which Honour Roll volume contains the individual’s story.

The first volume is currently available for purchase online at bantrypublishing.ca and at several locations in Antigonish, Guysborough and Pictou Counties, as listed on the Bantry Publishing Facebook page. The second volume will be available for purchase online before the end of November 2017, and plans for book launches and/or sales at Guysborough, Sherbrooke and Antigonish within the same time frame are being finalized. Details will be posted at bantrypublishing.ca , once arrangements have been confirmed.


First World War Honour Roll of Guysborough County, Nova Scotia

Archibald, Leonard Shirley: Born at Sonora on October 3, 1893, son of William A. and Susan (Hartling) Archibald. Killed in action near Inchy-en-Artois, France, on September 19, 1918. Volume II.

Armsworthy, Buckley Andrew: Born at Halfway Cove on May 14, 1896, son of Freeman and Elizabeth Abigail (Cox) Armsworthy, Canso. Died of sickness at New Glasgow, NS, on January 29, 1921. Volume II.

Ash, Rollie: Born at Guysborough on September 6, 1894, son of James Stanley and Esther Ann (Shepard) Ash, Antigonish, NS. Killed in action near Angres, France, on January 16, 1917. Volume I.

Avery, Joseph Edward: Born at Larry's River in October 1887, son of Alexander John and Elizabeth (Deslauriers) Avery, Cambridge, MA. Killed in action near Thiaucourt, France, on September 7, 1918. Volume II.

Barss, Charles Abner: Born at New Harbour on April 11, 1897, son of David Abner and Mary Caroline (Horton) Barss. Died of sickness at Liverpool, England, on August 25, 1918. Volume II.

Barss, Harold Edwin: Born at Canso on July 20, 1885, son of Isaac Elnathan and Lucy Ann (Embree) Barss. Killed in action near Courcelette, France, on September 30, 1916. Volume I.

Barss, Harrington John: Born at Canso on February 10, 1888, son of John Alexander and Sadie A. (Morris) Barss. Killed in action at Hill 70, near Lens, France, on August 16, 1917. Volume I.

Beals, Philip Sydney: Born at Billtown, Kings Co., NS on July 4, 1889, son of Rev. Francis H. “Frank” and Annie (Smith) Beals. (Rev. Beals ministered to a Canso Baptist congregation around the turn of the century.) Killed in action near Liévin, France, on June 19, 1917. Volume I.

Benight, George C.: Born at Wine Harbour on April 10, 1898, son of Lemuel and Annie (Boggs) Benight. Died of sickness at Halifax, NS, on April 28, 1923. Volume II.

Bezanson, Lewis Seaboyer: Born at Goldboro on March 4, 1897, son of Obediah Alphonso “Obed” and Charity Hope (Giffin) Bezanson. Died of sickness at Goldboro on March 16, 1921. Volume II.

Bingley, George Ernest: Born at Fisherman’s Harbour on November 28, 1888, son of William Henry and Anna “Annie” (Gibbs) Bingley. Died of sickness at Kentville, NS, on June 3, 1927. Volume II.

Borden, Allison Hart: Born at Guysborough on March 31, 1878, son of Rev. Jonathan Rand and Mary Elizabeth (Ells) Borden. (Rev. Borden was ministering to the local Methodist congregation at the time.) Died of sickness at Kentville, NS, on July 19, 1932. Volume II.

Boyd, James Tennant Whitworth: Born at Glenelg on May 13, 1891, son of Rev. Andrew and Margaret Arabella (Stewart) Boyd, Port Arthur, Ontario. Died of sickness at Brighton, England, on June 16, 1918. Volume II.

Breen, James Irvine: Born at Spanish Ship Bay on December 10, 1893, son of William Henry and Mary Jane (Spears) Breen. Died in fire aboard HMCS Musquash in Halifax Harbour on December 6, 1917 (“Halifax Explosion”). Volume I.

Breen, Samuel Gordon: Born at Spanish Ship Bay on September 10, 1896, son of William Henry and Mary Jane (Spears) Breen. Died in fire aboard HMCS Musquash in Halifax Harbour on December 6, 1917 (“Halifax Explosion”). Volume I.

Burns, Louis John: Born at Sonora on June 2, 1897, son of John Penney and Helen “Nellie” (Cass) Burns. Died of sickness at Halifax, NS, on March 1, 1917. Volume I.

Burns, Robert: Born at Salmon River Lake on May 15, 1891, son of Robert E. and Ellen J. (Long) Burns. Killed in action near Dickebusch, Belgium, on November 25, 1915. Volume I.

Callahan, Alexander: Born at Manchester on February 20, 1894, son of Burton J. and Susan Maria (Whitman) Callahan. Killed in action near Cagnicourt, France, on August 28, 1918. Volume II.

Cameron, Alexander Hugh: Born at Caledonia on February 18, 1891, son of Daniel Angus and Mary Ann (Cameron) Cameron. Killed in action near Fresnoy-en-Gohelle, France, on May 7, 1917. Volume I.

Cameron, James Alexander: Born at East River St. Mary's on January 19, 1897, son of Angus Grant and Christina (Fraser) Cameron. Killed in action at Hill 70, near Lens, France, on August 17, 1917. Volume I.

Cameron, John Angus: Born at Caledonia on December 8, 1889, son of Daniel Angus and Mary Ann (Cameron) Cameron. Killed in action near La Coulotte, France, on February 17, 1918. Volume II.

Cameron, William Robert Gideon: Born at Guysborough Intervale on January 17, 1892, son of Alexander and Janet C. (Polson) Cameron. Killed in action at Courcelette, France, on September 15/16, 1916. Volume I.

Carrigan, William Henry: Born at Sand Point on September 7, 1889, son of Edward and Rachel Carrigan, Milford. Died of sickness at Halifax, NS, on May 16, 1918. Volume II.

Chisholm, Daniel Angus: Born at Salmon River Lake on February 8, 1879, son of Andrew and Catherine (Boyle) Chisholm. Killed in action near Crézancy, France, on July 16, 1918.  Volume II (updated digital edition).

Clooney, James William: Born at Sherbrooke on November 8, 1889, son of William H. and Elizabeth Ann “Bessie” (Bennett) Clooney. Killed in action near Angres, France, on January 16, 1917, Volume I.

Connolly, Edward Lewis: Born at Milford Haven Bridge on June 20, 1891, son of Patrick and Margaret (Cudahee) Connolly. Died of wounds near Ligny-sur-Canche, France, on August 30, 1918. Volume II.

Crooks, James Roland: Born at Ecum Secum on April 15, 1892, son of Thomas R. and Sarah (Fraser) Crooks. Died of sickness at Pictou, NS, on February 28, 1916. Volume I.

David, Neil Cornelius: Born at Port Felix on June 6, 1896, son of William Henry and Bridget (Bellefontaine) David. Killed in action at Passchendaele, Belgium, on October 30/31, 1917. Volume I.

Davidson, Truman Bishop: Born at Isaac’s Harbour on August 3, 1885, son of Robert G. and Marcella M. “Mercy” (Langley) Davidson, Stellarton, Pictou County. Died of sickness at Rouen, France, on August 1, 1917. Volume I.

DeCoste, William Eustace: Born at Mulgrave on September 25, 1897, son of Edward and Carolina (Carrigan) DeCoste. Died of wounds at Passchendaele, Belgium, on November 14, 1917. Volume I.

Dickson, John Rood: Born at Sonora on December 7, 1891, son of John and Druscilla (Hewitt) Dickson. Died of sickness at Charleroi, Belgium, on February 26, 1919. Volume II.

Dort, David Luke: Born at Cole Harbour on August 12, 1897, son of William Peter and Margaret Mary (Jamieson) Dort. Died of wounds at Halifax, NS, on May 8, 1919. Volume II.

Dort, George Louis: Born at Peas Brook on November 25, 1897, son of George L. and Martha Jane (George) Dort. Killed in action at Vimy Ridge, France, on April 9, 1917. Volume I.

Dort, Leo Harold: Born at Cole Harbour on June 11, 1896, son of David H. and Lilla (O’Leary) Dort. Died of wounds near Avion, France, on July 4, 1917. Volume I.

Dort, Thomas Leo: Born at Canso on August 4, 1893, son of James A. and Bridget Jane (George) Fort. Died of sickness at Canso, NS, on April 2, 1926. Volume II.

Earle, Vernon: Born at Heart's Content, Newfoundland on June 20, 1884, son of Edmund Page and Louise Clark (Hadley) Earle, Canso. Died of wounds near Comines, Belgium, on July 14, 1916. Volume I.

Feltmate, Percy: Born at Hazel Hill on September 20, 1893, son of Adam and Mary Alice (Rhynold) Feltmate. Killed in action near Élouges, Belgium, on November 7, 1918. Volume II.

Ferguson, James DeWitt: Born at Halifax on November 9, 1891, son of Bessie Ferguson, Wine Harbour. Killed in action near Boiry, France, on August 28, 1918. Volume II.

Ferguson, William Henry: Born at Lochaber, Antigonish County on August 18, 1867, son of James and Margaret “Mooreg” (Stewart) Ferguson, Halifax, NS. Died of sickness at Dartmouth, NS, on March 4, 1916. Volume I.

Fogarty, Howard Lewis: Born at Crow Harbour (Fox Island) on September 30, 1895, son of Edward and Johanna (Richard) Fogarty. Died of wounds near Avion, France, on November 25, 1917. Volume I.

Fogarty, Martin Joseph: Born at Fox Island on November 1901, son of Joseph and Catherine (Daley) Fogarty. Died of sickness at Halifax, NS, on December 25, 1918. Volume II.

Fougere, Peter (Pierre): Born at Larry's River on April 31, 1897, son of Simon (Simion) and Eunice Agnes (Petipas) Fougere. Killed in action near Courcelette, France, on October 1/2, 1916. Volume I.

Fraser, Alexander Murray: Born at Pictou on March 5, 1894, son of Alfred William and Christina “Tina” (Murray) Fraser (spent childhood in Sherbrooke, as father worked at Goldenville). Killed in action at Mount Sorrel, Belgium, on June 13, 1916. Volume I.

Fraser, Charles Hugh: Born at Guysborough Intervale on October 19, 1890, son of Daniel Joseph and Clara Ann “Annie” (MacPherson) Fraser, Taber, Alberta. Died of wounds near Vimy, France, on June 25, 1917. Volume I.

Fraser, Donald Drummond: Born at Sherbrooke on November 14, 1895, son of Alfred William and Christina “Tina” (Murray) Fraser. Died of wounds near Vimy Ridge, France, on April 12, 1917. Volume I.

Fraser, James John Ignatius: Born at Mulgrave on October 12, 1899, son of John James and Elizabeth “Lizzie” (O'Neil) Fraser. Died of wounds at Rouen, France, on March 24, 1917. Volume I.

Fraser, James Gibson Laurier: Born at New Glasgow on September 14, 1895, son of former Guysborough MP Duncan Cameron and Elizabeth “Bessie” (Graham) Fraser. Killed in action near Lens, France, on March 4, 1918. Volume II.

Fraser, Margaret Marjorie “Pearl”: Born at New Glasgow on March 20, 1884, daughter of former Guysborough MP Duncan Cameron and Elizabeth “Bessie” (Graham) Fraser. Perished at sea 187 km. west of Fastnet Rock, Ireland, on June 27, 1918. Volume II.

George, Joseph Henry: Born at Port Felix on February 18, 1894, son of William and Margaret (Pellerin) George. Died accidentally (drowning) at Sydney, NS, on September 12, 1915. Volume I.

Giffen, Perry Judson: Born at Goldboro on June 21, 1985, son of Obed Chute and Theodosia Ernst (Bezanson) Giffin, Halifax, NS. Died of wounds at Peterborough, ON, on February 19, 1937. Volume II.

Giffin, Randolph Murray: Born at Isaac's Harbour on June 27, 1896, son of John MacMillan and Emma Maria (MacMillan) Giffin. Killed in action near Rouvignies, France, on October 22, 1918. Volume II.

Grencon (Greencorn), Roy Quentin: Born at Canso on May 7, 1899, son of David Frederick and Mary Jane “Jennie” (Armsworthy) Greencorn. Killed in action at Hill 70, near Lens, France, on August 15, 1917. Volume I.

Gunn, John Berrigan: Born at Country Harbour on September 7, 1891, son of William and Barbara Gunn. Killed in action near Courcelette, France, on October 1, 1916. Volume I.

Hadley, William Croft: Born at Guysborough on March 14, 1899, son of James E. and Martha J. (McKenzie) Hadley. Killed in action near Inchy-en-Artois, France, on September 23, 1918. Volume II.

Hall, William George: Born at Leighton, England on January 24, 1897, son of George and Eliza (Hodgson) Hall, step-son of Arthur C. Giffin, Goldboro. Killed in action near Bapaume, France, on September 3, 1916. Volume I.

Hallett, Vincent Stephen: Born at Country Harbour on December 20, 1898, son of Freeman and Sarah Elizabeth (Davidson) Hallett. Killed in action near Villers-lés-Cagnicourt, France, on August 28, 1918. Volume II.

Hape, William Kenneth: Born at Ecum Secum on October 28, 1886, son of John Henry and Sarah Adeline (Pye) Hape, Wallace Grant, Cumberland County. Killed in action near Arras, France, on April 5, 1918. Volume II.

Hart, Lee Martin: Born at Halifax on March 7, 1890, son of Major George Norris Wilberforce “Will” and Ella Blanche (Smith) Hart. Killed in action at Vimy Ridge, France, on April 9, 1917. Volume I.

Hayne, James Arthur: Born at Country Harbour on August 18, 1892, son of William and Viola (McNeil) Hayne. Killed in action near La Coulotte, France, on May 1, 1917. Volume I.

Henderson, John Howard: Born at Stormont on March 1, 1897, son of James Shier and Pamela (Latham) Henderson. Died of sickness at Camp Hill Hospital, Halifax, NS, on May 29, 1918. Volume II (revised digital edition only).

Hendsbee, Russell C.: Born at Half Island Cove on October 26, 1897, son of Thomas Frederick and Mary Sophia “Minnie” (Snow) Hendsbee. Died of sickness at Halifax, NS, on October 16, 1918. Volume II.

Hodgson, Lester Dean: Born at Goldboro on August 28, 1896, son of Hiram and Elizabeth (Reynolls/Reynolds) Hodgson. Died of sickness at Halifax, NS, on December 23, 1918. Volume II.

Horton, Arthur Stanford: Born at Canso on November 17, 1893, son of Hiram Charles and Henrietta Elizabeth “Hattie” (Worth) Horne. Killed in action near Courcelette, France, on October 2, 1916. Volume I.

Horton, Vernon Cecil: Born at Roachvale on November 16, 1893, son of Moses Cook and Caroline Oressa “Carrie” (Nickerson) Horton. Died of sickness at Antigonish, NS, on March 21, 1926. Volume II.

Hull, Courtney Alban: Born at New Glasgow on October 6, 1897, son of Joseph Henry and Alice Rebecca (Moser) Hull, Country Harbour. Killed in action near Lens, France, on July 10, 1917. Volume I.

Jordain, William Andrew: Born at New Town on June 6, 1890, son of Peter and Carolyn Gordon “Carrie” (Archibald) Jordain. Killed in action at Passchendaele, Belgium, on October 30, 1917. Volume I.

Keating, James Baker: Born at Gloucester, Mass. on November 22, 1888, son of James and Mary Ellen (Flood) Keating, Canso. Died accidentally (drowning) in Swash Channel, New York Harbour, on October 11, 1918. Volume II.

Kelly, Lewis Walker: Born at Caledonia on May 21, 1895, son of George Walker and Laura Emma (Fulton) Kelly. Died of wounds at London, England, on October 25, 1918. Volume II.

Kennedy, Harold: Born at Guysborough on February 26, 1898, son of Helen M. Hester, Seattle, WA, and nephew of William Kennedy, Guysborough. Killed in action at Vimy Ridge, France, on April 9, 1917. Volume I.

Kirk, Oscar Howe: Born at Riversdale, Queens Co, on October 19, 1891, son of Rev. Joseph Howard and Laura (Christie) Kirk, East River St. Mary's. Died of wounds at Voormezeele, Belgium, on July 18, 1916. Volume I.

Knocton (Nocton), Charles Patrick: Born at South Intervale on December 25, 1895, son of Patrick and Abigail Annie (Bond) Knocton. Died of sickness at Amherst, NS, on March 10, 1918. Volume II.

Langille, Charles Burton: Born at Liscomb on November 15, 1894, son of David James and Margaret Ann (Lang) Langille. Killed in action near Avion, France, on June 22, 1917. Volume I.

Layton, Harold Brown: Born at Canso on July 16, 1897, son of Herbert Lauren and Rebecca (Mosher) Layton, Middleton, NS. Died of sickness at Halifax, NS, on June 30, 1918. Volume II.

Levangie, Arthur Freeman: Born at Port Felix on May 18, 1893, son of George and Sophia (Cashen) Levangie. Killed at Vimy Ridge, France, on April 9, 1917. Volume I.

Lipsett, Ralph Stanley: Born at Middle Manchester on March 16, 1891, son of Edward Stanley and Caroline Eliza “Carrie” (O'Brien) Lipsett. Killed in action near Cambrai, France, on September 29, 1918. Volume II.

Long, William Edward: Born at Rogerton on October 11, 1889, son of Patrick and Mary Jane “Minnie” (Burns) Long. Killed in action at St. Julien, Belgium, on April 24, 1915. Volume I.

Lumsden, Percy: Born at Canso on April 24, 1890, son of James Robert and Annie Rebecca (McLellan) Lumsden. Died of wounds in Ypres Salient, Belgium, on April 16, 1916. Volume I.

Lynch, John William: Born at Liscomb on December 13, 1894, son of William and Mary Garroway (Morris) Lynch. Died of sickness at Halifax, NS, on December 27, 1915. Volume I.

McCallum, Arthur: Born at Ogden on April 20, 1885, son of James and Bridget (Fitzgerald) McCallum. Died of sickness at Étaples, France, on June 4, 1917. Volume I.

McDonald, Alexander: Born at Upper Big Tracadie on March 9, 1897, son of Michael and Bridget (Grant) McDonald. Died of sickness at Halifax, NS, on June 13, 1918. Volume II.

MacDonald, Angus: Born at Havre Boucher, Antigonish Co. on October 28, 1888, son of Duncan D. and Elizabeth (MacDonald) MacDonald, Mulgrave. Accidentally killed during training at Bully-les-Mines, France, on October 26, 1916. Volume I.

MacDonald, John Daniel: Born at Arisaig, Antigonish Co. on April 3, 1884, son of Donald and Flora MacDonald (John Daniel was married and living in Mulgrave at time of enlistment). Died of wounds near Avion, France, on April 27, 1917. Volume I.

MacDonald, John Kenneth: Born at Caledonia on July 23, 1892, son of James Cumming and Margaret Annabelle “Maggie” (McQuarry) MacDonald. Killed in action neat Veerstraat, Belgium, on July 30, 1916. Volume I.

MacDonald, Thomas Howard: Born at Mulgrave on December 15, 1877, son of Dr. Patrick Alexander and Annie Bridget (Condon) MacDonald. Perished at sea 187 km. west of Fastnet Rock, Ireland, on June 27, 1918. Volume II.

McIsaac, Archibald “Archie”: Born at Hazel Hill on May 30, 1890, son of Angus and Ellen McIsaac. Killed in action near Zillebeke, Belgium, on June 10, 1916. Volume I.

McIsaac, Joseph Manson: Born at Fox Island on August 28, 1899, son of Daniel and Jane (Watkins) McIsaac. Killed in action near Maroc, France, on July 21, 1917. Volume I.

McKenzie, Arthur: Born at Canso on November 12, 1897, son of David and Maria (Uloth) McKenzie. Died of sickness at Hazel Hill on May 13, 1917. Volume I.

McLeod, Harry: Born at Halifax on August 24, 1887, son of Neil and Lavina Grace (O’Hara) McLeod and nephew of James and Alina (Sangster) O'Hara, New Harbour. Killed in action near Méharicourt, France, on August 9, 1918. Volume II.

MacMillan, Horace Goddard: Born at Isaac's Harbour on December 22, 1892, son of Stephen and Jane (Buckley) MacMillan. Died of wounds at Étaples, France, on May 19, 1918. Volume II.

MacPherson, Leslie Reuben: Born at Guysborough Intervale on December 12, 1895, son of James and Maria (Nocton) MacPherson. Killed in action in the St. Mihiel Salient, France, on September 16, 1918. Volume II (revised digital edition only).


Mailman, Lockie: Born at Gegogan on September 26, 1896, son of Jacob and Harriet Louise “Hattie” (Baker) Mailman. Killed in action near Raillencourt, France, on September 27, 1918. Volume II.

Manson, Francis Stewart “Frank”: Born at Sherbrooke on December 2, 1892, son of George W. and Lucy (Walters) Manson. Died of sickness at Kamloops, BC, on August 3, 1918. Volume II.

Manuel, Arthur James: Born at Canso on February 4, 1893, son of William and Mary (McNeary) Manuel. Killed in action near Inchy-en-Artois, France, on September 25, 1918. Volume II.

Marr, Charles William: Born at Boylston on April 16, 1896, son of Lawrence M. and Mary Amanda (McPherson) Marr. Killed in action near Cambrai, France, on September 30, 1918. Volume II.

Mills, Clayton R.: Born at Port Hilford on January 15, 1888, son of Robert Bruce and Ann “Annie” Scott (McKeen) Mills. Killed in action near Caix, France, on August 9, 1918. Volume II.

Morgan, Joseph Charles: Born at Guysborough on January 5, 1879, son of Joseph Christopher and Elizabeth Ann (Hadley) Morgan. Died of sickness at Guysborough, NS, on September 19, 1917. Volume I.

Morris, Thomas Richard “Tommy”: Born at Nerissa on February 4, 1890, son of Richard S. and Sarah Ann (Ross) Morris. Killed in action near Albert, France, on October 16, 1916. Volume I.

Morrison, Nathaniel “Neil”: Born at Mulgrave on October 20, 1879, son of Roderick and Euphemia (McIsaac) Morrison. Accidentally killed near Jedburgh, Scotland, on October 10, 1918. Volume II.

Munro, Abram Arthur: Born at Whitehead on February 22, 1892, son of Arthur MacPherson and Elizabeth A. “Lizzie” (Greencorn) Munro. Died of wounds at Toronto, ON, on January 30, 1935. Volume II.

Munroe, Allan Ellsworth: Born at Whitehead on July 31, 1894, son of Andrew David and Anna Ernest “Annie” (Ehler) Munroe. Killed in action at Vimy Ridge, France, on April 9, 1917. Volume I.

Myers, Willard Spurgeon: Born at Cole Harbour on June 27, 1892, son of Frederick Levi and Catherine Margaret (Gillie) Myers. Killed in action near Cambrai, France, on September 29, 1918. Volume II.

Nickerson, Wilfred Asa: Born at Canso on December 8, 1896, son of Reuben and Sarah (Swain) Nickerson. Accidentally killed (explosion) near Thélus, France, on June 4, 1919. Volume II.

O'Brien, James Edward: Born at Canso on March 26, 1896, son of John J. and Elizabeth (Landry) O'Brien. Killed in action near Fouquescourt, France, on August 10, 1918. Volume II.

O'Donoghue, Charles Kingston: Born at Canso on August 11, 1897, son of Charles and Frances M. C. (Baird) O'Donoghue. Killed in action near Cambrai, France, on September 27, 1918. Volume II.

O'Haley (Haley), Simon: Born at Port Felix on October 28, 1898, son of John Adam and Matilda “Minnie” (Richard) O'Haley. Killed in action near Dury, France, on September 2, 1918. Volume II.

O'Hara, Lester Conwell: Born at New Harbour on February 7, 1894, son of James Alexander and Alina (Sangster) O'Hara. Killed in action at Courcelette, France, on September 17, 1916. Volume I.

Potter, Gordon Vincent: Born at Fisherman's Harbour on October 13, 1897, son of Thomas and Martha (Bingley) Potter. Killed in action near Dury, France, on September 2, 1918. Volume II.

Pye, Laurier Falconer: Born at Sherbrooke on October 26, 1896, son of Charles Waddell and Eugenia “Gene” (Jollota) Pye. Died of wounds at Camiers, France, on October 5, 1918. Volume II.

Rabbie, John J.: Born at Hazel Hill on September 18, 1899, son of George and Elizabeth “Lizzie” (Barry) Rabbie. Died of sickness at Halifax, NS, on December 15, 1918. Volume II.

Reynolds (Rhynold), John: Born at Canso on January 5, 1883, son of Anthony and Margaret Louise (Haines) Reynolds. Died of wounds near Vimy, France, on June 19, 1917. Volume I.

Rhynold, John Scott: Born at Canso on August 4, 1885, son of William David and Mary M. (Hurst) Rhynold. Died of sickness at Halifax, NS, on October 13, 1920. Volume II.

Richmond, James: Born at Mulgrave on September 29, 1891, parents unknown. Killed in action near Courcelette, France, on October 1, 1916. Volume I.

Scranton, John Samuel: Born at Manchester on June 23, 1879, son of William and Ann Jane Scranton. Killed in action in Ypres Salient, Belgium, on July 5, 1916. Volume I.

Sinclair, James Murray: Born at Goshen on April 10, 1898, son of William and Mary (Polson) Sinclair. Died of sickness at Halifax, NS, on August 14, 1919. Volume II.

Smith, Albyn R.: Born at St. Francis Harbour on August 10, 1894, son of George and Nancy (Avery) Smith, adopted son of Jeffrey and Charlotte Pelrine, Larry's River. Killed in action at Passchendaele, Belgium, on October 30, 1917. Volume I.

Smith, Martin: Born at St. Francis Harbour on November 9, 1894, son of Thomas and Mary (MacNeil)  Smith, Mulgrave. Died of sickness at Keighley, England, on July 2, 1917. Volume I.

Smith, Raymond Edward: Born at Mulgrave on January 25, 1887, son of Thomas and Mary (McNeil) Smith. Killed in action near Cambrai, France, on September 30, 1918. Volume II.

Somers, Owen Delbert: Born at Middle Melford on January 21, 1896, son of David A. and Harriet A. (Grant) Somers. Died of wounds at Camiers, France, on November 4, 1917. Volume I.

Spears, William Robertson: Born at Spanish Ship Bay on May 15, 1898, son of Nelson and Mary Ann “Annie” (Howlett) Spears. Killed in action near Oppy, France, on March 18, 1918. Volume II.

Stewart, Samuel Robert: Born at Two Mile Lake on July 22, 1877, son of William and Mary E. Stewart. Died of sickness at Westville, NS, on May 28, 1918. Volume II.

Stoutley, Ralph Leslie: Born at Guysborough on March 10, 1894, son of James Edward Albert “Ned” and Rachel A. (Bacchus) Stoutley. Killed in action near Lens, France, on July 6/7, 1917. Volume I.

Sullivan, Thomas: Born at Canso on August 22, 1885, son of David and Mary (Sutherland) Sullivan. Died of wounds at Poperinghe, Belgium, on November 5, 1917. Volume I.

Sutherland, Harry Lee: Born at Country Harbour on February 20, 1897, son of Robert Henry and Elizabeth Jane “Libby” (McKeen) Sutherland. Died of sickness at Saint John, NB, on May 22, 1918. Volume II.

Suttis (Waterhouse), Thomas William “Tommy”: Born at Leeds, England on July 20, 1884, son of Isaac and Caroline (Townson) Waterhouse, Leeds, England and adopted son of David and Emma Eunice (Atwater) Suttis, Indian Harbour. Killed in action at Passchendaele, Belgium, on October 30, 1917. Volume I.

Swaine, Arthur: Born at Canso on May 10, 1891, son of Samuel Isaiah and Emily Myra “Emma” (McLellan) Swaine Jr. Killed in action near Courcelette, France, on September 21, 1916. Volume I.

Swaine, Benjamin Wallace: Born at Canso on December 11, 1897, son of Samuel Isaiah and Emily Myra “Emma” (McLellan) Swaine Jr. Accidentally killed (gunshot) at Cité St. Pierre, France, on March 24, 1918. Volume II.

Swaine, John William: Born at Canso on September 19, 1891, son of Rupert and Eunice J. “Jennie” (Talbot) Swaine. Killed in action near Éleu-dit-Leauwette, France, on June 28, 1917. Volume I.

Swaine, Roland Judson: Born at Canso on February 6, 1893, son of Samuel Isaiah and Emily Myra “Emma” (McLellan) Swaine Jr. Killed in action near St. Eloi, Belgium, on April 14, 1916. Volume I.

Swain, Sydney Garfield: Born at Grosvenor on June 11, 1898, son of Charles and Hattie Amelia (Fitt) Swain. Killed in action near Inchy-en-Artois, France, on September 25, 1918. Volume II.

Sweet, Ralph B.: Born at Goldenville on February 11, 1896, son of Burton Samuel and Alice Cox (Eaton) Sweet. Died of sickness at Dartmouth, NS, on March 25, 1916. Volume I.

Tate, John William “Jack”: Born at Melrose on August 29, 1880, son of Daniel and Catherine Ann “Cassie” (Sullivan) Tate. Killed in action near St. Eloi, Belgium, on February 28, 1915. Volume I.

Taylor, James Arthur: Born at Forks St. Mary's on August 13, 1882, son of John William and Mary Ann (Mason) Taylor. Died of wounds at Vimy Ridge, France, on April 10, 1917. Volume I.

Tory, Charles Howard: Born at Guysborough Intervale on March 2, 1886, son of James William and Elizabeth Anne (Gillie) Tory. Killed in action at St. Julien, Belgium, on April 24, 1915. Volume I.

Tyner, Clifford: Born at Port Hilford on April 27, 1893, son of Rev. James Edmund and Winifred B. “Winnie” (Shankle/Schenkel) Tyner, Vermillion, Alberta. Killed in action near Courcelette, France, on October 11, 1916. Volume I.

Uloth, William Thomas: Born at Whitehead on December 18, 1894, son of John Samuel and Margaret Jane “Maggie” (George) Uloth. Died accidentally (drowning) at Arras, France, on November 12, 1918. Volume II.

Wells, John Cleveland: Born at Whitehead on April 29, 1887, son of John Shelley and Mary Ann (Munroe) Wells. Died accidentally (fall) at Quincy, MA, on December 7, 1917. Volume I.

Whitman, Wilfred Joseph: Born at Manchester on March 29, 1897, son of Rufus William and Nellie Gavin (McDonald) Whitman. Died of wounds at Villers-Brettoneux, France, on August 17, 1918. Volume II.

Williams, Courtney: Born at Cole Harbour on April 2, 1897, son of Elisha and Georgina (Harrigan) Williams. Killed in action in Ypres Salient, Belgium, on July 13, 1916. Volume I.

Worth, Joseph Ernest: Born at Ogden on October 19, 1896, son of Edward King and Katherine Ann “Kellie” (McCallum) Worth. Died of sickness at Eastbourne, England, on February 4, 1919. Volume II.