Sunday, 24 August 2008
Last Female First World War Veteran Dies
Gladys Powers, born in England in 1899, she lied about her age to join the British Women's Army Auxiliary Corps and then served in the British Women's Royal Air Force as a waitress. During the war she met Canadian soldier, Ed Luxford, and came to Canada as a War Bride. Gladys Powers moved to Abbotsford BC in 1992, where she lived at Valhaven Rest Home until her death at the age of 109.
Wednesday, 20 August 2008
Canada's Hundred Days
A period of history I can't gloss over. 90 years ago, Canada was the spearhead in the eventual German defeat and surrender. Generally called the Hundred Days offensive, it can also be called Canada's Hundred Days. During this time the Canadian Corps fought at Amiens, the Hindenburg Line, Canal du Nord, Bourlon Wood, Denian, Valenciennes and finally, Mons, on the last day of the War. All four Canadian Divisions defeated or caused the retreat of thirty-four German Divisions during this time. August 8th, 1918 became known as "the black day for the German Army" as the Canadians and Aussies broke through German lines at the Battle of Amiens and gained 8km. By August 10th, the Germans had pulled back.
Between August 26 and September 2nd, the Canadian Corps launched their attack on the Hindenburg Line, starting at Canal du Nord. The fighting was intense, costing 11,400 causalities, but the Canadians broke the line.
On September 27th, the Canadians and British Armies began their next offensive. On this day the Canadian Corps captured Bourlon Wood. This, along with the British Armies' achievements smashed the Hindenburg Line. By October 11th, Cambrai was captured and the Canadian Corps stopped as a whole at Canal de la Sensee. For the next month individual divisions continued the advance, taking Valenciennes and coninuting to Mons.
Between August 26 and September 2nd, the Canadian Corps launched their attack on the Hindenburg Line, starting at Canal du Nord. The fighting was intense, costing 11,400 causalities, but the Canadians broke the line.
On September 27th, the Canadians and British Armies began their next offensive. On this day the Canadian Corps captured Bourlon Wood. This, along with the British Armies' achievements smashed the Hindenburg Line. By October 11th, Cambrai was captured and the Canadian Corps stopped as a whole at Canal de la Sensee. For the next month individual divisions continued the advance, taking Valenciennes and coninuting to Mons.
Monday, 18 August 2008
So Now What?
As you can see, I've traced Jack's service during the First World War and his life afterwards. I'm still researching and reading what I can so I will update when I find something new and interesting. There are still more pictures to post and a lot more I can talk about so please stay tuned.
Saturday, 16 August 2008
November 1918-December 1969
The war was finally over, but it would be many months before Jack would return back to Canada. He would not fully recover from his bout of influenza until February 1919. From there he was attached to C.C.C. Kinmel Park for return to Canada. On February 19th, Jack sailed home on the Empress of Britain.
Now this is a piece of history that isn't widely known, but there was a large scale riot of Canadian soldiers a few weeks after Jack left camp. Conditions at Kinmel Park were far from ideal. Even though the war was over days were filled with marches, military exercises, and medical examinations. The food was bad and local store owners inflated their prices, so any luxurious the soldiers could have bought were expensive. Many soldiers just wanted to return home and start up their lives again, but military bureaucracy slowed them down. On March 4th 1,000 soldiers stationed there had enough. Canteens were burned, local store owners had their establishments destroyed and looted. On March 5th, officers and a few "loyal" troops tried to take control of the situation. Five Canadian soldiers were killed, twenty-eight injured, fifty-one were eventually court martialed. The government covered up the mutiny and records of it still are sealed to the public.
Jack arrived back in Canada on February 25th 1919 and soon was TOS with the 2 District Depot in Toronto to be discharged. He had been away from home all most three years and no doubt the reunion between him and Alma was a happy one.
While at #2 D.D, Jack under went a medical board, where they found him unfit for further duty in the CEF. He was discharged to a convalescent home as an out-patient, where the ongoing injury to his foot was finally looked at properly.
His discharge came into effect on March 18th 1919. Given his war service gratituty and later his "mut and jeff" campagin medals, Jack's war was finally over.
Unlike many returned soldiers, Jack was able to secure work quickly at his father-in-law's (Frank Kerr) tannery. Jack soon left this job as he could not stand the smell. Using the skills he learned while with the 123rd Pioneer Battalion, Jack went to work as an electrician with Toronto Hydro. He and Alma quickly settled down and had four children, Frank (my grandfather) Edward, Patricia and Milton.
In 1939, war was declared with Germany again. Frank, part of the 48th Highlanders, was one of the first soldiers to go over to England. He spent most of the war in England, where he rose to the rank of first Lieutenant. Edward joined the RCAF and went over to England in 1943. In February 1944, his bomber was shot down over Germany. There were no survivors.
Now this is a piece of history that isn't widely known, but there was a large scale riot of Canadian soldiers a few weeks after Jack left camp. Conditions at Kinmel Park were far from ideal. Even though the war was over days were filled with marches, military exercises, and medical examinations. The food was bad and local store owners inflated their prices, so any luxurious the soldiers could have bought were expensive. Many soldiers just wanted to return home and start up their lives again, but military bureaucracy slowed them down. On March 4th 1,000 soldiers stationed there had enough. Canteens were burned, local store owners had their establishments destroyed and looted. On March 5th, officers and a few "loyal" troops tried to take control of the situation. Five Canadian soldiers were killed, twenty-eight injured, fifty-one were eventually court martialed. The government covered up the mutiny and records of it still are sealed to the public.
Jack arrived back in Canada on February 25th 1919 and soon was TOS with the 2 District Depot in Toronto to be discharged. He had been away from home all most three years and no doubt the reunion between him and Alma was a happy one.
While at #2 D.D, Jack under went a medical board, where they found him unfit for further duty in the CEF. He was discharged to a convalescent home as an out-patient, where the ongoing injury to his foot was finally looked at properly.
His discharge came into effect on March 18th 1919. Given his war service gratituty and later his "mut and jeff" campagin medals, Jack's war was finally over.
Unlike many returned soldiers, Jack was able to secure work quickly at his father-in-law's (Frank Kerr) tannery. Jack soon left this job as he could not stand the smell. Using the skills he learned while with the 123rd Pioneer Battalion, Jack went to work as an electrician with Toronto Hydro. He and Alma quickly settled down and had four children, Frank (my grandfather) Edward, Patricia and Milton.
In 1939, war was declared with Germany again. Frank, part of the 48th Highlanders, was one of the first soldiers to go over to England. He spent most of the war in England, where he rose to the rank of first Lieutenant. Edward joined the RCAF and went over to England in 1943. In February 1944, his bomber was shot down over Germany. There were no survivors.
For Jack, who survived Vimy Ridge and the horrors of Passchandaele, the death of his son in the another European War, was huge blow that he never recovered from. Though, this new war did not stop Jack from trying to join up again. Deemed too old, he instead joined the Veterans Guard and spent the war guarding military installations.
After the war, Jack returned to Toronto Hydro and worked till his retirement in the 1960's. All though his health began to deteriorate from diabetes, he still played all the hockey he could. Finding his condition unmanageable, Alma and Jack made the decision to relocate closer to their son Frank and his family in Ottawa. In early 1969, Jack was admitted to Veterans Hospital as it was becoming difficult to care for him at home. On December 23rd 1969, Jack died in hospital with Alma and Milton by his side. He was given a simple soldier's funeral on Christmas Day.
Tuesday, 12 August 2008
Oh! It's A Lovely War!
For those who doubted you make a musical about the First World War. I just saw it recently for the first time the other day and I was blown away. I never thought I could find a movie about this period funny but this one is. More satire than anything else, I think it's one of the most accurate movies about the War I've ever seen (all the songs sung were really songs from that period.)
Monday, 11 August 2008
Sunday, 10 August 2008
Pictures
Well the day finally came, I bought my all in one printer, enjoy!
Jack and Alma by their home in Toronto before he shipped out
Another picture while on leave
Jack and Alma by their home in Toronto before he shipped out
Another picture while on leave
Camp Borden, Jack is the one with sweater
December 1917-November 1918
I've decided to do a brief summary of the time between December 1917-November 1918 as there isn't much information to do individual blog posts.
December 1917 saw Jack still in hospital recovering from appendicitis (and the complications from the surgery.) On December 17th Jack was discharged from the hospital. Upon leaving the hospital, he was given a new kit of clothing (new boots, uniform, etc.) Two days after being discharged from the hospital, Jack reported back to the dispensary do to an abraded right heel. The cause? Ill fitting boots. To protect his foot, the boot was cut and for the next five months Jack could not wear any type of shoe or even walk on it. To make matters worse, the heel soon became infected. Jack soon recovered from this latest medical emergency and sent to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Woodcote Park in Epsom to recover further.
On March 11, 1918, Jack was pronounced fit for duty and transferred to the Canadian Engineer Training Depot (CETD) in Seaford, where he trained to head back to the front. For whatever reason this did not occur and in May 1918, Jack was taken on strength with the 1st Canadian Engineer Reserve Battalion, where he worked as a driver.
On November 9th 1918 (a year since Passchandeale) Jack reported to the 13th Canadian Hospital in Hastings with a case of influenza. The 1918 Influenza pandemic would eventually kill 20 million people worldwide. Many soldiers at the front and back in England fell victim to the virus.
But with all the tragedy, some good finally came. At 11:00am on November 11, 1918, the armistice was announced. The war was over.
For Jack, it brought an end to all most two years of overseas service (with 9 months of service at the front.)
December 1917 saw Jack still in hospital recovering from appendicitis (and the complications from the surgery.) On December 17th Jack was discharged from the hospital. Upon leaving the hospital, he was given a new kit of clothing (new boots, uniform, etc.) Two days after being discharged from the hospital, Jack reported back to the dispensary do to an abraded right heel. The cause? Ill fitting boots. To protect his foot, the boot was cut and for the next five months Jack could not wear any type of shoe or even walk on it. To make matters worse, the heel soon became infected. Jack soon recovered from this latest medical emergency and sent to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Woodcote Park in Epsom to recover further.
On March 11, 1918, Jack was pronounced fit for duty and transferred to the Canadian Engineer Training Depot (CETD) in Seaford, where he trained to head back to the front. For whatever reason this did not occur and in May 1918, Jack was taken on strength with the 1st Canadian Engineer Reserve Battalion, where he worked as a driver.
On November 9th 1918 (a year since Passchandeale) Jack reported to the 13th Canadian Hospital in Hastings with a case of influenza. The 1918 Influenza pandemic would eventually kill 20 million people worldwide. Many soldiers at the front and back in England fell victim to the virus.
But with all the tragedy, some good finally came. At 11:00am on November 11, 1918, the armistice was announced. The war was over.
For Jack, it brought an end to all most two years of overseas service (with 9 months of service at the front.)
Michael McDonagh, diary entry (11th November, 1918)
Looking through my window I saw passers by stopping each other and exchanging remarks before hurrying on. They were obviously excited but unperturbed. I rushed out and inquired what was the matter. "The Armistice!" they exclaimed, "The War is over!"I was stunned by the news, as if something highly improbable and difficult of belief had happened. It is not that what the papers have been saying about an Armistice had passed out of my mind, but that I had not expected the announcement of its success would have come so soon. Yet it was so. What is still more curious is that when I became fully seized of the tremendous nature of the event, though I was emotionally disturbed, I felt no joyous exultation. There was relief that the War was over, because it could not now end, as it might have done, in the crowning tragedy of the defeat of the Allies. I sorrowed for the millions of young men who had lost their lives; and perhaps more so for the living than for the dead - for the bereaved mothers and wives whose reawakened grief must in this hour of triumph be unbearably poignant. But what gave me the greatest shock was my feeling in regard to myself. A melancholy took possession of me when I came to realize, as I did quickly and keenly, that a great and unique episode in my life was past and gone, and, as I hoped as well as believed, would never be repeated. Our sense of the value of life and its excitements, so vividly heightened by the War, is, with one final leap of its flame today, about to expire in its ashes. Tomorrow we return to the monotonous and the humdrum. "So sad, so strange, the days that are no more!"
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