From Perth Remembered—130th Battalion marching down Gore Street 1915.
Also read —Family History Tip: Researching and Remembering Our Veterans by Arlene Stafford Wilson
5th November, 1917
Dear Sister and All:
Just to let you know I am well and getting on fine. I suppose you heard I was slightly wounded and reported a casualty but glad to say I will be about again in a few days. I met H. Reid coming out of action while I was going in; he looked well and is safe as far as I know. R. Gamble was well when I left for the dressing station but a large number of the 240th boys were gone the long trail fighting like heroes and died like men not afraid of doing all that Canada expected of her soldiers and more. I must mention one who when severely wounded in the knee was ordered back to the rear when the word passed along Fritz is coming over. He simply said I cannot run but I can shoot and fixing his bayonet charged over the parapet with the rest of the company which was the last I heard of him. Then there is something else you would be interested in—how the Red Cross are doing their bit. I saw them taking a wounded man on a stretcher and wading almost through knee deep mud and shells bursting everywhere carrying on coolly as if it were raining and carrying the stretcher for a distance of almost two miles, wounds dressed and placed in a motor ambulance then rushed to the hospital where they receive every attention imaginable for comfort. I will write again soon so do not worry and I expect to be out of the hospital in a short time.
Your loving brother,
Pte. J.F. Brown #1042469
21st Battery, Canada, France
Unidentified photographer, Unidentified Soldier and Wife 1914–18, gelatin silver print, 9 × 14 cm. Private collection.–Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum
Pte. John Gibson, Bathurst who lately returned from the battlefields suffering from physical weakness, was honored by his neighbors and friends at a public gathering in Campbell’s Hall, Fallbrook, on Thursday night, 24thJan., when an address was read and Reeve John Blair addressed the meeting and called to witness the unselfish spirit which prompted Pte. Gibson to leave the comforts of civil life for the sake of his country’s honor. He had joined the ranks of that noble band of young lusty Canadians who had done so much to establish the name of Canada firm and lasting among the best of the earth who are determined that justice and truth shall not perish. Many would never return but there names and the deeds they did will remain in the hearts and memories of all loyal Canadians who are proud that the might of her sons did not fail in the hour of peril. Mr. George Kerr also added words of eulogy for gallant service and welcome to the hearts and affections of the people of the soldier’s old home. Mr. DeQuitteville and Miss Margaret Blair added to the pleasure of the occasion by their singing of songs and also recitations by Miss Lake, Ruby Skillington and Jessie Anderson. Pte. Gibson acknowledged all these kind marks of esteem and assured his hearers that he was proud to be a Canadian more than ever. He enlisted in March of 1915 with the 130th Battalion and continued in the ranks with his comrades to France and all through the important operations in which he took part.
Perth Courier, Feb. 22, 1918
Pte. Hugh Miller, son of Mrs. Benjamin Miller of North Burgess returned from overseas to his home on Monday last. He went overseas with the 93rd(Peterboro) Battalion and saw considerable service in France before being severely wounded in the limb in January of 1917. He spent one year in hospitals in England.
Shanon Bowers
From Perth Remembered–Part of the 42nd Lanark and Renfrew Regiment and the First Active Service Draft from that Regiment, marching down Gore Street in front of Conway’s, Thursday 20th August 1914. The Officer, second from the right is Captain W.H.V. Hooper of Carleton Place Ontario. The march past of the Perth business section before proceeding to the C.P.R. Station to entrain for Valcartier Camp, Québec.
Pte. Alf Fielding who has been overseas for two years returned home this week on leave.
Correction in the List of Appeals
In the list of Military Service Act appeals last week those given as disallowed were disallowed further exemptions by the Appeal Tribunal but exemption granted by the other local tribunals still remain as before. Therefore, it must not be understood the original exemptions obtained by applicants were also disallowed. A number of errors crept into the list which was quite lengthy and the current exemptions in these cases are as follows:
- J. Sadley, allowed to October, 1920, Carleton Place
James Legary, allowed while farming, McDonald’s Corners
Robert W. Sargeant, exempt till Class 2, Maberly, #2
Fred L. W- – i n -, allowed, Almonte, #4
Howard McCreary, exempt while farming, Carleton Place
Wallace M. Johnson, exempt till Class 2, Carleton Place
Byron Bolton Bowland, exempt as farmer, Carleton Place, @1
William J. Henry, exempt till Class 2, Carleton Place, #1
John W. Cram, allowed, Carleton Place
Donald N. McDougall, allowed, Carleton Place
Thomas Albert Armstrong, allowed, Carleton Place #1
John Alfred Lowe, allowed, Carleton Place #1
Russell Hammond Willows, allowed, Carleton Place #1
John Thomas Sadler(?), allowed, Carleton Place #1
Russell G. Burns, Category C., Lanark
Walter G. Cameron, allowed to Sept., 1918, Fallbrook
Lawrence Flemming, Category C
Stephen McArthur, Category E., Almonte
William Aubrey Hunt, allowed to September, 1918, Pakenham
Frances L. Galvin, allowed to January 15, 1919(?), Carleton Place
Albert Henry Cooper, allowed to Sept. 1, 1918, Stanleyville
James Joseph Pennett, allowed while farming, Perth #2
Thomas C. Morris, allowed to April, 1918, Carleton Place
Perth Remembered—CHRISTMAS DAY 1940, found J. C. Murphy in Reykjauik, Iceland, with the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa in H.G. Co. “Murph”, a member of the Perth Legion.
The Epworth League and Sunday School of Carleton Place Methodist Church received a letter from Capt. Hooper still a prisoner of war in Switzerland acknowledging a Christmas parcel and stating that he is to have another chance for release. If on examination he is 50 per cent physically unfit his release will be allowed.
Mrs. Robert Cordick of town received the following letter recently from the lieutenant commanding the platoon in which her son the late George Cordick was serving when he fell in Belgium.
Dear Mrs. Cordick:
I have put off many times writing you about your son’s death. I had the honor to command the platoon which your son was in for most of the summer and I got to know him well. We went through many bad places and had many lucky escapes then came the big fight in Belgium. We all went into it with a splendid spirit which of course brought us a victory but at a great cost. Your son and many of the old timers were killed. It will be a consolation to you to know that your son gave his life gallantly doing his duty. He was just lightly wounded but still kept on until he received the wound from which he later died. He was recommended for conspicuous bravery and if he would have lived would have been decorated. I often say when I write my own mother that there are many worse things that could happen to me then being killed out here. I fell that we are really fighting for our own people at home and that eventually we will win and gain that freedom for humanity of which we Canadians are so proud. Pray that we will be worthy of that victory soon. I know that you will be a sorrowful mother and remember the sacrifice your son has made is for the most noble cause.
With my best wishes,
Your son’s friend
- F. Malkin(?), Lt.
From Perth Remembered-The photo shows a group of girls and soldiers in front of the Perth Railway Station in 1914. Recognized are Murray Walker and Olive Sinclair (right back row) and Doris Wilson (Fraser) centre front row.
Lt. Stanley Kerfoot, son of Mr. George Kerfoot, Smith’s Falls, met with an accident Friday night at Brockville. He was en route overseas and at about 6:30 Friday evening as the soldier train was pulling out of the station Lt. Kerfoot was walking from one coach to another and in the darkness mistook the direction and fell from the car. He was picked up but as the train was moving slowly he got only a bad shaking up and several scratches about the face and body. He was conveyed to the hospital in Brockville and is now resting comfortably.
John D. Brady left Sunday evening to join the Flying Corps and before his departure was presented with a handsome gold wristwatch by the choir of St. James Church of which he was a member. (note, the address given with the presentation was not transcribed.)
Photo Sapper Fred Hale
Sapper Fred Hale, son of Mrs. Richard J. Hale of town who went overseas with the Canadian Engineers. He is at present at a hospital in France ill with the trench fever and came through the Passchenduele(?) engagement
Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read.
Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in Hometown News
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