www.ns.legion.ca 153 Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion Lance Corporal Blanchard V. Gass Editor’s note: The following story was copied from an original newspaper article of 1917 (see photo on page 155) FELL ON THE FIELD OF HONOR Heroic Service of Young Blanchard Gass – Noble Record of a Sorrowing Family With the receipt of the intelligence that Lance Corporal Blanchard Gass, son of Mr. Robert Gass, of Shubenacadie, has been killed in action , there is another name added to the already long list of the heroic Nova Scotian boys who have died in the defence of their country. Lance Corporal Gass was only a boy when he enlisted, barely seventeen, but his spirit was the spirit worthy of a man of more mature years. He first joined the 64th Battalion on August 7th, 1915, but was later transferred to the senior Battalion of the Nova Scotia Highland Brigade, on the formation of that unit with which he has served ever since, and with which he went overseas. While at Aldershot, the young soldier qualified for a lieutenancy, but he preferred to go with his battalion in the ranks, rather than remain behind with the prospect of a commission. During his connection with the Battalion, he has from time to time received many commendations from his officers for efficiency and good conduct. Fine Work as a Recruiter When the campaign for raising the Highland Brigade came on Blanchard was sent to his native village, and in two weeks enlisted about 100 men from the young men of Shubenacadie and district for the Highland Brigade. Popular in his native village, light hearted , optimistic and loyal to a fault, the young hero succeeded in this work where many might have failed and now, he has made the Great Sacrifice when only 19 years of age. All his work was done in the full realization of all it meant to himself and family but realizing his duty he did not hesitate. Mr. and Mrs. Gass and all the family have the deep sympathy of the community and hosts of friends in the death of their heroic boy, and while the parents are almost heartbroken, knowing the sunshine has been taken from their home, never to return, they are able to say, “Thank God for such boys as Blanchard; thank God for his clean, manly life. Aye, thank God for such a family.” Lance Corporal Blanchard V. Gass continued ...
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