VETERANS’ SERVICE RECOGNITION BOOK - Volume Nineteen The Royal Canadian Legion NOVA SCOTIA / NUNAVUT COMMAND
Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 1 On behalf of the Government of Nova Scotia, I would like to extend my sincerest appreciation to our Nova Scotia military members, veterans and their families for the enormous contributions and sacrifices they have made and continue to make to ensure our safety, both domestically and abroad. I’m proud of our Province’s longstanding military history and I want to acknowledge the important role our veterans and troops play in our Province’s social fabric. I know this as the Minister of Military Relations, the MLA of Eastern Passage; home of CFB Shearwater, and as the proud mother of a son in the Canadian Armed Forces. Nova Scotians have participated in all of Canada’s military operations abroad and continue to play a critical role during times of domestic hardship, including their rapid response in assisting in environmental disaster relief, search and rescue efforts, and more. I would like to acknowledge the Nova Scotia Nunavut Command of the Royal Canadian Legion for all they do to support our veterans, including honouring them in this annual Veterans Recognition Book. We are forever indebted to our veterans for their selflessness and bravery during service. The Canadian Armed Forces truly are the backbone of our East Coast community, and our Province is immensely proud of our troops, both past and present, for their valuable service and sacrifice. Honourable Barbara Adams, MLA Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister responsible for Military Relations NS Department of Intergovernmental Affairs
Veterans’ Service Recognition Book – Volume 19 2 Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion Table of Contents - Volume 19 Minister Responsible for Military Relations Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 President's Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Project Chairman/Editor's Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Executive Director, Craig Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Features Poster and Literary Contest Winners – 2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Veterans Receive Quilts of Valour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 William Cochrane RCN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Allan Coggon – an Aviatore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Douglas Cox - Evader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 James Gibson Laurier Fraser WWI and Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Hormidas Fredette – The last survivor of C Force . . . . . . . . . . . .45 Chief Petty Officer John James Gascoigne, RNR . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 Roderick Douglas Graham WWI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59 Major Errol Stewart “Bubby” Gray, MM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 George Douglas MacDougall WWII . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 Brigadier General Reverend Doctor Colin Nickerson, MC, CD, DD, MStJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 Gary Silliker, Peacetime and Special Duty Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75 Aubrey Spidle – Highlander and Forceman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77 Francis Nelson Whynot, MM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83 Nova Scotians who were decorated for their actions during the Korean War . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87 Nova Scotian war dead and wounded of the Korean War . . . . . . . . .97 Nova Scotia war dead of the Florence War Cemetery . . . . . . . . . . .125 Pipers of the 25th Nova Scotia Overseas Battalion in World War 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129 Shot at Dawn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137 The first Military Medal awarded to a Canadian soldier in WW II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141 The short life of Canso A 11062 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145 Veterans BARRETT, Harold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149 BOUDREAU, William A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149 BRITTON, Louis W. M. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149 CAMPBELL, Peter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151 DAVID, Tyrone Joseph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151 DIGOUT, Murdock Henry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151 FRASER, Alistair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153 FRASER, James Gibson Laurier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153 FRASER, Margaret Pearl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153 GEDDES, Donald Larry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155 GEDDES, Donald Lloyd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157 GERO, Norman Joseph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157 GILBY, Alan D. “Jake” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157 GIONET, Alcide J. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159 GOYETCHE, Arthur Raymond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159 GOYETCHE, Charles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159 GRAHAM, Harriet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161 JOHNSON, Terrence Robert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161 JOSHUA, Reggie John R. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161 KELLS (SMITH), Ruth May . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163 KNOTT, Mary Patricia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165 LAFFIN, Marsden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165 LANDRY, Bastine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165 LANDRY, Cletus Lorenzo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .167 LANDRY, George . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .167 LANDRY, Gervase Alfred . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .167 LANDRY, John Lazarus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169 LANDRY, Lloyd Amos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169 LANDRY, Raymond Martin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169 LARADE, Paul . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171 LEBLANC, Alfred Abram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171 MacCUISH, David . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171 MacDONALD, John A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173 MacINTOSH, Charles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173 MacKENZIE, Alexander Chisholm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173 MacLENNAN, William Roderick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175 MacLEOD, Alexander Hugh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175 MacLEOD, D. A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175 MacLEOD, John A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177 MacLEOD, Philip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177 MALIN, Richard James . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177 MARTELL, Charles Paul . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179 McPHEE, Alphose Joseph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179 McPHEE, George W. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179 MORRISON, Russel C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181 NICKERSON, J. E. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181 POND, Terrence Reginald . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181 SAMPSON, Brian Carl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .183 SAMPSON, Duane Travis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .183 SAMPSON, F. J. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .183 SAMPSON, G. E. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185 SAMPSON, Jule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185 SAMPSON, Michael Clifford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185 SAMPSON, Paul Joseph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187 SELLERS, William Brown “Billy” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187 SEMON, Peter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187 STARK, George C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189 STEWART, R. G. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189 STONE, John Henry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189 Advertisers' Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204 Submission Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208
Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 3 President’s Message As President of Nova Scotia/ Nunavut Command, I would like to thank all those that have contributed to the publication of this 19th edition of the Veterans’ Service Recognition Book. These publications provide an opportunity to recognize Veterans that have served and are presently serving in the Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP, during times of War and Peace. We all can be proud of their service and dedication, so that we might live in a Peaceful and Democratic society. It is especially important that these stories and biographies are circulated throughout our many communities as a way to pay tribute, that is so deserving to our Veterans. We thank Editor Comrade Steve Wessel for his continued promotion and support of this most worthy publication. Also, we appreciate Fenety Marketing and Mark Fenety for their professional efforts in the publishing of this and previous editions. Enjoy this 19th Edition. Yours in Comradeship Don McCumber President Nova Scotia/ Nunavut Command The Royal Canadian Legion
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 5 Project Chairman/Editor’s Message As project Chairman/Editor, it is an honour and a privilege to present the 2023 edition, the 19th book in our Veteran Service Recognition Book (VSRB) series. All of these books are produced in an effort to honour, acknowledge and remember the contributions made by so many brave Canadians who have served, not only in times of war, but also during many peacekeeping and peacemaking missions. We also recognize and support those men and women who continue the proud tradition of service to Canada throughout the world in the Canadian Forces and the RCMP. This being our 19th VSRB edition, and including our very first book, the history of our NS/NU Legion branches, marks 20 years in producing and presenting these unique publications. With this 20th anniversary in mind, I thought it was time to update my photo (above) instead of reusing the one you’ve had to look at over the past 8 years or so; and to also offer my sincere thanks to all the Legion branches, members and individuals who have supported this publication through the years by contributing biographies and photos. To date, you have helped the Legion raise approx. $1.6 million in personal contributions and through advertisements, for use in supporting the many Veteran’s programs within our Command. As always, I wish to thank Fenety Marketing for their continued partnership and shared expertise in the production of these books. I would also like to recognize and thank Comrade Gary Silliker, CD, for his in-depth research and continued contributions to these publications. In closing, we look forward to issuing the 20th edition of the VSRB series in the fall of 2024, and if you would like to contribute to the 2024 edition, I encourage you to use the form at the back of this book and send it to our Command office. Stephen Wessel Project Chairman / Editor Veterans’ Service Recognition Book
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 7 Craig joined The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada in 1990 at the age of 16. In 1991, before his 18th birthday, he completed the basic parachutist course in Edmonton on serial 9109 and then became a member of the Parachute Company. In December of 1993 he transferred to the regular force and was posted to the 2nd Bn Princess Patricias Canadian Light Infantry; a childhood dream of his after observing the unarmed combat instructor in the movie The Devil’s Brigade. While serving in the 2nd Bn, he deployed to Bosnia in 1997 on Roto 0 of OP Palladium under NATO’s Stabilization Force or SFOR. There was a lot to process in the aftermath and near conclusion of the Balkans War, he recalls and the memories of that time, good and bad will never be forgotten. Upon completing four years with 2PPCLI, he returned to The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada. In around 2001, Craig moved to Barrie Ontario, where he transferred to the Grey and Simcoe Foresters and in 2007 was attached to 1RCR for pre-deployment training in Petawawa. In 2008, Craig deployed to Afghanistan as a Sergeant/heavy weapons mentor within the Operational Mentor and Liaison Teams otherwise known as OMLT. In December of 2008, upon the OMLT teams taking casualties, he was promoted toWarrant Officer (while so employed) and switched roles to mentoring an Afghan National Army Company as the 2i/c (2nd in command). Upon returning to Canada, Craig moved back into the Greater Toronto Area and once again, rejoined The Queen’s own Rifles where he filled many rolls such as Recce Platoon 2i/c, Direct Fire Support Platoon 2i/c, RQMS and Course 2i/c for many courses. In 2021, Craig took up an opportunity to teach at 5CDTC Det Aldershot where he worked as an instructor and course 2i/c on several NCO and Officer leadership courses. In 2023, after over 33 years of service as an infantry soldier, he was released due to injuries sustained during his service. In 2014, Craig had joined the Royal Canadian Legion at Branch 322 Ajax Ont. as a way to help support his fellow veterans. In 2016, Craig was one of the Co-Founders that stood up the Legion’s OSI Special Section, otherwise known as BSO Legion OSI. The mandate of this special section was to promote mental health awareness and fight mental health stigma. BSO Legion OSI was ratified at Convention in St John’s NFLD of that year and Craig held the position of 1st Vice President at ratification. In 2019, Craig became the National Coordinator for Operation VetBuild, a program which incorporates hobby as a means of building and sustaining good mental health. He developed this program and incorporated it into BSO Legion OSI’s offering of services. Operation VetBuild now supports veterans and their families in branches across the country. When hearing that there was an opportunity to do more for veterans through the Legion, he applied for the role of Executive Director of Nova Scotia Nunavut Command and to his excitement was offered the position in which he has taken on in September of this year. After 33 years of military service and 9 years as a volunteer within the Legion, Craig feels that this is the transition that he needed, to continue to serve Canada and its veterans. He also feels that the skills, the discipline and the friendships that he has forged over his years as a soldier and Legion volunteer will be his greatest assets. WO Craig Hood (Ret’d) is NS/NU Command’s new Executive Director Craig Hood CD, WO (Ret’d)
Veterans’ Service Recognition Book – Volume 19 8 World Link Food Distributors Inc. 902-423-0787 www.atlanticlobster.ca We Remember
Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 9 Nova Scotia / Nunavut Command Poster and Literary Contest Winners – 2023 1st Place Senior Colour Poster, Brianna Doiron Submitted by Montgomery Branch 133, District F 2nd Place Senior Colour Poster, Olivia Felker Submitted by Habitant Branch 073, District D continued ... 1st Place Intermediate Colour Poster, Kassie Clark Submitted by Oxford Branch 036, District C 2nd Place Intermediate Colour Poster, Aleigh Mumford Submitted by Elmsdale Branch 048, District F
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 11 2nd Place Junior Colour Poster, Isabella Mason Submitted by Elmsdale Branch 048, District F 1st Place Junior Colour Poster, Ruby Langley Submitted by Earl Francis Mem. Branch 152, District F continued ... continued ... 1st Place Primary Colour Poster, Mallory Pope Submitted by Tatamagouche Branch 064, District C 2nd Place Primary Colour Poster, Camila Peveril Submitted by Habitant Branch 073, District D
Veterans’ Service Recognition Book – Volume 19 12 St. John’s • Dartmouth • New Minas • Oromocto • Petawawa • Ottawa • Kingston Trenton • Toronto • Winnipeg • Regina • Saskatoon • Edmonton • Victoria
Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 13 continued ... continued ... 1st Place Senior Black & White Poster, Isabelle Boyce Submitted by Habitant Branch 073, District D 2nd Place Senior Black & White Poster, Jenna Cross Submitted by Habitant Branch 073, District D 1st Place Intermediate Black & White Poster, Erin Nicholson Submitted by Montgomery Branch 133, District F 2nd Place Intermediate Black & White Poster, Connor MacArthur Submitted by Elmsdale Branch 048, District F
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 15 1st Place Junior Black & White Poster, Aliviah Martell Young Submitted by Elmsdale Branch 048, District F continued ... 2nd Place Junior Black & White Poster, Lily MacBride Submitted by Habitant Branch 073, District D 1st Place Primary Black & White Poster, Ella Kloosterman Submitted by Elmsdale Branch 048, District F 2nd Place Primary Black & White Poster, Beatrice Atkinson Submitted by New Germany Branch 102, District E continued ...
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 17 continued ... continued ... Following are a selection of the 1st place Poetry and Essay submissions as well as a listing of 2nd place in each category: THE SOLDIER This goes out to the soldier To the one who fought To the one who risked their life For our country And our home To the one who knew what was right And kept us safe To the one who left their family To fight for us For them And for our country To the one who knew the risks But went to help anyway Knowing they may not come home They did it for us So for that, we are thankful So this goes out to the soldier The one who saved the world 1st Place Senior Poetry, Ria Suidgeest, Submitted by Tatamagouche Branch 064, District C 2nd Place Senior Poetry, Abigail Gilbert, Submitted by Colchester Branch 026, District C
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 19 continued ... continued ... Everything is different now He’s not the same He’s not the same as he was before. Mama says it was the war. He doesn’t smile like he did before. The way he walked through the door. I hear him every night, the screams that ruin my mother’s smile. Draining it of the happiness before the war And now my happiness has begun to dry I try so hard not to cry. I wish I could go back to before. I wish my big brother never went to war. 1st Place Intermediate poetry, Gabrielle Breau, Submitted by Colchester Branch 026, District C 2nd Place Intermediate Poetry, Matteo Mercer, Submitted by Elmsdale Branch 048, District F 1st Place Junior Poetry, Lucas Byers, Submitted by Tatamagouche Branch 064, District C Lest We Forget Soldiers walking into war Not knowing What lies ahead. Violence. Trauma and death. This is why On the eleventh hour Of the eleventh day Of the eleventh month We take a moment of silence To remember Those who fought in war For country Freedom and lives. 2nd Place Junior Poetry, Claudia Parker, Submitted by Habitant Branch 073, District D
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 21 continued ... continued ... 1st Place Senior Essay, Malek Al Radi, Submitted by Colchester Branch 026, District F Note: Malek’s entry also won 1st Place at the national (across Canada) level. 2nd Place Senior Essay, Liliana Despres, Submitted by Colchester Branch 026, District F We need to hold the candle high. I don’t want to share something that I read or saw on television, I am going to tell you about my own experiences. When I was five years old, I was forced to move to another country because a war started in my own country. There were explosions near our home and planes bombing my village from the air. We were frightened and my family, my father and my mother, my four sisters, my two brothers, and I, we all had to flee. There was no time to pack. After we left, our house was bombed. I was so happy to go to Jordan, which was a safe country. I explored new things and met new people, but all the time I was thinking about when I would get back home. I thought we would be away for a few days or maybe a year, but unfortunately that was not the truth. The truth was, I did not go back because the war is still going on, and I am only sixteen. I have been away from my home for eleven years. I haven’t seen my country, my village, or my relatives. Even now, every time we read or hear news, it is still about who died, what terrible things are still going on, how expensive the war has been, and how money has lost its value and those who are left behind can hardly buy for their families. It is terrible to see your children hungry and not be able to do anything about it. My country is still suffering. I hope peace returns soon. I now go to school in Truro, Nova Scotia, and last week, we held a Remembrance Day service. We all wore our poppies, we sang O Canada, we had a visit from five veterans, some classes spoke about remembering, a wreath was placed at the front, but my favorite part was the Candle-lighting ceremony. We lit candles for our grandparents and families who died in war, for our friends and relatives in the armed services, and candles for peace. It was wonderful. It made me think that we need a light wherever it is dark, and that it is important to remember. Lighting a candle reminds me that in order to light it, there have to be good people and those good people must hold the light that will put out the darkness.
Veterans’ Service Recognition Book – Volume 19 22 Avon River Metalworks • Studio and Open Air Gallery • 616 Sangster Bridge Road • Falmouth, NS (902) 790-2218 • avonriver.metalworks@ns.sympatico.ca Proud to Support the Past, Present & Future
Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 23 continued ... continued ... Going Back I’ve been here for hours. Cold, sick and hungry. Watching the rain from the cave I’m staying in. All I have left is stale bread and 2 days’ worth of water, the rest stolen by animals. I wouldn’t blame them; I would do the same thing. I was left behind by my group. They said they would come back, but they never did. Sometimes I think they forgot about me, or maybe they tricked me, or maybe they’re all dead. I don’t care what happened to them, all I know is that they left me behind. I was silent for a few seconds, thinking of what I had said. Have I gone mad? How could I say these things? The only reason I’m alive is because they told me to stay here because I am injured. They cared about me, fighting, crying, and dying while I’m safe, secure and warm. I might be hungry but at least I’m alive, unlike all those other soldiers who are either dead or dying. Have I become a monster? I’m so tired I can’t even think. I limp to the rock I call my bed and I look at the rocky roof of the cave, dreaming of peace, freedom, and home. I dream of my friends, and family, of warmth and love. For once, I have a good dream, not one of death, blood and darkness. I smiled for the first time in a long time. I wake up, thinking I am home. Nope, still in the cold, dark, damp cave. I slowly get up. Everything hurts, but my leg is feeling better. Not limping as bad as yesterday. I wash my face with the rain, it’s cold but refreshing at the same time. I feel better today. I feel calm and for once, I feel like everything will be ok. I do a little stretching and have a piece of bread. I sit down on my rock and think; there is nothing better to do. I think about yesterday, I think about my dreams and I think about home. I think so much my head starts to hurt and I realize that the rain has stopped. I step outside, my boots splashing the puddle around me. It feels good to get out of the dark cave. I look around, the birds are singing, the grass is shining. It is a beautiful day. I pack my stuff and I head out. I will go back to find the war. I know, I know, war is terrible and there’s too much blood, hate and death. But the only reason I decided to go to war was for my family, friends. If everyone was scared to go to war, our country, my home, would not stand. My family would not be with me anymore, no one would. That’s why I’m going back to war, that’s why I’m fighting, that’s why I’m risking my life, for my family. 1st Place Intermediate Essay, Shana Ali, Submitted by Somme Branch 031, District F 2nd Place Intermediate Essay, Aaliyah Thomson, Submitted by Montgomery Branch 133, District F
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 25 2nd Place Junior Essay, Julia Blundell, Submitted by Elmsdale Branch 048, District F The Importance of Remembrance Day On June 6, 1944, Canadian soldiers landed on the beaches at D-Day. Hundreds of soldiers died and were injured. The landing crafts carried the soldiers onto the beaches as the Germans attacked them. Paratroopers dropped into France to help with the attack. Soldiers pushed tanks off the ships and brought them to shore to clear the barbed wire that the Germans had set up to defend the beaches. It was early in the morning, the water was freezing, and many soldiers had to swim to shore while the Germans attacked from the cliffs. My grandmother was a year old and she lived in a town near Prague. Her mother prayed that the Nazi soldiers would not come for her daughter. Her father had been deported to the concentration camp in Terezin two years earlier. In August 1942, the Canadians tried to invade France but were unsuccessful. They ran into a German convoy of ships and the Germans now knew they were attacking. Many soldiers lost their lives and many were captured by the Nazi soldiers. My grandmother wouldn’t be born until November, but her parents worried about what might happen to their family. Their family had to wear yellow stars sewn onto their clothing when they went out. Her cousins were not allowed to go to school, to the park, to the movies or see their friends that weren’t Jewish. Jews lost their jobs and were forbidden from going into stores to buy food. Even though the Canadians were unsuccessful during the Dieppe raid, my great-grandparents knew that help was coming, and they now had hope. On May 7th, 1945, the Germans surrendered. It was too late for my great uncles, my great-great grandmother and my grandmother’s cousins. They died inAuschwitz. But my great-grandfather was able to return home. And my two-year-old grandmother was now safe from the Nazis. On November 11th of each year, I attend a Remembrance Day ceremony and think about all the sacrifices the Canadian soldiers and Allies made, so my family and other families could be free. 1st Place Junior essay, Katie Davies, Submitted by Hants County Branch 009, District D continued ...
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 27 Linda Rolfe, a veteran and the area representative of the Quilts of Valour Canada Society, presented a quilt of valour to James Ronald Fowler of Greenville NS. The presentation was held at Wedgeport Legion Branch 155 during a 2023 monthly meeting. Ms. Rolfe said the quilt ‘‘was well deserved in recognition of his service and sacrifice for Canada’’. J. Ronald Fowler served 4 years in the 84th Independent Field Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery, based in Yarmouth NS. He completed a six month United Nations tour in Egypt from February to July 1976. He also served in the 73rd Service Battalion out of Petawawa, Ontario as a truck driver. After his return from Egypt, he took his release from the military and pursued other employment. As a young man he also served in the Air Cadets for 5 years. Mr. Fowler spent time with the Wedgeport Legion during Remembrance Week 2022 remembering veterans such as his father Doug Fowler buried in the Greenville cemetery. Greenville is not in the Wedgeport Legion catchment area, however the veterans of Korea who are members of the Wedgeport Legion, wanted to remember their comrades of the Korean War buried in Greenville. For the past years Canadian flags have been placed at all 15 veteran markers in the cemetery situated near the Greenville church. Mr. Fowler has since joined the Wedgeport Legion Branch 155. Military veteran J. Ronald Fowler holding his quilt with Margaret DeViller the quilter. On the right is Linda Rolfe a veteran and the area representative of Quilts of Valour Canada Society. (Percy J. Cottreau photo) Quilt of Valour for James Ronald Fowler continued ...
Veterans’ Service Recognition Book – Volume 19 28 Baddeck is situated in the heart of Cape Breton Island, considered to be the beginning and end of the world famous Cabot Trail. Stretching along the shores of the beautiful Bras d’Or Lake, Baddeck is a bustling village that maintains its essence as a quaint community... visitbaddeck.com like us on
Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 29 Linda Rolfe, a veteran and the area representative of the Quilts of Valour Canada Society, presented a quilt of valour to Leslie Joseph Muise of Hubbard’s Point, NS. The presentation was held at Wedgeport Legion Branch 155 during a 2023 monthly meeting. Ms. Rolfe said the quilt ‘‘was well deserved in recognition of his service and sacrifice for Canada’’. Leslie Joseph Muise, age 90 and still a pillar of the Wedgeport Legion, had a varied military career serving in the Canadian Army and the Canadian Navy. He joined the army in May 1951. He was posted to Picton and Petawawa, Ontario, after which he was sent to war torn Korea (still a dangerous place even after the armistice was signed) on Special Duty from October 1953 to May 1954. He received the Republic of Korea Ambassador for Peace Medal. He also made a trip to Korea in 2018 accompanied by granddaughter Galisa Devine. Such trips for veterans that are open to families are still offered by the republic. After Korea he requested a release from the army and in March 1955, he joined the Royal Canadian Navy until March 1966. During his time in the navy he trained in Cornwallis, NS, and served on ships HMCS Trinity, Iroquois, Algonquin, at HMCS Stadacona and also later on HMCS Micmac and Athabaskan. In the spring of 1963, he was posted on shore at HMCS Shelburne. In March 1966 he transferred to the Royal Canadian Signal Corps in Kingston, Ontario and in June 1969 he was posted to CFB Valcartier, Québec, where he served with Engineers, 430 Helicopter Squadron. In May 1977 he was posted to CFS Mill Cove NS with the RCAF. He retired in November 1977 as Sergeant in Tri-Service Communications. Photo of Leslie J. Muise with his quilt made by Karen Thibault. On the right is Linda Rolfe a veteran and the area representative of Quilts of Valour Canada Society. (Percy J. Cottreau photo) Quilt of Valour for Leslie Joseph Muise continued ...
Veterans’ Service Recognition Book – Volume 19 30 Lieutenant Commander John Willard BONNER : RCMP Regimental #1213 Lost at sea September 11th 1942. John Bonner spent most of his life at sea. In 1929 he joined the Canadian Preventative Service which in 1932 was absorbed into the RCMP Marine Service. With the rank of Master he commanded several RCMP patrol vessels until World War II when the RCMP Marine Service and it’s vessels were transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy. In 1941 BONNER was given command of the Corvette HMCS Charlottetown and promoted in 1942 to Lieutenant Commander. On September 11th 1942, HMCS Charlottetown was torpedoed by the German U-boat U517 off Cap Chat Quebec in the St. Lawrence river. Nine of her sixty-four crew members were lost including Bonner. When the ship was struck, Bonner ordered abandon ship, organized the evacuation and was the last to leave the ship. As he swam away there was a violent explosion and he was killed. His body was not recovered. He is listed on Panel 6 on the Halifax Memorial. Bonner Drive at RCMP Depot Division is named in his honour. Nova Scotia RCMP Veterans Association Lest We Forget We offer the following services: A.R.T. E.M.D.R. PTSD PAIN MANAGEMENT PLAY THERAPY INDIVIDUAL, COUPLES & FAMILY COUNSELLING Virtual Sessions Available 46 Inglis Street Suite 6 Truro, Nova Scotia 902-897-2880 mefamilytherapy@bellaliant.com NIHB & Veterans Affairs approved Lest We Forget
Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 31 William “Willy” Cochrane (left) is presented with his 75 year medal by branch President Darrell Leighton, Hants County Branch 009. With great sorrow we say goodbye to our Comrade of 77 years; William “Willy” Cochrane. William Cochrane was born 8 September 1923 in Windsor, Nova Scotia. Willy worked at Nova Scotia Textiles before enlisting in the Royal Canadian Navy on September 23, 1942. He served out of Halifax. He spent 18 months on the Rayond’or, a minesweeper and then 6 months on the HMCS Stormont, a frigate. William was discharged as an Ordinary Seaman on October 23, 1945. He received the Atlantic Star, War Medal 1939-1945, Defense Medal and the CVSM/Clasp. He was a life member of the Hants County Branch 009, Royal Canadian Legion. William Cochrane was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion for 77 years. He passed away on June 8, 2022 at the age of 98. William Cochrane RCN
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 33 Allan Fenwick Coggon was born in Dartmouth in 1919 and his family moved to Clearland, just outside Mahone Bay, when he was a child. In 1946 Allan became a member of Branch 49 Mahone Bay. He was a tireless advocate of our Canadian veterans’ legacy. Here is some of Allan’s story – a story of four decades of flying. Allan went for his first airplane ride in February 1927 when he was eight years old. A de Havilland Gipsy Moth, equipped with skis, landed in Mahone Bay and was offering rides for a dollar. Allan was hooked on becoming a pilot. In October 1939 he applied to the RCAF for a chance to fly. He was accepted into the RCAF on 1 June 1940, which just happened to be his 21st birthday. After basic training in Toronto, he did pilot training in Thunder Bay, Saskatoon, and Trenton. Allan was presented with his pilot wings in November. The RCAF decided that his talent and skill as a pilot would be best suited for a position within the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan; consequently, Allan became a pilot instructor. His instructional duties saw him posted to Dauphin and Winnipeg, MB; Picton, ON, and Pennfield Ridge, NB. In June 1942 Flying Officer Coggon was posted to St Hubert, QC, as a staff pilot for the RCAF Training Command Headquarters. His duties consisted primarily of flying military and civilian VIPs to various locations (which sometimes included secluded fishing camps). Allan had been requesting an overseas posting for over a year, but to no avail. In July 1943 he had 1,260 flying hours in his logbook and again requested a posting overseas – he wanted to get into the fighting war. The RCAF posted him to 164 Heavy Transport Squadron in Moncton. Allan was inducted into the permanent force of the RCAF in January 1944 and posted to Ottawa as a staff pilot. In September, with 2,240 flying hours in his logbook and numerous requests to go overseas, was posted to England. Allan was amongst a large group of RCAF men being trained for operations in the far east. Their role was to fly troops, ammunition, and supplies into battle – often behind enemy lines. Allan left for India in January 1945. In Comilla he joined 31 Squadron, RAF, and on 9 February, while at the controls of a C-47, he made his resupply mission flying over ‘the hump’ (Himalayan Mountains) into Burma. His squadron’s main tasks were close-support missions for the ground troops (in Allan’s case it was usually the troops of the 81st East African and 82nd West African divisions). Many of his ALLAN COGGON – an Aviatore Story by Gary Silliker continued ... Allan Coggon (left) during training in Saskatoon, Sask. Allan Coggon in Burma
Veterans’ Service Recognition Book – Volume 19 34 proudly supports our Veterans and the Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command. 5784 Eastbay Hwy, Ben Eoin, NS B1J 1P4 (902) 270-3195 Proud to Honour and Support our Veterans Thank you for your sacrifices.
Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 35 missions required flying at tree top level to avoid anti-aircraft or small arms fire from the Japanese troops in the jungles below. On one memorable mission Allan was flying at 8,000 feet when he noticed the head of a snake peeking out from an equipment access panel on the floor between his feet. It looked like a cobra to him. Allan quietly told the co-pilot to slowly leave the cockpit. Once that was accomplished Allan fired 3 rounds from his pistol at the cobra. Upon returning to base, he explained the three bullet holes to the maintenance crew. The C-47 was quickly repaired, and he flew another mission. The next day the maintenance crew informed him that they had found the remains of a 7-foot snake in the plane. Many of the loads he flew consisted of perishable items such as rice, feed for mules, and gain-based foods; rats, mice and snakes were often found in the loads. Near the end of March, he was on a mission to drop three tons of barbed wire and steel pickets behind enemy lines. The load had to be dropped at 50 feet and it had to be done in 4 passes. During the drop the Japanese forces were shelling the drop zone. On the last pass there was an explosion very close to Allan’s plane. The plane’s port wing tilted earthwards, and the engine quit – at the same moment a “bloody mass” of flesh came through the open cockpit window and struck Allan in the head. He was able to recover the plane and return to his base safely. Allan was never sure what that bloody mass of flesh was; however, he always hoped it was the remains of some cow that was struck by a Japanese shell. The greatest threat to airmen flying the hump into Burma was not the enemy – it was the weather. Allan had several neardeath experiences due to sudden changes in the weather. He would later note that planes were often “blown around like leaves.” Flight Lieutenant Allan Coggon left India on 15 July 1945; starting a fiveday journey to England. He arrived in Halifax in late August, and after 30 days leave, he reported to RCAF Training HQ in St Hubeart. In December he was posted to 124 Ferry Squadron, RCAF, and spent the next year flying various types of aircraft back to Canada. Flight Lieutenant Coggon was selected for this task because he was able to fly and navigate at the same time. He was released from the RCAF in April 1946. Allan stayed in the aviation business after the war. He flew for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, from 1947 to 1952 on trans-ocean, and inter-continental routes to the Dutch East Indies and the West Indies. In 1952 he flew with Hollinger Air Transport, on the mega-project, to build a 360-mile railroad to the interior of Labrador. That was followed by a year as the personal pilot to Sir James Dunn. He then became the chief pilot for the Air Service Division of Algoma Steel Corporation. Allan was a freelance helicopter and seaplane instructor from 1982 to 1990. He returned to Mahone Bay in 1990 and was a founding member of the Western Nova Scotia Aircrew Association and the Silver Dart Chapter of the Canadian Aviation Historical Society. He wrote two books: ‘From Wings Parade to Mandalay’ (an autobiography of his war years) and ‘Watch and Warn’ (the story of the Canadian Air Detection Corps of WW II). continued ... Allan is remembered fondly in Clearland; especially for his rendition of the song “Lunenburg County Jail.” He died on 24 December 2006 and is buried in the Upper Blue Rocks Cemetery.
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 37 Douglas Maxwell Cox was born on 5 August 1919 in Halifax. Upon finishing high school, he attended the Provincial Normal School (now NS Teachers College) where he obtained a teacher certificate. Doug enlisted in the RCAF on 19 July 1941. He trained and qualified as an Air Observer/Air Navigator on 27 April 1942 and was posted to Operational Training Unit 31, RCAF Station Debert, NS, on 14 May. Sergeant Cox was posted to RAF Ferry Command on 30 June 1942. Three days later, in Gander, NL, he took on the role of navigator for a Mitchell bomber bound for Britain. Doug would later recount that trip, noting that he and the civilian pilot made up the entire ‘crew.’He also remembered the pilot telling him not to get too concerned if he dozed off for a few minutes every now and then during the nighttime crossing of the Atlantic. After delivering the bomber he was transferred to Bomber Command and sent to No.14 OTU, Cottesmore, for more training. In late January 1943 Sergeant Cox was posted to 7 Squadron RAF (pathfinder force) and was assigned to a crew flying Short Stirling Mark I R9149 MG-B. The other crew members were Pilot Officer Frank Morton "Tommy" Tomlinson (pilot) of East Noel, Hants County NS; Warrant Officer I Vincent Albert Fox of Fairville, NB; Sergeant JR Cox; and RAF airmen Warrant Officer II C Davies, Sergeant G Howard, Sergeant L March; and Warrant Officer II J Jennings. Doug would later remark that very few airmen were keen on recent modifications that removed the nose gun position on the Stirling. That meant the bomber had no defense against a frontal attack by an enemy fighter. Sgt Cox flew his first bombing mission on 7 February. His last mission on that bomber, was on 9 March. That night MG-B was shot down near Élan, Flize, Ardennes, in northern France, by Lt. Helmut Bergmann of Luftwaffe Night Fighter Wing 4. Tommy Tomlinson stayed at the controls of the burning bomber, as the rest of the crew bailed out, and was killed in the crash. The other crew members became Prisoners of War; however, Doug escaped capture and became an ‘evader’. Douglas Cox - Evader Story by Gary Silliker continued ...
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 39 Warrant Officer I Vincent Albert Fox, of MG-B, was killed in April 1945 when RAF fighters mistakenly attacked a large group of POWs who were on a force march in Germany. Flight Lieutenant Doug Maxwell Cox, DFC, recounted his days as an evader, behind enemy lines, in his story “It Was a Long Walk Home” which was published in the RCAF magazine ‘The Rondel’ in May 1961. After hiding out in a rural area, dressed as a farmer labourer, he contacted the French Resistance. He was hidden in a Paris apartment; however, two attempts to get him back to England by sea failed. Doug did recount the time he and another evader were riding in a train’s passenger car when two Gestapo were checking identifications papers. Fortunately for Doug and his friend, the inspection stopped two seats short of where they were sitting. His final ‘walk’ was across the Pyrenees and into neutral ‘Axis-friendly’ Spain. In early July, he made it to the British Garrison in Gibraltar and arrived back in England on 24 July. Doug was surprised to learn that, during his evasion escapades in France and Spain, he had been promoted to Flight Sergeant and again to Warrant Officer II. He happily collected his back-pay before being repatriated to Canada on 7 September. Doug returned to England in June 1944 and was posted to 433 Squadron, RCAF. He flew another 30 bombing missions between 18 July and 25 October. During that period, he was commissioned to the rank of Pilot Officer. On 15 November 1944, Doug was awarded an ‘immediate’ Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions with 433 Squadron. Doug was released from the RCAF in the summer of 1945 and enrolled in Dalhousie University that fall. After obtaining a BA degree, in 1949, he took his wife and young children to Bordeaux, France, as part of a university training plan. While there Doug made a visit to the grave of his pilot Tommy Tomlinson in the Elan Churchyard. He returned to Canada in 1950 and enrolled in the University of Toronto obtaining a degree in French studies. Doug re-joined the RCAF in 1953, as a navigation officer, and was employed as Language Professor at the College Militaire Royal in St. Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. Flight Lieutenant Douglas Cox, DFC, was released from the RCAF in 1966 and moved his family to Lunenburg County. Doug taught school in Hebbville and Mahone Bay until his retirement in 1979. Retirement allowed him more time to work his Christmas tree farm. He became a member of the Western Nova Scotia Aircrew Association, the Royal Air Forces Escaping Society (Canadian Branch), Branch 24 Bridgewater RCL and a ‘friend’ of 14 Construction Engineering Squadron, RCAF. Douglas Maxwell Cox, DFC, died on 17 April 2012 at the Veterans’ Unit of Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital in Lunenburg. continued ...
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 41 James Gibson Laurier Fraser was born in New Glasgow, N.S. on 14 September 1895, youngest of Duncan Cameron and Elizabeth (Graham) Fraser’s five children. Duncan Fraser was a lawyer by profession and was elected Member of Parliament for Guysborough in 1891. He held this position until 1904, at which time he accepted appointment to the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. Two years later, Duncan was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia, a post he held until his untimely death at age 64 on 27 September 1910. Following her husband’s passing, Elizabeth relocated to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, where she resided with her oldest daughter, Annie, and her husband, Rev. William G. Wilson. Her son Laurier, as he was known to family, and his older sister Sarah, accompanied their mother to Moose Jaw. Two other siblings, Alistair and Margaret Marjorie, had already left home. Alistair completed his studies at Dalhousie University in Halifax and later re-joined the family in Moose Jaw, where he commenced the practice of law. Alistair, like his father Duncan, also served as Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia from 1952 to 1958. Margaret completed her nursing studies at Lady Stanley Institute, Ottawa and commenced employment at Vancouver General Hospital. In the meantime, upon completing his schooling, Laurier entered a five-year legal apprenticeship with a nearby Gull Lake, Sask. Law office. The outbreak of the First World War in August 1914 soon impacted the Fraser siblings. Shortly after the British declaration of war on Germany andAustria-Hungary, bothAlistair and Margaret travelled to Camp Valcartier, Quebec. Margaret enlisted with the Canadian Army Medical Corps, while Alistair accompanied the 17th Battalion (Nova Scotia) to England, where he received a commission as a Lieutenant when he attested with the unit. Alistair subsequently served in Belgium with the Princess Patricia’s Light Infantry (PPCLI) and at Vimy Ridge, France with the 15th Battalion (48th Highlanders of Canada). Too young to enlist at the time of the war’s commencement, Laurier joined the 60th Rifles of Canada, a Moose Jaw militia unit. On 19 February 1916, he enlisted with the 229th James Gibson Laurier Fraser WWI and Family Duncan Cameron Fraser Alistair Fraser Margaret Fraser continued ...
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Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 43 continued ... Battalion (South Saskatchewan). At the time Laurier was a strapping 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighed 195 pounds. As with his older brother, Laurier received the commission rank of Lieutenant at the time of his enlistment. Following a summer of training in Western Canada, the 229th made its way by train to Halifax, N.S., and departed for England on 23 September 1916. Upon arriving overseas, the 229th was dissolved and its rank and file dispersed to existing units in the field. As a result, Laurier was placed on the Canadian Expeditionary Force’s “General List” of Officers and awaited the opportunity to serve at the front. Laurier spent seven months in England before receiving a transfer to the 16th Battalion on 26 April 1917. He crossed the English Channel to France on May 1st and joined his new unit in the field four days later. The 16th had been established at Valcartier, Quebec, in September 1914, its initial ranks composed of soldiers from four Highland militia units. As a result, the battalion adopted the title “Canadian Scottish”. Following its arrival in France in mid-February 1915, the 16th served with the Canadian Corps in Belgium’s Ypres Salient until September 1916, when the Corps relocated to the Somme region of France for two months. The Battalion spent the winter of 1916-17 in sectors near Lens, France and participated in the Canadian Corp’s historic 9 April 1917 attack on Vimy Ridge. Alistair, Laurier’s older brother, participated in that battle. Laurier served with the 16th in France throughout the spring and summer of 1917. In late October, the unit made its way northward to a location close to the Belgian border, where it paused to prepare for its role in the Canadian Corp’s attack on Passchendaele Ridge. At month’s end, personnel arrived at Ypres, Belgium. While the 16th served several tours in the line, its soldiers did not participate in the assault’s final stages. The unit remained in the area until mid-month, at which time its soldiers made their way back to their previous sectors near Lens. Throughout the winter of 1917-18, the 16th completed a regular schedule of rotations, conducting occasional raids on German trenches and enduring intermittent machine gun, artillery and trench mortar fire during its tours. On 25 February, its soldiers occupied “a little more than 1000 yards” of the St. Emile sector’s trenches. In subsequent days, personnel set about wiring and deepening the front line, amidst sporadic artillery and machine gun fire. Early the following month, hostile fire intensified considerably. On March 1st, a trench mortar shell killed three “other ranks” (OR) and wounded a fourth. Artillery and mortar shelling continued throughout the subsequent days, culminating in a heavy barrage on the 16th’s line in the early morning hours of 4 March 1918. As the hostile fire subsided, German soldiers attacked a section of the line to the battalion’s left. The 16th’s No 1 Company, located in support trenches at the time of the bombardment, was particularly hard-hit by the barrage. Two of its Officers were killed and a third wounded, while four OR were killed and the same number wounded. Lieutenant James Gibson Laurier Fraser was one of the two Officer fatalities. He was laid to rest in Bully Grenay Communal Cemetery. Laurier’s cousin, Lieutenant Roderick Douglas Graham (see article this edition) was in camp with the 85th Battalion at nearby Raimbert and attended Laurier’s interment. Laurier Fraser at training camp Lt. Laurier Fraser, 16th Battalion (Canadian Scottish)
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