Well, let me tell you about him. I'll call him Art.
Later it will all become clear!
Art came from a small place about 60 miles south of London, England. Like most, he went to school and like many also joined the local Church Lad's Brigade. He then carried on as his father and grandfather before, in the building trades. When about 15 he found work as an "Odd Boy" at a local builder's yard. Soon he'd be an apprenticed and still later a fully qualified carpenter. At some point Art also served in India with the 12th Battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery.
But times back as a carpenter in England were tough for Art and his profession, so, like so many others he left for better prospects. When his feet hit the ground he found himself in Regina Saskatchewan in 1911. This after a long sail on the SS Albania, Southampton to Quebec. He was no doubt delighted to hear that in Regina they needed carpenters. For the next three years he plied his trade. At the same time he probably missed some of the comradery back in the Lad's Brigade and possibly with that in mind, did a short term with the Territorial Army (possibly the Salvation Army of today) in the Regina area.
Later it will all become clear!
Art came from a small place about 60 miles south of London, England. Like most, he went to school and like many also joined the local Church Lad's Brigade. He then carried on as his father and grandfather before, in the building trades. When about 15 he found work as an "Odd Boy" at a local builder's yard. Soon he'd be an apprenticed and still later a fully qualified carpenter. At some point Art also served in India with the 12th Battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery.
But times back as a carpenter in England were tough for Art and his profession, so, like so many others he left for better prospects. When his feet hit the ground he found himself in Regina Saskatchewan in 1911. This after a long sail on the SS Albania, Southampton to Quebec. He was no doubt delighted to hear that in Regina they needed carpenters. For the next three years he plied his trade. At the same time he probably missed some of the comradery back in the Lad's Brigade and possibly with that in mind, did a short term with the Territorial Army (possibly the Salvation Army of today) in the Regina area.
It is said that this picture is of Art whilst with the Lad's Brigade, but it may be after he arrived in Canada in 1911.
Three years into his carpentry career Art heard the calls for men to sign up for the Great War in Europe.
Three years into his carpentry career Art heard the calls for men to sign up for the Great War in Europe.
In mid December 1914 he answered the call and enlisted with the E Company of the 46th Battalion, CEF. (The regimental cap badge is shown to right,) No doubt some training took place in Western Canada and then he was shipped off to Montreal where he would board the carrier Elele (possibly Edele) for England on 5 July 1915, arriving on the 18th.
Art was part of the first shipment of reinforcements called for and upon arrival in England he was dispatched to the 32nd Reserve Battalion, but in less than a month then relocated to the 10th Battalion of the CEF (Canadian Expeditionary force) By the end of the month Art was with the 10th in France. (Cap badges above)
In the Fall of 1915 Art received at least one if not two minor wounds, possibly to the lower leg and foot areas. One may have been through entanglements with barbed wire obstacles. Medical care was received both in France and back in England. At one point one of the issues had his feet and one ankle swollen up so bad that he could not even walk.
In the Fall of 1915 Art received at least one if not two minor wounds, possibly to the lower leg and foot areas. One may have been through entanglements with barbed wire obstacles. Medical care was received both in France and back in England. At one point one of the issues had his feet and one ankle swollen up so bad that he could not even walk.
In 1917 Art was obviously impressing his bosses. He rose in rank from Pte to Acting Lance Corporal, appointed Acting Corporal, and then to full Corporal by mid November.
Less than a year later the London Gazette would tell the world that the King of the Belgiums had even awarded our carpenter the Croix de Guerre, though I have yet to find a citation telling us why..
Art was doing so well finding his footing, if you will, that he was earning enough money to send back to his mother and three younger sisters in England $15 a month.
In the above picture he is proudly wearing his stripes. The collar dogs have the number 10 displayed though difficult to see.
The year 1917 would come to an end with yet another wound. This was not inflicted by the enemy... but by accident. Whilst moving some boxes about, his heavy military coat caught on some barbed wire and he ended up twisting his ankle and breaking his foot in a fall that saw him again under medical care.
1918 would be a whole end a lot different for Art, the Knight with shining armor.
And I'll bring you that tomorrow!
Bart
Less than a year later the London Gazette would tell the world that the King of the Belgiums had even awarded our carpenter the Croix de Guerre, though I have yet to find a citation telling us why..
Art was doing so well finding his footing, if you will, that he was earning enough money to send back to his mother and three younger sisters in England $15 a month.
In the above picture he is proudly wearing his stripes. The collar dogs have the number 10 displayed though difficult to see.
The year 1917 would come to an end with yet another wound. This was not inflicted by the enemy... but by accident. Whilst moving some boxes about, his heavy military coat caught on some barbed wire and he ended up twisting his ankle and breaking his foot in a fall that saw him again under medical care.
1918 would be a whole end a lot different for Art, the Knight with shining armor.
And I'll bring you that tomorrow!
Bart
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